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

Aug 11 - A truck killed a man on Morgan Avenue. Neighbors rally. They demand the city fix the street. Four dead since 2022. The city stalls. The danger grows. Lives hang in the balance.

"Far too many preventable crashes have taken place on Morgan Ave in recent years. We must do more to ensure walkers, cyclists, and drivers are able to use Morgan Ave safely. I will continue working with local electeds and NYC DOT to increase protected bike lanes and visible crossings here and around the city." -- Emily Gallagher

On August 6, 2025, a 56-year-old man was killed crossing Morgan Avenue by a Freightliner truck. The crash, reported by Paul Frangipane and Kirstyn Brendlen, marks the fourth fatality since 2022. Community leaders like Juan Serra and Meryl Laborde urge the city to add protected bike lanes, crosswalks, and daylighting. Assembly member Emily Gallagher called for more action, saying, 'Far too many preventable crashes have taken place on Morgan Ave.' Despite workshops and letters, the city has not acted. No council bill has been filed. According to safety analysts, there is no direct safety impact yet—only calls for change, not action.

• ‘Another neighbor is dead’: After fatal Morgan Avenue crash, locals urge city to take action, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 9 - A driver making a left turn hit a westbound moped on Greenpoint Ave. The rider was ejected and suffered a fractured lower leg. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver.

The driver of a vehicle made a left turn into the path of a westbound moped on Greenpoint Ave at McGuinness Blvd. The moped driver, a 45-year-old man, was ejected and suffered fractures to his knee and lower leg. According to the police report, "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" was a contributing factor. Police list the moped as going straight ahead and the other vehicle as making a left turn. The moped sustained left-side damage. The report records the rider as conscious and injured; no other injured parties are specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834041 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 9 - A left-turning sedan hit a cyclist at Humboldt and Grand. The bike rider went down. Injured. The car kept its nose clean; the human body paid. Driver actions flagged as improper passing or lane use. Night in Brooklyn, hard and cold.

A sedan making a left turn on Grand Street collided with an eastbound cyclist at Humboldt Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old man, was injured with leg abrasions and remained conscious. According to the police report, contributing factors were “Passing or Lane Usage Improper” and “Other Vehicular.” These driver errors come first in the chain. The sedan’s front end struck the rider. The data lists the bicyclist with no safety equipment, but only after the driver’s failures. One vehicle showed no damage; the bike and its rider took the impact. The crash was recorded in the 90th Precinct under collision ID 4834885.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834885 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 9 - A driver in an SUV hit a 32-year-old cyclist at 655 Flushing Ave in Brooklyn. The rider was partially ejected and suffered a fractured arm. He was conscious. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction.

A driver in an SUV struck a 32-year-old bicyclist at 655 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider was partially ejected and suffered fractures to the elbow and lower arm; he was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Driver Inattention/Distraction." Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction by the driver. The SUV showed no damage; the bicycle sustained left-front damage and the SUV's left front bumper was listed as the point of impact. The report lists the cyclist's safety equipment as "None."

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837725 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 8 - Two cyclists collided head-on on Kent Avenue at South 8th. One lay unconscious with a head wound. The other bled but stayed awake. Police recorded improper passing and improper lane use.

Two male cyclists crashed head-on on Kent Avenue at South 8th Street in Brooklyn. One rider, 28, was unconscious with a head injury. The other rider, 24, was conscious and bleeding. Both were hurt. One bike was headed south. The other was headed north. According to the police report, "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" was a contributing factor. The report also notes "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion." Both cyclists were listed as drivers of their bikes. Damage was recorded to the front of one bike. No other vehicles were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833790 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 8 - The driver of a sedan struck two people inside the car on Heyward Street. A 65-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman suffered bruises and contusions to arms and legs. Police list contributing factors as 'Unspecified.'

The driver of a sedan was traveling west on Heyward Street and went straight ahead when the right front bumper took the impact. A 65-year-old man, the driver, suffered elbow and lower-arm injuries. A 68-year-old woman, the front passenger, suffered knee and lower-leg injuries. According to the police report, both were conscious with contusions and bruises. Police recorded contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for the occupants. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The official record names the injuries and point of impact but does not attribute a specific driver error beyond the 'Unspecified' designation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833640 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 8 - DOT stands firm on Astoria’s protected bike lanes. Businesses sue. Misinformation clouds facts. Cyclists and pedestrians face delay. Safety waits while lawsuits drag on.

