She Survived Nazis and Chernobyl—But Not a Brooklyn Crosswalk

Dec 13 - A multi-vehicle crash on Shore Parkway involved a chain reaction of rear-end impacts. A 27-year-old female driver suffered a head contusion. Police cite repeated following too closely and outside car distraction as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Shore Parkway around 8:00 AM, involving multiple vehicles traveling eastbound. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as a repeated contributing factor, along with 'Outside Car Distraction.' The 27-year-old female driver of a 2022 sedan was injured, sustaining a head contusion and bruising. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time. The point of impact was the center back end of her vehicle, indicating a rear-end collision. The chain reaction involved several SUVs and sedans, all traveling straight ahead, with damage concentrated at the center front and back ends of the vehicles. The police report highlights driver errors related to maintaining unsafe following distances and distraction outside the vehicle as primary causes, with no victim fault indicated.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778847 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 12 - A box truck turned right on Brighton Beach Avenue. Its bumper struck a young woman crossing. Blood pooled on the pavement. She stayed conscious, leg torn open. The truck stood silent, metal clean. The street bore the wound.

According to the police report, a box truck was making a right turn at Brighton Beach Avenue and Brighton 7th Street when its right front bumper struck a 27-year-old woman crossing the intersection. The report notes 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to her knee and lower leg, remaining conscious at the scene. The narrative describes blood on the pavement and the truck coming to a stop with no visible damage. The police report also states the pedestrian was 'crossing against the light,' but the primary cited cause remains driver inattention. The collision highlights the lethal consequences when large vehicles and vulnerable road users meet at busy Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 11 - A 48-year-old woman crossing with the signal on Mermaid Avenue suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The vehicle struck her center front end. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience as key factors in the Brooklyn crash at 5:30 p.m.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Mermaid Avenue and West 17th Street in Brooklyn around 5:30 p.m. The 48-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a vehicle traveling south struck her with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front end, indicating a direct collision with the pedestrian. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted, emphasizing driver error as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778199 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 5 - Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Dec 4 - A sedan traveling west on Mermaid Avenue struck a 56-year-old female pedestrian. She suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver showed no vehicle damage, and pedestrian factors remain unspecified.

According to the police report, a 2022 Toyota sedan driven by a licensed male driver was traveling straight west on Mermaid Avenue in Brooklyn around 9:30 AM when it struck a 56-year-old female pedestrian. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises, classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle showed no damage and the point of impact reported was 'No Damage,' indicating a possible low-impact collision. The report lists contributing factors for the pedestrian as 'Unspecified' and does not cite any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian's location and actions are also marked as 'Does Not Apply,' providing no indication of victim fault. The focus remains on the collision circumstances, with no driver violations explicitly noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776525 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 3 - A 13-year-old girl crossing with the signal was struck by a northbound sedan on Coney Island Avenue. The impact caused contusions and hip-upper leg injuries. The driver’s inattention was cited as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn around 5:50 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a northbound sedan struck her on the left front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to the hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in areas where pedestrians are legally crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778200 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 28 - Two sedans collided on W 28 St near Mermaid Ave. The rear driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cite inattention and inexperience as causes. Impact struck the lead car’s center back end.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on W 28 St near Mermaid Ave in Brooklyn collided when the rear vehicle struck the center back end of the lead car. The rear driver, a 33-year-old man, was injured with back pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed men. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775243 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 27 - A driver struck three cars in Bed-Stuy. She dragged a person, hit a vehicle with a pregnant woman, then crashed into an empty car. No life-threatening injuries. Police arrested her at the scene. Charges include assault and reckless endangerment.

Gothamist reported on November 27, 2024, that a New York City Housing Authority employee was arrested after a chaotic crash in Brooklyn. According to police, the driver, Tanisha Simpson, "swiped an oncoming car," then "drove away, dragging the person several feet and hitting another car with a pregnant woman inside." She struck a third, empty car before New York City Sheriffs arrested her nearby. The pregnant woman was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but no serious injuries were reported. Simpson faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene. The incident highlights the dangers of hit-and-run behavior and the risks faced by vulnerable road users at busy intersections.

• Three-Car Brooklyn Crash Sparks Arrest, Gothamist, Published 2024-11-27

Nov 21 - A sedan turning left on Coney Island Avenue struck two pedestrians at an intersection in Brooklyn. Both victims, a 21-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man, suffered chest and abdominal injuries. The driver’s improper turn caused the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:00 PM on Coney Island Avenue near Brighton 10 Terrace in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling south was making a left turn when it struck two pedestrians standing at the intersection. Both victims, a 21-year-old female and a 20-year-old male, were injured with chest and abdominal trauma respectively, and were in shock. The report identifies 'Turning Improperly' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle’s center front end was the point of impact, indicating the pedestrians were hit directly by the front of the sedan. There were no other contributing factors listed for the pedestrians, and no safety equipment or victim errors were noted. The driver’s failure to execute a proper turn created a dangerous situation resulting in serious injuries to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773645 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 19 - A distracted driver slammed an SUV into the rear of a sedan on West 28th Street. The sedan’s driver suffered a neck injury and concussion but remained conscious. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage in the collision.

