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

Aug 28 - A 35-year-old man was thrown from his motorcycle on Johnson Avenue. He hit the street hard. Shoulder and arm injured. Police blame driver distraction. No other vehicles involved.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male motorcyclist was partially ejected and injured on Johnson Avenue near Morgan Avenue at 17:18. The motorcycle was traveling east, going straight, when it crashed. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, noted twice. The rider suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury, classified as severity 3, and complained of internal pain. He was wearing a helmet. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The crash underscores the danger of distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753283 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 27 - A 61-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a van making a left turn in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered a fractured hip and upper leg. Driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way caused the collision.

According to the police report, a van traveling south on Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 61-year-old male pedestrian at an intersection while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the van's left front bumper hit him. The pedestrian sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his hip and upper leg and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies the driver's inattention and failure to yield the right-of-way as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2020 Ford van. The collision caused damage to the van's left front bumper. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The crash highlights driver errors leading to severe injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753282 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 26 - A motorcycle rider was ejected and severely injured when an SUV made a left turn and struck the bike’s front end. The crash caused a hip and upper leg fracture. The SUV’s improper lane usage was a key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, at 6:28 AM on Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn, a 22-year-old male motorcycle driver was ejected after a collision with a 2023 Nissan SUV. The SUV was making a left turn southbound when it struck the motorcycle traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front bumper and the motorcycle’s center front end. The motorcycle driver sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated hip and upper leg injury, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver’s failure to properly navigate the turn or lane. The motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet, but no contributing victim behaviors were noted. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally but committed a critical error leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751232 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 26 - Mayor Adams caved to business pressure, gutting a proven safety redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. The city scrapped lane reductions and protected bike lanes. Pedestrians and cyclists remain exposed. Elected officials condemned the move. The mayor put politics before lives.

On August 26, 2024, Mayor Adams reversed a key street safety redesign for McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn. The Department of Transportation's original plan, announced after a fatal crash in 2021, would have reduced travel lanes and added a parking-protected bike lane. DOT data showed this 'would reduce deaths and serious injuries by 30 percent.' Under pressure from business interests, especially Broadway Stages, Adams first weakened the plan in July 2023, then scaled it back further in August 2024. Council Member Lincoln Restler said, 'Mayor Adams says he cares about safety, except when it comes to McGuinness Boulevard.' Assembly Member Emily Gallagher called the compromise 'a plan that does nothing to address the central safety concerns of our community.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urged the city to follow the evidence and protect lives. The mayor’s decision leaves vulnerable road users at risk.

• Anatomy of a Debacle: How Adams Put Safety Last on McGuinness Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-26

Aug 24 - A Toyota sedan reversed on Hope Street. The driver looked away. The bumper smashed into a 26-year-old woman’s head as she stood off the road. Blood spilled. She stood silent, stunned, bleeding. Driver inattention and unsafe backing, police say.

According to the police report, a Toyota sedan was backing west on Hope Street in Brooklyn when the driver 'looked away.' The vehicle's bumper struck the head of a 26-year-old woman who was standing off the roadway. The report notes she suffered severe bleeding and shock, with the point of impact listed as the center back end of the sedan. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely' as contributing factors. The woman was not in the roadway and was not crossing at an intersection at the time of the crash. The report makes no mention of any pedestrian error or behavior contributing to the collision. The driver’s actions—specifically inattention and unsafe backing—are the only factors cited in the police account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750394 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 23 - Lawmakers say Hochul broke the law. They filed a brief. They argue the governor has no right to halt congestion pricing. The MTA Board, not Albany, holds the power. The pause sows confusion. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On August 23, 2024, a group of New York State legislators—Assembly Members Phil Steck and Andrew Hevesi, State Senator Julia Salazar, and former Assembly Member Dick Gottfried—filed a legal brief against Governor Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing. The matter, as described: “the legislature never gave her or any governor the power to do away with the traffic toll.” The brief cites the 2019 Traffic Mobility Act, arguing only the Traffic Mobility Review Board and the MTA can make such decisions. The lawmakers warn that letting the governor override the MTA would “make impossibly opaque the actual responsibility for MTA decisions.” Their action supports the MTA Board’s independence and opposes executive interference. No safety analyst has assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but the legislators’ stance highlights the risk of political meddling in life-and-death street policy.

