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

A sedan traveling south hit the right rear quarter panel of a westbound car making a left turn on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver of the sedan suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on 5 Avenue collided with a car making a left turn westbound. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the right rear quarter panel of the turning vehicle. The sedan's driver, a 23-year-old male occupant, sustained a fractured knee and lower leg injuries but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. The injured party was the sedan driver; no information on safety equipment was provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669419 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 76-year-old woman driver suffered neck injuries in a rear-end crash on the Gowanus Expressway. Two sedans collided while traveling eastbound. The impact caused whiplash but no ejection. The driver remained conscious and was injured.

According to the police report, a rear-end collision occurred on the Gowanus Expressway involving two sedans traveling eastbound. The 76-year-old female driver of the lead vehicle sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor, indicating the trailing vehicle did not maintain a safe distance. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of impact. The lead vehicle was struck at the center back end, and the trailing vehicle impacted at the center front end. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664354 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A repeat offender killed Xia Ying Chen, 66, in Bath Beach. Senator Gounardes called for tougher laws and real consequences for reckless drivers. He slammed weak enforcement. Streets remain deadly. Calls for redesign and accountability echo. The system failed again.

On September 19, 2023, after a deadly crash in Bath Beach, State Senator Andrew Gounardes demanded action. The driver, Faheem Shabazz, had a record of speeding violations. Gounardes, a safe streets advocate, said, 'That's really what this conversation should be about—how are we holding people accountable when they have violations to their record and zero consequences for it.' He supports lowering speed limits and tougher penalties but stressed that enforcement is lacking. Senator Iwen Chu urged the NYC DOT to study the area for safety upgrades, stating, 'We must recognize that our streets need to be designed with safety in mind.' The DOT is reviewing the intersection. The call is clear: repeat offenders face little consequence, and street design still puts pedestrians at risk.

• ‘A real damn shame’: After grandmother killed in Bath Beach crash, pol says reckless drivers must be held accountable, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-09-19

DOT stripped protected bike lanes from Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue. Cyclists now dodge cars and illegal parking. Elected officials and advocates demand action. DOT cites traffic, but danger grows. Pedestrians lose safe crossings. The agency stays silent. Streets stay deadly.

On September 18, 2023, a coalition of elected officials and advocates called out the Department of Transportation for removing protected bike lanes on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during construction. The matter, described as 'DOT continues to ignore dangers it created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave,' centers on DOT’s decision to replace bike lanes with a second car lane, violating a city law that requires temporary bike lanes during such work. Council Members Lincoln Restler, Alexa Aviles, Shahana Hanif, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and groups like Bike New York and Transportation Alternatives sent a letter demanding the bike lane’s return and physical barriers to stop illegal parking on pedestrian islands. The letter urges DOT to 'ensure curb lanes be preserved for safe cyclist passage' and to 'deploy quick-build physical elements' for pedestrian safety. DOT has not responded. Cyclists and pedestrians remain at risk.

• DOT Continues to Ignore Dangers it Created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

Council waits. DOT stalls. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program limps toward expiration. Thousands of reckless drivers dodge consequences. Few take the safety course. Council members call for answers, action, and stronger laws. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain exposed.

On September 18, 2023, the City Council reviewed the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), which is set to expire on October 26. The Transportation Committee, led by Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, pressed the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a final report on the program’s effectiveness. The bill required drivers with 15 speed-camera or five red-light tickets in a year to take a safety course or risk vehicle seizure. Council Member Shahana Hanif voiced disappointment, noting, 'We need to not only reauthorize this program, but strengthen it.' Despite over 34,000 drivers meeting the threshold in the last year, only about 1,200 took the course in three years. DOT has not explained the reporting delay or provided outcome data. The lack of enforcement leaves dangerous drivers on the road and vulnerable road users at risk.

• Council Needs Info from DOT So it Can Rescue (or Ignore) Fading ‘Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

A 19-year-old on an e-bike hit a turning diesel truck at 4th Avenue and 39th Street. Head trauma. Blood on the street. He died there, alone, under the lights. The crash was fast, brutal, final.

