Children Bleed, Lawmakers Stall: Brooklyn Streets Still Kill

Abandoned poles and wires block sidewalks, trap walkers, and threaten cyclists. This bill sets strict deadlines for removal and transfer. Delay ends. Streets clear. Danger cut.

Int 0921-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 23, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Justin L. Brannan with Holden, Vernikov, Marmorato, and Paladino, demands owners remove abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances within 60 days—or immediately if dangerous. Transfers to new poles must happen in 30 days. The matter title reads: 'timelines for the removal of abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances, and the transfer of appurtenances to newly erected poles.' Swift action means fewer sidewalk traps and less risk for those on foot or bike.

• File Int 0921-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-23

A parked BMW broke loose on Ocean Avenue. It struck a sedan, then slammed into a Subaru. Inside, a 77-year-old man was crushed and killed. The runaway car turned a quiet street into a deadly trap.

According to the police report, a parked BMW on Ocean Avenue became a 'Driverless/Runaway Vehicle.' The report states the BMW 'broke free,' first striking a sedan and then slamming into a Subaru. Inside the Subaru, a 77-year-old man was 'crushed.' He suffered fatal head injuries and was 'partially ejected' from his seat. The police report notes he was 'unbelted.' The incident unfolded at 16:24, transforming a line of parked and stopped vehicles into a scene of sudden violence. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Driverless/Runaway Vehicle,' highlighting the systemic danger posed when a parked car is not properly secured or malfunctions. No contributing factors are attributed to the victim. The report details the impact sequence and the fatal consequences for the elderly driver, underscoring the lethal risk when control of a vehicle is lost.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720212 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 74-year-old man was found dead inside a parked BMW SUV on East 18th Street. The left rear of the vehicle was crushed, glass shattered, seatbelt unused. Afternoon sun glinted on the wreckage. No movement, only silence remained.

According to the police report, a 74-year-old man was discovered lifeless in a parked 2023 BMW SUV on East 18th Street near Avenue U in Brooklyn. The report describes the left rear of the vehicle as 'crushed,' with 'shattered glass' and 'no sound.' The man was not wearing a seatbelt. The crash occurred in the afternoon, at 16:03. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'unspecified' and does not identify any specific driver errors or actions by other vehicles. The victim's behavior—seatbelt nonuse—is noted in the report, but no evidence is provided that this contributed to the fatality. The circumstances surrounding the impact and the source of the collision remain unaddressed in the police report, leaving the systemic dangers of parked-vehicle crashes and the vulnerability of occupants in the urban landscape starkly evident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722200 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW slammed into a young man turning left on his e-bike. The impact hurled him to the pavement. His head struck, his life ended. The street bore witness to the violence. One turn, one crash, one life erased.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed when a BMW SUV struck him head-on on Neptune Avenue near Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision occurred as the e-bike rider was making a left turn, while the BMW was traveling straight ahead. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor in the crash. The impact ejected the cyclist, causing fatal head injuries described as 'crush injuries.' The police report notes the victim was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the driver error. The violence of the crash and the fatal outcome underscore the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield or turn improperly. The report makes no mention of any contributing actions by the cyclist beyond his direction of travel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718424 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Kia SUV slammed into a 47-year-old cyclist near Avenue O. The man flew from his bike, head striking pavement. Blood pooled. The SUV’s bumper cracked. He died there, the street claiming another life.

A fatal collision occurred near 1608 Avenue O in Brooklyn when a westbound Kia SUV struck a 47-year-old man riding his bike eastbound, according to the police report. The narrative states, 'A westbound Kia struck him head-on. He flew from the bike. No helmet. Head trauma. Blood on the pavement. The SUV’s bumper cracked. He died where he fell.' The police report lists the contributing factors for both parties as 'Unspecified.' The cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered fatal head injuries. The SUV’s point of impact was the left front bumper, consistent with a direct, forceful collision. The report does not cite any cyclist behavior as a contributing factor before listing helmet use. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers and vulnerable road users collide on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709603 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill forces DOT to act fast. Traffic study calls get answers in 60 days. No more endless waits. Streets stay dangerous while requests stall. Delay kills. Action saves.

Int 0542-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, laid over since March 7, 2024. The bill reads: 'requiring that traffic study determinations be issued no later than 60 days from the date a traffic control device is requested by a city council member or community board.' Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Brooks-Powers, Vernikov, and Morano. The bill cracks the whip on DOT, ending open-ended delays. Fast answers mean less time waiting for life-saving signals and signs. The city’s slow grind leaves people at risk. This bill demands speed.

