She Survived Nazis and Chernobyl—But Not a Brooklyn Crosswalk

May 18 - Two SUVs collided on Mermaid Avenue at 8:55 a.m. One driver, making a U-turn, struck the other vehicle backing up. The male driver suffered a bruised elbow and shock. Police cited driver inattention as the primary cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Mermaid Avenue at 8:55 a.m. involving two SUVs traveling east. One driver, a 58-year-old male, was making a U-turn when his vehicle's left front bumper struck the left rear bumper of another SUV that was backing up. The male driver was injured, sustaining contusions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was reported to be in shock. Both vehicles sustained damage at their respective points of impact. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. The injured driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction during complex maneuvers like U-turns and backing up.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725514 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

May 14 - A convertible traveling west struck parked SUVs on Avenue Y in Brooklyn. The front passenger, a 32-year-old woman, suffered facial contusions. Police cite alcohol involvement and unsafe speed as contributing factors in the collision’s impact and injuries.

According to the police report, at 4:10 AM on Avenue Y in Brooklyn, a 2023 convertible traveling west collided with two parked SUVs. The point of impact was the convertible's center front end and the left front quarter panel of one SUV. The front passenger, a 32-year-old female occupant, was injured with facial contusions and remained conscious. The report explicitly lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted. The collision caused center front end damage to the convertible and damage to the parked vehicles. This crash highlights driver errors involving alcohol and speed leading to injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725878 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 13 - A moped carrying two passengers was struck on its left rear bumper during a left turn. The right rear passenger was partially ejected and suffered contusions to the arm. Unsafe speed and improper turning by the other vehicle caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on West 21 Street at 15:05. A moped traveling east with two occupants was hit on its left rear bumper by a vehicle making a left turn southbound. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors by the other vehicle's driver. The right rear passenger, an 18-year-old female, was partially ejected and sustained contusions to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious and injured but wore no safety equipment. The collision point and vehicle damage confirm the impact location. Driver errors—specifically unsafe speed and improper turning—directly led to the passenger’s injuries. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725531 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 13 - Two SUVs collided on Belt Parkway during right turns. The 28-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited alcohol involvement and unsafe lane changing as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained damage to front and rear ends.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway involving two sport utility vehicles traveling eastbound. Both drivers were making right turns when the collision happened. The 28-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck pain and shock, and was not ejected from his vehicle. The report identifies alcohol involvement and unsafe lane changing as contributing factors to the crash. Vehicle damage was recorded at the center back end of one SUV and the right front bumper of the other. The driver held a valid New York license. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The report focuses on driver errors, specifically alcohol impairment and unsafe lane changes, as the primary causes of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724124 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 9 - Three drivers hurt in a violent SUV pileup on Belt Parkway. Fractures, dislocations, shock. Metal twisted at rear panels and bumpers. No cause named. High speed, high risk. System failed them.

According to the police report, three sport utility vehicles collided on Belt Parkway at 6:40 a.m. All drivers—ages 33, 39, and 53—were injured, suffering fractures, dislocations, and shock. The impact struck left rear quarter panels and front bumpers. Each driver was alone, restrained by lap belts, with airbags deployed. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified for all drivers. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield are named. The crash left all three drivers with serious injuries, underscoring the dangers faced by road users in multi-vehicle collisions on high-speed city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723097 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - A 37-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured in a collision on West 33 Street in Brooklyn. The crash involved a Honda SUV and was marked by driver inattention and alcohol involvement. The cyclist suffered contusions and leg injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:15 AM on West 33 Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 37-year-old male, was riding westbound when he was struck by a Honda SUV traveling in the same direction. The point of impact was the center back end of the bike and the right front bumper of the SUV. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with alcohol involvement. The bicyclist was also noted to have alcohol involvement. The crash highlights the dangers posed by impaired and distracted driving in Brooklyn streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721920 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 2 - Senate bill S 9162 aims to kill congestion pricing, shake up the MTA board, and order a forensic audit. Streets stay clogged. Riders and walkers face more danger. Sponsor: Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.

Senate bill S 9162 was introduced on May 2, 2024, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill's title: 'Relates to repealing congestion pricing (Part A); commissioning an independent audit of the metropolitan transportation authority (Part B); and conducting an environmental impact study (Part C).' Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (District 23) is the primary sponsor. The bill would repeal congestion pricing, expand the MTA board, and require a forensic audit. No safety analysis was provided, but repealing congestion pricing keeps traffic thick and streets hostile for New York’s most vulnerable.

• File S 9162, Open States, Published 2024-05-02

Apr 25 - An SUV turning left on Neptune Avenue slammed into a southbound car. Three inside the SUV suffered neck and abdominal injuries. Police cite driver distraction. The crash left pain and chaos in Brooklyn’s 47th council district.

According to the police report, a 2019 Nissan SUV making a left turn on Neptune Avenue collided with a southbound vehicle. The SUV’s left front bumper struck the other car. Three people in the SUV—a 49-year-old man and two women, ages 49 and 34—were injured. The driver suffered abdominal and pelvic pain; all three had neck injuries described as whiplash. Each was conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No contributing factors are attributed to the passengers. The crash highlights the danger of driver distraction during turning movements in Brooklyn’s 47th council district.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721415 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 24 - Assembly bill A 9877 seeks to kill congestion pricing. Sponsors want more MTA board seats and a forensic audit. No mention of safety for people on foot or bike. The car threat grows unchecked.

