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

Feb 19 - Trump killed congestion pricing. The MTA sued. Advocates warn: more cars, more crashes, dirtier air. Transit funding gutted. Disabled riders lose elevators. Streets grow deadlier. Politicians vow to fight. The city braces for gridlock and loss.

""By blocking this successful policy, Trump will be directly responsible for more traffic, more crashes, more polluted air, slower buses and less funding for our transit system," he continued. "This means no new station elevators for elderly and disabled riders, and no new subway signals to speed up commutes for working New Yorkers."" -- Andrew Gounardes

On February 19, 2025, the Trump administration withdrew federal approval for New York City's congestion pricing program. U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy cited burdens on working-class drivers and questioned the legality of using toll revenue for transit. The MTA immediately filed a lawsuit to challenge the move, arguing the program is settled law and already reduces congestion. State Senators Andrew Gounardes and Zellnor Myrie condemned the action, warning, 'Trump will be directly responsible for more traffic, more crashes, more polluted air, slower buses and less funding for our transit system.' The withdrawal aligns with New Jersey's opposition and threatens transit upgrades like elevators for elderly and disabled riders. Local officials and advocates say ending congestion pricing will harm vulnerable road users and worsen street danger.

• Trump Withdraws Federal Approval for Congestion Pricing, Blowing Hole in Transit Budget, as MTA Files Lawsuit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-19

Feb 18 - A BMW X5 veered off Belt Parkway near Exit 14. The SUV struck a tree. Marcus Joseph, 41, died at the scene. No passengers. No bystanders hurt. The crash left only silence and wreckage on the Brooklyn road.

NY Daily News (2025-02-18) reports Marcus Joseph, 41, died after his BMW X5 spun out of control on the Belt Parkway near Exit 14 in Starrett City, Brooklyn. Police said the SUV 'skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.' Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The article does not mention weather or road conditions. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed corridors like the Belt Parkway, where loss of control can prove fatal. No charges were filed. The report underscores the persistent risks for all road users on New York City highways.

• BMW Skids, Slams Tree On Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 14 - A distracted driver triggered a violent crash between an SUV and a sedan on 2 Ave in Brooklyn. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash, restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles struck front-left bumpers, halting traffic abruptly.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:40 a.m. on 2 Ave near 65 St in Brooklyn. The collision involved a 2023 SUV traveling south and a 2008 sedan heading north. The SUV was stopped in traffic when the crash happened. The point of impact was the left front bumper on both vehicles. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain proper focus. The sedan driver, a 48-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but was not ejected and was conscious. He was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed. The data highlights driver error as the cause, with no victim fault noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Two SUVs collided head-on on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The driver of one vehicle, a 62-year-old man, suffered head injuries and was semiconscious with minor bleeding. Police cited driver fatigue as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:10 AM on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway involving two SUVs traveling westbound. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead when they collided. The driver of one SUV, a 62-year-old male occupant, sustained head injuries and was semiconscious with minor bleeding. The report notes that the driver was wearing a lap belt and the airbag deployed. The primary contributing factor identified by police was driver fatigue or drowsiness. There were no indications of victim fault or other contributing factors listed. The impact points were the right front bumper on one vehicle and the center front end on the other, indicating a direct collision. This crash highlights the dangers of fatigued driving on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792255 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 11 - A distracted SUV driver changing lanes struck two sedans traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The impact injured a 33-year-old male sedan driver, who suffered chest contusions but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at 10:44. A 2022 Lexus SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, was changing lanes when it impacted the left rear quarter panel of the SUV and the right front quarter panels of two sedans traveling east. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, specifically noting 'Outside Car Distraction' for the injured sedan driver. The injured occupant, a 33-year-old male sedan driver, was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness, sustaining chest contusions. The collision highlights the dangers of lane changes distracted by external factors, leading to multi-vehicle impacts and serious occupant injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791988 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 9 - A 71-year-old woman crossing against the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn on 65th Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered lower leg injuries and shock. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield as causes.

