Crash Count for District 47
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 4,389
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 2,376
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 495
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 24
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 12
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 24, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in District 47?

The Blood on Brannan’s Streets Won’t Wash Away

The Blood on Brannan’s Streets Won’t Wash Away

District 47: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 18, 2025

The Deaths Keep Coming

Four people killed. Over 750 injured. In the last year alone, District 47 has seen carnage that leaves families empty and streets stained. The dead are not numbers. They are neighbors, elders, children. On January 24, a 95-year-old woman was struck and killed by an SUV turning left at Cropsey and 24th Avenue. She died at the intersection, her life ended by a machine that did not stop.

Just days ago, two men were killed crossing Third Avenue. The driver left them in the street and drove home. When police found him, he said, “I had a six pack of Modelos and two drinks. I was driving the car by myself last night. It’s my fault. After I hit them, I came home.” said the driver. The blood alcohol was under the legal limit. The law did not save them. The street did not save them.

The Machines That Kill

SUVs and cars do most of the damage. In the past three years, cars and SUVs killed four pedestrians and caused over 330 injuries. Trucks and buses killed one, bikes injured sixteen. Motorcycles and mopeds left ten more hurt. The numbers are cold, but the pain is not. Every crash is a family broken, a life cut short. NYC Open Data

What Has Been Done—And What Has Not

Council Member Justin Brannan has signed on to bills that clear abandoned cars from crosswalks, speed up pavement markings, and demand better plate enforcement. NYC Council Legistar He voted yes on laws to warn taxi passengers about cyclists and to remove derelict vehicles. These are steps, but they are not enough. The dead keep coming. The streets do not forgive delay.

At a vigil for Norman Fruchter, killed by a reversing driver, Brannan said, “Confronting traffic violence also means taking personal responsibility [and] safe driving habits. It will take all of us.” Brannan at vigil But the laws remain weak. The most vulnerable still pay the price.

What Now

This is not fate. This is policy. Call Brannan. Call the Mayor. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand real protection for people on foot and bike. Do not wait for another name to be added to the list. The street remembers. The city must act.

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 agencies, and represents neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
Where does District 47 sit politically?
It belongs to borough Brooklyn, assembly district AD 45 and state senate district SD 17.
Which areas are in District 47?
It includes the Bay Ridge, Bath Beach, Gravesend (South), Coney Island-Sea Gate, Calvert Vaux Park, Brooklyn CB13, and Brooklyn CB10 neighborhoods. It also overlaps parts of Assembly Districts AD 45, AD 46, and AD 64, and State Senate Districts SD 17, SD 23, and SD 26.
What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in District 47?
Cars and SUVs killed four pedestrians and caused over 330 injuries. Trucks and buses killed one, bikes injured sixteen. Motorcycles and mopeds left ten more hurt. Most deaths come from cars and SUVs, according to NYC Open Data.
Are these crashes just 'accidents' or are they preventable?
These deaths and injuries are not random. They happen because of policy choices, street design, and enforcement decisions.
What can local politicians do to stop traffic violence?
They can lower speed limits, redesign streets, enforce laws against reckless driving, and pass bills that protect people walking and biking.
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

Justin Brannan
Council Member Justin Brannan
District 47
District Office:
1915 Mermaid Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224
718-373-0954
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1826, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7363
Twitter: JustinBrannan

Other Representatives

Misha Novakhov
Assembly Member Misha Novakhov
District 45
District Office:
1800 Sheepshead Bay Road, Brooklyn, NY 11235
Legislative Office:
Room 527, 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 47 Council District 47 sits in Brooklyn, Precinct 62, AD 45, SD 17.

It contains Bay Ridge, Bath Beach, Gravesend (South), Coney Island-Sea Gate, Calvert Vaux Park, Brooklyn CB13, Brooklyn CB10.

See also
Boroughs
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Council District 47

Man Dies After Fall Onto Subway Tracks

A man fell onto Prospect Park subway tracks during a fight. The train struck him. He died at the scene. Police questioned the other person. The platform became a place of sudden death.

NY Daily News (2025-07-30) reports a man died after falling onto the tracks at Prospect Park station during a fight. Police said, "As the fight escalated, he landed on the train tracks and was struck by an oncoming train." The victim suffered fatal head trauma. The other person involved was taken into custody for questioning. No charges were filed at the time. The article does not specify if the man fell or was pushed. The incident highlights the dangers of open subway platforms and the risks faced by riders in moments of conflict.


