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

Dec 15 - A 75-year-old woman suffered full-body abrasions after a forklift backed into her on 9 Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver failed to notice her presence, causing injury and shock. The forklift’s left rear bumper hit her outside the roadway.

According to the police report, a forklift traveling south on 9 Avenue in Brooklyn backed unsafely and struck a 75-year-old female pedestrian who was not in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained abrasions over her entire body and was in shock. The point of impact was the forklift’s center back end, damaging the left rear bumper. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with unsafe backing. The pedestrian’s location and actions did not contribute to the crash. The driver was licensed and operating a 2020 Yale forklift. No safety equipment or victim fault is mentioned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590080 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 14 - Drivers hide plates. Cameras miss them. Streets stay dangerous. Senator Gounardes pushes a bill to pay citizens for reporting illegal plates. Police claim action, but advocates see little change. The bill sits in committee. Ghost cars keep rolling.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes introduced a bill in 2022 to reward citizens who report illegal license plates. The bill remains in committee. The measure would give whistleblowers 25% of the ticket, up to $75. The matter targets drivers who obscure or remove plates to dodge automated enforcement. As city and state agencies rely more on cameras to catch speeders and red-light runners, more drivers hide their plates. The Department of Transportation says cameras failed to ticket over 4% of violators last fall, up from 1% in 2019. Advocates accuse police of lax enforcement and even breaking the law themselves. Gounardes’s bill, still stalled, aims to close this loophole and put power in the hands of citizens. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while enforcement lags.

• Guerilla activists fight back against NYC drivers who hide license plates to evade tolls and tickets, gothamist.com, Published 2022-12-14

Dec 6 - An 11-year-old boy was hit by an SUV making a left turn on Bay 7 Street. The child was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver was licensed.

According to the police report, a female driver operating a 2004 SUV was making a left turn on Bay 7 Street when she struck an 11-year-old male pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian was not ejected but suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield. The pedestrian was not wearing any safety equipment. The driver was licensed in New York and traveling north at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4588025 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 1 - Police arrested Adam White for removing plastic from a hidden plate. Charges dropped. Council Member Restler pushes Int. 501: fines for blocking lanes, rewards for civilian reporting. Politicians call for accountability. Defaced plates shield reckless drivers. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 1, 2022, Brooklyn Council Member Lincoln Restler renewed his push for Int. 501, a bill to fine drivers $175 for blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants near schools, and to reward civilians with 25% of the fine for reporting violations. The matter arose after attorney Adam White was arrested for removing plastic from an obscured license plate; charges were later dropped by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, citing 'insufficient evidence.' The bill, discussed at a press conference, aims to crack down on license plate defacement and illegal parking, which Restler says is rampant among city workers and police. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes introduced a similar bill at the state level. Both lawmakers stress the need for public accountability and tougher enforcement to protect vulnerable road users from drivers who evade responsibility.

• Attorney Arrested for ‘Criminal Mischief’ Charge Will Sue Driver for Wrongful Arrest, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-01

Nov 25 - A sedan struck the right front bumper into an object on Belt Parkway. The front passenger, a 33-year-old woman, suffered a head abrasion. The driver was speeding. The passenger was restrained and conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 2018 Infiniti sedan traveling east on Belt Parkway crashed with impact on the right front bumper. The front passenger, a 33-year-old woman, was injured with a head abrasion but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The driver, a male with a learner's permit, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The passenger was not ejected and suffered moderate injury severity.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4584537 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 19 - Two SUVs collided in Brooklyn on 81st Street. The 18-year-old driver suffered a bruised elbow and lower arm injury. The crash involved left-side impact and driver distraction. Both vehicles were traveling east when the collision occurred.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 81st Street in Brooklyn. The 18-year-old male driver of one SUV was injured, sustaining contusions and bruises to his elbow and lower arm. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The crash occurred as one vehicle was going straight ahead and the other was merging, with impact on the left side doors of one SUV and the right front bumper of the other. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4582928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 18 - Two sedans crashed on Cropsey Avenue. One driver made a left turn into the path of the other going straight. Two passengers suffered bruises to face and chest. Both were conscious and restrained. Front-end damage marked the violent impact.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Cropsey Avenue when one driver was making a left turn and the other was traveling straight ahead. The impact occurred at the front ends of both vehicles. Two passengers were injured: an 18-year-old female in the left rear seat with facial contusions, and a 73-year-old female front passenger with chest contusions. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. The report lists no specific contributing factors but notes the left-turning driver’s action as a key element. No ejections occurred. The crash caused center front-end damage to one sedan and left front bumper damage to the other.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4585005 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 17 - Lawmakers and advocates rallied in Manhattan. They demanded more money for the MTA. They want six-minute bus and subway service. They warned against service cuts and fare hikes. They called for gas tax revenue to fund transit. Riders need safe, frequent service.

