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

Aug 11 - A 67-year-old bicyclist suffered elbow and lower arm bruises after a crash on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The police report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The cyclist remained conscious and was not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:00 PM on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The victim, a 67-year-old male bicyclist, was riding northbound when the collision happened. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The bicyclist sustained contusions and bruises to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious and was not ejected from the bike. The report does not specify any contributing factors related to the bicyclist. The incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749736 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - A bus traveling south on Graham Avenue struck a 28-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection. The impact to the pedestrian’s head caused abrasions and moderate injury. The bus’s right front bumper sustained damage in the collision.

According to the police report, a 2011 bus traveling straight south on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 28-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection near Skillman Avenue around 18:58. The point of impact was the bus’s right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and abrasions, classified as moderate severity. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian and no contributing factors for the bus driver. The driver was licensed and operating the bus legally. The collision caused damage to the bus’s right front bumper. The report does not attribute fault to the pedestrian and does not indicate any pedestrian behavior contributing to the crash. The focus remains on the vehicle’s involvement and the resulting injuries to the vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747180 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - North Brooklyn residents and lawmakers demand DOT keep Bedford Slip car-free. The plaza, born of subway repairs, became a haven for pedestrians. Over 3,100 back it. Officials urge permanence. Opponents’ safety fears never came true. The fight for public space continues.

On August 10, 2024, North Brooklynites rallied to keep the temporary pedestrian plaza at Bedford Slip, a half-block offshoot of Bedford Avenue north of Nassau Avenue, car-free. The Department of Transportation (DOT) had closed the street to traffic during G train repairs, but plans to reopen it to vehicles. The matter, described as a push to 'continue this vital public space project as a permanent fixture,' drew support from Rep. Nydia Velázquez and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who sent letters urging DOT to make the plaza permanent. Local organizations, businesses, and over 3,100 petitioners back the effort, citing increased community use and safety. Previous concerns about traffic and safety did not materialize. The plaza is part of a broader movement to reclaim streets for pedestrians in Greenpoint and Williamsburg.

• ‘Save the Slip’: North Brooklynites Urge DOT to Keep Temporary Plaza, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-10

Aug 8 - A sedan traveling north struck a southbound bicyclist on Driggs Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries, including fractures and dislocations. The driver’s inattention caused the crash, leaving the rider in shock and injured.

According to the police report, at 11:55 AM on Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn, a sedan traveling north collided with a bicyclist traveling south. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front bumper striking the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 25-year-old male, was ejected and sustained severe injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The bicyclist was not using any safety equipment. Vehicle damage was noted on the bike’s front end, while the sedan showed no damage. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in Brooklyn’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747437 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 5 - Two SUVs slammed together at Metropolitan Avenue and Rodney Street. One driver, a 33-year-old man, took a blow to the face. Metal twisted. The street bore the mark of impact. No clear cause named.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at 15:49 on Metropolitan Avenue and Rodney Street in Brooklyn. Both drivers were men, licensed in New York, and driving straight. The northbound Jeep struck the right front quarter panel, while the westbound Ford took damage to its right front bumper. A 33-year-old male driver suffered facial contusions but stayed conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor and does not assign blame. The crash left both vehicles damaged at the front right, showing the force of their meeting.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745668 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 5 - An unlicensed e-bike driver was injured and ejected after a collision with a sedan on Grand Street. The crash involved unsafe lane changing and outside distraction by the e-bike driver, resulting in neck injuries and contusions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:10 AM on Grand Street in Brooklyn involving a sedan and an e-bike. The e-bike driver, a 32-year-old male, was ejected and sustained neck injuries and contusions. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Outside Car Distraction' as contributing factors linked to the e-bike driver. The sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, collided front-to-front with the e-bike traveling west while the sedan was traveling south. The e-bike driver was wearing a helmet but was unlicensed. The collision caused center front-end damage to both vehicles. The report highlights driver errors on the e-bike operator's part, specifically unsafe lane changing and distraction, as key causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745762 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 4 - A distracted driver struck two parked SUVs on North 5 Street in Brooklyn. The collision caused damage to the center back end and left rear bumpers of the parked vehicles. The driver suffered unspecified injuries and was left in shock.

