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

Oct 11 - A bicyclist suffered elbow and arm injuries after colliding with a parked taxi in Brooklyn. The taxi driver’s obstructed view contributed to the crash. The cyclist, traveling west, was not ejected but left in shock and pain.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:45 in Brooklyn near Greenpoint Avenue. A licensed taxi driver, parked and facing west, had a limited or obstructed view, which the report cites as a contributing factor. The bicyclist, also traveling west, collided with the taxi’s center front end, sustaining injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The bicyclist was not ejected and was reported in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The taxi showed no damage, indicating the collision impact was primarily on the bike. The report identifies the taxi driver’s failure to maintain a clear view as the key driver error leading to the crash. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763733 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 11 - SUV struck a 26-year-old man crossing Engert Avenue. Driver’s view was blocked. Victim suffered upper arm injuries and whiplash. He stayed conscious. No vehicle damage. Danger rose from limited visibility.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Engert Avenue and Russell Street in Brooklyn around 1 PM. The man was crossing in a marked crosswalk when a northbound Jeep SUV hit him. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' twice as the contributing factor, showing the driver’s visibility was blocked. The pedestrian suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries and complained of whiplash but remained conscious. The SUV showed no damage. No pedestrian actions were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the risk when drivers cannot see clearly at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763535 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 10 - SUV turned left and hit a northbound cyclist in Brooklyn. The rider, 36, was thrown and injured. Police cite failure to yield. The cyclist suffered leg wounds. No helmet or safety gear reported.

According to the police report, a 2019 Nissan SUV made a left turn westbound at Manhattan Avenue and 145 in Brooklyn and struck a 36-year-old male bicyclist traveling north. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was partially ejected from his bike and suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious at the scene. No helmet or safety equipment was reported for the cyclist. The SUV's left front bumper was the point of impact. The data highlights driver error in yielding as the cause of the crash. No contributing factors were attributed to the cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762356 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 7 - A van struck a sedan from behind on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan’s passenger, a 62-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited unsafe speed and an oversized vehicle as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, at 17:10 a van traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided with the rear of a sedan also traveling east. The point of impact was the van’s center front end striking the sedan’s center back end. The van driver was licensed and going straight ahead. The sedan carried two occupants; the middle front seat passenger, a 62-year-old female, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Oversized Vehicle' as contributing factors, indicating driver error on the van’s part. There is no mention of victim fault or contributing behaviors. The collision caused damage to the van’s right front bumper and the sedan’s rear end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761675 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 5 - Taxi struck a northbound e-bike on Williamsburg Street West. Cyclist, 33, was partially ejected and suffered head injuries and abrasions. Taxi’s right side doors were damaged. No driver errors listed. Helmet use noted.

According to the police report, a taxi passing on Williamsburg Street West in Brooklyn collided with a northbound e-bike at 20:11. The 33-year-old male cyclist was partially ejected and suffered head injuries and abrasions. The taxi’s right front quarter panel struck the cyclist, damaging the vehicle’s right side doors. The report lists the taxi’s pre-crash action as 'Passing' and the e-bike as 'Going Straight Ahead.' No specific driver errors such as Failure to Yield are cited. Helmet use by the cyclist is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the risks faced by cyclists when vehicles pass in shared street space.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762579 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 2 - A tow truck driver distracted while parked struck a bicyclist traveling west on South 4 Street. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The truck showed no damage; the bike’s front end was hit.

According to the police report, a tow truck was parked on South 4 Street when the driver, distracted and inattentive, struck a bicyclist traveling west. The bicyclist, a 57-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the tow truck driver. The tow truck showed no damage, while the bike sustained damage to its center front end. The bicyclist was conscious and injured but not wearing any safety equipment. The crash occurred around 6:30 PM. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. The incident highlights the dangers posed by inattentive drivers even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760494 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 2 - City will cut McGuinness Boulevard from four lanes to two. DOT reversed course after backlash. Advocates and Assembly Member Gallagher cheered the move. Fewer lanes mean slower cars, fewer crashes. The fight for safety on the rest of the boulevard continues.

On October 2, 2024, the Adams administration reversed its earlier decision and restored the road diet for McGuinness Boulevard between Calyer Street and Meeker Avenue. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will reduce the street from four lanes to two. The DOT cited community and elected officials' feedback as the reason for the change. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher said, "I'm just really grateful to the better angels of the Adams administration for coming back with this." The advocacy group Make McGuinness Safe called it a win for safety and vowed to keep pushing for improvements. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi praised the city's willingness to listen. Local business Broadway Stages, which had opposed the plan, said it respects the process. Removing car lanes will slow traffic and protect all users, according to advocates.

