Brooklyn’s Streets Are Killing Us—Who Will Stop the Bleeding?

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

A school bus veered off course in Flatbush. Metal crumpled. A woman and boy fell. The boy’s arm broke. The woman’s neck and hip throbbed. The bus smashed a fence. Sirens wailed. Both survived. The driver stayed. The city’s danger remained.

ABC7 reported on April 9, 2025, that a 66-year-old school bus driver struck a 43-year-old woman and an 8-year-old boy at Bedford Avenue and Farragut Road, Brooklyn. The driver told police he 'hit the gas instead of the brakes, jumped the curb and struck the pedestrians before smashing into a fence.' The woman suffered neck and hip pain; the boy’s arm broke. Both were hospitalized and are expected to survive. No charges were immediately filed. The bus remained at the scene. The article notes the investigation is ongoing. The incident highlights risks at intersections and the consequences of driver error, especially when large vehicles enter pedestrian space.

• School Bus Jumps Curb, Hits Two Pedestrians, ABC7, Published 2025-04-09

SUV turned left. Struck a 101-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She bled from the head. Driver unlicensed. Streetlights blinked. Pain stayed.

A 101-year-old woman was struck by an SUV while crossing Brooklyn Ave at Montgomery St in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV turned left and hit her as she crossed with the signal. She suffered a head injury but remained conscious. The driver was unlicensed and unhurt. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804451 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding driver with a suspended license ran a red light in Brooklyn. Her car struck a mother and two young children. All three died. The driver faced manslaughter charges. The street bore the weight of loss and metal.

NY Daily News (April 6, 2025) reports that Miriam Yarimi, driving with a suspended license for lapsed insurance, sped through a red light in Brooklyn on March 29. Her Audi struck a family, killing a mother and two small children. Police said Yarimi was 'reportedly speeding, ran a red light, and struck the family.' Prosecutors allege she told first responders she was possessed at the time. The article details Yarimi’s history as a victim of sexual abuse by a former NYPD officer, but the crash itself highlights systemic failures: a suspended license, unchecked speed, and a fatal intersection. The incident underscores persistent dangers for pedestrians and families on New York City streets.

• Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Children, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-06

A sedan hit a woman crossing behind parked cars on Rutland Road. She suffered leg injuries. Police cite blocked views and driver distraction. The street remains dangerous for those on foot.

A 56-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while emerging from behind parked vehicles on Rutland Road in Brooklyn. She sustained contusions to her lower leg and foot. According to the police report, 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The driver, a 47-year-old man, was licensed and uninjured. The report highlights the dangers faced by pedestrians when visibility is blocked and drivers are not fully attentive. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804283 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A mother and two daughters died on Ocean Parkway. The car struck them in the crosswalk. The driver sped, license suspended, dozens of violations. A son clings to life. The street holds the mark. Lawmakers call for speed limiters.

CBS New York (2025-04-02) reports that Miriam Yarimi faces arraignment after a crash in Midwood, Brooklyn killed Natasha Saada and her daughters, ages 8 and 5, as they crossed Ocean Parkway. Police say Yarimi was speeding, rear-ended another car, and hit the family in the crosswalk. Her license was suspended, with 'dozens of violations and $10,000 of unpaid fines.' NYPD Commissioner Tisch stated, 'This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road.' The crash renewed calls for Albany lawmakers to mandate speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders, with a bill proposed to require such technology for drivers with more than six camera violations.

• Speeding Driver Kills Brooklyn Family Crossing, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-02

After a crash killed a mother and two daughters in Gravesend, advocates and Council Member Shahana Hanif rallied for the Stop Super Speeders bill. The law would force repeat reckless drivers to use speed-limiting tech. Survivors demand action. Lawmakers promise change.

On April 1, 2025, Council Member Shahana Hanif joined a rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall demanding passage of the Stop Super Speeders bill. The bill, sponsored in Albany by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, would require drivers with repeated violations to install intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices. These devices cap speed at 5 mph over the limit for those with 11 or more license points in 24 months or six camera tickets in a year. The rally followed a fatal Gravesend crash that killed a mother and her two daughters. Hanif and other lawmakers called current enforcement—ticketing, suspensions, fines, jail—ineffective. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon said, 'The speed limiter technology is available to us. Let’s use it. It will save lives.' The bill is modeled on EU and Virginia laws. Some opposition remains, but supporters say the measure is urgent and practical.

