District 34: Trucks, turns, and a dead‑end on safety

Aug 28 - A 21-year-old cyclist turned left on Union Avenue. An SUV slammed into him head-on. Blood pooled on the street. The bike stood still. The SUV’s front was crushed. The rider bled from the head. He survived, conscious but badly hurt.

A 21-year-old cyclist was seriously injured when a KIA SUV struck him head-on on Union Avenue near South 4th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist was making a left turn when the SUV, traveling straight, collided with him. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor. The cyclist suffered severe head lacerations and was conscious at the scene. The SUV’s front end was crushed. The police report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s error. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4659097 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 25 - A man rode east on Broadway. He lost focus. The bike struck. He flew. His head hit the ground. Blood pooled. He lay conscious, bleeding in the dark. The street stayed silent. The city moved on.

A 29-year-old man riding a bike east on Broadway at Marcy Avenue crashed and was ejected from his bike. According to the police report, 'He lost focus. The bike struck. He flew. His head hit hard. Blood pooled on the pavement. He lay conscious in the dark, bleeding and alone.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The cyclist suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. The data notes he was unlicensed and wore no helmet, but these are mentioned only after the driver errors. No other vehicles or people were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657974 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 21 - A dump truck turned left on Kingsland Avenue. A woman crossed with the light. The truck did not stop. Its wheels crushed her. She died at the scene. The truck showed no damage. The street stayed silent.

A woman was killed at the corner of Kingsland Avenue and Richardson Street when a dump truck turned left and struck her as she crossed with the signal. According to the police report, the truck 'did not stop' and 'her body broke beneath its wheels.' The pedestrian died at the scene from crush injuries. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The dump truck, registered in New Jersey, showed no damage after the crash. The woman was crossing at the intersection with the light. No errors or actions by the pedestrian contributed to the crash, according to the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 17 - DOT unveiled a watered-down redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. Protected bike lanes will run the length, but car lanes stay for peak hours. Advocates call it less safe. Restler and others back the compromise. The fight for real safety continues.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the Administration, the Department of Transportation, and our community to make North Brooklyn’s streets safer for all" -- Antonio Reynoso

On August 17, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined other officials in announcing a compromise redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. The Department of Transportation's new plan, described as a 'compromised version,' adds protected bike lanes but keeps two car lanes during peak hours from Calyer Street to the Pulaski Bridge. The matter, titled 'Relief in Greenpoint as compromise reached on McGuinness Boulevard redesign,' reflects years of advocacy for safer streets. Restler, along with Borough President Reynoso and others, welcomed the changes and pledged to push for swift implementation. Advocacy group Make McGuinness Safe criticized the compromise as 'less effective and less safe,' blaming business opposition for watering down the original plan. The compromise marks a partial win for vulnerable road users, but falls short of the full road diet advocates demanded.

• Relief in Greenpoint as compromise reached on McGuinness Boulevard redesign, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-08-17

Aug 16 - Mayor Adams approved a diluted redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. Protected bike lanes will come, but car lanes stay open during peak hours. The plan falls short of full safety measures. The road remains dangerous. Victims still count. No one is satisfied.

On August 16, 2023, Mayor Adams announced a compromise redesign for McGuinness Boulevard, a notorious Brooklyn corridor. The Department of Transportation will install curbside protected bike lanes and reduce car lanes from two to one in each direction on most of the strip. However, north of Calyer Street, two lanes for cars will remain open during weekdays, reverting to parking lanes at night and on weekends. The plan, shaped after lobbying by business interests and mayoral adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin, mixes two previous DOT proposals. Mayoral spokesman Charles Lutvak said, 'Traffic safety is a key priority for Mayor Adams, and we are delivering with a redesign of McGuinness Boulevard that will make this corridor safer for all road users.' Local officials, including Council Member Lincoln Restler, called it a 'critical step' but noted it lacks key safety elements. The compromise leaves gaps. Since 2021, 62 people have been injured on this stretch. The carnage continues.

• Mayor Adams Signs Off On Compromise for Deadly McGuinness Blvd.; No One Truly Happy, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-16

Aug 11 - A driver struck a moped rider on McGuinness Boulevard. The rider’s leg broke. Politicians and neighbors demand the mayor act. The city delays a safety plan. The street stays deadly. The call is clear: fix McGuinness now.

On August 11, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler and other Northern Brooklyn officials responded to a crash on McGuinness Boulevard, where a driver hit and injured a moped rider. The incident happened near Meeker Avenue, one block from where teacher Matthew Jensen was killed in 2021. The matter, titled 'Locals call for mayor to take immediate action after moped rider injured on McGuinness Boulevard,' highlights the urgent need for the Department of Transportation’s proposed safety redesign. Restler, along with U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, issued a joint statement: 'Lives are being put at risk. We need immediate action by the Mayor's office to implement the Department of Transportation's proposed safety improvements so that everyone in our community can feel confident that McGuinness Boulevard will not cause more tragedies.' The safety plan remains blocked, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to ongoing danger.