On August 8, 2025, the Department of Transportation reaffirmed its commitment to protected bike lanes and traffic calming on 31st Street in Astoria, despite a lawsuit from local businesses. The project, not tied to a council bill or committee, aims to cut injuries on a deadly corridor. DOT spokesman Will Livingston said, “We stand firmly behind this project and will defend our work in court.” Council Member Tiffany Caban, Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, and Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas backed the redesign in June. The safety analyst warns: opposition and misinformation from businesses can stall proven safety measures, putting vulnerable road users at risk.

• DOT Stands By Astoria Safety Project Despite Foes’ Anti-Bike Lawsuit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 7 - Another pedestrian killed on Morgan Avenue. Three deaths in three years. Advocates rally. City stalls. No redesign. The street stays deadly. The call for change grows louder.

On August 7, 2025, Sophia Lebowitz and street safety advocates renewed demands for a Morgan Avenue redesign after a third pedestrian death in three years. Streetsblog NYC reports: 'renewing calls from advocates for the city to redesign the dangerous street.' Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, State Sen. Julia Salazar, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher back the push. Advocates want a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and safer loading zones. Despite meetings and official letters, the city has not acted. The safety analyst notes: advocacy alone brings no immediate safety change, but it could spark future improvements. The danger remains until the city moves.

• Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 7 - Another pedestrian killed on Morgan Avenue. Three deaths in three years. Advocates rally. City stalls. No redesign. The street stays deadly. The call for change grows louder.

"At the meeting, Gutiérrez showed strong support for the redesign initiative. 'Every single death that we have experienced since I took office just two years ago, and before that, is 100 percentable preventable. We as a city are not moving fast enough to achieve Vision Zero. We are not moving with urgency.'" -- Jennifer Gutiérrez

On August 7, 2025, Sophia Lebowitz and street safety advocates renewed demands for a Morgan Avenue redesign after a third pedestrian death in three years. Streetsblog NYC reports: 'renewing calls from advocates for the city to redesign the dangerous street.' Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, State Sen. Julia Salazar, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher back the push. Advocates want a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and safer loading zones. Despite meetings and official letters, the city has not acted. The safety analyst notes: advocacy alone brings no immediate safety change, but it could spark future improvements. The danger remains until the city moves.

• Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 7 - Another pedestrian killed on Morgan Avenue. Three deaths in three years. Advocates rally. City stalls. No redesign. The street stays deadly. The call for change grows louder.

On August 7, 2025, Sophia Lebowitz and street safety advocates renewed demands for a Morgan Avenue redesign after a third pedestrian death in three years. Streetsblog NYC reports: 'renewing calls from advocates for the city to redesign the dangerous street.' Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, State Sen. Julia Salazar, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher back the push. Advocates want a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and safer loading zones. Despite meetings and official letters, the city has not acted. The safety analyst notes: advocacy alone brings no immediate safety change, but it could spark future improvements. The danger remains until the city moves.

• Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 6 - A southbound box truck hit a 46-year-old man walking on Morgan Avenue. The impact crushed his head. He died at the scene. Police list no driver errors. The truck showed no damage.

A 46-year-old man walking outside an intersection on Morgan Avenue was killed after a southbound box truck struck him. "According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered fatal head injuries and apparent death from crush injuries." The truck was registered in Tennessee and driven by a licensed man from Connecticut. Police recorded no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The report lists the pedestrian as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Not at Intersection' with 'Other Actions in Roadway.' The vehicle's pre-crash action was 'Going Straight Ahead' and the point of impact was the right rear quarter panel. One person died.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833207 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 4 - A driver of a sedan pulled from parking and hit a standing scooter on N 5th. The 30-year-old woman rider was ejected and suffered a head injury and concussion. Police recorded failure to yield.

A driver of a sedan starting from a parking position struck a standing scooter at 150 N 5 St in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The scooter rider, a 30-year-old woman, was ejected and suffered a head injury with a reported concussion. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." Vehicle records show the scooter was going straight and the sedan was beginning to pull out; the car's right front bumper hit the scooter's center front. Police listed the rider as conscious after the crash. The report attributes the crash to driver error: failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834665 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 4 - A hotel awning crashed down at Clark Street station. Years of leaks, rot, and stench warned locals. No one fixed it. The city let danger fester. Pedestrians faced the risk. No injuries, but trust is broken.

On August 4, 2025, a hotel awning collapsed outside the Clark Street subway station in Brooklyn Heights. The incident, reported by Barbara Russo-Lennon and Lloyd Mitchell, followed 'years of visible disrepair, foul smells and water leaks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler confirmed no timeline for reopening. The Department of Buildings cited the owners for 'Failure to maintain' and ordered demolition. DOB Commissioner James Oddo said engineers are inspecting a second awning showing 'poor maintenance.' The collapse put pedestrians in harm's way. As safety analysts note, such failures in busy areas raise the risk of injury or death for vulnerable road users and discourage walking, undermining city safety goals.

