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

Aug 13 - A sedan turning left struck a northbound e-bike on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider, a 29-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police cited the sedan driver for failure to yield right-of-way. The rider wore a helmet.

According to the police report, a 2016 sedan making a left turn collided with a northbound e-bike on 3 Avenue near Bay Ridge Parkway in Brooklyn. The e-bike driver, a 29-year-old man, was injured with abrasions to his knee and lower leg but remained conscious and was not ejected. The point of impact was the sedan's left side doors and the e-bike's right front bumper. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor attributed to the sedan driver. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4555088 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 9 - StreetsPAC called for voters to oust State Sen. Kevin Parker. They backed Kaegan Mays-Williams for her push on protected bike lanes and bus network redesign. Parker ignored safety questions. StreetsPAC praised other candidates who fight for safer streets and transit.

On August 9, 2022, StreetsPAC, New York City's safe streets political action committee, issued an endorsement urging Central Brooklyn voters to retire State Sen. Kevin Parker. The group backed Kaegan Mays-Williams, citing her support for redesigning Brooklyn's bus network and expanding protected bike lanes. StreetsPAC Executive Director Eric McClure said, 'She supports redesigning Brooklyn's bus network to simplify routes and speed commutes.' Parker did not respond to StreetsPAC's request for information and has a record of negative incidents. Mays-Williams stressed the need for dependable public transit and safer cycling. StreetsPAC also highlighted the safety records of Andrew Gounardes, Angel Vasquez, Jabori Brisport, Rajiv Gowda, Christian Amato, and Kristen Gonzalez, noting their support for speed cameras, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and transit improvements. The endorsement signals a clear push for candidates who prioritize vulnerable road users.

• StreetsPAC to Central Brooklyn Voters: Retire State Sen. Kevin Parker Now!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-09

Aug 6 - A bicyclist riding north was struck on her left side by a parked SUV in Brooklyn. She suffered bruises and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The driver’s view was obstructed, contributing to the crash.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old female bicyclist was injured when a parked SUV struck her on the left side doors while both were traveling north near 9257 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and wearing a helmet. The report lists "View Obstructed/Limited" as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to see the bicyclist. The SUV was stationary before the crash, and the impact was on the vehicle's left side doors and the bike's center front end. No other driver errors or victim faults are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4552716 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 5 - A 36-year-old man was struck by an SUV on 82 Street near 4 Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruise and injury to his elbow and lower arm. The driver showed aggressive driving. The victim was not in the roadway at the time.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2015 SUV traveling south on 82 Street struck him off the roadway near 4 Avenue. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm, resulting in shock. The report lists aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors by the driver. The vehicle showed no damage despite the center front end impact. The pedestrian was not in the roadway when struck. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle under normal jurisdiction. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4552431 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - An 18-year-old male on an e-scooter was ejected and injured in a collision with a sedan on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The scooter driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The sedan struck the scooter’s right front bumper. Driver inexperience was a factor.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male operating an e-scooter was injured and ejected during a collision with a sedan traveling west on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver was going straight north when the sedan struck the scooter’s right front bumper with its left front bumper. The injured driver suffered knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was in shock. The report lists driver inexperience and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The sedan driver held a permit license. No safety equipment was used by the e-scooter driver. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as inexperience and distraction in mixed vehicle environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4551694 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 1 - Speed cameras now run all day, every day in New York City. The law ends the blackout. No more breaks for speeders. State Senator Andrew Gounardes led the charge. The city’s streets stay watched. Vulnerable lives get a fighting chance.

On August 1, 2022, a new law took effect expanding New York City’s speed camera program to operate 24/7. The bill, sponsored in the State Senate by Andrew Gounardes, passed in Albany and was signed by Governor Hochul in June. The measure extends the program for three years and ends the old rule that shut cameras off overnight and on weekends. The Department of Transportation has installed about 2,000 cameras in 750 school zones. The bill’s summary: 'expands the safety technology around the clock.' Gounardes said, 'Your right to speed does not supersede anyone’s rights to live on the streets safely.' Mayor Eric Adams joined advocates to celebrate, stating, 'A city that never sleeps deserves a camera system that won’t take a nap.' DOT data shows 59% of traffic deaths happened during off hours. The expansion aims to close that deadly gap.

• Whoa there! NYC speed cameras now stay on 24/7, amny.com, Published 2022-08-01

Jul 29 - A 20-year-old woman was hit by an SUV turning left on 65 Street in Brooklyn. She suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. No visible complaints were reported.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 65 Street at an intersection in Brooklyn. The driver, operating a 2016 Dodge SUV, was making a left turn and failed to yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. There was no damage to the vehicle, and no other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550582 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 29 - Sedan lost steering on Gowanus Expressway. Left rear passenger, a 25-year-old woman, suffered whole-body pain and shock. Impact crushed the left front bumper. System failed. Passenger hurt.

