Crash Count for Clinton Hill
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 968
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 540
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 145
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 9
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 4
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Aug 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Clinton Hill?

Brooklyn Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Brooklyn Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Clinton Hill: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025

The Toll in Blood and Silence

A man tried to cross Washington Avenue at Fulton Street. A Ford Explorer hit him and kept going. He died at the hospital. The driver did not stop. No one has been arrested. Police said it was the second fatal hit-and-run in Brooklyn that week. Witnesses told police the driver of the Ford Explorer sped off without stopping.

In the last twelve months, one person died and four suffered serious injuries in Clinton Hill. There were 147 injuries from 246 crashes. The dead and wounded are not numbers. They are neighbors—people who crossed the street and did not come home.

Who Bears the Brunt

SUVs killed or seriously injured more pedestrians than any other vehicle in Clinton Hill. In the last three years, SUVs were involved in every pedestrian death. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, and bikes all left people hurt. No one is safe. Children, the elderly, and working people all show up in the numbers. The street does not care who you are.

What Leaders Have Done—and Not Done

City leaders talk about Vision Zero. They say every life matters. They point to new laws, like Sammy’s Law, that let the city lower speed limits. But the speed limit on most streets is still 25 mph. Cameras that catch speeders and red-light runners need Albany to keep them alive. The city has the power to lower speeds now. It has not used it. The silence is loud.

What Comes Next

This is not fate. This is policy. Every crash is a choice made by leaders who act or do not act. Call your council member. Call the mayor. Tell them to lower the speed limit to 20 mph. Tell them to keep the cameras on. Tell them to build streets where people can cross and live. Do not wait for another name to become a number. Take action now.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Phara Souffrant Forrest
Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest
District 57
District Office:
55 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Legislative Office:
Room 731, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Crystal Hudson
Council Member Crystal Hudson
District 35
District Office:
55 Hanson Place, Suite 778, Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-260-9191
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1762, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7081
Jabari Brisport
State Senator Jabari Brisport
District 25
District Office:
906 Broadway 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Legislative Office:
Room 805, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247

Traffic Safety Timeline for Clinton Hill

Sedan Strikes Pedestrian in Brooklyn Crosswalk

A sedan hit a 60-year-old woman crossing Clermont Avenue with the signal. She suffered leg injuries. The driver failed to yield. Impact was at the left front bumper. Streets turned dangerous in daylight.

A sedan struck a 60-year-old woman as she crossed Clermont Avenue at Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian was in the crosswalk, crossing with the signal, when the driver made a left turn and failed to yield right-of-way. The woman sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The point of impact was the car's left front bumper. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833559 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Distracted Driver Strikes Cyclists on Vanderbilt

A distracted SUV driver hit a bike on Vanderbilt Ave. A three-year-old girl suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver inattention. The crash left bruises and shock in its wake.

A collision on Vanderbilt Ave in Brooklyn involved an SUV and a bicycle carrying a 43-year-old man and a three-year-old girl. The girl suffered arm injuries and bruising. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor. The SUV was parked before the crash. The cyclist wore a helmet. No pedestrians were involved. The crash underscores the risk posed by driver distraction to vulnerable road users.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833210 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Sedan Strikes Cyclist on Gates Avenue

A sedan hit a cyclist on Gates Avenue. The cyclist suffered a head injury and concussion. Police cite confusion as a cause. Both vehicles moved west. Impact was hard and sudden.

A sedan and a bicycle collided on Gates Avenue near Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist, a 47-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and concussion. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was listed as a contributing factor. Both the sedan and the bike were traveling west. The sedan’s right side doors were damaged. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No other injuries were specified.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832172 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Cyclists Injured By Hidden String On Bridge

Thin string, nearly invisible, sliced at necks and faces. Cyclists struck crossing Marine Parkway Bridge. Injuries mount. No answers. Danger lingers. System fails to clear the path.

Gothamist (2025-07-25) reports multiple cyclists injured by string stretched across the Marine Parkway Bridge walkway. Victims described sudden pain and red marks. One cyclist landed in intensive care in June. The NYPD said no criminality was suspected and has not identified the source. The MTA forbids cycling on the path, but most riders do not dismount due to the narrow walkway. The article quotes Angel Montalvo: "I felt pain, but I didn't know what it was." The recurring hazard exposes gaps in bridge safety and enforcement, leaving vulnerable users at risk.