• ‘Not surprised’: Locals say neglect to blame in Clark Street station awning collapse, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-04

Aug 3 - The driver of a sedan struck a 32-year-old man on a bicycle as he made a left turn on Union Ave at Stagg St. The cyclist was ejected and suffered elbow and arm injuries and abrasions. Police noted turning errors and limited view.

The driver of a sedan was traveling south on Union Ave when the sedan's left front bumper struck a 32-year-old male cyclist who was making a left turn northbound at Stagg St. The cyclist was ejected and suffered elbow and lower-arm injuries and abrasions. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Turning Improperly' contributed to the crash. The report also cites 'View Obstructed/Limited.' Police recorded the point of impact as the sedan's left front bumper and listed the sedan's pre-crash action as going straight ahead.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832746 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - An SUV and a sedan collided at McGuinness and Huron in Brooklyn. One driver suffered arm injuries and shock. Police recorded traffic control disregarded and driver inattention as contributing factors.

Two vehicles collided at McGuinness Boulevard and Huron Street in Brooklyn. The driver of an SUV traveling west and the driver of a sedan traveling north struck at the front. One driver, a 31-year-old man, was injured and reported elbow, lower-arm and hand injuries, shock, and a complaint of pain or nausea. According to the police report, "Traffic Control Disregarded" was listed as a contributing factor, and the injured driver’s record also lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction." Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report cites only the listed contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832135 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 31 - The driver of an SUV hit a 30-year-old man on a bicycle at Greenpoint and Manhattan avenues. The cyclist suffered shoulder injuries and shock. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction as a contributing factor.

A driver in an SUV and a bicyclist were both traveling northwest on Greenpoint Avenue at Manhattan Avenue when the SUV's right front quarter panel struck the bike's left-side doors. A 30-year-old male bicyclist suffered shoulder and upper-arm injuries, an abrasion, and shock. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" was a contributing factor. Police recorded the point of impact and damage to the SUV's right front quarter panel and the bike's left-side doors. The report lists the bicyclist as injured and notes officers processed the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831890 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 31 - A bicyclist struck the left-side doors of a parked SUV on Flushing Avenue. The rider was ejected and suffered severe hip and upper-leg lacerations. Police listed driver inattention and other vehicular factors.

A 28-year-old male bicyclist riding west collided with the left-side doors of a parked SUV and was ejected. He suffered severe lacerations to the hip and upper leg. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Other Vehicular" were contributing factors. The SUV was parked before the impact and the point of impact was recorded as the vehicle's left-side doors. Police recorded the bicyclist as ejected and injured; the report lists the bicyclist's complaint as severe lacerations and notes no reported injury to the SUV occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832900 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - A driver in a sedan hit a 27-year-old cyclist at Grand and Leonard in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a head wound. Police cite 'Other Vehicular.' The sedan was listed as parked before the crash.

A driver in a sedan hit a man on a bike at Grand Street and Leonard Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist, 27, was injured with a head wound and abrasion. According to the police report, 'Other Vehicular' was a contributing factor. Police also recorded 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan was listed as 'Parked' before the crash. The bike was going straight west. Damage was noted to the sedan’s right front quarter panel and the bike’s front end. Two elderly occupants of the sedan were listed with unspecified injuries. No other serious injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832113 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - A driver hit a 38-year-old man on Graham Avenue at Ten Eyck Walk. He suffered fractures and dislocations. He was conscious. Police recorded no driver errors. The report listed the vehicle as unspecified.

A driver hit a 38-year-old man on Graham Avenue at Ten Eyck Walk in Brooklyn at 4:00 a.m. The pedestrian was injured. “According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his entire body and was conscious.” Police recorded no contributing factors or driver errors. The report did not list the vehicle type, travel direction, pre-crash actions, or point of impact. The vehicle was recorded only as unspecified. The man was documented as a pedestrian at an intersection. No other details were provided in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832287 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - A distracted driver hit a 53-year-old man crossing Grand Street at Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. He suffered a fractured and dislocated upper arm and was conscious at the scene. Police listed driver inattention as a contributing factor.

A driver going straight ahead hit a 53-year-old man crossing Grand Street at Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. The man suffered a fractured and dislocated upper arm and was conscious at the scene. "According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor." The report records the vehicle's pre-crash action as going straight ahead and the point of impact as the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian was listed as at an intersection. No vehicle type, driver identity, or other contributing factors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831769 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19