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

Int 0745-2024
Avilés is absent as Council passes neutral-impact micromobility data transparency bill.

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.


SUV Turns, Cyclist Thrown Bleeding on Brooklyn Street

A northbound SUV turned at 80th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway. The bumper struck a 56-year-old cyclist. He hit the pavement hard, head bleeding, conscious. The driver remained. The city’s danger pressed down, unyielding.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV made a turn at the corner of 80th Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. The vehicle struck a 56-year-old cyclist, who was ejected and landed hard on the street. The cyclist suffered a head injury with severe bleeding and remained conscious on the pavement. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The SUV's right front bumper was the point of impact. The narrative states, 'A northbound SUV turned. A cyclist, 56, struck the bumper, thrown hard to the street. No helmet. Head bleeding. Conscious. The pavement held him. The driver stayed.' The driver’s failure to yield directly led to the collision and injury. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned after the driver’s error.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734293 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Unlicensed Motorcyclist Kills Elderly Pedestrian in Brooklyn

An unlicensed motorcyclist struck an 82-year-old man crossing 5th Avenue at 60th Street. The impact broke the man’s skull. He died on the sunlit pavement, another life ended by reckless operation on city streets.

According to the police report, an 82-year-old pedestrian was killed at the corner of 5th Avenue and 60th Street in Brooklyn. The man was crossing the street when a northbound motorcycle, operated by an unlicensed rider, struck him head-on. The report states the impact was to the 'center front end' of the motorcycle, resulting in fatal head injuries to the pedestrian. The police report specifically notes the driver's license status as 'unlicensed,' highlighting a critical driver error. The narrative confirms the rider 'hit him square,' and the man died at the scene. While the report mentions the pedestrian was 'crossing without a signal,' it does not list this as a contributing factor, instead marking both contributing factors as 'unspecified.' The focus remains on the unlicensed operation of the motorcycle and the lethal consequences for a vulnerable road user.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729773 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
E-Scooter Rider’s Arm Crushed by SUV Pullout

A man on an e-scooter collided with a Honda SUV pulling from the curb on 5th Avenue. Metal struck flesh. His arm was crushed. He stayed conscious as the street fell silent, pain and shock hanging in the air.

According to the police report, a man riding an e-scooter was traveling straight northbound on 5th Avenue near 37th Street in Brooklyn when he struck the front of a Honda SUV that was pulling out from the curb. The report states the e-scooter rider suffered crush injuries to his arm but remained awake and conscious at the scene. The SUV, registered in New York and operated by a licensed driver from New Jersey, was described as 'starting from parking' at the time of the crash. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the center front end of the e-scooter. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The narrative underscores the moment of impact: 'metal met flesh and the silence held.' No driver errors are explicitly cited, but the sequence of events highlights the systemic danger when vehicles pull from the curb into active traffic.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Broken Pavement Sends Moped Rider to Death

A 66-year-old woman rode her moped west on 39th Street. The street gave way. She flew, struck her head, and died alone on the asphalt. No helmet. The city’s broken ground claimed her last breath.

A 66-year-old woman was killed while riding a moped westbound on 39th Street, near Council District 38, according to the police report. The report states, 'The pavement broke beneath her.' She was ejected from the moped, struck her head, and died at the scene. Police list 'Pavement Defective' as the primary contributing factor. The victim was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the systemic failure of the roadway. No other vehicles or persons were involved. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of neglected infrastructure, as the defective pavement directly led to the fatal ejection and head injury.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726907 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Turning Pickup Crushes E-Bike Rider on 4th Avenue

A pickup truck turned left across 4th Avenue, striking a 49-year-old man on an e-bike. Thrown and crushed, he died in the street. The twisted bike and bloodied truck marked the violence of the city’s roads.

A 49-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 53rd Street in Brooklyn when a pickup truck turned left and struck him, according to the police report. The report states the e-bike rider was 'thrown' and 'crushed,' dying at the scene. Both the pickup truck and the e-bike were cited for 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pickup, a 2007 Chevrolet, was making a left turn when it collided with the e-bike, which was traveling straight. The police report describes the aftermath: 'The bike lay twisted. The truck bore blood and silence.' The e-bike rider was ejected and suffered crush injuries to the entire body. The data does not specify helmet use or other victim behaviors as contributing factors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield to vulnerable road users.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726906 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
4
Unconscious SUV Driver Plows Into Seven Cars

A 51-year-old man lost consciousness on the Gowanus Expressway. His SUV slammed into seven vehicles. Metal twisted. Glass flew. He died at the scene. Several others suffered neck injuries as traffic crawled past the wreckage.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old man driving a station wagon/SUV westbound on the Gowanus Expressway lost consciousness behind the wheel. The report states, "His SUV struck seven cars. Metal tore. Glass scattered. Airbags bloomed." The driver died, "strapped in his seat, still and silent, as traffic crawled past the wreckage." The sole contributing factor listed is "Lost Consciousness." No driver errors are cited for the other vehicles. Multiple occupants in the struck cars suffered neck injuries, consistent with whiplash. The crash triggered a chain reaction across seven vehicles, leaving one dead and several injured.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725083 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Int 0857-2024
Avilés co-sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.

