Brooklyn Bleeds While Leaders Stall: Demand Safe Streets Now

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 2025-09-19

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 2025-09-19

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 2025-09-19

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 2025-09-19

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 2025-09-19

Feb 1 - A 27-year-old unlicensed motorcyclist was ejected and injured in a Brooklyn collision. The motorcycle struck a sedan starting from parking, suffering front-end damage. Failure to yield right-of-way by the motorcyclist caused the crash, according to police.

At 8:22 p.m. in Brooklyn near 1684 86th Street, a collision occurred involving a motorcycle and a sedan. According to the police report, the motorcycle driver, a 27-year-old male, was unlicensed and failed to yield right-of-way, contributing to the crash. The motorcyclist was ejected from the vehicle and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, with a complaint of pain or nausea. The sedan, a 2015 BMW, was starting from parking when the collision occurred, impacting its left front quarter panel. The motorcycle suffered damage to its center front end. The report highlights the motorcyclist's failure to yield as a key factor, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789967 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 26 - A 74-year-old woman suffered bruises and leg injuries after a sedan struck her while she was getting on or off a vehicle. The driver’s inattention caused the impact, leaving the pedestrian injured but conscious on Shore Parkway in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, a 74-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2022 Toyota sedan traveling east on Shore Parkway struck her on the right rear quarter panel. The pedestrian was getting on or off a vehicle other than a school bus at the time of the collision. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The sedan showed no vehicle damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. No pedestrian errors or contributing factors were noted in the report. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving to vulnerable road users in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788270 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 - A Ford SUV swung left at Cropsey and 24th. Its bumper struck a 95-year-old woman’s head. She fell, blood pooling on cold pavement. She died in the street, winter sky above, another life ended by steel and speed.

At the intersection of Cropsey Avenue and 24th Avenue, a Ford SUV making a left turn struck a 95-year-old woman, according to the police report. The vehicle’s left front bumper hit the woman’s head, causing her to fall and suffer severe bleeding. She died at the scene. The police report notes the SUV was making a left turn when the impact occurred, and describes the pedestrian as being at the intersection. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are explicitly cited, but the narrative details the SUV’s movement and the fatal contact. The victim’s actions are described only as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' with no indication of contributing behavior. The focus remains on the lethal outcome of a turning vehicle meeting a vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788054 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 17 - A 2010 Honda crashed into a parked Jeep on the Belt Parkway ramp. The driver, 23, died alone. His head struck hard, airbags burst, seatbelt held. The ramp was empty, the night silent. No one else was hurt.

A fatal crash unfolded on the Belt Parkway ramp when a 2010 Honda sedan collided with a parked 2023 Jeep SUV, according to the police report. The report states, 'A 2010 Honda slammed into a parked Jeep. The driver's head struck hard. Airbags burst. The man, 23, died alone in the dark. His seatbelt held. The ramp stayed still. No one else was there.' The sole occupant, a 23-year-old male driver, suffered fatal head injuries. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The Jeep was unoccupied and stationary at the time of the collision. The report notes the driver was restrained and airbags deployed, but does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash left the ramp empty and silent, underscoring the lethal consequences when a moving vehicle collides with a stationary one.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786429 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 13 - A driver, distracted and inattentive, struck a 28-year-old man crossing Dahill Road at a marked crosswalk. The impact shattered the pedestrian’s lower leg. Fractures and dislocations followed. The street ran red with danger.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old pedestrian was crossing Dahill Road at a marked crosswalk in Brooklyn when a vehicle traveling eastbound struck him at 23:07. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations, but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The driver was going straight ahead and failed to maintain attention, leading to the collision. No other driver errors or victim actions contributed, as per the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 9 - Unlicensed taxi driver ran traffic control on 14 Ave, slammed into a sedan and parked cars. Front passenger in sedan suffered neck whiplash. System failed to stop reckless driving. Metal twisted. Injuries followed.

According to the police report, an unlicensed taxi driver disregarded traffic control at 3:08 AM on 14 Ave in Brooklyn. The taxi, heading east, struck a southbound sedan and hit parked vehicles, including another taxi and an SUV. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The front passenger in the sedan, a 30-year-old man, suffered neck whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. He wore a lap belt and harness. No contributing factors are attributed to the injured passenger. The crash left multiple vehicles damaged and exposed the danger of unlicensed, inattentive drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784643 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 3 - A sedan driven by an inexperienced driver collided in Brooklyn, injuring both occupants. Both driver and front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash highlights dangers posed by driver inexperience on city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 74th Street near 17th Avenue in Brooklyn at 8:07 PM. The vehicle involved was a sedan traveling north, driven by a 33-year-old male with a valid New York license. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the collision. Both the driver and the 23-year-old male front passenger were injured with neck injuries and complaints of whiplash. Both occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and remained conscious. The collision impacted the sedan's right rear bumper and center back end. The report does not cite any pedestrian or cyclist involvement or victim behaviors. The crash underscores the risks posed by inexperienced drivers operating vehicles in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783915 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 1 - A speeding SUV struck a motorcycle head-on on 86th Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver suffered knee and lower leg abrasions but remained conscious. The SUV driver was cited for unsafe speed, highlighting reckless driving as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:54 on 86th Street near 17th Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision involved a 2022 Ford SUV and a motorcycle, both traveling eastbound. The SUV impacted the motorcycle on its left side doors, with the motorcycle's center front end taking the impact. The SUV driver, a 29-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt, was cited for 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The motorcycle driver, also the sole occupant, sustained injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, described as abrasions, but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report explicitly identifies unsafe speed by the SUV driver as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the motorcycle rider. This crash underscores the dangers of excessive speed in vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783159 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 1 - An 18-year-old pedestrian suffered upper arm injuries after an SUV made a left turn and struck her at an intersection. The driver’s inattention and disregard for traffic control led to the collision despite the pedestrian crossing lawfully.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Dahill Road near Avenue P in Brooklyn at 3:20 AM. The involved vehicle, a 2016 Honda SUV, was making a left turn when it struck an 18-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and upper arm injury and was in shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The SUV’s point of impact was the center front end, and no vehicle damage was reported. The driver’s failure to observe traffic controls and maintain attention directly caused the collision, underscoring systemic dangers posed by distracted driving at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783938 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 1 - A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

Dec 30 - A Tesla SUV traveling east on the Belt Parkway ramp crashed head-on, injuring both occupants. The driver and rear passenger suffered neck and back injuries. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, a 2024 Tesla SUV traveling eastbound on the Belt Parkway ramp collided frontally, causing injuries to both vehicle occupants. The driver, a 57-year-old woman, and the left rear passenger, a 62-year-old man, were both injured with complaints of pain and nausea, suffering neck and back injuries respectively. Both occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The vehicle sustained center front end damage. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782776 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19