Brooklyn Bleeds While Leaders Stall: Demand Safe Streets Now

Mar 4 - A pickup truck turned right at 72nd Street and 21st Avenue, striking a 64-year-old woman in the crosswalk. She lay unconscious, head split, limbs crushed. The driver, distracted, failed to yield. Blood pooled on Brooklyn pavement.

According to the police report, a pickup truck made a right turn at the corner of 72nd Street and 21st Avenue in Brooklyn and struck a 64-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. The report states she suffered severe head trauma and crush injuries to her limbs, and was found unconscious on the pavement. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver, licensed in New York, was operating a Pennsylvania-registered pickup and was reportedly looking elsewhere at the moment of impact. The pedestrian was crossing at the intersection with the signal, as noted in the report. The collision underscores the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield and pay attention at crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796531 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 3 - A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. It struck a man crouched in the road. The driver fled. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. Police are still investigating. Brooklyn’s streets claim more lives. The toll grows.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was 'crouched in the street to pick up food' when the northbound truck turned right and hit him, according to NYPD officials. The driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene. No arrests have been made. The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The article notes this crash followed two other recent fatal collisions in Brooklyn. The incident underscores persistent dangers for pedestrians and ongoing issues with drivers leaving crash scenes. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace.

• Dump Truck Kills Pedestrian In Williamsburg, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-03

Mar 2 - A man sped through a stop sign in Brownsville. His Mercedes hit a school bus. His passenger died. He ran from the wreck in a taxi. Police found him later. The victim’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged.

NY Daily News reported on March 2, 2025, that Tyree Epps, 32, drove a Mercedes-Benz without a license, ran a stop sign on Van Sinderen Ave, and crashed into a school bus. The article states, “After the crash, Epps hopped in a taxi and took off, leaving his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, in the front seat suffering severe head trauma.” Epps faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, and unlicensed driving. The bus driver survived. The crash exposes ongoing risks from unlicensed, reckless drivers and the persistent danger at city intersections. The victim’s family is left to grieve and organize a funeral, while the intersection remains a site of loss.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Fatal Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-02

Mar 1 - A 40-year-old woman suffered abrasions and arm injuries when an SUV made a right turn and struck her as she emerged from in front of a parked vehicle on W 6 St in Brooklyn. The impact hit the SUV’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, at 3:47 PM on W 6 St in Brooklyn, a 2017 Ford SUV traveling south made a right turn and struck a 40-year-old female pedestrian. The pedestrian was emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle when the SUV’s left front bumper made contact. The collision caused abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists the pedestrian’s contributing factors as unspecified and does not identify any driver contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the right turn maneuver. This crash underscores the risks posed by vehicle turns near parked cars, where pedestrians can be obscured and vulnerable to impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795854 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 1 - A Kia slammed into a Toyota on Stockholm Street. Hayden Wallace, 29, died. Two friends survived with critical wounds. The driver fled. Police arrested Christopher Seabrook. The crash left a new life cut short, a city shaken.

According to the NY Daily News (published March 1, 2025), Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested for the hit-and-run crash that killed Hayden Wallace, 29, in Bushwick on January 8, 2024. Seabrook allegedly crashed a Kia Sportage into a Toyota Yaris carrying Wallace and friends, then fled the scene on foot. Wallace died; two others were critically injured. The Toyota’s driver was also charged with driving without a license. Seabrook faces charges including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene. The article quotes Wallace’s aunt: “He lived life to the fullest. He was only 29 years old and lit up every room he entered.” The case highlights the deadly consequences of reckless driving and fleeing crash scenes in New York City.

• Bushwick Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-01

Feb 28 - A drunk driver blasted through a red light at 72 mph. He struck Katherine Harris, killing her steps from home. The car crashed on. Blood alcohol twice the limit. The street became a crime scene. Lives shattered in seconds.

NY Daily News reported on February 28, 2025, that Erick Trujillo, 29, was sentenced to three to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. On April 16, 2023, Trujillo drove his Volvo at 72 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a red light at Atlantic Ave and Clinton Street in Brooklyn. He struck pedestrian Katherine Harris, 31, killing her instantly, then rear-ended another car and crashed into an outdoor dining shed. Trujillo's blood alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "This defendant made a disastrous decision when he got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated." The case highlights the lethal consequences of impaired driving and excessive speed, underscoring systemic risks for pedestrians in New York City.

• Drunk Driver Speeds, Kills Pedestrian in Brooklyn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-28

