Simcha Felder’s Silence Is Deadly: How Many More Must Die?

Two sedans collided on Avenue X in Brooklyn. One driver suffered neck and crush injuries. Police cite following too closely as a factor. Metal struck metal. The street bore the mark. The system failed to protect the vulnerable inside.

A crash involving two sedans occurred at 319 Avenue X in Brooklyn. According to the police report, one driver, a 32-year-old woman, was injured with neck and crush injuries. The other occupants, including two infants, were listed with unspecified injuries. The report states, 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The crash involved a Jeep sedan making a left turn and a Toyota sedan going straight. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Driver error—specifically following too closely—was the only contributing factor listed in the data. No mention of helmet use or turn signals appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813759, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 78-year-old man, alone in his SUV, struck hard on Ocean Parkway. Blood pooled from his leg. He stayed conscious, seatbelt tight. No sirens, just a quiet wound and a battered left front bumper.

According to the police report, a single-vehicle crash occurred near 1377 Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. The report states that a 78-year-old male driver, the sole occupant of a 2019 Honda SUV, suffered a severe leg injury after the vehicle was struck hard on the left front. He remained conscious and was found belted in, with blood coming from his leg. The narrative notes, 'No sirens in the data, just blood and a quiet wound.' The vehicle sustained damage to the left front bumper. Police listed the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' providing no further detail on the cause. No other vehicles or road users were involved, and the report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the impact and injury, with systemic causes left unaddressed in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806680, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A driver sped through Brooklyn, ran red lights, and struck a family. A mother and two daughters died. Her son, four, clings to life. The driver had a suspended license and a record of speeding. The street became a crime scene.

Gothamist reported on April 16, 2025, that Miriam Yarimi faces manslaughter and homicide charges after a deadly Brooklyn crash. Prosecutors allege Yarimi drove nearly 70 mph, ran red lights, and turned right on red with a suspended license and dozens of prior speeding tickets. She struck a for-hire car, then hit Natasha Saada and her three children, killing the mother and two daughters. The surviving son remains in a coma. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez called it 'among the worst collisions he has seen in his 25 years.' The article notes that advocates are pushing for laws requiring speed-limiters on cars of repeat speeders. Yarimi awaits trial, facing up to 15 years if convicted.

• Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Children, Gothamist, Published 2025-04-16

A 61-year-old man enters Bay Parkway at 60th Street. The southbound SUV moves straight. Metal strikes flesh. The man falls, body hurt, silent and still. The driver waits, uninjured. Night air heavy, another life lost on Brooklyn streets.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old man was struck by a southbound SUV while crossing Bay Parkway at 60th Street in Brooklyn. The narrative states: 'A 61-year-old man steps into the road, crossing against the signal. The SUV moves south, straight ahead. Metal strikes flesh. He falls, whole body hurt, silent and still. The driver waits, uninjured.' The man suffered injuries to his entire body and was rendered unconscious. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors for either party. No mention is made of helmet use or signal compliance. The driver was licensed and remained at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803841, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A driver struck a family on Ocean Parkway. A mother and two young daughters died. Their son fights for life. The accused, Miriam Yarimi, faces manslaughter charges. She remains in custody at Bellevue Hospital, awaiting arraignment by video.

According to the New York Post (April 1, 2025), Miriam Yarimi, 35, is charged with manslaughter after a crash on Ocean Parkway killed Natasha Saada, 32, and her daughters, Diana, 8, and Debra, 5. Their 4-year-old son, Philip, was critically injured. The article reports Yarimi 'allegedly told first responders at the scene that she was "possessed."' Yarimi is being held at Bellevue Hospital and will be arraigned by video. The crash highlights the lethal risk to pedestrians and children on city streets. No details are given about traffic conditions or vehicle speed. The case raises questions about driver fitness and systemic safeguards, as Yarimi had prior police encounters and was under psychiatric evaluation months before the crash.

• Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Daughters, New York Post, Published 2025-04-01

Ocean Parkway kills. Twenty dead since 2014. Two children and their mother, gone in a flash. Drivers speed, run lights, break rules. Cameras are rare. Residents demand action. Felder stalls. The road stays deadly. Pedestrians pay the price.

