FBI Car, Red Light, Then A Bench

Federal prosecutors say a former FBI agent hit a Brooklyn pedestrian, moved him to a bench, and drove away in a government car.

Story Highlights

A grand jury indicted Andrew Reyes for a February 2026 Brooklyn collision and a later alleged false denial.
Prosecutors say Reyes drove the wrong way, ran a red light, struck a man in a crosswalk, then left.
The indictment says Reyes dragged the unconscious victim to a bench and did not get help.
The Justice Department says Reyes is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Indictment Details From Brooklyn Collision

Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York charged former FBI Special Agent Andrew Reyes with depriving a person of rights and making false statements. The indictment says that at about 6:20 a.m. on February 3, 2026, Reyes drove north in the southbound lane on Ocean Parkway at Beverley Road in Brooklyn. It alleges he went through a red light and struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk while using an FBI vehicle with emergency lights on.

The Justice Department said the charges include a civil rights count and a false statements count. Prosecutors allege Reyes later denied hitting a person when questioned by federal agents. That alleged denial forms the basis of the separate count. The announcement stressed that the charges are allegations and that Reyes is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Alleged Actions After the Impact

The indictment describes what it says happened after the collision. It alleges Reyes found the victim unconscious, dragged him from the street across the sidewalk, and placed him on a bench. It further states he then retrieved the man’s bag and set it next to him. Prosecutors say Reyes left the scene and did not call for help or report the crash at that time, leaving the man without aid at a busy corridor.

Multiple news outlets reported the same core details after the indictment was unsealed. Reports described the wrong-way driving, the red light, the strike in the crosswalk, and the placement of the victim on a bench before departure. Outlets also noted the government’s claim that Reyes later denied hitting a person when questioned, aligning with the false statements charge described by prosecutors.

How The Charges Fit Broader Legal Duties

Hit-and-run laws require drivers to stop, render aid, and report crashes that injure people. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says hit-and-run drivers were involved in 23% of pedestrian deaths in 2021, a share that has held fairly steady over time. That context shows how leaving a scene can be deadly, even when details in any one case differ. It does not answer every question about this specific incident.

The federal case adds two layers beyond a normal traffic crime. First, the civil rights charge alleges misuse of authority that deprived a person of rights under color of law. Second, the false statements charge alleges a lie to federal agents during a later interview. Those counts carry separate penalties and signal that prosecutors view the claims as more than a traffic offense alone.

Trust, Accountability, and Next Steps

Allegations against a former FBI agent raise public trust concerns that cut across politics. Many Americans believe powerful insiders get softer treatment, while regular people face strict rules. A case like this tests whether rules are applied the same way to federal officials as to everyone else. The court process, evidence, and any trial will show how strong the government’s claims are and whether they meet the burden of proof.

Former FBI agent arrested for allegedly striking man in Brooklyn with his vehicle, then attempting to cover up the crime, prosecutors say https://t.co/2tWqiGvb72 pic.twitter.com/phYsVdLY5C

— amNewYork™ (@amNewYork) November 5, 2026

Next steps usually include arraignment, discovery, and pretrial motions. Defense lawyers can test the evidence, including any video, vehicle data, or interviews. Prosecutors must prove each charge beyond a reasonable doubt. For now, the indictment and Justice Department statement give the clearest view of the case: a wrong-way collision, a man left on a bench, and an alleged lie later on. The judge and jury will decide what the facts show.