She Survived Nazis and Chernobyl—But Not a Brooklyn Crosswalk

Jul 27 - Drivers crashed on Belt Parkway at 26 Avenue in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver was ejected and broke his arm. A sedan passenger suffered a bruised shoulder. Police recorded traffic control disregarded.

A driver on a motorcycle and a driver in a sedan crashed on Belt Parkway at 26 Avenue in Brooklyn. The 21-year-old motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered a fractured arm. A 30-year-old sedan passenger had a bruised shoulder. According to the police report, “Traffic Control Disregarded” was a contributing factor. Police recorded this failure to obey traffic control. The drivers were heading straight before impact. The motorcycle had front-end damage; the sedan’s right side was hit. The motorcycle driver was unlicensed. No fatalities were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831065 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - A sedan turning right hit a 35-year-old bicyclist on Shore Parkway. The rider suffered knee and foot injuries, minor bleeding and shock. According to the police report, alcohol involvement was a contributing factor.

The driver of a sedan turned right and hit a 35-year-old male bicyclist on Shore Parkway at Bay 44 Street in Brooklyn. The rider suffered knee, lower-leg and foot injuries, with minor bleeding and shock. According to the police report, alcohol involvement was a contributing factor. The cyclist was traveling west while the sedan was making a right turn when the center fronts of both vehicles collided. The report records alcohol involvement by the driver and lists no other driver errors. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830616 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 24 - A distracted driver struck on 86th Street. A young woman suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. The crash left her unconscious. Police cite driver inattention as the main cause.

A 24-year-old woman operating a motorized vehicle on 86th Street at West 7th Street in Brooklyn was severely injured. According to the police report, she suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was found unconscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No other injuries were specified for the vehicle occupants. The data does not mention helmet use or signals as factors. The crash underscores the danger of distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830338 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 24 - A six-year-old girl suffered a head injury on Surf Ave. Two children were hurt when their motorized vehicle struck a standing car. No driver errors listed. The street remains unforgiving.

Two children were involved in a crash on Surf Ave at W 24 St in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a six-year-old girl driving an 'Other Motorized' vehicle suffered a head injury, while an eleven-year-old passenger was also hurt. The children's vehicle struck a standing car, damaging the center front end. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The injured child was not using safety equipment, as noted in the data. The crash highlights the risks faced by young road users in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 23 - Two men killed crossing Third Avenue. A driver sped through a red light, fled. Eighty hurt or dead since 2018. Residents rally. Promised fixes stalled. Danger remains. Children cross nine lanes to reach school.

Gothamist (2025-07-23) reports Sunset Park residents and officials demand safety upgrades on Third Avenue after a hit-and-run killed two men. Police say the driver "sped through a red light" and fled. Since 2018, drivers have killed or seriously injured 80 people on this two-mile stretch. A redesign with protected bike lanes was approved but stalled. State Sen. Gounardes criticized the city's response: "We should all be offended... the response... is a sign that says: 'be careful.'" The article highlights the need for enforcement and infrastructure, noting children must cross nine lanes daily.

• Sunset Park Demands Safer Third Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-23

Jul 20 - A driver in an SUV turned left on Neptune Ave and hit a standing scooter. A 44-year-old man suffered a head injury and was listed injured. Police recorded Failure to Yield and Passing or Lane Usage Improper.

An SUV driver made a left turn on Neptune Ave at W 8 St and struck a standing scooter. The scooter driver, a 44-year-old man, suffered a head injury and was listed injured. According to the police report, the crash involved "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." Police recorded failure to yield by the driver of the SUV. The SUV's left front bumper struck the scooter's right front. Both vehicles were traveling west before the collision. The report lists driver errors as the primary contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829777 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 19 - A sedan struck a 12-year-old boy playing in the roadway in Brooklyn. He suffered hip and upper-leg injuries and was reported in shock with minor bleeding. Police listed no driver error or contributing factors.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old boy playing in the roadway near 2828 W 28 St in Brooklyn was struck by a southbound 2019 Honda sedan at 21:44. The boy suffered hip and upper-leg injuries, was in shock, and had minor bleeding. The sedan’s right front bumper was the point of impact and was damaged. The driver is recorded as female and licensed; the vehicle’s pre-crash action was going straight ahead. Police did not list any contributing factors or driver errors in the report. No other vehicle-occupant injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828769 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 18 - A driver in a 2024 Toyota sedan making a right turn on Shore Parkway was involved in a crash. The left front bumper was the point of impact. The driver suffered shoulder and upper‑arm injuries, was in shock, and complained of pain and nausea.

