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

• Brooklyn cop killed in hit-run recalled as ‘top of his class’ both at NYPD and in life, NY Daily News, Published 2025-09-03

Aug 12 - City pushes Lyft to demand ID for Citi Bike e-bikes. No license, no ride. Kids blocked. Officials claim safety. But new barriers rise. Fewer riders. Streets lose strength in numbers. Risk shifts. Equity suffers.

"Brannan warned that the current self-reported age system is 'a disaster waiting to happen,' especially amid a surge in e-bike crashes involving minors." -- Justin L. Brannan

On August 12, 2025, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro sent a letter to Lyft CEO David Risher, demanding 'appropriate age verification steps' for Citi Bike e-bike riders, like requiring a driver's license or permit. Council Member Justin Brannan also pressed Lyft to block under-16 users, calling the current system 'a disaster waiting to happen.' The request follows a recent speed cap on Citi Bike e-bikes. But safety analysts warn: license-based checks block youth and those without licenses, cut mode shift, and weaken street equity. Fewer riders mean less safety in numbers for all vulnerable road users.

• NYC asks Lyft to require ID for Citi Bike e-bikes to curb underage riders, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-08-12

Aug 3 - A man crossed Broadway. A driver hit him. The driver sped off. The man died on the street. Police hunt for the vehicle, possibly a garbage truck. The city’s roads claim another life.

NY Daily News (2025-08-03) reports a 47-year-old pedestrian was killed crossing Broadway at Suydam St. in Brooklyn. The driver, possibly operating a garbage truck, left the scene. Police said, "A driver struck and killed a 47-year-old pedestrian... then left the scene." The victim died before help arrived. The driver’s failure to remain highlights ongoing dangers for those on foot and the persistent issue of hit-and-runs in New York City.

• Driver Flees After Brooklyn Pedestrian Death, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-03

Jul 24 - 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 2025-09-17

Jul 18 - Council Member Justin Brannan moves to stop delivery apps from axing workers at will. The bill targets silent firings. No more robot bosses. Human over algorithm. Status: introduced.

"A big consequence that we saw is that delivery workers are often deactivated from the platforms without any notice or any explanation." -- Justin L. Brannan

On July 18, 2025, Council Member Justin Brannan introduced Intro 1332 to the New York City Council. The bill, now pending committee assignment, would require delivery app companies to give a reason before deactivating workers. Brannan says, 'A big consequence that we saw is that delivery workers are often deactivated from the platforms without any notice or any explanation.' The measure aims to end algorithmic firings and protect gig workers from sudden job loss. However, the event text is too vague to determine a direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists, as it does not specify any concrete policy or regulatory change affecting vulnerable road users.

• New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-18

Jul 17 - Two men died crossing Third Avenue. A driver sped through a red. The city knew the danger. The mayor stalled safety plans. The street stays deadly. The toll mounts. The fix waits.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-17) reports Mayor Adams delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue, long known as hazardous. Last week, a speeding driver ran a red light, killing two pedestrians. The article quotes Adams, who once called Third Avenue 'extremely intimidating' and said it 'must be at the top of our list.' Despite this, his administration 'put the brakes on a potentially life-saving road redesign,' favoring business interests. Attorney Peter Beadle notes, 'they had a plan ready to go and then it was pulled back.' The city could face legal action for failing to act despite knowing the risks, echoing a 2017 state court ruling on municipal liability.

• Mayor Delays Third Avenue Safety Redesign, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 16 - 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.

• Driver Kills Girlfriend Doing Donuts, New York Post, Published 2025-07-16

Jul 15 - The city plans to rip out protected bike lanes on Bedford Avenue. Cyclists vow legal action if injuries follow. Over 200 sign a pledge. The mayor moves ahead, ignoring proven safety gains.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-15) reports Brooklyn cyclists pledged to sue if the city removes protected bike lanes on Bedford Avenue and injuries result. Over 200 signed a pledge after Mayor Adams decided to strip three blocks of protection, despite city data showing the lanes made the street 'dramatically safer.' The move follows a court ruling allowing the change. City Hall claims the redesign addresses 'serious safety concerns.' Legal precedent (Turturro v. City of New York) could hold the city liable for knowingly making streets less safe. Advocates see the decision as political, not safety-driven.