On April 1, 2025, after a fatal crash on Ocean Parkway, the New York City Council debated speed limits and automated enforcement. The matter, described as 'Notorious NYC road where wacky wigmaker Miriam Yarimi allegedly killed mom, 2 kids has dangerous history,' highlights a grim toll: 20 deaths since 2014, nearly 2,400 injuries since 2012. State Senator Simcha Felder, representing District 44, has opposed lowering the speed limit and even proposed raising it, despite calls from residents and advocates for stronger safety measures. Felder said, 'Some have wasted no time using this tragedy as an opportunity to advance their agenda. There is a time to act but there is also a time to mourn...' Mayor Eric Adams signaled openness to lowering the speed limit to 20 mph. Advocates push for speed cameras and mandatory speed-limiting tech for repeat offenders. Still, Ocean Parkway remains one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous roads for pedestrians.

• Notorious NYC road where wacky wigmaker Miriam Yarimi allegedly killed mom, 2 kids has dangerous history: ‘All the time I see people speeding’, nypost.com, Published 2025-04-01

A speeding driver killed a mother and two children on Ocean Parkway. Council Member Simcha Felder, with a long record against street safety, stayed silent. He blocked speed cameras, opposed redesigns, and blamed victims. Residents now demand action as danger grows.

Council Member Simcha Felder, representing Orthodox South Brooklyn for over 20 years, has a public record of opposing street safety. After a speeding driver killed three people on April 1, 2025, Felder made no statement and skipped the victims’ funeral. The matter highlights his history: he blocked speed cameras in 2013, voted against their expansion in 2014, and fought street redesigns and busways. Felder once blamed a dead cyclist after a fatal crash. The article states, 'Felder has a long record of opposing street safety measures, including Vision Zero, speed cameras, speed limits, and street redesigns.' Assembly Member Novakhov also opposes speed limiter legislation. Residents and advocates now call for more speed cameras and reforms, as Felder’s opposition leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• Simcha Felder, Longtime Brooklyn Pol and Street Safety Foe, is M.I.A. After Speeding Driver Kills Three, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-01

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.

• Brooklyn Mother, Children Killed in Crosswalk Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-31

Assembly Member Novakhov stood at a funeral for a mother and two children killed by a speeder. He spoke against a bill to fit repeat speeders’ cars with limiters. He called enforcement excessive. Mourners demanded action. The street remains deadly.

On March 31, 2025, Assembly Member Michael Novakhov publicly opposed a state bill requiring speed-limiting devices for cars owned by repeat speeders. The statement came at the funeral for Natasha Saada and her children, killed by a speeding driver on Ocean Parkway. Novakhov argued, 'six red-light or speed violations in one year [is] too little,' and claimed, 'any driver can get much more than six.' He also denounced speed cameras, saying, 'we have too many,' and that they punish regular drivers. The bill’s matter summary centers on requiring devices for vehicles with six violations in a year. Community members and advocates at the funeral demanded stronger accountability and cited the area’s deadly history. Other local politicians, including Kalman Yeger and Simcha Felder, have also opposed speed safety measures. The Department of Transportation has not recommended major changes to Ocean Parkway, despite ongoing danger.

• Local Pol Novakhov Appears to Defends Reckless Driving at Funeral of Mother and Two Kids Killed by Speeder, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-31

An unlicensed driver sped through a red light on Ocean Parkway. She struck a mother and her three children in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died. The son remains in critical condition. The street filled with chaos and grief.

According to NY Daily News (published March 30, 2025), Miriam Yarimi drove with a suspended license and ran a red light on Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, striking a mother and her three children as they crossed legally. Yarimi's Audi, with a history of 21 speed camera and five red light tickets, collided with another car before careening into the family. She was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed operation. The crash killed Natasha Saada and her daughters, Deborah and Diana; Saada's son remains in critical condition. The article quotes a relative: 'It's a very sensitive time for us, for our community and for our family.' The case highlights repeated driver violations and the dangers of unlicensed, reckless driving on city streets.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Brooklyn Family, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-30

A sedan tore through the red at Ocean Parkway. A mother and her children crossed with the signal. Metal struck flesh. Three lives ended on the crosswalk. One child, four, left broken and silent. Brooklyn pavement bore the weight of loss.

