Five Dead in a Year. Still No Action.

A Kia sedan, driven by an unlicensed man, crashed into parked cars on Bushwick Ave. The driver was ejected and badly hurt. A passenger suffered neck injuries. Police found alcohol involved.

According to the police report, a Kia sedan heading north on Bushwick Ave in Brooklyn struck multiple parked vehicles at 3:15 AM. The unlicensed male driver was ejected and suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The front passenger, a 31-year-old woman, sustained neck injuries. The report cites alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. The driver’s unlicensed status and alcohol use were critical errors leading to the crash. No contributing factors related to the passenger were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802698 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck an e-scooter in Brooklyn, injuring the 43-year-old scooter driver. The collision impacted the sedan’s left front quarter panel and the scooter’s right side doors. Driver inattention and failure to yield caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:00 in Brooklyn near 408 Harman Street. A sedan traveling west struck an e-scooter also moving west. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front quarter panel and the scooter’s right side doors. The e-scooter driver, a 43-year-old man, sustained back injuries and was conscious at the scene. The report cites the sedan driver’s contributing factors as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The scooter driver was not ejected and wore unspecified safety equipment. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights driver errors that compromised the safety of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 47-year-old man on a moped was struck head-on near Putnam Avenue. Thrown from his seat, his face torn open, he lay in shock on the pavement. The street echoed with silence and blood. No one else was harmed.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old man riding a moped northbound on Bushwick Avenue near Putnam Avenue was struck head-on and ejected from his vehicle. The report describes the rider as suffering severe lacerations to the face and lying in shock on the pavement. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor in the crash. The moped's point of impact was the center front end, and the vehicle sustained damage to the left front bumper. The report notes that the rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is listed after the primary driver error. No other persons were harmed in the collision. The scene was marked by silence and blood, underscoring the violence of the impact and the vulnerability of those outside of cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800008 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Dumbo’s speed limit drops to 20 mph. Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone targets crowded streets. Ten severe injuries and one death in five years haunt the area. Council Member Restler and DOT push for slower traffic. Lives hang in the balance.

On March 19, 2025, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced the lowering of Dumbo’s speed limit to 20 mph, making it Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone. The measure follows the passage of Sammy’s Law, which lets the city set its own speed limits. The Department of Transportation cited ten severe injuries and one death in Dumbo over five years. The new zone covers streets packed with pedestrians, from Furman to Navy and Hudson, and John to Sands and the BQE. Restler said, 'Data has shown that a one mile per hour increase in speed results in a nearly three percent increase in mortality.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez added, 'Lowering vehicle speed limits by even a few miles per hour could be the difference between life or death in a traffic crash.' The change will take effect after a public comment period. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called for more slow zones in high-crash neighborhoods. The city plans to expand 20 mph limits to over 250 locations by the end of 2025.

• Speed limit in Dumbo to be lowered to 20 mph as nabe becomes Brooklyn’s first ‘Regional Slow Zone’, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-19

A young man rode east in a Mercedes. The driver looked away. Metal struck. The passenger never left his seat. Death came fast, silent, final. Brooklyn’s streets claimed another life to inattention.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old man was riding as a rear passenger in a 2017 Mercedes sedan traveling east on Linden Street near Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn. The report states that the driver became inattentive or distracted, leading to a collision. The passenger, who remained in his seat and was wearing a lap belt, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The contributing factor listed in both the vehicle and person data is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' No other contributing factors were cited. The report does not mention any actions by the victim that contributed to the crash. This fatal incident underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799398 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 51-year-old man crossing Myrtle Avenue with the signal was struck by an eastbound SUV. The vehicle’s left front bumper hit the pedestrian, causing upper arm injuries and bruising. Driver inattention and improper lane usage contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, at 5 p.m. on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, a 51-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing with the signal at an intersection. The pedestrian suffered a contusion and upper arm injury after being struck by a Jeep SUV traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the vehicle’s left front bumper, which sustained damage. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as primary contributing factors, along with improper passing or lane usage by the driver. The pedestrian’s actions were not cited as contributing factors. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and lane violations in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798742 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans traveling south on Bushwick Avenue collided in Brooklyn. The impact struck the right rear bumper of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. Two rear passengers suffered whole-body injuries and shock, reporting pain and nausea.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Bushwick Avenue near Halsey Street in Brooklyn at 8:15 p.m. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead southbound when the crash occurred. The point of impact was the center back end of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with driver inexperience for one driver. Two occupants, a 34-year-old female and a 35-year-old male, both rear passengers restrained by lap belts, sustained injuries to their entire bodies and experienced shock. Both complained of pain or nausea. Neither occupant was ejected. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing on driver errors as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798535 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 36-year-old man was struck by a speeding sedan at a Brooklyn intersection. The impact caused facial injuries and incoherence. The driver’s unsafe speed was a key factor. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal, suffering minor bleeding.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male pedestrian was injured in Brooklyn at 9:39 AM when a 2015 Nissan sedan traveling north struck him at an intersection near 1803 Broadway. The report cites the driver’s unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the time of impact, but the primary cause noted is the driver’s failure to control speed. The pedestrian suffered facial injuries and was incoherent at the scene, with minor bleeding reported. The vehicle sustained no damage, indicating a significant impact on the pedestrian despite the lack of damage to the sedan. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798598 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Hyundai sedan tore into three parked vehicles on Menahan Street. Metal screamed, glass burst, and the driver bled in the wreck. The night reeked of alcohol. The roof folded. The street fell silent, marked by reckless force and shattered steel.