According to the police report, a 2018 Honda sedan traveling west on the Gowanus Expressway suffered a steering failure. The left rear passenger, a 25-year-old woman, was injured, reporting pain throughout her body and shock. The car's left front bumper took the impact and was damaged. The driver, a licensed man from Connecticut, was going straight ahead. The report lists 'Steering Failure' as the contributing factor. The injured passenger wore a lap belt and was not ejected. No other driver errors or victim factors were recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550718 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - An e-bike rider passed too closely by a parked bus on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider struck the bus’s right side door, suffering abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The rider was conscious and not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male e-bike rider was injured while passing a parked bus on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike collided with the right side doors of the bus, causing abrasions to the rider’s elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as the contributing factor. The rider was not wearing any safety equipment and was conscious after the crash. The bus and a taxi were both parked at the time of the collision. The e-bike rider was unlicensed. No other contributing factors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4549763 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 21 - A driver killed cyclist Wenntwen Porgho at a deadly Bronx intersection. No charges were filed. The spot is known for crashes, yet remains unchanged. Lawmakers blasted the lack of accountability. Another pedestrian, Monica Chen, was killed days earlier. Still, no charges.

On July 21, 2022, a driver killed cyclist Wenntwen Porgho at a dangerous Bronx intersection. The intersection, despite a history of crashes, has not been redesigned. No charges were filed against the driver, even though evidence suggested a failure to yield. Days earlier, Monica Chen, a pedestrian, was killed by a turning driver in Bay Ridge. Again, no charges. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and City Council Member Justin Brannan expressed outrage, stating, "We are both outraged that the epidemic of traffic violence continues and as a result, a 67 year old woman is dead." They pledged to press the Department of Transportation for more safety measures. The NYPD declined comment. The Bronx faces a surge in road deaths. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Driver Kills Cyclist in Deadly Bronx Yet is Not Charged — Part of a Surge in Road Violence, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-21

Jul 17 - A Ford SUV turned left at 7th Avenue and Ovington. The bumper struck a 67-year-old woman’s head as she crossed with the light. She died in the crosswalk. The driver failed to yield. Her body lay still on the hot pavement.

A 67-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 7th Avenue and Ovington Avenue when a Ford SUV made a left turn and struck her as she crossed with the signal. According to the police report, 'A Ford SUV turned left. A 67-year-old woman crossed with the light. The bumper struck her head. She died in the crosswalk. The driver did not yield.' The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The woman was in the crosswalk, following the signal. The SUV’s driver and multiple passengers were not physically injured. The crash highlights the deadly consequences when drivers fail to yield to pedestrians in New York City intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4547097 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - A sedan and SUV collided on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, 44, suffered arm abrasions. Both vehicles took front-end damage. Police cite driver distraction as a cause.

According to the police report, a sedan and an SUV collided on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan was heading south, the SUV east. The sedan driver, a 44-year-old man, was injured with abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front bumpers. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4546763 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 16 - Two sedans crashed on Belt Parkway near midnight. Unsafe lane changing sent a child to the hospital with a head injury. The driver suffered pain across her body. Both were in shock. Metal twisted. Sirens followed.

According to the police report, two sedans collided late at night on Belt Parkway. The crash happened during an unsafe lane change. A 27-year-old female driver suffered injuries to her entire body and was in shock. A 6-year-old male passenger in the same car sustained a head injury with minor bleeding and was also in shock. The report lists unsafe lane changing as the contributing factor. Both occupants wore lap belts and were not ejected. The BMW was struck on the left rear quarter panel; the Kia hit with its right front bumper. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4546544 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 15 - Governor Hochul signed a law forcing new drivers to study pedestrian and cyclist safety. The law adds these topics to pre-licensing courses and written exams. Senator Gounardes pushed the measure. Streets are not just for cars. The law takes effect January.

On July 15, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill mandating that new drivers in New York be tested on pedestrian and cyclist safety awareness. The measure, championed by State Senator Andrew Gounardes, requires pre-licensing courses and written exams to include instruction on the dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians. The bill's summary states it aims to 'educate drivers about the dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians and will create a thoughtful road culture going forward.' Gounardes sponsored the bill, which takes effect in January. Until now, the driver's manual offered only a single page on sharing the road. The law directs the state to consult law enforcement, advocates, and medical experts to shape the curriculum. Hochul said, 'This law will help prevent crashes and save lives.'

• Hochul signs bill mandating new NY drivers be tested on cyclist and pedestrian safety awareness, gothamist.com, Published 2022-07-15

Jul 15 - Gov. Hochul signed a law forcing new drivers to learn about pedestrian and cyclist safety. The law closes a deadly gap in driver education. Assemblymember Gallagher and Senator Gounardes led the push. The change targets inexperience behind the wheel. Lives are at stake.

