Blood on the Asphalt, Silence from City Hall

A 20-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a bus struck her at a Brooklyn intersection. The bus was making a right turn when the collision occurred. Faulty traffic control devices contributed to the crash, according to police.

According to the police report, a bus traveling west on Boerum Place in Brooklyn struck a 20-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection near Atlantic Avenue. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the crash. The bus was making a right turn when the collision occurred, impacting the pedestrian at the bus's right rear quarter panel. The report cites a contributing factor of 'Traffic Control Device Improper/Non-Working,' indicating a failure in traffic signal operation that played a role in the crash. The bus driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted, but the primary contributing factor was the malfunctioning traffic control device.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799682, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan collided with a van changing lanes on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The van driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited improper passing and passing too closely as contributing factors. The crash caused damage to the sedan’s front bumper.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 3:00 AM on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway near Flushing Avenue. A sedan traveling westbound struck the left rear quarter panel of a van that was changing lanes. The van driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Passing Too Closely' as the contributing factors, indicating driver error by the sedan operator. The sedan sustained damage to its right front bumper, while the van had no damage. The van driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant in her vehicle. The police report does not mention any victim behavior contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799300, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

On the Brooklyn Queens Expressway near midnight, a BMW slammed into the rear of a Tesla. Both vehicles traveled straight. The impact crushed metal and injured occupants, including a young man bleeding from his face. Driver error of following too closely caused the crash.

According to the police report, a BMW sedan struck a Tesla sedan from behind on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway near midnight. The BMW driver was cited for 'Following Too Closely,' a critical driver error that led directly to the collision. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The Tesla's center back end was crushed, causing injuries to multiple occupants. A 22-year-old male passenger in the rear seat suffered facial lacerations and remained conscious; he was wearing a lap belt and harness. Other occupants, including the Tesla driver and rear passengers, sustained whiplash and concussion injuries. No contributing factors were attributed to the victims. The crash underscores the dangers of tailgating and driver inattention on New York highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799341, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan driver disregarded traffic control and collided with a northbound bicyclist on Hall Street in Brooklyn. The 56-year-old female cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan showed no damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:35 on Hall Street in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling south was starting from a parking position when it struck a bicyclist traveling northbound. The contributing factor cited is 'Traffic Control Disregarded' by the sedan driver. The bicyclist, a 56-year-old female, was ejected from her bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report notes the bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, sustained no damage despite the impact occurring at the right front bumper. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers ignoring traffic controls, resulting in serious injuries to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799293, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs collided on Tillary Street in Brooklyn. The impact struck the center front and right side doors. The 27-year-old male driver suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious. Police cite traffic control disregard as the cause.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided at the intersection of Tillary Street and Adams Street in Brooklyn at 16:12. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead—one westbound, the other northbound—when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the center front end of the westbound SUV and the right side doors of the northbound SUV. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating a failure by at least one driver to obey traffic signals or signs. The 27-year-old male driver of the westbound SUV, who was wearing a lap belt, sustained a head abrasion but was conscious and not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798029, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan turned left on Washington Avenue and hit a woman on an e-scooter head-on. She crashed to the pavement, blood running from her scalp. She stayed conscious, 29, staring skyward in Brooklyn’s night.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Washington Avenue near Myrtle Avenue made a left turn and struck an eastbound e-scooter head-on. The report states, 'The car struck her head-on. She hit the pavement hard. No helmet. Blood ran from her scalp.' The e-scooter rider, a 29-year-old woman, suffered a severe head injury and remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The sedan’s driver’s actions—turning left across the path of the oncoming e-scooter—are central to the collision. The victim was not wearing a helmet, but this is noted only after the driver errors cited by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798536, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two vehicles merging eastbound on Tillary Street collided at the left and right front quarters. A rear passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited improper passing and following too closely as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:35 on Tillary Street in Brooklyn. A 2023 SUV and a 2022 sedan, both traveling eastbound and merging, collided with impact on the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the right front quarter panel of the sedan. The report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors to the collision. A 50-year-old female occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of one vehicle sustained back injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The driver errors of improper lane merging and close following created the conditions for this crash, with no victim behaviors noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797263, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 23-year-old woman crossing Vanderbilt Avenue with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn. The vehicle failed to yield right-of-way, causing knee and lower leg injuries. The pedestrian remained conscious despite contusions and bruises.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Vanderbilt Avenue near Fulton Street in Brooklyn around 7:00 PM. A 23-year-old female pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when she was struck by a northbound SUV making a right turn. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor on the driver's part. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious with contusions and bruises. The vehicle showed no damage despite impact at the right front bumper. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The incident highlights a critical driver error in yielding to pedestrians legally crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797043, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 32-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a southbound SUV struck him at Waverly Avenue. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian bruised but conscious, highlighting the deadly consequences of distracted driving.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2021 Mazda SUV traveling south on Waverly Avenue in Brooklyn struck him with the vehicle’s left front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The driver, a licensed female motorist, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No vehicle damage was reported, indicating a possibly low-speed collision. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior. This incident underscores the systemic danger posed by distracted driving in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795689, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan struck a stopped SUV on Flatbush Avenue. A woman in the rear seat died, her chest crushed. Two vehicles, one still, one moving. The night’s silence broken by impact. No forgiveness, only loss.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Flatbush Avenue collided with the center rear of a stationary SUV near State Street in Brooklyn at 23:04. The SUV was stopped in traffic when the sedan, described as 'going straight ahead,' struck it. A 45-year-old woman, seated unbelted in the right rear passenger seat of the SUV, was killed. The report states her chest was crushed in the impact. The narrative reads: 'A woman, 45, unbelted in the rear seat, died when a sedan struck their stopped SUV. Her chest crushed. Two cars, one still, one moving.' No contributing factors are specified in the police data, but the sequence of events centers on the moving sedan striking a stopped vehicle. The report does not cite any passenger behavior as a contributing factor, listing only 'Unspecified' for contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795527, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcycle traveling south was struck by an SUV making a U-turn on Clermont Ave in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cite unsafe lane changing as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:26 on Clermont Ave in Brooklyn. A 26-year-old male motorcycle driver, traveling southbound, was struck by a northbound SUV making a U-turn. The point of impact was the right front bumper of both vehicles. The motorcycle driver was ejected from the vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in a severity level 3 injury. The driver reported complaints of pain or nausea and was in shock. The police report identifies 'Unsafe Lane Changing' by the SUV driver as the contributing factor to the crash. The motorcycle driver was not cited with any contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed, while the motorcycle driver held a permit and was not using any safety equipment. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper lane changes and U-turn maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795704, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A drunk driver blasted through a red light at 72 mph. He struck Katherine Harris, killing her steps from home. The car crashed on. Blood alcohol twice the limit. The street became a crime scene. Lives shattered in seconds.

