Ocean Parkway to the Belt: CB15’s Deadly Hours

Mar 15 - A Jeep SUV struck the rear of an Audi sedan on Belt Parkway at unsafe speed. The sedan’s driver, a 41-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and whiplash. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound when the collision occurred in the early morning hours.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:26 AM on Belt Parkway. A 41-year-old female driver of a 2019 Jeep SUV was traveling eastbound when she struck the right rear bumper of a 2018 Audi sedan, also traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor for the collision. The sedan driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained a head injury and complained of whiplash but was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The Jeep had two occupants, and the sedan had one occupant. No other contributing factors such as victim behavior were noted in the report. The collision highlights the dangers of excessive speed on city roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799430 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 8 - A driver out on bail smashed into a Toyota in Bushwick. The crash killed Hayden Wallace and injured three others. The driver fled, leaving chaos behind. Police tracked him for over a year. Charges stack up, but the loss remains.

NY Daily News (March 8, 2025) reports that Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested after a deadly hit-and-run in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Seabrook had been out on bail for a previous crash involving police. On January 8, 2024, he crashed into a Toyota, killing Hayden Wallace and injuring three others. Seabrook fled the scene, abandoning his vehicle. The article notes, "All accidents are useless but this one was even more useless because [Seabrook] had so many other offenses." Seabrook faces 23 charges, including manslaughter, leaving the scene, unlicensed driving, and speeding. The case highlights repeated driver offenses and questions about bail and enforcement. Police needed over a year to arrest Seabrook, who had a history of fleeing crashes and driving without a license.

• Repeat Offender Kills Passenger In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-08

Mar 4 - Two sedans collided on Belt Parkway when one followed too closely. The impact struck the rear center of the lead vehicle and injured its driver, a 37-year-old man, who suffered a neck contusion but remained conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway at 9:15 AM involving two sedans traveling westbound. The collision was caused by the trailing vehicle following too closely, which led to it striking the center back end of the lead vehicle. The lead vehicle sustained damage to its right rear bumper, while the striking vehicle's left front bumper was damaged. The driver of the lead vehicle, a 37-year-old man, was injured with a neck contusion but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report explicitly cites 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, highlighting driver error as the cause. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 3 - A 76-year-old woman crossing Avenue Y with the signal suffered a severe leg fracture after an SUV making a left turn struck her. The driver’s failure to yield right-of-way caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian injured but conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 76-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Avenue Y and Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn at 6:21 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2020 Nissan SUV, traveling east and making a left turn, struck her on the left front quarter panel. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as a severe injury. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to yield created a dangerous situation resulting in serious harm to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 3 - A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. It struck a man crouched in the road. The driver fled. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. Police are still investigating. Brooklyn’s streets claim more lives. The toll grows.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was 'crouched in the street to pick up food' when the northbound truck turned right and hit him, according to NYPD officials. The driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene. No arrests have been made. The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The article notes this crash followed two other recent fatal collisions in Brooklyn. The incident underscores persistent dangers for pedestrians and ongoing issues with drivers leaving crash scenes. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace.

• Dump Truck Kills Pedestrian In Williamsburg, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-03

Mar 2 - A man sped through a stop sign in Brownsville. His Mercedes hit a school bus. His passenger died. He ran from the wreck in a taxi. Police found him later. The victim’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged.

NY Daily News reported on March 2, 2025, that Tyree Epps, 32, drove a Mercedes-Benz without a license, ran a stop sign on Van Sinderen Ave, and crashed into a school bus. The article states, “After the crash, Epps hopped in a taxi and took off, leaving his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, in the front seat suffering severe head trauma.” Epps faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, and unlicensed driving. The bus driver survived. The crash exposes ongoing risks from unlicensed, reckless drivers and the persistent danger at city intersections. The victim’s family is left to grieve and organize a funeral, while the intersection remains a site of loss.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Fatal Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-02

Mar 1 - A Kia slammed into a Toyota on Stockholm Street. Hayden Wallace, 29, died. Two friends survived with critical wounds. The driver fled. Police arrested Christopher Seabrook. The crash left a new life cut short, a city shaken.

