BQE hit-and-run, and a district that keeps bleeding

Sep 14 - Drivers of two SUVs crashed at 2 Ave and 9 St in Brooklyn. A 34-year-old driver died. Two passengers were hurt, one with head trauma. Police recorded unsafe speed. A pickup driver was stopped in traffic.

Drivers of two SUVs collided at 2 Ave and 9 St in Brooklyn around 6:25 p.m. A 34-year-old driver was killed. Two passengers in the northbound SUV were injured: a 38-year-old woman in the right rear seat with head crush injuries and a 64-year-old front passenger with a leg fracture. A pickup driver was stopped in traffic and was involved. "According to the police report, officers recorded Unsafe Speed." The report lists both SUVs going straight before the crash and the pickup stopped southbound. Points of impact include the SUVs’ front ends and one SUV’s left rear quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4842335 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4841887 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 19 - Eastbound Mazda struck a parked Mini’s rear on Henry Street. One woman died. Another was hurt. Following too closely flagged. Center front into center back. Quiet block. Sudden violence. Metal, glass, silence.

A 2018 Mazda traveling east hit the right rear of a parked 2020 Mini sedan near 228 Henry St in Brooklyn. One female driver, 58, suffered apparent death; another occupant was injured. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Following Too Closely.” Vehicle damage shows a center-front impact into the parked car’s center back end. The Mazda was going straight; the Mini was parked. The report lists no other confirmed factors for the drivers. The deceased driver had no safety equipment noted after the crash, per the record.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836901 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - Smith-9th Streets, city’s highest subway stop, will get elevators. The climb ends. State officials promise relief for riders. No more 90-foot ascent. Gowanus waits for access.

"Adding elevators to the station is a huge win for transit equity and for the thousands of riders who rely on this stop every day." -- Jo Anne Simon

On August 11, 2025, state officials announced elevators for Smith-9th Streets station in Gowanus, the city’s tallest subway stop. The MTA’s $68.4 billion capital plan for 2025-2029 funds the project. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes said, “With elevators coming to the Smith-9th Street station, that’s finally going to change.” Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon praised the MTA for prioritizing accessibility. The upgrades follow a court settlement requiring 95% ADA-accessible stations by 2055. Safety analysts note: elevator installation boosts access for people with mobility challenges but does not directly impact street safety for pedestrians or cyclists.

• Tall order: Smith-9th Streets subway station, city’s highest, to get elevators, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 11 - MTA will install an elevator at Smith-9th Street, the city’s tallest subway station. Riders now face steep climbs. Soon, F and G lines open to all. Barriers fall. Access rises. Fewer forced to drive.

"Climbing the tallest station in the system shouldn't be an endurance test." -- Jo Anne Simon

On August 11, 2025, the MTA announced an elevator for Smith-9th Street station, Brooklyn’s highest subway stop. BKReader reported: 'The MTA will install an elevator at the Smith-9th Street station.' No council bill or committee is listed. State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, and NYCHA leaders backed the move. MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo called Smith-9th the clearest case for access. Installing an elevator helps pedestrians, especially those with mobility impairments. It makes transit a real option, shifting trips away from cars and reducing street danger for all.

• Brooklyn’s Steepest Subway Stop to Get a Lift, BKReader, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 10 - Smith-9th Street stands 90 feet high. No elevators. State officials promise lifts. The climb ends. Access rises. Vulnerable riders—elderly, disabled, parents—gain ground. Transit grows safer. Streets may see fewer cars.

""Adding elevators to the station is a huge win for transit equity and for the thousands of riders who rely on this stop every day."" -- Jo Anne Simon

On August 10, 2025, state officials announced elevators for Smith-9th Street station in Gowanus, Brooklyn. The station, nearly 90 feet above ground, is the city’s tallest and lacks elevators. The matter: 'New York City's tallest subway station will soon have elevators, ending the difficult climb to the platform.' State Sen. Andrew Gounardes led the announcement. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon praised the move. MTA chief accessibility officer Quemuel Arroyo backed the upgrade. Adding elevators boosts access for people with mobility challenges. It makes transit a real option, shifting trips away from cars and easing danger for vulnerable road users.

