Five Dead in AD 47—Colton’s Steps Aren’t Enough

A BMW SUV pulled from parking on West 6th. Distraction behind the wheel. A motorcycle struck steel, its rider left bleeding in the street. The helmet could not stop the cut. The city swallowed the sound.

According to the police report, a BMW SUV was 'pulling from parking' near 1770 West 6th Street when a motorcycle traveling south struck the SUV’s front. The 47-year-old motorcyclist suffered severe lacerations to his leg and was found conscious and bleeding. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, placing the focus on the actions of the SUV driver. The narrative notes, 'Distraction. Inexperience. The street held the silence.' The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, but the report makes clear that distraction behind the wheel set the crash in motion. No contributing factors are attributed to the motorcyclist. The impact and injury stemmed from the SUV driver’s failure to pay attention while entering traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805636, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A driver struck a family in Gravesend. A mother and two daughters died. Their young son fights for life. The driver faces manslaughter charges. The street became a site of sudden loss. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the New York Post (April 6, 2025), Miriam Yarimi faces manslaughter charges after a March 29 crash in Gravesend, Brooklyn, that killed Natasha Saada, 35, and her daughters, Diana, 8, and Debra, 5. Their brother, Philip, 4, remains in critical condition. Court documents detail Yarimi's prior erratic behavior, including 'verbally abusing, cursing, threatening, yelling, and screaming' and 'banging [a] hammer against the door' of a neighbor's apartment days before the crash. Prosecutors noted Yarimi made 'bizarre statements' after the collision. The article highlights a pattern of dangerous conduct and raises questions about oversight and intervention before tragedy struck.

• Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Daughters, New York Post, Published 2025-04-06

A GMC SUV struck a moped turning on 80th Street near 20th Avenue. The rider, helmeted, was hurled to the pavement, bleeding and torn, left conscious under the harsh streetlight. Metal, flesh, and asphalt collided in Brooklyn’s night.

According to the police report, a GMC SUV collided with a moped at 80th Street near 20th Avenue in Brooklyn at 21:50. The moped rider, age 52, was ejected and suffered severe lacerations across the body but remained conscious at the scene. The narrative states, 'A GMC SUV struck a turning moped. The rider, 52, was thrown hard to the pavement. He lay conscious, helmeted, bleeding, torn across the body beneath the cold white glare of the streetlight.' Both vehicles were making left turns at the time of the crash. The police report lists 'Other Vehicular' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors, highlighting driver error as a key cause. The moped rider was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary focus remains on the unsafe actions that led to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798376, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A pickup truck turned right at 72nd Street and 21st Avenue, striking a 64-year-old woman in the crosswalk. She lay unconscious, head split, limbs crushed. The driver, distracted, failed to yield. Blood pooled on Brooklyn pavement.

According to the police report, a pickup truck made a right turn at the corner of 72nd Street and 21st Avenue in Brooklyn and struck a 64-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. The report states she suffered severe head trauma and crush injuries to her limbs, and was found unconscious on the pavement. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver, licensed in New York, was operating a Pennsylvania-registered pickup and was reportedly looking elsewhere at the moment of impact. The pedestrian was crossing at the intersection with the signal, as noted in the report. The collision underscores the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield and pay attention at crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796531, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A cargo van turned left on Cropsey Avenue. It struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide. Gil died. The aide survived. No charges for the driver. Another senior lost to city traffic. The street remains dangerous for the old and frail.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn with her home health aide. According to the NYPD, 'a man driving a cargo van struck both of them while making a left turn.' Gil died from her injuries; her aide was hospitalized. Police did not arrest or charge the driver. The article notes that Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn this year, and cites Transportation Alternatives: '46 senior pedestrians were killed in car crashes across the city last year.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk seniors face on city streets, especially at intersections where turning vehicles endanger those crossing on foot.