According to the NY Daily News (published March 1, 2025), Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested for the hit-and-run crash that killed Hayden Wallace, 29, in Bushwick on January 8, 2024. Seabrook allegedly crashed a Kia Sportage into a Toyota Yaris carrying Wallace and friends, then fled the scene on foot. Wallace died; two others were critically injured. The Toyota’s driver was also charged with driving without a license. Seabrook faces charges including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene. The article quotes Wallace’s aunt: “He lived life to the fullest. He was only 29 years old and lit up every room he entered.” The case highlights the deadly consequences of reckless driving and fleeing crash scenes in New York City.

• Bushwick Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-01

Feb 28 - A 70-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Ocean Avenue with the signal. The driver, distracted and making a left turn, impacted the pedestrian’s upper leg. The pedestrian sustained bruising and remained conscious after the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Ocean Avenue made a left turn and struck a 70-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian suffered an upper leg contusion and remained conscious following the impact. The vehicle’s point of impact was the left front bumper, and despite the collision, the sedan showed no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. The report explicitly cites driver distraction as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian’s actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795887 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 28 - A drunk driver blasted through a red light at 72 mph. He struck Katherine Harris, killing her steps from home. The car crashed on. Blood alcohol twice the limit. The street became a crime scene. Lives shattered in seconds.

NY Daily News reported on February 28, 2025, that Erick Trujillo, 29, was sentenced to three to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. On April 16, 2023, Trujillo drove his Volvo at 72 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a red light at Atlantic Ave and Clinton Street in Brooklyn. He struck pedestrian Katherine Harris, 31, killing her instantly, then rear-ended another car and crashed into an outdoor dining shed. Trujillo's blood alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "This defendant made a disastrous decision when he got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated." The case highlights the lethal consequences of impaired driving and excessive speed, underscoring systemic risks for pedestrians in New York City.

• Drunk Driver Speeds, Kills Pedestrian in Brooklyn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-28

Feb 26 - Two sedans collided on E 24 St in Brooklyn. A 17-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and a 37-year-old female driver sustained leg abrasions. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on E 24 St in Brooklyn involving two sedans. The 17-year-old male driver was injured with head contusions and bruises, while the 37-year-old female driver sustained abrasions to her knee and lower leg. The male driver was traveling west, going straight ahead, when the collision occurred. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for the male driver. The female driver’s contributing factors were listed as 'Unspecified.' Neither occupant was ejected from their vehicles. Vehicle damage included impact to the right rear quarter panel of the male driver’s sedan and front-end damage to the female driver’s vehicle. The report highlights driver errors—unsafe speed and distraction—as primary causes, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795122 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 25 - A sedan tore down Everett Avenue, its right bumper smashing into a 14-year-old boy on an e-scooter. Blood pooled on the street. The boy stayed conscious, his legs crushed, his ride ended by speed and steel.

A 14-year-old boy riding an e-scooter on Everett Avenue near Aster Court was struck by a sedan traveling at unsafe speed, according to the police report. The collision occurred at 7:35 p.m. and left the boy with crush injuries to his legs. The report states, 'A 14-year-old boy on an e-scooter, no helmet, struck by a speeding sedan. The car’s right bumper crushed his legs. He stayed awake. Blood pooled on the street where his ride ended.' The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. The sedan’s right front bumper was the point of impact, matching the boy’s lower leg injuries. The report notes the boy was not wearing a helmet, but this is listed after the driver’s error of unsafe speed. The focus remains on the driver’s excessive speed, which led directly to the severe injuries suffered by the vulnerable e-scooter rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794963 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 25 - A bus struck a 37-year-old woman crossing Ocean Ave. She suffered fractured and dislocated leg bones. Police cite driver distraction. The crash left her conscious but badly hurt on Brooklyn’s streets.