• Locals call for mayor to take ‘immediate action’ after moped rider injured on McGuinness Boulevard, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-08-11

Aug 11 - City officials slam a developer’s push to add 95 parking spaces in Downtown Brooklyn. They call it dangerous and wasteful. The site sits by major transit and a new bike lane. Leaders demand housing, not more cars, to protect people on foot and bike.

On August 11, 2023, city officials and advocates opposed a plan to expand a parking lot at Schermerhorn and Hoyt streets in Downtown Brooklyn. The proposal, by Edison Properties, would add 95 parking spaces. Dan Garodnick, chair of the City Planning Commission, called the site 'ideal for housing.' Council Member Lincoln Restler, who represents the area, stated he is an unequivocal 'no' on the expansion and wants a use that benefits the community. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso urged the city to discourage private vehicles, citing high pedestrian traffic and strong transit access. City Planning Commissioner Juan Camilo Osorio highlighted policies to cut car use and decarbonize the city. Officials warn that more parking means more cars and more danger for people walking and biking, especially after a major bike lane was added to Schermerhorn Street.

• City Wants More Housing, Not Parking, in Downtown Brooklyn, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-11

Aug 10 - A man on a bike tore into a parked SUV. His arm split open. Blood spilled onto Grand Street. The SUV did not move. The cyclist rode too fast. Shock hit him hard. Brooklyn stood still and watched.

A 27-year-old man riding a bike crashed into the side of a parked SUV near 639 Grand Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A 27-year-old man on a bike struck the side of a parked SUV. His arm split open. Blood poured. No helmet. The SUV stood still. The bike moved too fast. Shock took him.' The cyclist suffered a severe arm injury and was in shock. The police listed 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The report also noted 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The SUV was parked and unoccupied at the time of impact. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as stated in the report, but this was not listed as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653597 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - A driver tore through McGuinness Boulevard, smashing cars and leaving a moped rider badly hurt. The carnage reignited calls for long-delayed safety fixes. Local leaders say the crash was no surprise. The city’s promise to protect lives remains unfulfilled.

""Sadly, this incident was entirely predictable and underscores once again why the McGuinness Boulevard redesign is so badly needed."" -- Antonio Reynoso

On August 10, 2023, a motorist seriously injured a moped rider and crashed into several vehicles on McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint. The incident, near the site of a 2021 fatality, drew a joint statement from Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Council Member Lincoln Restler. They called the crash 'entirely predictable' and demanded Mayor Adams immediately implement the Department of Transportation’s stalled safety redesign. The DOT’s plan, which includes narrowing the street and adding a protected bike lane, faces opposition from powerful donors. The mayor’s office claims traffic safety is a priority, but the plan remains in limbo. Advocates and officials say every delay puts more lives at risk.

• Outrage on Bloody McGuinness Blvd. as Motorist Severely Injures Moped Rider, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-10

Aug 5 - A Ford SUV struck a 25-year-old e-bike rider head-on on Harrison Place. The rider flew from the saddle, hit the pavement, head split open. He lay semiconscious, bleeding, alone in the dark. Traffic control ignored. Streets unforgiving.

A Ford SUV hit a 25-year-old e-bike rider head-on near Harrison Place and Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV disregarded traffic control and struck the cyclist, who was ejected and suffered severe head lacerations. The rider was semiconscious and bleeding at the scene. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause remains the driver's failure to obey traffic signals and improper lane usage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 18 - Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

Jul 12 - A cyclist rode east on North 7th. A woman stepped from behind a parked car. His front wheel hit her. She fell. Her head struck the pavement. Blood pooled. The cyclist kept riding. She lay still, unconscious.

A 66-year-old woman was struck by a man riding a bike on North 7th Street. According to the police report, the cyclist rode east as the woman stepped from behind a parked car. His front wheel hit her, causing her to fall and strike her head on the pavement. Blood pooled as she lay unconscious. The cyclist did not stop. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The woman suffered head injuries and was left motionless at the scene. No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction are specified in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645388 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 12 - A cyclist slammed into the back of a stopped SUV on South 4th Street. He flew headfirst, hit the ground, and bled from the skull. Thirty-three years old. No helmet. Blood pooled on Brooklyn pavement. He was conscious, injured, and alone.

A 33-year-old cyclist was injured after colliding with the rear of a stopped SUV near 163 South 4th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist 'hit the back of a stopped SUV. No helmet. He flew headfirst, hit the ground. Blood pooled on the pavement. Conscious, bleeding from the skull.' The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. The SUV was stopped in traffic at the time of impact. The absence of a helmet is noted in the report, but driver errors are cited as primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645632 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 30 - A concrete mixer hit a cyclist at Morgan Avenue and Harrison Place. Steel met flesh. The rider fell. Blood pooled at his leg. His helmet cracked. He stayed conscious. The truck driver was inattentive. The cyclist suffered severe leg wounds.

