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

Jun 24 - An 88-year-old man driving an SUV suffered a hip and upper leg injury after a crash while making a left turn in Brooklyn. The police report cites driver inexperience as a contributing factor. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:21 in Brooklyn near Wallabout Street. The driver, an 88-year-old male occupant of a 2020 Lexus SUV traveling north, was making a left turn when the collision happened. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which sustained damage. The driver was injured, suffering contusions and bruises to the hip and upper leg area, and was conscious at the time of the report. He was restrained by a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735412 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 22 - A sedan collided with a bicyclist on Driggs Avenue, injuring the rider's elbow and lower arm. The driver’s improper lane usage caused the crash. The bicyclist remained conscious and sustained abrasions but was not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:08 on Driggs Avenue involving a 2019 Infiniti sedan and a female bicyclist. The sedan, traveling west and going straight ahead, struck the bicyclist who was making a right turn. The point of impact was the sedan’s center front end. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error. The bicyclist, age 34, suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s behavior were noted. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle properly before the crash, but the improper lane usage led to the collision and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 21 - A sedan driver suffered a neck injury and concussion after a collision on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The crash involved a box truck and was caused by improper passing or lane usage. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:08 on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway involving a sedan and a box truck traveling eastbound. The sedan driver, a 31-year-old female, was injured with a neck injury and concussion but remained conscious. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error on the part of the sedan operator. The sedan sustained damage on the left side doors and left front quarter panel, while the box truck was damaged on its right front quarter panel. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and was not ejected. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735497 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - A box truck struck a 32-year-old female bicyclist on Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a hip and upper leg contusion. The crash occurred due to driver inattention and distraction, leaving the bicyclist injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling south on Flushing Avenue collided with a westbound bicyclist at 11:20 AM. The bicyclist, a 32-year-old woman, sustained a contusion to her hip and upper leg and remained conscious after the impact. The point of impact was the truck's center front end and the bike's right front quarter panel. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The truck driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment, but no contributing factors related to the victim's behavior were cited. Vehicle damage was noted on the bike's right front quarter panel, while the truck showed no damage. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734448 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - A box truck and sedan collided head-on on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Three occupants suffered back injuries and whiplash. Driver inattention and unsafe speed caused the crash. All victims were restrained and conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway involving a box truck and a sedan, both traveling east. The box truck struck the sedan's right rear bumper with its left front bumper. The crash injured three occupants: the sedan driver, a front passenger, and a rear passenger. All suffered back injuries and whiplash but were conscious and restrained with lap belts. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' for the truck driver and sedan driver, and 'Unsafe Speed' for the sedan driver. The sedan was noted as an 'Oversized Vehicle' contributing to the unsafe speed factor. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers of distracted driving and speeding on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734839 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - Moped driver’s road rage on Bushwick Avenue left his passenger with a fractured, dislocated leg. Aggressive actions led to the crash. The injured man stayed conscious, pain sharp and real in the Brooklyn night.