• Cyclists Threaten Lawsuit Over Bedford Ave, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 11 - A car sped down Third Avenue. Two men, one with a cane, one with a cart, crossed. The driver did not brake. Both men died in the street. The car fled. Police made an arrest hours later.

ABC7 reported on July 11, 2025, that two men, aged 59 and 80, were killed by a speeding 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 leaving the scene. The victims, Kex Un Chen and Faqiu Lin, were walking to a food pantry. The crash highlights dangers for pedestrians and the deadly consequences of reckless driving.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Two In Sunset Park, ABC7, Published 2025-07-11

Jul 10 - City rips out Bedford Avenue bike lane. Cyclists lose safe passage. Judge sides with mayor. Injuries had dropped. Advocates warn: danger returns. Streets grow harsher for those outside cars.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-10) reports that Mayor Adams will remove a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue after a judge upheld the city’s decision. Advocates say this 'all but guarantees that there will be blood on Eric Adams's hands.' NYPD data showed injuries dropped after the lane’s installation. The city acted after complaints from local leaders. The lane sits on a 'Vision Zero Priority Corridor,' one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous streets. Cyclists and residents called the move political and warned it strips away proven safety. No driver errors cited, but the policy shift exposes vulnerable road users to renewed risk.

• Brooklyn Bike Lane Removal Sparks Outrage, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-10

Jul 9 - A judge cleared the city to strip protection from Bedford Avenue’s bike lane. Cyclists will ride exposed. Cars will pass inches away. The barrier falls. Risk rises.

NY1 reported on July 9, 2025, that a judge ruled the city may remove parking protection from part of Bedford Avenue’s bike lane. The article states, "The city can proceed with its controversial plan to convert part of a parking-protected bike lane...back into an unprotected one." The lawsuit, brought by Transportation Alternatives and local residents, challenged the city’s move. The decision highlights a policy shift: removing barriers that shield cyclists from traffic. Without protection, riders face direct exposure to moving vehicles, increasing systemic danger for vulnerable road users.

• Judge Allows Bedford Bike Lane Change, NY1, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 8 - Two new elevators rise at Bay Ridge-95th Street. Barriers fall. Riders once shut out now enter. Subway access grows. Streets outside still threaten, but inside, movement is free. Each upgrade shifts the city’s balance.

"This is a great example of working with the MTA on bringing accessibility to the far reaches of the outer boroughs and reminding folks that the ADA is not just a suggestion, it's actually the law." -- Justin L. Brannan

On July 8, 2025, the MTA opened two ADA-compliant elevators at Bay Ridge-95th Street station, Brooklyn. The project, backed by federal funds, finished under budget. Council Member Justin Brannan, State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis all praised the upgrade. Quemuel Arroyo, MTA’s chief accessibility officer, called it 'a crucial connection.' The new elevators mark the third Brooklyn station made accessible this year. Improved subway access encourages walking and cycling to transit, boosting safety for vulnerable users by increasing their numbers and visibility. The MTA must reach 95% accessibility by 2055.

• MTA opens two elevators at newly-accessible Bay Ridge-95th Street station, Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-07-08

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 29 - An eight-year-old boy died after a Honda SUV struck him at Eastern Parkway and Albany Ave. He was dragged under the car. Blood pooled. His sister watched. The driver stayed. No arrest. The city investigates.

NY Daily News (2025-06-29) reports an 8-year-old boy was fatally struck by a 69-year-old Honda Pilot driver at Eastern Parkway and Albany Ave. in Brooklyn. The boy was crossing when hit; witnesses saw him dragged from under the SUV. The article quotes, "I saw the kid being dragged from underneath the car by a woman." The driver remained at the scene. No arrests were made. NYPD Collision Squad investigates. The crash highlights persistent dangers at city intersections and the lethal risk large vehicles pose to children.