• State Legislators Say They Never Gave Hochul the Power to Pause Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-23

Aug 22 - A southbound sedan and SUV collided head-to-end on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. Four occupants suffered back and head injuries, all shocked and complaining of pain. The crash caused center front and back end damage to the vehicles, disrupting the street.

According to the police report, a 2018 Hyundai sedan and a 2004 Honda SUV, both traveling southbound on Bushwick Avenue, collided with the sedan impacting the rear center of the SUV. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Four occupants were injured: the sedan driver, two front passengers, and the SUV driver. Injuries included back and head trauma with all victims in shock and complaining of pain or nausea. None were ejected from their vehicles. Both vehicles sustained center front and back end damage respectively. The sedan driver held a permit license, while the SUV driver was licensed. The report does not attribute fault to any victim or note any victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749976 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 22 - E-bike driver distracted. Struck woman crossing Leonard Street. She suffered a head injury. Brooklyn intersection. Impact left her with a concussion. Danger rides with inattention.

According to the police report, a male e-bike driver heading north on Leonard Street struck a 27-year-old woman as she crossed with the signal at Norman Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian sustained a head injury and concussion but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. The point of impact was the e-bike's left front bumper. No damage was noted to the e-bike. The pedestrian's action—crossing with the signal—was documented but not cited as a factor. This crash shows the harm driver distraction brings to people on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 21 - Two cars slammed together on Grand Street. Both drivers distracted. One man hurt, neck bruised. Metal twisted, glass shattered. Brooklyn street, midday, danger inattention made real.

According to the police report, two vehicles collided at 12:37 p.m. on Grand Street at Olive Street in Brooklyn. Both drivers, male and licensed, were heading west when the crash occurred. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor for both drivers. The SUV struck the sedan from behind, damaging the SUV's front and the sedan's rear. A 29-year-old man driving the SUV suffered a neck contusion and bruising. No other injuries were reported. The police report does not mention any victim actions as contributing factors, focusing only on driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749726 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 20 - City pushes ahead with a scaled-back McGuinness Boulevard redesign. Protected bike lanes come, but dangerous elements stay. Councilmember Restler slams the compromise. Advocates and officials say safety is sacrificed for politics. DOT claims improvements, but critics remain unsatisfied.

On August 20, 2024, the city announced it will proceed with a controversial redesign of McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The plan, not a council bill but a Department of Transportation decision, extends parking-protected bike lanes from Calyer Street to Meeker Avenue. Councilmember Lincoln Restler, representing District 33, criticized the move, saying, 'The mayor has put forward a compromise that nobody likes.' A coalition of elected officials—including Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Comptroller Brad Lander, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso—called for a more thorough redesign, arguing the current plan preserves dangerous elements. DOT spokesperson Vincent Barone claimed the redesign will make the corridor safer for all users, with new bike lanes and sidewalk extensions. Despite these claims, advocates and local leaders argue the plan fails to address core dangers and puts vulnerable road users at continued risk.

• City proceeds with controversial McGuinness Boulevard redesign despite opposition, gothamist.com, Published 2024-08-20

Aug 19 - In Brooklyn, a female driver entering a parking spot struck a parked SUV on its left rear quarter panel. The impact caused damage to both vehicles. The driver experienced shock but was not ejected. Police cited driver inexperience as a factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn near 700 Broadway at 20:11. A 27-year-old female driver operating a 2016 GMC SUV was entering a parked position when her vehicle collided with a stationary 2015 Ford SUV. The point of impact was the right side doors of the moving vehicle and the left rear quarter panel of the parked vehicle. The driver was licensed and had two occupants in her vehicle. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the collision. The driver was not ejected and suffered unspecified injuries, experiencing shock at the scene. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749724 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 19 - A box truck struck the rear of a taxi traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The taxi driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, at 18:11, a box truck traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided with the center back end of a taxi going straight ahead in the same direction. The impact damaged the center back end of the taxi and the center front end of the truck. The taxi driver, a 25-year-old male occupant, was injured with back pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies the contributing factor as "Following Too Closely" by the box truck driver. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751087 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 19 - Two sport utility vehicles collided on Lorimer Street in Brooklyn, injuring both drivers. Both men suffered neck contusions and bruises. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause. The impact damaged the front quarters of both vehicles.

