Hit-and-Run City: Blood on Broadway, Silence at City Hall

E-bike and e-scooter slammed together on Flushing Avenue, metal tangled, debris scattered. A 28-year-old man bled onto the street, flesh torn below the knee. The machines lay crumpled. Silence pressed down, broken only by pain.

According to the police report, an e-bike and an e-scooter collided near 429 Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn at 5:30 p.m. The crash occurred amid scattered debris, which the report lists as 'Obstruction/Debris' under contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling straight—one southbound, one westbound—when they struck each other. The impact left a 28-year-old man, identified as an e-bike driver, with severe lacerations to his lower leg and knee. The narrative describes blood pooling from his wounds as he lay conscious on the street, machines crumpled around him. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor, but notes the absence of a helmet after driver errors and environmental hazards. The collision underscores the danger posed by roadway obstructions and debris, which directly contributed to the violent impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756953 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Jeep SUV struck a motorscooter head-on on Union Avenue in Brooklyn. The 19-year-old unlicensed, helmetless rider suffered a crushed skull. The driver’s failure to obey traffic control caused a violent, fatal collision that left blood on the street.

According to the police report, at 12:10 a.m., a Jeep SUV traveling west on Union Avenue near Lorimer Street in Brooklyn collided head-on with a northbound motorscooter. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor, indicating the Jeep driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The Jeep’s left front bumper struck the scooter’s center front end. The 19-year-old male scooter rider was unlicensed and helmetless, suffering severe head injuries described as a crushed skull. The police report places these victim details after noting the driver’s failure to follow traffic control devices. The crash left blood on the street and silence in its wake, underscoring the deadly consequences of driver disregard for traffic rules.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752925 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 46-year-old man pedaled north on Union Avenue. An unlicensed SUV driver struck him head-on. His helmet split. Blood spread across the pavement. He was thrown from his bike. He never moved again.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old man was riding his bicycle north on Union Avenue near Lynch Street in Brooklyn when an unlicensed driver operating a 2024 Volkswagen SUV struck him head-on. The report states the crash occurred at 11:26 a.m. The cyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and suffered fatal head injuries. The police report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. The SUV driver was unlicensed at the time of the crash. The narrative describes the immediate aftermath: 'His helmet split. Blood spread across the pavement. He was thrown from the bike. He never moved again.' The report does not cite any cyclist behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the unlicensed driver’s actions and improper lane usage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752328 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A westbound sedan hit a 66-year-old man on an e-bike along Meeker Avenue. Blood pooled on the street. Both operators were distracted. The man stayed conscious despite a head wound. Machines untouched, but the body paid the price.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Meeker Avenue struck a 66-year-old man riding an e-bike. The report states that both the sedan driver and the e-bike operator were 'distracted' at the time of the crash. The impact left the e-bike rider bleeding from the head, though he remained conscious at the scene. The report notes 'severe bleeding' as the primary injury, with no damage to either vehicle. The police explicitly cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both parties. The sedan made contact with its right front bumper. The focus remains on the systemic danger posed by distracted driving, as documented in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741807 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A southbound taxi struck a 60-year-old woman crossing Flatbush at 4th. Her head hit pavement. Limbs crushed. She lay unconscious as sirens broke the quiet. The cab’s front end crumpled, the street marked by violence and silence.

According to the police report, a southbound taxi struck a 60-year-old woman at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and 4th Avenue in Brooklyn at 23:17. The report states the pedestrian was crossing against the signal when the collision occurred. The impact was severe: her head hit first, and she suffered crush injuries to her limbs. She was found unconscious at the scene. The taxi’s center front end was wrecked, indicating a direct, forceful impact. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both parties, and does not cite any specific driver error. The narrative underscores the violence of the crash and the vulnerability of the pedestrian, who was in the intersection when struck.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739975 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Steel met steel on Greenpoint Avenue. A sedan and SUV collided head-on, metal folding, glass shattering. Speed ruled the moment. A 62-year-old man, belted in, suffered crushing injuries across his body. The parked box truck stood untouched, silent witness.

A violent head-on crash unfolded on Greenpoint Avenue at Kingsland Avenue, involving a sedan and an SUV. According to the police report, both vehicles were 'going straight ahead' when they collided, crushing the front ends of both cars. The report states that a 62-year-old man, driving one of the vehicles and wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained severe crush injuries to his entire body. The police report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors to the crash. A box truck was parked nearby and was not involved in the collision. The data does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of driver speed and aggression, leaving a driver injured and vehicles destroyed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739637 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorscooter struck a parked SUV on Harrison Avenue. The rider, 52, flew off, landing hard. Blood pooled as he lay conscious, torn open. The scooter’s front crumpled. The street held him in the evening heat.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old man riding a motorscooter southbound on Harrison Avenue near 83rd collided with the rear of a parked SUV. The report states, 'A motorscooter slammed into the back of a parked SUV. The rider, 52, flew off. He hit the ground hard. Conscious, torn open. Blood pooled.' The scooter’s front end was crushed, and the rider was ejected, suffering severe lacerations to his entire body. Both vehicles were traveling south, with the SUV entering a parked position at the time of impact. The police report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor for both vehicles, drawing attention to the circumstances of vehicle positioning and movement. No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash left the rider injured and the street marked by violence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735660 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A bus struck a 16-year-old cyclist head-on on Broadway. The boy flew from his bike, landing hard. His head split open, blood pooling on the street. The bus rolled away, untouched. The boy lay conscious, pain etched across his face.