A concrete mixer traveling east collided with a northbound cyclist at the corner of Morgan Avenue and Harrison Place in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A concrete mixer moved east. A cyclist rode north. Steel struck flesh. He hit the pavement hard. Blood pooled at his leg. His helmet cracked. He stayed awake. He did not scream.' The cyclist, a 28-year-old man, suffered severe lacerations to his lower leg and remained conscious at the scene. Police cited 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the truck driver. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, which cracked in the crash. No injuries were reported for the truck driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642289 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 21 - Brooklyn leaders demand the state back a park over the BQE trench in Williamsburg. They call for federal funds to cap the highway. The plan aims to cut pollution, reconnect neighborhoods, and give residents green space where cars now rule.

On June 21, 2023, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Rep. Nydia Velázquez, and Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez urged state officials to join the city in seeking federal funding for the BQGreen park proposal. The plan would cap a stretch of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in south Williamsburg, creating 3.5 acres of new parkland. Reynoso called on Governor Kathy Hochul to act as a co-applicant for funds, stating, "We're calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to be a co-applicant alongside the City of New York for federal funding to finally deck the BQE." Velázquez said, "We are fighting to reimagine the way to reconnect neighborhoods, improve traffic and reduce toxic pollution." Gutierrez stressed the urgent need for open space and clean air. The proposal, estimated at $100-200 million, is framed as an environmental justice effort to heal a community long divided and harmed by the highway.

• Brooklyn Electeds Demand State Embrace Park Over BQE Trench in Williamsburg, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-21

Jun 20 - A scooter struck an SUV on Morgan Avenue. The 16-year-old rider, unlicensed and unprotected, flew through the air and hit the street. Both drivers lacked licenses. Traffic control was ignored. The crash left the teen torn and conscious on the pavement.

A collision occurred on Morgan Avenue between a motorscooter and an SUV. The 16-year-old scooter rider was ejected and suffered severe lacerations to his entire body. According to the police report, 'Traffic control ignored. Metal and blood.' Both the scooter and SUV drivers were unlicensed. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The scooter was demolished, and the SUV sustained damage to its right side doors. The rider wore no helmet and had no license, but these details are noted only after the primary driver errors. The crash left the teenager conscious but severely injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4639515 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 12 - Mayor Adams expands Summer Streets to every borough. Five Saturdays. Seventeen miles. Cars banned from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Brooklyn and Queens get major corridors. Advocates want longer hours and connected routes. City cites costs and safety. Streets open, but only for a while.

On June 12, 2023, Mayor Adams announced the expansion of New York City’s Summer Streets program to all five boroughs. The program, managed by the Department of Transportation, will run on five Saturdays in July and August, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., covering 17 miles. Borough presidents Antonio Reynoso (Brooklyn) and Donovan Richards (Queens) pushed for this expansion, with Reynoso praising the use of major corridors like Eastern Parkway. Mayor Adams said, “This is a five-borough city and we are now saying the Summer Streets program is going be a five-borough initiative. Everyone deserves to enjoy that.” Adams expressed interest in longer hours but cited public safety and NYPD staffing costs as barriers. Advocates want more hours and connected car-free routes. The city will spend $1.5 million, not including staffing. The expansion marks a step forward, but the early end time leaves advocates wanting more.

• Summer Streets Expands to All Boroughs; Still Ends Early, Though, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-12

Jun 5 - A Talaria motorcycle struck an Infiniti SUV turning on Knickerbocker Avenue. The 23-year-old rider’s hip shattered. He was half-flung from the bike, conscious but broken. The SUV’s bumper bore the mark. Distraction and inattention played their part.

A crash on Knickerbocker Avenue at Harrison Place left a 23-year-old motorcycle rider with severe hip injuries. According to the police report, a Talaria motorcycle slammed into an Infiniti SUV that was making a right turn westbound. The rider was partially ejected and lay conscious with crush injuries to his hip and upper leg. The SUV’s right front bumper was damaged. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors in the crash. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The data does not indicate injuries to the SUV driver. The impact and driver distraction defined the collision’s violence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636819 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 4 - A man rode west on Conselyea. He struck something head-on. Thrown from his bike, he hit the street. His skull broke. His organs tore. The street stayed quiet. He did not get up.

A 39-year-old man riding a bike west on Conselyea Street near Graham Avenue was killed in a violent crash. According to the police report, he struck something head-on and was thrown from his bike. The report states, 'Skull broken. Organs torn.' The cyclist was unlicensed and wore no helmet. The police list the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No other vehicles or people were reported injured. The crash left the street silent, another life lost to impact and force.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637331 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 5 - A box truck barreled down Varick Avenue. A motorcycle smashed its side. The rider, helmeted, flew through air. Blood spilled on the street. The truck’s doors twisted. Sirens cut the silence. Signals ignored. Speed unchecked. One man left bleeding.

A box truck and a motorcycle collided on Varick Avenue. The motorcycle hit the truck’s right side. According to the police report, the 33-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and suffered a bleeding head injury. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The truck’s right doors were crushed. The motorcyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the data, but the crash’s cause centered on ignored traffic signals. No pedestrians were involved. The system failed to protect the vulnerable. The street became a scene of blood and twisted metal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19