Crash Count for District 45
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 4,676
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 3,324
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 570
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 54
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 10
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 26, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in District 45?

Brooklyn Bleeds While Politicians Dither: Demand Real Safety Now

Brooklyn Bleeds While Politicians Dither: Demand Real Safety Now

District 45: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 17, 2025

Death and Injury on Brooklyn Streets

The numbers do not lie. In District 45, eight people have died and 3,145 have been injured in traffic crashes since 2022. Fifty-two were left with serious injuries. The dead include children, elders, cyclists, and pedestrians. The living carry scars you cannot see.

Just last year, a 74-year-old woman was killed crossing Avenue D with the signal. The driver turned left and struck her. She died at the intersection. The cause: “Failure to Yield Right-of-Way” according to crash data.

A 53-year-old woman on a bike was killed at Cortelyou Road and New York Avenue. The driver failed to yield. She was ejected and died at the scene. No helmet could save her. No law protected her. The street did not forgive.

Who Bears the Brunt

SUVs and cars did the most harm—three deaths, 494 injuries. Trucks and buses killed two, injured 38. Motorcycles and mopeds hurt ten. Bikes, too, left their mark, but the toll is not the same. The weight of steel, the speed, the blind turn—these are the killers.

What Has Been Done—And What Has Not

Council Member Farah N. Louis has voted for some safety bills. She backed laws to clear abandoned vehicles, restore pavement markings, and boost plate enforcement. She sponsored a bill to give seniors bike share discounts. These are steps, but small ones.

But Louis also sponsored a bill to lower e-bike speeds to 15 mph. This targets the vulnerable, not the reckless. It does not stop the cars that kill. It does not slow the SUVs that crush. It does not fix the street.

The Words That Remain

After a crash, the words are always the same. “He lost control when he was doing donuts with the vehicle,” said the driver. “It’s devastating. It’s affecting everyone in our family, especially (Ruiz’s) mom. Maddy was her only daughter,” said Ruiz’s sister-in-law.

What Now

This is not fate. This is policy.

Call Council Member Louis. Demand a citywide 20 mph speed limit. Demand real protection for those who walk and bike. Every day of delay is another life at risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the New York City Council and how does it work?
The New York City Council is the city’s legislative body. It passes laws, oversees city agencies, and represents local districts.
Where does District 45 sit politically?
It belongs to borough Brooklyn, assembly district AD 41 and state senate district SD 21.
Which areas are in District 45?
It includes the Flatbush, Flatbush (West)-Ditmas Park-Parkville, Midwood, East Flatbush-Erasmus, East Flatbush-Farragut, East Flatbush-Rugby, Holy Cross Cemetery, Flatlands, Brooklyn CB17, and Brooklyn CB14 neighborhoods. It also overlaps parts of Assembly Districts AD 41, AD 42, and AD 58, and State Senate District SD 21.
What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in District 45?
Cars and trucks caused the most harm: 3 deaths and 497 injuries. Motorcycles and mopeds hurt 10 people. Bikes were involved in 4 injuries, but the toll from cars and trucks is far greater.
Are these crashes just 'accidents'?
No. The data shows patterns—failure to yield, speeding, reckless turns. These are preventable with better laws, safer street design, and real enforcement.
What can local politicians do to stop traffic violence?
They can lower speed limits, redesign dangerous streets, and pass laws that hold reckless drivers accountable. They can focus on protecting people walking and biking, not just punishing the vulnerable.
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

Farah N. Louis
Council Member Farah N. Louis
District 45
District Office:
1434 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
718-629-2900
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1831, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6859
Twitter: FarahNLouis

Other Representatives

Kalman Yeger
Assembly Member Kalman Yeger
District 41
District Office:
3520 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11229
Legislative Office:
Room 324, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Kevin Parker
State Senator Kevin Parker
District 21
District Office:
3021 Tilden Ave. 1st Floor & Basement, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Legislative Office:
Room 504, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
Other Geographies

District 45 Council District 45 sits in Brooklyn, Precinct 67, AD 41, SD 21.

It contains Flatbush, Flatbush (West)-Ditmas Park-Parkville, Midwood, East Flatbush-Erasmus, East Flatbush-Farragut, East Flatbush-Rugby, Holy Cross Cemetery, Flatlands, Brooklyn CB17, Brooklyn CB14.

See also
Boroughs
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Council District 45

Int 0346-2024
Louis votes yes to decriminalize jaywalking, boosting pedestrian safety citywide.

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.