• Tall order: NYC’s tallest subway station to get elevators, putting accessibility on the ascent, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-10

Jul 14 - The driver of a sedan hit a 67-year-old woman in a marked crosswalk on Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn. She suffered severe head lacerations and was conscious. Police recorded failure to yield and driver inattention.

A 67-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Atlantic Avenue in a marked crosswalk in Brooklyn. She suffered severe lacerations to her head and was conscious at the scene. "According to the police report …" the driver was licensed, traveling west and going straight ahead when the vehicle hit the pedestrian. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver and driver inattention/distraction as contributing factors. The vehicle struck the pedestrian with a center-front impact. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828889 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 1 - Three vehicles crashed on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Metal twisted. One driver suffered head and crush injuries. Police blamed driver distraction. The road ran straight. The night was quiet. The system failed again.

A crash involving a pick-up truck and two SUVs tore through the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in Brooklyn. According to the police report, three vehicles were traveling east when they collided. One driver, a 32-year-old man, suffered head and crush injuries. Five others, including a child, were listed as occupants but did not have specified injuries. Police cited 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other errors or violations were listed. The report shows all vehicles were moving straight ahead before impact. The data does not mention helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash highlights the ongoing danger for all road users on New York’s highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817170 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 16 - Assembly bill A 7997 lets speed cameras catch drivers hiding or altering plates. It extends camera use in school zones. Lawmakers push to close loopholes that shield reckless drivers from accountability.

Assembly bill A 7997, now in sponsorship, aims to expand photo speed violation monitoring in New York City. The bill, sponsored by Deborah Glick with co-sponsors Jo Anne Simon, John Zaccaro Jr., Linda Rosenthal, and Tony Simone, was introduced on April 16, 2025. It 'permits the use of photo speed violation monitoring systems in New York City for the purposes of enforcement of license plate obstruction, concealment, and/or distortion; extends provisions permitting the use of speed cameras in certain school zones.' By targeting plate obstruction, the bill seeks to stop drivers from dodging speed camera enforcement, a move that could help protect pedestrians and cyclists from repeat offenders.

• File A 7997, Open States, Published 2025-04-16

Apr 7 - Parked SUV door flung open. Cyclist’s arm torn. Blood on Atlantic Avenue. Driver stands unharmed. Distraction behind the steel. Another wound for Brooklyn streets.

A 26-year-old man riding his bike west on Atlantic Avenue was struck when a parked SUV’s door opened into his path. According to the police report, the cyclist’s arm was split open, leaving him with severe lacerations. The 71-year-old SUV driver was not injured. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to check for cyclists before opening doors. No helmet or signal use was cited as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804626 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 3 - A car turned left on Court Street. A four-year-old crossed with the signal. The bumper struck his leg. His knee crushed. The driver failed to yield. Steel met flesh. A child lay broken.

A four-year-old boy was struck and injured while crossing Court Street at Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the child crossed with the signal when a car turned left and hit him, crushing his knee. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Passenger Distraction' as contributing factors. The boy remained conscious after the crash. The driver’s failure to yield is called out in the official account. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803267 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 3 - Brooklyn’s Ashland Place stays deadly. DOT delays a promised bike lane. Elected officials and residents demand action. Private interests block progress. Cyclists face crashes and fear. The city shrugs. The gap remains. Lives hang in the balance.

On April 3, 2025, a coalition of Brooklyn officials—including Council Members Crystal Hudson, Shahana Hanif, Lincoln Restler, Assembly Members Andrew Gounardes, Jo Anne Simon, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Borough President Antonio Reynoso—sent a letter urging DOT to finish the protected bike lane on Ashland Place. The letter called the block a 'missing link in Brooklyn’s protected bike lane network.' Brooklyn Community Board 2 backed the demand. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Borough Commissioner Keith Bray offered only vague replies. The block’s exclusion traces to a mayoral advisor’s intervention for developer Two Trees. Advocates like Kathy Park Price slammed the city: 'Private interests are able to redesign our streets, prioritizing vehicles over safety at a critical corridor.' Despite unanimous support, DOT keeps the street dangerous. The city’s inaction leaves cyclists exposed and the community frustrated.