According to the police report, a male driver in a 2024 Toyota sedan was involved in a crash on Shore Parkway near Cropsey Avenue while making a right turn. The sedan's left front bumper was the point of impact. The driver, the vehicle's sole occupant, suffered a shoulder and upper‑arm injury, was recorded in shock, and complained of pain and nausea. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness. According to the police report the contributing factors were listed as "Unspecified." The report notes no pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828760 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 18 - Council Member Justin Brannan moves to stop delivery apps from axing workers at will. The bill targets silent firings. No more robot bosses. Human over algorithm. Status: introduced.

"A big consequence that we saw is that delivery workers are often deactivated from the platforms without any notice or any explanation." -- Justin L. Brannan

On July 18, 2025, Council Member Justin Brannan introduced Intro 1332 to the New York City Council. The bill, now pending committee assignment, would require delivery app companies to give a reason before deactivating workers. Brannan says, 'A big consequence that we saw is that delivery workers are often deactivated from the platforms without any notice or any explanation.' The measure aims to end algorithmic firings and protect gig workers from sudden job loss. However, the event text is too vague to determine a direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists, as it does not specify any concrete policy or regulatory change affecting vulnerable road users.

• New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-18

Jul 18 - Cargo van struck Mayya Gil, 95, as she crossed Cropsey Avenue. She died. Her aide survived. Driver charged with failure to yield and due care. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

Gothamist (2025-07-18) reports a 95-year-old woman, Mayya Gil, died after a cargo van hit her and her home health aide while they crossed Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver, Thimothe Andre, was charged with two counts of failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. Police said Andre struck both victims while turning. Gil died at the hospital; her aide survived. The article notes, 'NYPD data shows 100 people have died in city traffic crashes so far this year.' The case highlights persistent risks for pedestrians and the consequences of driver inattention at city intersections.

• Brooklyn Pedestrian Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-18

Jul 17 - Council raised pay for grocery deliveristas. EMTs now earn less. Delivery workers face city streets daily. Council chose their risk. First responders left behind.

On July 17, 2025, the NYC Council passed a bill raising minimum pay for app-based grocery delivery workers to $21.44 per hour. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, matches earlier raises for restaurant deliveristas. The matter summary: 'the NYC Council approved on Monday a pay increase for app-based grocery-delivery workers.' Speaker Adrienne Adams and Justin Brannan backed higher EMT pay, but the bill leaves FDNY EMTs earning less than delivery workers. Safety analysts found no direct impact on pedestrians or cyclists: 'The pay increase for app-based delivery workers does not directly affect the safety of pedestrians or cyclists, nor does it impact street design, mode shift, or driver accountability.'

• FDNY EMT outrage: First responders now earn less than grocery delivery workers after NYC Council vote, AMNY, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 16 - A left turn on Avenue V ended in violence. An 89-year-old driver was ejected and injured. Police cite inattention and failure to yield. Metal struck flesh. The street stayed open.

An 89-year-old male driver was ejected and injured in a crash at 86th Street and Avenue V in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the driver suffered shoulder and upper arm abrasions. The crash involved two vehicles: one making a left turn, the other traveling straight. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The injured driver was conscious at the scene. No safety equipment was used. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828784 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 15 - A car spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The driver lost control. The machine struck Madison Ruiz as she sat by the curb. She died at the hospital. The driver faces criminal charges.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-15), Madison Ruiz, 21, was killed when Zachary Cando, 24, lost control of a Genesis G80 while 'doing donuts' in a Gateway Plaza parking lot. The article states Cando 'lost control' and struck Ruiz as she sat by the curb. Police charged Cando with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The incident highlights the risks of reckless driving in public spaces and raises questions about parking lot safety and enforcement.

• Driver Doing Donuts Kills Brooklyn Woman, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 14 - SUV hit in-line skater at Mermaid Ave and W 21 St. Skater crossing with signal. Suffered concussion and leg injury. Driver failed to yield. Streets stay dangerous.