Feb 27 - Two sedans traveling straight collided at Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. The impact struck the right front areas of both vehicles. Both drivers and passengers sustained injuries including fractures and abrasions. Airbags deployed and seat belts were in use.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling straight ahead collided on Bay Parkway near Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn at 3:07 PM. The point of impact was the right front bumper of one sedan and the right front quarter panel of the other. Both vehicles were occupied by male drivers and passengers. The driver of the 2020 Ford sedan was conscious with head abrasions; his airbag deployed and he wore a lap belt and harness. The front passenger in the same vehicle suffered a fracture and dislocation to the elbow, lower arm, and hand, secured by a lap belt and harness. The report does not list specific driver errors or contributing factors, only unspecified factors for the passenger. The collision caused significant vehicle damage and multiple injuries without ejections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795294 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 26 - A sedan executing a U-turn struck a moped rider traveling straight on Bath Avenue in Brooklyn. The moped driver, helmeted and conscious, suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:40 on Bath Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan, traveling east and making a U-turn, collided with a moped traveling westbound. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper and the moped's center front end. The moped driver, a 27-year-old male occupant riding with a helmet, was injured with contusions and upper arm and shoulder injuries but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor attributed to the sedan driver. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the maneuver. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. Vehicle damage was consistent with the described impact points.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795136 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 25 - Two SUVs slammed together on Belt Parkway. Six people hurt. Impact tore metal, sent necks snapping. Air bags burst. All injured stayed conscious. No cause named. Night, speed, steel, pain.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Belt Parkway in Brooklyn just after midnight. One SUV was merging, the other going straight. The crash struck the left rear quarter panel and left front bumper. Six occupants were injured: a male driver, a female front passenger, and four teenage girls in the rear seats. All suffered neck and shoulder injuries, including whiplash and contusions. Air bags deployed. The police report lists contributing factors as 'unspecified.' No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash unfolded during merging and straight travel, with no further driver errors detailed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795849 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 18 - A moped traveling north struck an e-scooter making a left turn southbound on Avenue P in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver suffered a fractured elbow and hand injuries. Police cited driver inexperience and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:50 on Avenue P in Brooklyn. A moped traveling straight north collided head-on with an e-scooter making a left turn southbound. The e-scooter driver, a 35-year-old male, sustained serious injuries including a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the collision. Both vehicles sustained damage to their center front ends. The e-scooter driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not indicate any victim fault or helmet use. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in managing complex interactions between motorized personal vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793951 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 18 - SUV turned left at speed, struck cyclist riding straight. Cyclist hit, left bruised and battered in Brooklyn. Police cite unsafe speed. Impact tore into bike’s front, SUV’s side. System failed the vulnerable.

According to the police report, an SUV making a left turn collided with a southbound bicyclist near 1821 W 4 St in Brooklyn at 14:01. The SUV’s left side doors struck the bike’s front end. The cyclist, a 30-year-old man, suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. No cyclist errors were cited. The crash underscores driver error—unsafe speed during a left turn—leading to serious injury for a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793468 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 16 - Two SUVs collided on Belt Parkway. The lead driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and distraction. Both vehicles damaged. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, two SUVs traveling east on Belt Parkway crashed when one struck the other from behind. The lead driver, a 40-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and whiplash. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both drivers. The lead SUV was hit on the left rear bumper and quarter panel; the striking SUV sustained front-end damage. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report highlights distraction and inattention as the causes, with no mention of victim fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793031 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 14 - A 61-year-old man driving west on Cropsey Avenue struck two parked sedans. The impact damaged the right front bumper of his vehicle and the rear panels of the parked cars. The driver suffered a neck contusion and bruising but remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:30 in Brooklyn on Cropsey Avenue. The driver, a 61-year-old male occupant of a 2001 Ford sedan, was traveling westbound when he collided with two parked sedans. The point of impact was the right front bumper of his vehicle, which struck the left rear bumper of one parked sedan and the right rear bumper of another. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated twice for emphasis. The driver was injured, sustaining a neck contusion and bruising, but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the parked vehicles or victim behavior, focusing solely on the driver's inattention as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792611 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 12 - A sedan traveling north struck an e-scooter heading west on Shore Parkway. The e-scooter driver was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The sedan’s right front quarter panel was damaged. Driver inattention caused the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Shore Parkway in Brooklyn involving a 2022 Toyota sedan and an e-scooter. The sedan was traveling north, and the e-scooter was moving west, both going straight ahead. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front quarter panel and the e-scooter’s center front end. The e-scooter driver, a 28-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the sedan driver’s failure to maintain focus led to the crash. No victim behaviors or helmet use were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793027 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 11 - A sedan making a left turn struck a 25-year-old man crossing 20 Avenue with the signal in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:27 on 20 Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling south was making a left turn when it struck a 25-year-old male pedestrian crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor attributed to the vehicle driver. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact at the center front end. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing factors, and the collision highlights a driver error in yielding to a pedestrian lawfully crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792454 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 8 - Two sedans collided on 21 Ave in Brooklyn. The driver of the rear vehicle suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound when the crash occurred late at night.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling eastbound on 21 Ave in Brooklyn collided at 21:45. The rear vehicle, a 2015 Honda with a female licensed driver, struck the center back end of the front 2006 Toyota sedan. The point of impact was the center front end of the lead vehicle and the center back end of the rear vehicle. The driver of the rear sedan sustained back injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision caused damage to the right front bumper of the lead vehicle and the center back end of the rear vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792014 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 6 - A 44-year-old woman crossing Kings Hwy at a marked crosswalk was struck by a southbound sedan making a left turn. The vehicle passed too closely, hitting her right front quarter panel. She suffered knee and lower leg contusions but remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Kings Hwy near Van Sicklen St in Brooklyn at 8:15 AM. A 44-year-old female pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal when a southbound 2012 Ford sedan was making a left turn. The vehicle's contributing factor was 'Passing Too Closely,' cited twice in the report, indicating the driver failed to maintain safe distance from the pedestrian. The point of impact was the sedan's right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report highlights driver error in passing too closely as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 2 - A sedan struck a 21-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on 20 Ave in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected, suffering head injuries and shock. The driver disregarded traffic control, causing the collision and serious injury to the bicyclist.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:19 on 20 Ave in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling west struck a northbound bicyclist with its left front bumper. The bicyclist, a 21-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained head injuries and shock, with a complaint of pain or nausea. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The sedan showed no damage, while the bike had damage to its center front end. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead. The collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers ignoring traffic controls, resulting in severe injuries to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04