• Child Killed By SUV In Crown Heights, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-29

Jun 24 - Seventeen-year-old Jhoan Puga died after his moped struck a turning car in Midwood. His passenger was thrown and critically hurt. The crash left trauma and questions in its wake.

According to NY Daily News (2025-06-24), Jhoan Puga, 17, was riding a gas moped north on East Eighth St. in Brooklyn when he collided with a Genesis G80 driven by a 71-year-old man making a left turn. The impact threw Puga and his passenger, causing severe injuries. The article states, "Jhoan later died at the hospital." The driver remained at the scene. No arrests have been made. The NYPD collision squad is investigating. The crash highlights risks at intersections and the vulnerability of moped riders in city traffic.

• Teen Killed, Passenger Hurt In Moped Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-24

Jun 22 - 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 2025-09-17

Jun 21 - 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 2025-09-17

Jun 20 - A Brooklyn political boss fights a judge’s order to keep the Bedford Avenue bike lane. Crash and injury numbers fell after the redesign. The city faces pressure to defend protections for cyclists. The battle exposes the city’s fractured safety priorities.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 20, 2025, that Frank Seddio, a Brooklyn Democratic leader and Board of Elections commissioner, is appealing a court order that blocks the city from removing part of the Bedford Avenue bike lane. Seddio claims the lane will only shift location and disputes the safety benefits, arguing, 'The bike lane will still exist, but merely shift to an alternative location in the road.' He also questions crash data, citing seasonal differences: 'The change in accident and injury rates is better explained by seasonal weather patterns.' Streetsblog notes that after the redesign, crashes dropped by 18–19% and injuries by 25–26%. The case highlights ongoing tension between local political power, city notification procedures, and efforts to protect cyclists and pedestrians through street design.

• Brooklyn Power Broker Fights Bike Lane Ruling, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-20

Jun 18 - A stolen Chevy struck Tiffany Cifuni’s car in Brooklyn. She stepped out to confront the driver. The driver ran her down and fled. Cifuni, twelve weeks pregnant, died on the street. Police arrested the suspect weeks later.

NY Daily News reported on June 18, 2025, that Chaquasia Pigford was arrested for killing Tiffany Cifuni in a Brooklyn hit-and-run. Pigford, driving a stolen Chevy Trax, rear-ended Cifuni’s Toyota late at night on May 24. When Cifuni, pregnant and 32, exited her vehicle to exchange information, Pigford sped off. Cifuni followed for two blocks, confronted Pigford, and was then run over. Prosecutors described the incident in court, noting Pigford refused to engage before fleeing. The article quotes Cifuni’s family and Assistant District Attorney Tara Kelly: 'Pigford was driving a stolen 2016 Chevy Trax... when she rear-ended Cifuni’s 2021 Toyota 4Runner.' The case highlights the lethal risk of hit-and-run drivers and the dangers posed by stolen vehicles on city streets.

• Pregnant Woman Killed After Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-18

Jun 15 - Steel slammed steel in Brooklyn before dawn. A Chevy hit a Volvo, then a police car. Four people hurt. Two were NYPD. The driver of the Chevy was arrested. Sirens silent. Lights flashing. Streets left scarred.

ABC7 reported on June 15, 2025, that a three-car crash at Avenue U and Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn injured four people, including two NYPD officers. The article states, “Police say a 25-year-old man was traveling north on Coney Island Avenue in a Chevrolet Suburban when he collided with the driver of a Volvo traveling west on Avenue U.” The impact pushed the Chevy into a marked police car, which had its lights on but no sirens. The 25-year-old Chevy driver was arrested at the scene. Both his passengers and two officers were hospitalized in stable condition. No injuries were reported in the Volvo. The incident highlights the dangers at busy intersections and the risks faced by all road users, including police. Authorities continue to investigate the cause.

• Brooklyn Three-Car Crash Injures Four, ABC7, Published 2025-06-15