Assembly bill A 9877 was introduced on April 24, 2024. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill aims to repeal congestion pricing, add a new MTA board seat for each city borough, and force a forensic audit of the MTA. The matter title reads: 'Relates to repealing congestion pricing (Part A); commissioning an independent audit of the metropolitan transportation authority (Part B); and conducting an environmental impact study (Part C).' Assembly Members Michael Tannousis (primary), Mike Reilly, Samuel Pirozzolo, Michael Novakhov, Lester Chang, and Alec Brook-Krasny sponsor the bill. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided. The bill ignores the deadly risk cars pose to New Yorkers outside vehicles.

• File A 9877, Open States, Published 2024-04-24

Apr 24 - Two young males riding a moped were ejected and injured after a collision with a sedan on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. The moped driver was unlicensed. Both suffered contusions and leg injuries. The sedan struck the moped’s front left quarter panel.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn involving a 2016 Nissan sedan and a 2022 moped. The moped, traveling north with two occupants aged 15 and 17, was driven by an unlicensed male. Both moped riders were riding or hanging on outside the vehicle and were ejected during the crash. They sustained knee, lower leg, and foot contusions, with injury severity rated as moderate (3). The sedan, driven by a licensed female traveling west, struck the moped on its left front bumper and quarter panel. The contributing factor listed is 'Traffic Control Disregarded,' indicating driver error. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights dangers posed by unlicensed moped operation and driver failure to obey traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719601 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - Two sedans crashed on the Belt Parkway ramp. Six people, including a child, suffered neck and back injuries. Police cite driver inattention and distraction. Metal twisted. Whiplash followed.

According to the police report, two sedans collided while traveling east on the Belt Parkway ramp at 23:22. The crash involved a 2017 Honda and a 2017 Infiniti. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage—front for the Honda, rear for the Infiniti. Police list driver inattention and distraction as the main contributing factors. Six occupants, aged 11 to 43, were injured with moderate neck and back injuries, including whiplash. All were restrained and not ejected. The report underscores how driver distraction led to multi-occupant injuries in this late-night collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718760 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - A BMW slammed into a young man turning left on his e-bike. The impact hurled him to the pavement. His head struck, his life ended. The street bore witness to the violence. One turn, one crash, one life erased.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed when a BMW SUV struck him head-on on Neptune Avenue near Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision occurred as the e-bike rider was making a left turn, while the BMW was traveling straight ahead. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor in the crash. The impact ejected the cyclist, causing fatal head injuries described as 'crush injuries.' The police report notes the victim was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The violence of the crash and the fatal outcome underscore the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield or turn improperly. The report makes no mention of any contributing actions by the cyclist beyond his direction of travel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718424 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - Council moves to hike fines for illegal ATVs and dirt bikes. First offense: $375–$750. Repeat: $750–$1,500. Law aims at reckless riders who menace city streets and endanger lives.

Bill Int 0856-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced April 18, 2024, it seeks to amend city code to raise fines for unlawful ATV and dirt bike use. The bill states: 'The first offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 375 dollars and up to 750 dollars. Any subsequent offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 750 dollars and up to 1500 dollars.' Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, and Farías. The bill was referred to committee the same day. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 18 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 18 - Council bill orders DOT to factor traffic enforcement agents into city safety plans. The move targets deadly streets. Sponsors demand action, not words. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait for safer crossings.

Int 0842-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 18, 2024, the bill amends city law to require the Department of Transportation to consider where traffic enforcement agents are placed when drafting the interagency roadway safety plan. The bill summary states: 'require DOT to specifically consider placement of traffic enforcement agents in certain areas.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Members Brannan (primary), Louis, Restler, and the Queens Borough President sponsor the measure. The bill responds to Local Law 12 of 2011, which already mandates a five-year safety plan. Now, the council demands DOT put enforcement on the map, aiming to cut injuries and deaths.

• File Int 0842-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 13 - A sedan struck parked cars in Brooklyn. The driver suffered arm injuries. Police cite failure to yield and traffic control disregard. Metal crumpled. One man hurt. System failed.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male driving a sedan on Banner Avenue in Brooklyn crashed into several parked vehicles around 2 p.m. The driver was injured, suffering contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The moving sedan hit the rear ends of multiple parked cars, damaging its own front end. The driver was conscious, not ejected, and wore a lap belt. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted. The report centers on driver error as the cause of the crash and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717084 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - A city bus swung left on Mermaid Avenue. Metal met flesh at the intersection. A 70-year-old woman fell silent, her leg crushed, her body still. The report said: unconscious. The complaint read: amputation.

According to the police report, a bus making a left turn at the corner of Mermaid Avenue and Stillwell Avenue struck a 70-year-old woman. The narrative states, 'A 70-year-old woman stepped into the street against the light. A bus turned left. Metal struck flesh. She fell, silent. Her leg was crushed. The report said: unconscious. The complaint read: amputation.' The point of impact was the left front bumper of the bus. The pedestrian was at the intersection and sustained severe injuries to her lower leg, resulting in amputation and unconsciousness. The police report lists the pedestrian's action as 'crossing against signal' but does not cite any specific driver error or contributing factor beyond 'unspecified.' The focus remains on the bus turning left and the devastating outcome for the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716511 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Mar 22 - A sedan driver suffered facial injuries after a crash caused by driver inattention. The collision occurred on West 2 Street, leaving the 56-year-old woman bruised but conscious. Police cite distraction as the primary factor in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 7:40 PM on West 2 Street. The driver, a 56-year-old woman, was injured with contusions and bruises to her face but remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle. She was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. The vehicle involved was a 2008 Ford sedan traveling south, which sustained damage to the center front end. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report, emphasizing the role of driver distraction in causing the crash and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711971 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19