Traffic & Transit
Jacob Priley 'Not Out Of The Woods' Weeks After BK Crash: Family
Jacob Priley remained in the ICU fighting for his life weeks after an SUV knocked him off his bike in Park Slope.
![Beloved public relations specialist Jacob Priley was still in the ICU and "not out of the woods yet" weeks after he was knocked off his bike by an SUV in Park Slope, according to loved ones.](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/25354686/20231018/101237/styles/patch_image/public/untitled-design-93___18100911885.png)
PARK SLOPE, NY — Beloved public relations specialist Jacob Priley was "not out of the woods yet" and remained in the ICU weeks after he was knocked off his bike by an SUV in Park Slope, loved ones said Sunday.
Priley was still on a ventilator and sedated —but had some voluntary movement and independent breaths in recent weeks, his family wrote on the GoFundMe that had raised over $117,000 by Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Priley was expected to be switched from a ventilator to a tracheotomy tube, his loved ones said.
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"We are focusing day by day and are celebrating the small wins," his family said. "We are so grateful for the support from all of Jacob’s family, friends, colleagues and community. Your love for Jacob has been such a comfort."
Priley arrived at the hospital in critical condition on Sept. 24 after he was hit by a car while riding his bike on Fifth Avenue near Union Street, police said.
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"The first week was reducing the swelling of his brain, which ended up requiring a surgery. Weeks two and three have been about trying to stabilize his vitals along with fighting pneumonia and a blood clot in his lung," Priley's family said.
Priley was biking northbound on Fifth Avenue and, on a green light, made an "abrupt left turn" onto Union Street — colliding with an SUV traveling southbound on Fifth Avenue, according to the NYPD.
The crash launched Priley off his bike, causing a traumatic brain injury, loved ones said on the GoFundMe.
His crash prompted an outpouring of support throughout New York City, where Priley has held significant local influence in political roles like Chief of Staff for state Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
Bill and Hillary Clinton donated $10,000 to Priley's GoFundMe.
"Anyone who knows Jacob knows what an extraordinary person he is; let's show up for him the way he would show up for us," loved ones said.
Advocates say Priley's crash comes during an extremely deadly year for New York City's cyclists.
"We know every traffic death and injury is preventable. Choices today can and will save lives in the future," advocates with Transportation Alternatives said in a tweet. "New York City deserves better."
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