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

Aug 22 - An unlicensed e-scooter driver struck a parked SUV in Brooklyn. The rider hit the vehicle’s left rear quarter panel, suffering facial contusions. The scooter’s front end was damaged. The driver remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male e-scooter driver collided with a parked station wagon/SUV on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-scooter was traveling south and attempting to pass when it struck the left rear quarter panel of the parked vehicle. The driver, who was unlicensed, sustained facial contusions and bruising but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the driver’s unlicensed status and the pre-crash action of passing. The SUV was stationary at the time of impact. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 19 - E-scooter slammed head-on into a vehicle on Bay Ridge Avenue. Rider, 22, suffered arm abrasions. Police cite traffic control disregarded. No damage to vehicles. Brooklyn street, broad daylight, danger clear.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male e-scooter driver traveling north on Bay Ridge Avenue collided head-on with a vehicle going east on 4th Avenue. The rider was conscious but suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor. The e-scooter driver wore a helmet. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The crash underscores the risk when traffic control is ignored, leaving vulnerable road users injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656080 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 18 - A speeding driver ran a red light on Atlantic Avenue, killing an 18-year-old passenger and injuring three others. The crash happened outside Trader Joe’s in Cobble Hill. Council Member Lincoln Restler called for urgent safety fixes. Atlantic Avenue remains deadly. No changes yet.

"We can’t fix Atlantic Ave fast enough, and we need a hell of a lot more accountability for drivers who speed and run red lights." -- Andrew Gounardes

On August 18, 2023, a speeding driver in a Mercedes ran a red light at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring three others. This stretch of Atlantic Avenue is notorious for deadly crashes. Council Member Lincoln Restler responded, stating, “Our community is unified in demanding immediate changes to dramatically slow down traffic, improve safety at intersections, and install new mid block crossings.” The incident marks the second fatal crash on this corridor in 2023. Despite calls from Restler and other local officials for mid-block crossings and traffic calming after previous deaths, the city has not acted. The bill or action is a public statement, not legislation, but it highlights urgent demands for redesign and enforcement to protect vulnerable road users. No safety improvements have been implemented yet.

• Speeding Driver Runs Red Light and Kills 18-Year-Old on Deadly Atlantic Avenue Speedway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-18

Aug 18 - A reckless driver ran a red light on Atlantic Avenue. He killed an 18-year-old passenger and injured four others. Council Member Lincoln Restler called the strip deadly. He demanded urgent safety fixes. Another life lost. The street remains a threat.

On August 18, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) responded to a fatal crash at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street. An 18-year-old woman died after a driver sped through a red light and struck another car. Restler stated, 'This is one of the most dangerous strips in Brooklyn & we need safety improvements on Atlantic Ave NOW.' He called for immediate action: slower traffic, mid-block crossings, and better protections for all. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes echoed the demand for accountability and urgent fixes. No council bill is attached, but Restler’s public statement highlights the deadly pattern on Atlantic Avenue and the urgent need for systemic change to protect vulnerable road users.

• Cops cuff driver after Brooklyn crash kills 18-year-old woman: NYPD, amny.com, Published 2023-08-18

Aug 16 - A 54-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a rear-end crash on Shore Road, Brooklyn. The cyclist wore a helmet and suffered neck injuries. The crash involved driver inattention or distraction. The cyclist was not ejected and showed no visible complaints.

According to the police report, a 54-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on Shore Road in Brooklyn was injured in a rear-end collision. The bicyclist, who was wearing a helmet, suffered neck injuries and was not ejected from the bike. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor to the crash. The point of impact was the center back end of the bicycle. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The cyclist was in shock but had no visible complaints at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654606 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - A sedan drifted south on 14th Avenue. It slammed into three parked cars. Metal tore. A 49-year-old woman inside the moving car died. The street fell silent. No one else was hurt. The crash left wreckage and grief.

A sedan traveling south on 14th Avenue in Brooklyn struck three parked vehicles. According to the police report, 'A southbound sedan veered into parked cars. Metal screamed. A 49-year-old woman inside did not survive.' The crash killed the woman, who was the only occupant of the moving vehicle. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The three parked vehicles were unoccupied. The impact left the parked cars damaged and the driver dead at the scene. The police report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652991 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 6 - A 22-year-old female driver made a left turn on 65 Street. Her SUV struck a westbound sedan head-on on the right side. Three occupants suffered whiplash and bruises. The crash left right doors damaged and injuries to neck and body.