On July 15, 2022, Governor Hochul signed a law requiring cyclist and pedestrian safety awareness in New York's driver licensing process. The bill, led by Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and Senator Andrew Gounardes, updates the five-hour pre-licensing course and driver's manual. The matter summary states: 'The law addresses a longstanding gap in driver education, which had previously left generations of motorists with little awareness of road-sharing with pedestrians and cyclists.' Gov. Hochul said, 'It is common sense to make pedestrian and bike safety education mandatory for drivers.' Gounardes noted that driver instruction had not kept pace with the growing presence of cyclists and micro-mobility users. In 2021, driver inexperience contributed to over 2,500 injury crashes in NYC. The law took 11 years to pass, reflecting persistent advocacy for vulnerable road users.

• Gov. Hochul Signs Law Adding Cyclist and Pedestrian Safety Awareness to Driver’s License Requirements, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-15

Jul 14 - A moped struck an SUV on Wakeman Place. The unlicensed rider flew off, head split, blood pooling. He lay semiconscious in the dark street. Driver inattention and traffic control ignored. The night swallowed the scene. The city moved on.

A violent crash unfolded at Wakeman Place and Ridge Boulevard in Brooklyn. A moped, heading south, collided head-on with an SUV traveling east. The 34-year-old unlicensed moped rider was ejected, suffering severe head injuries and heavy bleeding. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' were listed as contributing factors. The moped rider wore no helmet. The SUV driver, a 55-year-old man, was not injured. The crash left the moped rider semiconscious in the street. The report details a scene marked by blood and silence, with systemic failures and driver errors at the core.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4547727 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 14 - A BMW struck a northbound cyclist at 78th Street and 3rd Avenue. The rider flew. His head split. Blood pooled. The bike lay crushed. The car’s front end crumpled. The cyclist, 39, was conscious but badly hurt. Night. Brooklyn. Metal and flesh.

A BMW sedan hit a northbound cyclist at the corner of 78th Street and 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash happened at 1:55 a.m. The cyclist, age 39, was thrown from his bike. His head was severely lacerated. Blood pooled on the street. The BMW’s front end crumpled. The bike was crushed. The cyclist was conscious at the scene. Police list 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Unspecified' as contributing factors. The report notes the cyclist wore no helmet, but this is mentioned only after the crash details. No injuries were reported for the BMW’s driver or passenger. The scene was chaos. The toll was clear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4545941 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 8 - Drunk drivers who kill a parent may pay child support for up to 18 years. Lawmakers Gounardes and Meeks push bills to force accountability. Few drivers face these charges now. The aim: make killers pay, not just serve time.

""If you drive recklessly, you are going to be held accountable,"" -- Andrew Gounardes

Senate bill, drafted by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Demond Meeks, would require convicted drunk drivers who kill a custodial parent to pay child support until the victim’s children turn 18. The proposal, announced July 8, 2022, mirrors a Tennessee law. The bill targets drivers convicted of vehicular manslaughter (first or second degree) or aggravated vehicular homicide. Gounardes said, 'If you drive recklessly, you are going to be held accountable.' He stressed the lack of accountability and financial compensation for victims’ families. The bill is limited to drunk drivers for now, but Gounardes hopes to expand it to all reckless drivers who kill. Few drivers are convicted under these charges in New York City. The measure sends a clear message: kill a parent, pay for it—literally and for years.

• Drunk Drivers Who Kill Could Be Paying for their Crime for Almost 20 Years, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-08

Jul 5 - A sedan traveling south on 7 Avenue collided with a parked vehicle. The driver, a 54-year-old woman, suffered unspecified injuries and shock. The impact damaged the left front quarter panel of the sedan. No other injuries reported.

According to the police report, a 2005 Subaru sedan traveling south on 7 Avenue struck a parked vehicle. The driver, a 54-year-old woman, was injured with unspecified severity and experienced shock. The sedan sustained damage to its left front quarter panel. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The parked vehicle had no occupants at the time. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The driver was licensed in New York. The collision occurred at 16:32. No ejections or safety equipment details were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543661 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 3 - A two-year-old girl was injured crossing a Brooklyn street. She suffered abrasions and leg injuries. The sedan involved showed no damage. The child was conscious and treated for lower leg wounds. The crash occurred away from an intersection.

According to the police report, a two-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 310 73 Street in Brooklyn. She sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was engaged in other actions in the roadway. The sedan involved, driven by a licensed male driver traveling west and going straight ahead, showed no damage and had no point of impact recorded. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The child was conscious at the scene. No safety equipment or helmet use was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543067 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19