According to the police report, at 8:52 p.m. on West 28th Street near Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn, a 34-year-old male driver was injured when his SUV collided with the rear of a sedan. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The SUV struck the sedan’s center back end, causing damage to both vehicles. The sedan’s driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained a neck injury and concussion but was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end crashes, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772728 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 19 - An 85-year-old bus driver suffered head injuries and shock in a Brooklyn collision. The bus struck an object front-center while traveling east on Cropsey Avenue. Defective accelerator and brakes contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, an 85-year-old male bus driver was injured in a crash on Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:15 AM. The bus, a 2009 Ford truck/bus traveling east, impacted an object at the center front end. The driver sustained head injuries and was in shock, wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report cites defective accelerator and brakes as contributing factors to the crash, highlighting mechanical failures rather than driver error or victim behavior. The driver was licensed in New York and was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The police report does not indicate any involvement of pedestrians or cyclists, nor does it list any victim behaviors as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772727 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 18 - An SUV making a left turn struck an e-scooter traveling north on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver, a 38-year-old man, suffered contusions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. Driver inattention caused the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:40 on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn. A 38-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured when a 2020 BMW SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, made a left turn and struck the e-scooter on its right side doors. The point of impact was the SUV's right rear quarter panel and the e-scooter's center front end. The e-scooter driver sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the SUV driver. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of his vehicle. No victim error or helmet use was noted as contributing factors. This crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction during turning maneuvers in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772427 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 14 - SUV failed to yield. Struck a 29-year-old woman crossing in a marked crosswalk. She suffered bruises over her body. The crash happened at a Brooklyn intersection. Driver error listed. Victim conscious, injured.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old woman was crossing a marked crosswalk on Brightwater Ct in Brooklyn when a 2006 Honda SUV making a left turn struck her at 10:40 AM. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the driver's contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises over her entire body but remained conscious. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV, which showed no damage. No contributing factors were attributed to the pedestrian. The report highlights the driver's failure to yield as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774040 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 14 - Jessica Scarcella-Spanton led Staten Island and Brooklyn politicians in a rally against congestion pricing. They gathered at the Verrazano Bridge, denouncing the plan as a burden on working-class commuters. The coalition promised fierce resistance, demanding the governor keep the program paused.

On November 14, 2024, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (District 23) led a bipartisan rally against the revival of congestion pricing. The event, held at the Verrazano Bridge, included U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Council Member Joe Borelli, and others. The group opposed Governor Hochul's plan to re-implement congestion pricing, which would charge vehicles entering lower Manhattan. The rally's matter title: 'Staten Island, Brooklyn pols rally against congestion pricing as Hochul considers reviving program.' Scarcella-Spanton pledged to 'fight tooth and nail until congestion pricing is dead.' Brooklyn Assembly Member Jaime Williams and others condemned the plan as unfair to transit deserts and working-class communities. No safety analyst assessment was provided regarding the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Staten Island, Brooklyn pols rally against congestion pricing as Hochul considers reviving program, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-11-14

Nov 13 - Two sedans traveling east on Belt Parkway collided head-on at 9:39 p.m. Both drivers suffered injuries, including whiplash and full-body trauma. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling eastbound on Belt Parkway collided at 21:39. Both vehicles impacted with their right front bumpers. The female driver of a 2023 Mazda was injured with whiplash and full-body trauma but was conscious and not ejected. Airbags deployed in her vehicle. The male driver of a 2020 BMW was also involved. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for both drivers. There were no other contributing factors noted, and no victim behaviors were cited. Both drivers were licensed in New York. Vehicle damage was minimal, with no damage reported despite the collision. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771221 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - A sedan making a left turn struck a 46-year-old male pedestrian outside an intersection in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries with bruising. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the victim injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a 2021 Toyota sedan traveling north on McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn was making a left turn at 5:50 AM when the driver, distracted and inattentive, struck a 46-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian was outside an intersection and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle's point of impact was the left front bumper, and notably, the vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No pedestrian actions or safety equipment were listed as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772425 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 12 - A distracted pick-up truck driver struck a 45-year-old man at a Brooklyn intersection. The pedestrian suffered bruises and arm injuries. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the victim conscious but hurt on Cropsey Avenue near Hart Place.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old male pedestrian was injured after a pick-up truck traveling east on Cropsey Avenue struck him at the intersection near Hart Place in Brooklyn. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and remained conscious after the crash. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. The vehicle, a 2003 Ford pick-up truck, showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed but sufficient to cause injury. The pedestrian was in the roadway performing 'Other Actions in Roadway' but no contributing factors on the pedestrian’s part were noted. The driver’s failure to maintain attention directly led to the pedestrian’s injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771806 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 12 - A sedan making a right turn collided with an eastbound bicyclist on Brooklyn’s W 19 St. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:50 AM on W 19 St near Mermaid Ave in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling south was making a right turn when it struck a bicyclist traveling eastbound. The bicyclist, a 29-year-old male, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factors. The sedan's right front bumper and the bike's center front end were the points of impact. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious. The driver held a valid New York license. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision highlights driver errors in yielding and attentiveness during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770789 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 10 - An SUV turning right struck an eastbound e-scooter on Brighton Beach Ave. The e-scooter driver, a 36-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. The SUV driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the rider injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:20 on Brighton Beach Ave in Brooklyn. A 36-year-old male e-scooter driver traveling east was struck by a 2023 Nissan SUV making a right turn in the same direction. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front quarter panel and the e-scooter’s center front end. The e-scooter rider sustained abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for the SUV driver. No damage was noted on either vehicle, and the e-scooter driver was not ejected. The SUV driver held a valid NY license, while the e-scooter driver had a permit. The police report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770790 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 6 - A 71-year-old man suffered a head injury after an SUV failed to yield while making a left turn on Neptune Avenue. The pedestrian was semiconscious with a concussion, struck at an intersection despite crossing against the signal.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Neptune Avenue and Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn at 10:10 AM. The driver of a 2022 Acura SUV, traveling northeast and making a left turn, failed to yield right-of-way, striking the pedestrian with the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal and was found semiconscious with a concussion and head injury. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The vehicle sustained no damage. The focus remains on the driver's failure to yield, which directly led to the pedestrian's serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769228 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19