Souffrant Forrest Supports Safety Boosting E Bike Battery Swap

Delivery workers get safe battery swaps. No more charging in cramped apartments. Fire risk drops. The city acts. Workers breathe easier. Streets grow safer for all.

""I am proud to be here as a resident... We had a fire that blew out an apartment and brought a lot of fear to the building. For far too long families have lived in fear because they're not charging safely."" -- Phara Souffrant Forrest

On July 22, 2025, a new e-bike battery swap hub opened at Ebbets Field Apartments in Brooklyn. The project, supported by Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest and Council Member Crystal Hudson, brings seven PopWheels cabinets to the complex. Streetsblog NYC reports: 'Delivery workers who live in Brooklyn's Ebbets Field Apartments can now swap their dead e-bike batteries for charged ones without leaving their apartment complex.' Con Edison funded fire-safe infrastructure. The safety analyst notes this move cuts unsafe charging, supports delivery workers, and boosts safety for vulnerable road users. No council bill number or committee details apply.


Letitia James Opposes Harmful FEMA Funding Cuts for Flood Safety

FEMA slashes $351 million. State sues. Flood defenses stall. Streets flood. Pedestrians and cyclists face rising water. Danger lingers. No fix yet.

On July 17, 2025, New York State sued to restore $351 million in FEMA funding for city flood projects. The Trump administration cut these grants, halting drainage upgrades and public housing protections. The matter summary: 'The state is now suing to restore $351 million in funding for projects aimed to upgrade drainage and protect public housing from flooding.' Attorney General Letitia James leads the suit. Mayor Eric Adams backs it. The funding loss threatens projects in Harlem, East Elmhurst, and NYCHA sites. While these upgrades could help street safety, the main goal is not active transportation. Vulnerable road users remain exposed.


Driver Doing Donuts Kills Girlfriend

A car spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The driver lost control. Madisyn Ruiz, 21, died. Two boys hurt. Tire marks linger. The driver faces charges. The family mourns. The system failed to protect.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-15), Madisyn Ruiz, 21, was killed when her boyfriend, Zachary Cando, lost control of a 2023 Genesis G80 while 'doing donuts' in the Gateway Center parking lot. Ruiz was sitting by the curb when struck. Two nephews, ages 12 and 17, were also injured. Cando told police he 'lost control' during the stunt. He was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The article notes, 'Days later, circular tire tracks were still visible in the parking lot.' This crash highlights the dangers of reckless driving in public spaces and raises questions about parking lot safety and enforcement.


Pickup Truck Turns, Moped Driver Ejected and Hurt

A pickup truck turned left on Clinton Ave. A moped struck its front. The moped driver was ejected and injured. Police cite oversized vehicle and driver distraction. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A pickup truck making a left turn collided with a northbound moped at 538 Clinton Ave in Brooklyn. The moped driver, a 41-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a leg injury. According to the police report, contributing factors included 'Oversized Vehicle' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The moped driver was wearing a helmet. No other serious injuries were reported. The crash highlights the danger large vehicles and distracted driving pose to vulnerable road users.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Grocer Beaten With Pipe In Brooklyn

A delivery worker stopped on Lincoln Ave. A driver clipped his open door. Words turned to blows. The driver pulled a pipe, struck hard, then fled. The worker went to the hospital. Police seek the attacker.

NY Daily News (2025-07-12) reports a 36-year-old grocery delivery worker was attacked on Lincoln Ave. in Cypress Hills after a driver struck his open car door. The two argued. The driver "opened his hatchback, pulled out a pipe, and lunged at the victim, striking him repeatedly." The attacker fled. Police released images of the suspect. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the dangers faced by workers on city streets and the potential for minor collisions to escalate into violence.


Letitia James Urges DoorDash Workers to Claim Settlement

DoorDash must pay $16.75 million to New York delivery workers. The payout covers lost tips. Workers have until September 30, 2025, to claim their share. The settlement brings overdue cash, but street dangers remain.

"New York Attorney General Letitia James is calling on DoorDash delivery workers to file claims to receive their share of a $16.75 million settlement before the deadline on Sept. 30, 2025." -- Letitia James

On July 12, 2025, BKReader reported a $16.75 million settlement for DoorDash delivery workers in New York. No council bill number or committee is listed. Attorney General Letitia James called on workers to 'claim their share of a multimillion-dollar settlement.' The settlement follows an investigation into DoorDash's use of tips to subsidize wages. All funds go to eligible Dashers. BKReader urges prompt action before the September 30 deadline. While the settlement may improve financial well-being for delivery workers, it does not directly address street safety, infrastructure, or systemic risks faced by pedestrians and cyclists.