• Elderly Woman Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-01-26

A driver hit a 47-year-old woman as she crossed Quentin Road with the signal. Her back was crushed. She lay conscious on the pavement while the traffic light blinked above, red then green. The street offered no protection. The car did not yield.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old woman was crossing at the intersection of Quentin Road and West 6th Street in Brooklyn when a vehicle struck her. The report states she was 'crossing with the signal.' The impact crushed her back, leaving her conscious but injured on the pavement as the traffic light cycled overhead. The police report does not list any contributing factors from the driver, but the narrative makes clear the driver failed to yield to a pedestrian who had the right of way. There is no mention of any pedestrian error or unsafe behavior; the victim was following the signal at the time of the crash. The incident underscores the persistent danger faced by people walking in city crosswalks, even when obeying traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777168, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Jeep swung into a U-turn on Bay 25 Street. A woman stepped from behind a parked car. The bumper smashed her face. Blood pooled on the asphalt. She stayed conscious, her face torn, eyes open.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV made a U-turn on Bay 25 Street near Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn. As the vehicle swung around, a 31-year-old woman emerged from behind a parked car. The Jeep’s right front bumper struck her in the face, causing severe lacerations. The report describes blood pooling on the asphalt and notes the woman remained conscious, her face torn and eyes open. The crash occurred at 19:30. The police report lists the Jeep’s pre-crash action as 'Making U Turn.' No driver errors are explicitly cited in the report’s contributing factors field. The victim’s action—'Emerging from in Front of/Behind Parked Vehicle'—is noted in the data but not listed as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the Jeep’s maneuver and the resulting impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732943, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Steel met bone on 86th Street. An SUV barreled north, disregarding traffic control. A 68-year-old man pedaled west. Metal crashed into flesh. His head hit pavement. Blood pooled. The bike crumpled. He stayed conscious, battered and bleeding.

According to the police report, a 68-year-old man was riding his bike westbound on 86th Street when a northbound SUV collided with him. The report states the SUV driver disregarded traffic control, directly contributing to the crash. The cyclist suffered severe head lacerations and remained conscious at the scene. The narrative details, 'Metal struck flesh. His head hit hard. Blood pooled. The bike folded at the doors. The bumper cracked.' The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors, both attributed to driver error. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the clear failures by the SUV driver. The crash unfolded near Council District 47, underscoring the persistent danger vulnerable road users face from drivers who ignore basic rules.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709485, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Subaru turned right at Bay Parkway and 79th. The bumper hit a man’s head as he crossed. Blood pooled on the cold street. He died before sunrise. The street was empty. The city kept moving.

A 56-year-old man was killed at the corner of Bay Parkway and 79th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a Subaru SUV turned right at 6:03 a.m. and struck the pedestrian in the head with its bumper. The man was crossing against the signal. He died at the scene. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction are noted in the data. The impact was to the right front bumper of the vehicle. The crash left blood on the pavement before dawn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4681712, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An e-bike hit a woman standing off 79th Street. The front wheel crushed her head. She stayed conscious. Blood pooled. The rider failed to yield. The crash left her injured and shaken. Brooklyn pavement bore the mark.

A 27-year-old woman was struck by an e-bike near 79th Street and 20th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the e-bike 'slammed into a 27-year-old woman standing off the road.' The front wheel hit her head, causing crush injuries. She remained conscious but bled from the wound. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The woman was not in the roadway at the time of the crash. The e-bike was traveling west and struck her with its center front end. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The crash left the pedestrian injured, underscoring the danger faced by those outside vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664304, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Dodge truck turned left on Bath Avenue. The driver did not yield. A 66-year-old woman crossed with the signal. The truck struck her. Her head hit the pavement. She died there. The truck showed no damage. The street stayed quiet.

A 66-year-old woman was killed while crossing Bath Avenue near 25th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a Dodge truck turned left as the woman crossed with the signal. The driver did not see her. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The woman suffered fatal head injuries. The truck sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and remained at the scene. The crash ended a life on a clear day, leaving the intersection marked by loss.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661771, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Mercedes SUV hit a 20-year-old cyclist head-on at Avenue P and West 8th Street. The crash crushed his leg and burned his skin. Blood stained the street. Sirens cut the night. The driver failed to yield. The cyclist lay broken.

A 20-year-old cyclist was struck head-on by a southbound Mercedes SUV at Avenue P and West 8th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a crushed leg and severe burns. The report states, "The driver failed to yield." Driver errors listed include 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s errors. The cyclist was left in shock and bleeding on the pavement. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628819, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A dump truck rolled down Kings Highway. A young cyclist, riding straight, was caught beneath its weight. His hip shattered. He lay half-ejected, conscious, pinned under steel. The street fell silent. The truck rolled on. The system failed him.