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.


Int 0724-2024
Avilés co-sponsors curb repair bill, boosting pedestrian safety citywide.

Council bill orders DOT to repair broken curbs during street resurfacing. Hazardous curbs trip, trap, and injure. The fix is overdue. Pedestrians need solid ground. Council moves to force action.

Int 0724-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 19, 2024, the bill commands DOT to repair broken curbs that pose safety hazards during any resurfacing project. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... requiring that the department of transportation repair broken curbs as part of resurfacing projects.' Council Members Schulman, Gennaro (primary), Gutiérrez, Louis, Brewer, and Avilés sponsor the measure. The bill targets a simple danger: shattered curbs that trip and injure. If passed, DOT must fix these hazards as routine, not afterthought. The law would take effect 120 days after enactment.


SUV Rear-Ends Honda on Expressway, Elderly Driver Killed

A Jeep slammed into a Honda’s rear on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. The 81-year-old Honda driver died at the wheel, neck broken. No skid marks. The crash came sudden, hard, final. Following too closely left no room for mercy.

According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep struck the rear of a 2000 Honda traveling westbound on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway at 12:05 a.m. The Honda’s 81-year-old driver, belted in, died at the scene with a broken neck. The report notes, 'No skid marks. No second chances.' The primary contributing factor cited is 'Following Too Closely,' indicating the Jeep driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The data does not list any contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior. The impact was to the Honda’s right rear bumper, with the Jeep’s right front bumper taking the hit. The report’s language and evidence focus on the Jeep driver’s failure to keep distance, a systemic danger on high-speed expressways.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
E-Bike Rider Dies Alone on Brooklyn Street

A 67-year-old man rode north on his e-bike along 6th Avenue. No car struck him. No metal bent. He was thrown from his seat. His body broke. He died there, alone on the Brooklyn pavement.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old man riding a 2022 MINAL e-bike northbound on 6th Avenue at 53rd Street in Brooklyn was killed. The report states, 'No crash marks. No bent metal. He was thrown from the seat. His body broke. He died there, alone on the pavement.' The vehicle sustained no damage, and there were no other vehicles or persons involved. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' There is no evidence of driver error by another party, nor are any victim behaviors cited as contributing factors. The report documents a solitary fatality, underscoring the vulnerability of e-bike riders on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709147 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Int 0504-2024
Avilés sponsors bill prioritizing NYCHA sidewalk repairs, boosting pedestrian safety.

Council bill demands DOT fix NYCHA sidewalks first. Seniors come before all. Broken walks trip, injure, kill. Law forces city to show its work. No more hiding behind red tape.

Bill Int 0504-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 7, 2024. It orders the DOT to prioritize sidewalk repairs at NYCHA sites, with senior housing first. The bill summary reads: 'establishing priority for sidewalk repairs at developments operated by the New York city housing authority.' Sponsors include Alexa Avilés (primary), Shaun Abreu, Shahana K. Hanif, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Sandy Nurse, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Lincoln Restler, Rafael Salamanca, Jr., and Farah N. Louis. The law also requires public reporting of repairs and timelines. Sidewalk neglect endangers NYCHA residents—this bill aims to force action and transparency.


Int 0178-2024
Avilés co-sponsors bill banning fake license plates, boosting street safety.

Council moves to outlaw fake plates. Fraud hides reckless drivers. Bill targets sellers, sets fines. Streets need truth. Law aims to strip shields from danger.

Bill Int 0178-2024 sits with the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the sale or distribution of fraudulent license plates," makes it illegal to sell or distribute fake or temporary plates, with civil penalties for violators. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Brewer, Brannan, and Avilés. The bill was referred to committee the same day. Fraudulent plates let reckless drivers vanish. This measure aims to close that escape, exposing those who endanger lives.


Int 0301-2024
Avilés co-sponsors bill boosting pedestrian safety with solar crosswalks.

Council wants 500 solar-lit crosswalks in five years. Bright signals cut through the dark. The bill demands action and a study. Safety for walkers, not drivers. No more hiding in the shadows.