A 19-year-old e-bike rider died after colliding with a diesel truck making a right turn at the corner of 4th Avenue and 39th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the e-bike struck the truck at 2:30 a.m. The rider suffered fatal head trauma and died at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary causes cited are driver errors. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662772 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 46-year-old woman driving a sedan suffered neck injuries in a collision with an SUV on 42 Street in Brooklyn. The SUV struck the sedan’s right side. The sedan driver was incoherent and complained of pain and nausea.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 42 Street in Brooklyn involving a sedan and an SUV. The sedan, driven by a 46-year-old woman, was struck on the right side by the SUV traveling west. The sedan driver sustained neck injuries and was incoherent at the scene, complaining of pain and nausea. The report lists driver errors including 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The impact damaged the sedan’s center front end and the SUV’s right side doors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662471 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Two sedans crashed head-on on the Gowanus Expressway. Both drivers were male and licensed. One driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The collision struck the right side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. Fatigue was a factor.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling westbound on the Gowanus Expressway collided. The impact hit the right side doors of one sedan and the center front end of the other. Both drivers were licensed men. One driver, age 31, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Other Vehicular" and "Fatigued/Drowsy" as contributing factors, indicating driver fatigue played a role. The crash caused damage to the right front quarter panel of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 75-year-old woman was struck by an SUV making a U-turn in Brooklyn. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The impact was to the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2009 SUV, traveling east and making a U-turn, struck her outside an intersection in Brooklyn. The vehicle's center front end made contact, causing contusions and injuries to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. The report lists the driver's pre-crash action as making a U-turn, which contributed to the collision. No other contributing factors or driver errors were specified. The pedestrian's actions were noted as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but no blame is assigned. The driver was licensed in New York.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663098 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 3-year-old boy was struck while crossing 61 Street in Brooklyn. He suffered fractures and dislocations to his abdomen and pelvis. The child was conscious but seriously injured. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. No driver errors were recorded.

According to the police report, a 3-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 61 Street and 6 Avenue in Brooklyn. The child was crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. He sustained fractures and dislocations to his abdomen and pelvis and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle involved was unspecified, and no contributing factors or driver errors were noted in the report. The pedestrian was not cited for any fault. The report does not list helmet use or signaling as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661443 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

MTA promised faster R trains in Brooklyn. Riders waited up to 16 minutes. Senator Gounardes called out the agency for misleading the public. Track work on another line delayed improvements. Riders left stranded. Trust broken. Transparency demanded.

On September 7, 2023, the MTA faced backlash for failing to deliver on its pledge of eight-minute weekday headways for the R train in southern Brooklyn. The issue, reported by State Senator Andrew Gounardes, surfaced after riders complained of waits as long as 16 minutes. The MTA had announced service upgrades, but later changed its press release, citing F line track work as the cause for delay—work unrelated to the R train. Gounardes, who fought for MTA funding in Albany, accused the agency of misrepresenting the improvements, saying, 'I’m shocked and frustrated that the MTA would misrepresent these service upgrades to the riding public.' Transit advocates like Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance echoed calls for honesty: 'Public transit shouldn’t be a rollercoaster of mismatched expectations.' The incident has strained relations between the MTA and its legislative supporters, highlighting the need for transparency and reliability in transit service.

• MTA ‘Bungles’ Increased R Train Service Promise, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-07

A van making a left turn hit a northbound bicyclist on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. The crash involved obstructed views and outside car distraction. The bicyclist wore a helmet and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a van traveling east made a left turn and collided head-on with a northbound bicyclist on 4 Avenue near 16 Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 33-year-old man, sustained a fractured and dislocated upper arm but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists driver errors including 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The bicyclist also faced 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Obstruction/Debris' but was wearing a helmet. The van showed no damage, while the bike had front-end damage. The crash highlights dangers from limited visibility and driver distraction during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4660086 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan turning right struck a southbound e-bike on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The 41-year-old bicyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions over his entire body. Police cited failure to yield and unsafe speed as contributing factors.