• File Int 0542-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council bill orders speed humps on roads beside parks over one acre. DOT can skip spots if safety or rules demand. Law aims to slow cars where families walk, run, and play.

Int 0262-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: “requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre.” Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by eighteen co-sponsors. The Department of Transportation must install speed humps unless the commissioner finds a risk to safety or a conflict with DOT guidelines. The law would take effect 180 days after passage. The measure targets streets where parks meet traffic, aiming to slow cars and shield people outside vehicles.

• File Int 0262-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill would pay up to $1,000 for tips that help catch hit-and-run drivers who injure or kill. Police and city workers are barred from rewards. The measure targets unsolved crashes that leave victims behind.

Int 0143-2024, now in the Committee on Public Safety, was introduced February 28, 2024. The bill states: 'establishing a reward for individuals who provide information leading to the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of a person who seriously injures or kills another individual in a hit-and-run accident.' Council Member Rita C. Joseph leads as primary sponsor, joined by Brooks-Powers, Narcisse, Vernikov, Louis, Bottcher, Hudson, Gennaro, and Williams. The bill excludes law enforcement and city employees from eligibility. The aim is to mobilize the public to help solve hit-and-run cases, many of which remain unsolved, and bring justice for victims.

• File Int 0143-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

A Toyota sedan struck a 58-year-old man crossing mid-block on Coney Island Avenue. Blood pooled on the pavement. Head trauma ended his life in daylight, between curb and bumper. The street bore witness to another fatal impact.

A 58-year-old man was killed when a southbound Toyota sedan struck him as he crossed Coney Island Avenue near Avenue T, according to the police report. The incident occurred mid-block, away from any intersection or signal. The report describes head trauma and severe bleeding, with the victim dying at the scene, caught between the curb and the car’s front end. The police narrative states the pedestrian was 'crossing mid-block without a signal.' The vehicle’s point of impact and damage were both centered on the front end, consistent with a direct collision. The report lists 'unspecified' as the contributing factor for both driver and pedestrian, offering no further detail on driver actions. The focus remains on the lethal interaction between a moving sedan and a vulnerable pedestrian in daylight, with the system’s gaps leaving another life lost on Brooklyn’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4698058 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A box truck turned right on Kings Highway. A 70-year-old man crossed with the light. The truck struck him. He fell. Blood spread on the street. The driver failed to yield. The man suffered severe lacerations. The city stood still.

A box truck with Wisconsin plates struck a 70-year-old man at the corner of Kings Highway and East 17th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the truck turned right while the man crossed with the signal. The impact left the pedestrian with severe lacerations to his entire body. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The man was conscious at the scene. The truck’s right front bumper hit the pedestrian. No other vehicles or people were involved. The driver was licensed in Wisconsin. The police report makes no mention of helmet use or signaling as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685375 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A dump truck rolled down Avenue P. A 77-year-old woman crossed at East 19th. The truck’s front end struck her. She died at the scene. The driver kept going straight. The truck showed no damage. The street stayed silent.

A 77-year-old woman was killed at the corner of Avenue P and East 19th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a dump truck rolled east and struck her with its front end as she crossed the intersection. She suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene. The truck showed no damage. The driver continued straight after the crash. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed in the data. The victim was a pedestrian at the intersection. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683230 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Metal tore on Belt Parkway. A sedan hit hard. A 57-year-old woman in the front seat died from head wounds. A baby behind the wheel survived, bleeding. The crash left the road stained and silent. Failure to yield cut a life short.

A deadly crash erupted on Belt Parkway. According to the police report, a sedan struck with force. A 57-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat died from head injuries. An infant in the driver’s seat survived with crush wounds. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. Multiple vehicles were involved, including sedans and SUVs. The scene was chaotic, metal twisted, and lives changed in seconds. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The system failed to protect its most vulnerable. The toll: one woman dead, a child injured, and a city left with another scar.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680397 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A car struck a man in a Brooklyn crosswalk. The driver was distracted. The impact broke the man’s back. He lay in the street, hurt. The crash happened on Corbin Place near Brighton 15 Street. Failure to yield and inattention led to pain and injury.