An SUV struck a 36-year-old in-line skater at Mermaid Ave and W 21 St in Brooklyn. The skater was crossing with the signal and suffered a concussion and lower leg injury. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way. The driver was making a right turn when the crash occurred. No injuries were reported for the driver. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The skater was not using safety equipment, but driver error came first.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827719 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 10 - A moped struck a 90-year-old man in Brooklyn. The driver fled. The man died at the hospital. Security video captured the impact. The street claimed another life.

CBS New York (2025-07-10) reports a 90-year-old man died after a moped hit-and-run in Brooklyn. Security footage 'shows the moment the man was struck.' The driver left the scene. The victim died at the hospital. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians and the ongoing danger of drivers who flee. No policy changes or arrests were reported.

• Elderly Man Killed In Brooklyn Hit-Run, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-10

Jul 9 - A moped struck a 90-year-old man crossing in Sheepshead Bay. The rider looked away, hit the man, paused, then fled. The victim lay motionless. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital. He died from his injuries.

ABC7 reported on July 9, 2025, that Zhuo Xie, 90, was killed crossing East 14th Street and Avenue U in Brooklyn. The article states, "a man riding a blue moped slammed into Xie and both men fell to the ground." Surveillance video showed the moped rider looking left, not ahead, before impact. The driver checked on Xie, then left the scene. Police said the moped had a green light, but the rider's inattention and failure to remain highlight systemic dangers for pedestrians. The incident underscores risks at intersections and the consequences of hit-and-run crashes.

• Moped Hits Elderly Pedestrian, Flees Scene, ABC7, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 8 - Two new elevators rise at Bay Ridge-95th Street. Barriers fall. Riders once shut out now enter. Subway access grows. Streets outside still threaten, but inside, movement is free. Each upgrade shifts the city’s balance.

"This is a great example of working with the MTA on bringing accessibility to the far reaches of the outer boroughs and reminding folks that the ADA is not just a suggestion, it's actually the law." -- Justin L. Brannan

On July 8, 2025, the MTA opened two ADA-compliant elevators at Bay Ridge-95th Street station, Brooklyn. The project, backed by federal funds, finished under budget. Council Member Justin Brannan, State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis all praised the upgrade. Quemuel Arroyo, MTA’s chief accessibility officer, called it 'a crucial connection.' The new elevators mark the third Brooklyn station made accessible this year. Improved subway access encourages walking and cycling to transit, boosting safety for vulnerable users by increasing their numbers and visibility. The MTA must reach 95% accessibility by 2055.

• MTA opens two elevators at newly-accessible Bay Ridge-95th Street station, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-07-08

Jul 1 - SUV turned left on Avenue Y. Struck a 19-year-old e-scooter rider. Arm injury. Police cite improper turn and driver distraction. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A Ford SUV making a left turn on Avenue Y collided with a 19-year-old woman riding an e-scooter. The e-scooter rider suffered an arm injury. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' Both vehicles were traveling west. The SUV driver was licensed and uninjured. The e-scooter rider was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The report lists no helmet or signal issues for the e-scooter. Systemic danger remains for those outside cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824412 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 1 - Two SUVs and a sedan collided on Avenue Z. Three drivers hurt. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Pain followed. Brooklyn traffic stands still.

Three drivers were injured when two SUVs and a sedan collided on Avenue Z at Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash involved driver inattention or distraction. One driver suffered a knee and leg abrasion. Two others reported pain in the abdomen, pelvis, shoulder, and upper arm. All vehicles were stopped or merging before impact. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other causes are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827916 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 1 - A judge paused city plans to cut a protected bike lane after children were struck crossing. The lane, built after five pedestrian crashes, stays for now. Streets wait. Danger lingers.

NY1 reported on July 1, 2025, that a judge halted the city's move to remove a three-block section of the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane. The city acted after 'incidents of children exiting school buses, crossing into the lane, and being hit by bikes.' The lane, stretching over two miles, was installed in 2024 following 'years of advocacy and five pedestrian incidents.' The hearing highlights ongoing conflict between street safety for cyclists and pedestrians, and the city's rapid policy shifts in response to crashes.

• Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Faces Review, NY1, Published 2025-07-01