Flatbush to Midwood: Cross at Your Own Risk

Mar 7 - A dump truck turned right on Bedford and Tilden. The woman crossed with the light. The front of the truck crushed her. She died in the street. The truck did not stop. Metal untouched. She was 58. The city kept moving.

A 58-year-old woman was killed at the corner of Bedford Avenue and Tilden Avenue in Brooklyn when a dump truck making a right turn struck her as she crossed with the signal. According to the police report, the truck's front right quarter panel crushed the pedestrian, causing fatal injuries to her entire body. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Oversized Vehicle' as contributing factors. The woman was crossing with the light at the intersection, as documented in the report. The truck did not stop after the collision. The vehicle, a 2014 KW-TRUCK/BUS registered in New Jersey, sustained no damage. The report centers on the truck driver's failure to yield and the dangers posed by oversized vehicles at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707890 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 12 - A Ford pickup struck a moped on Caton Avenue. Three rode the moped. A woman, 27, lay unbelted in back. Her leg was crushed. The truck showed no damage. The night was still. Danger moved fast.

A Ford pickup truck hit a moped carrying three people near Caton Avenue and Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A Ford pickup struck a moped carrying three. A woman, 27, lay unbelted in back. No helmet. Her leg crushed beneath her.' The woman, riding as a passenger, suffered crush injuries to her knee and lower leg. Police listed 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The moped’s rear passenger had no safety equipment. The pickup showed no damage. The crash left one vulnerable road user with severe injuries, underscoring the risks faced by those outside steel and glass.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688054 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 11 - A cyclist slammed into a parked SUV on Ocean Avenue. The bike folded. Inside the Toyota, a 58-year-old man sat dead, seatbelt on. The street fell silent. No driver errors listed. The crash left one man lifeless, the city unchanged.

A crash occurred near 1362 Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. A cyclist collided with the right side of a parked SUV. According to the police report, 'A cyclist hit the right side of a parked SUV. The bike crumpled. Inside the Toyota, a 58-year-old man sat still, strapped in his seatbelt. He was dead.' The driver of the SUV, a 58-year-old man, was found dead at the scene. The report does not list any contributing driver errors or factors. No helmet use or signaling is mentioned as a factor. The impact left the cyclist's bike destroyed and the driver lifeless inside his vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653596 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 16 - Opponents of the McGuinness Boulevard safety overhaul packed a closed-door town hall. Political heavyweights and business donors rallied against lane cuts and bike lanes. Protesters for safer streets were barred. DOT defended the plan. Council Member Restler and activists stood firm.

On June 16, 2023, a contentious town hall convened over the city’s proposed safety redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. The meeting, billed as an 'awareness town hall,' was dominated by opponents, including Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn and business leaders like Tony Argento of Broadway Stages. Bichotte-Hermelyn, whose district is far from the site, admitted limited knowledge of the plan but cited business concerns. The session excluded supporters of the redesign, who rallied outside. The Department of Transportation defended its proposal to reduce lanes and add parking-protected bike lanes, citing proven safety benefits. Council Member Lincoln Restler and activists later rallied for the overhaul, insisting that safety for all road users must not be compromised. The event highlighted deep divisions and the influence of business interests over street safety reforms.

• Donor Class McGuinness Safety Opponents Reel in Brooklyn Dem Boss, DOT Commish for ‘Sham’ Town Hall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-16

Jun 7 - Mothers starve for Sammy’s Law. Hochul offers sympathy, not action. Heastie keeps the bill off the floor. The law would let New York City lower speed limits. Assembly support grows. Vulnerable road users wait. Streets stay deadly. Lawmakers stall. Lives hang in the balance.

Sammy’s Law, stalled in the New York State Assembly, would let New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. On June 7, 2023, Governor Hochul expressed sympathy for hunger-striking mothers but refused to pressure Speaker Carl Heastie, who blocks the bill from a vote. The bill passed the Senate and has City Council and mayoral support. The matter summary: 'Hochul has previously expressed support for Sammy's Law, which would allow New York City to set its speed limits below 25 miles per hour.' Amy Cohen, a mother and advocate, demanded action, showing Heastie photos of victims. Seven new Assembly members, including Yudelka Tapia, Al Taylor, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, and Brian Cunningham, now back the bill, giving it majority support among NYC Assembly members. Still, the Speaker’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users exposed to speeding drivers and systemic danger.

• Hunger Strike Day 2: Gov. Hochul is ‘Sympathetic,’ But Won’t Pressure Heastie on Sammy’s Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-07

Mar 10 - A bus hit a cyclist on Cortelyou Road. The rider flew, face-first, into the street. Blood pooled. His breath came ragged. Driver inattention and following too closely marked the crash. The cyclist, 27, suffered severe facial bleeding. No helmet listed.

