Brooklyn’s Streets Bleed—How Many More Must Die Before City Hall Acts?

Jan 8 - A tractor truck slammed into the back of an SUV traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The SUV driver suffered head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained. The crash was caused by the truck following too closely.

According to the police report, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A tractor truck traveling east struck the center back end of a 2021 SUV, also heading east. The truck's point of impact was its center front end, indicating a rear-end collision. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, pointing to the truck driver's error. The SUV driver, a 38-year-old male, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was secured by a lap belt and harness. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing behaviors from the SUV driver. This collision highlights the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784584 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 8 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 7 - Two pedestrians suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after an SUV failed to yield while making a left turn on Senator Street. Both were conscious and injured at the intersection, highlighting driver failure to yield right-of-way as the critical factor.

According to the police report, a 2020 BMW SUV, traveling east and making a left turn on Senator Street, struck two pedestrians crossing at an intersection without a signal. Both pedestrians, aged 26 and 32, sustained abrasions to their knees and lower legs and were conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor in the crash. The SUV's point of impact was the center front end, and despite the collision, the vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. Both pedestrians were crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication, but the report emphasizes driver error—specifically failure to yield—as the cause. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrians were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784385 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 6 - A southbound bicyclist was struck by an SUV making a right turn on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries and lost consciousness. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to yield and improper lane usage as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn at 1 p.m. A 54-year-old female bicyclist traveling south was hit by a 2023 Mercedes SUV making a right turn southwest. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front bumper striking the cyclist. The bicyclist sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, was unconscious at the scene, and experienced minor bleeding. The report lists the SUV driver’s errors as "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." The cyclist was not ejected and was not wearing any safety equipment. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the bicyclist. The collision highlights the dangers posed by vehicle drivers failing to yield and misusing lanes during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784093 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 1 - A bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV turning right struck him head-on. The crash occurred on 65th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. Driver inattention was cited as the cause, highlighting systemic dangers for cyclists.

According to the police report, at 6:00 PM on 65th Street near Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn, a 2024 SUV driven by a licensed female driver was making a right turn when it collided with a bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist, a 45-year-old man, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. There is no indication that the bicyclist's behavior contributed to the collision. The SUV driver’s failure to maintain attention while turning created a hazardous situation, resulting in significant harm to the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783157 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 1 - A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

Dec 31 - A distracted driver collided with another vehicle on 6th Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact injured a 76-year-old male driver, causing contusions and arm injuries. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage in the northbound and eastbound collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:41 AM on 6th Avenue in Brooklyn involving a sedan traveling north and an SUV traveling east. The collision was caused by driver inattention or distraction, as cited under contributing factors. The 76-year-old male driver of the sedan was injured with contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front bumpers at the points of impact. The report highlights driver distraction as the primary cause, with no other contributing factors or victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783092 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 31 - A sedan engaged in a police pursuit struck a parked SUV on 7 Ave. The sedan’s driver, a 29-year-old man, suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. Improper turning and other vehicular errors contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 2013 Ford sedan traveling south on 7 Ave was involved in a police pursuit before colliding with a parked 2014 Toyota SUV. The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the SUV. The sedan’s driver, a 29-year-old male occupant, sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes, indicating driver error during the pursuit. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. The pick-up truck involved was traveling south going straight ahead with no damage and an unlicensed driver, but it was not the point of impact. The crash underscores the dangers posed by high-risk police pursuits and improper vehicle maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782748 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 29 - A 77-year-old man suffered a fractured hip and leg after a vehicle struck him at a Brooklyn intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, hitting the pedestrian squarely in the front. The victim was conscious but seriously injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:22 on Fort Hamilton Parkway near Bay Ridge Avenue in Brooklyn. A pedestrian, a 77-year-old male, was crossing with the signal when he was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound, going straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which sustained damage in the same area. The pedestrian suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his hip and upper leg and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor twice, indicating the driver did not yield to the pedestrian legally crossing the street. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The crash highlights driver error and systemic danger at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782275 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 26 - A 18-year-old male driver suffered facial injuries and shock after a high-speed crash on a Belt Parkway ramp. The sedan struck with its right front bumper, sustaining damage. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as key factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:12 AM on a Belt Parkway ramp involving a 2024 Honda sedan traveling east. The sole occupant, an 18-year-old male driver, was injured with facial trauma and minor bleeding, and experienced shock. The vehicle sustained damage to the right front bumper, the point of impact. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver held a permit license from New York and was not ejected from the vehicle. There is no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. The collision highlights the dangers of excessive speed and distracted driving on highway ramps.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782913 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 20 - A southbound SUV and westbound sedan collided on 11 Ave in Brooklyn late at night. Two vehicle occupants suffered moderate injuries, including neck whiplash and facial bruising. Driver inexperience was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11 Ave near 65 St in Brooklyn at 11:20 p.m. A 2023 Ford SUV traveling south and a 2012 Toyota sedan traveling west collided, impacting the SUV's center front end and the sedan's right front bumper. The report identifies "Driver Inexperience" as a contributing factor to the collision. Two occupants were injured: the male sedan driver, age 42, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash, and a female passenger, age 37, suffered facial contusions. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses at the time of the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported. The report highlights driver error without attributing fault to the injured occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780331 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 19 - Council moves to test bold pavement markings at crash sites. Five spots per borough. Focus: places where drivers have killed or maimed. Report to follow. Streets marked for danger.

