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

A 29-year-old male bicyclist merged southbound on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. A southbound SUV struck the bike’s left front quarter panel with its right rear quarter panel. The cyclist suffered hip and upper leg abrasions but remained conscious and helmeted.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male bicyclist was merging southbound on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn when a southbound Ford SUV struck him on the bike’s left front quarter panel with the vehicle’s right rear quarter panel. The bicyclist sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg, including abrasions, but was conscious and wearing a helmet. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond unspecified causes. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The collision caused damage to the right rear quarter panel of the SUV and the left front quarter panel of the bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600585 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan traveling west struck a northbound bicyclist on 3 Avenue. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The impact damaged the sedan’s front and the bike’s right side. The rider remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 2017 BMW sedan traveling west on 3 Avenue collided with a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old man, sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan’s front end and the bike’s right side doors were damaged. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the bicyclist but does not identify any driver errors or violations for the sedan driver. No helmet or signaling information was noted. The crash resulted in injury to the cyclist, highlighting the dangers faced by vulnerable road users in vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600362 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

A 2023 SUV traveling east struck a 2009 sedan turning right northbound on 39 Street near 6 Avenue. Both drivers, men aged 45 and 46, suffered bruises and injuries to their bodies and legs. Limited visibility contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 2023 Toyota SUV traveling east on 39 Street collided with a 2009 Nissan sedan making a right turn northbound near 6 Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact occurred at the right front bumper of the SUV and the left front bumper of the sedan. Both drivers, men aged 45 and 46, were injured but remained conscious. The passenger in the sedan, a 45-year-old man, also sustained injuries. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor for both drivers. No ejections occurred. The drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. The crash caused contusions and bruises, with injuries to the entire body for the passenger and to the knee and lower leg for the driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4601101 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Norman Fruchter, education reformer, died after a driver reversed into him at a crosswalk-less Bay Ridge intersection. The driver stayed. No charges. A vigil drew family, officials, and anger. Fruchter’s wife was killed by a reckless driver in 1997. Grief, outrage, no justice.

On January 4, 2023, Norman Fruchter was struck and killed by a reversing driver at 68th Street and Bliss Terrace in Council District 47. The intersection lacked a pedestrian crosswalk. Council Member Justin Brannan attended the vigil and tweeted, 'Confronting traffic violence also means taking personal responsibility [and] safe driving habits. It will take all of us.' The driver remained at the scene but faced no charges. Fruchter’s son Lev condemned the New York Automobile Insurance Plan for letting dangerous drivers stay insured. Community leaders, including NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, joined in mourning and frustration. Fruchter’s wife Rachel was also killed by a reckless driver in 1997, a tragedy that helped spark Vision Zero. Nearly three decades later, traffic laws remain weak. No systemic change. Vulnerable road users still pay the price.

• Education reform leader remembered after being killed by traffic violence, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-01-20

A sedan traveling west on 4 Avenue crashed into two parked sedans. Both drivers inside the moving vehicle suffered head and neck injuries. Police cited unsafe speed as the cause. Both occupants wore seat belts and were not ejected.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on 4 Avenue collided with two parked sedans. The moving vehicle's left front bumper struck the left side doors and left front bumper of the parked cars. Two occupants inside the moving sedan, a 28-year-old male and a 21-year-old female, were injured with head and neck trauma, both experiencing whiplash and shock. Both drivers were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report lists unsafe speed as the contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609683 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Two sedans crashed on 4 Avenue near midnight. Both drivers suffered whiplash and shock. One driver ignored traffic controls and sped. Vehicles struck front bumpers. Injuries included neck and head trauma. No ejections. Multiple parked cars damaged.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 4 Avenue at 10:59 p.m. One driver, a 28-year-old man, was traveling north and failed to obey traffic controls while driving at unsafe speed. The other driver, a 21-year-old woman, was also injured. Both drivers suffered whiplash and shock, with neck and head injuries reported. Both were restrained by lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The collision involved front bumper impacts and also damaged nearby parked vehicles. The report lists driver errors as unsafe speed and traffic control disregarded. No contributing factors related to the victims were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4599280 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