According to the police report, a 2015 Kia sedan was making a right turn on 4 Avenue when it collided with a southbound e-bike. The 41-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions across his entire body. The police identified driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The sedan's point of impact was the right front quarter panel, while the e-bike was struck at its center front end. The bicyclist remained conscious after the crash but was injured seriously enough to be noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4659502 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan struck a 24-year-old male bicyclist on 60 Street. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash involved improper lane usage and failure to yield. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 60 Street collided with a westbound bicycle. The bicyclist, a 24-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan's point of impact was the left front bumper, while the bike was hit at its center front end. The bicyclist was in shock and injured but did not have visible complaints at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 24-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a station wagon SUV turning right on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike hit the SUV’s right rear bumper. The cyclist suffered back injuries and whiplash, remaining conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike southbound on 4 Avenue collided with a westbound station wagon SUV making a right turn. The point of impact was the SUV’s right rear bumper and the e-bike’s center front end. The bicyclist sustained back injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor to the crash. The SUV driver was licensed and making a right turn. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by speed and vehicle turning movements in Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 35-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan on 6 Avenue near 19 Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm. The bike sustained front-end damage; the sedan showed no damage.

According to the police report, a bicyclist traveling north on 6 Avenue collided with a sedan traveling east near 19 Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old man wearing a helmet, sustained a fracture and dislocation to his elbow and lower arm. The bike's center front end was damaged, while the sedan showed no damage. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report lists the bicyclist's contributing factors as unspecified, with no driver errors attributed to the sedan operator. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658341 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A box truck and a moped moved south on 4th Avenue. The moped rider, 21, wore a helmet. He was ejected. His head was crushed. The truck showed no damage. The street showed the cost.

A box truck and a moped traveled south on 4th Avenue at 53rd Street in Brooklyn. The moped rider, age 21, was ejected and suffered a crushed head. According to the police report, 'A box truck and a moped moved south. The moped driver, 21, wore a helmet. He was ejected. Conscious. His head was crushed.' The data lists no specific driver errors, but the narrative shows the moped rider paid the price. The rider wore a helmet. The truck showed no damage, but the human toll was severe.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657687 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A moped and GMC truck crashed on 3 Avenue. The unlicensed moped driver suffered a fractured hip and leg. Police cite traffic control disregarded. The truck struck the moped’s front. The driver was conscious, not ejected.

According to the police report, a moped and a GMC truck collided on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. The 23-year-old moped driver was injured, suffering a fractured and dislocated hip and upper leg. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The moped driver was unlicensed and traveling south; the truck was traveling west. The crash point was the moped’s center front end and the truck’s right side doors. The moped driver was conscious, not ejected, and was not using any safety equipment at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655448 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan and SUV collided on 4 Avenue. Two women, passengers, suffered chest and head injuries. Both stayed conscious. No ejections. No driver errors listed. Steel and glass met. Passengers bore the brunt.

According to the police report, a 2008 BMW sedan heading south and a 2012 Toyota SUV heading west collided on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan struck with its front center; the SUV took damage to its right front quarter. Two female passengers, ages 35 and 55, were injured. One suffered chest injuries and whiplash, the other head contusions and bruises. Both remained conscious and were not ejected. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed. The crash left the passengers hurt, the vehicles battered, and the street marked by impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655348 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A woman driving a 2003 SUV backed unsafely in Brooklyn. She hit a male pedestrian, causing an abrasion to his elbow and lower arm. The pedestrian was conscious but injured. The crash happened near 3 Avenue, zip 11232.

According to the police report, a female driver operating a 2003 Honda SUV was backing southbound near 3 Avenue in Brooklyn when she struck a male pedestrian. The pedestrian suffered an abrasion to his elbow and lower arm and was conscious at the scene. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor to the crash. The point of impact was the center back end of the vehicle. The pedestrian was injured but not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655347 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11