Morgan Avenue: Blood on the Asphalt, Silence from City Hall

Jan 8 - Two sedans slammed together on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Four people hurt. Knees, necks, arms, chests battered. No driver errors listed. The system failed to protect them.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at 4:05 AM. Both vehicles traveled east. The front of a Toyota struck the rear of a Nissan. Four occupants were injured: the male driver and female passenger in the Toyota, and the female driver and male passenger in the Nissan. Injuries included trauma to the knee, neck, elbow, and chest. All were classified as moderate. Everyone wore lap belts. No one was ejected. The police report lists all contributing factors as unspecified. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are recorded. The report does not mention helmet or signal use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784938 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 7 - A 53-year-old woman was struck while crossing Bedford Avenue with the signal. The sedan driver was making a left turn and had tinted windows, impairing visibility. The pedestrian suffered a hip and upper leg contusion but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Bedford Avenue and South 5th Street in Brooklyn at 10:05 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2013 Infiniti sedan, traveling north and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report cites tinted windows on the vehicle as a contributing factor, which likely impaired the driver's visibility. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruise to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The sedan driver was licensed in New York and had no reported damage to the vehicle. The collision highlights driver error related to impaired visibility due to tinted windows during a turning maneuver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786332 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 3 - A sedan struck a 60-year-old woman crossing Greenpoint Avenue outside an intersection. She suffered arm injuries, shock, and minor bleeding. The driver was licensed and headed west. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling westbound on Greenpoint Avenue struck a 60-year-old woman as she crossed outside an intersection at 10:32 p.m. The impact was at the center front of the vehicle. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her elbow and lower arm, minor bleeding, and shock. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead. The report notes the pedestrian was not at an intersection and lists 'Unspecified' contributing factors. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited. The crash highlights the danger pedestrians face when crossing outside marked crosswalks in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784553 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 3 - Congestion pricing hits Manhattan at midnight. Cars pay to cross south of 60th. Lawmakers split. Some call it a burden. Others hail cleaner air, safer streets, and better transit. The toll stirs anger, hope, and a fight over who pays and who breathes.

On January 3, 2025, congestion pricing (no bill number cited) will begin in Manhattan after a federal judge allowed the toll to proceed. The policy charges most drivers $9 to enter south of 60th Street during peak hours. The matter, titled 'Congestion pricing set to begin at midnight Sunday as federal judge clears path for Manhattan toll,' has drawn sharp lines. Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30, Queens) opposes the toll, warning, 'I don't know how my district is going to be impacted.' He fears more cars parking in Queens and unclear pollution risks. Council Member Kristy Marmorato (Bronx) calls it a 'cash grab.' In contrast, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas support the measure, citing cleaner air, safer streets, and transit upgrades. González-Rojas says, 'Congestion pricing isn't about penalizing anyone—it's about modernizing our transportation system and tackling climate change.' The judge ordered further study on environmental impacts, but the toll begins as scheduled.

• Congestion pricing set to begin at midnight Sunday as federal judge clears path for Manhattan toll, amny.com, Published 2025-01-03

Jan 2 - A box truck making a right turn struck a 27-year-old bicyclist going straight on Bedford Avenue. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered lower leg injuries, left in shock and pain. Driver distraction and bicyclist confusion contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling north on Bedford Avenue was making a right turn when it collided with a bicyclist also traveling north. The point of impact was the truck's right side doors and the bike's left side doors. The 27-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in complaint of pain and nausea and emotional shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The truck driver was licensed and operating a 2019 box truck registered in New Jersey. This collision highlights driver distraction and confusion among vulnerable road users as key elements in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783771 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 1 - A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

