Crash Count for District 38
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 5,636
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 3,309
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 664
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 28
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 23
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 26, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in District 38?

Third Avenue Kills. City Stalls. Families Grieve.

Third Avenue Kills. City Stalls. Families Grieve.

District 38: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 28, 2025

The Toll on Third Avenue

Just weeks ago, two men—Kex Un Chen, 80, and Faqui Lin, 59—were killed in the crosswalk at Third Avenue and 52nd Street. They had the light. The BMW driver ran the red and kept going. Both men died where they stood. The city had known this stretch was deadly. Since 2018, drivers have killed or seriously injured 80 people along these two miles. The city promised a redesign. The promise broke. The bodies remain. “We wait until someone dies. We wait until a tragedy. We wait to say, ‘oh my gosh, how could this possibly have happened?’ We let this happen time and time again,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes.

Children Cross Nine Lanes

Every day, children cross nine lanes of traffic to get to school. Residents say they can’t send their kids to the store for milk. The city’s answer is a sign: “Be careful.” “We should all be offended. Angry. Insulted. That the response from our city to two deaths blocks away from here is a sign that says: ‘be careful,’” said Senator Gounardes. The driver who killed Chen and Lin was arrested. The danger remains.

Council Member Avilés: Votes and Silence

Council Member Alexa Avilés has voted for bills to clear abandoned vehicles and add warning decals to taxis, and co-sponsored laws for curb repair, daylighting, and speed humps. She stood with families at the scene. “We want the city to actually commit real capital to make sure that it can do treatments that truly address the safety concerns while balancing the fact that we have an industrial business zone here,” she said. But the redesign is still stalled. The city’s plan has been “paused” for years. No timeline. No updates. The street keeps killing.

The Numbers Do Not Lie

In the last twelve months, District 38 saw 6 deaths and 1,130 injuries from crashes. Pedestrians and cyclists bear the brunt. Cars and SUVs killed 7. Trucks and buses killed 2. Bikes and motorcycles caused 1 death and 19 injuries. The crisis is not abstract. It is a body count.

Call to Action: No More Waiting

Every day of delay is another family broken. Call Council Member Avilés. Demand the city finish the Third Avenue redesign. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand real protection for people on foot and bike. Do not wait for another name on the list. Take action now.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the New York City Council and how does it work?
The New York City Council is the city’s lawmaking body. It passes local laws, oversees city agencies, and represents the interests of each district.
Where does District 38 sit politically?
It belongs to borough Brooklyn, assembly district AD 49 and state senate district SD 17. See NYC crash data.
Which areas are in District 38?
What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in District 38?
Cars and SUVs killed 7 and injured 396. Trucks and buses killed 2 and injured 38. Motorcycles and mopeds caused 1 death and 19 injuries. Bikes caused 40 injuries but no deaths. See NYC crash data.
Are these crashes just accidents, or are they preventable?
These crashes are preventable. Safer street design, lower speed limits, and enforcement can save lives.
What can local politicians do to stop traffic violence?
They can pass and fund street redesigns, lower speed limits, install protected bike lanes, and hold city agencies accountable for delays.
What is CrashCount?
We’re a tool for helping hold local politicians and other actors accountable for their failure to protect you when you’re walking or cycling in NYC. We update our site constantly to provide you with up to date information on what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Citations

Citations

Fix the Problem

Alexa Avilés
Council Member Alexa Avilés
District 38
District Office:
4417 4th Avenue, Ground Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11220
718-439-9012
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1746, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7387
Twitter: AlexaAviles

Other Representatives

Lester Chang
Assembly Member Lester Chang
District 49
District Office:
6904 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11228
Legislative Office:
Room 523, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Steve Chan
State Senator Steve Chan
District 17
District Office:
6605 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11219
Legislative Office:
Room 615, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
Other Geographies

District 38 Council District 38 sits in Brooklyn, Precinct 72, AD 49, SD 17.

It contains Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook, Sunset Park (West), Sunset Park (Central), Green-Wood Cemetery, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Sunset Park (East)-Borough Park (West), Brooklyn CB7, Brooklyn CB6.

See also
Boroughs
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Council District 38

Principal Overturns Car In Brooklyn Crash

A principal drove down Lenox Road, lost control, hit parked cars, and flipped his vehicle. Police pulled him from the wreck. He refused a Breathalyzer. Charges followed. The street bore the scars. The system let him drive. The danger stayed.

