No More Excuses: Barriers Now, Lives Saved Tomorrow

A man fell onto Prospect Park subway tracks during a fight. The train struck him. He died at the scene. Police questioned the other person. The platform became a place of sudden death.

NY Daily News (2025-07-30) reports a man died after falling onto the tracks at Prospect Park station during a fight. Police said, "As the fight escalated, he landed on the train tracks and was struck by an oncoming train." The victim suffered fatal head trauma. The other person involved was taken into custody for questioning. No charges were filed at the time. The article does not specify if the man fell or was pushed. The incident highlights the dangers of open subway platforms and the risks faced by riders in moments of conflict.

• Man Dies After Fall Onto Subway Tracks, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-30

A sedan struck a standing scooter on Bedford Avenue. The scooter driver, nineteen, suffered a bruised shoulder and partial ejection. No clear cause named. Streets remain unforgiving for the vulnerable.

A sedan making a left turn collided with a standing scooter traveling north on Bedford Avenue at Clarendon Road in Brooklyn. The nineteen-year-old scooter driver was partially ejected and suffered a shoulder contusion. According to the police report, contributing factors were listed as 'Unspecified.' No injuries were reported for the sedan driver or passenger. The crash left the scooter driver hurt and exposed, while the sedan showed damage to its right front quarter panel. The report does not identify a specific driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830600 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A motorcycle and SUV crashed on E 8 St. One rider suffered a head injury. Police cite traffic control ignored and failure to yield. Metal struck flesh. The system failed again.

A motorcycle and an SUV collided at E 8 St and 18 Ave in Brooklyn. According to the police report, one person riding the motorcycle suffered a head injury and was semiconscious. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. Both drivers are male and were going straight before the crash. The motorcycle rider wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary errors were driver failures to obey traffic control and yield. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830073 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A car struck an 11-year-old boy by a Brooklyn playground. He survived. Police search for answers. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on July 19, 2025, that an 11-year-old boy was hit by a car near a playground on Bedford Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The crash happened around 5:30 p.m. Friday. The boy is in stable condition. Police are investigating the circumstances. The article states, "There is no word yet on how the accident happened." No details on driver actions or charges have been released. The incident highlights the ongoing risk to children near city streets and playgrounds.

• Child Hit Near Sheepshead Bay Playground, ABC7, Published 2025-07-19

A sedan struck three young pedestrians crossing with the signal on Church Avenue. All suffered bruises. The street stayed loud. The danger stayed real.

Three pedestrians, ages 18, 19, and 20, were injured when a sedan struck them as they crossed Church Avenue with the signal. According to the police report, all three were conscious and suffered contusions. The crash happened at the intersection of Church Avenue and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The police report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrians were crossing with the signal at the time of impact. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828758 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

SUV hit a woman crossing Ocean Ave with the signal. She took the blow in her back. The driver failed to yield and turned improperly. The street stayed loud. She lay in shock.

A 34-year-old woman was injured when an SUV struck her as she crossed Ocean Ave at Avenue O in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver made a right turn and hit her, causing back injuries and internal complaints. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as driver errors. The woman was left in shock at the intersection. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A driver spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The car struck a woman on the curb. She died at the hospital. Police charged the driver with negligent homicide. The lot was left scarred. The city mourns another loss.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-16), Zachary Cando, 24, was 'doing the dangerous spinning trick' known as donuts in a Gateway Center parking lot when he lost control and hit Madisyn Ruiz, 21, who was sitting nearby. Ruiz died after being rushed to the hospital. Police charged Cando with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The article notes the car was 'badly dented in the front.' The crash highlights the risks of reckless driving in public spaces and the need for stronger deterrents in parking lots.

• Driver Kills Girlfriend Doing Donuts, New York Post, Published 2025-07-16

A judge stopped the city from tearing out Bedford Avenue’s only protected bike lane. The fight over safety and street space continues. Cyclists and pedestrians wait as legal battles stall change.

Streetsblog NYC reported on July 15, 2025, that an appellate judge halted Mayor Adams’s plan to remove a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue. Judge Ventura issued a restraining order after Transportation Alternatives and Baruch Herzfeld appealed the city’s move. The city had planned to start demolition after complaints from local leaders, but the court’s order blocks any changes until further review. Streetsblog quotes Ben Furnas: 'The Adams administration is going to have to spend their night preparing their legal case, not ripping out a critical safety project.' The article highlights weak enforcement of parking rules and the city’s reversal against its own DOT’s safety plan. The case underscores how political pressure and lax enforcement can threaten vulnerable road users.

• Court Blocks Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Removal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-15

A sedan and moped collided on Bedford Ave. The moped driver suffered leg injuries. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Impact was hard. Streets failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan and a moped crashed at Bedford Ave and Clarendon Rd in Brooklyn. The 29-year-old moped driver was injured, suffering abrasions and leg trauma. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was the key contributing factor. Both vehicles were going straight. The sedan had two occupants, both men, who were not seriously hurt. The moped driver was not using safety equipment. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore signals and rules. No blame is placed on the injured. The system failed to keep the street safe.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827092 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan hit a three-year-old crossing East 18th. The child suffered crush injuries. Police cite driver inattention. The street saw pain and chaos. Metal met flesh. The city failed to shield its smallest walker.

