Motorcyclist pops wheelie, dies in crash

A 38-year-old motorcyclist popping a wheelie in Brooklyn died after slamming into an SUV, police said Monday.

Aton Austin, a father of four who worked as an auto mechanic, crashed his 2017 Kawasaki while zipping south on Rockaway Parkway in Canarsie about 8:15 p.m. Sunday.

He popped a wheelie and smacked into an Infiniti SUV that was heading north but had stopped in the left turning bay at Avenue K, according to cops.

Austin was thrown from his motorcycle and suffered severe head trauma. Medics rushed him to Brookdale University Hospital but he could not be saved.

Austin’s family, gathered in grief at his Flatbush home, was stunned by his death given his skills riding a motorcycle, which he learned to do from his father.

“He was too experienced on a motorcycle to just go into a stopped vehicle,” said an aunt, Marlene Daniels. “He’s a phenomenal rider.”

The Infiniti driver was not hurt and faced no charges.

Austin had twin 12-yearolds boys, a teenage daughter and a 20-year-old daughter.

Daniels said Austin was a “phenomenal auto mechanic” who “could listen to a car and let you know what’s wrong with it.”

“He was very loving and he was very well-loved,” she said. “He has a big family, lots of aunts, uncles, cousins, that misses him.”

Austin’s mother, Paula, was nearly too distraught to speak.

“He was very lovely,” she said, breaking down in tears.

The victim’s sister, Abiola Boone, said he posted on Instagram a picture of himself wearing a new riding outfit before heading out Sunday.