According to the police report, at 11:55 AM on North 5 Street in Brooklyn, a licensed female driver operating a 2024 sedan traveling east collided with two parked SUVs. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan's right front bumper impacted the center back end of one parked SUV and the left rear bumper of another. The driver, a 60-year-old woman, was not ejected but experienced shock and unspecified injuries. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim or other road users. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban settings where parked vehicles line the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745463 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 3 - An aggressive e-scooter driver struck a 28-year-old man crossing Driggs Avenue against the signal. The pedestrian suffered a fractured and dislocated lower arm injury. The crash exposed dangerous driver behavior and intersection risks in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, at 1:30 p.m. on Driggs Avenue near North 11 Street in Brooklyn, an e-scooter traveling south struck a pedestrian crossing against the signal. The pedestrian, a 28-year-old man, sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his elbow and lower arm. The report cites 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as a contributing factor to the crash, highlighting the e-scooter driver's failure to safely navigate the intersection. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which was going straight ahead. The pedestrian was conscious but injured. The report does not attribute fault to the victim beyond noting his crossing against the signal, but the primary driver error remains aggressive driving. This collision underscores the peril posed by aggressive operators of electric scooters in busy urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747309 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - A sedan collided with a bicyclist traveling south on Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:36 near 404 Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan, initially parked, struck a bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the sedan's left front quarter panel and the bike's right side doors. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the collision. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2012 Mazda. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in interactions with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745553 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - SUV struck a 2-year-old girl outside an intersection on Ross Street. Driver inattention caused full-body bruises. The child was conscious. Streets remain perilous for Brooklyn’s youngest pedestrians.

According to the police report, a 2-year-old girl walking outside an intersection on Ross Street in Brooklyn was struck by a southbound 2021 SUV. The point of impact was the center front end while the driver was passing. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The child suffered contusions and bruises over her entire body but remained conscious. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was engaged in 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but no victim behavior was cited as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the danger posed by distracted drivers to vulnerable pedestrians, especially children.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745512 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 1 - A 26-year-old e-bike rider crashed into a parked sedan on Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn. Thrown from the bike, his leg torn open, blood marked the street. The car never moved. Driver inattention and distraction led to carnage.

A 26-year-old e-bike rider was severely injured after colliding with a parked sedan on Metropolitan Avenue near Lorimer Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the e-bike rider was 'thrown from the bike' and suffered 'severe lacerations' to his leg, with blood left on the asphalt. The report states the sedan 'never moved' and was parked at the time of impact. The primary contributing factor cited is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the police narrative, but this detail follows the explicit mention of driver inattention as the central cause. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of distraction and inattention on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745557 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 27 - A moped passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV made a left turn and struck the moped’s left rear quarter panel. The collision occurred on Roebling Street in Brooklyn, highlighting a failure to yield right-of-way by the SUV driver.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:33 on Roebling Street in Brooklyn. A moped traveling west was struck on its left rear quarter panel by an SUV making a left turn in the same direction. The SUV driver failed to yield the right-of-way, causing the collision. The moped carried two occupants, including a 14-year-old male passenger seated in the middle rear seat, who sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The passenger was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The moped passenger was wearing a helmet, but the police report identifies no contributing factors from the victim’s behavior. The SUV’s right front quarter panel and right side doors were damaged, confirming the point of impact. The crash underscores the dangers posed by driver errors, specifically failure to yield, in multi-vehicle collisions involving vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743309 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - SUV driver lost focus on Kent Avenue. Slammed into sedan’s rear. Five inside the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Metal twisted. Pain followed. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling north on Kent Avenue in Brooklyn struck the left rear of a sedan making a left turn from Rutledge Street at 9:45 PM. The SUV driver was cited for inattention and following too closely. All five sedan occupants, including a 34-year-old woman and four passengers aged 1 to 46, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as key contributing factors. The sedan’s left rear and the SUV’s right front quarter panels were damaged. All injured were conscious and restrained. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743764 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - Atlantic Avenue gets a lifeline. New mid-block crossings, concrete islands, and curb extensions aim to slow cars and protect people. Local leaders call it overdue. For years, crashes haunted this corridor. Now, the city moves to put people before traffic.

On July 26, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced major street safety upgrades for Atlantic Avenue in District 33. The project, led by NYC DOT, brings mid-block crossings, concrete pedestrian islands, curb enhancements, and split-phase signals to one of Brooklyn’s deadliest corridors. The matter, titled 'Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor,' highlights years of advocacy after repeated crashes. Restler, who has long pushed for these changes, praised the progress: 'Atlantic Avenue has been extremely dangerous my whole life. I'm excited by the progress we're making in partnership with DOT to expand mid-block crossings and other smart interventions to slow down cars and advance safety in our community.' The announcement follows a deadly crash last spring and is part of the city’s Vision Zero push. Local officials and advocates say these changes mark a crucial step in ending the street’s legacy of danger and death.

• Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-26

Jul 23 - A Ford sedan’s front left caught a 19-year-old cyclist on Broadway. The rider flew, head split on the street, blood pooling. Doors bent. He lay conscious, bleeding, ejected from his bike. Driver inattention and unsafe lane change listed as causes.

According to the police report, a Ford sedan traveling east on Broadway near 371 struck a 19-year-old bicyclist who was also heading east and passing. The report states, 'A Ford sedan struck a 19-year-old bicyclist passing east. No helmet. He flew, head split on the street. Blood pooled. The car’s front left caught him. Doors bent. He lay conscious, bleeding.' The bicyclist suffered severe head injuries and was ejected from his bike, remaining conscious but bleeding heavily. The police report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors in the crash. These driver errors are central to the incident. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s actions, which are explicitly listed as causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743121 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 22 - Low-density districts block City of Yes. Most community boards vote no. High-density areas back the plan. The fight centers on housing, parking, and who bears the city’s growth. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait as politics stall change.

Bill: City of Yes housing proposal. Status: Community board votes and public testimony as of July 22, 2024. Of 57 boards, 38 opposed the plan, 20 supported it, mostly in denser neighborhoods. The proposal, described as aiming to build 'a little more housing in every neighborhood,' faces resistance in low-density areas. Council Member Joann Ariola (R-Woodhaven) opposed more housing in her district, calling it 'suburbs.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized neighborhoods that refuse new housing, saying it increases pressure on poorer areas. Arlene Schlesinger, a Queens resident, voiced strong opposition, especially to lifting parking mandates and adding accessory dwelling units. Community boards, often older and whiter, resist change, leaving the city’s most vulnerable to bear the brunt of housing and transportation inequity.

• Map: How Did Community Boards Vote on ‘City of Yes’ Housing Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-22

Jul 22 - A man drowned off Rockaway Beach. He is the fifth this summer. Council Member Justin Brannan and others call for more lifeguards, longer hours, and more pools. The city refuses. Drones and patrols replace real protection. Swimmers keep dying.

On July 22, 2024, after a fifth drowning at a New York City beach, Council Member Justin Brannan (District 47) joined other officials to demand urgent action. The group called for expanded lifeguard hours, more staff, and new public pools. The Adams administration rejected these measures, relying instead on NYPD drones and Parks Enforcement Patrols. The matter, described as 'Body found in fifth apparent drowning off NYC beach as pols call for more lifeguard hours,' highlights the deadly gap in city safety policy. Brannan, along with Council Member Shekar Krishnan and Borough Presidents Donovan Richards and Antonio Reynoso, urged the city to extend the beach season, increase lifeguard shifts, and offer universal swimming lessons. The city has only 870 lifeguards, far short of the 1,500 needed. Vulnerable swimmers remain at risk while officials debate. The toll mounts.

• Body found in fifth apparent drowning off NYC beach as pols call for more lifeguard hours: ‘Going to get worse’, nypost.com, Published 2024-07-22

Jul 21 - Two sedans collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A 15-year-old passenger and an 18-year-old driver were injured. Police cited following too closely. Both suffered shock and pain.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided when the rear vehicle struck the front vehicle's center back end. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the cause. The 15-year-old female passenger in the rear sedan suffered chest injuries and shock. The 18-year-old male driver of the front sedan sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was also in shock. Both complained of pain or nausea. The crash resulted from the rear driver's failure to maintain distance, causing harm to both occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 20 - A westbound sedan hit a 66-year-old man on an e-bike along Meeker Avenue. Blood pooled on the street. Both operators were distracted. The man stayed conscious despite a head wound. Machines untouched, but the body paid the price.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Meeker Avenue struck a 66-year-old man riding an e-bike. The report states that both the sedan driver and the e-bike operator were 'distracted' at the time of the crash. The impact left the e-bike rider bleeding from the head, though he remained conscious at the scene. The report notes 'severe bleeding' as the primary injury, with no damage to either vehicle. The police explicitly cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both parties. The sedan made contact with its right front bumper. The focus remains on the systemic danger posed by distracted driving, as documented in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741807 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 19 - SUV slammed into sedan on Leonard Street. Driver, 57, took the hit. Whiplash. Full-body pain. Traffic control ignored. System failed. Streets unforgiving.

According to the police report, a 2013 Honda SUV heading south on Leonard Street collided with the center front end of a 2019 Toyota sedan at 6:20 a.m. The SUV's right front quarter panel struck the sedan, damaging the SUV's right side doors. The SUV's sole occupant, a 57-year-old male driver, suffered whiplash and injuries to his entire body. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, pointing to a failure to obey signals or signs. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The incident highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls, leaving people hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741985 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19