Two Dead, Still No Fix: City Lets Third Avenue Kill

A 66-year-old woman suffered a severe head injury after a collision with a westbound cyclist. The impact fractured and dislocated bones, leaving her semiconscious. The crash exposed dangerous confusion and unsafe speed by the cyclist in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old female pedestrian was injured in Brooklyn at 4:00 p.m. when struck by a bicycle traveling westbound. The cyclist was going straight ahead and impacted the pedestrian with the center front end of the bike. The pedestrian sustained a head injury described as a fracture, distortion, and dislocation, resulting in semiconsciousness and injury severity level 3. The report cites the cyclist’s unsafe speed and pedestrian confusion as contributing factors. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time, indicating the collision involved complex circumstances. The data highlights driver error by the cyclist, specifically unsafe speed and failure to navigate safely around the pedestrian, underscoring systemic dangers in shared spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777687 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a left turn struck a 34-year-old woman crossing against the signal at a Brooklyn intersection. She suffered upper arm and shoulder abrasions. The driver showed no damage to the vehicle. The crash happened just after midnight.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 7 Avenue and 54 Street in Brooklyn around 12:13 a.m. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when she was struck by a sedan making a left turn. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her shoulder and upper arm, classified as injury severity level 3. The driver, a licensed male from New Mexico, was the sole occupant of the vehicle, which showed no damage after the crash. The report lists the pedestrian's action of crossing against the signal as a factor but does not specify any driver contributing factors. The collision underscores the dangers posed by turning vehicles at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777677 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Sedan making a bad U-turn hit a 78-year-old woman at a Brooklyn intersection. She suffered a concussion and arm injury. Defective brakes and driver’s turn led to the crash. She was left unconscious.

According to the police report, a sedan making an improper U-turn on 53rd Street in Brooklyn struck a 78-year-old female pedestrian at 11:00 AM. The pedestrian was standing at the intersection, not in the roadway, when the vehicle’s left front bumper hit her. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor. The sedan’s defective brakes are also cited. The pedestrian suffered a concussion and upper arm injury and was found unconscious. A second, parked sedan was damaged but had no occupants. Driver errors—improper turning and faulty brakes—directly caused the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777694 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV turning right struck a northbound e-bike on Brooklyn’s 3rd Avenue. The e-bike driver, a 32-year-old man, suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. Police report notes unspecified contributing factors from the e-bike rider’s side.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:50 on 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2025 Honda SUV was making a right turn eastbound when it collided with a northbound e-bike. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front bumper and the e-bike’s center front end. The e-bike driver, a 32-year-old man, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. He was conscious and wearing a helmet. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the e-bike rider but does not specify driver errors for the SUV. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling legally. The collision highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles to vulnerable e-bike riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776682 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV veered left on 3rd Ave. Hit sedan going straight. Sedan driver’s shoulder broke, arm dislocated. Metal twisted. Sirens cut through Brooklyn dusk.

According to the police report, an SUV changing lanes northbound on 3rd Ave in Brooklyn struck a sedan traveling straight ahead. The SUV’s left front bumper hit the sedan’s right front bumper. The sedan driver, a 25-year-old man, suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. He was conscious at the scene. Both vehicles took heavy front-end damage. The report lists no explicit contributing factors, but the SUV’s lane change led to the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The sedan driver wore a lap belt and harness, and the airbag deployed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776819 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

MTA’s congestion pricing plan splits New Yorkers. Council Member Holden calls it betrayal. Poll shows narrow support. Some see a cash grab, others hope for better transit. The $9 fee hits drivers. The city waits for the impact.

On November 18, 2024, the MTA approved congestion pricing, set to start January 5, 2025. The plan charges $9 for cars and $14.40 for trucks entering Manhattan below 60th Street. amNew York Metro polled nearly 3,000 residents: 53.8% support, 44.9% oppose. The matter, titled 'Here’s how New Yorkers really feel about congestion pricing,' reveals sharp divides. Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30, Queens) condemned the move, calling it a 'blatant political move and a shameless betrayal of New Yorkers.' State Sen. Andrew Gounardes backed the plan, citing needed transit upgrades. The bill’s impact on vulnerable road users was not assessed. The debate centers on funding transit versus burdening drivers. The city stands at a crossroads.

