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

A 33-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a 2017 SUV making a left turn on 4 Avenue. The SUV struck the bike on its left side doors. The cyclist suffered abrasions and leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on 4 Avenue was struck by a southbound 2017 SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the SUV's left side doors and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries, including abrasions, and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor for both the bicyclist and the driver. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The bicyclist was not ejected and was wearing no listed safety equipment contributing to the crash. This collision highlights the dangers of improper lane usage during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655122 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A speeding driver ran a red light on Atlantic Avenue, killing an 18-year-old passenger and injuring three others. The crash happened outside Trader Joe’s in Cobble Hill. Council Member Lincoln Restler called for urgent safety fixes. Atlantic Avenue remains deadly. No changes yet.

"We can’t fix Atlantic Ave fast enough, and we need a hell of a lot more accountability for drivers who speed and run red lights." -- Andrew Gounardes

On August 18, 2023, a speeding driver in a Mercedes ran a red light at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring three others. This stretch of Atlantic Avenue is notorious for deadly crashes. Council Member Lincoln Restler responded, stating, “Our community is unified in demanding immediate changes to dramatically slow down traffic, improve safety at intersections, and install new mid block crossings.” The incident marks the second fatal crash on this corridor in 2023. Despite calls from Restler and other local officials for mid-block crossings and traffic calming after previous deaths, the city has not acted. The bill or action is a public statement, not legislation, but it highlights urgent demands for redesign and enforcement to protect vulnerable road users. No safety improvements have been implemented yet.

• Speeding Driver Runs Red Light and Kills 18-Year-Old on Deadly Atlantic Avenue Speedway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-18

A reckless driver ran a red light on Atlantic Avenue. He killed an 18-year-old passenger and injured four others. Council Member Lincoln Restler called the strip deadly. He demanded urgent safety fixes. Another life lost. The street remains a threat.

On August 18, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) responded to a fatal crash at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street. An 18-year-old woman died after a driver sped through a red light and struck another car. Restler stated, 'This is one of the most dangerous strips in Brooklyn & we need safety improvements on Atlantic Ave NOW.' He called for immediate action: slower traffic, mid-block crossings, and better protections for all. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes echoed the demand for accountability and urgent fixes. No council bill is attached, but Restler’s public statement highlights the deadly pattern on Atlantic Avenue and the urgent need for systemic change to protect vulnerable road users.

• Cops cuff driver after Brooklyn crash kills 18-year-old woman: NYPD, amny.com, Published 2023-08-18

A 72-year-old woman was struck by an e-bike while crossing 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered head abrasions and shock. The e-bike showed no damage. The driver held a permit license.

According to the police report, a female e-bike rider traveling south on 5 Avenue failed to yield right-of-way to a 72-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian was injured, sustaining head abrasions and shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The e-bike had no visible damage. The driver was operating with a permit license from New York. The pedestrian was at an intersection and had the right-of-way. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652905 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 28-year-old female bicyclist was struck on her right side by a Jeep SUV traveling east on 4 Avenue. The collision caused fractures and dislocations to her lower leg and foot. Police cited traffic control disregard by the driver.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV traveling east on 4 Avenue collided with a southbound female bicyclist. The bicyclist suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious but was injured seriously. The SUV sustained front-end damage on the center, while the bike was damaged on the right side. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers when drivers fail to obey traffic controls, putting vulnerable cyclists at risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652433 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 34-year-old male bicyclist was struck on 5 Avenue by a westbound SUV making a left turn. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg fractures. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way by both parties. The cyclist wore a helmet.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on 5 Avenue was hit by a 2019 Jeep SUV making a left turn westbound. The bicyclist sustained fractures to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor for both the bicyclist and the SUV driver. The cyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The SUV showed no damage, while the bike had front-end damage. The SUV driver was licensed; the bicyclist held a permit. The collision occurred at the center front end of both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652215 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 19-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured after an SUV made a right turn on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The bike hit the SUV's right side doors. The cyclist suffered abrasions and arm injuries, remaining conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 2015 Jeep SUV was making a right turn on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn when it collided with a northbound bicyclist going straight ahead. The impact occurred on the SUV's right side doors and the bike's center front end. The 19-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious at the time of the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors for the SUV or bicyclist. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles to cyclists traveling straight.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan struck the rear of a tractor truck on Prospect Expressway East. The crash injured a 23-year-old female passenger in the sedan. She suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. Driver distraction caused the collision. Both vehicles traveled eastbound.

