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

A 27-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and injured at Hamilton Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, distracted, struck the cyclist’s hip and upper leg. The cyclist was semiconscious, wearing a helmet, suffering bruises and contusions.

According to the police report, a female bicyclist traveling east was making a left turn when she was struck by a southbound SUV at Hamilton Avenue, Brooklyn. The bicyclist, 27, was ejected and sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, including contusions and bruises. She was semiconscious at the scene. The SUV driver was identified as inattentive and distracted, which contributed to the crash. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV and the cyclist’s body. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4578397 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A 53-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured in Brooklyn. An SUV made a left turn and struck the rider head-on. The rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The SUV driver failed to yield right-of-way. No vehicle damage reported on SUV.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old male e-scooter rider was injured when a 2013 Ford SUV made a left turn and collided with him at Hamilton Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV driver, also male and licensed in New York, was cited for failure to yield right-of-way, a contributing factor repeated twice in the report. The SUV showed no damage, while the e-scooter had damage to its right front bumper. The rider was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not list any helmet use or other safety equipment for the rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4576758 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A sedan moved south on 4th Avenue. The driver was distracted. He struck a 66-year-old man in the street. The car’s front caved. The man died there, away from any crosswalk. The street fell silent. Another life ended by inattention.

A southbound sedan hit and killed a 66-year-old man on 4th Avenue, near 64th Street. According to the police report, the driver was distracted and struck the pedestrian in the roadway, away from any intersection or crosswalk. The car’s front end was crushed by the impact. The pedestrian died at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. This crash shows the lethal risk posed by driver distraction. No other contributing factors related to helmet use or signaling were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4576161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Councilmember Restler and Brooklyn leaders want DOT to flip Bond Street’s traffic northbound after Schermerhorn’s redesign. Locals face gridlock. Community Board 2 backs the move. They demand DOT protect the Bond Street bike lane with a physical barrier.

On October 21, 2022, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) and Brooklyn Community Board 2 requested the Department of Transportation (DOT) extend Bond Street’s northbound direction to Livingston Street. The request follows complaints after Schermerhorn Street’s redesign, which added a protected bike lane but made all crossings one-way southbound, causing gridlock and blocking access for services. The Community Board’s Transportation and Public Safety Committee, chaired by Sid Meyer, voted to support the change and insisted DOT maintain and protect the Bond Street bike lane with a physical barrier. Restler said, 'We believe that this proposal will improve traffic flow and enhance the public’s access to essential services, deliveries, and residences.' DOT is reviewing the proposal. The matter centers on the impact of traffic changes on residents and the need to safeguard vulnerable road users.

• Street relief: Downtown Brooklynites ask DOT to flip traffic on Bond Street after Schermerhorn redesign, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2022-10-21

Two men on electric vehicles crashed on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike driver suffered a concussion and face injury. Both vehicles showed no damage. Confusion between riders caused the collision. The injured rider wore a helmet and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old man riding an e-bike collided with a man on an e-scooter traveling north on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike driver was injured, sustaining a concussion and facial injuries, but was not ejected and remained conscious. Both vehicles had no visible damage. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as the contributing factor, indicating rider confusion led to the crash. The injured rider wore a helmet. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The crash occurred at 7:04 p.m. with both vehicles moving north, one starting in traffic and the other going straight ahead.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4574181 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Arterial roads kill. They are wide, fast, and deadly for walkers and cyclists. Most are state-owned. Cities and advocates demand lower speeds, urban design, and local control. Changing these streets is urgent. Lives hang in the balance.

This policy advocacy statement, published October 18, 2022, by Streetsblog NYC, highlights the urgent need to fix deadly arterial roads. The statement, titled 'Vision Zero Cities: How to Fix Our Most Dangerous Roads,' calls for context-sensitive speed limits, urban street design standards, and transferring state-owned roads to city control. Streetsblog and Transportation Alternatives urge, 'Cities and advocates should push their states to transform arterial streets into safe spaces for all modes.' The statement notes that arterials make up 15 percent of roads but see 67 percent of pedestrian deaths. It stresses that speed is the main factor in fatal crashes and that state DOTs often prioritize fast driving over safety. The call is clear: redesign streets for people, not cars, and give cities the power to act.

