She Survived Nazis and Chernobyl—But Not a Brooklyn Crosswalk

Jun 24 - New Yorkers packed the MTA Board meeting. They slammed the Governor’s pause on congestion pricing. The move guts $15 billion from transit upgrades. Projects for elevators and ramps stall. Disabled riders, seniors, and veterans lose out. Politicians split. Riders left stranded.

On June 24, 2024, the MTA Board heard public testimony and political debate on the fallout from Governor Hochul’s indefinite pause of congestion pricing, which was set to begin June 30. The meeting focused on the loss of funding for transit accessibility. The matter, described as 'New Yorkers decry loss of congestion pricing money for accessible transit to MTA Board,' drew sharp criticism from disability advocates and riders. State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, representing District 23, praised the Governor’s pause, calling congestion pricing 'the wrong plan for my constituents.' The pause leaves a $15 billion hole in the MTA’s capital budget, halting upgrades like elevators and ramps at dozens of stations. Advocates warned that without this funding, disabled New Yorkers, seniors, and veterans remain shut out of the subway. The MTA faces a federal mandate to make 95% of stations accessible by 2055, but these projects now stall. Riders demanded action. Politicians offered little hope.

• New Yorkers decry loss of congestion pricing money for accessible transit to MTA Board, amny.com, Published 2024-06-24

Jun 23 - A westbound SUV struck parked SUVs on Bay 50 Street. The driver, a 74-year-old woman, suffered facial injuries. Police cite lost consciousness as a factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

According to the police report, a 2023 Nissan SUV traveling west on Bay 50 Street collided with the rear of a parked 2008 Audi SUV. The impact damaged both vehicles and a third parked BMW SUV. The 74-year-old female driver of the Nissan suffered facial contusions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved, and no victim actions contributed to the crash. The incident underscores the danger when moving vehicles strike stationary ones on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735198 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - A tractor truck driven by an inexperienced driver struck multiple parked sedans on Corbin Place in Brooklyn. The impact injured the truck driver, causing head trauma and shock. The collision caused damage to the rear ends of several vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:30 on Corbin Place in Brooklyn. A tractor truck traveling south struck multiple parked sedans, impacting their center back ends. The truck driver, a licensed male from New York, was injured with head trauma and experienced shock. The report cites "Driver Inexperience" as the contributing factor for the crash. The sedans were stationary and parked at the time of impact. The injured party was the truck driver, who was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. Damage was concentrated on the right front bumper of the truck and the center back ends of the sedans. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738264 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - A 27-year-old woman suffered abrasions and a lower arm injury after a bus traveling east on Shore Parkway hit her while she worked in the roadway. The bus driver failed to maintain proper lane usage and disregarded traffic controls, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old female pedestrian was injured while working in the roadway on Shore Parkway near Bay 44 Street. The bus, driven by a licensed male driver, was traveling east and struck the pedestrian on the left rear quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites the bus driver's errors as 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded,' highlighting failure to maintain proper lane discipline and ignoring traffic signals or signs. The bus sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734151 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 16 - A bus and sedan slammed together on Cropsey Avenue. The sedan driver, a 54-year-old man, suffered neck injuries. Both vehicles took heavy front-end damage. Straight roads still hold danger.

According to the police report, a bus and a sedan collided at 6:56 AM on Cropsey Avenue near Shore Parkway. Both vehicles were traveling north and struck head-on. The sedan driver, a 54-year-old man, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash. He was conscious and wore a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not assign blame to the sedan driver. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The crash shows that even straightforward travel can turn violent in an instant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733389 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 9 - Two sedans collided head-to-back on Belt Parkway late at night. The driver of the front vehicle suffered elbow and arm abrasions. Police cited unsafe speed and improper lane usage as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed men traveling westbound.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:18 on Belt Parkway involving two sedans traveling westbound. The front vehicle, a 2022 BMW driven by a 27-year-old man, was struck in the center back end by a 2023 Toyota sedan. The BMW driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies unsafe speed and improper passing or lane usage by the driver as contributing factors. Both drivers held valid licenses from New York and Pennsylvania respectively. Vehicle damage was noted on the left front bumper of the BMW and the center back end of the Toyota, indicating a rear-end collision caused by driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731400 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - A 73-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a northbound sedan making a left turn. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered bruises and arm injuries but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 73-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Surf Avenue and West 8 Street in Brooklyn around 6:27 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a northbound 2019 Chevrolet sedan making a left turn struck him with its right front bumper. The report cites driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle without occupants. This crash highlights driver errors in yielding and distraction as the primary causes of harm to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731176 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - A 16-year-old boy suffered knee and lower leg injuries after being struck while crossing Cropsey Avenue at an intersection. He was conscious and sustained bruises. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. No driver errors or victim faults were reported.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Cropsey Avenue at 14:10 while crossing with the signal at an intersection. He sustained contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The vehicle involved was unspecified, and no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield were noted in the report. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal was documented but not cited as a contributing factor. The report does not indicate any driver license issues, vehicle damage, or pre-crash actions. The focus remains on the collision's impact and injuries without assigning fault to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 6 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 3 - A 32-year-old female bicyclist suffered a head injury and shock in a Brooklyn crash. The cyclist was not ejected but complained of pain and nausea. The incident involved a parked vehicle and occurred near Brighton Beach Avenue in the early morning hours.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old female bicyclist was injured in a collision near 517 Brighton Beach Avenue, Brooklyn, at 2:27 AM. The bicyclist, who was the driver of the bike, sustained a head injury and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The report notes the bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash involved a parked vehicle that showed no damage or point of impact, while the bike sustained unspecified damage. The report lists two unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the bicyclist. No driver errors or violations are explicitly cited in the data, but the presence of unspecified factors suggests systemic danger. The bicyclist was not ejected from the bike during the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