Sedan Turns Left, Moped Rider Gashed on Flatbush

A sedan cut left on Flatbush. A moped pressed straight. Metal struck flesh. The rider, 26, took the hit. His leg split open. Blood pooled. He stayed conscious. Pain roared. The street bore witness.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn at Flatbush Avenue and Avenue H collided with a moped traveling straight. The moped rider, a 26-year-old man, suffered severe lacerations to his leg and remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan's right front bumper struck the moped's front end. The narrative states, 'Metal struck flesh. The rider, 26, hit hard. His leg gashed open. Blood pooled on the street.' No evidence in the report suggests any action by the moped rider contributed to the crash. The focus remains on the sedan driver's failure to yield and inattention, which led to the violent impact.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Int 0346-2024
Louis votes yes to decriminalize jaywalking, boosting pedestrian safety.

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.


2
Sedan Turns Left, E-Bike Riders Thrown and Bleeding

A sedan cut left on Utica Avenue. An e-bike shot straight. Two young men launched from the bike, heads striking pavement. Blood pooled. Both lay conscious, bleeding, silent in the Brooklyn night. The street bore witness to their pain.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn at Utica Avenue and Avenue H in Brooklyn collided with an e-bike traveling straight. The crash occurred at 22:40. The report states, 'A sedan turned left. An e-bike kept straight. Two young men flew from the bike, no helmets. Their heads hit pavement. Blood pooled. Both conscious. Both bleeding.' Both e-bike riders, aged 22 and 21, were ejected and suffered severe head injuries with heavy bleeding. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, highlighting a driver error. The sedan's left turn across the e-bike's path and the disregard for traffic control devices are central to the crash. The report notes the e-bike riders were not wearing helmets, but this detail is mentioned after the driver’s failure to obey traffic rules. The focus remains on the systemic danger posed by driver actions and traffic violations.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753262 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Int 0745-2024
Louis misses committee vote on micromobility data bill, no safety impact.

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.


Int 0745-2024
Louis votes yes on bill requiring DOT to report micromobility data, no direct safety impact.

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 U-Turn Slices Cyclist’s Arm on Avenue K

An SUV swung wide on Avenue K, carving a path into a cyclist’s flesh. Blood pooled. The man stayed conscious, pain roaring through his split arm. The driver’s turn, sudden and improper, left steel and bone tangled in Brooklyn’s morning.

A 47-year-old man riding east on Avenue K near East 24th Street was struck by an SUV making a U-turn, according to the police report. The cyclist suffered severe lacerations to his arm but remained conscious as blood pooled on the pavement. The police report identifies 'Turning Improperly' as the sole contributing factor, with the SUV driver executing a U-turn into the cyclist’s path. The cyclist was traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is not listed as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the lethal consequences of driver error—here, an improper turn—on Brooklyn’s streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745220 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Inexperienced Driver Slams Into Parked Cars in Brooklyn

A Mazda tore down East 80th and crashed into two parked cars. Metal screamed. The driver, semiconscious, bled in the dark, shoulder torn, trapped by his belt. Sirens echoed. The street stood silent, witness to speed and inexperience.

According to the police report, a Mazda sedan traveling east on East 80th Street near Farragut Road struck two parked vehicles—a sedan and a taxi—at 3:31 a.m. in Brooklyn. The driver, a 39-year-old man, was found semiconscious, suffering severe bleeding and a torn shoulder, trapped by his lap belt. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. The parked vehicles were unoccupied at the time. The narrative details the violent impact: 'A Mazda slammed into two parked cars. The driver, 39, lay semiconscious, bleeding, shoulder torn, lap belt tight. Steam hissed. Sirens rose.' The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the dangers posed by driver error and excessive speed, leaving the driver gravely injured and the street scarred.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742345 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Moped Rider Ejected After SUV Ignores Signal

Dawn on Utica Avenue. A moped slams into a turning SUV. The rider is hurled, body torn, blood on the street. Semiconscious, broken, he lies in the silence. Traffic control disregarded. The city’s wounds deepen.

At 4:58 a.m. on Utica Avenue at Clarendon Road in Brooklyn, a violent collision left a 41-year-old moped rider severely injured. According to the police report, a moped traveling north struck the right front bumper of a station wagon/SUV that was making a left turn. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor. The moped rider was ejected from his vehicle, suffering severe lacerations to his entire body and was found semiconscious at the scene. The narrative describes the rider as 'broken in the dawn,' with blood marking the street. No victim actions are cited as contributing factors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers disregard traffic controls at New York City intersections.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739440 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Passenger Bloodied After Light Ignored

