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

Jun 21 - Brooklyn leaders demand the state back a park over the BQE trench in Williamsburg. They call for federal funds to cap the highway. The plan aims to cut pollution, reconnect neighborhoods, and give residents green space where cars now rule.

On June 21, 2023, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Rep. Nydia Velázquez, and Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez urged state officials to join the city in seeking federal funding for the BQGreen park proposal. The plan would cap a stretch of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in south Williamsburg, creating 3.5 acres of new parkland. Reynoso called on Governor Kathy Hochul to act as a co-applicant for funds, stating, "We're calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to be a co-applicant alongside the City of New York for federal funding to finally deck the BQE." Velázquez said, "We are fighting to reimagine the way to reconnect neighborhoods, improve traffic and reduce toxic pollution." Gutierrez stressed the urgent need for open space and clean air. The proposal, estimated at $100-200 million, is framed as an environmental justice effort to heal a community long divided and harmed by the highway.

• Brooklyn Electeds Demand State Embrace Park Over BQE Trench in Williamsburg, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-21

Jun 20 - A scooter struck an SUV on Morgan Avenue. The 16-year-old rider, unlicensed and unprotected, flew through the air and hit the street. Both drivers lacked licenses. Traffic control was ignored. The crash left the teen torn and conscious on the pavement.

A collision occurred on Morgan Avenue between a motorscooter and an SUV. The 16-year-old scooter rider was ejected and suffered severe lacerations to his entire body. According to the police report, 'Traffic control ignored. Metal and blood.' Both the scooter and SUV drivers were unlicensed. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The scooter was demolished, and the SUV sustained damage to its right side doors. The rider wore no helmet and had no license, but these details are noted only after the primary driver errors. The crash left the teenager conscious but severely injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4639515 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - A 33-year-old male e-bike rider crashed on Broadway near Havemeyer Street. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The rider was conscious and wearing a helmet. The crash involved a reaction to an uninvolved vehicle.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male e-bike rider traveling north on Broadway in Brooklyn was injured after reacting to an uninvolved vehicle. The rider was wearing a helmet and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as the primary contributing factor. The rider was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The crash occurred while the rider was going straight ahead. Vehicle damage and point of impact were noted as "Other." No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved or injured in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4639335 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - Two boys, ages 12 and 13, were struck by an SUV on Broadway. Both suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. Impact hit the vehicle's left side doors. Both pedestrians were conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 2017 SUV traveling west on Broadway struck two male pedestrians, ages 12 and 13, who were crossing outside a crosswalk. Both boys sustained injuries to their knees and lower legs, including contusions and abrasions. The point of impact was the left side doors of the vehicle. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. Both pedestrians were conscious after the collision. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors or safety equipment were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638701 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 17 - Two SUVs collided head-to-tail on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The front passenger of the struck vehicle suffered back injuries and shock. Driver distraction and unsafe speed caused the crash. Both vehicles damaged at center impact points.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles traveling westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided when one rear-ended the other. The front passenger in the struck vehicle, a 42-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained damage at their center impact points. The drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638899 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 15 - Emily Gallagher stands firm for the McGuinness Boulevard redesign. She calls out opponents for acting in bad faith. Gallagher cites crash deaths, public support, and her own trauma. She urges the mayor to hold the line. Vulnerable lives hang in the balance.

On June 15, 2023, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher issued a public statement supporting the McGuinness Boulevard road diet and redesign. The matter, discussed in Streetsblog NYC, centers on Gallagher’s push for safer streets in Greenpoint. She recounts her history as a cyclist and her advocacy for speed cameras, lower speed limits, and inclusion in the Safe Streets for Seniors program. Gallagher says, 'I truly believe that the opposition to a road diet on McGuinness is about fear, bad faith and control.' She urges the mayor to 'stay the course' on safe streets. Gallagher’s statement highlights the deadly toll of crashes on McGuinness and the urgent need for transformative change. Thousands of constituents support the redesign. Gallagher’s stance is clear: the city must act to protect vulnerable road users.

• Greenpoint Lawmaker: ‘Opposition to McGuinness Redesign is About Fear, Bad Faith and Control’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-15

Jun 14 - A bus traveling south on Lorimer Street struck an unspecified vehicle. The bus driver, a 44-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and shock. The crash damaged the bus’s front end. Driver inexperience was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a bus traveling south on Lorimer Street in Brooklyn collided with an unspecified vehicle. The bus driver, a 44-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and experienced shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor to the crash. The bus sustained damage to its center front end, with the point of impact at the left front bumper. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted. The unspecified vehicle involved had no occupants and no further details were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638303 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 14 - A 32-year-old male cyclist was injured when an SUV made a right turn and struck his e-bike. The impact hit the cyclist’s knee and lower leg. The driver was distracted and failed to yield right-of-way. The cyclist wore a helmet and suffered bruises.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn when a 2008 Dodge SUV made a right turn and collided with his e-bike. The point of impact was the SUV's right front bumper striking the cyclist's center front end. The cyclist sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling northeast with one occupant. The collision caused damage to the SUV's right front bumper, while the e-bike showed no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640932 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 13 - A 50-year-old man was struck while crossing Lorimer Street at night. The driver failed to yield right-of-way while making a right turn. The pedestrian suffered bruises and arm injuries but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured on Lorimer Street in Brooklyn at 10:10 p.m. The 50-year-old man was crossing with the signal when a vehicle making a right turn failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No other vehicle details or driver information were provided. The pedestrian was conscious and suffered a bruise but no ejection or helmet use was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637452 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 12 - Mayor Adams expands Summer Streets to every borough. Five Saturdays. Seventeen miles. Cars banned from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Brooklyn and Queens get major corridors. Advocates want longer hours and connected routes. City cites costs and safety. Streets open, but only for a while.

