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

Aug 10 - A man on a bike tore into a parked SUV. His arm split open. Blood spilled onto Grand Street. The SUV did not move. The cyclist rode too fast. Shock hit him hard. Brooklyn stood still and watched.

A 27-year-old man riding a bike crashed into the side of a parked SUV near 639 Grand Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A 27-year-old man on a bike struck the side of a parked SUV. His arm split open. Blood poured. No helmet. The SUV stood still. The bike moved too fast. Shock took him.' The cyclist suffered a severe arm injury and was in shock. The police listed 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The report also noted 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The SUV was parked and unoccupied at the time of impact. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as stated in the report, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653597 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - A 26-year-old man driving a 2019 sedan was injured in a crash on Bushwick Avenue. The sedan struck an SUV making a left turn. Unsafe speed and driver distraction caused the collision. The sedan driver suffered back injuries and shock.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male sedan driver traveling south on Bushwick Avenue collided with a westbound SUV making a left turn. The sedan's left front bumper struck the SUV's center front end. The sedan driver was injured, complaining of back pain and nausea, and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists unsafe speed and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and making a left turn when the crash occurred. The sedan driver was not ejected but suffered injury severity level 3 and emotional shock. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653592 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - A man driving an SUV struck multiple parked vehicles on Humboldt Street in Brooklyn. The driver suffered a bruised elbow and lower arm. Police cited unsafe speed as the cause. No one was ejected. Damage hit front and side panels of parked cars.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old male driver was injured when his SUV collided with several parked vehicles on Humboldt Street in Brooklyn. The driver sustained contusions and bruises to his elbow and lower arm but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists unsafe speed as the contributing factor to the crash. Multiple parked sedans and SUVs suffered damage to their front ends and side doors. No other occupants or pedestrians were involved. The driver’s license was valid and the crash occurred at 2:28 p.m. The incident highlights the dangers posed by speeding even in areas with parked cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661869 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - A Toyota SUV hit a young e-bike rider from behind on Meeker Avenue. The crash tore open his leg. Blood pooled on the street. Speed fueled the violence. The rider wore no helmet. The SUV’s front end did the damage.

A 20-year-old man riding an e-bike southbound on Meeker Avenue near Humboldt Street was struck from behind by a Toyota SUV. According to the police report, 'A Toyota SUV slammed into the rear of a southbound e-bike. The 20-year-old rider hit the pavement hard. His leg split open. Blood pooled on hot asphalt. Speed did the damage.' The crash left the e-bike rider with severe lacerations to his lower leg and foot. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The SUV’s center front end struck the e-bike’s rear, causing the rider to fall. The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause was the SUV driver’s unsafe speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661868 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - A speeding SUV rear-ended a parked SUV on Newton Street in Brooklyn. The striking driver was injured and in shock. Police cited unsafe speed. Both vehicles suffered heavy front and rear damage.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Newton Street in Brooklyn. Both vehicles were parked before the crash. The driver of the striking SUV, a 33-year-old man, was injured and in shock. The crash caused damage to the rear of the parked SUV and the front of the striking SUV. Police listed unsafe speed as a contributing factor. No mention was made of victim fault or safety equipment contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653084 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - A 29-year-old e-bike rider was partially ejected and injured in a Brooklyn crash. The sedan struck the bike’s right rear bumper. The rider suffered facial abrasions but remained conscious. Police cited driver failure to yield and distraction as causes.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on South 2 Street in Brooklyn involving a sedan and an e-bike. The 29-year-old male e-bike rider, who was partially ejected, sustained facial abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists the contributing factors as failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction. The e-bike driver was unlicensed. The sedan, traveling west, struck the right rear bumper of the e-bike, which was traveling south. The e-bike sustained damage to its center back end, and the sedan’s right rear bumper was damaged. The report does not indicate any fault or error on the part of the e-bike rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653009 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - A driver tore through McGuinness Boulevard, smashing cars and leaving a moped rider badly hurt. The carnage reignited calls for long-delayed safety fixes. Local leaders say the crash was no surprise. The city’s promise to protect lives remains unfulfilled.

""Sadly, this incident was entirely predictable and underscores once again why the McGuinness Boulevard redesign is so badly needed."" -- Antonio Reynoso

On August 10, 2023, a motorist seriously injured a moped rider and crashed into several vehicles on McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint. The incident, near the site of a 2021 fatality, drew a joint statement from Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Council Member Lincoln Restler. They called the crash 'entirely predictable' and demanded Mayor Adams immediately implement the Department of Transportation’s stalled safety redesign. The DOT’s plan, which includes narrowing the street and adding a protected bike lane, faces opposition from powerful donors. The mayor’s office claims traffic safety is a priority, but the plan remains in limbo. Advocates and officials say every delay puts more lives at risk.