According to the police report, a bus traveling south on Ocean Avenue struck a 37-year-old woman as she crossed outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries, including fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a primary contributing factor. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The bus showed no damage, and the driver was licensed and headed straight. This crash highlights the risk distracted drivers pose to pedestrians in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796275 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 23 - A sedan on Belt Parkway crashed after the driver reacted to another vehicle. The front passenger, a 20-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Impact struck the car’s left front. No other factors listed.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old female passenger in a 2009 Toyota sedan was injured on Belt Parkway at 10:10 a.m. The sedan, heading east, crashed when the driver reacted to an uninvolved vehicle. The collision struck the left front bumper. The passenger, restrained by a lap belt and harness, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The report lists the driver’s contributing factor as "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle," highlighting a driver error in response to traffic. No other contributing factors or victim actions were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794634 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 19 - A sedan hit a 12-year-old boy crossing Gravesend Neck Road. The child suffered a head injury. The car struck him head-on. Night. Brooklyn. No driver errors listed. The boy was conscious, hurt, and bleeding.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old boy was struck by a sedan while crossing Gravesend Neck Road at 8:05 PM in Brooklyn. The boy suffered a head injury and concussion but remained conscious. The report states the pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection. The sedan, driven by a licensed New Jersey man, was traveling straight east and hit the boy with its center front end. The police report does not cite any driver errors. The crash underscores the danger for pedestrians at intersections where signals are ignored and vehicles continue ahead.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793765 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 18 - A BMW X5 veered off Belt Parkway near Exit 14. The SUV struck a tree. Marcus Joseph, 41, died at the scene. No passengers. No bystanders hurt. The crash left only silence and wreckage on the Brooklyn road.

NY Daily News (2025-02-18) reports Marcus Joseph, 41, died after his BMW X5 spun out of control on the Belt Parkway near Exit 14 in Starrett City, Brooklyn. Police said the SUV 'skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.' Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The article does not mention weather or road conditions. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed corridors like the Belt Parkway, where loss of control can prove fatal. No charges were filed. The report underscores the persistent risks for all road users on New York City highways.

• BMW Skids, Slams Tree On Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 18 - Brooklyn’s Community Board 15 killed a Sheepshead Bay rezoning, citing rampant illegal parking—even by police. The board demanded more parking, ignoring transit and non-drivers. Council Member Vernikov opposed the project. More parking means more cars, more danger for people on foot and bike.

On February 18, 2025, Brooklyn Community Board 15 rejected a rezoning proposal at 2510 Coney Island Ave. The board’s vote came after the developer slashed housing units and promised a one-to-one parking ratio. The official matter focused on 'excessive illegal parking—including by the local police precinct.' CB15 Chair Theresa Scavo said, 'If we allow this rezoning every property owner on that block will continue to do the same thing, causing more backups and more traffic.' Council Member Inna Vernikov, through her legislative director, voiced strong opposition, prioritizing parking over new housing. Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized the parking mandate, warning it 'traps neighborhoods in car dependent development patterns.' Advocates argued the board ignored transit options and the needs of non-drivers. The City Council is expected to reject the project, blocking new homes and locking in car dominance.

• Too Much Illegal Parking Prompts Community Board to Reject New Housing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 17 - A distracted sedan driver struck a bicyclist traveling east on Avenue P in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. The sedan was parked at the time of impact, sustaining no damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:15 on Avenue P in Brooklyn. A sedan, parked and facing east, was struck on its left side doors by a bicyclist also traveling east. The bicyclist, a 46-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and sustained a fracture, distortion, and dislocation to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both the sedan driver and the bicyclist. The sedan sustained no damage. The primary driver error identified is the sedan driver's inattention or distraction, which led to the collision with the bicyclist. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793322 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 16 - SUV swung a U-turn on Avenue Y. It struck a sedan head-on. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old woman, suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries. She was conscious, belted, and hurt by the impact.

According to the police report, a crash occurred at 14:05 on Avenue Y in Brooklyn. A 2020 Dodge SUV made an improper U-turn and collided with a 2022 Hyundai sedan traveling straight. The report lists "Turning Improperly" as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. The sedan's 28-year-old female driver was injured in the abdomen and pelvis and complained of whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt at the scene. No other contributing factors or victim actions were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793643 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 16 - A sedan traveling west on Belt Parkway struck an unknown object or condition, injuring its 20-year-old male driver. The driver suffered facial abrasions but was conscious and protected by an airbag. Pavement defects contributed to the crash’s cause.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old male driver was injured in a crash on Belt Parkway at 1:06 a.m. The vehicle involved was a 2007 Lexus sedan traveling west, with two occupants aboard. The driver sustained abrasions to his face but remained conscious and was not ejected, with the airbag deploying upon impact. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which also sustained damage. The report cites 'Pavement Defective' as a contributing factor, indicating hazardous road conditions played a role. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are listed. The crash injured the driver but does not indicate any fault or contributing behavior on his part.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793075 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13