No More Blood on Cropsey: Hold Brannan Accountable for Every Broken Body

A sedan hit a 72-year-old woman crossing Marine Avenue at dusk. Her head struck hard. She died in the street. Two sedans collided, one parked, one moving. The street grew quiet. The woman’s life ended where the light faded.

A 72-year-old woman was killed while crossing Marine Avenue near dusk. According to the police report, she was not at an intersection and crossed without a signal. A moving sedan struck her, causing fatal head injuries. The report states, 'Marine Avenue, near dusk — a 72-year-old woman crossed without a signal. A moving sedan struck her, head crushed.' Two sedans were involved: one parked, one in motion. The police list the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. The woman’s death marks another tragedy on New York City’s streets, where the vulnerable pay the price for everyday traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679990, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Dodge truck turned left on Bath Avenue. The driver did not yield. A 66-year-old woman crossed with the signal. The truck struck her. Her head hit the pavement. She died there. The truck showed no damage. The street stayed quiet.

A 66-year-old woman was killed while crossing Bath Avenue near 25th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a Dodge truck turned left as the woman crossed with the signal. The driver did not see her. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The woman suffered fatal head injuries. The truck sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and remained at the scene. The crash ended a life on a clear day, leaving the intersection marked by loss.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661771, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council filed a bill to raise fines for riding bikes, e-bikes, or scooters on sidewalks. The measure targets repeat offenders and cases with physical contact. The bill died in committee. Streets remain unchanged. Vulnerable users still face car danger.

Int 1143-2023 was introduced on August 3, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill sought to amend the city code by 'increasing civil penalties for operating a bicycle, bicycle with electric assist, or electric scooter on the sidewalk.' The measure would have raised fines up to $510 for endangering others, with double penalties for repeat violations and extra penalties for physical contact. Council Member Gale A. Brewer sponsored the bill, joined by Gennaro, Lee, Brannan, Yeger, Kagan, Vernikov, and Ariola. The bill was filed at the end of the session on December 31, 2023, and did not become law. No safety analyst assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The bill focused on sidewalk riding, but left the core danger—cars on city streets—untouched.

• File Int 1143-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-08-03

Council pushed for 500 solar-lit crosswalks. The bill demanded action—100 new devices each year. It called for a hard look at results. But the session ended. The bill died. Streets wait. Pedestrians keep crossing in the dark.

Int 1151-2023, introduced August 3, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, aimed to require the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 illuminated, solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks each year for five years—a total of 500. The bill also ordered a study comparing these devices to unlit signs, probing their power to deter traffic violations and mapping out logistical hurdles. The matter summary reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of solar-powered crosswalks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Menin, Brooks-Powers, Rivera, and over thirty others. The bill was filed at session’s end on December 31, 2023. No safety analyst note was provided. The city’s crosswalks remain unchanged. Vulnerable road users remain exposed.

• File Int 1151-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-08-03

A driver faces criminal charges after killing Norman Fruchter in Bay Ridge. Police say the man reversed into Fruchter, who died of head trauma. Council Member Justin Brannan called for confronting traffic violence. The community mourned and demanded safer streets.

On July 24, 2023, police charged Jorge Gonzalez-Cadme with criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, imprudent speed, and unsafe backing for the December 22, 2022 crash that killed Norman Fruchter at 68th Street and Bliss Terrace. The case is not a council bill but a high-profile enforcement action. Council Member Justin Brannan, District 47, responded to Fruchter's death, tweeting: 'Confronting traffic violence also means taking personal responsibility + safe driving habits. It will take all of us.' The community held a vigil at Owl's Head Park, honoring Fruchter and demanding better traffic safety. Brooklyn leads the city in pedestrian fatalities, with 34% of deaths citywide. The crash site has seen multiple injuries since 2018. Fruchter's legacy and the tragedy highlight ongoing systemic danger for vulnerable road users.