E-bike sped down 49th Street. Driver lost control. Bike hit parked SUV and truck. Both riders thrown. Both suffered neck injuries and abrasions. Unsafe speed and inexperience listed as causes.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old unlicensed e-bike driver and a 28-year-old female passenger were traveling west on 49th Street in Brooklyn when the e-bike struck a parked 2015 Toyota SUV and a 2009 Ford pick-up truck. Both riders were ejected and sustained neck injuries and abrasions. Both remained conscious after the crash. The report lists unsafe speed and driver inexperience as contributing factors. Neither rider wore safety equipment. The parked vehicles were damaged at their center back ends.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4598565 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 20-year-old woman was struck while crossing 3 Avenue at 56 Street in Brooklyn. The driver was making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock. The driver showed inexperience. No vehicle details were reported.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 3 Avenue at 56 Street in Brooklyn. She was crossing with the signal when a vehicle making a left turn struck her. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock with complaints of pain and nausea. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor. The pedestrian’s actions were lawful, crossing with the signal. Vehicle details and driver information were unspecified. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as inexperience during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597397 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A pick-up truck hit a northbound e-bike on 29th Street near 3rd Avenue. The rider, 24, took the blow mid-lane change. Blood pooled from his head. The bike lay crushed. The truck’s front end caved. Unsafe lane changing led to harm.

A pick-up truck struck a 24-year-old e-bike rider during a lane change on 29th Street near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. According to the police report, 'A pick-up truck hit a northbound e-bike mid-lane change. The rider, 24, wore no helmet. He bled from the head. His bike lay crushed. The truck’s front end folded inward.' The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The e-bike rider was the only person injured. The absence of a helmet is noted in the report, but unsafe lane changing by the driver was a key factor in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596847 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Senate bill S 153 cracks down on bus lane violators. Owners face liability. Cameras catch drivers blocking buses. Sponsors push for stronger enforcement. Streets clear for buses, danger cut for those on foot.

Senate bill S 153, sponsored by Liz Krueger (District 28) with Andrew Gounardes (26) and Brad Hoylman-Sigal (47) as co-sponsors, is at the sponsorship stage. Introduced January 4, 2023, it 'relates to owner liability for failure of operator to comply with bus operation-related local law or regulation traffic restrictions and to the adjudication of certain parking infractions.' The bill extends a bus rapid transit demonstration program, using cameras to enforce bus lane rules. No safety analyst note was provided. The sponsors aim to hold vehicle owners accountable and keep bus lanes clear, a move that can reduce risk for pedestrians and bus riders.

• File S 153, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

Senate bill S 343 seeks a clear, public safety score for cars. The DMV would post these ratings. Lawmakers push for sunlight on danger. Pedestrians face risk. The system aims to expose it.

Senate bill S 343 was proposed on January 4, 2023. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Creates a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles,' would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to post these ratings online. Primary sponsor Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The measure targets transparency. It puts the danger of cars in plain sight. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 343, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

On 5th Avenue, an 83-year-old woman lost consciousness while driving. Her Chevy sedan struck hard, front first. She was alone. Belted. Cut deep. Bleeding, but awake. No other people hurt. The street took the blow.

An 83-year-old woman driving a 1999 Chevy sedan south on 5th Avenue lost consciousness and crashed. According to the police report, 'An 83-year-old woman lost consciousness behind the wheel of a '99 Chevy. The sedan struck hard, front first. She was alone. Belted. Cut deep. Bleeding. Awake.' The driver suffered severe lacerations to her entire body but remained conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' and 'Brakes Defective' as contributing factors. No pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicle occupants were injured. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness, as noted after the primary causes. No other driver errors are listed in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596558 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A BMW cut through scattered debris on the Gowanus Expressway. A man, 32, was struck near parked taxis. His legs were torn. Blood pooled on the cold asphalt. He died there, under the humming lights and steel.