A Hyundai sedan traveling east on Menahan Street near 411 collided with three parked vehicles—a Honda sedan, a Chrysler sedan, and a GMC pick-up truck—according to the police report. The 29-year-old male driver, the sole occupant, suffered severe facial bleeding and was found conscious inside the crumpled Hyundai. The police report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The narrative describes the Hyundai as having 'plowed into three parked cars,' with the scene marked by 'the night smelled of alcohol and steel.' The impact crushed the Hyundai's roof and damaged the rear ends of the parked vehicles. No pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicle occupants were reported injured. The report places the responsibility for the crash on the driver's alcohol use, with no mention of any contributing behavior by others.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799381 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An 84-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a vehicle making a right turn on St Nicholas Ave. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, hitting the pedestrian’s upper arm and causing shock and pain.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on St Nicholas Ave near Bleecker St in Brooklyn at 12:20. An 84-year-old male pedestrian was crossing at the intersection with the signal when a vehicle traveling northwest made a right turn and struck him with the right front bumper. The report cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the primary contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian suffered an upper arm injury, was in shock, and complained of pain or nausea. Vehicle damage was noted on the right front quarter panel. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s actions. This collision highlights the danger posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798554 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A driver out on bail smashed into a Toyota in Bushwick. The crash killed Hayden Wallace and injured three others. The driver fled, leaving chaos behind. Police tracked him for over a year. Charges stack up, but the loss remains.

NY Daily News (March 8, 2025) reports that Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested after a deadly hit-and-run in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Seabrook had been out on bail for a previous crash involving police. On January 8, 2024, he crashed into a Toyota, killing Hayden Wallace and injuring three others. Seabrook fled the scene, abandoning his vehicle. The article notes, "All accidents are useless but this one was even more useless because [Seabrook] had so many other offenses." Seabrook faces 23 charges, including manslaughter, leaving the scene, unlicensed driving, and speeding. The case highlights repeated driver offenses and questions about bail and enforcement. Police needed over a year to arrest Seabrook, who had a history of fleeing crashes and driving without a license.

• Repeat Offender Kills Passenger In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-08

A sedan turned right and struck a 61-year-old woman crossing Bushwick Ave with the signal. She suffered a fractured hip and leg. Police cite driver inattention. The car’s left front bumper took the hit.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old woman was crossing Bushwick Ave at Hancock St in Brooklyn with the signal when a 2023 Chevrolet sedan, making a right turn, struck her with its left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated hip and upper leg. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. The sedan’s left front bumper was damaged. The driver was licensed and operating legally. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s actions were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798737 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A man sped through a stop sign in Brownsville. His Mercedes hit a school bus. His passenger died. He ran from the wreck in a taxi. Police found him later. The victim’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged.

NY Daily News reported on March 2, 2025, that Tyree Epps, 32, drove a Mercedes-Benz without a license, ran a stop sign on Van Sinderen Ave, and crashed into a school bus. The article states, “After the crash, Epps hopped in a taxi and took off, leaving his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, in the front seat suffering severe head trauma.” Epps faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, and unlicensed driving. The bus driver survived. The crash exposes ongoing risks from unlicensed, reckless drivers and the persistent danger at city intersections. The victim’s family is left to grieve and organize a funeral, while the intersection remains a site of loss.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Fatal Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-02

A Kia slammed into a Toyota on Stockholm Street. Hayden Wallace, 29, died. Two friends survived with critical wounds. The driver fled. Police arrested Christopher Seabrook. The crash left a new life cut short, a city shaken.

According to the NY Daily News (published March 1, 2025), Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested for the hit-and-run crash that killed Hayden Wallace, 29, in Bushwick on January 8, 2024. Seabrook allegedly crashed a Kia Sportage into a Toyota Yaris carrying Wallace and friends, then fled the scene on foot. Wallace died; two others were critically injured. The Toyota’s driver was also charged with driving without a license. Seabrook faces charges including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene. The article quotes Wallace’s aunt: “He lived life to the fullest. He was only 29 years old and lit up every room he entered.” The case highlights the deadly consequences of reckless driving and fleeing crash scenes in New York City.