According to the police report, a moped with two men traveled north on Bushwick Avenue at 10:40 PM. The driver, age 22, drove aggressively and with road rage—both listed as contributing factors. The moped’s right side doors were damaged in the crash. The passenger suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated knee and lower leg, with injury severity level 3. He was not ejected and remained conscious. No safety equipment was used by the driver. Another vehicle, unspecified and undamaged, was also traveling north and struck the moped’s right front quarter panel. The report highlights aggressive driving and road rage as the main causes of harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734445 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A Ford SUV swung wide on Grand Street. A 26-year-old cyclist struck its side, thrown hard to the asphalt. Blood pooled from his head. The SUV’s doors crumpled. The bike stood untouched. The cyclist lay conscious, pain etched on his face.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a U-turn near 850 Grand Street in Brooklyn when it turned improperly and collided with a 26-year-old male cyclist traveling straight ahead. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The cyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, struck the SUV’s right side doors and was ejected from his bike, suffering a severe head injury with significant bleeding. The narrative notes, 'A Ford SUV turned wide. A 26-year-old cyclist hit the side. No helmet. Ejected. Head bleeding on the asphalt.' The SUV’s doors were bent inward from the impact, while the bike remained upright and undamaged. The cyclist was found conscious but bleeding heavily. The police report does not cite any cyclist actions as contributing factors, keeping the focus on the SUV driver's errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734444 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - A 48-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck at a Brooklyn intersection. The driver, making a left turn, failed to yield and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and an elbow injury but remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10 p.m. on Harrison Avenue near Bartlett Street in Brooklyn. A pedestrian, a 48-year-old man, was crossing the intersection with the signal when he was struck by a vehicle making a left turn traveling north. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors to the collision. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and an injury to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3, but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. The report places responsibility on the driver’s failure to yield and distraction, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734442 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - SUV hit a 23-year-old cyclist on Lorimer Street. The driver failed to yield and ignored traffic controls. The cyclist suffered full-body bruises. Streets turned violent. Metal met flesh. The system failed the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male bicyclist was struck by a Mercedes SUV on Lorimer Street in Brooklyn at 4:30 PM. The cyclist, traveling south, was hit on the left side by the SUV heading west. He suffered contusions to his entire body but remained conscious and was not ejected. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as driver errors. The cyclist wore no safety equipment, but the report attributes the crash to the SUV driver's actions. The SUV's front end and the bike's left side were damaged. The crash left the cyclist injured, underscoring the danger faced by those outside steel shells.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735742 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 16 - A motorscooter struck a parked SUV on Harrison Avenue. The rider, 52, flew off, landing hard. Blood pooled as he lay conscious, torn open. The scooter’s front crumpled. The street held him in the evening heat.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old man riding a motorscooter southbound on Harrison Avenue near 83rd collided with the rear of a parked SUV. The report states, 'A motorscooter slammed into the back of a parked SUV. The rider, 52, flew off. He hit the ground hard. Conscious, torn open. Blood pooled.' The scooter’s front end was crushed, and the rider was ejected, suffering severe lacerations to his entire body. Both vehicles were traveling south, with the SUV entering a parked position at the time of impact. The police report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor for both vehicles, drawing attention to the circumstances of vehicle positioning and movement. No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash left the rider injured and the street marked by violence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735660 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 16 - A Brooklyn bicyclist suffered serious leg injuries after a sedan experienced steering failure and struck her on Union Avenue. The cyclist was partially ejected and sustained contusions, highlighting mechanical failure as a critical factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Union Avenue in Brooklyn at 14:19. A 29-year-old female bicyclist was injured when a 2022 sedan, traveling north and stopped in traffic, suffered a steering failure. The sedan's right rear quarter panel struck the bicyclist's left front bumper area. The bicyclist, also traveling north and slowing or stopping, was partially ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Steering Failure' as the primary contributing factor, indicating a mechanical fault in the sedan. No driver errors such as failure to yield or reckless behavior were noted. The bicyclist's safety equipment status is unknown, and no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The incident underscores the dangers posed by vehicle mechanical failures to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733257 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 11 - Ambulance struck 18-year-old cyclist from behind on Penn Street. Rider suffered bruises to knee and leg. Police cited ambulance driver for following too closely. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, an ambulance traveling south on Penn Street in Brooklyn collided with an 18-year-old male bicyclist, also heading south. The bicyclist was injured, sustaining contusions to his knee, lower leg, and foot, but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, showing the ambulance driver failed to keep a safe distance. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The bicyclist wore a helmet, but helmet use was not cited as a contributing factor. This crash underscores the risk to cyclists when drivers tailgate, even emergency vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739475 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 11 - A box truck struck a flat bed truck from behind on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The front passenger of the box truck suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash involved defective accelerator issues, causing significant vehicle damage and injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at 10:35. A box truck traveling west went straight ahead and impacted the center front end of the flat bed truck ahead, which was also traveling west. The flat bed truck sustained damage to its center back end. The box truck had two occupants; the front passenger, a 21-year-old male, was injured with knee and lower leg trauma but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites 'Accelerator Defective' as a contributing factor, indicating a mechanical failure in the box truck that likely caused the collision. Both drivers were licensed males traveling straight ahead. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly Members Emily Gallagher and Robert Carroll denounce the governor’s move to halt congestion pricing. They call it a blow to transit, air quality, and city life. Their words cut through: New York’s streets belong to people, not cars.

On June 7, 2024, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher (District 50) joined Robert Carroll in a public statement opposing Governor Hochul’s indefinite delay of congestion pricing. The op-ed, titled 'Two Assembly Pols: Congestion Pricing is Good Policy — Democrats Should Embrace It,' argues the governor’s action is 'effectively a cancellation.' Gallagher and Carroll stress that congestion pricing is essential for funding the MTA and improving public transit. They write, 'Congestion pricing does both and there is no fair or viable alternative way to fund the MTA’s capital needs at this juncture.' The statement warns that the delay will shelve critical projects and worsen conditions for all who rely on safe, accessible streets. Gallagher’s stance is clear: the city’s future depends on prioritizing transit and public space over traffic and private cars.

• Two Assembly Pols: Congestion Pricing is Good Policy — Democrats Should Embrace It, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Two Assembly members slam the governor’s move to halt congestion pricing. They call it a blow to transit, air quality, and city life. They say New York needs fewer cars, more trains, and streets for people, not traffic. The fight continues.

Assembly Members Robert Carroll and Emily Gallagher issued a public statement on June 7, 2024, supporting congestion pricing and condemning Governor Hochul’s indefinite delay of the program. The statement, published as an op-ed, argues, 'the Governor’s announcement to indefinitely delay implementation is effectively a cancellation of congestion pricing.' Carroll and Gallagher, both long-time supporters, stress that congestion pricing is vital for funding the MTA’s capital needs and for reducing traffic and pollution. They warn that the governor’s move will stall key transit projects and harm New Yorkers who rely on public transportation. The members urge Democrats to embrace the policy, stating, 'It is past time for New York to join such cities as London, Milan, Stockholm, and Singapore and implement congestion pricing without further delay.' The statement does not mince words: the city’s future depends on streets for people, not cars.

• Two Assembly Pols: Congestion Pricing is Good Policy — Democrats Should Embrace It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07