In a heartrending incident on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 10, an 87-year-old Brooklyn, New York woman, identified as Joan Behan, met a fatal accident involving her own vehicle in the driveway of her Gravesend neighborhood home. The unfortunate event unfolded just before 3 p.m. on West 10th Street, marking a sorrowful day for the community.
Behan, a former teacher’s aide and a mother of four, had returned from a two-hour workout session at the gym. According to her son, David Behan, she had a routine of sitting in her blue 2013 Toyota Corolla to pray for about 20 minutes before entering her home. Tragically, as she was exiting her vehicle, the car, which had been inadvertently left in gear, rolled backward, causing her to suffer severe injuries.
Eyewitnesses reported to police that Behan was partially out of her vehicle and had what appeared to be a “medical episode”, slumping forward and falling out. As the car began to drift the front driver’s side wheel ran over her, leading to immediate severe head and torso trauma. Despite prompt medical attention, with emergency services rushing her to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, Behan could not be saved.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) and emergency medical services responded to the scene after receiving calls about the accident. A preliminary investigation by the police suggests that the car was not put in “park” before Behan tried to get out.
Authorities are still investigating the precise cause of the accident, including the possibility of Behan experiencing a medical episode before the crash.
Joan Behan was remembered as an active, healthy, and sharp individual, cherished by her family and the broader community. A mother of four, grandmother of ten, and great-grandmother of one, her loss is deeply felt. “She always made people happy with her positive attitude,” her son recounted, painting a picture of a woman whose presence brought joy to those around her.
In addition to her immediate family, Behan was described as a kindhearted and active individual by those who knew her. A former paraprofessional for NYC schools, she had plans to move upstate to be closer to her family, reflecting her continuous desire to stay connected and involved in her loved ones’ lives.