According to the police report, a 2022 SUV driven by a 22-year-old woman was making a left turn on 65 Street when it collided with a westbound 2017 sedan. The point of impact was the right side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. Three occupants were injured: the SUV driver, a 42-year-old front passenger, and an 18-year-old right rear passenger. Injuries included whiplash and contusions. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor for the 18-year-old passenger, indicating a driver error during the turn. No other contributing factors were specified. All occupants were conscious and not ejected. Vehicle damage was concentrated on the right side doors of the SUV and the front end of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652078 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 4 - SUV chased by police crashed into sedan on Belt Parkway. Driver’s leg shattered. Unsafe speed fueled the wreck. Metal twisted. No pedestrians or cyclists hurt.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old man driving an SUV was injured when his vehicle struck the right rear quarter panel of a sedan on Belt Parkway during a police pursuit. The SUV driver suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles. No safety equipment was used by the injured driver. The impact left the SUV and sedan badly damaged, but only the SUV driver was reported hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651397 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - A 46-year-old woman was struck by an e-bike while crossing 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider showed no damage to the bike. The pedestrian suffered head abrasions but remained conscious. Driver inattention and failure to yield caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old female pedestrian was injured when an e-bike traveling north on 5 Avenue struck her as she crossed outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered head abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The e-bike showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted e-bike riders failing to yield to pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650922 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - Senate bill S 7621 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets trigger mandatory speed control tech. Sponsors push to curb repeat danger. No votes yet. Streets stay tense.

Senate bill S 7621, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed August 2, 2023, it 'relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill forces drivers with eleven points in eighteen months, or six speed/red light camera tickets in a year, to install speed-limiting devices. No safety analyst note yet. The measure aims to cut repeat speeding and protect those outside the car.

• File S 7621, Open States, Published 2023-08-02

Aug 2 - State Sen. Gounardes and Assembly Member Gallagher push a bill to force repeat speeders to install limiters. The tech would cap speed, targeting drivers with six or more tickets. Advocates say it could cut deaths. Reckless drivers face real consequences.

On August 2, 2023, State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher announced new legislation targeting recidivist reckless drivers. The bill, introduced in the New York State Legislature, would require drivers with at least six speeding tickets in a single year, or 11 points in 18 months, to install speed limiter devices in their vehicles. The matter summary states: "We are going to literally force you to slow down by requiring you to install a speed limiter on your car." Gounardes led the announcement at the Atlantic Avenue intersection where a driver killed Katherine Harris. Gallagher, co-sponsor, said, "Cars and trucks can act as weapons when used recklessly." The bill aims to bypass bureaucratic hurdles and act automatically, modeled after ignition interlock devices for drunk drivers. Advocates and city officials joined the call, citing data that speed limiters can reduce traffic deaths by 37 percent. The bill targets the most dangerous drivers, seeking to end impunity for repeat offenders.

• In-Car Tech Would Force NYC’s Worst Drivers to Slow Down Under New Proposal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-02

Aug 1 - Lawmakers push a bill to force speed-limiting devices on repeat reckless drivers. The measure targets those with a record of speeding and red-light violations. It aims to slow down the worst offenders and curb the rising toll of traffic deaths.

On August 1, 2023, lawmakers introduced a bill requiring speed-limiting devices for repeat reckless drivers. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, targets drivers with six or more automated speed or red light tickets, or eleven license points in 18 months. The measure would force these drivers to install devices that cap speed at five miles per hour above the limit. Gounardes said, 'There is a persistent cohort of drivers... driving on our streets recklessly without any consequences.' The bill was unveiled at the site of a fatal pedestrian crash in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, which mandates safety courses for repeat offenders, has faced criticism for weak enforcement. This new bill seeks to close those gaps and directly slow down the most dangerous drivers on city streets.

• State lawmakers unveil bill to put speed limiting devices in reckless drivers’ cars, amny.com, Published 2023-08-01

Jul 29 - A Jeep SUV making a left turn struck a Honda sedan traveling south on 65 Street. Two passengers in the sedan suffered head and neck injuries with whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained. Driver distraction and failure to yield caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 2021 Jeep SUV was making a left turn on 65 Street when it collided with a 2018 Honda sedan traveling straight ahead. The impact occurred at the right front bumper of the SUV and the left front bumper of the sedan. Two passengers in the sedan, a 30-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, were injured with head and neck trauma and complaints of whiplash. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. The report lists driver errors as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The injuries resulted from the collision caused by these driver mistakes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 29 - A sedan hit an e-bike turning left on 4 Avenue. Both e-bike riders suffered leg injuries. Police cite traffic control disregarded and improper turn by the e-bike driver. The sedan’s front end was damaged.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 4 Avenue collided with an e-bike making a left turn at Bay Ridge Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike carried two people: a 41-year-old male driver and a 40-year-old female passenger. Both suffered knee, lower leg, and foot injuries; the passenger had a fracture and dislocation. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Turning Improperly' as driver errors by the e-bike operator. Neither e-bike occupant wore safety equipment. The sedan, driven by a licensed male, sustained center front-end damage. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649541 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - A sedan turning left hit a bicyclist going straight on 86 Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist, 34, suffered a head abrasion but was conscious. The driver’s view was obstructed, and traffic control was disregarded. The bike rider wore no helmet.

