Family seeks justice for Sunset Park man killed by alleged unlicensed moped driver • Brooklyn Paper

The daughter of a Sunset Park man who was fatally struck earlier this month by a moped driver who allegedly had an unlicensed license claims the charges against the suspect are too lenient and has called on the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office to also charge him with manslaughter.

On June 3, 82-year-old Efrain Barreto was struck by 32-year-old Abed Abed of Bay Ridge while crossing the street near the intersection of 60th Street and Fifth Avenue.

According to an investigation by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Unit, at around 5 p.m., Abed was driving a 2023 model Jiajue 150 gasoline-powered moped north on Fifth Avenue approaching the intersection of 60th Street.

After passing through the intersection, Abed struck Barreto as he attempted to cross the roadway in the middle of the block, from the east sidewalk to the west sidewalk, about 18 feet north of 60th Street, authorities said.

Emergency medical services took Barreto to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, June 6.

Abed remained at the scene after the incident and was arrested later that evening. He now faces a litany of traffic offences, including driving without a licence, driving without insurance, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving outside of the permitted class.

Barreto’s daughter Vivian appeared at the Community Board 7 meeting on June 12, one day after her father’s funeral, to ask other community members for support of her cause.

“It’s not OK that this guy is at large for a misdemeanor,” Vivian Barreto said at the CB7 meeting. “This guy intentionally got in his vehicle knowing his license was suspended. He eluded the police and disregarded the laws that all of you, including me, abide by.”

It is believed that Abed has not been charged with manslaughter as the incident is being considered an accident. According to law enforcement sources, surveillance footage allegedly shows Abed attempting to brake before colliding with Barreto, who was crossing the street in the middle of the block. It is also alleged that Abed has not been observed driving recklessly before this.

Vivian’s husband Paul Osborne said at the meeting that the couple did not consider Barreto’s death to be an accident: “In our opinion, it was intentional and he should not have been riding the scooter that day.”

Efrain Barreto, originally from Puerto Rico, lived in Sunset Park since 1967 and, according to Vivian, was an important figure in the community.

“He helped migrants and immigrants alike. He paid for my brother and me through school, did his best and was a very humble man,” Vivian said. “I can’t get my father back, but I can get your help.”

Abed could not be reached for comment. The district attorney’s office declined to comment on calls for additional charges.