Dec 28 - A 29-year-old bicyclist suffered an elbow abrasion after colliding with a sedan on Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn. The bike was making a left turn while the sedan traveled straight. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash caused moderate injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Manhattan Avenue near Meserole Street in Brooklyn at 5:45 p.m. A 29-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining an abrasion to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The bicyclist was making a left turn when he collided with a sedan traveling straight westbound. The report notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor but does not cite any driver errors such as Failure to Yield. Both vehicles showed no damage, indicating a low-impact collision. The bicyclist was not ejected and was not wearing safety equipment. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The injury severity was classified as moderate. The report focuses on the bicyclist's error without attributing fault to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782197 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 26 - SUV turned left. Struck a 71-year-old man crossing with the signal. His leg shattered. Brooklyn street. No damage to the car. The man lay broken. System failed him.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Clymer Street at Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn with the signal when a westbound Jeep SUV made a left turn and struck him with the center front end. The man suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating legally. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash shows the severe risk to pedestrians even when following signals. The report notes confusion but does not blame the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781643 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 26 - A 77-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan turning improperly on Williamsburg St W in Brooklyn. The impact caused a hip and upper leg injury, leaving the pedestrian bruised but conscious. Driver error was the primary cause.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Williamsburg St W in Brooklyn struck a 77-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection with Bedford Ave around 6:30 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle, identified as a 2017 Nissan sedan, impacted him with its center front end. The report explicitly cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious at the scene. No other driver errors or pedestrian behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The driver’s improper turn directly caused the collision and subsequent injury, underscoring the systemic danger posed by vehicle turning violations in pedestrian spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 24 - A motorcycle and a Bobcat collided head-on on the Williamsburg Bridge. Both motorcycle occupants were ejected and suffered severe whole-body injuries including fractures and dislocations. Unsafe speed by one vehicle was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on the Williamsburg Bridge at 6:45 involving a motorcycle and a Bobcat vehicle. The motorcycle, traveling east, and the Bobcat, traveling west, collided front-to-front. Both motorcycle occupants, a 31-year-old male driver and a 41-year-old female passenger, were ejected from the motorcycle and sustained severe injuries affecting their entire bodies, including fractures, distortions, and dislocations. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. Both motorcycle occupants were not using any safety equipment. The Bobcat driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision caused damage primarily to the center front ends of both vehicles. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781444 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 22 - A taxi struck the right rear bumper of a vehicle traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The crash caused neck injuries to a 39-year-old rear passenger, who suffered whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:28 on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A taxi, traveling east and driven by a licensed male driver, collided with the right rear bumper of another vehicle also traveling east. The point of impact was the taxi's center front end hitting the other vehicle's right rear bumper. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors on the taxi driver's part. A 39-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of the struck vehicle was injured, sustaining neck injuries described as whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time of the collision. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The crash highlights driver errors involving tailgating and excessive speed on a busy expressway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780699 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 22 - A sedan hit another car on Manhattan Avenue. The front passenger took a blow to the head and suffered whiplash. Shock followed. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a 2018 Cadillac sedan was heading west on Manhattan Avenue when it struck another vehicle, hitting its left front quarter panel and left side doors. The front passenger, a 23-year-old woman, suffered head trauma, whiplash, and shock. She wore a lap belt and was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash shows the risks passengers face when drivers lose control or fail to maintain lane on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780625 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 21 - A sedan passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash in a Brooklyn collision. The crash involved a tractor truck and a sedan on Metropolitan Avenue. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor, highlighting risks from inattentive driving.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:14 AM on Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision involved a 2006 Nissan sedan and a 2025 tractor truck diesel. The sedan was starting from parking when it was struck on the left front bumper. The truck, traveling straight ahead, sustained no damage. The sedan had two occupants: a 40-year-old male driver and a 36-year-old male front passenger. Both were conscious and injured, suffering back injuries and whiplash. The passenger was secured with a harness, and the driver wore a lap belt. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the passenger's injury. No other contributing factors were noted. The data highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to injury of vehicle occupants, without attributing fault to the injured passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780615 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 21 - A 23-year-old male SUV driver suffered full-body injuries and a fracture in a multi-vehicle collision on S 5 St. Alcohol involvement was noted. Several parked vehicles were struck from behind as the SUV driver traveled eastbound.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on S 5 St in Brooklyn at 1:39 AM. The 23-year-old male driver of a 2019 Toyota SUV was injured with fractures and full-body trauma. The report cites alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. The SUV was traveling eastbound and collided with multiple parked vehicles, including a 2012 Toyota sedan, a 2025 Mini SUV, and a 2023 Hyundai sedan, all struck at their center back ends. The driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The collision pattern and alcohol involvement indicate driver error as the primary cause. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780616 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 20 - An SUV traveling east struck the left rear quarter panel of a westbound truck in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 31-year-old woman, suffered injuries and shock. Police cited reaction to an uninvolved vehicle and improper lane markings as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:52 near 936 Metropolitan Ave in Brooklyn. A 31-year-old female SUV driver, traveling eastbound, collided with the left rear quarter panel of a westbound truck. The SUV sustained damage to its left front bumper, while the truck showed no damage. The female driver was injured and experienced shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt. The report identifies driver errors including "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" and "Lane Marking Improper/Inadequate" as contributing factors. The collision's point of impact and vehicle directions confirm the SUV struck the truck from the front-left side. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780609 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 20 - A 9-year-old boy was struck by an SUV traveling west on Division Avenue. The impact fractured his knee and lower leg. The pedestrian was conscious but seriously injured. The crash involved pedestrian confusion, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a 9-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being hit by a westbound Ford SUV on Division Avenue near Roebling Street in Brooklyn. The SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, struck the pedestrian at the center front end with no reported vehicle damage. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot and was conscious at the scene. The report cites 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, indicating the pedestrian's actions in the roadway played a role. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The focus remains on the pedestrian’s confusion contributing to the collision, with no blame assigned to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782216 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19