No More Bodies in the Road: Drop the Speed, Save a Life

A 49-year-old man lay dying on Franklin Street after an unlicensed e-bike rider struck him head-on. Headlights flashed, steel met flesh, and blood pooled on the Brooklyn pavement. The night swallowed the noise. He did not rise.

A 49-year-old pedestrian was killed on Franklin Street at India Street in Brooklyn when an unlicensed e-bike rider traveling south struck him head-on, according to the police report. The report states the e-bike driver was 'unlicensed' and identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The impact occurred at the center front end of the e-bike, causing severe head injuries and fatal bleeding to the pedestrian. The police report describes the victim as 'crossing, no signal, or crosswalk' and 'not at intersection,' but the primary focus remains on the unlicensed status of the e-bike operator and the disregard for traffic control. The narrative details a quiet night interrupted by the crash, with the victim left motionless on the pavement. No other contributing factors from the pedestrian are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800420, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs collided head-to-tail on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Both drivers suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and unsafe speed as causes. Both occupants were conscious and restrained, but injuries were serious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at 18:40. A BMW SUV traveling west struck the rear of a Chevrolet SUV also traveling west. The point of impact was the center front end of the BMW and the center back end of the Chevrolet. The Chevrolet had two occupants: a male driver and a female front passenger, both aged 55. Both occupants were conscious but suffered neck injuries and whiplash, with injury severity rated at 3. Both were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The police report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision highlights driver errors leading to serious occupant injuries in a rear-end crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799654, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An SUV executing an improper U-turn struck a moped traveling east on Grand Street in Brooklyn. The moped driver was ejected and suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash highlights dangerous turning maneuvers and severe rider harm in NYC streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:41 on Grand Street near Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver was making an improper U-turn when the vehicle's left rear quarter panel collided with the center front end of a moped traveling straight ahead eastbound. The moped driver, a 25-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained back injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites "Turning Improperly" as the contributing factor, pointing to the SUV driver's error. The moped driver was not noted for any contributing factors. This collision underscores the systemic danger posed by improper turning maneuvers by motor vehicles, resulting in severe injuries to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798500, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans crashed at Jackson Street and Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. One driver suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as causes. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:22 p.m. on Jackson Street near Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans collided: a 2008 Volvo making a left turn and a 2022 BMW traveling straight north. The point of impact was the center front end of the Volvo and the right front quarter panel of the BMW. The Volvo driver, a 56-year-old man, was injured with whiplash and bodily injuries to his entire body but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The Volvo driver’s distraction is specifically noted. Both vehicles suffered front-end damage. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798855, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at dawn. Unsafe lane changing and driver distraction caused the crash. A front-seat passenger suffered facial contusions, restrained by a lap belt. The impact struck the right rear and left front bumpers of the vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:23 AM on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway involving two SUVs traveling east. One driver was changing lanes unsafely while distracted, leading to a collision. The first vehicle, a 2013 Hyundai SUV, was struck on its right rear bumper, and the second, a 2023 Mercedes SUV, was impacted on its left front bumper. The front passenger in the Mercedes, a 20-year-old male, sustained facial contusions but was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The driver errors directly caused the crash, resulting in injury to the passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797276, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Blood streaked Broadway and Lorimer. Two drivers ran the light. The unlicensed moped rider, twenty-six, flew from his seat. His face split open, he stayed awake. Metal torn, traffic roaring, danger unchecked at the Brooklyn corner.