According to the police report, a 2013 SUV traveling north on 65th Street in Brooklyn was making a left turn when it struck a 71-year-old female pedestrian crossing against the signal at the intersection. The impact occurred at the vehicle's center front end, causing injuries to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity rated at level 3. The pedestrian was reported to be in shock but had no visible complaints. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. The pedestrian's action of crossing against the signal is noted but the primary fault lies with the driver's errors as per the police data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791745 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 3 - A 24-year-old man suffered a fractured knee and dislocated lower leg after a collision involving two SUVs in Brooklyn. According to the police report, defective brakes on one vehicle contributed to the crash, resulting in serious pedestrian injuries.

At 14:05 in Brooklyn, a collision involving two sport utility vehicles caused serious injury to a 24-year-old male pedestrian. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Brakes Defective' on one of the vehicles. The pedestrian sustained a fractured and dislocated injury to his knee and lower leg, classified as injury severity 3. The report notes the pedestrian was conscious but seriously hurt. One SUV was traveling east going straight ahead, while the other was parked. The impact occurred at the center back end of the parked vehicle and the left front bumper of the moving SUV. Driver errors cited include the defective brakes, which directly contributed to the collision and subsequent pedestrian injury. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790235 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 2 - A pedestrian crossing with the signal was struck by a northbound moped on Fort Hamilton Parkway. The rider’s inattention and unsafe speed caused a hip and upper leg injury. The pedestrian remained conscious despite abrasions and serious trauma.

According to the police report, a moped traveling northbound on Fort Hamilton Parkway struck a pedestrian crossing at the intersection near 73rd Street. The pedestrian, a male, was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Unsafe Speed" as contributing factors on the moped operator's part. The pedestrian suffered a hip and upper leg injury classified as severity level 3, with abrasions noted. The moped’s point of impact was the center front end, but no vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted and speeding vehicle operators, even when pedestrians follow crossing signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789917 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 30 - In Brooklyn, two sedans collided in a rear-end crash. The driver of the struck vehicle suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles sustained center back end damage in the evening crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:38 in Brooklyn near 1157 79th Street. Two sedans traveling east collided, with one vehicle rear-ending the other. The driver of the struck sedan, a 30-year-old male wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, indicating the rear driver failed to maintain proper attention. Both vehicles sustained damage to their center back ends, consistent with a rear-end impact. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted driving in urban traffic conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789514 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 27 - Senate bill S 3387 demands complete street design in all DOT projects with state or federal funds. Streets must serve walkers, cyclists, and riders. No more car-first roads. Sponsors push for safer, fairer streets.

Senate bill S 3387, now in sponsorship, sits before the New York State Senate. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring inclusion of complete street design for state and local transportation projects subject to oversight by the department of transportation,' would force all DOT projects using state or federal funds to include complete street design. Senator Andrew Gounardes leads as primary sponsor, joined by Patricia Fahy, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and Liz Krueger. Their action aims to end car dominance and put vulnerable road users first. The bill was introduced January 27, 2025. No safety analyst note is available.

• File S 3387, Open States, Published 2025-01-27

Jan 26 - A cargo van turned left on Cropsey Avenue. It struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide. Gil died. The aide survived. No charges for the driver. Another senior lost to city traffic. The street remains dangerous for the old and frail.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn with her home health aide. According to the NYPD, 'a man driving a cargo van struck both of them while making a left turn.' Gil died from her injuries; her aide was hospitalized. Police did not arrest or charge the driver. The article notes that Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn this year, and cites Transportation Alternatives: '46 senior pedestrians were killed in car crashes across the city last year.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk seniors face on city streets, especially at intersections where turning vehicles endanger those crossing on foot.

• Elderly Woman Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-01-26

Jan 24 - Speed cameras slash reckless driving. At school zones, speeding drops 94 percent. But the program expires soon. DOT Commissioner Rodriguez urges Albany to act. State Sen. Gounardes backs expansion. Cameras save lives. Delay risks more deaths. Lawmakers hold the key.