• Outrage on Bloody McGuinness Blvd. as Motorist Severely Injures Moped Rider, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-10

Aug 5 - A sedan struck an e-bike on Lorimer Street in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider, a 21-year-old man, suffered elbow and lower arm injuries. The crash involved a traffic control disregard. The sedan driver was a licensed female traveling northbound.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Lorimer Street collided with an e-bike traveling west. The e-bike driver, a 21-year-old male, was injured with elbow and lower arm trauma but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating a driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. The sedan driver, a licensed female, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet, but no other contributing factors were specified. The crash caused damage to the center front ends of both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651885 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 5 - A Ford SUV struck a 25-year-old e-bike rider head-on on Harrison Place. The rider flew from the saddle, hit the pavement, head split open. He lay semiconscious, bleeding, alone in the dark. Traffic control ignored. Streets unforgiving.

A Ford SUV hit a 25-year-old e-bike rider head-on near Harrison Place and Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV disregarded traffic control and struck the cyclist, who was ejected and suffered severe head lacerations. The rider was semiconscious and bleeding at the scene. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause remains the driver's failure to obey traffic signals and improper lane usage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 4 - State pours federal cash into highways. Comptroller Lander and Assemblymember Gallagher push back. They call for greenways, bike paths, and transit. Highway expansion repeats old mistakes. Vulnerable road users lose out. Safety and climate take a back seat.

On August 4, 2023, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher (District 50) joined Comptroller Brad Lander in criticizing New York State’s use of federal infrastructure funds. The state plans to spend hundreds of millions widening city highways, including $730 million for the Van Wyck Expressway. Lander called this a repeat of past errors, saying, 'Even maintaining a state of good repair on existing roadway infrastructure would be a better use of money than widening the highway.' Gallagher warned, 'New York state risks squandering the historic investments of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by directing far too much funding toward highway expansion instead of climate resilient, multimodal projects.' Both urge a shift to projects that cut emissions and improve safety for all, especially those outside cars. The state DOT defends its plan, but advocates say vulnerable road users are left exposed.

• State spending too much federal infrastructure money on NYC highways: Comptroller Lander, gothamist.com, Published 2023-08-04

Aug 4 - Two bodies pulled from Newtown Creek. Council Member Gutiérrez demands action. Industrial zones draw crowds but lack lights, signs, transit. Politicians push for safety. Danger stalks dark streets. City must fix deadly gaps before more lives are lost.

On August 4, 2023, Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez (District 34) led a call for increased nightlife safety in industrial areas after two men died near Brooklyn Mirage. The matter, titled 'After two bodies recovered from Newtown Creek, pols petition for more nightlife safety measures in industrial areas,' highlights the lack of lighting, signage, connectivity, and public transportation in the Industrial Business Zone (IBZ). Gutiérrez, joined by U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Assembly Members Maritz Davila and Emily Gallagher, and State Senator Julia Salazar, urged a full investigation and demanded urgent infrastructure upgrades. Gutiérrez said, 'We remain committed to enhancing public safety and ensuring that the nightlife community operates and maintains responsible practices.' The push centers vulnerable road users—pedestrians and nightlife patrons—who face systemic danger in neglected, poorly lit streets.

• After two bodies recovered from Newtown Creek, pols petition for more nightlife safety measures in industrial areas, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-08-04

Aug 4 - Two bodies pulled from Newtown Creek. Council Member Gutiérrez demands action. Industrial zones draw crowds but lack lights, signs, transit. Politicians push for safety. Danger stalks dark streets. City must fix deadly gaps before more lives are lost.

On August 4, 2023, Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez (District 34) led a call for increased nightlife safety in industrial areas after two men died near Brooklyn Mirage. The matter, titled 'After two bodies recovered from Newtown Creek, pols petition for more nightlife safety measures in industrial areas,' highlights the lack of lighting, signage, connectivity, and public transportation in the Industrial Business Zone (IBZ). Gutiérrez, joined by U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Assembly Members Maritz Davila and Emily Gallagher, and State Senator Julia Salazar, urged a full investigation and demanded urgent infrastructure upgrades. Gutiérrez said, 'We remain committed to enhancing public safety and ensuring that the nightlife community operates and maintains responsible practices.' The push centers vulnerable road users—pedestrians and nightlife patrons—who face systemic danger in neglected, poorly lit streets.

• After two bodies recovered from Newtown Creek, pols petition for more nightlife safety measures in industrial areas, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-08-04

Aug 3 - A sedan rear-ended a turning car on Vandervort Avenue. The rear driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Unsafe speed and close following listed as causes. Impact struck hard. Brooklyn street, daylight, no escape.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on Vandervort Avenue in Brooklyn was struck from behind by another sedan. The rear driver, a 35-year-old man, was injured with back pain and whiplash. The report lists "Following Too Closely," "Unsafe Speed," and "Other Vehicular" as contributing factors. The impact hit the center back end of the turning sedan and the center front end of the striking sedan. No safety equipment was used by the injured driver. Both drivers held valid licenses. The crash underscores driver errors in speed and distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653871 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - State Sen. Gounardes and Assembly Member Gallagher push a bill to force repeat speeders to install limiters. The tech would cap speed, targeting drivers with six or more tickets. Advocates say it could cut deaths. Reckless drivers face real consequences.