According to the police report, a 2012 Nissan sedan collided with the rear of a 2016 Mack tractor truck on Prospect Expressway East. The sedan was traveling eastbound and struck the truck from behind. The 23-year-old female passenger in the sedan was injured, sustaining abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The sedan sustained damage to its center front end, while the truck was damaged at its center back end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan struck an e-bike making a right turn on 7 Avenue. The e-bike driver, a 54-year-old man, suffered head abrasions but was conscious. Police cited traffic control disregard as the cause. Both vehicles showed front-end damage.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south while passing collided with an e-bike traveling north that was making a right turn on 7 Avenue. The e-bike driver, a 54-year-old man, sustained head abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as the contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs. The sedan's left front bumper and the e-bike's center front end were damaged. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The e-bike driver was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers when drivers disregard traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651371 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Senate bill S 7621 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets trigger mandatory speed control tech. Sponsors push to curb repeat danger. No votes yet. Streets stay tense.

Senate bill S 7621, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed August 2, 2023, it 'relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill forces drivers with eleven points in eighteen months, or six speed/red light camera tickets in a year, to install speed-limiting devices. No safety analyst note yet. The measure aims to cut repeat speeding and protect those outside the car.

• File S 7621, Open States, Published 2023-08-02

State Sen. Gounardes and Assembly Member Gallagher push a bill to force repeat speeders to install limiters. The tech would cap speed, targeting drivers with six or more tickets. Advocates say it could cut deaths. Reckless drivers face real consequences.

On August 2, 2023, State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher announced new legislation targeting recidivist reckless drivers. The bill, introduced in the New York State Legislature, would require drivers with at least six speeding tickets in a single year, or 11 points in 18 months, to install speed limiter devices in their vehicles. The matter summary states: "We are going to literally force you to slow down by requiring you to install a speed limiter on your car." Gounardes led the announcement at the Atlantic Avenue intersection where a driver killed Katherine Harris. Gallagher, co-sponsor, said, "Cars and trucks can act as weapons when used recklessly." The bill aims to bypass bureaucratic hurdles and act automatically, modeled after ignition interlock devices for drunk drivers. Advocates and city officials joined the call, citing data that speed limiters can reduce traffic deaths by 37 percent. The bill targets the most dangerous drivers, seeking to end impunity for repeat offenders.

• In-Car Tech Would Force NYC’s Worst Drivers to Slow Down Under New Proposal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-02

Lawmakers push a bill to force speed-limiting devices on repeat reckless drivers. The measure targets those with a record of speeding and red-light violations. It aims to slow down the worst offenders and curb the rising toll of traffic deaths.

On August 1, 2023, lawmakers introduced a bill requiring speed-limiting devices for repeat reckless drivers. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, targets drivers with six or more automated speed or red light tickets, or eleven license points in 18 months. The measure would force these drivers to install devices that cap speed at five miles per hour above the limit. Gounardes said, 'There is a persistent cohort of drivers... driving on our streets recklessly without any consequences.' The bill was unveiled at the site of a fatal pedestrian crash in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, which mandates safety courses for repeat offenders, has faced criticism for weak enforcement. This new bill seeks to close those gaps and directly slow down the most dangerous drivers on city streets.

• State lawmakers unveil bill to put speed limiting devices in reckless drivers’ cars, amny.com, Published 2023-08-01

E-bike slammed into parked SUV on 4 Avenue, Brooklyn. Rider hurt in knee and leg. Crash triggered by reaction to another vehicle. Two SUVs involved. Rider stayed conscious.