A bus traveling west on Cortelyou Road near East 17th Street in Brooklyn struck a cyclist. The impact threw the 27-year-old rider to the pavement, causing severe facial bleeding and leaving him incoherent. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' contributed to the crash. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported among vehicle occupants. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists when large vehicles fail to pay attention or keep safe distance. The police report makes no mention of any error by the cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4623119 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 23 - A 68-year-old man bled from the head on Newkirk Avenue. An SUV’s front end crumpled. Unsafe speed shattered the calm. The man drifted, semiconscious, on the asphalt. The street stood still, marked by violence and silence.

A 68-year-old pedestrian was struck by a station wagon/SUV on Newkirk Avenue near East 21st Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the man suffered a severe head injury, was semiconscious, and bled onto the roadway. The SUV’s front end was caved in from the impact. Police list 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. No other driver errors were reported. Two vehicle occupants, a 62-year-old man and an infant, were uninjured. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash left a vulnerable road user gravely hurt, exposing the lethal risk of speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609583 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 18 - A Toyota SUV hit a 50-year-old woman in a Brooklyn crosswalk. Her head struck the bumper. She died on the street. Traffic moved on. The driver stayed. Another life lost to steel and speed.

A 50-year-old woman died after a northbound Toyota SUV struck her as she crossed East 21st Street near Ditmas Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A 50-year-old woman stepped into the crosswalk against the light. A northbound Toyota SUV struck her. Her head hit the bumper. She died there, on the pavement, as traffic rolled past.' The impact caused fatal head injuries. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'unspecified.' The SUV's right front bumper was damaged. The driver, a 58-year-old man, was licensed and remained at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606531 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 15 - A young, unlicensed woman tore down Nostrand Avenue before dawn. She slammed a BMW into ten parked cars. Her head bled. A child in the front seat suffered chest pain. Metal screamed. The street woke to carnage and inexperience.

A BMW sedan, driven by an unlicensed woman, crashed into ten parked vehicles on Nostrand Avenue before sunrise. According to the police report, the driver was young, unlicensed, and wore no seatbelt. Her head was bleeding, but she remained conscious. A child passenger in the front seat, also unrestrained, suffered chest pain and nausea. The crash left a trail of damaged sedans, SUVs, and a van. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The absence of seatbelts for both driver and child is noted only after driver errors. No other violations or contributing factors are cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605851 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 3 - A sedan struck a man crossing Flatbush Avenue at Church. The driver, distracted, kept straight. The man fell. Blood marked the street. The car rolled on, untouched. The man was left bleeding, head wounded, the city unchanged.

A 55-year-old man was hit by a southbound sedan while crossing Flatbush Avenue at Church Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and distracted. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The car, a 2009 Nissan, was undamaged. The driver was licensed and uninjured. The police report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' but the driver's distraction is the primary factor. No helmet or signal issues were listed. The crash left the pedestrian hurt and the street unchanged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4603061 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 16 - A northbound SUV turned right on Avenue K. It struck a 61-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered a head wound. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious. The SUV was undamaged. The bleeding would not stop.

A 61-year-old woman was crossing Avenue K with the signal when a northbound SUV turned right and struck her. According to the police report, she suffered a head wound and severe bleeding, but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV, driven by a 64-year-old woman, was undamaged. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was not at an intersection but was crossing with the signal. No helmet or signal violations were listed. The crash left the pedestrian injured and the vehicle unharmed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591101 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 20 - A distracted SUV driver struck a man crossing Flatbush Avenue. The impact crushed the man’s leg. The driver did not stop. The SUV showed no damage. The man lay broken but conscious on the street. The crash left pain and silence.

A 36-year-old man was crossing Flatbush Avenue when a southbound SUV hit him head-on. According to the police report, 'A man crossed without a signal. A southbound SUV struck him head-on. His leg was crushed. The driver, distracted, kept going.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV, a 2021 model, showed no damage. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The driver’s actions and lack of attention led directly to the severe injury. No other injuries were reported among vehicle occupants or witnesses.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575155 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 13 - A bus turned left on Flatbush Avenue. Its front end struck a 79-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She died under the weight. The street bore witness. The machine rolled on. The city swallowed another life.

A 79-year-old woman was killed while crossing Flatbush Avenue at Glenwood Road. According to the police report, a bus making a left turn struck her with its front end as she crossed with the signal. The report lists 'Oversized Vehicle' as a contributing factor. The woman suffered fatal injuries to her entire body and died at the scene. The bus driver, a 46-year-old man, was not injured. No other injuries were reported. The data highlights the danger posed by large vehicles in city streets. The victim was following the signal when struck.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4573615 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 12 - A 25-year-old cyclist was struck and killed by a diesel truck on Parkside Avenue. The truck rolled on, untouched. Her bike lay twisted. The morning air held no sound. The crash left the cyclist dead and the truck undamaged.