A deadly crash unfolded on the Gowanus Expressway. According to the police report, a BMW changed lanes and struck a 32-year-old man near parked taxis and scattered debris. The pedestrian suffered severe leg injuries and died at the scene. Multiple occupants and drivers were also injured, including two drivers with head and back wounds. The police report lists 'Steering Failure' and 'Obstruction/Debris' as contributing factors. No driver was cited for failure to yield or speeding. The crash scene was marked by parked vehicles, debris, and chaos. The victim’s actions are not blamed. The report centers on the hazards and failures that led to this fatal impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595159 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan turning right struck a southbound bicyclist on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The 20-year-old cyclist suffered a head contusion. Police cited failure to yield and other vehicular factors. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a sedan making a right turn collided with a bicyclist traveling straight south on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 20-year-old male, sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and other vehicular factors. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The point of impact was the sedan's right front quarter panel and the bike's center front end. The cyclist was not ejected from the bike. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594546 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Two SUVs traveling east collided in Brooklyn. The front passenger in one vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles showed no damage. The injured woman was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Driver errors were unspecified.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided while traveling straight ahead in Brooklyn near East 5 Street. A 71-year-old female front passenger was injured, sustaining neck pain and whiplash. She was conscious and properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles showed no visible damage, and the point of impact was the center front end of one SUV and the center back end of the other. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The drivers were licensed and traveling eastbound. The crash resulted in injury to the passenger but no ejection or other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4593908 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 15-year-old male in-line skater was ejected and suffered a head injury during a collision with a 1997 Dodge SUV making a left turn on 4 Avenue. The skater was riding along the highway with traffic when struck at the right rear quarter panel.

According to the police report, a 15-year-old male in-line skater was injured and ejected after a collision with a 1997 Dodge SUV on 4 Avenue. The SUV was making a left turn when it struck the skater riding along the highway with traffic. The point of impact was the vehicle's right rear quarter panel. The skater suffered a head injury and was in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors explicitly. The skater was not using any safety equipment. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4593298 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A 31-year-old man was struck on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn by a southbound sedan. The pedestrian suffered neck injuries and was incoherent at the scene. The crash occurred away from an intersection with unspecified contributing factors noted.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male pedestrian was injured on 4 Avenue near 26 Street in Brooklyn after being hit by a southbound 2013 Toyota sedan. The pedestrian was located outside an intersection, performing other actions in the roadway. He sustained neck injuries and was incoherent, complaining of pain or nausea. The sedan struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No safety equipment or pedestrian fault is mentioned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4592317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

A sedan struck a 41-year-old woman crossing 6 Avenue in Brooklyn. She suffered hip and upper leg abrasions. The e-bike driver was also injured. Both drivers disregarded traffic control. The crash left the pedestrian conscious but injured.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 6 Avenue collided with a pedestrian crossing with the signal near 15 Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian, a 41-year-old woman, sustained abrasions to her hip and upper leg and was conscious at the scene. The e-bike driver, also 41, was injured and in shock. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor for both the sedan driver and the e-bike driver. The pedestrian was not at fault and was crossing legally. The sedan's front center end and the e-bike's left front quarter panel were damaged. Both drivers failed to obey traffic controls, leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4592004 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-11

Drivers hide plates. Cameras miss them. Streets stay dangerous. Senator Gounardes pushes a bill to pay citizens for reporting illegal plates. Police claim action, but advocates see little change. The bill sits in committee. Ghost cars keep rolling.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes introduced a bill in 2022 to reward citizens who report illegal license plates. The bill remains in committee. The measure would give whistleblowers 25% of the ticket, up to $75. The matter targets drivers who obscure or remove plates to dodge automated enforcement. As city and state agencies rely more on cameras to catch speeders and red-light runners, more drivers hide their plates. The Department of Transportation says cameras failed to ticket over 4% of violators last fall, up from 1% in 2019. Advocates accuse police of lax enforcement and even breaking the law themselves. Gounardes’s bill, still stalled, aims to close this loophole and put power in the hands of citizens. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while enforcement lags.

• Guerilla activists fight back against NYC drivers who hide license plates to evade tolls and tickets, gothamist.com, Published 2022-12-14