Hit-and-Run City: The Bodies Pile Up, Leaders Look Away

City rips out Bedford Avenue bike lane. Cyclists lose safe passage. Judge sides with mayor. Injuries had dropped. Advocates warn: danger returns. Streets grow harsher for those outside cars.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-10) reports that Mayor Adams will remove a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue after a judge upheld the city’s decision. Advocates say this 'all but guarantees that there will be blood on Eric Adams's hands.' NYPD data showed injuries dropped after the lane’s installation. The city acted after complaints from local leaders. The lane sits on a 'Vision Zero Priority Corridor,' one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous streets. Cyclists and residents called the move political and warned it strips away proven safety. No driver errors cited, but the policy shift exposes vulnerable road users to renewed risk.

• Brooklyn Bike Lane Removal Sparks Outrage, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-10

Moped slammed on Saratoga Ave. Nineteen-year-old driver and thirty-two-year-old passenger thrown, hurt, left in shock. Both suffered abrasions. Center back end crushed. No helmets. Brooklyn street, blood on the asphalt.

A moped crashed on Saratoga Avenue at Dean Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a 19-year-old male driver and a 32-year-old female passenger were partially ejected and injured, both suffering abrasions and shock. The moped’s center back end was damaged. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both injured persons. No driver errors are specified. Neither occupant wore safety equipment, as noted after the absence of identified driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826221 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A sedan hit an 18-year-old woman crossing Atlantic Avenue. She suffered a leg injury. The car’s left front bumper struck her. Police list contributing factors as unspecified.

An 18-year-old pedestrian was struck by a sedan while crossing Atlantic Avenue at Havens Place in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the car’s left front bumper hit the woman, causing a contusion to her lower leg. She was conscious at the scene. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826333 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit a woman crossing Somers Street. She suffered a bruised leg. The car’s left front bumper struck her. She was conscious at the scene.

A sedan traveling west struck a 31-year-old woman as she crossed Somers Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the impact came from the car’s left front bumper. The pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. She sustained a contusion to her lower leg and foot but remained conscious. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the police data. No helmet or signal issues were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man crossing near Broadway Junction died after a gray Ford hit him. The driver fled. Hours later, a Mustang plowed into six in the Bronx. Both drivers vanished. The city counts 55 pedestrian deaths this year.

NY Daily News (2025-07-04) reports a 36-year-old man was killed crossing Broadway and East New York Ave. in Brooklyn when a gray Ford struck him and fled. Hours later, a Ford Mustang hit six people in the Bronx, then the driver and passenger ran off. The article notes, 'It was the second hit-and-run in the five boroughs in 24 hours.' Police said, 'As of Thursday, 55 pedestrians have been killed by vehicles while crossing city streets.' Both drivers remain at large. The incidents highlight persistent dangers for pedestrians and the ongoing problem of drivers fleeing crash scenes.

• Hit-And-Run Drivers Strike Brooklyn, Bronx, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-04

A moped and sedan collided on Bergen Street. The moped driver suffered leg abrasions. Police cite improper passing and lane use. Both vehicles made left turns. Streets stayed dangerous.

A crash on Bergen Street at Thomas S Boyland Street in Brooklyn involved a moped and a sedan, both making left turns. The 32-year-old moped driver was injured, sustaining abrasions to her leg. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' was the contributing factor for both drivers. The moped driver was unlicensed. No other injuries were specified. The report highlights improper lane use as the cause, underscoring the persistent risks for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A driver fled a Brooklyn traffic stop, dragging an officer with the car. The officer was hurt. The suspect vanished south on Coney Island Avenue. The search continues. Metal, flesh, and fear on Ocean Parkway.

ABC7 reported on July 3, 2025, that a driver fled a traffic stop near Ocean Parkway and Avenue X in Sheepshead Bay, dragging an NYPD officer with a black Honda Pilot. The officer suffered minor injuries. ABC7 quotes, "the 36-year-old suspect fled the attempted traffic stop, dragging the officer as he drove away." Police said the driver was wanted for a prior infraction. The incident highlights the risks of traffic enforcement and the dangers posed by drivers who evade police, putting both officers and bystanders at risk.

• Driver Drags Officer Fleeing Traffic Stop, ABC7, Published 2025-07-03

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

An eight-year-old boy died after a Honda SUV struck him at Eastern Parkway and Albany Ave. He was dragged under the car. Blood pooled. His sister watched. The driver stayed. No arrest. The city investigates.

NY Daily News (2025-06-29) reports an 8-year-old boy was fatally struck by a 69-year-old Honda Pilot driver at Eastern Parkway and Albany Ave. in Brooklyn. The boy was crossing when hit; witnesses saw him dragged from under the SUV. The article quotes, "I saw the kid being dragged from underneath the car by a woman." The driver remained at the scene. No arrests were made. NYPD Collision Squad investigates. The crash highlights persistent dangers at city intersections and the lethal risk large vehicles pose to children.

• Child Killed By SUV In Crown Heights, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-29

A BMW hit a cyclist on Sutter Avenue. The rider, a 44-year-old man, suffered a head injury. Both vehicles moved straight ahead. No driver errors listed. The street stayed silent after impact.

