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

Sep 9 - A 21-year-old man suffered severe leg injuries after a sedan struck him at a marked crosswalk on 91 Street and Colonial Road. The driver failed to yield and was distracted, hitting the pedestrian with the vehicle’s right front bumper.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 91 Street struck a 21-year-old male pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk near Colonial Road in Brooklyn. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as severity level 3, and was reported to be in shock. The point of impact was the vehicle’s right front bumper, which also sustained damage. The report explicitly cites driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal but within a marked crosswalk. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior or safety equipment were noted. The collision highlights critical driver failures in yielding and maintaining attention at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754309 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 7 - Two motorcycles collided on 73 Street. One rider, distracted and speeding, was ejected. He suffered a fractured, dislocated leg and hip. The crash tore metal and bone. Inattention and speed fueled the impact.

According to the police report, at 22:11 on 73 Street near 3 Avenue in Brooklyn, a southbound motorcycle struck a parked motorcycle. The moving motorcycle's driver, a 23-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated upper leg and hip. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The injured rider wore a helmet. Both motorcycles were damaged, with the moving bike hit in the left front and the parked bike in the left rear. No contributing factors were attributed to the parked motorcycle. The crash underscores the danger of distraction and speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753658 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 4 - A sedan making a left turn collided with a northbound bicyclist going straight on 86 Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist suffered a head contusion and was injured but remained conscious. The sedan showed no damage despite striking the bike’s front center.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:10 on 86 Street near 7 Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2019 Infiniti sedan, traveling south, was making a left turn when it struck a northbound bicyclist going straight ahead. The point of impact was the sedan’s right rear quarter panel and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old male, sustained a head contusion and was injured but conscious. The report lists no explicit driver contributing factors but notes the sedan was executing a left turn, a maneuver often associated with failure to yield to straight-moving traffic. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan driver was licensed and the vehicle sustained no damage. The report does not assign blame to the bicyclist or note any victim errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 4 - A 31-year-old man crashed his motorcycle on Belt Parkway. The bike was demolished. He stayed conscious but suffered severe leg fractures and dislocations. No other vehicles or people were involved.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male motorcyclist crashed while traveling west on Belt Parkway at 12:23. He was the only person involved. The motorcycle was demolished at the center front end. The rider, who wore a helmet, suffered fractures, distortions, and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors. No pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles were involved. The crash shows the violent force of single-vehicle motorcycle collisions and the severe injuries that can result.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752931 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 2 - A bicyclist was ejected and injured after a collision with a sedan in Brooklyn. The crash involved driver inattention and distraction, resulting in serious hip and upper leg injuries to the cyclist. The sedan struck the bike’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 86 Street near 7 Avenue in Brooklyn at 4:30 PM involving a sedan and a bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions and injuries to his hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity 3. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' twice as the contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain focus. The sedan, traveling south, struck the bike’s left front bumper while the bicyclist was traveling northeast. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan driver was licensed in New York. Vehicle damage was noted on the sedan’s center front end and the bike’s left front bumper. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in Brooklyn streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752492 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 30 - Motorcycle struck parked SUV on 4 Avenue. Rider, helmeted, suffered arm abrasions. Crash triggered by reaction to another vehicle. SUV was stationary. No other injuries reported.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling south on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn collided with the right side doors of a parked SUV facing north. The crash happened at 15:42. The 34-year-old motorcycle rider, wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists the contributing factor as "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle," meaning the rider responded to another vehicle not involved in the crash. The SUV was stationary. No other driver errors or victim actions were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751932 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 29 - A box truck struck a sedan from behind on Ovington Avenue. The sedan’s female driver and a female passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and not ejected. The crash was caused by the truck driver following too closely.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:00 on Ovington Avenue when a 2019 box truck traveling west rear-ended a 1994 sedan also traveling west. The point of impact was the center back end of the truck and the center front end of the sedan. The sedan’s 29-year-old female driver and a 37-year-old female passenger sustained head injuries and whiplash, both conscious and not ejected. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor for the box truck driver. Both injured occupants were inside the sedan, with no mention of victim behavior contributing to the crash. The truck driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead before the collision. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the rear of the truck and front of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751518 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 29 - A sedan making a left turn struck a 27-year-old woman riding an e-scooter northbound on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider suffered a head contusion and bruising but was conscious and not ejected. Improper lane usage by the sedan caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn at midnight. A 2017 Infiniti sedan, traveling north and making a left turn, collided with a northbound e-scooter rider. The e-scooter driver, a 27-year-old woman, was riding without safety equipment and sustained a head contusion and bruising. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to yield or properly navigate the lane during the turn. The e-scooter sustained no damage, and the rider was conscious and not ejected. The sedan's left front bumper was damaged at the point of impact. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior, focusing on the sedan driver's lane usage error as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751852 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 24 - A 24-year-old motorcyclist struck a dump truck’s rear on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Ejected, helmeted, crushed, he died on the asphalt. The truck rolled on. The crash left head trauma and silence under the sun.

