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

A rear-end pileup struck the Gowanus Expressway. Cars and a truck slammed together. One driver took a neck injury. Metal crumpled. Traffic stopped. No pedestrians or cyclists caught in the wreck.

According to the police report, multiple vehicles—including sedans, an SUV, and a tractor truck—collided southbound on the Gowanus Expressway. The crash triggered a chain of rear-end impacts. A 21-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors, pointing to driver error. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The sequence of impacts—center back and front ends—shows the danger of close spacing and inattention on fast-moving roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764092 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Two sedans collided on 20 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. A female driver changing lanes struck a male passenger in the other vehicle. The passenger suffered neck injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:52 AM on 20 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision involved two sedans traveling northbound. The female driver of one sedan was changing lanes when her vehicle's right front bumper struck the left front bumper of the other sedan, which was going straight ahead. The impact injured a 62-year-old male front-seat passenger in the struck vehicle, who suffered neck injuries and was in shock. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The police report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764125 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

An e-bike rider was ejected and suffered head injuries after a collision with a sedan traveling south on Ocean Parkway. The rider was semiconscious and complained of pain and nausea. The sedan sustained right front quarter panel damage.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male e-bike rider traveling east on Park Circle was involved in a collision with a southbound 2015 Nissan sedan on Ocean Parkway at 7:30 p.m. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-bike and the right front quarter panel of the sedan, which sustained damage. The e-bike rider was ejected from his vehicle, suffered head injuries, and was semiconscious with complaints of pain and nausea. The sedan driver, a licensed female from New York, was traveling straight ahead. The report does not specify contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield, but the ejection and injury severity highlight the systemic danger of vehicle and e-bike interactions at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762800 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 36-year-old moped driver was partially ejected and suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation after colliding with a sedan in Brooklyn. The crash involved driver inexperience and following too closely, causing left front bumper impact and serious injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:25 AM on 35 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The moped driver, a 36-year-old male wearing a helmet, was partially ejected during the collision with a sedan. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The moped's left front bumper struck the sedan, resulting in the driver sustaining a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm injury classified as severity level 3. The sedan had no occupants at the time. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as inexperience and unsafe following distance, which directly contributed to the violent impact and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766373 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan making a right turn collided with a northbound e-scooter on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The 24-year-old e-scooter driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:05 PM on 5 Avenue near 23 Street in Brooklyn. A sedan, traveling north and making a right turn, struck an e-scooter also traveling north. The point of impact was the sedan's right front quarter panel and the e-scooter's center front end. The e-scooter driver, a 24-year-old male, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the collision, specifically noting this for the e-scooter driver. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2007 Hyundai. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762691 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A box truck driver distracted behind the wheel slammed into a sedan on 33 Street in Brooklyn. The sedan’s driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. The crash highlights the dangers of driver inattention on city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:55 AM on 33 Street in Brooklyn. A box truck traveling south struck the center back end of a southbound sedan. The box truck driver’s contributing factor was listed as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The sedan driver, a 29-year-old male occupant, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The impact point was the sedan’s center back end and the box truck’s right rear quarter panel. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report does not cite any contributing factors related to the sedan driver. This collision underscores how driver distraction can cause rear-end crashes and serious injuries even without ejections or loss of consciousness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767926 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A tractor truck and an SUV collided during simultaneous left turns on 34 Street in Brooklyn. The SUV driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite improper turning as the cause. Both drivers were licensed men, with no ejections reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:15 AM on 34 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. A tractor truck, traveling north, and an SUV, traveling east, were both making left turns when the collision happened. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the truck and the right side doors of the SUV, which sustained damage. The SUV driver, a 41-year-old licensed male from New York, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The truck driver, a licensed male from New Jersey, was the sole occupant of his vehicle. The contributing factor listed is "Turning Improperly," indicating driver error during the left-turn maneuver. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760364 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Two sedans collided on Prospect Expressway East. The rear vehicle struck the front one’s center back end. The front driver, a 25-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and lost consciousness. Police cite following too closely as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:00 p.m. on Prospect Expressway East involving two sedans traveling eastbound. The rear sedan, driven by a male with a learner's permit, struck the center back end of the front sedan. The front vehicle was driven by a 25-year-old female who sustained a head injury and was unconscious after the collision. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the trailing vehicle. Both drivers held learner permits, but no other contributing factors were specified. The front driver was not ejected but suffered a severe injury requiring medical attention. The report does not attribute any fault or contributing behavior to the injured driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760979 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