Driver Inattention Causes Head Injury on 86th Street

A distracted driver struck on 86th Street. A young woman suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. The crash left her unconscious. Police cite driver inattention as the main cause.

A 24-year-old woman operating a motorized vehicle on 86th Street at West 7th Street in Brooklyn was severely injured. According to the police report, she suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was found unconscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No other injuries were specified for the vehicle occupants. The data does not mention helmet use or signals as factors. The crash underscores the danger of distraction behind the wheel.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830338 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31
Child Hit Near Sheepshead Bay Playground

A car struck an 11-year-old boy by a Brooklyn playground. He survived. Police search for answers. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on July 19, 2025, that an 11-year-old boy was hit by a car near a playground on Bedford Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The crash happened around 5:30 p.m. Friday. The boy is in stable condition. Police are investigating the circumstances. The article states, "There is no word yet on how the accident happened." No details on driver actions or charges have been released. The incident highlights the ongoing risk to children near city streets and playgrounds.


Driver Kills Girlfriend Doing Donuts

A driver spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The car struck a woman on the curb. She died at the hospital. Police charged the driver with negligent homicide. The lot was left scarred. The city mourns another loss.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-16), Zachary Cando, 24, was 'doing the dangerous spinning trick' known as donuts in a Gateway Center parking lot when he lost control and hit Madisyn Ruiz, 21, who was sitting nearby. Ruiz died after being rushed to the hospital. Police charged Cando with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The article notes the car was 'badly dented in the front.' The crash highlights the risks of reckless driving in public spaces and the need for stronger deterrents in parking lots.


Court Blocks Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Removal

A judge stopped the city from tearing out Bedford Avenue’s only protected bike lane. The fight over safety and street space continues. Cyclists and pedestrians wait as legal battles stall change.

Streetsblog NYC reported on July 15, 2025, that an appellate judge halted Mayor Adams’s plan to remove a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue. Judge Ventura issued a restraining order after Transportation Alternatives and Baruch Herzfeld appealed the city’s move. The city had planned to start demolition after complaints from local leaders, but the court’s order blocks any changes until further review. Streetsblog quotes Ben Furnas: 'The Adams administration is going to have to spend their night preparing their legal case, not ripping out a critical safety project.' The article highlights weak enforcement of parking rules and the city’s reversal against its own DOT’s safety plan. The case underscores how political pressure and lax enforcement can threaten vulnerable road users.


Hit-And-Run Kills Two In Sunset Park

A car sped down Third Avenue. Two men, one with a cart, one with a cane, crossed. The driver did not brake. Both men died in the street. The car fled. Police arrested the driver hours later.

ABC7 reported on July 11, 2025, that two men, aged 59 and 80, were killed by a hit-and-run driver at Third Avenue and 52nd Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Surveillance showed the car "speeding southbound" and not braking before impact. The driver, Juventino Anastacio Florentino, was arrested and charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and reckless driving. The victims, Kex Un Chen and Faqiu Lin, were likely headed to a local food pantry. The incident highlights the lethal risk posed by reckless driving and the vulnerability of pedestrians, especially near essential services.


Elderly Man Killed In Brooklyn Hit-Run

A moped struck a 90-year-old man in Brooklyn. The driver fled. The man died at the hospital. Security video captured the impact. The street claimed another life.

CBS New York (2025-07-10) reports a 90-year-old man died after a moped hit-and-run in Brooklyn. Security footage 'shows the moment the man was struck.' The driver left the scene. The victim died at the hospital. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians and the ongoing danger of drivers who flee. No policy changes or arrests were reported.


Judge Allows Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Change

A judge let the city move a protected bike lane off Bedford Avenue. Cyclists lose curbside safety. Adams pushed the change after local protests. Advocates warn the street grows more dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-07-09) reports a state judge allowed Mayor Adams to remove curbside bike lane protections on Brooklyn's Bedford Avenue. The city will shift the lane to the street's center, ending the barrier of parked cars. The move follows protests from local Orthodox Jewish communities and a recent e-bike crash. Advocates sued, arguing Adams bypassed environmental review. The judge ruled the change was not a major project. Transportation Alternatives warns, 'If the Bedford Avenue safety improvements are destroyed, this all but guarantees that there will be blood on Eric Adams' hands.' The decision highlights Adams' pattern of scaling back street safety redesigns.


Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing Avenue I

A Smart Car struck Dov Broyde, 70, as he crossed Avenue I near his home. Medics rushed him to the hospital. He died. The driver stayed. No charges filed. Brooklyn street claimed another life.