At the intersection of Broadway and Lorimer Street in Brooklyn, a violent collision left a 26-year-old unlicensed moped rider ejected and bleeding from severe facial lacerations. According to the police report, 'Both drivers ran the light.' The moped's rear was torn in the crash, and the rider was thrown from his seat, remaining conscious but badly injured. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor for both vehicles involved. The moped operator was unlicensed, but the data centers driver actions: both failed to obey traffic signals, creating lethal conditions for all road users. The police report describes the aftermath in stark terms: 'Blood ran from deep cuts across his face.' No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the systemic danger when drivers ignore traffic controls at busy Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802177, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two drivers collided on Meeker Avenue late at night. Both drivers suffered injuries and shock. The crash involved a sport utility vehicle and a box truck, each making improper turns. The impact caused bodily harm but no ejections.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:15 on Meeker Avenue involving a 2024 Chevrolet SUV traveling north making a right turn and a 2016 box truck traveling east making a left turn. Both drivers were cited for 'Turning Improperly,' which contributed to the collision. The SUV was struck on its left front quarter panel, sustaining damage to its left front bumper, while the box truck showed no damage. The SUV driver, a 38-year-old male, and a 39-year-old female front passenger were both injured, suffering knee, lower leg, foot, and full-body injuries respectively, and experienced shock. Both occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report highlights driver errors in turning as the cause, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796682, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. The driver hit a man crouched for food. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. The driver fled. Police are still searching. Brooklyn’s streets remain deadly for those on foot.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was kneeling in the street to pick up food when the truck, turning right, hit him. According to police, 'the driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene.' The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The article notes this was one of several fatal crashes in Brooklyn that week, highlighting persistent dangers for pedestrians. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene underscores ongoing issues with hit-and-runs and enforcement.

• Dump Truck Kills Pedestrian in Williamsburg, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-03

Steel and weight met a baby boy at Woodpoint and Withers. A dump truck’s left turn ended his life as he crossed with the signal. The street held him, still and broken, beneath the right bumper’s crush.

At the corner of Woodpoint Road and Withers Street in Brooklyn, a dump truck making a left turn struck and killed a baby boy who was crossing the intersection with the signal. According to the police report, 'a dump truck turned left. Its right bumper struck a baby boy crossing with the signal. He died there, crushed beneath steel and weight.' The report states the point of impact was the right front bumper of the truck. The child, a pedestrian, suffered fatal crush injuries to his entire body. The police narrative explicitly notes the victim was 'crossing with the signal.' The driver’s actions—executing a left turn in a large vehicle—placed the most vulnerable road user in mortal danger. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both the driver and the victim, but the sequence of events centers the dump truck’s left turn and the resulting impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796530, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi making a left turn struck a northbound sedan on McGuinness Boulevard. Both drivers suffered head and internal injuries. According to the police report, driver distraction caused the crash, leaving both men conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, shortly after midnight on McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn, a taxi making a left turn westbound collided with a northbound BMW sedan. The taxi struck the sedan's center front end with its right front quarter panel. Both drivers, aged 44 and 49, were injured—one with a concussion, the other with internal head injuries. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts at the time. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor for both drivers. Neither driver was ejected from their vehicles. This crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796618, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on S 5 St in Brooklyn when one driver made an unsafe lane change. The front passenger of one vehicle suffered back injuries and shock. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles’ side panels.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:40 on S 5 St in Brooklyn. Two sedans traveling eastbound collided when one driver committed 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing,' causing the impact. The left front bumper of one sedan struck the right rear bumper of the other. The front passenger in the second vehicle, a 32-year-old female, was injured with back pain and shock, restrained by a harness. The report highlights driver errors as the primary contributing factors, specifically improper passing and unsafe lane changes. Vehicle damage was recorded on the left front quarter panel of one car and the right rear quarter panel of the other. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795557, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 28-year-old moped driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after disregarding traffic control and failing to yield right-of-way. The collision impacted the moped's front center, leaving the driver in shock and wearing a helmet.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Metropolitan Ave near Union Ave in Brooklyn at 10:15. The moped driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with knee and lower leg trauma and experienced shock. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factors. The moped's front center end was the point of impact. The driver was helmeted but still sustained injuries. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The report highlights the driver’s errors in ignoring traffic signals and failing to yield, which directly led to the collision and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795615, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Both drivers suffered full-body injuries and shock. The crash involved improper lane usage. The vehicles sustained front and rear bumper damage. Both drivers complained of pain and nausea.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at 16:12. Two sedans traveling eastbound collided. The first vehicle, a 2022 BMW sedan, was going straight ahead when it struck the rear of a 2014 Honda sedan that was merging. The point of impact was the BMW's center front end and the Honda's center back end, causing damage to the right front bumper of the BMW and the left rear bumper of the Honda. Both drivers, licensed men from New York, suffered injuries to their entire bodies and were in shock, each complaining of pain or nausea. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error related to lane management. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795325, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in a collision with a parked pick-up truck in Brooklyn. The impact struck the truck’s right side doors. Police cited bicyclist confusion as a contributing factor. The bicyclist wore a helmet and suffered leg injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:49 AM near Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn. A pick-up truck was parked when it was struck on the right side doors by a bicyclist traveling north. The bicyclist, a 50-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in contusions and bruises. The report identifies "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as the contributing factor, indicating the bicyclist’s confusion played a role in the collision. The pick-up truck driver was licensed and stationary, with no vehicle damage reported on the truck. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. The collision highlights the dangers posed by bicyclist errors in interactions with parked vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795398, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A bicyclist riding south on Graham Avenue was struck by a sedan making a U-turn. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The cyclist suffered bruises and lower leg injuries but remained conscious and helmeted at impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan was making a U-turn when it struck a southbound bicyclist. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The bicyclist, a 37-year-old man, was wearing a helmet and was not ejected from his bike. He sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at 3. The sedan’s left rear bumper was the point of impact, while the bike’s center front end was damaged. The driver’s failure to maintain attention during the U-turn directly led to the collision, highlighting systemic dangers posed by distracted driving in shared street spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795283, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A bus struck a pedestrian crossing outside a signal and injured a passenger inside. Both suffered bruises and moderate injuries. The driver’s inattention caused the crash, highlighting dangers of distracted driving in Brooklyn’s streets.