• ‘Enough is enough’: Street safety advocates demand passage of ‘Stop Super Speeders’ bill after tragic Gravesend crash, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-04-01

A driver sped through a red light on Ocean Parkway. She struck an Uber, flipped, then hit a mother and her three children in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died. The lone surviving son remains in critical condition.

According to the New York Post (2025-04-01), Miriam Yarimi drove her Audi at 50 mph—twice the speed limit—without a license, insurance, or registration. She ran a red light at Quentin Road and Ocean Parkway, striking an Uber and then a family lawfully crossing. Natasha Saada, 32, and her daughters Diana, 8, and Debra, 5, were killed. Only Saada’s son survived, hospitalized in critical condition. The article quotes survivor Mahbuba Ahmedova: “When I opened my eyes, I saw two kids were killed, and I thought they were my kids.” Yarimi faces three counts of manslaughter. The crash exposes the lethal risk of unchecked speeding and unlicensed driving on city streets.

• Speeding Driver Kills Brooklyn Family Crossing, New York Post, Published 2025-04-01

A driver ran a red light on Ocean Parkway. She struck a mother and three children in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died. The youngest boy fights for life. Charges include manslaughter and reckless driving. Systemic failures linger.

NY Daily News reported on March 31, 2025, that Miriam Yarimi faces charges after fatally striking Natasha Saada and her three children in a Brooklyn crosswalk. Police say Yarimi 'careened into them' at Ocean Parkway and Quentin Road, running a red light and speeding. The mother and two daughters, ages 5 and 8, died at the hospital. The 4-year-old son remains in critical condition. Yarimi faces counts of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed driving. The article notes Yarimi's prior legal battles with the city and her involuntary psychiatric commitment after the crash. The case highlights ongoing risks at city intersections and the deadly consequences when drivers ignore signals and speed limits.

• Brooklyn Mother, Children Killed in Crosswalk Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-31

A mother and her two daughters died on Ocean Parkway. The driver, on a suspended license, crashed after colliding with another car. She had a long record of violations. The victims were leaving Shabbat services. Streets remain unforgiving.

According to the New York Post (March 30, 2025), Miriam Yarimi, 32, drove her Audi with a suspended license on Ocean Parkway in Gravesend. She collided with a Toyota Camry, then struck and killed a mother and her two daughters, ages 8 and 6, as they left Shabbat services. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed Yarimi's license status. The article reports Yarimi had 'over 93 traffic violations on WIGM8KER including 20 speeding tickets,' and a recent ticket for 'speeding through a school zone.' Yarimi was arrested at the scene, but charges were pending at publication. The case highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians and repeated failures to keep high-risk drivers off city streets.

• Suspended Driver Kills Family On Parkway, New York Post, Published 2025-03-30

A box truck edged to the curb on East New York Avenue. Its front bumper struck a man in the street. His arm was crushed. He stood, conscious, pain etched on his face. The truck’s engine idled beside him.

According to the police report, a box truck was 'entering parked position' near 728 East New York Avenue when its front bumper struck a 38-year-old man standing in the street. The impact crushed the man’s arm, causing significant injury. The report states the pedestrian remained upright and conscious, suffering from pain and crush injuries. Contributing factors listed in the report include 'Other Vehicular' and 'View Obstructed/Limited,' highlighting the truck driver’s failure to maintain clear awareness and control while maneuvering toward the curb. The pedestrian’s actions are described only as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' with no indication from the police report that these contributed to the crash. The focus remains on the truck’s movement and the systemic dangers posed by large vehicles operating in close proximity to people outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802462 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An Audi driver with a suspended license turned at a red. She struck a family crossing Ocean Parkway. A mother and two daughters died. Their son fights for life. Another family in a hit car suffered minor wounds. Streets remain unforgiving.

Gothamist reported on March 29, 2025, that a mother and her two daughters were killed when an Audi A3, driven by Miriam Yarimi, turned right on red and struck them in Midwood, Brooklyn. Police said Yarimi’s license was suspended. The car first hit a Toyota Camry, then continued forward, hitting the family in the crosswalk. The article quotes NYPD Commissioner Tisch: 'This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road.' Yarimi faces multiple charges, including manslaughter and aggravated unlicensed operation. The crash left a young boy in critical condition and injured another family. The incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed driving and the risks at busy intersections.