According to NY Daily News (2025-05-06), Gregory Jackson, principal of Brownsville Collaborative Middle School, crashed on Lenox Road near Utica Ave. Police say he struck several parked cars and overturned his vehicle around 11:30 p.m. Jackson told police he had 'only one drink.' He refused a Breathalyzer test at the scene. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, and refusing the test. The Department of Education referred questions to the NYPD. The incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired drivers and the vulnerability of anyone near city streets, even when parked. Systemic gaps allow such danger to persist.


Int 0193-2024
Avilés votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.

Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.


Police Shoot Driver At Brooklyn Roadblock

A stolen Porsche sped through Brooklyn. Police set a trap. The driver tried to break through, nearly hitting an officer. A shot rang out. The car crashed. The driver died. The passenger survived. The street bore the cost.

According to the New York Post (April 30, 2025), police shot and killed the driver of a stolen Porsche after he "nearly struck an NYPD officer" while attempting to evade a roadblock near the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. Officers first noticed the vehicle due to stolen plates and tried to pull it over on Cropsey Avenue. The driver fled, leading police to set up a blockade. As the car tried to pass, an officer fired one round, striking the driver. The wounded man crashed into a police car and was later pronounced dead at Brookdale Hospital. The passenger was unharmed and taken into custody. The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases and roadblocks in dense urban areas, where bystanders and officers face sudden danger.


Unlicensed Driver Kills Brooklyn Matriarch

A 101-year-old woman crossed with the light. An SUV turned left. The driver was unlicensed. She died days later. Her family mourns. The street remains the same.

According to the New York Post (April 24, 2025), Taibel Brod, 101, was fatally struck by a 2023 GMC Yukon while crossing Brooklyn Avenue at Montgomery Street in Crown Heights. Police say Brod had the light. The driver, Menachem Shagalow, 65, was unlicensed and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to exercise due care. The article quotes Brod's grandson: "She was extremely independent till her last day." Brod died less than two weeks after the crash. The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians, especially from unlicensed drivers. Shagalow was released with a desk appearance ticket. The case underscores persistent gaps in enforcement and street design that leave vulnerable road users exposed.


Cyclist Thrown After SUV Collision on 54th Street

A cyclist hit a stopped SUV on 54th Street. He flew from his bike, struck his head, and bled on the pavement. Police cite driver distraction. Three others in cars were not hurt.

A cyclist was injured after colliding with the back of a stopped SUV near 54th Street and 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered head wounds and severe lacerations. Three vehicle occupants were unhurt. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. Helmet use was listed as 'Unknown' and is noted only after the driver error. The crash highlights the danger posed by driver distraction, as documented in the official account.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806587 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Distracted RAM Van Hits Woman at 3rd Avenue

A RAM van struck a 60-year-old woman crossing 3rd Avenue. Blood pooled on the street. The driver, distracted, kept his license. The van showed no damage. The woman suffered severe leg bleeding.

A 60-year-old woman was hit by a RAM van while crossing 3rd Avenue at 42nd Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the driver was distracted and struck the woman as he turned. The woman suffered severe bleeding to her leg but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The van showed no damage. The driver kept his license. No injuries were reported for the van's occupants.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806114 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Children

A speeding driver tore through a Brooklyn crosswalk. Three lives ended. One child clings to life. The car never slowed. The street became a grave. Metal and flesh collided. The city mourns. Justice waits in a courtroom.

According to NY Daily News (April 16, 2025), Miriam Yarimi drove 68 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a Brooklyn crosswalk, striking Natasha Saada and her three children. Prosecutors say Yarimi never braked, ran a red light, and crashed into another car before hitting the family. Saada and two daughters died; her son remains in a coma. Yarimi had a suspended license and $11,000 in unpaid violations, including 21 speed camera and five red light tickets. Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez called it 'one of the worst collisions I've ever seen on a New York City street.' Yarimi faces manslaughter and assault charges. The case highlights persistent enforcement gaps and the deadly consequences of unchecked reckless driving.


Int 1105-2024
Avilés votes yes, boosting street safety transparency and project accountability.

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.