• Here’s how New Yorkers really feel about congestion pricing, amny.com, Published 2024-12-03

A sedan collided with an e-bike traveling north on 41st Street in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider suffered severe lower leg injuries. Police cited traffic control disregard and driver inattention as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, at 8:30 AM on 41st Street near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn, a sedan traveling west struck an e-bike going straight north. The point of impact was the sedan's left front quarter panel and the e-bike's center front end. The 25-year-old male e-bike rider sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at 3. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors by the sedan operator. The e-bike rider was conscious and not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights systemic dangers posed by driver failure to obey traffic controls and maintain attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776259 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 27-year-old male moped driver was ejected and suffered head injuries on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved no other vehicles but was caused by slippery pavement. The driver was conscious but injured, with whiplash and head trauma reported.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male moped driver was ejected from his vehicle on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn at 16:45. The report cites slippery pavement as the sole contributing factor, causing the driver to lose control. The driver sustained head injuries and whiplash, was conscious at the scene, and was not wearing any safety equipment. The moped was traveling north, going straight ahead, and no damage to the vehicle was recorded. The report highlights the hazardous road condition—pavement slippery—as the critical cause, with no other vehicles involved. No driver errors beyond the environmental condition were noted, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774988 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan rear-ended a van on Prospect Expressway East. The sedan driver, a 36-year-old woman, suffered whole-body injuries and shock. Police cited a faulty accelerator and driver distraction as causes.

According to the police report, a sedan struck the rear of a van on Prospect Expressway East at 2:43 a.m. The sedan, driven by a 36-year-old woman, hit the van while both vehicles traveled straight. The sedan driver suffered injuries to her entire body and was in shock. The report lists 'Accelerator Defective' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, pointing to both mechanical failure and driver error. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted. The crash highlights the risks posed by vehicle defects and distracted driving on fast-moving city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A garbage truck making a left turn struck a northbound bicyclist on 23rd Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries with minor bleeding. The crash was caused by driver inattention, according to the police report.

According to the police report, at 14:47 a garbage or refuse truck traveling east on 4th Avenue made a left turn and collided with a northbound bicyclist on 23rd Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 44-year-old female driver, was ejected from her bike and sustained head injuries with minor bleeding. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The garbage truck showed no damage, while the bike sustained impact to the center front end. The truck driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but failed to maintain attention during the turn, causing the collision. No victim fault or behavior was noted as contributing in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775404 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A city worker crashed into three cars in Bed-Stuy. She dragged a person, struck a car with a pregnant woman, and tried to flee. No life-threatening injuries. Police arrested her near the scene. Charges include assault and reckless endangerment.

Gothamist (2024-11-27) reports a New York City Housing Authority employee crashed into three vehicles near Gates Avenue and Marcus Garvey Boulevard in Brooklyn. Police say the driver, Tanisha Simpson, "swiped an oncoming car," dragged a person trying to get her information, and hit another car with a pregnant woman inside. She then struck a third, unoccupied vehicle before being arrested by city sheriffs nearby. The pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Simpson faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene. The incident highlights ongoing risks at busy intersections and underscores the consequences of fleeing after a crash.

• Driver Drags Person, Hits Pregnant Woman, Gothamist, Published 2024-11-27

Bay Ridge’s parks and promenade get $30 million for repairs and upgrades. Community Board 10 approves. New lighting, wider paths, and more green space promised. Council Member Justin Brannan funds and supports. Cyclists and pedestrians get safer, smoother routes. No timeline yet.

On November 25, 2024, City Council Member Justin Brannan and Community Board 10 announced approval and funding for major upgrades to the Bay Ridge Promenade and Leif Ericson Park. The Parks Committee and full board both voted unanimously for the $30 million overhaul, which includes $20.97 million for the Shore Road Promenade and $9.25 million for Leif Ericson Park. The project, described as 'Destination: Greenways!', will expand green space, separate bike and pedestrian lanes, add lighting, and install new amenities. Brannan, a key funder and supporter, said, 'Our local parks are the lungs of our city.' The overhaul aims to improve recreational cycling, repair pothole-ridden paths, and increase accessibility. Board members raised concerns about safety and sanitation, which the Parks Department pledged to address in final designs. No construction timeline has been set.

