Jul 8 - Drunk drivers who kill a parent may pay child support for up to 18 years. Lawmakers Gounardes and Meeks push bills to force accountability. Few drivers face these charges now. The aim: make killers pay, not just serve time.

""If you drive recklessly, you are going to be held accountable,"" -- Andrew Gounardes

Senate bill, drafted by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Demond Meeks, would require convicted drunk drivers who kill a custodial parent to pay child support until the victim’s children turn 18. The proposal, announced July 8, 2022, mirrors a Tennessee law. The bill targets drivers convicted of vehicular manslaughter (first or second degree) or aggravated vehicular homicide. Gounardes said, 'If you drive recklessly, you are going to be held accountable.' He stressed the lack of accountability and financial compensation for victims’ families. The bill is limited to drunk drivers for now, but Gounardes hopes to expand it to all reckless drivers who kill. Few drivers are convicted under these charges in New York City. The measure sends a clear message: kill a parent, pay for it—literally and for years.

• Drunk Drivers Who Kill Could Be Paying for their Crime for Almost 20 Years, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-08

Jul 6 - A 17-year-old e-bike rider crashed into a parked BMW sedan on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider suffered bruises and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. Unsafe speed was cited as a contributing factor in the collision.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male e-bike driver traveling north on Flatbush Avenue collided with a parked 2011 BMW sedan. The point of impact was the left side doors of the sedan and the center front end of the e-bike. The rider sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan was stationary before the collision. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4544662 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - A truck slammed into the back of a sedan on Bergen Street in Brooklyn. Two occupants in the sedan suffered neck injuries and shock. The crash was caused by the truck driver following too closely and distracted driving. Both vehicles traveled westbound.

According to the police report, a truck traveling westbound on Bergen Street rear-ended a sedan also heading west. The impact struck the center front end of the truck and the center back end of the sedan. Two occupants in the sedan—a 21-year-old female driver and a 22-year-old male front passenger—were injured, both suffering neck injuries and shock. Both were restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists the truck driver's errors as "Following Too Closely" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The occupants were not ejected but sustained whiplash and contusions. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted driving and tailgating in Brooklyn traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543617 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 1 - Three vehicles crashed on Brooklyn’s Columbia Street late at night. A 37-year-old male driver suffered a head injury and internal complaints. The SUV’s roof was damaged. All drivers were licensed. The crash left one occupant in shock and injured.

According to the police report, three vehicles—a 2019 SUV and two sedans—collided on Columbia Street in Brooklyn at 10:58 p.m. The SUV and one sedan were traveling south, the other sedan north. The SUV sustained roof damage, and the sedans were damaged on their left sides. A 37-year-old male driver, occupant of one vehicle, was injured with a head wound and internal complaints. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. All drivers held valid New York licenses. The crash caused shock and injury but no fatalities.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4542613 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 1 - A 2-year-old girl crossing with the signal was struck by a right-turning BMW sedan on 6 Avenue in Brooklyn. The child suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a 2-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 6 Avenue at an intersection in Brooklyn. The driver of a 2013 BMW sedan, traveling east and making a right turn, struck the child on the right side doors of the vehicle. The pedestrian was conscious and suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. The child was crossing with the signal at the time of impact. No other contributing factors or safety equipment were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4542580 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 30 - A 45-year-old male bicyclist was injured on 5 Street near 7 Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan driver made a left turn and hit the cyclist’s front end. The cyclist suffered shoulder and upper arm contusions. Driver distraction played a key role.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southeast made a left turn on 5 Street near 7 Avenue in Brooklyn and collided with a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 45-year-old man, was injured with contusions to his shoulder and upper arm but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with driver inexperience. The point of impact was the sedan’s right rear quarter panel and the bike’s center front end. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2018 Honda. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4542573 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - A motorcycle rider was ejected after a sedan changed lanes unsafely on Flatbush Avenue. The rider suffered bruises and injuries to the elbow and lower arm. The crash caused left-side damage to the sedan. The rider was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Flatbush Avenue changed lanes unsafely and passed too closely to a motorcycle going straight ahead. The motorcycle rider, a 25-year-old male wearing a helmet, was riding on the outside and was ejected during the collision. He sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The sedan suffered damage to its left side doors. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors. The rider was conscious and injured but not fatally harmed. The crash highlights the dangers posed by improper lane changes and close passing in Brooklyn traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4542482 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 28 - A forklift reversed on Court Street. The driver did not see the woman. She was struck. Her knee split open. Blood pooled on the pavement. She stayed conscious, lying still in the morning light. Driver inattention marked the scene.