A BMW and a bicycle collided on Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist, a 44-year-old man, was injured in the head and remained conscious. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the data. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment. The crash left the cyclist with an abrasion and the BMW damaged at the center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825034 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A driver fell ill on Mother Gaston Blvd. The SUV struck parked cars. Two people hurt. Head and body injuries. Shock. Metal and glass. Brooklyn street, night air, sirens wail.

A crash on Mother Gaston Blvd in Brooklyn left two people injured when an SUV, driven by a 28-year-old man, struck parked vehicles. According to the police report, 'Illnes' was listed as the contributing factor. The front passenger, a 27-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and pain. The driver was in shock with injuries to his entire body. Several other occupants, including children, were involved but not reported as injured. The police report cites 'Illnes' as the cause, with no other driver errors listed. Both injured parties used lap belts and harnesses.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823629 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans crashed on Amboy Street. Five people hurt. Police cite driver distraction. Passengers suffered back injuries. Metal twisted. Sirens followed.

Two sedans crashed on Amboy Street at Linden Boulevard in Brooklyn. Five people were hurt, including a 73-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man with back injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor for both vehicles. Both cars were traveling straight ahead when they collided. The report lists no other contributing factors. The crash left metal bent and lives shaken.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825599 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a five-year-old boy playing in the street. The child suffered leg abrasions. Police cite driver inattention. Impact at center front end. Brooklyn street, early evening.

A sedan traveling north on Herzl Street in Brooklyn struck a five-year-old boy who was playing in the roadway. The child suffered abrasions to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. The impact occurred at the vehicle's center front end. No injuries were specified for the vehicle occupant. The crash did not occur at an intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823352 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A bus and sedan crashed at 670 Rockaway Ave. One passenger suffered a back injury. Both vehicles carried multiple occupants. Police list all factors as unspecified.

A bus and a sedan collided at 670 Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash left a 61-year-old female passenger with a back injury. The bus was traveling north, going straight. The sedan was entering a parked position. Both vehicles had licensed drivers. Police list all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are cited in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit an 18-year-old pedestrian at Grafton Street. The impact broke the young man’s leg. Police list no driver error. The street remains dangerous.

An 18-year-old pedestrian was struck and injured by a sedan at the intersection of Grafton Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a fractured leg and was conscious at the scene. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the pedestrian. The report lists no specific driver error or contributing factor. The driver was licensed and the vehicle was registered in New York. The crash left the pedestrian with serious injuries, underscoring the ongoing risk faced by people on foot in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822989 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan and pickup slammed into a parked box truck on Louis Place. Two drivers hurt. Police cite driver fell asleep. Metal and bodies took the blow.

A crash on Louis Place in Brooklyn involved a sedan, a pickup, and a parked box truck. Two drivers suffered injuries—one to the leg, another across the body. According to the police report, the crash occurred when a driver fell asleep. The box truck was parked at the time. The sedan and pickup both hit the truck's rear. Police list 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor. No other errors or factors are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824702 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Seventeen-year-old Jhoan Puga died after his moped struck a turning car in Midwood. His passenger was thrown and critically hurt. The crash left trauma and questions in its wake.

According to NY Daily News (2025-06-24), Jhoan Puga, 17, was riding a gas moped north on East Eighth St. in Brooklyn when he collided with a Genesis G80 driven by a 71-year-old man making a left turn. The impact threw Puga and his passenger, causing severe injuries. The article states, "Jhoan later died at the hospital." The driver remained at the scene. No arrests have been made. The NYPD collision squad is investigating. The crash highlights risks at intersections and the vulnerability of moped riders in city traffic.

• Teen Killed, Passenger Hurt In Moped Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-24

SUV and sedan collided on Rockaway Ave. Three children suffered neck injuries. One driver hurt her shoulder. No clear cause named. Brooklyn street turned harsh for young passengers.

A crash between a sedan and an SUV on Rockaway Ave and E New York Ave in Brooklyn left three child passengers with neck injuries and a driver with a shoulder injury. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling north when the sedan struck the SUV’s right side. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data. No mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The collision highlights the risk to young passengers even when causes remain unclear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822360 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped slammed into a car’s door in Bay Ridge. The rider died. His passenger broke bones. The driver was drunk, unlicensed, and arrested. The street stayed quiet after the crash. Another life lost to reckless driving.

NY Daily News reported on June 22, 2025, that Joel Mota, 22, died after his moped struck the passenger-side door of a 2013 Acura TSX at Third Ave and 67th St in Brooklyn. The crash happened at 4:45 a.m. Police said the car’s driver, Leslie Moreno, was intoxicated and unlicensed. Mota’s passenger suffered multiple fractures. The article notes, 'Police arrested the Acura driver, 29-year-old Leslie Moreno, for driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired, and being unlicensed.' Moreno was arraigned and released without bail. The case highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired, unlicensed drivers on city streets.

• Drunk Unlicensed Driver Kills Moped Rider, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-22