According to the police report, an e-bike rider traveling north on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn collided with the center back end of a parked SUV. The 34-year-old rider suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as the contributing factor, highlighting a driver error in response to another vehicle. Two SUVs were involved, but the main impact was between the e-bike and the parked SUV. The rider wore a helmet and remained conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649279 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

An SUV made a left turn on 3 Avenue and struck a 27-year-old e-bike rider going straight. The rider suffered knee and lower leg fractures. Police cited traffic control disregard by the SUV driver. The rider was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a 2009 Chevrolet SUV was making a left turn on 3 Avenue when it collided with a 27-year-old male e-bike rider traveling straight south. The e-bike rider sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The SUV's left front bumper struck the e-bike's center front end. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The e-bike rider wore a helmet, but the primary cause was the SUV driver's failure to yield while turning.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 29-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with an SUV on 60 Street in Brooklyn. The SUV struck the bike on its left side doors. The bicyclist suffered shoulder and upper arm abrasions and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2019 SUV traveling south on 60 Street struck him on the bike's left side doors. The bicyclist was going straight west and was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV driver was going straight ahead and impacted the bike with the center front end of the vehicle. The bicyclist suffered abrasions to the shoulder and upper arm but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The bicyclist was unlicensed. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647545 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

New York stands firm on congestion pricing. New Jersey sues. Assemblymember Carroll calls the suit a stunt. Officials defend the plan’s review. The fight is sharp. Streets remain dangerous. Vulnerable road users wait for real change.

On July 21, 2023, Assemblymember Robert Carroll (District 44) responded to New Jersey’s lawsuit against New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, titled “New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,” saw Carroll label the suit a 'stunt' and accuse Governor Murphy of ignoring environmental and quality-of-life concerns. State Senator Andrew Gounardes called the lawsuit a cynical move to control New York’s roads. MTA officials, including John McCarthy, defended the environmental review, citing extensive outreach and public hearings. The bill’s status is an official response to legal challenge, not a council vote or committee action. No direct safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided. The debate underscores the ongoing struggle to make streets safer for those outside cars.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-07-21

New York leaders stand firm on congestion pricing. They dismiss New Jersey’s lawsuit as political theater. Officials say the environmental review was thorough. The MTA promises mitigation for affected communities. The fight centers on who controls city streets and who pays the price.

On July 21, 2023, New York officials responded to a lawsuit from New Jersey over congestion pricing. The matter, titled 'New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,' saw Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember Robert Carroll defend the plan. Gounardes called the suit 'a cynical attempt' by New Jersey to interfere. Carroll labeled it 'a stunt.' MTA spokesperson John McCarthy said the environmental assessment 'covered every conceivable potential traffic, air quality, social and economic effect.' The MTA also pledged mitigation for environmental justice communities. The bill’s status is active, with strong support from New York’s leadership and ongoing opposition from New Jersey.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-21

A box truck, speeding, rammed a slowing tractor-trailer on the Gowanus Expressway. Steel twisted. The box truck driver, 34, bled from the face but stayed conscious. The crash left shattered glass and a trail of blood on the highway.

A violent crash unfolded on the Gowanus Expressway when a box truck, traveling at unsafe speed, struck the rear of a slowing tractor-trailer. According to the police report, 'A box truck, too fast, crushed into a slowing tractor-trailer. Steel folded. The driver, 34, wore his belt. Blood ran down his face. He stayed awake, staring through shattered glass at the wreck he made.' The driver of the box truck suffered severe facial lacerations but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. The tractor-trailer was slowing or stopping when it was hit. The only injury reported was to the box truck driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647798 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan struck the rear of a tractor truck on the Gowanus Expressway. The sedan driver, a 22-year-old man, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male sedan driver collided with the rear of a tractor truck on the Gowanus Expressway. The impact was centered on the front of the sedan and the rear left bumper of the truck. The sedan driver sustained back injuries and complained of whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound and going straight ahead before the collision. No other injuries or victims were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647247 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18