According to the police report, a sedan driven by an unlicensed woman ran a red light at Ocean Parkway near Quentin Road in Brooklyn. The report states that a mother and her three children were crossing in the crosswalk with the pedestrian signal when the vehicle struck them. The impact killed the 34-year-old woman and two of her children, ages five and eight. A four-year-old boy was left unconscious and severely injured. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors for the driver. The pedestrians were crossing with the signal, as documented in the report. The sedan's center front end struck the victims, underscoring the lethal consequences of ignoring traffic controls. The driver’s unlicensed status and disregard for the signal are central to this tragedy.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801962, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck heading south on Coney Island Avenue hit a 44-year-old man crossing without a signal. Blood pooled. The man fell, suffering deep head wounds. He did not wake. The truck’s right bumper bore the mark.

A 44-year-old man was struck by a southbound box truck on Coney Island Avenue near Avenue K, according to the police report. The report describes the man as crossing without a signal when the collision occurred. The impact was severe: the pedestrian fell hard, sustaining deep head wounds and severe lacerations, and was found unconscious at the scene. Blood marked the pavement. The truck’s right front bumper showed evidence of the crash. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' offering no further detail on driver actions or errors. The victim’s behavior—crossing without a signal—is mentioned in the report, but no indication is given that it contributed to the crash. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of the truck’s movement through the corridor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797969, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Lawmakers push for cameras to ticket double parkers. Streets choke with blocked bike lanes and chaos. Manual enforcement fails. DOT backs automation. Some lawmakers resist, call for cops. Vulnerable road users left dodging danger as debate drags.

On March 3, 2025, a legislative proposal surfaced to deploy automated parking enforcement cameras across New York City. Assemblymember Steven Raga leads the push for a $35 million pilot, aiming to install 150 cameras targeting double parking and illegal stops. The bill, not yet assigned a committee or number, seeks to automate enforcement where manual efforts fall short. Raga writes, 'manual enforcement has not been able to meet the demand to combat double parking and illegal parking.' State Senator Simcha Felder of District 44 opposes the measure, arguing for traditional police summonses instead. The Department of Transportation supports the expansion, stating, 'Automated enforcement has proven to change driver behavior and make our streets safer for everyone.' The debate centers on whether automation or police presence best protects pedestrians and cyclists from blocked lanes and traffic hazards.

• New push for automated ticketing of drivers who double park in NYC, gothamist.com, Published 2025-03-03

A sedan turned left on McDonald Avenue. Metal folded. The air reeked of alcohol. A young woman in the front seat took the blow, her head struck, her body bruised and crushed. She stayed conscious amid the wreckage.

According to the police report, a 2012 sedan made a left turn near 1695 McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn at 22:33. The front end of the vehicle was crushed in the collision. A 27-year-old woman, riding as an unbelted front passenger, suffered head and crush injuries but remained conscious. The report states, 'The air stank of alcohol,' and lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. The data points to driver error involving alcohol, a systemic danger that endangers all occupants. The victim’s lack of safety equipment is noted in the report, but only after the primary role of alcohol use by the driver. The crash underscores the ongoing threat posed by impaired driving on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777578, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Jeep swung right on Avenue L. The front end hit a 73-year-old woman crossing with the light. She fell, crushed and killed in the crosswalk. The SUV showed no damage. The street stayed silent, the danger plain.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV made a right turn at the corner of East 12th Street and Avenue L in Brooklyn. The vehicle's center front end struck a 73-year-old woman who was crossing the intersection with the signal. The report states she was in the crosswalk and had the light. She suffered fatal head and crush injuries and died at the scene. The SUV sustained no damage. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both the driver and the pedestrian, but the narrative confirms the driver turned into the crosswalk while the woman crossed with the light. The driver’s action—making a right turn into a marked crosswalk occupied by a pedestrian—created the lethal impact. The victim’s behavior is noted only to confirm she was crossing with the signal, as reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775450, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A van veered on McDonald Avenue, smashing into a station wagon. The SUV driver, 54, died belted and broken. The airbag burst. Two rode in the van. The lane change was not safe. Metal and bodies collided. Life ended in seconds.

