Ronald Sinvil
This was not a clean death.
A slow-moving street sweeper struck and killed a man near Barclays Center just hours after the Brooklyn Nets won with a homecourt buzzer-beater Friday night, cops said.
Ronald Sinvil, 36, (inset) was crossing Flatbush Avenue near Atlantic Avenue at 1 a.m. and moved right into the path of the Sanitation vehicle — but was at first able to get back onto the curb when he heard the driver honking his horn and yelling at him, police sources said.
The driver, who was headed northbound on Flatbush, then believed he was in the clear and continued on his path.
As the machine was passing by, a confused Sinvil suddenly fell into the vehicle, and was sucked up by the rear tire, the sources said.
The vehicle was going only a few miles per hour — though they can top out at 25 mph while cleaning.
The driver remained on the scene and was not charged with a crime, cops said.
The bizarre accident occurred two hours after the Nets’ thrilling double-overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons.
Sinvil, who lived on the Upper West Side, was a father to a 6-year-old daughter, Gianna.
“He’s just a really good guy, and a good father,” said his brother, Josue Sinvil.
“He was really funny, sociable. We’re all very sad,” Sinvil, 40, said.
The victim’s heartbroken mother could only say, “He’s a really great man.”
The victim did not attend the game — but his death rocked sports fans and neighbors, who are still adjusting to the new arena’s sometimes-rowdy crowd.
“Everything is just crazy now. Your life can go so fast,” said neighbor Samantha Semidei, 25.
Other residents were bewildered by the event, saying it’s not exactly easy to get crushed by such a noisy and sluggish vehicle.
“If you allow yourself to get run over by a street sweeper, there’s something wrong,” said student Brittany McDonald, 18.
Cops did not immediately know whether Sinvil, who died at Kings County Hospital, was intoxicated — but Brooklynites had their suspicions.
“It’s weird. Sweepers are so loud and slow — the guy couldn’t have been surprised by it,” said Web developer Nick Schultz, 24.
Others were distraught, saying the traffic-heavy area is full of bad drivers, some of whom have caused injuries in the past.
“People drive pretty crazy here, but sweepers are slow — it must have been a slow and painful death,” said professional singer Mark Rosenberg, 22.
Cassandra Smith, 21, an aide for the disabled who lives nearby, said the area has become far too congested and a pedestrian hazard.
“Traffic gets backed up and really busy,” she said. “You’ve got to be extra careful over here.”