A fatal collision unfolded on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway when a 24-year-old motorcyclist, traveling east, crashed into the back of a dump truck, according to the police report. The report states the motorcyclist was 'ejected' and suffered 'head trauma' and 'crush injuries.' He was wearing a helmet. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead at the time of impact. The dump truck sustained damage to its center back end, while the motorcycle was damaged at the center front. According to the police report, the motorcyclist died at the scene. No driver errors or contributing factors are listed for the dump truck. The report details a violent, high-speed impact and its deadly aftermath.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750223 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 24 - A speeding sedan slammed into parked cars on 67th Street. The driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Impact crushed front and rear ends. Police cite unsafe speed and passing too closely. No pedestrians or cyclists hurt.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 67th Street in Brooklyn struck several parked sedans at 8:00 AM. The 37-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash, but remained conscious and restrained. The crash damaged the front and rear ends of at least four sedans. Police list 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors, both driver errors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes the injured person was the driver and does not list any victim actions as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750252 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 11 - Two sedans crashed at the intersection of 65 Street and 7 Avenue in Brooklyn. Both drivers disregarded traffic control, causing a violent impact. One driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash, highlighting critical driver errors and distraction.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:45 AM on 65 Street near 7 Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans collided, one traveling north and the other west. Both drivers were cited for 'Traffic Control Disregarded,' indicating failure to obey traffic signals or signs. The northbound BMW struck the right side doors of the westbound Toyota. The BMW driver, a 36-year-old male with a permit license, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report also notes 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the injured driver. Neither occupant was ejected. This crash underscores the dangers of ignoring traffic controls and driver distraction, which directly led to the collision and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746947 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - A 17-year-old bicyclist suffered a neck contusion after a collision with a sedan on 84 Street in Brooklyn. The crash involved driver inattention and traffic control disregard. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment and was injured but not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 84 Street in Brooklyn involving a sedan and a 17-year-old male bicyclist. The bicyclist was riding westbound and the sedan northbound, both traveling straight ahead when the crash happened. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist sustained a neck contusion and was injured but not ejected. The report cites driver errors including 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The report does not attribute fault to the bicyclist but highlights the driver’s failure to obey traffic controls and maintain attention as key causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746854 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - Two sedans slammed head-on on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Unsafe speed drove the impact. A 26-year-old driver took head injuries. Airbags burst. Metal twisted. The night split open with force.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on late at night on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A 26-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and abrasions but remained conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. One driver was unlicensed in New York. The point of impact was the center front ends of both sedans, showing a direct, violent collision. Airbags deployed and lap belts were used, but the force still caused significant injury. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash underscores the lethal risk of speeding on city expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746866 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 6 - A box truck struck a sedan on Brooklyn’s 4 Avenue, injuring an 81-year-old front-seat passenger. The crash caused chest injuries and shock. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor. The passenger was restrained but suffered pain and nausea.