According to the police report, a 2021 sedan traveling north on 86 Street made a left turn and collided with a bicyclist traveling east. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old man, sustained a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, indicating driver error in failing to yield or properly observe traffic controls. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. The impact occurred at the sedan’s center front end and the bike’s right side doors. The cyclist was not ejected from the bike. The crash highlights dangers from obstructed views and ignored traffic signals in Brooklyn’s 86 Street corridor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648896 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 25 - A 71-year-old woman was struck by an SUV in Brooklyn while crossing outside a crosswalk. The driver made a right turn with limited view. The pedestrian suffered a hip and upper leg contusion but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old female pedestrian was injured when an SUV made a right turn in Brooklyn near 6402 9 Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the contributing factor twice, indicating the driver's limited visibility. The point of impact was the right rear quarter panel of the SUV. The pedestrian sustained a contusion to her hip and upper leg but was conscious after the crash. No damage was reported to the vehicle. The report does not indicate any pedestrian error or helmet use. The crash highlights the dangers posed by obstructed views during vehicle turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648659 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 21 - New York stands firm on congestion pricing. New Jersey sues. Assemblymember Carroll calls the suit a stunt. Officials defend the plan’s review. The fight is sharp. Streets remain dangerous. Vulnerable road users wait for real change.

On July 21, 2023, Assemblymember Robert Carroll (District 44) responded to New Jersey’s lawsuit against New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, titled “New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,” saw Carroll label the suit a 'stunt' and accuse Governor Murphy of ignoring environmental and quality-of-life concerns. State Senator Andrew Gounardes called the lawsuit a cynical move to control New York’s roads. MTA officials, including John McCarthy, defended the environmental review, citing extensive outreach and public hearings. The bill’s status is an official response to legal challenge, not a council vote or committee action. No direct safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided. The debate underscores the ongoing struggle to make streets safer for those outside cars.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-07-21

Jul 21 - New York leaders stand firm on congestion pricing. They dismiss New Jersey’s lawsuit as political theater. Officials say the environmental review was thorough. The MTA promises mitigation for affected communities. The fight centers on who controls city streets and who pays the price.

On July 21, 2023, New York officials responded to a lawsuit from New Jersey over congestion pricing. The matter, titled 'New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,' saw Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember Robert Carroll defend the plan. Gounardes called the suit 'a cynical attempt' by New Jersey to interfere. Carroll labeled it 'a stunt.' MTA spokesperson John McCarthy said the environmental assessment 'covered every conceivable potential traffic, air quality, social and economic effect.' The MTA also pledged mitigation for environmental justice communities. The bill’s status is active, with strong support from New York’s leadership and ongoing opposition from New Jersey.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-21

Jul 19 - An e-bike tore through Shore Road. The rider struck a woman, ripping her leg. A teenage girl on the bike hit her head. Blood pooled. The driver did not see. The street fell silent. Two injured. Distraction and failure to yield led to pain.

A 34-year-old woman walking on Shore Road near 83rd Street in Brooklyn was struck by an e-bike. She suffered severe lacerations to her leg. A 17-year-old girl riding on the e-bike also sustained a serious head injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' were listed as contributing factors. The e-bike, traveling north, hit the pedestrian with its left front bumper. The report notes blood on the pavement and a silent street after the crash. No helmet or signal use was cited as a factor. The crash left two people hurt, both victims of driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646986 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 18 - A 64-year-old woman was struck by an SUV while crossing outside a crosswalk in Brooklyn. The impact injured her head, causing bruising. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash. The driver was traveling straight south when the collision occurred.

According to the police report, a 64-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2017 SUV struck her on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The driver, a licensed female, was traveling straight south when the vehicle's right front bumper hit the pedestrian. The report lists slippery pavement as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are noted. The pedestrian suffered a head injury with contusions and remained conscious. The crash highlights the dangers posed by road conditions and vehicle-pedestrian interactions outside designated crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647271 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19