Dragged to Death: City Lets Kids Bleed for Parking Spots

Two sedans crashed on Franklin Ave. Passengers and a driver hurt. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Whiplash and confusion. Streets remain dangerous.

Two sedans collided at Franklin Avenue and St Marks Avenue in Brooklyn. A 66-year-old front passenger suffered neck injuries. A 33-year-old driver was also hurt. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The crash left multiple occupants with injuries or complaints. The report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor, but driver inattention stands out. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a cause. The impact hit the center front and back ends of the vehicles, underscoring the risk when drivers lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833666 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan turned left on Bergen and hit a cyclist. The rider was thrown, hurt in the leg, left in shock. Police cite failure to yield. The street stayed loud and dangerous.

A sedan making a left turn on Bergen Street struck a northbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 38-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was a contributing factor. The cyclist wore a helmet. The driver of the sedan was licensed in New Jersey. No injuries were reported for the sedan's occupants. The crash highlights the risk faced by cyclists at intersections where drivers fail to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832439 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A distracted SUV driver struck a man crossing Albany Avenue with the signal. The pedestrian suffered facial injuries. Impact came as the vehicle turned right. Streets stayed dangerous. Lives changed in seconds.

A man crossing Albany Avenue with the signal was hit by a Jeep SUV making a right turn. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The pedestrian, age 45, suffered facial injuries and abrasions. The driver, age 43, was not injured. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor. The pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831298 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A 24-year-old cyclist crashed on Rochester Avenue. He hit the ground. His knee and foot scraped raw. No other vehicles listed. Brooklyn pavement took the blow.

A 24-year-old male bicyclist was injured while riding south on Rochester Avenue at St Johns Place in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered abrasions to his knee and foot. No other vehicles or persons were involved. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. The cyclist was conscious at the scene. No helmet or safety equipment was noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832437 - 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

Two SUVs crashed on Atlantic Avenue. Four people injured. Passengers and drivers struck in head, chest, leg. Police list causes as unspecified. Steel and glass, pain and shock.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at Atlantic Avenue and New York Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, four people were injured: a 34-year-old male front passenger with a leg contusion, a 28-year-old female rear passenger with chest pain, a 31-year-old male driver with head injury, and a 58-year-old female driver in shock. The report lists all contributing factors as "Unspecified." No driver errors are detailed. No mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash left pain, bruises, and unanswered questions in its wake.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828566 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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.

• FEMA cuts threaten NYC’s ability to protect against future flash flooding, City & State NY, Published 2025-07-17

A pedestrian crossing Utica Avenue with the signal was hit and injured. She suffered shock and injuries to her entire body. The crash left her hurt at the intersection with Prospect Place.

A female pedestrian was struck while crossing Utica Avenue at Prospect Place in Brooklyn. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the crash occurred. She suffered injuries to her entire body and was in shock. The report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors. No vehicle type or driver details were provided. The pedestrian was following the signal at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827971 - 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 sedan hit a scooter at Atlantic and Franklin. The scooter driver, a young woman, suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver distraction. The street stayed dangerous. Metal met flesh. No one died.

A sedan traveling west on Atlantic Avenue struck a standing scooter making a left turn onto Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn. The 25-year-old female scooter driver was injured, sustaining contusions and arm injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the scooter's center front end. No pedestrians were involved. The data lists no helmet or signal issues as contributing factors. The crash highlights the ongoing risk for vulnerable road users when drivers lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830686 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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

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.

• DoorDash Delivery Workers Urged to Claim Money From $16.75 Million Settlement, BKReader, Published 2025-07-12

A sedan ran the light on Schenectady Ave. It hit a man crossing with the signal. His leg broke. The driver sped through. The street stayed quiet after.

A sedan struck a 53-year-old man crossing Schenectady Ave at Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver disregarded traffic control and drove at unsafe speed. The man suffered a fractured leg and dislocation. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The crash left the pedestrian injured at the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826769 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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

SUV hit a cyclist on Bergen Street. The rider bled badly from the arm. Three SUV occupants unhurt. Impact was sharp. Streets stayed dangerous. No clear cause named by police.

A cyclist riding north on Bergen Street was struck by a westbound SUV at New York Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist, a 31-year-old man, suffered severe bleeding and arm injuries. According to the police report, three SUV occupants were not injured. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826766 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan struck a motorcycle on Atlantic Ave. One woman suffered a shoulder injury. Police cite driver inattention and improper lane use. The crash left scars and questions in Brooklyn.

A crash on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn involved a sedan and a motorcycle. One woman, driving the sedan, was injured in the shoulder and remained conscious. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' contributed to the collision. Two other occupants were involved but their injuries were unspecified. The report lists no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger of distraction and improper lane use on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826610 - 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

Two cars crashed on Classon Ave. Both drivers distracted. One driver suffered head injury. Impact hit front and back. System failed to protect those inside.

A sedan and an SUV collided on Classon Avenue at Park Place in Brooklyn. One driver, age 23, suffered a head injury and whiplash. According to the police report, both drivers were distracted at the time of the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor for both vehicles. The impact struck the center back end of the sedan and the front end of the SUV. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one person injured and exposed the risks of driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826767 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A bus hit a cyclist on Bergen Street. The cyclist was thrown, hurt his back, and suffered bruises. Police cite traffic control ignored and driver distraction. Streets remain perilous for those outside steel.

A bus and a bicycle collided on Bergen Street at Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The 21-year-old cyclist was ejected and suffered back injuries and bruises. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The bus driver and another occupant were involved but not reported injured. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but the main factors listed were driver errors. The crash underscores the danger faced by vulnerable road users when drivers ignore signals and lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826117 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18