\t\t\tBay Ridge: <\/p>\n
Note: More media content is available for this story at BrooklynPaper.com.<\/p>\n
By Caroline Spivack<\/p>\n
Brooklyn Paper<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A bozo in a truck hopped the curb on Fourth Avenue and toppled a tree — destroying a street light and blocking the sidewalk — before speeding off on April 3, said police. <\/p>\n
The tumbling timber forced locals to navigate a mess of boughs and bark, said a superintendant for the apartment complex behind the downed wood. <\/p>\n
“It’s crazy it’s blocking the whole sidewalk and made a big mess,” said Jesus Ayala. “I had just come from the store and the first thing I thought was, ‘Whoa, I got my work cut out for me today.’ ”<\/p>\n
The trunk-ripping-trucker slammed into the tree at approximately 10 am en route to Shore Parkway and left the London Planetree sprawled along the sidewalk in a mangle of branches and roots, according to Ayala. <\/p>\n
But this was not the first time drivers have struck the towering tree. The trunk was bent slightly into a lane of traffic and was often rammed into by careless truckers, according to Ayala. In a way, it’s a good thing that the leaning lumber was finally uprooted, he said. <\/p>\n
“I’m kind of glad, because at least I have a chance to fix the street properly,” said Ayala. “It’s obviously not good, and I’m not happy it happened, but at least no one can hit that tree anymore.” <\/p>\n
City workers with the Parks Department plan to cart away the tree’s remains early April 4. A police investigation is ongoing, an official said. <\/p>\n
Reach reporter Caroline Spivack at cspivack@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260–2523. Follow her on Twitter @carolinespivack.<\/p>\n
Comment on this story.<\/p>\n