NY Daily News reported on February 28, 2025, that Erick Trujillo, 29, was sentenced to three to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. On April 16, 2023, Trujillo drove his Volvo at 72 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a red light at Atlantic Ave and Clinton Street in Brooklyn. He struck pedestrian Katherine Harris, 31, killing her instantly, then rear-ended another car and crashed into an outdoor dining shed. Trujillo's blood alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "This defendant made a disastrous decision when he got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated." The case highlights the lethal consequences of impaired driving and excessive speed, underscoring systemic risks for pedestrians in New York City.

• Drunk Driver Speeds, Kills Pedestrian in Brooklyn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-28

Two vehicles collided on Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue, injuring a driver and rear passenger. The crash involved aggressive driving and following too closely. Both victims suffered moderate injuries, including whiplash and leg contusions, while restrained by lap belts.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:05 on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision involved a 2022 Tesla sedan and a 2014 Audi SUV, both traveling westbound. The Tesla struck the rear of the Audi, causing damage to the Tesla's left front bumper and the Audi's center back end. The report cites 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The Tesla driver, a 38-year-old male, and a 24-year-old female rear passenger were injured. Both occupants were conscious and restrained by lap belts. The driver suffered whiplash, and the passenger sustained contusions to the knee and lower leg. The report highlights driver errors without attributing fault to the injured occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794216, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 76-year-old man crossing Lafayette Avenue was struck by a cyclist traveling east. The pedestrian suffered a severe head injury and was unconscious at the scene. The crash occurred due to driver inattention, highlighting dangers cyclists pose to vulnerable pedestrians.