A 24-year-old cyclist was struck and crushed by a dump truck on Kings Highway near West 9th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist was riding straight when the truck rolled on, trapping him beneath. He suffered severe hip injuries and was found partially ejected but conscious under the truck. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the data. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the absence of any identified driver error. The truck showed no damage, and the driver was licensed. The crash left the cyclist with crush injuries and exposed the danger heavy vehicles pose to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4588018, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Steel met steel on Stillwell Avenue. An SUV carved a wrong U-turn. The sedan’s side crumpled. A 27-year-old man bled from the head, dazed but alive. Another driver hurt, pain in his body. The street bore the mark of reckless turning.

A crash unfolded on Stillwell Avenue near Bay 46 Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, an SUV attempted a U-turn and struck a sedan. The report states: “A U-turn carved wrong. The SUV’s nose met the sedan’s flank. Steel folded.” Two men, ages 27 and 38, both drivers, suffered injuries. The 27-year-old bled from the head with severe lacerations; the 38-year-old complained of pain across his body. The police list 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes airbags deployed and seat belts used, but only after the impact. The crash highlights the danger of improper turning on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4582536, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Mack garbage truck turned left on 85th Street. The driver failed to yield. An 81-year-old woman, crossing with the signal, was struck. Her leg was torn away. She died beneath the truck’s front bumper. The street ran red with her blood.

An 81-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 85th Street and 15th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when a Mack garbage truck, making a left turn, struck her. The impact tore away her leg. She died at the scene, beneath the truck’s front bumper. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2021 Mack truck. The victim was following the rules, crossing at the intersection with the signal. No helmet or signaling issues are mentioned in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4570960, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi and sedan collided head-on near Avenue P. The night was thick with alcohol. A woman in the back seat was crushed, her neck injured. The taxi driver had no license. The system failed her. The street stayed dark.

A head-on crash between a taxi and a sedan occurred just after midnight near 273 Avenue P in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A taxi and a sedan met head-on in the dark. A woman in the back, belted and crushed. Her neck throbbed. The taxi driver had no license. Alcohol hung in the air.' The crash left a 57-year-old female rear passenger injured with neck and crush injuries. The taxi driver was unlicensed. The police report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. These driver errors—alcohol use and operating without a license—created the conditions for harm. The woman wore a seatbelt, but the system and the drivers failed to protect her.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4561277, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi ran the light at Avenue P and West 1st. It struck a 65-year-old man crossing with the signal. His pelvis shattered. He died on the street. Two passengers and a driver suffered neck injuries. Parked cars and an SUV took the crash’s force.

A 65-year-old man was killed while crossing Avenue P at West 1st Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A 65-year-old man crossed with the light. A taxi struck him head-on. His pelvis shattered. He died where he fell.' The crash also injured a 2-year-old girl, a 29-year-old woman, and a 32-year-old man, all suffering neck pain. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the taxi driver ignored the signal. Parked vehicles and an SUV were also struck. The police report makes no mention of helmet or signal use by the pedestrian. The data shows the deadly result of disregarding traffic control at a Brooklyn intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4532525, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan hit an 11-year-old boy on inline skates on Avenue T. The car’s left bumper struck him. He was ejected, leg torn open, in shock. The driver kept straight. No damage to the car. The boy wore no helmet or pads.

An 11-year-old boy on inline skates was struck by a southbound sedan on Avenue T. According to the police report, 'An 11-year-old boy on inline skates, no helmet, no pads, struck by a southbound sedan. Ejected. Leg torn open. In shock. The car’s left bumper hit him. The driver kept going straight. No damage to the car.' The boy was ejected and suffered severe leg lacerations and shock. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The child was not wearing a helmet or pads, as noted in the narrative, but this is mentioned only after the lack of identified driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521628, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 20-year-old on an e-bike slammed into a parked box truck on 86th Street. He flew from the seat. His head hit hard. He died at the scene. Another man on the bike was thrown, left with a broken leg. The street stayed silent.

A deadly crash unfolded on 86th Street. According to the police report, a 20-year-old man driving a G-Power e-bike collided with a parked box truck. He was ejected from the bike, struck his head, and died at the scene. Another man, age 35, riding on the outside of the e-bike, was also ejected and suffered a fractured leg. The box truck was unoccupied and parked at the time. The report lists no contributing driver errors for either vehicle. The police note the e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the absence of driver errors. No pedestrians were involved. The crash left one dead and one injured, underscoring the dangers faced by vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4520978, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14