According to the police report, at 16:53 on Lorimer Street in Brooklyn, two sport utility vehicles collided. Both drivers, men aged 23 and 25, were injured with neck contusions and bruises but remained conscious and were not ejected. Each driver was wearing a lap belt. The report identifies failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor for both drivers. The Nissan SUV was traveling west and sustained damage to its left front quarter panel, with impact at the left front bumper. The Toyota SUV was traveling north, with damage to its right front bumper and impact at the center front end. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision highlights driver errors in yielding right-of-way, leading to injuries and vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 19 - A 53-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured when a northbound SUV made a right turn on Hausman Street in Brooklyn. The SUV driver failed to yield and was inattentive, striking the scooter rider on the right side doors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:30 PM on Hausman Street near Meeker Avenue in Brooklyn. A 53-year-old male e-scooter rider traveling west was struck by a northbound SUV making a right turn. The SUV driver, also male and licensed in New Jersey, was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The point of impact was the right side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the e-scooter. The scooter rider sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries, including abrasions, but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists no contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The collision highlights driver errors in yielding and attention as the primary causes of the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750467 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 18 - A Jeep SUV making a U-turn struck a Toyota sedan traveling east on Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan’s driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:59 AM on Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn. A Jeep SUV traveling west was making a U-turn when it collided head-on with a Toyota sedan traveling east. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The sedan’s 26-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. The police report identifies driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors during complex maneuvers like U-turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748798 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 16 - Two SUVs collided head-to-tail on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at night. The driver of the struck vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Alcohol involvement was noted, highlighting driver impairment as a critical factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 8:00 PM on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway involving two SUVs traveling eastbound. The striking vehicle impacted the center back end of the lead SUV, which sustained damage to its center front end. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 36-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and complained of whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor, indicating impairment played a role. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision was caused by driver error related to alcohol use, underscoring the systemic danger of impaired driving on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749703 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 15 - A tractor truck making a right turn hit a 20-year-old bicyclist traveling straight on Broadway. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a head contusion. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, a 2024 tractor truck traveling west on Broadway was making a right turn when it collided with a bicyclist also traveling west. The bicyclist, a 20-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained a head contusion, classified as injury severity level 3. The point of impact was the truck's right front bumper striking the bike's center front end. The report identifies driver errors including inattention, distraction, and passing too closely as contributing factors. The bicyclist's injury and ejection highlight the severity of the impact. The truck driver was licensed in New Jersey, and the cyclist held a permit from New York. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748786 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 13 - DOT cuts Bedford Slip’s car-free hours. The plaza, once open all week, will now close to cars only on weekends. Locals and advocates wanted more. Businesses pushed back. Most neighbors don’t own cars. The fight for safe space continues.

On August 13, 2024, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it would end 24/7 pedestrianization of Bedford Slip in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The decision, not a council bill but a DOT action, follows a six-week trial during the G train shutdown. DOT will allow car-free hours only on weekends from late September through year’s end. The matter summary: 'DOT Rejects 24-7 Open Street for ‘Bedford Slip,’ Preferring Weekend-Only Hours.' Council Member Lincoln Restler, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, and Rep. Nydia Velázquez supported a permanent plaza. Katie Denny Horowitz of the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance vowed to keep pushing for full-time closure. DOT spokeswoman Mona Bruno said the agency is working with residents on a long-term vision. Most local households rely on transit, biking, or walking. The decision leaves vulnerable road users with less protection during the week.

• DOT Rejects 24-7 Open Street for ‘Bedford Slip,’ Preferring Weekend-Only Hours, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-13