Blood on the Ballot: Who Lets Our Streets Kill?

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

An SUV hit a cyclist on Neptune Avenue. The rider suffered head wounds and shock. Police list injuries as severe. No driver errors named. The street saw blood and fear.

A cyclist, age 26, was struck by an SUV on Neptune Avenue near Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered head injuries and severe lacerations, and was in shock. The SUV's right front bumper hit the cyclist. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The police report notes the cyclist's safety equipment as unknown. The crash left the cyclist injured, while the SUV occupants were not reported as seriously hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823927 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

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

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 2025-06-12

Taxi making U-turn hit 88-year-old man at intersection. Head wound. Blood on pavement. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield.

An 88-year-old man was struck by a taxi while crossing at the intersection of 2800 W 5 St in Brooklyn. He suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. According to the police report, the taxi was making a U-turn when the crash occurred. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2020 Infiniti taxi. No injuries were reported for the driver or other occupants. The impact was to the left front bumper of the taxi.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811237 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A Ford SUV swung left at Cropsey and 24th. Its bumper struck a 95-year-old woman’s head. She fell, blood pooling on cold pavement. She died in the street, winter sky above, another life ended by steel and speed.

At the intersection of Cropsey Avenue and 24th Avenue, a Ford SUV making a left turn struck a 95-year-old woman, according to the police report. The vehicle’s left front bumper hit the woman’s head, causing her to fall and suffer severe bleeding. She died at the scene. The police report notes the SUV was making a left turn when the impact occurred, and describes the pedestrian as being at the intersection. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are explicitly cited, but the narrative details the SUV’s movement and the fatal contact. The victim’s actions are described only as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' with no indication of contributing behavior. The focus remains on the lethal outcome of a turning vehicle meeting a vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788054 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A 2010 Honda crashed into a parked Jeep on the Belt Parkway ramp. The driver, 23, died alone. His head struck hard, airbags burst, seatbelt held. The ramp was empty, the night silent. No one else was hurt.

A fatal crash unfolded on the Belt Parkway ramp when a 2010 Honda sedan collided with a parked 2023 Jeep SUV, according to the police report. The report states, 'A 2010 Honda slammed into a parked Jeep. The driver's head struck hard. Airbags burst. The man, 23, died alone in the dark. His seatbelt held. The ramp stayed still. No one else was there.' The sole occupant, a 23-year-old male driver, suffered fatal head injuries. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The Jeep was unoccupied and stationary at the time of the collision. The report notes the driver was restrained and airbags deployed, but does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash left the ramp empty and silent, underscoring the lethal consequences when a moving vehicle collides with a stationary one.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786429 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A box truck turned right on Brighton Beach Avenue. Its bumper struck a young woman crossing. Blood pooled on the pavement. She stayed conscious, leg torn open. The truck stood silent, metal clean. The street bore the wound.

According to the police report, a box truck was making a right turn at Brighton Beach Avenue and Brighton 7th Street when its right front bumper struck a 27-year-old woman crossing the intersection. The report notes 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to her knee and lower leg, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood on the pavement and the truck coming to a stop with no visible damage. The police report also states the pedestrian was 'crossing against the light,' but the primary cited cause remains driver inattention. The collision highlights the lethal consequences when large vehicles and vulnerable road users meet at busy Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A Lexus hurtled down Neptune Avenue, speed unchecked. The driver, unbelted, was thrown from the car. Metal twisted, flesh broken. The street claimed him, the night held tight. Systemic danger, one man down.

A violent crash unfolded on Neptune Avenue near West 24th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a 2004 Lexus sedan was traveling west at an unsafe speed when the collision occurred. The 24-year-old male driver, the car's sole occupant, was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. The driver suffered severe crush injuries to his entire body and was found unconscious at the scene. The report details the vehicle's center front end as the point of impact and damage. No other vehicles or persons were involved. The data underscores the lethal consequences of excessive speed and lack of restraint, as documented by responding officers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768222 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A 24-year-old motorcyclist struck a dump truck’s rear on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Ejected, helmeted, crushed, he died on the asphalt. The truck rolled on. The crash left head trauma and silence under the sun.

