Crash Count for Flatbush
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,610
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,167
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 257
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 13
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 5
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Aug 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Flatbush?

Flatbush Bleeds While City Hall Waits

Flatbush Bleeds While City Hall Waits

Flatbush: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025

The Toll in Flatbush: Lives Shattered, Numbers Rising

A mother and her son, walking near Bedford Avenue, hear a bus jump the curb. Metal tears through fence and flesh. The boy is eight. His mother is forty-three. Both survive, but the scars will last. “Thank God they were conscious. She was able to speak to me. The little boy was pretty much in shock,” said a school employee who saw the aftermath.

In the last twelve months, Flatbush saw 388 crashes, 292 injuries, and 2 people seriously hurt. No deaths this year—yet. But the numbers do not rest. Four people have died since 2022. Over a thousand have been injured. Trucks, buses, SUVs, sedans—they all take their share. Pedestrians, cyclists, children—they pay the price.

Leadership: Words, Delays, and the Weight of Inaction

After the school bus crash, Councilmember Farrah Louis acknowledged the need for more traffic safety in this area. The words hang in the air. Promises are easy. Change is slow. Sammy’s Law now lets the city lower speed limits to 20 mph. The power is there. The clock ticks. The council can act. The mayor can act. They have not.

What’s Been Done—and What Hasn’t

Speed cameras work. Where installed, speeding drops. But the law that keeps them running is always on the edge of expiring. Protected bike lanes and safer intersections come in fits and starts. Each delay means another family waits at the hospital.

The Next Step: Demand Action Now

Flatbush does not need more studies. It needs leaders to use the tools they have. Call your council member. Call the mayor. Tell them to lower the speed limit. Tell them to keep the cameras on. Tell them to build streets that protect people, not just cars. Take action now.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
District 42
District Office:
1312 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11210
Legislative Office:
Room 727, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Rita Joseph
Council Member Rita Joseph
District 40
District Office:
930 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226
718-287-8762
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1752, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7352
Twitter: RitaJosephNYC
Kevin Parker
State Senator Kevin Parker
District 21
District Office:
3021 Tilden Ave. 1st Floor & Basement, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Legislative Office:
Room 504, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247

Traffic Safety Timeline for Flatbush

Int 1347-2025
Louis co-sponsors unlicensed commuter van crackdown, worsening overall street safety.

Council introduces Int 1347-2025 to curb rogue commuter vans. TLC, NYPD, and DOT must keep a safety checklist. Officers who spot an unlicensed van stack every charge and levy max fines. A push to shield riders and people on the street.

Int 1347-2025 is in Committee. It sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction and referral on August 14, 2025. The bill’s title reads, “A Local Law … in relation to enforcing violations against unlicensed commuter vans.” It orders TLC, with NYPD and DOT, to maintain a checklist of laws on vehicle and driver licensure, service authorization, insurance, and inspections. When an officer stops an unlicensed van, they must review the list and issue the maximum penalty for each violation. Primary sponsor Nantasha M. Williams is joined by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Mercedes Narcisse, Chris Banks, and Farah N. Louis. The aim is to protect riders and bystanders from unlicensed operators who skip the rules.


Int 1353-2025
Louis is primary sponsor requiring timely school-zone traffic devices, boosting safety.

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.


Int 1353-2025
Louis sponsors 60-day school-zone traffic calming mandate, improving safety.

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.


SUVs Collide Head-On at Foster and Flatbush

Two SUVs slammed front to front on Foster Avenue. One driver suffered chest pain and shock. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous. No clear cause named. Pain lingers. System failed to protect.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed head-on at Foster Avenue and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling straight when they collided, striking center front to center front. A 47-year-old woman driving one SUV was injured, suffering chest pain and shock. Three other occupants, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors or external causes were identified in the data. Both drivers were licensed and wearing lap belts. The crash left one person hurt and exposed the ongoing risk on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834274 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
SUV Strikes Cyclist on Ocean Avenue

A cyclist was hit by an SUV on Ocean Avenue. The rider suffered abrasions. Both vehicles moved north. Police list causes as unspecified. The crash left the cyclist hurt, the driver unscathed.

A cyclist riding north on Ocean Avenue was struck by a northbound SUV. The 47-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions to the entire body. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead when the crash occurred. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. The SUV driver, a 20-year-old man, was not injured. Police listed contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the report. The crash highlights the vulnerability of cyclists on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831919 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Sedan Turns Left, Strikes E-Scooter on Bedford

A sedan struck a standing scooter on Bedford Avenue. The scooter driver, nineteen, suffered a bruised shoulder and partial ejection. No clear cause named. Streets remain unforgiving for the vulnerable.

A sedan making a left turn collided with a standing scooter traveling north on Bedford Avenue at Clarendon Road in Brooklyn. The nineteen-year-old scooter driver was partially ejected and suffered a shoulder contusion. According to the police report, contributing factors were listed as 'Unspecified.' No injuries were reported for the sedan driver or passenger. The crash left the scooter driver hurt and exposed, while the sedan showed damage to its right front quarter panel. The report does not identify a specific driver error.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830600 - 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.


3
Sedan Hits Three Pedestrians Crossing Signal

A sedan struck three young pedestrians crossing with the signal on Church Avenue. All suffered bruises. The street stayed loud. The danger stayed real.

Three pedestrians, ages 18, 19, and 20, were injured when a sedan struck them as they crossed Church Avenue with the signal. According to the police report, all three were conscious and suffered contusions. The crash happened at the intersection of Church Avenue and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The police report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrians were crossing with the signal at the time of impact. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828758 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
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.


Sedan Runs Light, Moped Driver Hurt on Bedford

A sedan and moped collided on Bedford Ave. The moped driver suffered leg injuries. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Impact was hard. Streets failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan and a moped crashed at Bedford Ave and Clarendon Rd in Brooklyn. The 29-year-old moped driver was injured, suffering abrasions and leg trauma. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was the key contributing factor. Both vehicles were going straight. The sedan had two occupants, both men, who were not seriously hurt. The moped driver was not using safety equipment. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore signals and rules. No blame is placed on the injured. The system failed to keep the street safe.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827092 - 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.


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.


4
SUV Rear-Ended on Flatbush, Four Hurt

SUV struck from behind on Flatbush. Four inside injured—neck, back, leg, whiplash. Police list no clear cause. Metal and bodies take the blow.

A BMW SUV was rear-ended at 770 Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn. Four occupants, including the driver and three passengers, suffered injuries to the neck, back, and leg. According to the police report, all injuries were classified as non-life-threatening. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield are noted. The SUV took the impact at its center back end. All injured parties were conscious and not ejected. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826074 - 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 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.


Motorcycle Driver Injured in Flatbush Collision

A motorcycle slammed into a merging Ford on Flatbush Ave. The rider, 24, was thrown and scraped his arm. Police cite driver inattention. The street stayed loud. Metal and flesh met hard.

A 24-year-old motorcycle driver was injured on Flatbush Ave at Nostrand Ave in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash involved a motorcycle and a Ford car. The motorcycle driver was partially ejected and suffered an arm abrasion. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The Ford was merging when the collision occurred. No other injuries were reported. The motorcycle driver was not using any safety equipment.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828742 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Faces Review

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.


Int 0857-2024
Joseph votes yes to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.

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.