Bushwick’s Blood Price: How Many More Must Die Before We Act?

Council bill sets a hard clock by schools. DOT must install approved calming or control devices within 60 days after its study, except major projects. Kids walk. Cars surge. Delay faces a limit.

Int 1353-2025 is in Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced August 14, 2025, and referred the same day. Sponsored by Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez. The bill would “require the NYC Department of Transportation to complete installation of any necessary traffic calming device or traffic control device on any street adjacent to a school, in no more than 60 days after DOT issues its traffic study determination.” It amends Administrative Code §19-188.2 by adding subdivision d. The mandate follows a DOT study and excludes devices installed as part of a “major transportation project” under §19-101.2. Faster fixes on school blocks. Fewer gaps where kids cross and wait.

• File Int 1353-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Sets a 60-day clock for DOT to install traffic calming or control on streets by schools once a study says yes. Exempts major projects. Students walk there. Delay leaves them in the path of cars.

Int 1353-2025 was introduced on August 14, 2025. Referred that day to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Status: in committee. It orders DOT to install any traffic calming or control device next to a school within 60 days of a study. Major transportation projects are exempt. The bill says: “the department shall complete the installation… by no later than 60 days.” Sponsors: Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Farah N. Louis, and Lincoln Restler. Louis is the primary sponsor. The focus is school frontage, where children and caregivers move on foot.

• File Int 1353-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Int 1353-2025 forces DOT to move fast near schools. When a traffic study finds a calming or control device is needed, installation must finish within 60 days. The bill was referred to the Transportation and Infrastructure committee on Aug. 14, 2025.

Int. No. 1353 (status: Committee) was introduced and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Aug. 14, 2025 (agenda and first vote listed Aug. 14, 2025). The matter is titled: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the time permitted for the installation of a traffic calming device or traffic control device on any street adjacent to a school." It was introduced by Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez and cosponsored by Tiffany Cabán, Lincoln Restler and Farah N. Louis. The bill would "complete the installation... by no later than 60 days after the department issues such traffic study determination." It takes effect immediately.

• File Int 1353-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

A sedan struck a 19-year-old woman crossing Cedar Street. She suffered a bruised leg. Police cite driver inattention and passing too closely. The street became a danger zone in the early morning.

A 19-year-old pedestrian was hit by a sedan while crossing 69 Cedar Street in Brooklyn. She sustained a contusion to her lower leg and remained conscious. According to the police report, the crash resulted from 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely.' The sedan was traveling east and struck her with its left front bumper. No other serious injuries were reported. The report highlights driver inattention as a primary factor in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833848 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A cyclist slammed into a parked SUV on Evergreen Ave. She suffered arm abrasions. The crash left her conscious but hurt. Metal met flesh. The street stayed silent.

A 29-year-old woman riding a bike struck the right rear bumper of a parked GMC SUV on Evergreen Ave in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Other Vehicular' factors and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The cyclist suffered abrasions to her arm but remained conscious. The SUV was unoccupied at the time. The report lists no helmet or signal issues as contributing factors. The impact was direct and left the cyclist injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833762 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two SUVs and a sedan crashed on Myrtle Ave. One driver suffered back injuries. Police cite unsafe speed. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

Three vehicles—a Honda SUV, an Audi SUV, and a Scion sedan—collided on Myrtle Ave in Brooklyn. According to the police report, one driver, a 36-year-old man, was injured with back pain and whiplash. The crash involved center front-end impacts. Police list 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention helmet or signal use. The streets remain hazardous for all.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833774 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834881 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Another pedestrian killed on Morgan Avenue. Three deaths in three years. Advocates rally. City stalls. No redesign. The street stays deadly. The call for change grows louder.

On August 7, 2025, Sophia Lebowitz and street safety advocates renewed demands for a Morgan Avenue redesign after a third pedestrian death in three years. Streetsblog NYC reports: 'renewing calls from advocates for the city to redesign the dangerous street.' Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, State Sen. Julia Salazar, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher back the push. Advocates want a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and safer loading zones. Despite meetings and official letters, the city has not acted. The safety analyst notes: advocacy alone brings no immediate safety change, but it could spark future improvements. The danger remains until the city moves.

• Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Motorcycle slammed into parked sedan on Bushwick Ave. Rider thrown, leg injured. Police cite driver inattention. Metal and flesh met hard pavement. Streets stayed loud.

A motorcycle struck a parked sedan on Bushwick Ave near Forrest St in Brooklyn. The 27-year-old male motorcycle rider was ejected and suffered a knee and foot injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The motorcycle's center front end hit the sedan's left side doors. The rider wore a helmet. No pedestrians were involved. Other occupants had unspecified injuries. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832979 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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.

• Cyclists Injured By Hidden String On Bridge, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-25

A turning SUV struck a sedan on St Nicholas Ave. Three women inside suffered head, leg, and body injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and glass. Pain and shock. Brooklyn night, lives changed.

Three women, all passengers in a northbound SUV, were injured when their vehicle collided with a parked sedan on St Nicholas Ave near Dekalb Ave in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The SUV was making a left turn when it struck the sedan. The injured suffered head, leg, and body trauma, along with shock and whiplash. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other errors or helmet or signal issues were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828542 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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.

• Driver Doing Donuts Kills Girlfriend, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-15

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.

• Grocer Beaten With Pipe In Brooklyn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-12

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.

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

A woman crossing Wyckoff Ave at Troutman was struck. Her leg broke. The crash left her hurt in the crosswalk. The driver’s actions remain unknown. The street stayed silent.

A 34-year-old woman was hit while crossing Wyckoff Avenue at Troutman Street in Brooklyn. She suffered a fractured leg and dislocation. According to the police report, the pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk with no signal. The report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors. No details about the vehicle or driver actions appear in the data. The crash left the pedestrian injured at the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826941 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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.

• Elderly Man Killed In Brooklyn Hit-Run, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-10

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

A sedan struck an SUV on Wilson Ave. A 15-year-old passenger suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Metal twisted. Pain followed.

A crash on Wilson Ave at Himrod St in Brooklyn involved a sedan and an SUV. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. A 15-year-old male passenger was injured, suffering shock and pain in his upper arm. The sedan hit the SUV's left side. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The impact left the teen hurt and vehicles damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828189 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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.

• Hit-And-Run Drivers Strike Brooklyn, Bronx, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-04

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.

• Motorcyclist Killed On Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-03