NEW YORK — A 27-year-old Newington woman is dead after the bicycle she was riding was hit by a truck turning left in Brooklyn, New York.
Police say Leah Sylvain, of Newington, was hit by a Peterbilt fuel truck at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday as she rode a bicycle in the Bushwick neighborhood. Joseph Cherry, 52, was turning left when he hit Sylvain.
Sylvain suffered head trauma and was pronounced dead at Woodhull Hospital.
Cherry was arrested on charges including failing to yield and failing to exercise due caution.
Sylvain’s mother told FOX 61 that Sylvain looked forward to riding her bike to work in Brooklyn every morning. She was working at a set design shop at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Sylvain was described as a talented artist who really took her work seriously. She studied puppetry at UConn and ended up in the profession she loved.
Back at home in Newington, she was also one of the founding members of Millpond Church.
Her mother says she's been riding her bike around the city for years with no problems. Her daily ride to work was about 25 minutes.