• Vision Zero Cities: How to Fix Our Most Dangerous Roads, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-18

A chain-reaction crash on Prospect Avenue left a 38-year-old driver with a fractured elbow. SUVs, a sedan, and a pick-up truck collided. Driver inattention and tailgating fueled the impact. No pedestrians or cyclists hurt.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle collision unfolded on Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved two SUVs, a sedan, and a pick-up truck, all traveling west. A 38-year-old male driver suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. The report lists Driver Inattention/Distraction and Following Too Closely as contributing factors. One driver was unlicensed. The injured driver was not ejected and remained conscious. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4573618 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

SUV struck a 31-year-old man on a bike on 5 Avenue. Driver started from parking. Cyclist was passing. Impact threw rider, left him with leg injuries and abrasions. Police cite close passing and blocked view.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and injured when an SUV struck him on 5 Avenue. The cyclist suffered abrasions and lower leg trauma. The report lists driver errors: 'Passing Too Closely' and 'View Obstructed/Limited.' The SUV was starting from parking as the cyclist passed. The SUV showed no damage; the bike was hit at the front. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash. No helmet or signaling factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4573227 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

City officials cut the ribbon on a new two-way protected bike lane on Schermerhorn Street. Cyclists now ride behind parked cars, shielded from traffic. Councilmember Lincoln Restler pushed for the overhaul after years of crashes and blocked lanes. Safety comes first.

On October 12, 2022, the Department of Transportation opened a fortified, two-way protected bike lane on Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn’s District 33. The project, championed by Councilmember Lincoln Restler, followed years of complaints about blocked, unprotected lanes and frequent crashes. The matter, described as a 'complete transformation of the look and feel of the corridor,' converted Schermerhorn from a chaotic two-way street to a one-way with parking-protected bike lanes. Restler, who once failed to ride the stretch without leaving the lane due to illegal parking, called the redesign 'real safety in downtown Brooklyn.' DOT data shows 29 cyclists injured and one killed on this stretch since 2012. The overhaul separates cyclists from moving vehicles, reducing risk for Brooklyn’s most vulnerable road users.

• DOT cuts ribbon on newly fortified Schermerhorn Street bike lane, amny.com, Published 2022-10-12

Officials cut the ribbon on a fortified, two-way bike lane on Schermerhorn Street. Cyclists now ride behind parked cars, shielded from traffic. The old, chaotic street saw 29 cyclist injuries and one death. Councilmember Restler pushed for this change.

On October 12, 2022, the Department of Transportation held a ribbon-cutting for the new protected bike lane on Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn's District 33. The overhaul converted the street to one-way eastbound and installed a two-way, parking-protected bike lane. The matter summary reads: 'DOT cuts ribbon on newly fortified Schermerhorn Street bike lane.' Councilmember Lincoln Restler, who championed the redesign, attended the event and called it 'a great friggin day for Brooklyn.' The old lanes were unprotected and blocked by double-parked cars, forcing cyclists into traffic. Since 2012, 29 cyclists have been injured and one killed along this stretch. The new design separates cyclists from vehicles, aiming to end the danger that plagued this busy corridor.

• DOT cuts ribbon on newly fortified Schermerhorn Street bike lane, amny.com, Published 2022-10-12

Three sedans collided on the Gowanus Expressway. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash. A 38-year-old front passenger suffered a head injury and shock. All drivers were licensed and traveling west. Damage focused on left front panels and bumpers.

According to the police report, three sedans traveling west on the Gowanus Expressway collided. The contributing factor listed was slippery pavement affecting all vehicles. A 38-year-old female front passenger was injured, sustaining a head injury and shock, and reported pain or nausea. She was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The drivers were all licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The vehicles sustained damage primarily to their left front bumpers and quarter panels. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted; the hazardous road condition was the primary factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572068 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A 37-year-old woman was hit while crossing 6 Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, striking her with the vehicle's front center. She suffered neck injuries and whiplash, left shaken and injured but not ejected.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured on 6 Avenue near 60 Street in Brooklyn. The 37-year-old woman was crossing with the signal when a vehicle traveling south struck her at the center front end. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered neck injuries and whiplash, experiencing shock after the impact. The vehicle showed no damage and was going straight ahead before the collision. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The pedestrian was not at an intersection but was legally crossing with the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4569328 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Two sedans crashed head-on on the Gowanus Expressway. The 34-year-old male driver of one vehicle suffered a head injury and concussion. Police cited unsafe speed as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed men traveling westbound.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on the Gowanus Expressway, both traveling westbound. The impact occurred between the left rear bumper of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. A 34-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining a head injury and concussion. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4570949 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

