Children Bleed, Politicians Stall: How Many More Must Die on Brooklyn’s Streets?

Sep 19 - Driver in a sedan collided with teen riders on a motorized device at E 17 St and Avenue N in Brooklyn. Both girls were ejected. One bled from the hip and leg. The other reported head pain.

A crash at E 17 St and Avenue N in Brooklyn involved a sedan and an other-motorized device. Two 15-year-old girls on the device were ejected. The teen driver suffered severe bleeding to the hip and upper leg. The teen passenger reported head pain. According to the police report, contributing factors included "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Driver Inexperience." The crash record also lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" at the crash level. A New Jersey–registered 2008 Honda sedan was involved. Both units were recorded as going straight east before the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4843709 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-08

Sep 15 - Two westbound drivers collided on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. Rear impact. A 38-year-old driver suffered neck crush injuries and stayed conscious. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction. Another occupant’s status was unspecified.

Two sedans, both westbound on the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn, collided. A driver hit the back of another car, leaving center back-end damage on the lead sedan. A 38-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and reported crush injuries; he was conscious. Another 38-year-old occupant was listed with unspecified injury status. According to the police report, the crash happened at 5:35 p.m. and involved a Toyota and a Nissan. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction. One vehicle’s damage was logged at the center back end; the other showed no damage in the database entry. The report lists no pedestrians or cyclists and does not assign further causes beyond distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4842943 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-08

Jul 24 - A distracted driver struck on 86th Street. A young woman suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. The crash left her unconscious. Police cite driver inattention as the main cause.

A 24-year-old woman operating a motorized vehicle on 86th Street at West 7th Street in Brooklyn was severely injured. According to the police report, she suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was found unconscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No other injuries were specified for the vehicle occupants. The data does not mention helmet use or signals as factors. The crash underscores the danger of distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830338 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-08

Jul 8 - A moped hit a 90-year-old man at Avenue U and E 14 St. The impact left him unconscious, bleeding from the head. Brooklyn pavement ran red. No driver errors listed. The city failed to protect him.

A 90-year-old pedestrian suffered a head injury and severe bleeding after a moped struck him at Avenue U and E 14 St in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the man was found unconscious at the intersection. The moped’s center front end took the impact. No specific driver errors were listed in the report; contributing factors are marked as 'Unspecified.' The crash highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians at city intersections, especially the elderly. No helmet or signal use was noted as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826233 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-08

Jul 3 - A driver fled a Brooklyn traffic stop, dragging an officer with the car. The officer was hurt. The suspect vanished south on Coney Island Avenue. The search continues. Metal, flesh, and fear on Ocean Parkway.

ABC7 reported on July 3, 2025, that a driver fled a traffic stop near Ocean Parkway and Avenue X in Sheepshead Bay, dragging an NYPD officer with a black Honda Pilot. The officer suffered minor injuries. ABC7 quotes, "the 36-year-old suspect fled the attempted traffic stop, dragging the officer as he drove away." Police said the driver was wanted for a prior infraction. The incident highlights the risks of traffic enforcement and the dangers posed by drivers who evade police, putting both officers and bystanders at risk.

• Driver Drags Officer Fleeing Traffic Stop, ABC7, Published 2025-07-03

Jun 23 - A sedan struck a moped on Avenue N. A 17-year-old moped driver died. His 14-year-old passenger was ejected and injured. Police cite improper lane usage. Streets remain unforgiving.

A sedan collided with a moped at Avenue N and East 8th Street in Brooklyn. The crash killed a 17-year-old moped driver and left his 14-year-old passenger ejected and injured. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The sedan was making a left turn. The moped driver was unlicensed and wore no safety equipment, but the police report lists improper lane usage as the driver error. The crash shows the lethal risk faced by young riders on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822639 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-08

Jun 23 - Eleven city lawmakers voted no on speed cameras. Their votes keep streets exposed. Pedestrians and cyclists lose a shield. Reckless drivers win. The city’s most basic defense—rejected. The toll will be measured in blood, not words.

On June 13 and June 17, 2025, the New York State Senate and Assembly voted on reauthorizing New York City's school zone speed camera program. The Senate passed the measure 38-21; three city senators—Stephen Chan, Andrew Lanza, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton—voted no. The Assembly passed it 110-31, with nine city lawmakers—Alec Brook-Krasny, Lester Chang, Simcha Eichenstein, Michael Novakhov, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Sam Pirozzolo, Michael Reilly, David Weprin, Kalman Yeger—opposing. The Streetsblog NYC article, 'Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program,' quotes lawmakers dismissing speed cameras as revenue grabs or burdens. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative action, so no direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be assessed.' Still, the votes signal disregard for proven tools that protect those outside cars.

• Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-23

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 15 - Metal tore metal on Coney Island Avenue. Three vehicles smashed. Passengers ejected, faces cut, bodies broken. Alcohol played its part. Sirens cut the night. Blood on the street. The city kept moving. The wounded waited for help.

A violent crash erupted at Coney Island Avenue and Avenue U in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a sedan, a pick-up truck, and several SUVs collided. Alcohol involvement was listed as a contributing factor. Fourteen people were involved. At least seven were injured, including passengers who suffered severe lacerations, fractures, and one who was ejected and left unconscious. Drivers and passengers reported pain, bleeding, and broken bones. The report states, 'Alcohol Involvement' as a cause. No mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The impact left bodies battered and the street scarred. The crash shows again how alcohol and speed turn steel into shrapnel, and people into casualties.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820416 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-08

Jun 15 - Steel tore into steel at Coney Island Avenue. An SUV struck a Volvo, then slammed a police cruiser. Two officers, two passengers hurt. Sirens split the night. One person cuffed. Broken glass, twisted metal, flashing lights. The city never sleeps.

According to the New York Post (published June 15, 2025), a 24-year-old man driving a Chevy Suburban north on Coney Island Avenue collided with a Volvo traveling west on Avenue U. The impact sent the SUV into a southbound NYPD cruiser. The article notes, 'An SUV slammed into an NYPD cruiser in a three-car smash-up in Brooklyn early Sunday.' Two police officers and two SUV passengers were hospitalized in stable condition. One person was taken into custody, though no charges were filed at the time of reporting. The crash, which occurred at 2:11 am, highlights the dangers at busy intersections and the violent force unleashed when vehicles collide. The investigation is ongoing.

• SUV Hits NYPD Cruiser In Brooklyn Crash, New York Post, Published 2025-06-15

Jun 12 - A motorcycle and sedan crashed on Avenue P. The motorcyclist was ejected and killed. Police cite traffic control disregarded. The sedan driver survived. The street saw violence and loss. Metal twisted. One life ended. The city moves on.

A deadly crash unfolded on Avenue P at East 2nd Street in Brooklyn. A motorcycle, making a left turn, collided with a sedan going straight. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as a contributing factor. The 42-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected and killed, suffering head and crush injuries. The sedan driver, a 17-year-old male, was uninjured. The motorcycle operator was unlicensed. No helmet use or signaling was cited as a factor. The report does not specify which driver disregarded traffic control. The crash left one dead and others shaken. The street bears the mark of another violent impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820105 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-08

Jun 4 - SUV struck parked sedan in Brooklyn. Driver suffered severe head lacerations. Police cite alcohol involvement. Streets remain hostile for all.

An SUV crashed into a parked sedan at 290 West End Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 42-year-old man, suffered severe head lacerations and was incoherent at the scene. According to the police report, alcohol involvement contributed to the crash. The sedan was unoccupied. No other injuries were reported. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817800 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-08

May 16 - Two sedans crashed at Avenue X. One driver suffered neck and crush injuries. Police cite following too closely. Metal twisted. Streets failed to forgive.

Two sedans collided near 319 Avenue X in Brooklyn. A 32-year-old woman driving a Jeep sedan was injured, suffering neck and crush injuries. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' The impact left one driver hurt while others escaped serious injury. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to keep safe distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813759 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-08

May 14 - Victims and advocates marched to Albany. They demanded action for safer streets. Lawmakers split on bills: some backed speed controls, others balked. The Senate killed an anti-congestion bill. The fight for vulnerable lives pressed on, urgent and raw.

On May 14, 2025, victims of road violence and Families for Safe Streets lobbied at the State Capitol for the SAFE Streets Package. This package includes the 'Idaho stop' bill and the 'Stop Super-Speeders' bill. The event saw support from several Assembly members and a senator for speed controls, while Sen. Anthony Palumbo and Assembly Member Michael Novakhov opposed the super speeder bill, citing government overreach. Sen. Leroy Comrie opposed the Idaho stop bill, citing concerns for seniors. Separately, Senate bill S533, which aimed to block congestion pricing, was defeated in the Senate Transportation Committee. Chair Jeremy Cooney stressed, 'You have to have a plan. If you don’t have a plan, what are [you] doing to get the $15 billion revenue?' The day highlighted the rift between safety demands and political resistance, with victims' voices at the center.

• Pain Points: Victims of Road Violence Make Annual Pilgrimage to Demand Safe Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-14

Apr 16 - A new map exposes the city’s worst drivers. Ten repeat offenders rack up hundreds of speed-camera tickets. Fines do nothing. Advocates demand action. The Stop Super Speeders Bill would force speed limiters on these drivers. Lawmakers stall. Streets stay deadly.