A 52-year-old woman was struck by a forklift backing south on Court Street near Hamilton Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'The driver didn’t see her. She was 52. Her leg split open at the knee. Blood pooled on the pavement. She stayed conscious, lying still in the early morning light.' The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to her knee and lower leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The forklift driver, a 59-year-old man, was licensed and uninjured. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4544037 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 27 - Council members push to ban non-essential helicopter flights from city-owned helipads. The bill targets tourist and luxury flights, sparing only essential services. Noise, pollution, and safety risks drive the move. The city’s airspace faces a reckoning.

On June 27, 2022, Council Member Lincoln Restler and colleagues introduced a bill to ban all non-essential helicopter flights from the Wall Street and East 34th Street city-owned helipads. The legislation, discussed in the City Council, exempts NYPD, news, and hospital helicopters. The bill’s matter title: 'Stop the Chop.' Council Members Amanda Farias, Gale Brewer, Shahana Hanif, Alexa Avilés, Crystal Hudson, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Christopher Marte, and Carlina Rivera joined as sponsors. Hanif stated, 'Our airspace is not for sale to the highest bidder and should only be available to essential needs of our city.' The bill responds to mounting complaints—nearly 60,000 since 2010—over helicopter noise and pollution. The proposal aims to cut thousands of flights, reduce greenhouse gases, and restore peace to city parks and neighborhoods.

• OPINION: Here’s How the Council Will ‘Stop the Chop’ in New York, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-27

Jun 24 - Governor Hochul signed the bill. Speed cameras in New York City now operate around the clock. No more nighttime gaps. Deborah Glick backed the measure. The law aims to slow cars, protect people, and keep streets safer for everyone.

On June 24, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill extending and expanding New York City's speed camera program. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymember Deborah Glick (District 66) and Senator Andrew Gounardes, allows speed cameras to operate 24/7 in up to 750 school zones. The bill was set to expire but now runs through July 1, 2025. The matter summary states: 'New York City is now able to operate its speed cameras 24 hours a day.' Glick, who sponsored the bill, dismissed criticism that cameras are a cash grab, saying, 'The city isn't in the car with you... If you don't want to get a ticket, don't speed.' Mayor Eric Adams called the cameras a deterrent, not a punishment. Advocates say the law will slow cars and protect pedestrians, especially children. The bill passed just before the legislative session ended, closing a deadly loophole in city enforcement.

• NYC speed cameras can now operate 24/7, gothamist.com, Published 2022-06-24

Jun 24 - Governor Hochul signed a bill making school zone speed cameras run all day, every day. No more gaps. Crashes and injuries near schools drove the change. The law dropped tougher penalties, but sponsors vow to keep fighting. Streets stay dangerous. Cameras now never sleep.

On June 24, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill expanding New York City's school zone speed camera program to operate 24/7, year-round. The bill, sponsored by Assembly Member Deborah Glick and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, was passed after statistics showed rising crashes and injuries near schools. The matter summary: 'The city's school zone speed cameras will now operate 24/7 year-round.' Hochul cited student deaths and the need for constant protection. Mayor Adams called the program a national model, noting, '72 percent of fatalities have been happening when the cameras were off.' The bill was weakened from its original form, dropping escalating fines and stricter penalties for repeat offenders due to City Council concerns. Glick and Gounardes pledged to push for stronger measures. A separate bill to expand red light cameras failed. The new law closes deadly loopholes but leaves enforcement gaps for repeat offenders.

• Hochul Signs Speed Camera Bill, Citing Streetsblog’s Coverage of Unsafe School Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-24

Jun 19 - A pick-up truck struck three pedestrians crossing Smith Street in Brooklyn. All were injured, suffering head and leg wounds. The driver failed to yield and turned improperly. The victims were crossing with the signal. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 2019 pick-up truck traveling northeast on Smith Street in Brooklyn struck three pedestrians at an intersection. All three pedestrians, including a 3-year-old child and two adult females, were crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. The pedestrians sustained injuries to their heads and lower legs, including contusions and abrasions. The driver, a licensed female, was making a left turn and failed to yield right-of-way while turning improperly. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrians were conscious and injured but not ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4538848 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - A Tesla SUV struck a taxi from behind on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The SUV driver, a 60-year-old man, suffered a head contusion but was conscious and restrained. The crash was triggered by the SUV driver’s reaction to an uninvolved vehicle.