• Bay Ridge community board greenlights $30M facelift for Shore Road Promenade, Leif Ericson Park, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-11-25

A 17-year-old bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in Brooklyn when a taxi merging southbound hit him with its left front bumper. The crash caused knee and lower leg injuries, leaving the cyclist in shock and pain.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling southbound in Brooklyn was merging when it struck a 17-year-old male bicyclist also traveling southbound. The point of impact was the taxi's left front bumper. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in a complaint of pain or nausea and emotional shock. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. Additionally, 'Passenger Distraction' was noted as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was the driver of the bike and was injured, but no safety equipment or victim fault was listed as contributing factors. The taxi driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the merging maneuver that led to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773102 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 4-year-old girl crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan making a right turn in Brooklyn. The driver’s inattention caused impact to the child’s lower leg and foot, leaving her bruised but conscious at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 4-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection near 4601 5 Ave in Brooklyn at 8:15 AM. The child was crossing with the signal when a 2023 Toyota sedan, traveling east and making a right turn, struck her with its right front bumper. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were noted beyond the driver’s distraction. Vehicle damage was limited to the right front bumper, confirming the point of impact. This crash underscores the dangers posed by driver distraction at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773096 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A westbound sedan and pickup truck collided head-on and side-on on the Gowanus Expressway. The front passenger in the sedan suffered a severe knee and lower leg injury. Both drivers were licensed men traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:47 AM on the Gowanus Expressway involving a 2019 Toyota sedan and a 2023 Ford pickup truck, both traveling westbound. The sedan sustained center front end damage from the collision, while the pickup truck was impacted on its left side doors. The front passenger in the sedan, a 27-year-old female, was injured with fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were licensed men from New York, traveling straight ahead before the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Victim behavior was not cited as a factor. The collision's cause remains unspecified, but the impact points and injuries highlight the severe consequences of the crash on the sedan's passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774616 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A box truck rolled west on 60th Street. A 30-year-old man lay broken in its wake, head shattered, life ended. No skid marks. No damage to the truck. Only silence and the weight of steel on flesh.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling westbound on 60th Street near 4th Avenue in Brooklyn struck and killed a 30-year-old man. The pedestrian was found in the roadway with fatal head trauma and crush injuries. The report notes, 'No skid marks. No damage to the truck.' The police narrative describes the aftermath: 'Only silence where a life had been.' The vehicle, a 2020 INTL-TRUCK/BUS registered in Indiana, showed no visible damage. The driver was licensed in Pennsylvania. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian. The police report does not cite any pedestrian actions as contributing to the crash. The absence of skid marks and damage underscores the brutal efficiency of the impact. The systemic danger remains: a human body, no match for a truck rolling through city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771639 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An 18-year-old e-bike rider was injured and ejected after a collision with a southbound SUV making a left turn on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver’s inattention caused the crash, fracturing the rider’s lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn at 6:30 pm. The collision involved a southbound 2021 Tesla SUV making a left turn and a northbound e-bike traveling straight. The SUV driver was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' which directly contributed to the crash. The e-bike rider, an 18-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report notes the rider was conscious but injured. The point of impact was the SUV’s right rear bumper striking the e-bike’s center front end. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were listed. The data highlights the dangers posed by distracted vehicle operators turning across vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771243 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A driver lost consciousness behind the wheel and crashed into parked sedans and a pickup in Brooklyn. Metal twisted. The driver was injured and left unconscious inside his car. The street bore the scars of sudden, silent danger.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old male driver lost consciousness and crashed near 712 45th Street in Brooklyn at 16:18. The crash involved multiple parked sedans and a pickup truck, all struck and damaged, mainly on their right front quarter panels. The report lists "Lost Consciousness" as the contributing factor, pointing to a medical or physical failure on the part of the driver. The driver was injured and remained unconscious after the collision. No other driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield were cited. No actions by other road users contributed to the crash. The incident underscores the threat posed when drivers lose control due to sudden incapacitation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771576 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Forklift turning left struck 18-year-old woman outside Brooklyn intersection. She suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. Forklift showed no damage. Police list unspecified factors. Danger lingers where machines meet people.

According to the police report, a forklift traveling west in Brooklyn made a left turn and struck an 18-year-old female pedestrian who was outside the intersection and not in the roadway. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. Her injuries were rated at severity level 3. The forklift, operated by a licensed male driver, showed no damage and hit the pedestrian at the center front end. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite specific driver errors. No actions by the pedestrian were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04