On November 17, 2022, state legislators and transit advocates pressed for increased MTA funding and six-minute off-peak service. The push comes ahead of the next budget cycle. Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani and Amanda Septimo, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher led the call. Mamdani said, 'If we implement six-minute service, the consequences would be felt for riders across all aspects of their life.' Septimo called transit an economic and racial justice issue. Gounardes urged the governor to include MTA funding in the initial budget. Gallagher criticized the gas tax holiday, urging funds go to transit. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber warned that cuts or fare hikes would devastate working- and middle-class New Yorkers. The group demanded action to protect and improve transit for all riders.

• Legislators and Advocates Press Case For MTA Rescue And Six-Minute Service, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-17

Nov 13 - A 34-year-old woman was struck while crossing Colonial Road with the signal. The sedan driver was making a right turn and distracted. The pedestrian suffered a hip and upper leg contusion. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Colonial Road at an intersection in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a sedan traveling north made a right turn and struck her. The driver was cited for inattention and distraction. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage from the impact. Driver inattention was the primary contributing factor in this crash. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581355 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 11 - An e-bike rider suffered a head contusion after colliding with a vehicle making a right turn. The crash occurred on 67 Street. The driver’s inattention caused the impact. No vehicle damage was reported. The rider remained conscious but injured.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old female e-bike rider was injured in a crash on 67 Street. The rider sustained a head contusion but was conscious and not ejected. The other vehicle involved was making a right turn. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. No damage was recorded on either vehicle. The e-bike rider was going straight ahead when the crash occurred. The report does not specify any contributing factors related to the rider or safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers to vulnerable road users like cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580932 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 8 - A 50-year-old woman was struck at a Brooklyn intersection. The sedan made a left turn and hit her with its right front bumper. She suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver failed to yield and was distracted.

According to the police report, a 50-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing with the signal at an intersection in Brooklyn. The driver of a 2016 Toyota sedan was making a left turn when the collision occurred, impacting the pedestrian with the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580179 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 5 - Two sedans crashed at 7 Avenue. One driver made a left turn. Both failed to yield right-of-way. A 74-year-old front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Impact hit left side doors and front bumper. Both drivers licensed and conscious.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 7 Avenue. One vehicle was traveling west straight ahead, the other making a left turn eastbound. Both drivers failed to yield right-of-way, contributing to the crash. A 74-year-old male front passenger was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The impact occurred on the left side doors of one sedan and the left front bumper of the other. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary driver error. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579749 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 5 - A sedan struck a 35-year-old male bicyclist traveling east on 3 Avenue. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver was distracted. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on 3 Avenue collided with a bicyclist going straight ahead eastbound. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old man, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The point of impact was the sedan's center front end striking the bike. The driver held a valid New York license. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579022 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 30 - A 19-year-old woman was hit by a bike on 86 Street in Brooklyn. She suffered bruises and injuries to her hip and upper leg. The driver was distracted and inexperienced. The pedestrian was off the roadway and conscious after the impact.

According to the police report, a bike traveling east on 86 Street struck a 19-year-old female pedestrian who was not in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors to the crash. The bike's center front end was the point of impact, indicating a direct collision. No other vehicles or safety equipment were involved or noted. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was not at fault in the incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4577175 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 28 - A sedan struck an e-bike on 77 Street in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider suffered abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver disregarded traffic control. The sedan showed front-end damage. The e-bike rider was not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 77 Street in Brooklyn involving a sedan and an e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 40-year-old man, was injured with abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error by the sedan operator. The sedan sustained damage to its center front end. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet and was not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors were specified. The crash involved the sedan traveling east and the e-bike traveling north, both going straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4576927 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 24 - An 86-year-old woman crossed Bay Ridge Parkway with the signal. A sedan turned left and hit her. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious, head bleeding. The driver was distracted. The car showed no damage. The street bore the mark.

An 86-year-old woman was struck while crossing Bay Ridge Parkway at 12th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when a sedan, making a left turn, hit her. She suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The report states, 'The driver was distracted.' Contributing factors listed include 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The sedan sustained no damage. The data shows the pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The crash left blood on the street, marking another day of danger for those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 22 - Three sedans slammed together on Belt Parkway. Rear-end impacts left a 57-year-old woman bruised and hurt. Police cite following too closely. Metal crumpled. Airbags fired. No one thrown from cars.

According to the police report, three sedans traveling west on Belt Parkway crashed in a chain-reaction. All drivers were slowing or stopping when the collisions struck. A 57-year-old female driver suffered contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the cause. The vehicles took damage to their front and rear ends. The injured driver was conscious, restrained by a lap belt and harness, and protected by airbags. No one was ejected. The crash shows the danger when drivers fail to keep enough distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575849 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 21 - 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

Oct 13 - Two sedans crashed head-on on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Both drivers were men, traveling west. One driver suffered bruises and arm injuries. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage. The crash left one man injured but conscious.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, both traveling west. The impact occurred at the center front end of one vehicle and the right rear bumper of the other. One driver, a 47-year-old man, was injured with contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no clear driver errors identified. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles, with front and rear impacts noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572365 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 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