• FLIP-FLOP: City Brings Back Road Diet For McGuinness Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-02

Sep 30 - A motorcycle struck the left rear quarter panel of a sedan making a left turn on Norman Avenue. The sedan driver was ejected and injured, suffering abrasions and lower leg trauma. Police cited traffic control disregard as the primary cause.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 9:16 AM on Norman Avenue in Brooklyn involving a sedan and a motorcycle. The sedan, traveling north, was making a left turn when it was struck on its left rear quarter panel by a motorcycle traveling east. The motorcycle's front center end impacted the sedan. The sedan driver, a 29-year-old male occupant, was ejected despite wearing a lap belt and harness, sustaining abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or rules. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to obey traffic controls, leading to severe injuries even with occupant restraints.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759819 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 28 - A sedan making a left turn hit a bicyclist traveling straight on Nassau Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:27 on Nassau Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling southeast was making a left turn when its right front bumper struck a bicyclist going straight west. The bicyclist, a 31-year-old woman, was ejected from her bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan driver, a licensed male, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The collision highlights the danger posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760686 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 27 - A pick-up truck collided with a bicyclist on Havemeyer Street in Brooklyn at night. The 43-year-old cyclist, wearing a helmet, suffered head injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and inexperience as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the collision occurred at 22:13 on Havemeyer Street in Brooklyn. A pick-up truck traveling east struck a southbound bicyclist, impacting the left side doors of the truck and the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old man wearing a helmet, sustained head injuries and was in shock. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors linked to the bicyclist, while the truck driver was also cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The bicyclist was not ejected and had no visible complaints at the scene. The data highlights driver errors, particularly inattention and distraction, as central causes of this serious collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760654 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council pushes Albany to let New York City ticket drivers who block bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Cyclists face deadly risk. Lawmakers demand action. Streets must protect the vulnerable.

Resolution 0574-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced September 26, 2024, it urges passage of S.5008A/A.803A. The measure calls for a 'bicycle lane safety program' using cameras to enforce bike lane rules. Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor), Lincoln Restler, and Erik D. Bottcher back the resolution. The text states: 'enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' The council demands Albany act. Cyclists die while drivers block lanes. The bill aims to hold motorists accountable and protect those most at risk.

• File Res 0574-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 25 - A 17-year-old girl suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after a distracted driver hit her at a Brooklyn intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the truck, traveling west, struck her center front end. The victim was left in shock.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Meserole Street and Leonard Street in Brooklyn at 8:05 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2007 Chevrolet truck traveling west went straight ahead and struck her at the center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in injury severity level 3 and emotional shock. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report explicitly identifies the driver's distraction as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian's actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760258 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 23 - Two sedans collided on Morgan Avenue. An unlicensed driver sped north and struck another car turning right. Two female passengers were hurt. Police cited unsafe speed and aggressive driving.

According to the police report, a crash occurred on Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn at 19:10. An unlicensed male driver in a 2014 Cadillac sedan, traveling north, collided head-on with a 2011 Buick sedan making a right turn. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. Two female front passengers were injured: a 23-year-old suffered arm injuries and pain, while a 43-year-old, wearing a lap belt, was in shock with unknown injuries. The report does not list any contributing factors for the victims. Driver errors included unlicensed operation, unsafe speed, and aggressive driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760527 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 23 - A chassis cab truck making a right turn collided with multiple parked vehicles on Meeker Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact caused neck injuries to the truck driver, who suffered whiplash and remained conscious. The oversized vehicle contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Meeker Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:45. A chassis cab truck, described as an oversized vehicle, was making a right turn when it struck several parked vehicles, including SUVs and sedans. The point of impact was the right rear quarter panel of the truck, which sustained no damage, while the parked vehicles suffered center back end damage. The truck driver, a 24-year-old male, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report cites the contributing factor as 'Oversized Vehicle,' indicating the truck's size played a role in the collision. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758501 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 22 - A 40-year-old man crossing with the signal suffered chest injuries after an e-scooter struck him head-on. The driver’s inattention and unsafe speed caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian in shock at a Brooklyn intersection.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Kent Avenue and North 6 Street in Brooklyn around 3:30 a.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when an e-scooter traveling south struck him with its center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian sustained chest injuries and was in shock following the impact. The e-scooter driver, licensed in Illinois, was operating the vehicle going straight ahead. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front end, confirming the point of impact. The report explicitly attributes the crash to driver errors without indicating any fault or contributing behavior on the part of the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759293 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 21 - A distracted SUV driver rear-ended a sedan on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at night. The sedan’s front passenger, a 28-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles were traveling westbound when the collision occurred.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:15 PM on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A 2011 SUV traveling westbound struck the rear center of a 2018 sedan also traveling westbound. The point of impact was the SUV’s center front end and the sedan’s center back end. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor to the collision. The sedan carried three occupants; the front passenger, a 28-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The SUV had one occupant, the licensed male driver. No other contributing factors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761668 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19