A 39-year-old man was crossing Corbin Place at Brighton 15 Street in Brooklyn when a northbound car hit him in the marked crosswalk. According to the police report, the driver was distracted and failed to yield the right-of-way. The car’s right front bumper struck the pedestrian, breaking his back and leaving him in the street with severe pain. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The man was injured while crossing with no signal in a marked crosswalk. No vehicle type or driver details were provided in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679667 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW turned left on Brighton Beach Avenue. A Harley rider went straight. Steel met flesh. The rider flew, his leg torn away. Blood pooled on the street. Helmet on, license missing. A man, 34, lost a limb to the crash.

A violent collision unfolded at Brighton Beach Avenue and Brighton 1 Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a BMW sedan turned left as a Harley-Davidson motorcycle traveled straight. The impact sent the 34-year-old male rider flying, resulting in the amputation of his lower leg. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor. The motorcyclist wore a helmet but was unlicensed at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported for the BMW driver. The crash left blood on the street and a man permanently changed by steel and speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668078 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV ran the light at East 18th and Avenue Y. The old man crossed with the signal. Steel hit skull. He fell. Blood spread on the street. Seventy-eight years old. Head injury. Still conscious. The SUV sat, untouched.

A seventy-eight-year-old man was struck by a southbound SUV at the corner of East 18th Street and Avenue Y in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian was 'crossing with the signal' when the SUV 'came south, straight through.' The man suffered a head injury and severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV showed no visible damage. The collision highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic signals and fail to pay attention. The victim was in the crosswalk, following the signal, when the impact occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662120 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 35-year-old e-bike rider hit the side of an SUV on Avenue R near Nostrand. He flew from his bike and died on the street. Four inside the SUV survived. The crash left the Brooklyn night cold and quiet.

A fatal crash unfolded on Avenue R near Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, an e-bike struck the side of a Nissan SUV. The 35-year-old male e-bike rider was ejected and killed. His body hit the street. Four people inside the SUV, including the driver and three passengers, survived. The report states, 'An e-bike struck the side of an SUV. The rider, 35, was thrown and killed. His body hit the street. Four inside the SUV lived.' No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the data. The e-bike rider was unlicensed, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The crash left one dead and four shaken, with no further details on fault or cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633095 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV hit a 66-year-old woman riding her bike in Brooklyn. She flew from her frame. Blood pooled. Her leg torn open. She stayed awake. The driver failed to yield. Metal struck flesh. The street turned violent.

A 66-year-old woman riding her bike was struck head-on by an SUV on Avenue W near East 24th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'She flew from the frame. Blood pooled. Her leg torn open. She stayed awake. The driver did not yield.' The cyclist suffered severe lacerations to her lower leg and was ejected from her bike. Data lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The SUV, driven by a man, hit the cyclist while both were going straight. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The crash left a vulnerable road user injured in a place where drivers failed to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4607948 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A private sanitation truck struck and killed Diego Andrade as he crossed Kings Highway at E. 14th Street. The driver turned left, hit Andrade, and stayed at the scene. No charges. Kings Highway is notorious for crashes. City has not acted. Residents fear for their lives.

On January 13, 2023, a fatal crash occurred on Kings Highway in Brooklyn. Diego Andrade, a pedestrian, was killed by the driver of a 2016 Mack sanitation truck turning left at E. 14th Street. The driver remained at the scene and faced no charges. The incident happened along a stretch with a history of frequent crashes—41 reported in the previous year on just ten blocks, injuring 13 pedestrians and one cyclist. The Department of Transportation has not addressed the dangers of this corridor since at least 2009. Residents voiced fear and frustration, calling drivers 'crazy' and demanding city action. The area’s councilmember, Inna Vernikov, has a record of repeated speeding violations, adding to the climate of danger. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Another Pedestrian is Dead on Brooklyn’s Dangerous Kings Highway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-13

A garbage truck turned left at Kings Highway. A man stood at the corner. The truck rolled over him. He died under its weight. The truck was undamaged. The street stayed silent. The man did not go home.

A fatal crash occurred at the corner of Kings Highway and East 14th Street in Brooklyn. A garbage truck, making a left turn, struck and killed a 58-year-old man standing at the intersection. According to the police report, the truck rolled on and crushed the pedestrian beneath its side. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The vehicle involved was a large Mack garbage truck, classified as an oversized vehicle. No injuries were reported for the truck’s driver or other occupants. The pedestrian died at the scene, his body pinned under the truck. The truck itself sustained no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597512 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04