Bensonhurst Bleeds: When Will City Hall Stop the Killing?

A 76-year-old woman died crossing 18th Avenue. The driver ignored traffic control. Impact struck her head. Death came at the intersection. System failed to protect her.

A 76-year-old woman was killed while crossing 18th Avenue at 86th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the driver disregarded traffic control. The pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk with no signal when struck. She suffered fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the main contributing factor. No other contributing factors were noted. The system allowed a deadly failure at the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833274 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV hit a 21-year-old man crossing 18th Avenue. His leg broke. Shock set in. The driver kept straight. Police list no clear cause. System failed to protect the walker.

A 21-year-old pedestrian suffered a fractured leg and shock after being struck by an SUV on 18th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk when the northbound SUV hit him with its front end. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both driver and pedestrian. No driver errors are detailed. The pedestrian was not at an intersection or signal. The system left him exposed. No helmet or signal issues are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832542 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A pick-up truck struck an e-bike on Bay Ridge Parkway. The cyclist suffered a bruised leg. Police cite following too closely and improper lane use by the driver. Streets remain dangerous for those outside steel.

A pick-up truck collided with an e-bike on Bay Ridge Parkway at 16th Avenue in Brooklyn. The 43-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a contusion to the leg. According to the police report, the driver of the pick-up truck was 'following too closely' and engaged in 'passing or lane usage improper.' These driver errors contributed to the crash. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, as noted in the report, but the primary factors remain the actions of the driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832281 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Motorcycle and sedan collided on Bay Parkway. Unsafe lane change listed. Motorcyclist suffered leg fracture. Streets stayed dangerous. Metal met flesh. Sirens followed.

A motorcycle and a sedan crashed on Bay Parkway at Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. One motorcyclist suffered a fractured leg. According to the police report, contributing factors included 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' The crash left the motorcyclist injured, with a distorted fracture and dislocation to the lower leg. The report lists no injuries for the sedan occupant. Unsafe lane changing stands out as a driver error. The report does not mention helmet use or signals as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831914 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan hit a three-year-old girl in Brooklyn. She crossed with the signal. The car failed to yield. The child suffered leg injuries. Shock followed. The street stayed dangerous.

A three-year-old girl was hit by a sedan while crossing 81st Street at 17th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the child was crossing with the signal when the driver failed to yield the right-of-way. The girl suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No injuries were reported for the driver or passenger. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians, especially children, at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831882 - 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 moped hit a woman crossing Bay Parkway with the signal. She suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver failed to yield and ignored traffic controls. The street stayed dangerous.

A 55-year-old woman was injured when a moped struck her as she crossed Bay Parkway at 66th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the moped driver failed to yield the right-of-way and disregarded traffic controls. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when she was hit, suffering a contusion to her upper arm and shoulder. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The moped showed no damage. The woman remained conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829768 - 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 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 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

Two SUVs crashed on 78th Street in Brooklyn. One driver suffered a head injury. Police cite traffic control ignored and driver distraction. Metal twisted. Streets failed the people inside.

Two station wagons collided on 78th Street near New Utrecht Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, one driver, a 49-year-old man, suffered a head injury. The crash involved two licensed drivers, both men, each operating an SUV. Police list 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes both drivers wore lap belts and harnesses. The crash left one person injured and others shaken, underscoring the danger when drivers ignore signals and lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824488 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A judge paused city plans to cut a protected bike lane after children were struck crossing. The lane, built after five pedestrian crashes, stays for now. Streets wait. Danger lingers.

NY1 reported on July 1, 2025, that a judge halted the city's move to remove a three-block section of the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane. The city acted after 'incidents of children exiting school buses, crossing into the lane, and being hit by bikes.' The lane, stretching over two miles, was installed in 2024 following 'years of advocacy and five pedestrian incidents.' The hearing highlights ongoing conflict between street safety for cyclists and pedestrians, and the city's rapid policy shifts in response to crashes.

• Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Faces Review, NY1, Published 2025-07-01

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

An eight-year-old boy died after a Honda SUV struck him at Eastern Parkway and Albany Ave. He was dragged under the car. Blood pooled. His sister watched. The driver stayed. No arrest. The city investigates.

NY Daily News (2025-06-29) reports an 8-year-old boy was fatally struck by a 69-year-old Honda Pilot driver at Eastern Parkway and Albany Ave. in Brooklyn. The boy was crossing when hit; witnesses saw him dragged from under the SUV. The article quotes, "I saw the kid being dragged from underneath the car by a woman." The driver remained at the scene. No arrests were made. NYPD Collision Squad investigates. The crash highlights persistent dangers at city intersections and the lethal risk large vehicles pose to children.

• Child Killed By SUV In Crown Heights, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-29