District 48: Ten dead walking, one city stalling

Aug 14 - A Lexus sedan struck an 18-year-old bicyclist at Avenue N and Bedford Avenue. The impact sent him flying. His head split, blood pooled, the bike folded. He stayed conscious as sirens wailed. The street fell silent. The bumper cracked.

At the corner of Avenue N and Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, a Lexus sedan collided with an 18-year-old bicyclist, according to the police report. The crash occurred as both the car and the cyclist were 'going straight ahead.' The report describes the impact: 'A Lexus struck an 18-year-old bicyclist. He flew. Head split. Blood pooled. The bike folded. The bumper cracked.' The bicyclist suffered a severe head injury and was ejected from his bike, remaining conscious as emergency services arrived. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both parties, offering no details on driver errors or specific violations. The focus remains on the violence of the collision and the vulnerability of the cyclist in the face of a fast-moving sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747994 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 11 - A sedan turned right on Neptune Avenue, its bumper striking a young woman crossing with the signal. She fell, crushed and unconscious, left sprawled on the street. The driver failed to yield. The intersection became a site of violence and pain.

According to the police report, a sedan making a right turn at Neptune Avenue and East 12th Street struck a 19-year-old woman who was crossing at the intersection with the pedestrian signal. The impact from the vehicle's right front bumper left her with crush injuries to her entire body and rendered her unconscious. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, underscoring the driver's responsibility in the collision. The victim's action—'Crossing With Signal'—is documented in the report, confirming she had the legal right to cross at that moment. No other contributing factors are listed for the pedestrian. The crash highlights the ongoing danger faced by people walking at intersections when drivers disregard traffic laws.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739573 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 9 - A sedan plowed into a 36-year-old e-bike rider on Avenue U. The cyclist flew from his seat, blood streaming from his leg. The driver was distracted. The street echoed with the impact. The helmet could not stop the pain.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Avenue U struck a 36-year-old e-bike rider head-on at East 14th Street in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider was ejected from his seat and suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg. The report states the driver of the sedan was distracted at the time of the crash, listing 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The impact was concentrated on the left front bumper of the sedan. The cyclist was alone and wore a helmet, as noted in the police report, but the helmet is mentioned only after the driver’s error. The crash underscores the danger posed by inattentive drivers to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739126 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 27 - Steel met steel on East 13th Street. An e-bike rider crashed into a parked SUV, tearing his leg open. Blood pooled on the pavement. He stayed awake, clutching his knee, breath ragged in the Brooklyn dusk.

A man riding an e-bike northbound on East 13th Street near Avenue P collided with the rear of a parked SUV, according to the police report. The impact left the rider with severe lacerations to his knee and lower leg. The report describes 'blood on the pavement' and notes the rider remained conscious, holding his knee. The e-bike struck the SUV's right rear quarter panel, damaging the center front end of the bike and the SUV's rear bumper. Police list the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors by the parked SUV are cited in the report. The narrative notes the e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, but helmet use is not listed as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the violence of steel against steel and the vulnerability of those outside cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736332 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 27 - A 51-year-old man pedaled north. The street was quiet. He struck the left doors of a parked car. Blood streaked his arm. Deep lacerations marked his pain. He stayed conscious. The city stayed indifferent.

A 51-year-old cyclist suffered severe lacerations to his arm after colliding with the left doors of a parked car on Sheepshead Bay Road near Voorhies Avenue in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 12:30 a.m. The report states the man was riding straight ahead when he struck the parked vehicle. The narrative details, 'Blood ran down his arm. Deep cuts. He stayed conscious.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are explicitly cited in the data, and the report does not mention any actions by the parked vehicle’s operator. The focus remains on the physical impact and the hazardous presence of parked cars along the cyclist’s path. No information is provided about helmet use or other cyclist behaviors as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736038 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 29 - A 70-year-old man stepped onto Kings Highway. An eastbound SUV hit him head-on. He died from head and internal wounds. The bumper bore the mark where he fell. The street claimed another life. The driver was licensed.

A 70-year-old pedestrian was killed on Kings Highway when an eastbound SUV struck him head-on, according to the police report. The incident occurred as the man stepped into the street, not at an intersection and without a crossing signal, as detailed in the report: 'A 70-year-old man stepped into the street without a signal. An eastbound SUV struck him head-on. He died from head and internal wounds. The driver held a license. The bumper bore the mark where he fell.' The vehicle involved was a 2023 Acura SUV, traveling straight ahead with two occupants. The point of impact was the center front end, and the right front bumper showed damage. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factors for both the driver and the pedestrian, and does not cite any specific driver error. The pedestrian’s action—crossing without a signal or crosswalk—is noted after the absence of identified driver errors. The report does not mention any additional contributing factors or behaviors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728391 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 23 - 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

Apr 25 - 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 2025-09-18

Apr 19 - 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 2025-09-18

Apr 18 - 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 2025-09-18

Mar 13 - 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 2025-09-18

Mar 7 - 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

Mar 7 - 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

Feb 28 - 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

Feb 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

Jan 26 - 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 2025-09-18

Jan 21 - A Ford pickup turned left on Avenue X. Its bumper hit a 62-year-old woman crossing at East 16th Street. She died there, head struck, as the light faded. The street held her last breath. Brooklyn lost another pedestrian.

According to the police report, a 62-year-old woman entered the marked crosswalk at Avenue X and East 16th Street. A westbound Ford pickup truck, making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper, causing fatal head injuries. The report states she was crossing at the intersection, with no signal present. The driver was licensed and operating a 2010 Ford pickup. The police narrative notes the woman died at the scene. The contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified' in the report, but the sequence of events centers on the driver’s left turn into the crosswalk where the pedestrian was present. The impact location and vehicle damage confirm the collision point. No driver error is explicitly named, but the facts highlight the systemic danger faced by pedestrians in crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696753 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 7 - 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 2025-09-18

Dec 1 - A sedan swung wide on Ocean Avenue. A motorcycle struck hard. Steel bent. The rider’s helmet stayed on, but his face broke. Blood pooled. He stayed conscious. The car’s rear caved in. The rider had no license.

A crash unfolded near 1940 Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan making a wide U-turn was struck by a motorcycle going straight. The impact crushed the motorcycle’s front and the sedan’s rear quarter. According to the police report, 'Turning Improperly' was a contributing factor. The 29-year-old male motorcycle rider suffered facial injuries and crush wounds but remained conscious at the scene. The report notes the rider wore a helmet. The rider did not have a license. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684000 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 27 - 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 2025-09-18