Bill to reauthorize New York City's speed camera program is pending in Albany. The program, covering 750 school zones, needs state approval before June. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez calls speed cameras 'one of the most effective tools' to stop deadly driving. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who sponsored the last reauthorization, says, 'my bill to expand the speed camera program has saved lives.' The city wants stronger penalties for repeat offenders and action on license plate fraud, which lets millions of violations go unpunished. The report shows cameras cut speeding by 94 percent and reduce injuries and deaths. The program faces political hurdles, but the evidence is clear: speed cameras protect people on foot and bike. Lawmakers must decide whether to keep this life-saving tool.

• DOT to Albany: Don’t Forget to Reauthorize Our Life-Saving Speed Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-24

Jan 23 - Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Jan 21 - A taxi struck a sedan from behind on Brooklyn’s 72nd Street. The sedan’s female passenger suffered a back contusion. Both vehicles traveled westbound. The crash involved disregard for traffic control, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 72nd Street in Brooklyn at 8:58 AM. A 2022 taxi, traveling westbound, collided with the rear center of a 2012 sedan also heading west. The impact was at the center back end of the sedan and the center front end of the taxi. The sedan carried one female driver, and the taxi had two occupants. A 42-year-old female passenger in the sedan was injured, sustaining a back contusion and classified with injury severity level 3. She was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor twice, indicating driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers of driver failure to obey traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787348 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 21 - Senator Gounardes pushes S 2504. The bill hikes fines for repeat speed camera violations. It targets reckless drivers. The aim: slow cars, save lives. No direct safety impact noted yet.

Senate bill S 2504 was introduced on January 21, 2025, and is at the sponsorship stage. The bill, sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, proposes 'increasing fines for subsequent speed camera violations in the city of New York.' No committee referral or vote has occurred yet. Gounardes leads the push to penalize repeat offenders. There is no formal safety analyst note on the impact for vulnerable road users at this stage.

• File S 2504, Open States, Published 2025-01-21

Jan 17 - Two SUVs crashed on 92nd Street in Brooklyn. A distracted driver struck a turning car. Both drivers suffered neck injuries. Passengers were hurt. Driver inattention and unsafe speed caused the wreck.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at 21:48 on 92nd Street near Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. The eastbound SUV, driven by a man, struck the right side of a southbound SUV making a left turn. The report lists Driver Inattention/Distraction and Unsafe Speed as contributing factors. The eastbound driver suffered a neck contusion. A 62-year-old passenger in the turning SUV sustained whiplash. Both were restrained and conscious after the crash. The report highlights driver distraction and unsafe speed as the causes of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787331 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 16 - A distracted SUV driver struck a sedan from behind on Belt Parkway. The impact injured a 3-year-old passenger in the SUV, causing shoulder and upper arm contusions. The child was restrained and conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, the collision occurred on Belt Parkway around 6 p.m. A 2014 SUV traveling west struck the right rear quarter panel of a 2022 sedan also traveling west. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The SUV carried eight occupants, including a 3-year-old male passenger seated in the right rear, who sustained contusions to the shoulder and upper arm. The child was restrained with a lap belt and harness and remained conscious. The point of impact was the SUV's center back end and the sedan's right front bumper. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end impacts on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786291 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 15 - A 75-year-old woman was injured crossing Bay Ridge Parkway with the signal when a sedan struck her. She suffered facial contusions and bruises. The driver’s errors remain unspecified, highlighting ongoing dangers at Brooklyn intersections.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Bay Ridge Parkway and Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn around 2 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2020 Porsche sedan struck her. The victim sustained facial contusions and bruises, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the driver or the pedestrian. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly cited. The absence of identified driver errors in the report underscores the systemic risks pedestrians face even when crossing lawfully at signalized intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786021 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 13 - Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13