Jun 2 - A northbound BMW sedan making a right turn on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn was demolished in a violent crash. The female driver and a rear-seat passenger suffered whiplash and upper arm injuries, both shocked but restrained by lap belts.

According to the police report, a 2018 BMW sedan traveling north on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn was making a right turn when it sustained a center front end impact, resulting in the vehicle being demolished. The driver, a 17-year-old female licensed in New York, and a 20-year-old female passenger seated in the middle rear seat were both injured. Both occupants experienced whiplash, with the passenger also suffering shoulder and upper arm injuries. Both were restrained by lap belts and were not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not specify driver errors or victim behaviors as causes. The crash occurred near Avenue Z at 1:58 a.m., highlighting a severe impact scenario involving a single vehicle and multiple injuries among occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729201 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 30 - SUV driver lost focus. Her bumper smashed the sedan’s side. A 69-year-old passenger took the blow. Shoulder bruised. Metal twisted. Distraction left pain and scars on West 2 Street.

According to the police report, a licensed female SUV driver struck a sedan’s right side doors on West 2 Street at 13:15. The SUV’s left front bumper hit the sedan, injuring the front passenger, a 69-year-old man. He suffered a contusion to his shoulder and upper arm. The police report lists Driver Inattention/Distraction as the contributing factor. The SUV’s front end and the sedan’s right side were damaged. The injured passenger was conscious and restrained. No contributing factors are listed for the victim. Driver distraction led to this side-impact crash and left a passenger hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 24 - A sedan making a left turn struck a 60-year-old woman crossing West 31st at a marked crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Driver inattention and distraction caused the collision, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on West 31st Street was making a left turn when it struck a 60-year-old female pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The impact occurred at the center front end of the vehicle, damaging the right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the collision. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash, repeated twice for emphasis. No other contributing factors such as pedestrian behavior or safety equipment were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers in busy Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727290 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 23 - Abandoned poles and wires block sidewalks, trap walkers, and threaten cyclists. This bill sets strict deadlines for removal and transfer. Delay ends. Streets clear. Danger cut.

Int 0921-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 23, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Justin L. Brannan with Holden, Vernikov, Marmorato, and Paladino, demands owners remove abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances within 60 days—or immediately if dangerous. Transfers to new poles must happen in 30 days. The matter title reads: 'timelines for the removal of abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances, and the transfer of appurtenances to newly erected poles.' Swift action means fewer sidewalk traps and less risk for those on foot or bike.

• File Int 0921-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-23

May 19 - A sedan struck a parked car on West 22 Street. The driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cited alcohol involvement. Both cars’ bumpers were damaged. No other injuries reported.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on West 22 Street in Brooklyn collided with a parked sedan at 18:39. The 35-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining head trauma and whiplash, and remained conscious at the scene. Police listed alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. The moving sedan’s right front bumper and the parked car’s left rear bumper were damaged. No other people were hurt. The report does not indicate any fault or contributing behavior by the parked vehicle. Alcohol involvement by the driver stands out as the key factor in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726314 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 18 - Two sedans collided on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. Multiple passengers suffered chest and back injuries, enduring shock and whiplash. Police cited unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as key factors in the crash’s violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:29 on Stillwell Avenue, Brooklyn, involving two sedans traveling east and north. The driver of the eastbound sedan, a 2017 Lexus, struck the left rear bumper of the northbound 2005 Mercedes. The report lists unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. Passengers in the vehicles suffered chest and back injuries, with complaints of whiplash and pain, and were reported in shock. The injured included a 51-year-old female passenger and a 69-year-old female passenger, both wearing lap belts, who experienced chest injuries and shock. Another female passenger, age 30, also suffered back injury and shock. The report highlights driver errors such as unsafe speed and disregarding traffic control, emphasizing the systemic dangers posed by these violations.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725546 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19