Int 1154-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced December 19, 2024. The bill orders a pilot for high visibility pavement markings—at least five locations per borough. The city must target streets with high injury or fatality counts from bad driving. The matter title reads: 'establishing a high visibility pavement marking pilot program.' Council Member Yusef Salaam leads, joined by Menin, De La Rosa, Brooks-Powers, Cabán, Brannan, and Hanif. The law demands a report on results and challenges. The aim: mark danger, force drivers to see, and push the city to act where blood has already been spilled.

• File Int 1154-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

Dec 18 - A box truck driver distracted by inattention struck an SUV merging eastbound in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 52-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The impact damaged the right rear quarter of the truck and left front quarter of the SUV.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:47 in Brooklyn near 923 73rd Street. A box truck traveling east struck the left front quarter panel of a station wagon/SUV merging eastbound. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, indicating the truck driver failed to maintain proper attention during the maneuver. The SUV driver, a 52-year-old female, was injured with contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was conscious at the scene. She was restrained with a lap belt and harness. The truck sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the SUV driver. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during merging maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - Metal groaned on Nostrand Avenue. Two cars trapped, one stacked atop the other. A bus driver, a woman, a girl—hurt but alive. Emergency crews worked fast. The street bore the scars. The cause stayed hidden in the wreckage.

NY Daily News reported on December 18, 2024, that a multi-vehicle crash at Nostrand Ave. and Park Ave. in Brooklyn left three people injured. The article states, 'Three people were injured, including an MTA bus driver and a young girl, in a collision that pinned two cars between a box truck and a city bus.' Footage showed two vehicles sandwiched between the bus and truck, with one car stacked atop another. The injured included a 59-year-old MTA driver, a 33-year-old woman, and a 9-year-old girl. All were hospitalized in stable condition. The cause of the crash was not determined at the time of reporting. The incident highlights the risks at busy intersections and the dangers posed by large vehicles in dense urban traffic.

• Cars Crushed Between Bus And Truck, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 16 - A 47-year-old woman driving a sedan suffered head injuries and shock after a collision on 77th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, driver inattention caused the crash, striking a parked vehicle and resulting in pain and nausea.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:21 on 77th Street in Brooklyn. The injured party was a 47-year-old female driver of a 2012 Toyota sedan traveling eastbound. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. The sedan impacted the left front bumper against a parked Chevrolet truck, damaging both vehicles. The driver sustained head injuries, experienced shock, and complained of pain and nausea. The report explicitly identifies driver distraction as the cause, with no mention of victim fault or contributing pedestrian or cyclist behaviors. The collision highlights the dangers of driver inattention on city streets, resulting in serious injury to a vehicle occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779232 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 12 - Two elderly men suffered head injuries crossing a marked crosswalk. The SUV driver, traveling west, struck them with the vehicle’s left front quarter panel. Glare and limited visibility obstructed the driver’s view, contributing to the crash.

According to the police report, a 2023 Hyundai SUV, driven by a licensed male driver from Florida, was traveling west on 97th Street when it struck two male pedestrians, ages 67 and 73, at a marked crosswalk without a crossing signal. Both pedestrians were crossing at the intersection and sustained head injuries classified as injury severity 3, with abrasions reported. The point of impact was the vehicle’s left front quarter panel. The report cites glare and obstructed or limited view as contributing factors, indicating the driver’s impaired ability to see the pedestrians. No vehicle damage was noted. The report does not list any pedestrian fault or contributing pedestrian behaviors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by environmental conditions affecting driver visibility.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 10 - A 15-year-old boy crossing with the signal suffered facial injuries after a sedan failed to yield right-of-way. The impact struck the vehicle’s right front bumper. The pedestrian was left in shock with minor bleeding at a Brooklyn intersection.

According to the police report, a 15-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 82 Street and 6 Avenue in Brooklyn around 7:30 a.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2022 Toyota sedan traveling west struck him with its right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating the driver did not yield to the pedestrian legally crossing. The pedestrian sustained facial injuries and was reported in shock with minor bleeding. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. Vehicle damage was limited to the right front bumper. The report focuses on the driver’s failure to yield, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777752 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 5 - Three cars smashed on Belt Parkway at night. Aggressive driving and road rage fueled chaos. A 60-year-old SUV driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Metal twisted. Impact marks show violence and speed.

According to the police report, three vehicles collided on Belt Parkway at 22:44. Two SUVs and a sedan, all westbound, were involved. Police cite aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors. A 60-year-old woman driving an SUV was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. She was not ejected and stayed conscious. Her SUV took front-end damage after hitting the left rear quarter panel. Another SUV, passing, struck her vehicle's right front quarter. The sedan was hit on its left side doors. The report lists aggressive driving and road rage as driver errors. No contributing factors are linked to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776971 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 5 - Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Dec 3 - MTA’s congestion pricing plan splits New Yorkers. Council Member Holden calls it betrayal. Poll shows narrow support. Some see a cash grab, others hope for better transit. The $9 fee hits drivers. The city waits for the impact.

On November 18, 2024, the MTA approved congestion pricing, set to start January 5, 2025. The plan charges $9 for cars and $14.40 for trucks entering Manhattan below 60th Street. amNew York Metro polled nearly 3,000 residents: 53.8% support, 44.9% oppose. The matter, titled 'Here’s how New Yorkers really feel about congestion pricing,' reveals sharp divides. Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30, Queens) condemned the move, calling it a 'blatant political move and a shameless betrayal of New Yorkers.' State Sen. Andrew Gounardes backed the plan, citing needed transit upgrades. The bill’s impact on vulnerable road users was not assessed. The debate centers on funding transit versus burdening drivers. The city stands at a crossroads.

• Here’s how New Yorkers really feel about congestion pricing, amny.com, Published 2024-12-03