An SUV hit an e-bike on 3 Avenue. The e-bike rider, a 40-year-old man, suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Both vehicles traveled north. The crash damaged the SUV’s right rear and the e-bike’s front. The rider remained conscious.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 3 Avenue involving a 2019 Ford SUV and an e-bike, both traveling north. The e-bike driver, a 40-year-old man, was injured with a fractured elbow and dislocation but was conscious and not ejected. The SUV struck the e-bike on its right rear quarter panel, damaging both vehicles. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the primary contributing factor for the crash, indicating driver error related to lane use. The e-bike rider wore a helmet, but no other factors were noted. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4568524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A 39-year-old male motorcycle driver suffered back injuries and whiplash after an SUV struck him from behind on 3 Avenue. The SUV driver was distracted, causing a right front bumper collision. The motorcyclist remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 3 Avenue involving a 2019 Nissan SUV and a 2019 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The motorcycle driver, a 39-year-old man, was injured with back pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The SUV was traveling south and slowing or stopping when it struck the motorcycle from behind with its right front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the SUV driver. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The motorcycle was stopped in traffic at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4568247 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A 59-year-old male motorcyclist crashed eastbound on the Gowanus Expressway. The bike struck on the left side, damaging the rear quarter panel. The rider, wearing a helmet, suffered knee and lower leg injuries but remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old male motorcycle driver traveling eastbound on the Gowanus Expressway was injured in a crash. The motorcycle was impacted on the left side doors, damaging the left rear quarter panel. The driver was wearing a helmet and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the crash. The rider sustained contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4566673 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A sedan traveling north struck a parked SUV on Seeley Street in Brooklyn. The sedan’s driver, a 39-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The impact damaged the front center of the sedan and the left side doors of the SUV.

According to the police report, a 2021 Honda sedan was traveling north on Seeley Street when it collided with a parked 2021 Subaru SUV. The sedan struck the left side doors of the stationary vehicle. The sedan’s driver, a 39-year-old woman, sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the driver but does not identify any specific driver errors or victim actions. The parked SUV had no occupants at the time of the crash. Damage was concentrated on the sedan’s center front end and the SUV’s left side doors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4565618 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A 16-year-old boy was hit by a northbound sedan on 18 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. He suffered abrasions and unconsciousness with injuries to his entire body. The driver struck him center front end.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 18 Street in Brooklyn struck a 16-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing the street with the signal. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and was unconscious with injuries to his entire body. The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan. No contributing factors or driver errors were listed in the report. The pedestrian was not ejected and no safety equipment was noted. The report does not indicate any driver license status or pre-crash actions. The crash left the teen injured and unconscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4564725 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

A sedan making a left turn struck a bicyclist riding north on 4 Avenue. The 54-year-old woman was ejected and suffered facial contusions. The driver’s inattention caused the crash. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 2013 Honda sedan was making a left turn on 4 Avenue when it collided with a bicyclist traveling straight ahead northbound. The bicyclist, a 54-year-old woman, was ejected from her bike and sustained facial contusions. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan showed no damage despite the impact at the left rear quarter panel of the bike. The driver was licensed and had two occupants in the vehicle. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers turning across bike lanes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4562630 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-12

Councilmember Alexa Avilés pushes new rules to rein in e-commerce warehouses. The bill would block massive facilities near homes, schools, and parks. It demands public review and stricter permits. The aim: less truck traffic, cleaner air, safer streets.

On September 8, 2022, Councilmember Alexa Avilés (District 38) supported a proposal to tighten zoning and permitting for e-commerce warehouses in New York City. The measure, not yet introduced as a formal bill, seeks to amend city zoning rules to require special permits for warehouses over 50,000 square feet and ban them within 1,000 feet of schools, parks, nursing homes, public housing, or other warehouses. The proposal states: 'The facilities won’t negatively impact nearby traffic, pedestrian and road safety, or air pollution.' Avilés, along with Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes, backs the effort, citing frequent community complaints about truck traffic and pollution. The plan mandates environmental review and public input before any City Council vote. Community groups and environmental advocates say the change is urgent for neighborhoods already burdened by traffic and pollution.

• Environmental activists call for a crack down on e-commerce warehouses in New York City, gothamist.com, Published 2022-09-08