• Suspended Driver Kills Brooklyn Family, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-29

A 56-year-old woman was injured crossing Empire Boulevard with the signal when a northbound sedan failed to yield. The driver’s inattention and failure to yield caused a knee and lower leg injury, leaving the pedestrian bruised but conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Empire Boulevard struck a 56-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection while she was crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the impact. The report explicitly cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The vehicle had no visible damage despite the collision, and the driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not identified as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors, specifically failure to yield and distraction, in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802459 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan parked on Eastern Parkway struck a westbound bicyclist at Troy Avenue. The cyclist, a 22-year-old man wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. Driver inattention caused the collision, according to police.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:00 PM on Eastern Parkway near Troy Avenue in Brooklyn. A 22-year-old male bicyclist traveling westbound was struck by a sedan that was parked and then impacted the bike's center front end with its right front quarter panel. The bicyclist was injured, sustaining abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and remained conscious after the collision. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan driver, a licensed male from New York, failed to maintain awareness, leading to the collision. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but no other contributing factors from the victim were noted. Vehicle damage was recorded on both the bike and the sedan at the points of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801791 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV making a right turn struck a pedestrian crossing Empire Blvd with the signal. The pedestrian suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash exposed driver failure to yield and inattention as critical factors in this Brooklyn collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Empire Blvd near Bedford Ave in Brooklyn at 8:23 p.m. An SUV traveling southwest was making a right turn when it struck a female pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash, classified as injury severity 3. The report cites the SUV driver’s 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and was located at the intersection. Vehicle damage was noted on the SUV’s right front quarter panel, indicating impact at the right front bumper. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian were listed beyond the driver errors. This collision highlights systemic danger from driver failure to yield and distraction in Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801048 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker flew through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection is known for danger. Delivery speed and city policy collide.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after being struck by an e-bike delivery worker who "sped through a stop sign" at Franklin and India streets in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Witness Jack Collins said, "He died basically on the spot." The e-bike rider remained at the scene; no arrests were made as the investigation continued. The article notes that the intersection is a known trouble spot, with Collins stating, "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The report highlights systemic issues: delivery app pressures, lack of regulation, and a street design that encourages risky moves. City data shows e-bikes account for a small share of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues.

• E-Bike Rider Runs Stop, Kills Man, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-23

A motorcycle traveling east struck a southbound bicyclist on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered facial injuries, shock, and pain. The motorcycle driver was unlicensed and speeding, causing severe impact and damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:00 PM on Eastern Parkway near Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. A motorcycle traveling eastbound collided with a bicyclist going straight southbound. The motorcycle driver, operating without a license, was cited for unsafe speed. The impact struck the left side doors of the bicycle and the center front end of the motorcycle. The bicyclist, a 39-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained facial injuries, shock, and complaints of pain or nausea. The report highlights the motorcycle driver's failure to maintain safe speed as the primary contributing factor. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash underscores the dangers posed by unlicensed, speeding drivers to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800718 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 60-year-old woman crossing Lefferts Ave with the signal was struck by a southbound sedan making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered bruises and arm injuries. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive, causing the collision at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 60-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Lefferts Avenue at an intersection with the walk signal. The collision occurred at 12:30 PM when a 2023 sedan, traveling south and making a left turn, struck her with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but was not blamed for the crash. The incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as failure to yield and distraction in intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800214 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 12-year-old bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision with an SUV on Empire Boulevard. The crash involved improper lane usage and limited driver visibility. The boy was conscious and wearing a helmet at the time of impact.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Empire Boulevard in Brooklyn involving a 2017 BMW SUV and a 12-year-old male bicyclist. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound when the crash happened at 17:15. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was wearing a helmet. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors related to lane management and visibility. The bicyclist's inexperience is also noted as a contributing factor. The SUV driver, a licensed female, and the bicyclist both impacted each other at their vehicles' center front ends. The police report focuses on the driver's failure to maintain proper lane usage and limited view as key causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800081 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04