On August 2, 2023, State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher announced new legislation targeting recidivist reckless drivers. The bill, introduced in the New York State Legislature, would require drivers with at least six speeding tickets in a single year, or 11 points in 18 months, to install speed limiter devices in their vehicles. The matter summary states: "We are going to literally force you to slow down by requiring you to install a speed limiter on your car." Gounardes led the announcement at the Atlantic Avenue intersection where a driver killed Katherine Harris. Gallagher, co-sponsor, said, "Cars and trucks can act as weapons when used recklessly." The bill aims to bypass bureaucratic hurdles and act automatically, modeled after ignition interlock devices for drunk drivers. Advocates and city officials joined the call, citing data that speed limiters can reduce traffic deaths by 37 percent. The bill targets the most dangerous drivers, seeking to end impunity for repeat offenders.

• In-Car Tech Would Force NYC’s Worst Drivers to Slow Down Under New Proposal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-02

Aug 2 - Senate bill S 7621 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets trigger mandatory speed control tech. Sponsors push to curb repeat danger. No votes yet. Streets stay tense.

Senate bill S 7621, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed August 2, 2023, it 'relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill forces drivers with eleven points in eighteen months, or six speed/red light camera tickets in a year, to install speed-limiting devices. No safety analyst note yet. The measure aims to cut repeat speeding and protect those outside the car.

• File S 7621, Open States, Published 2023-08-02

Aug 1 - Lawmakers push a bill to force speed-limiting devices on repeat reckless drivers. The measure targets those with a record of speeding and red-light violations. It aims to slow down the worst offenders and curb the rising toll of traffic deaths.

On August 1, 2023, lawmakers introduced a bill requiring speed-limiting devices for repeat reckless drivers. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, targets drivers with six or more automated speed or red light tickets, or eleven license points in 18 months. The measure would force these drivers to install devices that cap speed at five miles per hour above the limit. Gounardes said, 'There is a persistent cohort of drivers... driving on our streets recklessly without any consequences.' The bill was unveiled at the site of a fatal pedestrian crash in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, which mandates safety courses for repeat offenders, has faced criticism for weak enforcement. This new bill seeks to close those gaps and directly slow down the most dangerous drivers on city streets.

• State lawmakers unveil bill to put speed limiting devices in reckless drivers’ cars, amny.com, Published 2023-08-01

Jul 31 - Manhattan lawmakers want electric cars to pay less under congestion pricing. They argue EVs cut smog, so drivers deserve a break. Critics warn this move keeps streets clogged. Fewer cars mean fewer crashes. The fight pits clean air against crowded roads.

On July 31, 2023, a group of Manhattan elected officials—including Assembly Members Alex Bores, Eddie Gibbs, Deborah Glick, Harvey Epstein, Rebecca Seawright; State Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Kristen Gonzalez; and Borough President Mark Levine—sent a letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board. They urged a congestion pricing discount for electric vehicles, claiming EVs 'do not contribute significantly to the smog and pollution of the Central Business District.' Assembly Member Bores led the effort, stating, 'when it comes to the environmental case, an electric vehicle is just a different profile than a gas-guzzling one.' The officials oppose credits for bridge and tunnel crossings. Congestion pricing advocates and environmental groups counter that EV discounts undermine the core goal: fewer cars, less traffic, safer streets. They note other cities are ending such breaks. The proposal highlights a tension—cleaner air versus safer, less crowded roads for all.

• Manhattan Elected Officials Urge Congestion Pricing Discount For Electric Cars, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-31

Jul 30 - A 56-year-old woman was struck by a southbound sedan on Keap Street in Brooklyn. The vehicle hit her on the left side doors. She suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver was speeding.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Keap Street struck a 56-year-old female pedestrian not at an intersection. The impact occurred on the vehicle's left side doors. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor for the driver. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. The driver was going straight ahead before the collision. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650356 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 28 - A 36-year-old woman on a moped collided with a parked box truck on Grand Street in Brooklyn. The moped struck the truck’s right front bumper. The rider suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. She was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old female moped driver collided with a parked box truck on Grand Street, Brooklyn. The moped hit the truck’s right front bumper while traveling east. The rider sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention, distraction, and inexperience as contributing factors. The moped driver was unlicensed. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The box truck was stationary at the time of impact. The crash highlights risks posed by driver errors and unlicensed operation in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649879 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - A 48-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured and ejected after a collision on Franklin Street, Brooklyn. The driver suffered bruises over his entire body. The crash involved a reaction to an uninvolved vehicle, causing front-end damage to the scooter.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured and ejected during a crash on Franklin Street in Brooklyn. The report lists the contributing factor as "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle," indicating the driver reacted to another vehicle not involved in the collision. The driver suffered contusions and bruises over his entire body. The scooter sustained center front-end damage. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured. The driver was licensed and traveling north, going straight ahead at the time of impact. No safety equipment status was recorded. The crash highlights the dangers of sudden reactions to traffic conditions even when no direct collision with other vehicles occurs.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648916 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19