A teenage boy sat in the back seat. The SUV’s right side took the hit. Glass cut his face. Blood spilled. The driver ran the light. The street fell silent, the boy left scarred.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at Avenue K and East 45th Street in Brooklyn when an SUV was struck on its right side. The report states that the driver disregarded traffic control, specifically running a red light. A 15-year-old boy, riding as a right rear passenger in the SUV, suffered severe facial lacerations from shattered glass. The narrative details, 'Glass cut deep into his face. Blood ran. The light was ignored.' The boy was not wearing a seatbelt, but the primary contributing factors cited in the report are 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'View Obstructed/Limited.' The crash left the teenager in shock and with significant injuries. The police report centers driver error—ignoring a traffic signal—as the cause of this violent impact.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738426 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Fails to Yield, Strikes E-Bike Passenger Ejected

A sedan slammed into an e-bike on Avenue M. Metal shrieked. A 19-year-old passenger flew from the bike, head smashing the pavement. Blood pooled. The car’s nose crumpled. The bike twisted, broken. Streets bear the mark of impact.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Avenue M collided broadside with an e-bike heading south. The crash occurred at 15:27. The report states the sedan failed to yield the right-of-way, resulting in the impact. A 19-year-old male passenger on the e-bike was ejected, suffering a head injury and severe bleeding after striking the pavement. The narrative describes blood pooling on the asphalt, the car’s front end crumpled, and the e-bike’s rear twisted and broken. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The injured passenger was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this detail follows the driver’s error. The collision underscores the lethal consequences when drivers disregard right-of-way, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to devastating harm.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736568 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Res 0079-2024
Louis misses committee vote on Open Streets 5 mph safety resolution.

Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.

Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.


Int 0875-2024
Louis co-sponsors bill boosting step street lighting, improving pedestrian safety.

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

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


Int 0874-2024
Louis co-sponsors pilot program penalizing cyclists, likely reducing overall street safety.

Council bill targets repeat pedal-assist bike violators. Three strikes trigger a mandatory safety course. Ignore the course, lose your bike. DOT will track results. Three-year pilot. Enforcement, not education, leads.

Int 0874-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, by Council Members Ariola (primary), Hanks, Hudson, Louis, Mealy, and Banks, the bill orders DOT to launch a pilot abatement program for unsafe pedal-assist bicycle operators. The bill summary states: 'Pedal-assist bicycle operators who accrue 3 or more moving violations under city law would be required to take a safe pedal-assist bicycle operation course offered by DOT.' Noncompliance means bike impoundment. DOT must report on course completions, impounds, and program effectiveness. The pilot sunsets after three years. The bill aims to curb reckless riding through strict enforcement.


Distracted SUV Driver Slams Stopped Car, Teen Ejected

A 15-year-old boy was hurled from an SUV on Foster Avenue, semiconscious and bleeding, after the vehicle crashed into a stopped car. Shattered metal, folded steel, distraction at the wheel. The street bore the mark of inattention.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Foster Avenue near East 40th Street in Brooklyn when a station wagon/SUV traveling east slammed into a stopped vehicle. The report states the SUV's driver, a 15-year-old boy, was ejected from the vehicle, found semiconscious and bleeding from the face. The narrative describes the front end of the SUV shattered and the rear of the stopped car folded inward. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The vehicle damage and point of impact confirm a violent crash. No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The report centers driver distraction and improper lane use as the causes behind the severe injury and destruction.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723773 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Int 0856-2024
Louis co-sponsors bill raising ATV and dirt bike fines, safety unchanged.

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

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


Int 0842-2024
Louis co-sponsors bill requiring DOT to consider traffic enforcement agents.

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

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


Int 0857-2024
Louis 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 0853-2024
Louis sponsors borough-based traffic teams bill, boosting pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Council pushes for borough-based DOT teams. Staff must answer traffic requests fast. Response tied to need. Three-month deadline. Action targets slow fixes. Vulnerable road users wait less.

Int 0853-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 18, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating borough-based traffic request response teams,' requires the Department of Transportation to assign staff to each borough, matching staff numbers to request volume. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary sponsor), Amanda Farías, and Rafael Salamanca, Jr. back the measure. The teams must respond to traffic requests within three months. The bill aims to cut delays that leave dangerous conditions unaddressed, giving vulnerable road users a better shot at safer streets.


Sedan Turns Left, Kills Elderly Woman in Brooklyn Crosswalk

A sedan turned left on New York Avenue and struck a 74-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She died in the crosswalk, the impact sudden and final. The driver failed to yield. The street kept moving.

According to the police report, a 74-year-old woman was crossing New York Avenue at Avenue D, in Brooklyn, when a sedan making a left turn struck her head-on. The report states she was 'crossing with the light' and was in the crosswalk at the time of impact. The collision resulted in fatal injuries to the pedestrian, who died at the scene. The police report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor on the part of the sedan driver. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, matching the narrative of a direct, forceful collision. The victim's behavior—crossing with the signal—is noted in the report, but the primary cause remains the driver's failure to yield. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers disregard pedestrian right-of-way at intersections.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717810 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04