A fatal collision unfolded on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway when a 24-year-old motorcyclist, traveling east, crashed into the back of a dump truck, according to the police report. The report states the motorcyclist was 'ejected' and suffered 'head trauma' and 'crush injuries.' He was wearing a helmet. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead at the time of impact. The dump truck sustained damage to its center back end, while the motorcycle was damaged at the center front. According to the police report, the motorcyclist died at the scene. No driver errors or contributing factors are listed for the dump truck. The report details a violent, high-speed impact and its deadly aftermath.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750223 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A northbound SUV turned at 80th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway. The bumper struck a 56-year-old cyclist. He hit the pavement hard, head bleeding, conscious. The driver remained. The city’s danger pressed down, unyielding.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV made a turn at the corner of 80th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. The vehicle struck a 56-year-old cyclist, who was ejected and landed hard on the street. The cyclist suffered a head injury with severe bleeding and remained conscious on the pavement. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The SUV's right front bumper was the point of impact. The narrative states, 'A northbound SUV turned. A cyclist, 56, struck the bumper, thrown hard to the street. No helmet. Head bleeding. Conscious. The pavement held him. The driver stayed.' The driver’s failure to yield directly led to the collision and injury. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned after the driver’s error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734293 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A young woman rode her e-bike north on 7th Avenue at 79th Street. She struck something, her helmet cracked, blood flowed. She collapsed, unconscious, head torn, alone in the dark. The street swallowed her pain, silent and unyielding.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old woman riding an e-bike northbound at the corner of 7th Avenue and 79th Street suffered a severe head injury. The narrative states, 'She struck something. Her helmet cracked. Blood ran. She collapsed on the pavement, head torn, eyes closed, alone in the dark.' The report lists her as 'unconscious' with 'severe bleeding' from the head. The contributing factors are marked as 'Unspecified,' and no driver errors or external vehicle involvement are cited. The report notes she wore a helmet, which cracked during the crash. No mention is made of any pedestrian or other vehicle involvement. The focus remains on the solitary, violent impact and the resulting injury, with the cause left undetermined in official records.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728038 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A BMW slammed into a young man turning left on his e-bike. The impact hurled him to the pavement. His head struck, his life ended. The street bore witness to the violence. One turn, one crash, one life erased.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed when a BMW SUV struck him head-on on Neptune Avenue near Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision occurred as the e-bike rider was making a left turn, while the BMW was traveling straight ahead. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor in the crash. The impact ejected the cyclist, causing fatal head injuries described as 'crush injuries.' The police report notes the victim was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The violence of the crash and the fatal outcome underscore the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield or turn improperly. The report makes no mention of any contributing actions by the cyclist beyond his direction of travel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718424 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A 56-year-old man died behind the wheel on 82nd Street. His sedan crashed into a parked Toyota. The front end crumpled. He wore no seatbelt. Metal folded, and the street fell silent. He never stepped out. The impact ended everything.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old man driving a sedan on 82nd Street crashed into the rear of a parked Toyota. The report states the sedan 'slammed into the back of a parked Toyota.' The front end of the sedan folded in, trapping the driver inside. The driver was not wearing a seatbelt, as noted in the narrative. The crash resulted in the apparent death of the driver, who 'never got out.' The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified,' and no driver errors are explicitly cited in the available data. The parked Toyota was unoccupied at the time of the collision. The report does not mention any actions by other road users or any additional contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703200 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan hit a 72-year-old woman crossing Marine Avenue at dusk. Her head struck hard. She died in the street. Two sedans collided, one parked, one moving. The street grew quiet. The woman’s life ended where the light faded.

A 72-year-old woman was killed while crossing Marine Avenue near dusk. According to the police report, she was not at an intersection and crossed without a signal. A moving sedan struck her, causing fatal head injuries. The report states, 'Marine Avenue, near dusk — a 72-year-old woman crossed without a signal. A moving sedan struck her, head crushed.' Two sedans were involved: one parked, one in motion. The police list the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. The woman’s death marks another tragedy on New York City’s streets, where the vulnerable pay the price for everyday traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A BMW turned left on Brighton Beach Avenue. A Harley rider went straight. Steel met flesh. The rider flew, his leg torn away. Blood pooled on the street. Helmet on, license missing. A man, 34, lost a limb to the crash.

A violent collision unfolded at Brighton Beach Avenue and Brighton 1 Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a BMW sedan turned left as a Harley-Davidson motorcycle traveled straight. The impact sent the 34-year-old male rider flying, resulting in the amputation of his lower leg. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor. The motorcyclist wore a helmet but was unlicensed at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported for the BMW driver. The crash left blood on the street and a man permanently changed by steel and speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668078 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan drifted south on 14th Avenue. It slammed into three parked cars. Metal tore. A 49-year-old woman inside the moving car died. The street fell silent. No one else was hurt. The crash left wreckage and grief.

A sedan traveling south on 14th Avenue in Brooklyn struck three parked vehicles. According to the police report, 'A southbound sedan veered into parked cars. Metal screamed. A 49-year-old woman inside did not survive.' The crash killed the woman, who was the only occupant of the moving vehicle. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The three parked vehicles were unoccupied. The impact left the parked cars damaged and the driver dead at the scene. The police report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652991 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A northbound sedan hit a man crossing Stillwell Avenue before dawn. The car struck head-on. Blood pooled from the man’s head. He stayed conscious. The street was silent. The car showed no damage. The man was left bleeding in the dark.

A 45-year-old man was injured when a northbound sedan struck him head-on as he crossed Stillwell Avenue before dawn. According to the police report, the man suffered a head injury and severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The sedan, a Honda registered in Pennsylvania, showed no damage after the crash. The police report notes the pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection. No other injuries were reported. The street remained quiet as emergency responders arrived.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634586 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A 26-year-old man on an e-bike struck a parked Mercedes SUV on 6th Avenue near 74th Street. He flew over the bars. His head hit pavement. Blood pooled. He was conscious, bleeding, alone. The crash left him with severe head wounds.

A 26-year-old man riding an ARROW e-bike slammed into a parked Mercedes SUV near 74th Street on 6th Avenue. According to the police report, 'He flew over the bars. No helmet. Head split open on the pavement. Blood pooled. He was conscious. He bled alone.' The cyclist suffered severe head lacerations and was ejected from his bike. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The report also notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the primary factor of inattention. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupant. The e-bike rider bore the full force of the crash, underscoring the risks faced by vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4622304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A Yamaha motorcycle smashed into a Chevy SUV making a U-turn on Poly Place. The 21-year-old rider, helmeted but unlicensed, was thrown and killed. Improper turning and lane use by drivers led to the fatal crash. The SUV driver survived.

A violent collision unfolded on Poly Place near the VA hospital. According to the police report, a Yamaha motorcycle struck the left rear quarter panel of a Chevy SUV as the SUV made a U-turn. The 21-year-old motorcycle rider, who wore a helmet but was unlicensed, was thrown from his bike and killed. The SUV driver, a 54-year-old man, survived. Police listed 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The report notes the rider's helmet use only after citing driver errors. The impact shattered the rider's body. No pedestrians or other bystanders were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620581 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31