Brooklyn Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger

A driver ran a stop sign in East New York. He slammed into a school bus. His passenger died. The bus driver was hurt. The driver fled but police caught him. The street stayed stained. The system failed to protect.

According to amNY (April 10, 2025), Tyree Epps faces charges after a deadly crash at Van Sinderen and Blake avenues. Epps, unlicensed, "blew a stop sign" and struck a school bus, killing his passenger, Imani Vance, and injuring the bus driver. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "The tragic loss of Imani Vance was allegedly caused by the defendant's reckless decision to ignore a stop sign and drive at excessive speeds." Epps left the scene, tried to escape in an Uber, and was arrested after fleeing on foot. The crash was one of three fatal Brooklyn incidents that weekend. City data cited in the article shows ongoing danger: at least 15 killed in Kings County so far this year, with thousands injured, often due to driver inattention and failure to yield. The charges and details highlight persistent risks and enforcement gaps on city streets.


School Bus Jumps Curb, Hits Two Pedestrians

A school bus veered off course in Flatbush. Metal crumpled. A woman and boy fell. The boy’s arm broke. The woman’s neck and hip throbbed. The bus smashed a fence. Sirens wailed. Both survived. The driver stayed. The city’s danger remained.

ABC7 reported on April 9, 2025, that a 66-year-old school bus driver struck a 43-year-old woman and an 8-year-old boy at Bedford Avenue and Farragut Road, Brooklyn. The driver told police he 'hit the gas instead of the brakes, jumped the curb and struck the pedestrians before smashing into a fence.' The woman suffered neck and hip pain; the boy’s arm broke. Both were hospitalized and are expected to survive. No charges were immediately filed. The bus remained at the scene. The article notes the investigation is ongoing. The incident highlights risks at intersections and the consequences of driver error, especially when large vehicles enter pedestrian space.


Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Children

A speeding driver with a suspended license ran a red light in Brooklyn. Her car struck a mother and two young children. All three died. The driver faced manslaughter charges. The street bore the weight of loss and metal.

NY Daily News (April 6, 2025) reports that Miriam Yarimi, driving with a suspended license for lapsed insurance, sped through a red light in Brooklyn on March 29. Her Audi struck a family, killing a mother and two small children. Police said Yarimi was 'reportedly speeding, ran a red light, and struck the family.' Prosecutors allege she told first responders she was possessed at the time. The article details Yarimi’s history as a victim of sexual abuse by a former NYPD officer, but the crash itself highlights systemic failures: a suspended license, unchecked speed, and a fatal intersection. The incident underscores persistent dangers for pedestrians and families on New York City streets.


Speeding Driver Kills Brooklyn Family Crossing

A mother and two daughters died on Ocean Parkway. The car struck them in the crosswalk. The driver sped, license suspended, dozens of violations. A son clings to life. The street holds the mark. Lawmakers call for speed limiters.

CBS New York (2025-04-02) reports that Miriam Yarimi faces arraignment after a crash in Midwood, Brooklyn killed Natasha Saada and her daughters, ages 8 and 5, as they crossed Ocean Parkway. Police say Yarimi was speeding, rear-ended another car, and hit the family in the crosswalk. Her license was suspended, with 'dozens of violations and $10,000 of unpaid fines.' NYPD Commissioner Tisch stated, 'This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road.' The crash renewed calls for Albany lawmakers to mandate speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders, with a bill proposed to require such technology for drivers with more than six camera violations.


Speeding Driver Kills Brooklyn Family Crossing

A driver sped through a red light on Ocean Parkway. She struck an Uber, flipped, then hit a mother and her three children in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died. The lone surviving son remains in critical condition.

According to the New York Post (2025-04-01), Miriam Yarimi drove her Audi at 50 mph—twice the speed limit—without a license, insurance, or registration. She ran a red light at Quentin Road and Ocean Parkway, striking an Uber and then a family lawfully crossing. Natasha Saada, 32, and her daughters Diana, 8, and Debra, 5, were killed. Only Saada’s son survived, hospitalized in critical condition. The article quotes survivor Mahbuba Ahmedova: “When I opened my eyes, I saw two kids were killed, and I thought they were my kids.” Yarimi faces three counts of manslaughter. The crash exposes the lethal risk of unchecked speeding and unlicensed driving on city streets.


