Man faces over 20 charges in Brooklyn hit-and-run that killed woman, 71: NYPD

BUSHWICK, Brooklyn (PIX11) – A Brooklyn man was arrested Monday in the hit-and-run of a 71-year-old woman and her daughter in Bushwick back in May, according to the NYPD.

Robert Matthews, 26, is facing over 20 charges in connection to the incident, per authorities. Police officers tried to pull over Matthews back on May 9 when he allegedly sped away, drove through an intersection and hit the two women.

Juanita Vidal, 71, was killed in the hit-and-run , according to authorities. Her 44-year-old daughter was critically injured.

Vidal’s death was ruled a homicide, according to officials. Matthews was allegedly driving a rental car at the time and fled the scene of the crash on foot, per police.

Matthews was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident along with other charges.

Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018 . She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here .

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