A 23-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured after a collision with an SUV entering a parked position on 4 Avenue. The driver’s inattention caused the crash, striking the cyclist’s upper arm and causing shock and pain.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn at 7:36 PM. A 23-year-old male bicyclist, wearing a helmet, was traveling north when an SUV also traveling north entered a parked position and struck the cyclist. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front quarter panel and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained an upper arm injury, resulting in shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain proper attention. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. The SUV driver was licensed and operating a 2024 model vehicle. The collision caused damage to the SUV’s right front quarter panel but no damage to the bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758696 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Taxi slammed front-first on 31 Street. Driver, sixty-two, hurt his face. Police cite alcohol. No passengers. No bystanders. Metal and flesh met hard. Brooklyn night, one man down.

According to the police report, a 62-year-old male taxi driver crashed on 31 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn at 8:05 PM. The driver, alone in the vehicle, suffered facial abrasions and remained conscious. The taxi, a 2019 Nissan, struck an object with its center front end while heading north. Police list 'Alcohol Involvement' as the sole contributing factor. The driver wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No other people were involved or injured. The report underscores the risk posed by impaired drivers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758588 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 47-year-old woman suffered abrasions and elbow injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a right turn in Brooklyn. The impact struck the pedestrian at the intersection, leaving her conscious but injured. Driver error caused the collision.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal at an intersection on 60 Street and 3 Avenue in Brooklyn when a 2009 Nissan sedan, traveling northeast and making a right turn, struck her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity 3. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor on the driver's part. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to yield while turning directly caused the collision. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted, but the report does not list any contributing factors from her behavior. The incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758343 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Feds send $164 million to Brooklyn Marine Terminal. Officials cheer jobs, cleaner air, and modern piers. Some warn of more trucks. The city takes control. Freight moves, but so do risks. Streets near Red Hook brace for change.

On September 23, 2024, federal officials announced $163.8 million for the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) in Council District 26. The funding, praised by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Mayor Eric Adams, aims to 'revitalize the Brooklyn Marine Terminal,' reduce truck traffic, and modernize infrastructure. The NYC Economic Development Corporation took over BMT from the Port Authority in May. U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler warned the deal could increase truck traffic and threaten jobs, but stressed the port's importance. The grant targets repairs, modernization, and traffic reduction. No formal safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided. The project’s impact on street safety remains unclear as freight and trucks shift through Red Hook.

• NYC gets $164 million in fed funds to restore Brooklyn Marine Terminal, amny.com, Published 2024-09-23

A motorcycle traveling east struck the rear of a slowing SUV on the Gowanus Expressway. The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. The SUV showed no damage. Driver errors remain unspecified in the police report.

According to the police report, at 14:02 on the Gowanus Expressway, a 60-year-old male motorcyclist traveling east collided with the rear of a slowing or stopping eastbound SUV. The motorcycle impacted the center front end of the SUV's rear, causing the motorcyclist to be ejected from the vehicle. The motorcyclist sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated shoulder, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious after the crash. The SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, showed no damage from the collision. The report lists the motorcyclist's contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors or contributing factors were cited for the SUV driver. The crash highlights the severe consequences of rear-end collisions involving motorcycles and SUVs on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757319 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Two female passengers suffered neck contusions in a sedan crash on the Gowanus Expressway. The driver’s inattention and unsafe speed caused impact to the vehicle’s right rear bumper. Both occupants were conscious and restrained by seat belts.