• Police arrest and charge driver for allegedly fatally striking civil rights leader Norman Fruchter, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-07-25

An e-bike tore through Shore Road. The rider struck a woman, ripping her leg. A teenage girl on the bike hit her head. Blood pooled. The driver did not see. The street fell silent. Two injured. Distraction and failure to yield led to pain.

A 34-year-old woman walking on Shore Road near 83rd Street in Brooklyn was struck by an e-bike. She suffered severe lacerations to her leg. A 17-year-old girl riding on the e-bike also sustained a serious head injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' were listed as contributing factors. The e-bike, traveling north, hit the pedestrian with its left front bumper. The report notes blood on the pavement and a silent street after the crash. No helmet or signal use was cited as a factor. The crash left two people hurt, both victims of driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646986, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council grilled city plans for curbside car chargers. Advocates warned: car plugs block bike lanes, trap the curb. Brewer said delivery workers need e-bike charging, not car stations. No e-bike chargers installed yet. The fight for street space rages on.

On June 26, 2023, the City Council held a hearing on electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The session, led by Council Member Gale Brewer, focused on the matter: 'Charging Ahead? The City Needs Plugs for E-Bikes, Not Cars.' Brewer emphasized, 'I don't hear people calling me up, saying, I need a charging station for my electric car.' Advocates Jackson Chabot and Samir Lavingia argued that curbside EV chargers for cars would 'lock in' car use and block future bike lanes or outdoor dining. Eric McClure of StreetsPAC warned against re-privatizing the curb for car owners. Both Chabot and Lavingia backed Council Member Justin Brannan's bill to require EV-ready parking in garages. Despite city plans, no e-bike charging stations have been installed yet. The hearing spotlighted the urgent need to prioritize vulnerable road users over private cars.

• Charging Ahead? The City Needs Plugs for E-Bikes, Not Cars, Advocates and Pols Say, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-26

Council sought to clear streets of cars with missing or obscured plates. The bill ordered quick towing of vehicles blocking space or hiding identity. Filed at session’s end, it aimed to cut hazards for those on foot or bike. No action taken.

Int 1116-2023 was introduced on June 22, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill required the Department of Sanitation and NYPD to tow vehicles that block streets or lack visible, valid license plates, registration, or inspection stickers. The matter summary reads: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to towing vehicles that are an encumbrance on the street or that lack, improperly display, or obscure valid license plates, registration stickers, inspection stickers, or vehicle identification numbers.” Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers sponsored the bill, joined by Salamanca, Brannan, Feliz, Stevens, Ung, Riley, and Schulman. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, with no further action. Removing untraceable or abandoned vehicles could have reduced street dangers for pedestrians and cyclists, but the measure stalled.

• File Int 1116-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-06-22

A northbound sedan hit a man crossing Stillwell Avenue before dawn. The car struck head-on. Blood pooled from the man’s head. He stayed conscious. The street was silent. The car showed no damage. The man was left bleeding in the dark.

A 45-year-old man was injured when a northbound sedan struck him head-on as he crossed Stillwell Avenue before dawn. According to the police report, the man suffered a head injury and severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The sedan, a Honda registered in Pennsylvania, showed no damage after the crash. The police report notes the pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection. No other injuries were reported. The street remained quiet as emergency responders arrived.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634586, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Citigroup and Lyft renewed Citi Bike’s sponsorship through 2034. The system runs without city money. Advocates and council members demand public funding. They want lower costs, more bikes in neglected neighborhoods, and better service. Private funding leaves riders stranded. The city stalls. Riders wait.

On May 26, 2023, Citigroup and Lyft extended their Citi Bike sponsorship through 2034. The deal keeps the system afloat but relies on private money, not public funds. The matter, described as a debate on public funding for bike-share expansion, highlights the city’s outlier status among major bike-share cities. Council Member Erik Bottcher and others voiced concerns over poor service and limited reach. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives called for city funding to expand access and lower prices. Justin Brannan criticized the system’s neglect of outer boroughs. Mayor Adams’s 2021 pledge to fund expansion remains unfulfilled. Advocates and labor leaders say public funding is vital for equity, affordability, and reliability. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• Citigroup Renews NYC Bike-Share Sponsorship — Is It Time For Public Funding?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-26

Council Member Justin Brannan slammed Citi Bike’s for-profit model. He called out the lack of docks in transit deserts. Advocates demand city funding. Without it, expansion stalls. Low-income riders and outer boroughs lose. The city’s inaction keeps streets unequal.