A sedan traveling south on East 18th Street in Brooklyn struck a three-year-old pedestrian who was crossing outside a crosswalk. The child sustained crush injuries to the entire body and was reported conscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. The driver and two other occupants were not seriously hurt. The crash underscores the danger faced by pedestrians, especially children, when drivers lose focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827091 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A car sped down Third Avenue. Two men, one with a cart, one with a cane, crossed. The driver did not brake. Both men died in the street. The car fled. Police arrested the driver hours later.

ABC7 reported on July 11, 2025, that two men, aged 59 and 80, were killed by a hit-and-run driver at Third Avenue and 52nd Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Surveillance showed the car "speeding southbound" and not braking before impact. The driver, Juventino Anastacio Florentino, was arrested and charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and reckless driving. The victims, Kex Un Chen and Faqiu Lin, were likely headed to a local food pantry. The incident highlights the lethal risk posed by reckless driving and the vulnerability of pedestrians, especially near essential services.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Two In Sunset Park, ABC7, Published 2025-07-11

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

A sedan hit a cyclist at 18th Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist, 54, suffered leg injuries and bleeding. Police list factors as unspecified. The crash left the cyclist in shock.

A crash at 4324 18th Avenue in Brooklyn involved a sedan and a bicycle. The 54-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering minor bleeding and leg trauma. According to the police report, contributing factors were listed as 'Unspecified.' The sedan's left front bumper struck the bike's right front quarter panel. The cyclist was left in shock. No injuries were reported for the sedan occupants. The report does not specify any driver errors or violations.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827094 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A judge let the city move a protected bike lane off Bedford Avenue. Cyclists lose curbside safety. Adams pushed the change after local protests. Advocates warn the street grows more dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-07-09) reports a state judge allowed Mayor Adams to remove curbside bike lane protections on Brooklyn's Bedford Avenue. The city will shift the lane to the street's center, ending the barrier of parked cars. The move follows protests from local Orthodox Jewish communities and a recent e-bike crash. Advocates sued, arguing Adams bypassed environmental review. The judge ruled the change was not a major project. Transportation Alternatives warns, 'If the Bedford Avenue safety improvements are destroyed, this all but guarantees that there will be blood on Eric Adams' hands.' The decision highlights Adams' pattern of scaling back street safety redesigns.

• Judge Allows Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Change, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-09

A Smart Car struck Dov Broyde, 70, as he crossed Avenue I near his home. Medics rushed him to the hospital. He died. The driver stayed. No charges filed. Brooklyn street claimed another life.

NY Daily News (2025-07-08) reports Dov Broyde, 70, was fatally struck by a Smart Car while crossing Avenue I at E. Fifth St. near Midwood around 9:30 p.m. The article states the driver 'plowed into him' and remained at the scene. No criminal charges were filed at the time. The incident highlights persistent danger for pedestrians in New York City, where 55 have died this year. The crash underscores the ongoing toll of traffic violence and the urgent need for systemic safety improvements.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing Avenue I, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-08

SUV struck from behind on Flatbush. Four inside injured—neck, back, leg, whiplash. Police list no clear cause. Metal and bodies take the blow.

A BMW SUV was rear-ended at 770 Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn. Four occupants, including the driver and three passengers, suffered injuries to the neck, back, and leg. According to the police report, all injuries were classified as non-life-threatening. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield are noted. The SUV took the impact at its center back end. All injured parties were conscious and not ejected. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826074 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan struck a standing scooter on Caton Ave. A 17-year-old scooter rider was injured. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely. Metal met flesh. The street stayed busy.

A sedan collided with a standing scooter on Caton Ave near Argyle Rd in Brooklyn. The crash left a 17-year-old scooter rider injured, suffering abrasions to his arm. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' contributed to the crash. The report lists no other contributing factors. The impact damaged the scooter’s front and the sedan’s rear bumper. No pedestrians were involved. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and keep safe distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827095 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Box truck and SUV collided on Avenue P. Three men hurt. Chest, neck, and back injuries. Night air thick with sirens. Steel met steel. Pain followed.

A box truck and an SUV crashed at 1815 Avenue P in Brooklyn. Three men, all vehicle occupants, suffered injuries to the chest, neck, and back. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead before impact. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed. All injured persons were conscious after the crash. No mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The collision left three men with pain and bruises, underscoring the danger at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827088 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A motorcycle slammed into a merging Ford on Flatbush Ave. The rider, 24, was thrown and scraped his arm. Police cite driver inattention. The street stayed loud. Metal and flesh met hard.

A 24-year-old motorcycle driver was injured on Flatbush Ave at Nostrand Ave in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash involved a motorcycle and a Ford car. The motorcycle driver was partially ejected and suffered an arm abrasion. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The Ford was merging when the collision occurred. No other injuries were reported. The motorcycle driver was not using any safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828742 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30