According to the police report, a cyclist traveling east on Lafayette Avenue struck a 76-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing outside a crosswalk or signal. The pedestrian sustained a severe head injury, was unconscious, and suffered fractures and dislocations. The report identifies "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor. The cyclist was going straight ahead and impacted the pedestrian with the center front end of the bike. There was no damage to the bike, indicating a low-speed collision but with serious injury consequences. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior. This incident underscores the risks posed by distracted cyclists to vulnerable pedestrians in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795351, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Three SUVs collided in a chain-reaction crash on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. One driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited following too closely as the primary cause, highlighting the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roads.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction collision occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway around 12:24 a.m. involving three SUVs traveling westbound. The first vehicle was slowing or stopping when the second SUV, driven by a 30-year-old man, struck it from behind. The third SUV then collided with the second vehicle. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash, emphasizing driver error in maintaining unsafe distances. The injured driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained back injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash underscores the systemic danger of tailgating on busy expressways and the severe consequences for vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794213, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two vehicles merging southwest on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided. Both drivers and a passenger suffered eye contusions. Police cited passing too closely and unsafe lane changing as key factors in the crash, causing serious bruising and vehicle damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway around 10:00 AM. A 2024 Honda sedan and a 2020 Nissan pickup truck, both traveling southwest and merging, collided. The sedan's left front bumper struck the truck's right rear bumper. The report identifies 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor for both drivers, with the sedan driver also cited for 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' The sedan carried two occupants: a 25-year-old female driver and a 25-year-old male passenger. Both were conscious but sustained eye contusions and bruises. Airbags deployed and lap belts were used. The pickup truck had one male driver, licensed in New York. The collision caused damage to the left front quarter panel of the sedan and the right rear quarter panel of the truck. The report highlights driver errors in close passing and lane changes as the primary causes, with no victim fault noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794218, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 27-year-old bicyclist suffered a shoulder injury when a vehicle disregarded traffic control on Hoyt Street in Brooklyn. The driver made a left turn, striking the cyclist who was traveling southeast. The impact caused bruising and upper arm injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Hoyt Street near Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn at 11:30 AM. The bicyclist, a 27-year-old male, was injured with a contusion and upper arm shoulder injury. The report states the contributing factor was 'Traffic Control Disregarded,' indicating the driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The vehicle involved was making a left turn and struck the bicyclist at the center front end, causing damage to the vehicle's left front bumper. The bicyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No safety equipment was reported on the bicyclist. The other vehicle involved showed no damage and was traveling straight ahead. Driver error in disregarding traffic control was the primary cause of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794237, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A driver rear-ended a car, then tried to run down the man who got out. The victim clung to the hood, thrown off after 330 feet. He hit the pavement, battered. The driver fled. Police seek him. The street stayed dangerous.

According to NY Daily News (published February 19, 2025), Jacob Angstadt, 27, rear-ended a 34-year-old man on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway near Tillary Street. When the victim exited to take a photo, Angstadt "became enraged, hit the gas pedal and sped toward him." The victim leapt onto the hood and was carried nearly 330 feet before being thrown onto the roadway, suffering serious injuries. Angstadt fled the scene. Police released his photo and asked for public help. The incident highlights the lethal risk of aggressive driving and the vulnerability of people outside vehicles. The case remains open as authorities search for the driver.

• Driver Rams, Drags Man On Expressway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-19

Two sedans collided on Myrtle Ave in Brooklyn. A distracted driver struck the rear of another slowing vehicle. Both drivers and a passenger suffered injuries, including head and shoulder trauma. The crash exposed dangers of inattention behind the wheel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:58 PM on Myrtle Ave in Brooklyn. Two sedans traveling west collided when one vehicle, driven by a licensed female driver, was going straight ahead and struck the left rear bumper of a slowing or stopping sedan driven by a licensed male driver. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The male driver and a 26-year-old female passenger in his vehicle were injured, suffering head and shoulder injuries respectively, and were reported to be in shock. The collision caused damage to the left rear bumper of the second sedan, while the first vehicle showed no damage. The report highlights driver distraction as the primary cause, with no other contributing factors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794226, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on Willoughby Street in Brooklyn. Both vehicles were parked before impact. The female driver of one sedan suffered a back injury and contusions. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans were involved in a collision on Willoughby Street, Brooklyn, at 17:35. Both vehicles were parked prior to the crash. The driver of one sedan, a 39-year-old woman, sustained a back injury and contusions but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, cited twice for the injured driver. Both vehicles sustained damage to their left rear bumpers. The female driver was wearing a lap belt at the time. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was noted as contributing. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792708, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15