A 25-year-old woman riding a bike east on Parkside Avenue was struck and killed by a diesel tractor truck. According to the police report, 'a 25-year-old cyclist struck by a diesel truck while passing. She was thrown, crushed, and killed. Her bike lay twisted. The truck rolled on, untouched.' The crash listed 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fatal injuries to her entire body. The truck sustained no damage. The report does not list any contributing factors for the cyclist beyond the driver errors. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572613 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 23 - A woman rode south on New York Avenue. A driver failed to yield. Traffic signs meant nothing. She was struck, thrown from her bike. Her head hit the pavement. She died under the streetlights. The city lost another cyclist.

A 53-year-old woman riding a bike southbound on New York Avenue at Cortelyou Road was killed. According to the police report, she was struck and ejected from her bike, suffering fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver ignored traffic signs and did not yield, leading to the deadly impact. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary causes were driver errors. No other injuries were reported. The crash marks another fatal toll for Brooklyn’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4566835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 4 - A man on an e-scooter hit by a turning SUV. His leg split open, blood pooled on Flatbush Avenue. He stayed conscious, partially thrown. The SUV showed no damage. The street bore the mark of impact. No helmet listed as a factor.

A man riding an e-scooter was struck by a northbound SUV making a left turn on Flatbush Avenue near Regent Place in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A man on an e-scooter struck by a turning SUV. No helmet. His leg split open, blood pooling on the street. He stayed awake. The SUV bore no damage. He was partially thrown.' The e-scooter rider suffered a severe leg injury and was partially ejected. The SUV driver was uninjured. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The absence of a helmet is noted, but only after the crash details. The impact left the vulnerable rider bleeding in the street while the SUV remained unscathed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4552274 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 13 - A man crossed Ocean Avenue with the light. An SUV turned and hit his leg. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed conscious. The driver kept his license. The city kept moving. The wound ran deep. The system failed.

A 58-year-old pedestrian was struck by a turning SUV while crossing Ocean Avenue with the signal. According to the police report, the man suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV, a 2015 Toyota, showed no damage and the driver retained his license. Police listed 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The report notes the pedestrian was in the intersection and crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupants. The crash highlights the danger faced by those on foot when drivers fail to yield and pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4545842 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 24 - A speeding Infiniti hit a 61-year-old woman at Nostrand and Flatbush. She stood near the intersection. The car tore open her leg. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious, wounded and bleeding under harsh lights.

A 61-year-old woman was struck and injured by a southbound Infiniti at the corner of Nostrand Avenue and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash happened late at night when the car sped through the intersection and hit the woman, who was not in the roadway. She suffered severe lacerations to her lower leg but remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The data does not mention any other errors or helmet or signal use. The impact left the pedestrian hurt and bleeding under the streetlights.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4540464 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 22 - A westbound SUV hit a man on Foster Avenue. The left front bumper smashed his head. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed conscious. The driver was distracted. No intersection. Darkness hid the danger. The city failed to protect him.

A 46-year-old man walking on Foster Avenue was struck by a westbound SUV. According to the police report, 'A westbound SUV struck a 46-year-old man in the dark. The left front bumper hit his head. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed conscious. The driver was distracted. There was no intersection.' The pedestrian suffered a head injury and severe bleeding but remained conscious. The crash data lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The driver, a 60-year-old man, was licensed and wore a lap belt and harness. The impact occurred away from any intersection, leaving the pedestrian exposed. Systemic danger and driver distraction combined to put a vulnerable road user in harm’s way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4504722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 22 - DOT will turn a Brooklyn street into Apolline's Garden, a car-free plaza. The move comes after a reckless driver killed a baby and injured her mother. Officials and neighbors pushed for this change. Cars lose space. Pedestrians gain safety.

On February 22, 2022, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez confirmed the conversion of Gates Avenue’s stub end into 'Apolline's Garden,' a pedestrian plaza. The announcement followed a virtual Vanderbilt Avenue Block Association meeting. The plaza honors Apolline Mong-Guillemin, a 3-month-old killed by a wrong-way driver on September 11, 2021. Rodriguez stated, 'Traffic violence is a solvable crisis and I'm committed to carrying out Mayor's Adams's safety vision [by] expanding pedestrian plazas and open streets.' Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte called for unity, saying, 'There is no doubt that the creation of Apolline's Garden is the appropriate answer to honor the short life of this 3-month-old baby.' The plan aligns with the NYC 25X25 initiative to reclaim street space for pedestrians and cyclists. Community leaders and officials support the plaza as a step to prevent future tragedy.

• ‘Apolline’s Garden’ is a Go, DOT Commissioner Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-22