Deadly Silence on Flatbush Streets: Demand Action Now

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.

• File Int 1347-2025, 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

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834519 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two front-seat occupants suffered neck injuries on Church Avenue. Both left in shock. SUV’s front quarter panel took the hit. No driver errors listed. Streets remain unforgiving.

Two people were injured in a crash involving a station wagon or SUV on Church Avenue at Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, both front-seat occupants, a 41-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and were in shock. The SUV’s left front quarter panel was damaged. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The police report does not mention any actions by the victims that contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834158 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan reversed into a stopped moped on Winthrop Street. The moped driver suffered a shoulder injury. Police cite unsafe backing. The street saw pain and metal.

A sedan backed into a stopped moped at 905 Winthrop Street in Brooklyn. The moped driver, a 33-year-old man, was injured in the shoulder and reported whiplash. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Backing Unsafely.' The moped was struck at its center front end, while the sedan was damaged at the center back. The report lists no errors by the moped driver. The only contributing factor cited is the unsafe backing by the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834142 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two sedans crashed at Church Avenue and East 54th. One driver suffered neck injuries. The crash left metal twisted, lives shaken. Police list causes as unspecified.

A crash involving two sedans on Church Avenue at East 54th Street in Brooklyn left a 21-year-old woman, the driver of one vehicle, with neck injuries. According to the police report, the collision caused whiplash and required medical attention. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front and back ends. The police report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness. No further details on the actions leading to the crash were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832622 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two drivers struck at Snyder Ave and E 45 St. Both suffered injuries. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Metal twisted. Pain followed. System failed to protect.

Two vehicles, a Jeep SUV and an Acura sedan, collided at Snyder Avenue and East 45th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, both drivers were injured—one with neck pain, the other with facial injuries and nausea. Two passengers also reported unspecified injuries. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight before impact. No mention of helmet or signal use. The crash underscores the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831464 - 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 Ford SUV hit a man crossing Church Avenue. The pedestrian died from head injuries. Alcohol played a role. The crash left pain and loss on Brooklyn pavement.

A Ford SUV traveling east on Church Avenue struck a 36-year-old man crossing at the intersection. The pedestrian suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' was a contributing factor in the crash. The driver and several occupants were uninjured. The report lists no other driver errors. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but the primary factor cited is alcohol involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828979 - 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

Two SUVs crashed on Utica Avenue. Four people suffered whiplash and back injuries. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Metal twisted. Bodies jolted. Brooklyn street, morning chaos.

Two SUVs collided at Utica Avenue and Lenox Road in Brooklyn. Four occupants, including drivers and passengers, were injured with whiplash and back pain. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The impact left several with injuries, but all were conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827228 - 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

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

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

A motorcycle slammed into sedans on Utica Avenue. One rider was ejected and injured. Driver inexperience and reaction to another vehicle played a role. The street bore the scars.

A crash at 837 Utica Avenue in Brooklyn involved a motorcycle and two sedans. One 22-year-old male motorcycle driver was ejected and injured, suffering abrasions to his arm. According to the police report, 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Driver Inexperience' contributed to the collision. The motorcycle driver was unlicensed. No pedestrians were involved. The report lists no other injuries. The crash highlights the danger when inexperience and sudden reactions collide on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824267 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18