NY Daily News (2025-07-08) reports Dov Broyde, 70, was fatally struck by a Smart Car while crossing Avenue I at E. Fifth St. near Midwood around 9:30 p.m. The article states the driver 'plowed into him' and remained at the scene. No criminal charges were filed at the time. The incident highlights persistent danger for pedestrians in New York City, where 55 have died this year. The crash underscores the ongoing toll of traffic violence and the urgent need for systemic safety improvements.


SUV Kills Boy Crossing Crown Heights Street

An SUV struck and killed eight-year-old Mordica Keller as he crossed Eastern Parkway with his sister. The driver stayed. Blood stained the concrete. The boy died at Kings County Hospital. The street claimed another child.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-29), eight-year-old Mordica Keller was killed by a black Honda Pilot while crossing Eastern Parkway at Albany Street with his sister. The 69-year-old driver, heading south, remained at the scene. Police said, "They were walking, he was crossing the street with his sister." The driver had a green light, and no arrest has been made. The incident highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians at busy intersections. The investigation continues.


SUV Strikes Cyclist on Neptune Avenue

An SUV hit a cyclist on Neptune Avenue. The rider suffered head wounds and shock. Police list injuries as severe. No driver errors named. The street saw blood and fear.

A cyclist, age 26, was struck by an SUV on Neptune Avenue near Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered head injuries and severe lacerations, and was in shock. The SUV's right front bumper hit the cyclist. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The police report notes the cyclist's safety equipment as unknown. The crash left the cyclist injured, while the SUV occupants were not reported as seriously hurt.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823927 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31
Drunk Unlicensed Driver Kills Moped Rider

A moped slammed into a car’s door in Bay Ridge. The rider died. His passenger broke bones. The driver was drunk, unlicensed, and arrested. The street stayed quiet after the crash. Another life lost to reckless driving.

NY Daily News reported on June 22, 2025, that Joel Mota, 22, died after his moped struck the passenger-side door of a 2013 Acura TSX at Third Ave and 67th St in Brooklyn. The crash happened at 4:45 a.m. Police said the car’s driver, Leslie Moreno, was intoxicated and unlicensed. Mota’s passenger suffered multiple fractures. The article notes, 'Police arrested the Acura driver, 29-year-old Leslie Moreno, for driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired, and being unlicensed.' Moreno was arraigned and released without bail. The case highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired, unlicensed drivers on city streets.


2
Moped Rider Killed, Passenger Hurt on 3rd Avenue

A moped slammed into a sedan on 3rd Avenue. One rider died. Another was thrown and fractured his arm. Both drivers were unlicensed and inexperienced. Brooklyn streets claimed another life.

A deadly crash unfolded at 3rd Avenue and 67th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a moped and a sedan collided. The 22-year-old moped driver was killed. His 21-year-old passenger was ejected and suffered a fractured arm. The sedan driver, a 29-year-old woman, reported neck pain. Both drivers were unlicensed. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. No other factors were cited.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821960 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31
Judge Halts Removal Of Brooklyn Bike Lane

A judge stopped the city from tearing out a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue. The lane stays for now. A toddler was struck by an e-bike. City Hall acted without consulting locals. The fight over street safety continues.

The New York Post reported on June 18, 2025, that Brooklyn Supreme Court Judge Carolyn Walker-Diallo blocked Mayor Adams' plan to remove a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue. The ruling followed a lawsuit by Transportation Alternatives, who argued that removing the lane would endanger road users. The judge found City Hall 'acted arbitrarily, capriciously, and illegally' by failing to consult local officials or the community. The city cited 'several dangerous incidents—many of which involved children getting seriously hurt' as the reason for the proposed removal, after a 3-year-old was struck by an e-bike in May. The protected lane will remain until a court hearing in August. The case highlights the tension between rapid policy changes and the need for community input on street safety.


Williamsburg Protected Bike Lane Removed

City will strip Bedford Avenue of its protected bike lane. The mayor cites safety. Cyclists lose a shield. Streets grow harsher. The move stirs anger and worry in Williamsburg. Vulnerable road users face new risk.

CBS New York reported on June 14, 2025, that Mayor Eric Adams will remove the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The mayor claims the rollback is due to 'safety concerns.' The article notes, 'The decision to remove it is drawing mixed reaction in Williamsburg.' No details are given on specific incidents or data prompting the change. The removal eliminates a key barrier between cyclists and traffic. This action raises questions about city policy and the commitment to protecting vulnerable road users. The move may increase exposure to traffic violence for cyclists and pedestrians.


Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Reverts After Crashes

A new bike lane design on Bedford Avenue failed. Crashes followed. City officials will restore the old layout. Cyclists remain exposed. Promises of safety fell short. The street stays dangerous.

CBS New York reported on June 13, 2025, that Brooklyn's Bedford Avenue bike lane will return to its original design after a series of crashes. The article states, "The redesign was initially intended to improve safety for cyclists, but recent incidents have prompted city officials to revert to the previous layout." The protected lane, meant to shield riders, instead saw collisions increase. The city’s decision highlights the risks of poorly executed street changes and the urgent need for designs that truly protect vulnerable road users. No driver actions are detailed, but the policy shift underscores ongoing systemic failures in street safety planning.


NYC DOT Targets Intersection Danger Zones

City crews will block cars from corners. Barriers, granite, planters—hard lines drawn. Sightlines open. Pedestrians and cyclists step forward, visible. Intersections, once blind, now clear. The city moves to cut the toll where most blood spills.

amNY reported on June 11, 2025, that the NYC Department of Transportation will redesign intersections to protect pedestrians and cyclists. The plan uses 'hardened daylighting'—physical barriers, granite blocks, and planters—to stop vehicles from parking near corners. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'Using barriers to clear space at the intersection will help ensure pedestrians, cyclists and turning vehicles can see each other and enhance safety.' Nearly half of city traffic deaths happen at intersections. The new design will first appear at high-crash sites in Brooklyn, including Ocean Avenue at Church Avenue and several others. The move highlights a systemic effort to address visibility failures and reduce deadly conflicts at crossings.


DOT Plans Protected Bike Lane Court Street

Court Street bleeds from double parking and swerving cars. Cyclists and walkers dodge danger daily. DOT will cut a lane, add a protected bike path, and shrink space for reckless driving. Fewer lanes, fewer crashes. Safety, not speed, takes the street.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-06-06) reports the Department of Transportation will install a protected bike lane on Brooklyn’s Court Street, a corridor plagued by double parking and sideswipe crashes. DOT’s Chris Brunson said, “The narrower street width for vehicles will de-incentivize double parking on the corridor.” The redesign removes a travel lane, adds a protected bike lane, and aims to curb driver behavior that leads to crashes. Between 2022 and 2024, 165 crashes on this mile-long stretch caused one death and injured 15 cyclists and 23 pedestrians. Most pedestrian injuries happened while crossing with the light, showing drivers failed to yield. The plan targets excess road capacity and prioritizes vulnerable users on a Vision Zero Priority Corridor.


City Orders 15 MPH Limit For E-Bikes

City Hall forced Citi Bike to cap e-bike speeds at 15 mph. A child was hit weeks before. Injuries on e-bikes outnumber pedal bikes. Officials call it an emergency. The rule moves fast. Riders and workers face new limits.

Gothamist reported on June 5, 2025, that Mayor Adams ordered Citi Bike to limit e-bike speeds to 15 mph, citing an 'emergency threat to life and property.' The city rejected Lyft’s plan to add speedometers, demanding immediate compliance. Deputy Mayor Mastro wrote, 'We have requested that you immediately implement this new 15 mph speed limit for Citi Bike e-bikes, and you declined to do so.' Citi Bike agreed to the mandate, though previously voiced concerns. In 2021, e-bike injuries (1,170) and deaths (9) far outpaced those on pedal bikes (236 injuries, 2 deaths). The order follows a crash where a 3-year-old was struck by an e-bike in South Williamsburg. The city will collect public comments before finalizing the rule. The move highlights rising e-bike use and the city’s struggle to manage micromobility safety.


Police Chase Ends With Jeep On Tracks

A Jeep fleeing police tore through a Brooklyn fence and crashed onto L train tracks. Twisted metal and barbed wire marked the wreck. Subway service stalled. The driver, unhurt, was arrested. The night echoed with sirens and shock.

According to The Brooklyn Paper (2025-06-03), a driver in a Jeep sped away from police after being stopped for illegal tinted windows. Officers from the 75th Precinct gave chase. The driver lost control near East 105th Street and Farragut Road, smashing through a fence and landing the vehicle on the Manhattan-bound L train tracks. Eyewitnesses described the chaos: 'Next thing I know, he was into the fence. Absolutely crazy.' The crash left the Jeep mangled and caused overnight subway delays. Police took the uninjured driver into custody at the scene. Charges are pending. The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases and the vulnerability of transit infrastructure to reckless driving.