Brooklyn Mother, Children Killed in Crosswalk Crash

A driver ran a red light on Ocean Parkway. She struck a mother and three children in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died. The youngest boy fights for life. Charges include manslaughter and reckless driving. Systemic failures linger.

NY Daily News reported on March 31, 2025, that Miriam Yarimi faces charges after fatally striking Natasha Saada and her three children in a Brooklyn crosswalk. Police say Yarimi 'careened into them' at Ocean Parkway and Quentin Road, running a red light and speeding. The mother and two daughters, ages 5 and 8, died at the hospital. The 4-year-old son remains in critical condition. Yarimi faces counts of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed driving. The article notes Yarimi's prior legal battles with the city and her involuntary psychiatric commitment after the crash. The case highlights ongoing risks at city intersections and the deadly consequences when drivers ignore signals and speed limits.


Suspended Driver Kills Family On Parkway

A mother and her two daughters died on Ocean Parkway. The driver, on a suspended license, crashed after colliding with another car. She had a long record of violations. The victims were leaving Shabbat services. Streets remain unforgiving.

According to the New York Post (March 30, 2025), Miriam Yarimi, 32, drove her Audi with a suspended license on Ocean Parkway in Gravesend. She collided with a Toyota Camry, then struck and killed a mother and her two daughters, ages 8 and 6, as they left Shabbat services. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed Yarimi's license status. The article reports Yarimi had 'over 93 traffic violations on WIGM8KER including 20 speeding tickets,' and a recent ticket for 'speeding through a school zone.' Yarimi was arrested at the scene, but charges were pending at publication. The case highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians and repeated failures to keep high-risk drivers off city streets.


Suspended Driver Kills Brooklyn Family

An Audi driver with a suspended license turned at a red. She struck a family crossing Ocean Parkway. A mother and two daughters died. Their son fights for life. Another family in a hit car suffered minor wounds. Streets remain unforgiving.

Gothamist reported on March 29, 2025, that a mother and her two daughters were killed when an Audi A3, driven by Miriam Yarimi, turned right on red and struck them in Midwood, Brooklyn. Police said Yarimi’s license was suspended. The car first hit a Toyota Camry, then continued forward, hitting the family in the crosswalk. The article quotes NYPD Commissioner Tisch: 'This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road.' Yarimi faces multiple charges, including manslaughter and aggravated unlicensed operation. The crash left a young boy in critical condition and injured another family. The incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed driving and the risks at busy intersections.


E-Bike Rider Runs Stop, Kills Man

Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker flew through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection is known for danger. Delivery speed and city policy collide.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after being struck by an e-bike delivery worker who "sped through a stop sign" at Franklin and India streets in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Witness Jack Collins said, "He died basically on the spot." The e-bike rider remained at the scene; no arrests were made as the investigation continued. The article notes that the intersection is a known trouble spot, with Collins stating, "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The report highlights systemic issues: delivery app pressures, lack of regulation, and a street design that encourages risky moves. City data shows e-bikes account for a small share of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues.


Cyclist’s Leg Torn Open in Brooklyn Lane Change Crash

A young cyclist, riding south on 37th Street near 3rd Avenue, was struck hard. His left leg ripped open, blood pooling on the asphalt. The bike’s front crushed. Unsafe lane changing tore through flesh and steel. He stayed conscious.

A 20-year-old male cyclist suffered severe lacerations to his left leg after a violent collision on 37th Street near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The report details that the cyclist, heading south, was struck with enough force to crush the bike’s front and leave blood pooling on the street. The police report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the primary contributing factor in the crash. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but the report does not list helmet use as a contributing factor. The victim remained conscious at the scene. The focus remains on the danger created by unsafe lane changes, as highlighted by the official report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800408 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Repeat Offender Kills Passenger In Brooklyn Crash

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.


Dump Truck Kills Pedestrian in Williamsburg

A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. The driver hit a man crouched for food. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. The driver fled. Police are still searching. Brooklyn’s streets remain deadly for those on foot.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was kneeling in the street to pick up food when the truck, turning right, hit him. According to police, 'the driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene.' The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The article notes this was one of several fatal crashes in Brooklyn that week, highlighting persistent dangers for pedestrians. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene underscores ongoing issues with hit-and-runs and enforcement.