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 Bike Lane Change

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.


Sedans Collide on Williamsburg Street in Brooklyn

Two sedans crashed on Williamsburg St W. Outside distractions and inexperience led to impact. One driver suffered neck injury. The street bore the brunt. Metal twisted. Safety failed.

Two sedans collided on Williamsburg Street West near Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, outside car distraction and driver inexperience contributed to the crash. One driver, age 26, suffered a neck injury. Another driver, age 20, was involved but not reported injured. The report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact damaged the right front bumper of one sedan and the left rear bumper of the other. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus behind the wheel.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826278 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Sedan Strikes Cyclist on Vanderbilt Avenue

A sedan hit a cyclist on Vanderbilt Avenue. The cyclist suffered severe shoulder cuts. Both drivers were injured. Police cite improper lane use and driver distraction.

A crash on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn left a 28-year-old cyclist with severe lacerations to his upper arm and a 76-year-old sedan driver injured. According to the police report, the collision involved a bike and a sedan, with contributing factors listed as 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The cyclist was wearing a helmet. Both drivers were hurt. The report highlights driver distraction and improper lane usage as key causes.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828126 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Sedan Ignores Signal, E-Bike Rider Hurt

A sedan ran a traffic control. The crash struck a 44-year-old e-bike rider on St James Place. He suffered leg abrasions. The car driver was unhurt. System failed to protect the cyclist.

A sedan and an e-bike collided on St James Place at Dekalb Avenue in Brooklyn. The 44-year-old male e-bike rider was injured, suffering abrasions to his leg. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The sedan driver, a 53-year-old woman, was not hurt. The report lists no other contributing factors. The e-bike rider wore a helmet, as noted after the driver’s error. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826280 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
SUV Turns, Strikes Cyclist on Vanderbilt

SUV turned right on Vanderbilt. Cyclist hit, hip bruised. Police cite failure to yield. Three SUV occupants unhurt. System failed to protect the rider.

A southbound SUV struck a cyclist on Vanderbilt Avenue while making a right turn. The 34-year-old cyclist suffered a hip contusion. Three SUV occupants were not injured. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary factor was the driver's failure to yield. The collision highlights the ongoing risk to cyclists at intersections.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825780 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Hit-And-Run Drivers Strike Brooklyn, Bronx

A man crossing near Broadway Junction died after a gray Ford hit him. The driver fled. Hours later, a Mustang plowed into six in the Bronx. Both drivers vanished. The city counts 55 pedestrian deaths this year.

NY Daily News (2025-07-04) reports a 36-year-old man was killed crossing Broadway and East New York Ave. in Brooklyn when a gray Ford struck him and fled. Hours later, a Ford Mustang hit six people in the Bronx, then the driver and passenger ran off. The article notes, 'It was the second hit-and-run in the five boroughs in 24 hours.' Police said, 'As of Thursday, 55 pedestrians have been killed by vehicles while crossing city streets.' Both drivers remain at large. The incidents highlight persistent dangers for pedestrians and the ongoing problem of drivers fleeing crash scenes.


Motorcyclist Killed on BQE After Ejection

A 55-year-old motorcyclist died on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. He was ejected. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe speed. The rider wore a helmet. The crash left one dead, no others hurt.

A 55-year-old man driving a motorcycle west on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway was killed after being ejected from his bike. According to the police report, the crash involved driver inattention and unsafe speed. The rider was unlicensed and wore a helmet. No other injuries were reported. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The crash left the motorcyclist dead at the scene.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825127 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Motorcyclist Killed On Brooklyn-Queens Expressway

A rider lost control near Emerson Place. He struck the median. Thrown from his bike, he died at the hospital. The crash shut down the westbound lanes. The city’s roads claimed another life.

NY Daily News (2025-07-03) reports a 55-year-old motorcyclist died after losing control on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway near Emerson Place. Police said he was 'zipping west' on a Kawasaki KLR650 when he hit the concrete median and was thrown onto the road. Medics took him to Brookdale University Hospital, where he died. The crash closed part of the expressway for investigation. The article highlights the dangers of high-speed expressways and unforgiving road design.