According to the police report, a 2018 Toyota sedan traveling north on the Gowanus Expressway struck an object or vehicle impacting its right rear bumper. The crash occurred around 4:00 AM. Two female occupants, aged 38 and 40, seated in the front passenger and right rear passenger positions, were injured with neck contusions. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle damage was limited to the right rear bumper. No ejections occurred. The driver’s failure to maintain attention and control at a safe speed directly led to the collision and injuries sustained by the passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Unlicensed SUV driver slammed into a parked sedan on 45 Street. Alcohol played a role. The driver was hurt, incoherent, and in pain. Chain collision left vehicles battered. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old unlicensed male driving a Toyota SUV crashed into a parked Hyundai sedan on 45 Street in Brooklyn at 15:38. The report notes alcohol involvement and the driver’s lack of a license as key errors. The driver suffered upper arm injuries, was incoherent, and complained of pain and nausea at the scene. Multiple SUVs traveling west were involved, resulting in damage to front and rear bumpers, suggesting a chain reaction. No pedestrians or cyclists were struck. The police report lists alcohol involvement and unlicensed driving as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756368 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Two sedans smashed on 60 Street in Brooklyn after midnight. One driver hurt, neck pain and shock. Police blamed driver inattention and improper turning. Metal twisted, right sides torn open.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 12:26 a.m. on 60 Street in Brooklyn. The New Jersey sedan was turning right and struck the New York sedan, which was heading straight south. The New York driver, a 40-year-old man, suffered neck pain and shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. Both cars took heavy damage to their right sides. The report highlights driver errors as the cause, with no mention of victim fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756699 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A white SUV struck a 74-year-old man in a Bay Ridge crosswalk. The driver did not slow down. The victim flew through the air. He died at the hospital. The driver fled. Senator Gounardes called for prosecution and safer streets.

On September 12, 2024, State Senator Andrew Gounardes (District 26) responded to a fatal hit-and-run in Bay Ridge. Surveillance video shows a white SUV slamming into Segundo Reina-Gaon, 74, at Ridge Boulevard and Bay Ridge Avenue. The driver did not slow down and fled the scene. Gounardes wrote, 'Awful news to wake up to this morning in Bay Ridge. The video is hard to watch. The driver doesn’t appear to even slow down. This driver needs to be apprehended and prosecuted. And we will continue to work with DOT to make this intersection – and Ridge Boulevard – safer.' Gounardes supports stronger enforcement and street redesign to protect pedestrians. The crash underscores the deadly risk to vulnerable road users at dangerous intersections.

• Brutal video shows SUV plow into 74-year-old, send him flying in fatal hit-and-run crash, nypost.com, Published 2024-09-12

A white SUV struck and killed a 74-year-old man in a Bay Ridge crosswalk. The driver fled. Council Member Justin Brannan called out the violence. Police search for answers. Grief and anger grip the neighborhood. The victim’s family mourns. Justice remains elusive.

On September 12, 2024, Council Member Justin Brannan (District 47) responded to a deadly hit-and-run in Bay Ridge. The incident, reported by brooklynpaper.com, saw a 74-year-old pedestrian killed while crossing Ridge Boulevard at Bay Ridge Avenue. The matter, titled 'Police seek driver of white SUV after 74-year-old killed in Bay Ridge hit-and-run,' details how the driver fled, leaving the victim and several damaged vehicles behind. Brannan posted: 'This is not the news any of us wanted to wake up to today. One of our neighbors was killed by a driver in a white SUV last night. The driver took off, and all of it was captured on video.' State Senator Andrew Gounardes also voiced outrage and concern. Both officials pledged to support the investigation and seek justice for the victim. No safety analyst assessment was provided for this event.

• Police seek driver of white SUV after 74-year-old killed in Bay Ridge hit-and-run, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-09-12