According to the police report, the collision occurred at 11:57 on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2016 Ferrara box truck traveling south impacted the right side doors of a sedan stopped in traffic. The sedan, a 2006 Honda, was occupied by a single driver and an 81-year-old female front passenger. The passenger sustained chest injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. She was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report cites driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors were specified. The impact damaged the right side doors of the box truck and the left side doors of the sedan. The report highlights driver error as the cause, with no fault attributed to the injured passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 3 - A distracted, unlicensed driver merging on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway struck an SUV head-on. The sedan driver suffered a concussion and head injury despite using a lap belt and harness. Unsafe lane changing and inattention led to a violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:14 on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway involving a 2018 sedan and a 2019 SUV, both traveling east. The sedan driver, a 27-year-old male, was unlicensed and merging when he collided with the SUV. The point of impact was the sedan's left rear bumper and the SUV's right front bumper. The sedan driver was injured with a head injury and concussion but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors for the sedan driver. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and unlicensed operation on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745329 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 1 - A sedan making a left turn struck a northbound motorcycle on 5 Avenue. The motorcycle driver, a 19-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The sedan’s left side doors were damaged in the impact. Driver errors remain unspecified.

According to the police report, a 2012 Mazda sedan was making a left turn on 5 Avenue when it collided with a northbound motorcycle. The motorcycle driver, a 19-year-old male occupant, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. The motorcycle’s front center end was damaged, while the sedan’s left side doors bore the impact marks on the left front quarter panel. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, with no direct attribution of fault or driver error such as failure to yield. The motorcycle driver was conscious and not ejected. No victim behaviors or helmet use were cited as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744911 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 31 - A 20-year-old motorbike driver crashed on Belt Parkway. The impact crushed the bike’s front. He stayed conscious, helmet on, but his knee and lower leg broke. Police list no driver errors.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old male motorbike driver was injured in a crash on Belt Parkway at 7:00 AM. The 2024 KAWK-MCL motorbike was heading west, going straight, when it struck an object or vehicle at the center front. The rider was not ejected and wore a helmet. He suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The police report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no mention of driver errors like failure to yield or speeding. The crash left the rider hurt and the bike’s front end damaged. No other road users were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744446 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - A motorcycle traveling north on Ridge Boulevard collided with a sedan making a left turn eastbound. The motorcyclist, a 21-year-old man wearing a helmet, suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries. Police cite failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:50 on Ridge Boulevard in Brooklyn. A 21-year-old male motorcyclist, wearing a helmet, was traveling straight north when his motorcycle struck the right rear quarter panel of a sedan making a left turn eastbound. The motorcyclist sustained abrasions and injuries to the abdomen and pelvis, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error on the part of the sedan driver. The motorcyclist was not ejected and remained conscious. Vehicle damage was noted on the motorcycle's right front quarter panel and the sedan's right rear quarter panel. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - Atlantic Avenue gets a lifeline. New mid-block crossings, concrete islands, and curb extensions aim to slow cars and protect people. Local leaders call it overdue. For years, crashes haunted this corridor. Now, the city moves to put people before traffic.

On July 26, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced major street safety upgrades for Atlantic Avenue in District 33. The project, led by NYC DOT, brings mid-block crossings, concrete pedestrian islands, curb enhancements, and split-phase signals to one of Brooklyn’s deadliest corridors. The matter, titled 'Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor,' highlights years of advocacy after repeated crashes. Restler, who has long pushed for these changes, praised the progress: 'Atlantic Avenue has been extremely dangerous my whole life. I'm excited by the progress we're making in partnership with DOT to expand mid-block crossings and other smart interventions to slow down cars and advance safety in our community.' The announcement follows a deadly crash last spring and is part of the city’s Vision Zero push. Local officials and advocates say these changes mark a crucial step in ending the street’s legacy of danger and death.

• Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-26