The motorcyclist who was tragically killed in a Brooklyn crash with a box truck was a teen actor who played the role of Oleg, one of the Russian twins in the sci-fi film “2012.”
Philippe Haussmann, 29, was riding his 1987 BMW motorcycle when the fatal accident occurred less than a mile from his Bushwick apartment Tuesday morning.
“This was just not in the plan,” said Haussmann’s grieving mother, Joann Perahia, 69.
“They were my gifts from God, I had them as an older parent, and they’re identical twins,” she said of Haussmann and his brother, Alexandre, who acted alongside Haussmann in 2012. “They were a gift because I prayed.”
Haussmann was on his way to work when he was struck at the intersection of Scott Ave. and Flushing Ave. just before 9 a.m., police said. The truck was traveling west on Flushing Ave. when it hit Haussmann, who was cruising northbound on Scott Ave., according to police. Haussmann died at the scene.
The truck driver stayed at the scene, and no arrests have been made so far.
“I used to be afraid to drive there,” said Perahia of the corner. “What am I supposed to do? Do I go straight? Do I go this way? It’s an awful intersection.”
Haussmann grew up in Port Washington, L.I., and graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology before beginning his career in IT, according to his LinkedIn page. He worked for a hedge fund in Manhattan while pursuing various hobbies, including flying private planes and shooting rifles, said his mother.
Haussmann also participated in gun competitions and attended One Shepherd, a military-style leadership development program, said his mother, who added that he had wanted to join the military when he was younger.
“Philippe was very sweet, and he was on his way for major success,” Perahia said. “He was looking to buy a house, he was looking to start a business with his brother.”
“I am devastated,” said Perahia. “These were my pride and joys. They are wonderful sons, and now I have one.”
Haussmann was an experienced motorcyclist and had purchased the BMW bike four years ago. His mother said she always worried about her sons riding motorcycles in New York City.
“I know everyone blames the motorcycle rider,” said Perhia, adding that other cities have fewer motorcycle fatalities. “I didn’t like it that they were riding them in freaking Manhattan. New York City has idiots on the road.”
Haussmann’s father is also struggling to cope, and his twin brother is heartbroken.
“My husband is having a nervous breakdown right now. And my son, the other twin — Philippe was his rock,” Perahia said.
2012, starring John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Woody Harrelson, was released in 2009. The movie portrays a worldwide dystopian future and the apocalypse predicted by the Mayan calendar.
Phillipe and Alexandre Haussmann, 14 when the movie was released, played twins Oleg and Alec Karpov, the sons of a Russian businessman who keep the secret of the apocalypse until they are safely aboard a plane to escape disaster.
Haussmann’s mother reflected on the pain of losing one of her children after years of counting her blessings.
“I used to always say when I would complain or whine about anything, I would say, ‘Look, everything really, technically is okay. Everybody’s healthy, and I haven’t lost a child.’ Well, now I have.”