According to the police report, a bus traveling west on Broadway struck a 16-year-old male cyclist head-on. The collision ejected the cyclist from his bike, resulting in severe head lacerations. The report states the bus driver was inattentive and failed to yield the right-of-way. The cyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, landed hard on the pavement and remained conscious with a torn-open head. The bus sustained no damage and continued on. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The narrative details the violence of the impact and the aftermath, emphasizing the unyielding force of the bus and the vulnerability of the young cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727033 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

Steel tore flesh on Flushing Avenue. A dump truck veered too close, grinding a parked ambulance. Blood streaked the door. A 39-year-old man inside lost part of his arm. The truck did not yield. The city swallowed another limb.

A dump truck traveling east on Flushing Avenue near Tompkins Avenue in Brooklyn struck a parked ambulance, according to the police report. The report states both vehicles faced east when the dump truck 'scraped a parked ambulance.' Inside the ambulance, a 39-year-old man suffered an arm amputation. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors, highlighting clear driver error. The narrative notes, 'Steel shrieked. A 39-year-old man inside lost part of his arm. Blood smeared the door.' The man was not wearing a seatbelt, but the report attributes the crash to the dump truck driver’s actions. No evidence in the report suggests the victim’s behavior contributed to the collision. The impact left one man permanently injured, underscoring the dangers posed by inattentive driving and large vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729255 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A bus rolled east on Livingston Street. A baby girl crossed without a signal. The front of the bus struck her. She fell, crushed and silent. Her small form lay still as the bus showed no damage, the street marked by violence.

According to the police report, a bus traveling east on Livingston Street struck a baby girl who was crossing without a signal. The narrative states, 'The front struck her. She fell, crushed and silent. Her whole body broken. The bus showed no damage. The street held her small, still form.' The report lists the pedestrian's action as 'Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk' and her location as 'Not at Intersection.' Both contributing factors for the driver and the pedestrian are marked as 'Unspecified.' The bus was going straight ahead at the time of the crash, and the point of impact was the center front end. The baby girl suffered crush injuries to her entire body and was found unconscious. The report does not cite any specific driver errors or additional contributing factors, but the collision underscores the lethal risk posed by large vehicles to vulnerable pedestrians, especially children.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722151 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Evening light on York Street. A head-on crash between an SUV and a motorcycle. The rider’s lower leg crushed, helmet intact. SUV’s front left mangled. Both vehicles eastbound. Steel and flesh meet, the city absorbs the pain.

A head-on collision between a motorcycle and an SUV unfolded near 181 York Street in Brooklyn at 6:55 p.m., according to the police report. The report states both vehicles were traveling east when they collided. The motorcycle rider, a 40-year-old man, remained conscious but suffered a crushed lower leg. His helmet stayed on. The SUV’s front left quarter panel was severely damaged. Police cite 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as the contributing factor, highlighting a systemic hazard where sudden, unpredictable roadway events can trigger violent impacts. No driver errors beyond this are listed in the report. The focus remains on the chain reaction that left a vulnerable rider injured, underscoring the persistent danger for those outside steel cages on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721474 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council moves to hike fines for illegal ATVs and dirt bikes. First offense: $375–$750. Repeat: $750–$1,500. Law aims at reckless riders who menace city streets and endanger lives.

Bill Int 0856-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced April 18, 2024, it seeks to amend city code to raise fines for unlawful ATV and dirt bike use. The bill states: 'The first offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 375 dollars and up to 750 dollars. Any subsequent offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 750 dollars and up to 1500 dollars.' Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, and Farías. The bill was referred to committee the same day. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Council bill orders DOT to factor traffic enforcement agents into city safety plans. The move targets deadly streets. Sponsors demand action, not words. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait for safer crossings.

Int 0842-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 18, 2024, the bill amends city law to require the Department of Transportation to consider where traffic enforcement agents are placed when drafting the interagency roadway safety plan. The bill summary states: 'require DOT to specifically consider placement of traffic enforcement agents in certain areas.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Members Brannan (primary), Louis, Restler, and the Queens Borough President sponsor the measure. The bill responds to Local Law 12 of 2011, which already mandates a five-year safety plan. Now, the council demands DOT put enforcement on the map, aiming to cut injuries and deaths.

• File Int 0842-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

A Buick SUV turned left through a Brooklyn crosswalk, crushing a 10-year-old girl as she crossed with the signal. The driver failed to yield. Her body broke beneath the front end. She died at the scene. Systemic danger, unyielding metal.

According to the police report, a Buick SUV traveling south on Wallabout Street near Franklin Avenue struck and killed a 10-year-old girl at approximately 14:33. The vehicle was making a left turn through the crosswalk when it hit the child. The report states the girl was 'crossing with the signal' at the intersection. The driver failed to yield the right-of-way and was also cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The impact crushed the girl beneath the front end of the SUV, resulting in fatal injuries to her entire body. The police report highlights 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor, underscoring the lethal consequences of driver error and inattention. The victim’s lawful crossing is noted only after the driver’s failures.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

A motorcycle tore into a turning car on Flatbush Avenue Extension. Metal crumpled. Blood streaked the rider’s leg. Deep gashes marked his flesh. No helmet. He stayed conscious as the city’s streets showed no mercy.

A 2020 Indian motorcycle collided with a car making a right turn on Flatbush Avenue Extension, according to the police report. The report states the motorcycle 'slammed into a turning car,' with the left front of the motorcycle crushed and the rider suffering severe lacerations to his leg. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors. The rider, a 31-year-old man, was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, as noted in the report. The narrative describes blood streaking his leg and deep gashes tearing the flesh, yet the rider remained conscious. The impact and injuries reflect the lethal consequences of driver inattention and distraction on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716013 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04