A woman killed by a speeding driver while crossing a Brooklyn street had grown up in the suburbs and now loved living in the city, a relative said on Monday.
Katherine Harris was crossing Atlantic Ave. mid-block near Henry St. in Brooklyn Heights when the driver of a black 2012 Volvo S60 slammed into her about 9:55 p.m. Sunday.
Harris’ aunt, Jennifer Barton, 52, said Harris grew up and went to school in Dutchess County, NY, but moved in 2016 to Brooklyn, where she was an aesthetician and make-up artist.
“She always wanted to live in the city and even as a young girl,” Barton said. “We took the subway when she was about 10. She would go three steps ahead of us just so she could be a young girl alone in the city.”
Police said the 27-year-old driver, speeding west, hit Harris as she was crossing and then rear-ended a westbound 2018 Honda Accord in front of him. The impact sent both vehicles careening into an outdoor dining shed.
Cops said Harris, 31, died at the scene, about half a block from where she lived.
“All she had to do was cross the street and she would have been home,” Barton said.
The Volvo driver was taken into custody. Cops were investigating if he was intoxicated. Charges against him are pending.
The 40-year-old man driving the Honda he struck was not hurt.
Harris’ aunt described the victim as a loving family member with one older brother and one younger brother.
“She had a very outgoing personality, great sense of humor. If you were in her inner circle she was the most loyal fierce friend and would do anything for you,” Barton said. “She was very close with my sister and myself and her brothers.”
Harris was very fashion conscious.
“She had a great sense of style and loved fashion,” said Barton. “She had her own style which was awesome.”
Barton said she talked all the time with her niece.
“I just spoke to her last weekend for two hours, thank God, and we would text back and forth almost daily,” the aunt said. “It’s hard for me to wrap my head around it.”