• Bushwick Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-01

Council slashed parking mandates in transit-rich zones. Mandates linger in outer areas. Progress, but not full victory. Some districts carved out exceptions. Housing and parking no longer clash in core neighborhoods. Vulnerable road users still face cars in many places.

""A spokesperson for Council Member Sandy Nurse (D Brownsville) said her entire district is in the 'outer transit zone' because the Council's 'compromise [was] shaped by amendments from our district’s community boards.' 'It wasn't something that was pushed for specifically by Council Member Nurse,' spokesperson Patricia Santana told Streetsblog." -- Sandy Nurse

On February 26, 2025, the City Council approved Mayor Adams's 'City of Yes' rezoning. The bill divided the city into zones: the Manhattan core, an inner transit zone with no parking mandates, an outer transit zone with reduced mandates, and areas beyond where mandates mostly remain. The matter summary states, 'The final plan did not eliminate parking mandates citywide but divided the city into zones.' Council Member Crystal Hudson pushed to eliminate mandates in all her districts. Council Member Shahana Hanif opposed carve-outs. Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez called parking mandates 'a concession to cars that we don’t need and can’t afford.' Council Member Sandy Nurse’s district saw mandates shaped by community board amendments, not her advocacy. Dan Garodnick, Department of City Planning chair, said, 'parking and housing are no longer coming into conflict in the parts of New York City that are well-served by transit.' The bill passed after compromises, leaving mandates in some areas and progress in others. No direct safety impact assessment was provided.

• ‘City of … Sort Of’: How Do The ‘Outer Transit Zone’ Parking Mandate Reductions Work?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-26

A 17-year-old boy suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan turning right struck him at an intersection. The driver failed to yield and was distracted, causing the collision despite the pedestrian crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Irving Avenue was making a right turn near Stanhope Street at 11:59 AM when it struck a 17-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot and remained conscious. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its right front bumper. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was at an intersection and had the right-of-way, highlighting the driver's errors as the primary cause of the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794232 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan driver in Brooklyn rear-ended another vehicle on Irving Avenue. The collision caused injuries to the trailing driver’s arm and hand. Police cited driver inattention and following too closely as primary factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Irving Avenue in Brooklyn at 18:33. Two sedans were involved, both traveling west. The trailing vehicle struck the lead vehicle with its left front bumper, impacting the right side doors of the lead sedan. The driver of the trailing sedan, a 45-year-old woman, was injured with abrasions to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Following Too Closely" as contributing factors, highlighting driver error as the cause. No victim fault or pedestrian involvement was noted. Both vehicles were initially parked before the crash, indicating the collision happened as they began moving. The police report does not mention any victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793744 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW X5 veered off Belt Parkway near Exit 14. The SUV struck a tree. Marcus Joseph, 41, died at the scene. No passengers. No bystanders hurt. The crash left only silence and wreckage on the Brooklyn road.

NY Daily News (2025-02-18) reports Marcus Joseph, 41, died after his BMW X5 spun out of control on the Belt Parkway near Exit 14 in Starrett City, Brooklyn. Police said the SUV 'skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.' Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The article does not mention weather or road conditions. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed corridors like the Belt Parkway, where loss of control can prove fatal. No charges were filed. The report underscores the persistent risks for all road users on New York City highways.

• BMW Skids, Slams Tree On Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-18

Brooklyn’s Community Board 15 killed a Sheepshead Bay rezoning, citing rampant illegal parking—even by police. The board demanded more parking, ignoring transit and non-drivers. Council Member Vernikov opposed the project. More parking means more cars, more danger for people on foot and bike.

On February 18, 2025, Brooklyn Community Board 15 rejected a rezoning proposal at 2510 Coney Island Ave. The board’s vote came after the developer slashed housing units and promised a one-to-one parking ratio. The official matter focused on 'excessive illegal parking—including by the local police precinct.' CB15 Chair Theresa Scavo said, 'If we allow this rezoning every property owner on that block will continue to do the same thing, causing more backups and more traffic.' Council Member Inna Vernikov, through her legislative director, voiced strong opposition, prioritizing parking over new housing. Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized the parking mandate, warning it 'traps neighborhoods in car dependent development patterns.' Advocates argued the board ignored transit options and the needs of non-drivers. The City Council is expected to reject the project, blocking new homes and locking in car dominance.

• Too Much Illegal Parking Prompts Community Board to Reject New Housing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-18