The Stop Super Speeders Bill (S7621) is under debate. It would require speed limiter technology for drivers with six or more automated enforcement tickets in a year. The bill is supported by Amber Adler of Families for Safe Streets and Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives, who call out the deadly pattern of repeat offenders. Furnas says, 'These results point to a small population with a shocking pattern of recidivism, resistance to traditional deterrents, and disregard for human life.' Adler points to a recent fatal crash by a repeat offender as proof of legislative failure. Assembly Member Michael Novakhov opposes the bill, claiming six tickets is not excessive. The NYPD withholds license plate data, blocking public scrutiny. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program has expired, leaving no replacement. Advocates say the bill is urgent to stop the next tragedy.

• Map Quest: Meet The City’s Most Dangerous Drivers (And Where They’re Preying On You), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-16

Apr 16 - New research from Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets announced a report detailing NYC's top 10 super speeders.

• Road report: Here’s where lead-foot drivers repeatedly get speed-camera tickets in NYC, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-04-16

Apr 4 - Ocean Parkway cuts through Brooklyn like a wound. Six lanes, fast cars, old design. State and city spent millions. Speed cameras blink. Still, people die. Politicians block real change. Residents demand more. Enforcement alone fails. The danger remains. Blood stains the asphalt.

"Assembly Member Michael Novakhov recently told Streetsblog he thinks the speed limit is too slow on Ocean Parkway." -- Misha Novakhov

On April 4, 2025, public debate erupted over Ocean Parkway’s safety. The matter, described as 'Tragedy Underscores Shortcomings of Vision Zero Era State Ocean Parkway Fixes,' highlights the failure of current efforts. Despite millions spent on speed cameras and signals, the six-lane highway remains deadly. Assembly Member Michael Novakhov called for higher speed limits. State Senator Simcha Felder pushed for a 30 mph limit, above the citywide standard. Advocates like Jon Orcutt demand deeper redesigns—lane reductions, pedestrian islands. Residents and experts say enforcement alone cannot save lives. Local opposition and political power block bold changes. The city DOT promises more work, but the danger persists. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Vision? Zero: Tragedy Underscores Shortcomings of Efforts to Make Ocean Parkway Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 3 - A speeding Audi ran a red light on Ocean Parkway. The car flipped, killing a mother and two daughters. Their son lost a kidney. More children and an Uber driver were hurt. The driver faces manslaughter charges from her hospital bed.

According to the New York Post (2025-04-03), Miriam Yarimi, 32, was arraigned on manslaughter and related charges after a deadly crash on Ocean Parkway. Police say Yarimi drove her Audi at double the speed limit, ran a red light, and struck a Toyota Camry Uber. The impact killed Natasha Saada and her daughters, aged 8 and 5, and critically injured their 4-year-old son. The article notes Yarimi made 'incoherent statements to police,' including, 'the devil is in my eyes.' The crash also injured another mother, her three children, and the Uber driver. Yarimi was held without bail. The case highlights the lethal consequences of speeding and red-light running on city streets.

• Red Light Crash Kills Brooklyn Family, New York Post, Published 2025-04-03

Apr 2 - A car tore down Ocean Parkway. It struck a mother and her three children. Only the youngest survived. He lost a kidney. The driver sped, ran a red, drove uninsured, license suspended. The street became a killing ground.

According to the New York Post (April 2, 2025), a 4-year-old boy remains in critical condition after a crash on Ocean Parkway killed his mother and two sisters. The article reports, "Yarimi, 35, was driving nearly double the speed limit when her Audi allegedly struck an Uber, flipped and mowed down the family." Police say Miriam Yarimi drove with a suspended license, no insurance, and expired registration, and ran a red light. She faces multiple charges, including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The crash also injured an Uber driver and passengers. The case highlights the lethal consequences of unchecked speeding and gaps in enforcement against unlicensed, uninsured drivers.

• Speeding Driver Kills Brooklyn Family Crossing, New York Post, Published 2025-04-02

Apr 1 - After a crash killed a mother and two daughters in Gravesend, advocates and Council Member Shahana Hanif rallied for the Stop Super Speeders bill. The law would force repeat reckless drivers to use speed-limiting tech. Survivors demand action. Lawmakers promise change.

On April 1, 2025, Council Member Shahana Hanif joined a rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall demanding passage of the Stop Super Speeders bill. The bill, sponsored in Albany by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, would require drivers with repeated violations to install intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices. These devices cap speed at 5 mph over the limit for those with 11 or more license points in 24 months or six camera tickets in a year. The rally followed a fatal Gravesend crash that killed a mother and her two daughters. Hanif and other lawmakers called current enforcement—ticketing, suspensions, fines, jail—ineffective. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon said, 'The speed limiter technology is available to us. Let’s use it. It will save lives.' The bill is modeled on EU and Virginia laws. Some opposition remains, but supporters say the measure is urgent and practical.

• ‘Enough is enough’: Street safety advocates demand passage of ‘Stop Super Speeders’ bill after tragic Gravesend crash, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-04-01