On June 12, 2023, Mayor Adams announced the expansion of New York City’s Summer Streets program to all five boroughs. The program, managed by the Department of Transportation, will run on five Saturdays in July and August, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., covering 17 miles. Borough presidents Antonio Reynoso (Brooklyn) and Donovan Richards (Queens) pushed for this expansion, with Reynoso praising the use of major corridors like Eastern Parkway. Mayor Adams said, “This is a five-borough city and we are now saying the Summer Streets program is going be a five-borough initiative. Everyone deserves to enjoy that.” Adams expressed interest in longer hours but cited public safety and NYPD staffing costs as barriers. Advocates want more hours and connected car-free routes. The city will spend $1.5 million, not including staffing. The expansion marks a step forward, but the early end time leaves advocates wanting more.

• Summer Streets Expands to All Boroughs; Still Ends Early, Though, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-12

Jun 11 - A motorcycle struck the rear of a parked SUV on Meserole Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver, a 45-year-old man, suffered bruises and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The SUV was damaged at its center back end.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling west on Meserole Street rear-ended a parked SUV. The motorcycle driver, a 45-year-old man, was injured with contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor, indicating the motorcycle driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The SUV was stationary at the time of impact, sustaining damage to its center back end. The motorcycle's front center end was also damaged. The injured driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636670 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 11 - Two sedans collided in Brooklyn at Meserole Street. A 57-year-old woman driver suffered an elbow abrasion. The crash involved following too closely. Both vehicles showed front-end damage. The injured driver remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Meserole Street in Brooklyn. The 57-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining an abrasion to her elbow, but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor to the crash. Both vehicles were traveling east and sustained front-end damage. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt at the time of the collision. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636669 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 9 - Two sedans collided at Williamsburg Street East and Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn. Both vehicles were traveling straight when impact occurred. Two female passengers suffered neck injuries and shock. Driver distraction and limited view contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east and south collided at Williamsburg Street East and Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn. The point of impact was the left rear quarter panel of one sedan and the center front end of the other. Two female passengers, ages 49 and 70, were injured with neck pain and shock. Both were rear passengers in the vehicles and were not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both drivers, along with obstructed or limited views. The drivers were licensed men. Vehicle damage was noted on the left rear quarter panel and center front end. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were mentioned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636838 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 6 - A 10-year-old boy was struck at the Humboldt Street and Varet Street intersection in Brooklyn. The vehicle hit his right elbow and lower arm. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The child suffered bruising but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 10-year-old pedestrian was injured while crossing Humboldt Street at the intersection with Varet Street in Brooklyn. The child was crossing with the signal when a vehicle traveling south struck him on the right front quarter panel, impacting his elbow and lower arm. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating the driver did not yield to the pedestrian. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruising but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage. No other contributing factors or safety equipment were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636138 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 6 - A Ford SUV and a Honda motorscooter crashed at Banker Street and Calyer Street in Brooklyn. The motorscooter driver suffered back injuries and shock. Both drivers were distracted. The SUV hit the scooter’s right side. The scooter driver wore a helmet.

According to the police report, a collision occurred between a 2017 Ford SUV traveling north and a 2020 Honda motorscooter traveling east on Banker Street near Calyer Street in Brooklyn. The SUV struck the motorscooter on its right front quarter panel, causing damage to the scooter’s right side doors and the SUV’s center front end. The motorscooter driver, a 39-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained back injuries and was in shock. Both drivers were cited for driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The report notes no ejections. The SUV had two occupants, and the scooter had one. The crash happened while both vehicles were going straight ahead.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4635551 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Jun 5 - A Talaria motorcycle struck an Infiniti SUV turning on Knickerbocker Avenue. The 23-year-old rider’s hip shattered. He was half-flung from the bike, conscious but broken. The SUV’s bumper bore the mark. Distraction and inattention played their part.

A crash on Knickerbocker Avenue at Harrison Place left a 23-year-old motorcycle rider with severe hip injuries. According to the police report, a Talaria motorcycle slammed into an Infiniti SUV that was making a right turn westbound. The rider was partially ejected and lay conscious with crush injuries to his hip and upper leg. The SUV’s right front bumper was damaged. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors in the crash. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The data does not indicate injuries to the SUV driver. The impact and driver distraction defined the collision’s violence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636819 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19