• ‘Crashland’: As Demand Grows, DOT Still Won’t Finish Bike Lane on Dangerous Brooklyn Road, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-03

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

Feb 28 - A sedan struck a stopped SUV on Flatbush Avenue. A woman in the rear seat died, her chest crushed. Two vehicles, one still, one moving. The night’s silence broken by impact. No forgiveness, only loss.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Flatbush Avenue collided with the center rear of a stationary SUV near State Street in Brooklyn at 23:04. The SUV was stopped in traffic when the sedan, described as 'going straight ahead,' struck it. A 45-year-old woman, seated unbelted in the right rear passenger seat of the SUV, was killed. The report states her chest was crushed in the impact. The narrative reads: 'A woman, 45, unbelted in the rear seat, died when a sedan struck their stopped SUV. Her chest crushed. Two cars, one still, one moving.' No contributing factors are specified in the police data, but the sequence of events centers on the moving sedan striking a stopped vehicle. The report does not cite any passenger behavior as a contributing factor, listing only 'Unspecified' for contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795527 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 28 - A drunk driver blasted through a red light at 72 mph. He struck Katherine Harris, killing her steps from home. The car crashed on. Blood alcohol twice the limit. The street became a crime scene. Lives shattered in seconds.

NY Daily News reported on February 28, 2025, that Erick Trujillo, 29, was sentenced to three to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. On April 16, 2023, Trujillo drove his Volvo at 72 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a red light at Atlantic Ave and Clinton Street in Brooklyn. He struck pedestrian Katherine Harris, 31, killing her instantly, then rear-ended another car and crashed into an outdoor dining shed. Trujillo's blood alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "This defendant made a disastrous decision when he got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated." The case highlights the lethal consequences of impaired driving and excessive speed, underscoring systemic risks for pedestrians in New York City.

• Drunk Driver Speeds, Kills Pedestrian in Brooklyn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-28

Jan 16 - Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Dec 18 - A 43-year-old woman crossing Flatbush Avenue with the signal was struck by a speeding e-bike. She suffered severe lacerations but remained conscious. The unlicensed rider fled. The e-bike showed no damage. The street held its silence.

A woman, age 43, was injured while crossing Flatbush Avenue near Nevins Street in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The report states she was 'crossing with the light' when a speeding e-bike struck her, causing 'severe lacerations' to her entire body. She remained conscious after the impact. The e-bike operator, described as unlicensed, did not stop at the scene. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The e-bike showed no visible damage. The victim’s action—crossing with the signal—is noted in the report, but the primary focus remains on the rider’s speed, improper lane usage, and lack of a valid license. The crash underscores the dangers posed by reckless operation and systemic failures to control unlicensed riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780866 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 7 - Two sedans collided violently on Adams Street near Fulton. One made a U-turn, the other drove straight. A 55-year-old woman passenger struck her head, bleeding but conscious. Unsafe speed and ignored signals fueled the crash and injuries.

According to the police report, at 19:10 on Adams Street near Fulton in Brooklyn, two sedans collided. One sedan was making a U-turn while the other was traveling straight north. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors to the crash. A 55-year-old female passenger suffered a head injury with significant bleeding but remained conscious. Additional occupants, including a 31-year-old female driver and two passengers aged 9 and 15, sustained neck injuries consistent with whiplash. The report emphasizes that driver errors—specifically unsafe speed and failure to obey traffic controls—were central to the collision and resulting injuries. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780689 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 28 - A taxi slammed into a slowing sedan inside the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. Steel collided. Airbags burst. A 37-year-old man gripped his crushed arm, pain sharp in the echoing dark. Engines idled. Breath held. The tunnel swallowed the aftermath.

A crash occurred inside the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel when a taxi struck the rear of a slowing sedan, according to the police report. The report states, 'A taxi struck a slowing sedan. Steel kissed steel. The airbag burst.' The collision left a 37-year-old man, identified as the driver of one of the vehicles, with crush injuries to his arm. He remained conscious at the scene, clutching his injured limb. Both vehicles were traveling north and slowing or stopping when the impact happened. The taxi sustained center front-end damage, while the sedan was hit at the center back end. The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified,' and does not cite any victim behavior as a cause. The event underscores the persistent danger of rear-end collisions in confined, high-traffic tunnels.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774896 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19