On May 26, 2023, the City Council debated public funding for bike-share expansion. The matter, titled "Citigroup Renews NYC Bike-Share Sponsorship — Is It Time For Public Funding?", highlighted the gap in service for low-income and outer-borough neighborhoods. Council Member Justin Brannan (District 47) criticized Citi Bike’s limited reach, saying, "Ya gotta love @CitiBikeNYC systematically icing out the 'outer' borough transit deserts." Advocates and labor leaders echoed calls for public funding, arguing the for-profit model fails vulnerable New Yorkers. Mayor Adams’s campaign promise to expand Citi Bike with city funding remains unfulfilled. The debate underscores a systemic failure: without public investment, bike-share stays out of reach for those who need it most. No formal safety analysis was provided, but advocates stress that lack of access keeps vulnerable road users at risk.

• Citigroup Renews NYC Bike-Share Sponsorship — Is It Time For Public Funding?, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-05-26

A 26-year-old man on an e-bike struck a parked Mercedes SUV on 6th Avenue near 74th Street. He flew over the bars. His head hit pavement. Blood pooled. He was conscious, bleeding, alone. The crash left him with severe head wounds.

A 26-year-old man riding an ARROW e-bike slammed into a parked Mercedes SUV near 74th Street on 6th Avenue. According to the police report, 'He flew over the bars. No helmet. Head split open on the pavement. Blood pooled. He was conscious. He bled alone.' The cyclist suffered severe head lacerations and was ejected from his bike. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The report also notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the primary factor of inattention. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupant. The e-bike rider bore the full force of the crash, underscoring the risks faced by vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4622304, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council moved to ban driving with fake or expired plates. Civil fines would hit drivers hard. Sponsors spanned the city. The bill died at session’s end. Streets remain exposed to untraceable cars and reckless drivers.

Int 0987-2023 was introduced in the New York City Council on April 11, 2023, and referred to the Committee on Public Safety. The bill aimed to prohibit operating a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates, including temporary ones. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates.' Civil penalties ranged from $300 to $1,000, with a 10-day cure period for expired plates. The bill was sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over thirty council members, including Feliz, Salamanca, Powers, Yeger, Menin, and others, as well as the Brooklyn and Bronx Borough Presidents. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, and did not become law. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• File Int 0987-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-11

The Council called for Albany to pass Sammy’s Law, letting New York City set lower speed limits. The resolution also urged a crash victims bill of rights and stronger street safety laws. Lawmakers want fewer deaths. The bill stalled. Danger remains.

Resolution 0549-2023, filed at session’s end, came from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2023, and pushed by Council Member Shahana K. Hanif as primary sponsor, with Jennifer Gutiérrez and over twenty others co-sponsoring. The resolution urged the State Legislature and Governor to pass S.2422 ('Sammy’s Law'), which would let New York City set lower speed limits, and A.1901, a crash victims bill of rights. The matter title reads: 'Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, S.2422, also known as ‘Sammy’s Law,’ ... and A.1901, enacting a crash victims bill of rights, as well as the other bills of the package known as the SAFE Streets Act.' The SAFE Streets Act package also includes safe passing for cyclists and complete street design mandates. The Council’s action highlights the city’s ongoing fight against reckless driving and the urgent need for stronger protections for people on foot, on bikes, and in cars.

• File Res 0549-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-11

A sedan turned right on 82nd Street. A Yamaha motorcycle hit the car’s front. The 51-year-old rider flew off. Blood poured from his leg. He wore a helmet. He stayed conscious. He lay hurt on the street. Inexperience played a role.

