She Survived Nazis and Chernobyl—But Not a Brooklyn Crosswalk

Apr 25 - A 39-year-old male sedan driver suffered head injuries in a Brooklyn crash. The SUV made a left turn and struck the sedan’s left side. The driver was semiconscious but restrained by a lap belt and harness. Visibility was limited at impact.

According to the police report, a 2011 SUV making a left turn collided with a 2019 sedan traveling east on Surf Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan’s left side doors bore the impact. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old man, was injured in the head and found semiconscious. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists "View Obstructed/Limited" as a contributing factor. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling southwest. The crash involved a failure to yield during the left turn maneuver, as the SUV struck the sedan going straight ahead. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4623383 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 24 - Two 12-year-old boys were hit by an SUV making a left turn on Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn. Both were crossing with the signal. They suffered bruises and injuries to their knees and lower legs. The driver failed to yield and was distracted.

According to the police report, a 2010 SUV driven by a licensed male driver was making a left turn on Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn when it struck two 12-year-old boys crossing at the intersection with the signal. Both pedestrians sustained contusions and injuries to their knees, lower legs, and feet. The report lists the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage, and both boys were conscious after the crash. No other safety equipment or victim actions were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4623370 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 13 - A motorcycle traveling west on Brighton Beach Avenue hit a 55-year-old female pedestrian crossing without signal. The impact struck her abdomen and pelvis. She suffered bruises and was conscious. Driver inattention and failure to yield caused the crash.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling straight ahead on Brighton Beach Avenue struck a 55-year-old female pedestrian crossing at an intersection without a signal or crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her abdomen and pelvis, including contusions and bruises, and remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The motorcycle had two occupants and impacted the pedestrian at the center front end. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or pedestrian error were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 6 - A 52-year-old woman was struck while crossing Brighton Beach Avenue with the signal. The driver, making a left turn, was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old female pedestrian was injured at an intersection on Brighton Beach Avenue in Brooklyn. She was crossing with the signal when a 2019 Honda SUV, driven by a licensed male driver making a left turn, struck her. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. No other contributing factors were noted. The incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643672 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 4 - MTA’s Brooklyn bus overhaul draws fire. Riders and officials slam cuts to B48, fear lost connections. Seniors and disabled New Yorkers face longer walks. Community voices rise. The city’s promise of better service clashes with real, lived needs.

"You have so many people living here who are seniors. You have people with disabilities, you have people who just cannot tolerate the elimination of one stop." -- Alec Brook-Krasny

On April 4, 2023, Council Member Phara Souffrant Forrest and other Brooklyn officials voiced strong opposition to the MTA’s Brooklyn bus network redesign. The draft plan, released in December, proposes increased spacing between stops, route changes, and new 'Rush' service. Key changes include the elimination and rerouting of the B48, which officials say 'removes a vital connection between Western Crown Heights and Greenpoint without any adequate transit replacement.' Forrest and others argue these cuts threaten accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities. Community members warn that longer distances between stops will hit the most vulnerable hardest. The MTA claims the redesign will bring 'more reliable, frequent service with better connections,' but public feedback shows deep concern. The plan remains under review, with workshops ongoing and legal hurdles for new bus lanes due to budget and staffing woes.

• Brooklyn bus redesign proposal rankles some riders, amny.com, Published 2023-04-04

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 20 - A sedan struck an 11-year-old girl crossing Mermaid Avenue against the signal. The driver was inattentive and speeding. The girl suffered bruises and injuries to her knee and lower leg. Impact hit the vehicle’s right front bumper.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Mermaid Avenue struck an 11-year-old female pedestrian crossing against the signal at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. The driver was identified as a licensed female from New York. Contributing factors listed include driver inattention and unsafe speed. The point of impact was the vehicle’s right front bumper, causing damage to the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. The report highlights driver errors of inattention and speeding as key causes. No mention of helmet or signaling factors was made.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4614387 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 19 - A 13-year-old boy suffered facial abrasions and shock after a crash on West 30 Street. He was crossing with the signal when struck. The vehicle involved is unspecified. No driver errors or contributing factors were reported by police.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing West 30 Street with the signal. He sustained abrasions to his face and was in shock. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle type were provided. The pedestrian was at an intersection and had the right of way. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash resulted in injury severity level 3, indicating moderate injury. The report does not assign fault or blame to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4614386 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 17 - A 50-year-old man was injured crossing West 15 Street in a marked crosswalk. The SUV driver, distracted and inattentive, made a right turn and hit the pedestrian with the vehicle’s right front bumper. The man suffered abrasions and leg injuries.

According to the police report, a 50-year-old male pedestrian was crossing West 15 Street in a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a 2012 Ford SUV making a right turn. The impact occurred at the vehicle’s right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factors to the crash. The driver was licensed and traveling northwest. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4614388 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 13 - A 24-year-old male e-bike driver was injured and ejected after a collision with a 2021 Jeep SUV making a left turn on 86 Street in Brooklyn. The e-bike struck the SUV’s left front quarter panel, suffering facial abrasions.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male operating an e-bike was injured and ejected during a collision with a 2021 Jeep SUV. The SUV was making a left turn on 86 Street in Brooklyn when it struck the e-bike head-on at the left front quarter panel. The e-bike driver suffered abrasions to the face and was conscious after the crash. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the e-bike driver but does not specify any driver errors for the SUV. No safety equipment was noted for the e-bike rider. The collision caused damage to the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the center front end of the e-bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4612344 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 8 - Three Bay Ridge officers got city and state awards for shielding students during a deadly U-Haul rampage. The driver struck eight, killed one. Officers rushed to shelter kids. Politicians praised quick action. Community demanded tougher traffic violence measures and mental health support.

