Report Reveals Cause of Fatal Manhattan Garage Collapse That Crushed Cars Owned by Boro Park Residents

By Y.M. Lowy

A new report explains what caused the deadly collapse of a parking garage in Manhattan in April of 2023. 

The report says the collapse happened after workers started removing bricks from a support column, not realizing it was holding up part of the building. The garage owner had hired a handyman to do the work, thinking there was a steel beam inside the column. But there was no steel — just old bricks. Removing them made the structure weak.

One of the engineers said that even after they noticed something was wrong, the response was just, “Put the bricks back.” 

But it was already too late.

At approximately 4 p.m., a worker drove a car near the damaged area, and part of the garage fell. The four-story garage suddenly gave way, killing one employee, injuring six others, and destroying many cars. Some cars owned by Boro Park residents were also crushed in the wreckage.

City officials said the accident was caused by mistakes from both the garage owner and the engineers. No criminal charges will be filed, but the city has reviewed other garages to make sure they’re safe. The damaged garage has since been torn down.