A deadly crash unfolded on McDonald Avenue near Bay Parkway in Brooklyn when a van, traveling south, changed lanes unsafely and struck a station wagon/SUV, according to the police report. The report states, "A van veered, struck a station wagon. The SUV’s driver, 54, died belted in place. The airbag burst. His body broke inside." The driver of the SUV was killed, suffering injuries to his entire body despite the deployment of the airbag and use of a lap belt. Two others were in the van. The police report explicitly cites "Unsafe Lane Changing" as the contributing factor. The van’s pre-crash action is listed as "Changing Lanes," and the point of impact was the center front end. No victim behavior is listed as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the van driver’s unsafe maneuver, which led directly to the fatal outcome.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774039, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans met head-on at Ocean Parkway and Avenue P. Steel twisted. A man clutched his chest, a woman bled from her head. Both drivers conscious, both belted, both broken. Engines silent, dusk settling over fractured glass.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on at the intersection of Ocean Parkway and Avenue P in Brooklyn. The crash left a 36-year-old man with chest injuries and a 27-year-old woman with head trauma. Both drivers were wearing lap belts and remained conscious after the impact. The report describes the scene: 'Steel folded. A man gripped his chest, breath shallow. A woman bled from the head, eyes open.' Both vehicles suffered center front-end damage. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both drivers, providing no further detail on the cause. The violence of the impact and the resulting injuries underscore the systemic dangers present when vehicles collide head-on, even when basic safety equipment is used.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771373, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Ford SUV struck a one-year-old boy on 59th Street in Brooklyn. The child lay motionless, head bloodied, body crushed. The SUV’s bumper bore the mark. The street fell silent. Emergency crews found the boy unconscious, his injuries severe.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling west on 59th Street at 12th Avenue in Brooklyn struck a one-year-old boy. The incident occurred away from any intersection or crosswalk. The narrative states, 'No crosswalk. No cry. He lay still on the pavement, head bloodied, body crushed. The bumper bore the mark.' The child suffered crush injuries to the head and was found unconscious at the scene. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the SUV. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' offering no details on specific driver errors, but the facts remain: a young pedestrian was struck and gravely injured by a driver proceeding straight ahead in a large vehicle. No contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769882, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 50-year-old woman, crossing Avenue L with the light, was struck in the head by a left-turning SUV. Blood pooled on the pavement. The driver, licensed and in a 2020 Nissan SUV, left the vehicle undamaged. The woman remained conscious.

At the intersection of Avenue L and Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, a 50-year-old woman was hit by a turning SUV while she crossed with the pedestrian signal. According to the police report, the woman was struck in the head by the center front end of a 2020 Nissan SUV as it made a left turn. The report notes she suffered severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The driver was licensed, and the vehicle showed no damage. The narrative states the pedestrian was 'crossing with the light,' and the police report lists her location as 'at intersection.' The report does not cite any contributing factors beyond 'unspecified,' but the sequence of events centers on the SUV's left turn into the crosswalk. No mention is made of any pedestrian error or unsafe behavior; the focus remains on the vehicle's movement and the resulting injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759843, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council passed a law letting pedestrians cross streets anywhere, at any time. Jaywalking is now legal. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks or against signals. The law shifts blame from walkers to drivers. Streets belong to people again.

Int 0346-2024, now Local Law 98 of 2024, was enacted by the City Council on October 26, 2024, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way," lets pedestrians cross roadways at any point, even against traffic signals. It erases penalties for so-called jaywalking. Sponsors include Tiffany Cabán (primary), Lincoln Restler, Crystal Hudson, Shahana K. Hanif, Julie Won, Mercedes Narcisse, Darlene Mealy, Erik D. Bottcher, and Farah N. Louis. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor. The law requires the Department of Transportation to educate all road users about these new rights. By ending jaywalking enforcement, the city removes a tool often used to blame victims and target the vulnerable. The law marks a shift: streets are for people, not just cars.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26