On March 8, 2023, State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Council Member Justin Brannan honored officers from the 68th Precinct for their response to the February U-Haul attack in Bay Ridge. The event, not tied to a specific council bill, recognized police who 'evacuated and sheltered school children' as a driver struck eight pedestrians and killed one. Gounardes said, 'These students, their families and our entire community here in southern Brooklyn will be forever grateful.' Brannan called the response 'a shining example' of local policing. The commendation took place at Bay Ridge Preparatory School. The incident sparked calls for 'enhanced measures against traffic violence' and more mental health resources at a vigil for the victims. No formal safety analysis was provided, but the focus remained on protecting vulnerable road users and preventing future harm.

• ‘Heroic’ Bay Ridge officers honored for protecting students during U-Haul attack, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-03-08

Mar 3 - A Chevy pickup hit two people on Mermaid Avenue. The driver was distracted. A 41-year-old woman died beneath the truck. An 18-year-old man broke his pelvis. Both crossed with the signal. The street bore the weight of loss.

A westbound Chevy pickup struck two pedestrians at Mermaid Avenue and West 24th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a 41-year-old woman, crossing with the signal, was hit head-on and killed beneath the truck. An 18-year-old man, also crossing with the signal, suffered pelvic fractures. The report states, “The driver was distracted.” The only listed contributing factor is Driver Inattention/Distraction. Both victims were in the crosswalk, following the signal. No other contributing factors are mentioned in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609976 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 3 - South Brooklyn residents rallied in Coney Island. They slammed the MTA’s bus redesign plan. Protesters warned that cutting stops would strand seniors and people with disabilities. Council Member Justin Brannan led the charge, demanding the MTA keep vital service for vulnerable riders.

On March 2, 2023, Council Member Justin Brannan (District 47) joined southern Brooklyn residents at a public protest against the MTA’s proposed Brooklyn bus network redesign. The event, covered by brooklynpaper.com, centered on fears that eliminating bus stops would harm those with few transit options. The matter, titled 'Southern Brooklynites blast MTA’s proposed bus redesign at Coney Island protest,' drew attention to the impact on seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income riders. Brannan launched a petition urging the MTA to reconsider, stating, 'I'm going to make sure the MTA knows this plan won't fly with me.' The protest reflects deep concern that the redesign would cut lifelines for the city’s most vulnerable road users.

• Southern Brooklynites blast MTA’s proposed bus redesign at Coney Island protest, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-03-03

Feb 27 - A taxi struck a bicyclist traveling west on West 21 Street. The rider suffered a shoulder and upper arm contusion. The taxi’s left front quarter panel took the impact. The driver was distracted. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on West 21 Street collided with a bicyclist going straight west. The point of impact was the taxi’s left front quarter panel and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 33-year-old man, sustained an upper arm and shoulder contusion but remained conscious and was not ejected. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. Vehicle damage was limited to the taxi’s left front quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609303 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 15 - A 41-year-old woman was struck while crossing Neptune Avenue. The SUV hit her center front. She suffered a neck contusion and remained conscious. No driver errors were specified. The vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian was at an intersection.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Neptune Avenue at an intersection. She was struck by a 2019 SUV traveling west, which impacted her at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained a neck contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian's crossing was noted as 'Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk,' but no fault or blame is assigned. The report marks the pedestrian's contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face even without clear driver violations.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606743 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 15 - A 55-year-old man was struck by a sedan backing on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian suffered a back injury and shock. The vehicle showed no damage. The crash happened outside an intersection.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2006 Toyota sedan backed into him on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was in the roadway but not at an intersection. The driver, a licensed female, was traveling south and backing the vehicle when the collision occurred. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian suffered a back injury and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The sedan showed no damage after impact. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606730 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 14 - Two SUVs collided on West 8 Street. One vehicle followed too closely and struck the other from behind. Three occupants suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. All were conscious and remained inside their vehicles after the crash.

According to the police report, the crash involved two SUVs traveling north on West 8 Street. The striking vehicle failed to maintain a safe distance and rear-ended the vehicle ahead, which was stopped in traffic. Three occupants—two drivers and one front passenger—were injured with whiplash and injuries to their entire bodies. All occupants were conscious and not ejected from their vehicles. The primary driver error listed was "Following Too Closely." No other contributing factors were specified. The vehicles sustained damage to their rear and front ends respectively.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606714 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Feb 12 - Two sedans slammed head-on on 86 Street. Both drivers hurt. One bruised his head. The other suffered facial wounds and whiplash. Police cite distraction and improper turning. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 86 Street in Brooklyn. A 48-year-old man driving westbound suffered a head contusion and bruising. A 21-year-old man making a right turn eastbound sustained facial injuries and whiplash. Both drivers were conscious and wore lap belts. The report lists driver inattention and distraction for both drivers, and improper turning for the younger driver, as contributing factors. Both vehicles took center front-end damage. No one was ejected. The crash left both men injured and underscored the risk of distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606715 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 10 - Two sedans crashed head-on and side-on at 27 Avenue. Driver distraction caused the collision. A 52-year-old female front passenger suffered elbow and arm injuries. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and experienced shock and pain.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling straight ahead collided on 27 Avenue. One vehicle struck the other on the right side doors with its center front end. The crash injured a 52-year-old female front passenger, who was not ejected and wore a lap belt and harness. She suffered injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both drivers. No other factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19