Int 0301-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 illuminated, solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks each year for five years. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law...in relation to the installation of solar-powered crosswalks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by Menin, Brooks-Powers, Rivera, and others. The bill also requires a study comparing these devices to standard signs. The city must report findings within two years. The goal: more visible crossings, fewer deadly impacts.


Int 0106-2024
Avilés co-sponsors bill boosting penalties, bollards, improving pedestrian safety.

Council moves to hit sidewalk parkers with stiffer fines. DOT must study and install bollards in M1 zones. Streets clear, paths open. No more cars blocking the way. Action, not talk.

Bill Int 0106-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 28, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to enhancing penalties for sidewalk parking and installing bollards in M1 zoning districts,' targets commercial, manufacturing, and industrial establishments parking on sidewalks. Council Members Lincoln Restler (primary), Alexa Avilés, and Shahana K. Hanif sponsor the measure. It orders DOT to levy higher fines, study bollard use, and install them where needed. DOT must report findings to the Mayor and Council. The aim: keep sidewalks clear for people, not parked cars.


Int 0450-2024
Avilés co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by expanding community use of outdoor spaces.

Council bill pushes DOT to let schools, centers, and institutions use streets outside their doors. More people, less traffic. Streets shift from cars to community. Still in committee.

Int 0450-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 28, 2024. The bill orders DOT to create a program letting community centers, schools, arts, and religious institutions use adjacent outdoor spaces. The matter title reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to establish a program to allow community centers, schools, arts and cultural institutions and religious institutions to use adjacent outdoor spaces.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Stevens, Restler, Won, and others. The bill has not yet passed. If enacted, it could reclaim space from cars, giving it to people. No formal safety analysis yet, but the measure could mean safer, more vibrant streets for all.


Int 0270-2024
Avilés co-sponsors bill expanding Open Streets, boosting pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Council moves to expand Open Streets on busy holidays. More hours. More car-free blocks. Pedestrians and cyclists get space when crowds surge. Streets shift from traffic to people. Danger drops. The city listens to neighborhoods.

Bill Int 0270-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it amends city code to require the Department of Transportation to expand Open Streets hours on holidays with heavy foot traffic—Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, and others. The bill reads: 'special activation of the Open Streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rivera, Brooks-Powers, Louis, Nurse, Ossé, Sanchez, Cabán, Banks, Avilés, Riley, Salaam, Hanif, Feliz, Won, Restler, and Joseph. Community groups can suggest more dates. The city must review all requests under the same standards as regular Open Streets. This bill aims to give people the street when they need it most.


Int 0255-2024
Avilés co-sponsors bill increasing transparency on police vehicle force incidents.

Council bill demands NYPD track every time cops use cars as weapons. No more hiding behind vague stats. Each crash, each injury, must be counted. The city moves closer to truth.

Int 0255-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Lincoln Restler and co-sponsored by Hudson, Won, Hanif, Bottcher, Brewer, Avilés, Abreu, Ossé, Krishnan, Williams, Cabán, Nurse, Sanchez, and at the Brooklyn Borough President's request. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to use of force incidents involving police department use of a motor vehicle.' It forces the NYPD to report every use of a car to control a subject. No more lumping these acts with other force. The bill aims for hard numbers and real accountability. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, passengers—will no longer be invisible in police data.


Int 0114-2024
Avilés co-sponsors bill requiring DOT to study commercial vehicle street design.

Council wants DOT to study how street design can keep commercial trucks out of residential blocks. The bill sits in committee. Streets should shelter people, not heavy traffic.

Int 0114-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to report on 'the utility and feasibility of using street design as a means to limit or reduce the use by commercial vehicles of streets in residential neighborhoods.' Jennifer Gutiérrez leads as primary sponsor, joined by Avilés, the Public Advocate, and others. The bill was referred to committee on the day of introduction. It demands a clear look at how design can push trucks off streets where people walk, bike, and live.


Int 0177-2024
Avilés co-sponsors bill targeting fake plates, boosting street safety.

Council targets fake and expired plates. Bill sets fines. Ten-day grace for expired tags. Crackdown aims at cars that dodge law and endanger streets. Committee on Public Safety holds the measure.

Int 0177-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates,' makes it illegal to drive with fake or expired plates, including temporary ones. Civil penalties apply, but drivers with expired plates get a 10-day cure period. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Salamanca, Powers, Restler, Won, Brewer, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Avilés, De La Rosa, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The bill targets drivers who hide behind illegal plates, a tactic often linked to hit-and-runs and reckless driving.