According to the police report, a 2015 New Flyer bus traveling west on S 4 St in Brooklyn struck a 30-year-old male pedestrian crossing without a signal. The pedestrian was injured with contusions to his elbow and lower arm. Inside the bus, a 53-year-old female passenger seated in the right rear suffered a head contusion. Both victims were conscious and sustained moderate injuries. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The bus’s point of impact was the left front bumper, yet the vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash underscores the systemic danger posed by distracted bus drivers in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795232, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 35-year-old e-bike rider was partially ejected and injured on Meadow Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver failed to yield right-of-way while making a right turn, causing a collision that left the cyclist with arm bruises and contusions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:20 p.m. on Meadow Street near Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision involved a motorcycle making a right turn westbound and an e-bike traveling northbound. The e-bike rider, a 35-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, including contusions and bruises. The report cites the motorcycle driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The e-bike rider was conscious and wearing a helmet, but no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The motorcycle showed no damage despite the impact to its center front end, while the e-bike was described as demolished. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding and attention in Brooklyn's streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795238, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A distracted SUV driver entering a parked position collided with a bicyclist traveling west on Greenpoint Avenue. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered bruises and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The impact damaged the SUV’s right side doors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:40 AM on Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn. A 37-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2024 Mazda SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, struck him with its right front quarter panel while entering a parked position. The bicyclist, traveling westbound, was partially ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The SUV’s right side doors were damaged, and the bicyclist was conscious at the scene. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during parking maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794469, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A distracted driver caused a violent crash on Bushwick Avenue, leaving a 25-year-old male passenger unconscious with severe head injuries. The impact fractured and dislocated bones, highlighting the dangers of driver inattention in Brooklyn’s streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:00 PM on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. The sole injured party was a 25-year-old male occupant who was not ejected but suffered a severe head injury described as a fracture, distortion, and dislocation. The report explicitly cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor to the collision. The vehicle’s point of impact was the center front end, indicating a frontal collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The injured occupant was unconscious and not using any safety equipment at the time, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. This crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796979, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs collided on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver of one SUV suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:29 AM on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn involving two SUVs traveling east and north. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of one SUV and the left front bumper of the other. The driver of the eastbound SUV, a 39-year-old female, was injured with neck pain and whiplash, remaining conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front ends, confirming the impact location. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794051, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15