According to the police report, a 60-year-old male driver of a 2020 Tesla SUV collided with the right rear bumper of a 2018 Toyota taxi on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The SUV driver was injured, sustaining a head contusion but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists the contributing factor as "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle," indicating the SUV driver’s response to another vehicle not involved in the crash led to the collision. The taxi was carrying three occupants, and the SUV had one occupant. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4539749 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - A 60-year-old male SUV driver was injured in a collision on Van Brunt Street. The SUV, making a right turn, struck the right rear of a northbound beverage truck. The driver was restrained and suffered shock with unknown injuries.

According to the police report, a 60-year-old male driver of a 2019 SUV was making a right turn on Van Brunt Street when he failed to yield right-of-way and collided with a northbound beverage truck traveling straight ahead. The impact occurred at the SUV's left front bumper and the truck's right rear bumper. The SUV driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured and experienced shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. There is no indication of victim fault or other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4538437 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 15 - A sedan turned left on 5th Street. A cyclist rode straight. Steel struck flesh. The man flew, face-first to the pavement. Blood pooled. He was 58. He stayed conscious. The driver failed to yield. Distraction played its part.

A crash at the corner of 5th Street and 4th Avenue in Brooklyn left a 58-year-old cyclist injured. According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn struck the cyclist, who was traveling straight. The impact ejected the cyclist, causing severe bleeding from the face. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan's driver was licensed and uninjured. The cyclist was conscious at the scene. No helmet use or signaling is cited as a factor. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to yield and lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4537823 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 14 - Box truck hit SUV from behind on Columbia Street. SUV driver, 44, bruised his neck. Police blamed driver inattention. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling north on Columbia Street rear-ended a northbound SUV that was merging. The SUV driver, a 44-year-old man, suffered a neck contusion. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The box truck sustained front-end damage; the SUV took the hit in the rear. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. No other contributing factors or victim errors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4537305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 14 - Fourth Street in Park Slope will close to cars this summer. Kids and neighbors get space. Teachers lose parking. Council Member Hanif backs the plaza. Advocates fought for years. The city acts only during school recess. Permanent change remains uncertain.

Council Member Shahana Hanif supports the plan to close Fourth Street, west of Fifth Avenue, to cars from July 8 through Labor Day weekend. The move follows a decade-long push to reclaim the block, used as both a play space and a parking lot for placard-holding teachers. The matter, described as 'a fully reimagined pedestrian plaza,' has backing from Hanif, who said, 'It’s going be a plaza. It’ll be closed off and won’t have parking spaces.' The Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID and Old Stone House plan to apply for permanent plaza status with the Department of Transportation. Advocates like Kathy Park Price cite placard abuse and safety risks, calling for a permanent pedestrian space to expand the park and protect the community. The DOT has not committed to a permanent plan. For now, the street will be car-free only during summer recess.

• UH, THANKS: City Will Turn a Dead-End Block into a Plaza … But Only When Placarded Teachers Go on Recess, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-14

Jun 13 - A taxi making a left turn struck a sedan traveling straight west on Hamilton Avenue. The collision hit the taxi’s left side doors and the sedan’s right front bumper. A 36-year-old male rear passenger in the taxi suffered neck injuries and whiplash.

According to the police report, a taxi was making a left turn on Hamilton Avenue when it collided with a sedan traveling straight ahead westbound. The point of impact was the left side doors of the taxi and the right front bumper of the sedan. The taxi carried three occupants, including a 36-year-old male rear passenger who was injured with neck trauma and whiplash. The passenger was conscious and not ejected but did not use any safety equipment. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield, but the taxi’s left turn into the sedan’s path caused the crash. Both drivers were licensed and operating vehicles registered in New York.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4537212 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 9 - A sedan hit a 37-year-old man crossing Union Street in Brooklyn. The car struck him with its right front bumper. He suffered shoulder and arm bruises. He was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a 2018 Honda sedan while crossing Union Street at 6th Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan, traveling west, hit the man with its right front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal, which the report lists as a contributing factor under 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruising to his shoulder and upper arm but remained conscious. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536804 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 6 - An e-scooter and sedan collided on 7 Avenue. The e-scooter driver, 52, suffered a head abrasion. Police cited failure to yield and passing too closely. The rider remained conscious but injured. The sedan was traveling north, going straight.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 7 Avenue involving an e-scooter and a sedan, both traveling north. The e-scooter driver, a 52-year-old man, sustained a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and passing too closely as contributing factors. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and no safety equipment status was noted. The sedan was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The crash caused injuries to the e-scooter driver but no further details on the sedan occupant were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4537826 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19