A crash unfolded near 82nd Street and 4th Avenue. According to the police report, a sedan made a right turn as a Yamaha motorcycle traveled straight. The motorcycle slammed into the sedan’s front. The 51-year-old rider was ejected, suffering severe bleeding to his leg, but remained conscious. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor. The rider wore a helmet, as noted in the data. No other injuries were specified for the sedan driver or passengers. The impact and injury show the danger when inexperience meets the city’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4616973, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council filed a bill to force a city study on truck and delivery traffic from last mile warehouses. The bill targets congestion, collisions, and harm to neighborhoods. It demands hard numbers on vehicle flow, street damage, and danger to people outside cars.

Int 0923-2023 was introduced on February 16, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Alexa Avilés, with over thirty co-sponsors, sought a city study on the impact of truck and delivery traffic from last mile facilities. The official summary reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to conducting a study of the impact that truck and delivery traffic generated by last mile facilities have on local communities and infrastructure.' The bill required the Department of Transportation to report on delivery vehicle volumes, parking, congestion, collisions, and pedestrian injuries near these hubs. It called for identifying the most affected streets and estimating the costs and possible fixes. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, without passage.

• File Int 0923-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-02-16

A GMC pickup hit a 66-year-old man head-on near 73rd Street. His neck was crushed. He lay semiconscious on the cold Brooklyn pavement. Aggressive driving. No time to yield. One driver. One wounded pedestrian. Steel against flesh.

A 2022 GMC pickup truck struck a 66-year-old man near 3rd Avenue and 73rd Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his neck and was left semiconscious on the pavement. According to the police report, 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' contributed to the crash. The truck's center front end hit the man. No other injuries were reported. The report highlights driver aggression and failure to yield as key factors in this violent collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605835, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pickup truck hit a moped head-on near 3rd Avenue. The moped rider, thirty-two, lay torn and semiconscious. Blood pooled on the street. The truck’s front end crumpled. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. Flesh met steel in Brooklyn.

A pickup truck struck a moped head-on on 72nd Street near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. The 32-year-old moped rider suffered severe lacerations and was found semiconscious, according to the police report. The truck’s front end was crushed. According to the police report, 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' was a contributing factor in the crash. The moped rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data. No other injuries were reported. The scene left blood pooling on the asphalt, a stark mark of violence on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605829, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pickup truck and moped slammed head-on on Bay Ridge Parkway. The moped rider, a 44-year-old man, died from crush injuries. Aggressive driving and failure to yield paved the way. The street bore the weight of loss.

A deadly crash unfolded on Bay Ridge Parkway near 5th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a pickup truck and a moped collided head-on while both vehicles traveled straight. The 44-year-old man driving the moped suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as a contributing factor, highlighting dangerous driver behavior. The narrative states, 'Aggression and failure to yield cleared the path.' The moped rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause remains the aggressive actions behind the wheel. No other injuries were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605745, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Justin Brannan pushed the city to fix New Utrecht Avenue. The battered road will get $24 million for repairs and safety upgrades. Cracked pavement and faded crosswalks made it a danger zone. Now, curb extensions and raised crossings are coming. Injuries forced action.

Councilmember Justin Brannan (District 47) secured $24 million for a full rehabilitation of New Utrecht Avenue, announced February 9, 2023. The Department of Transportation is designing a capital project for the stretch from 65th to 77th streets, after years of resident complaints about potholes, cracked pavement, and faded crosswalks. The project, described as bringing 'a full suite of safety upgrades and fully repair[ing] the roadbed,' will include concrete curb extensions, pedestrian islands, raised crosswalks, new crosswalks, and traffic signals. Brannan, who advocated for the funding, said, 'Why is the city allowing this to happen on New Utrecht Avenue?' and pushed for an earlier construction start. The area saw 69 crashes and 80 injuries in five years, underscoring the urgent need for safer streets.

• Battered stretch of New Utrecht Avenue to get $24 million facelift, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-02-09