Six Dead, Hundreds Broken—But the Street Never Changes

Council moves to hit rogue vans hard. A checklist. Max fines for each breach. TLC, NYPD, DOT must act together. Crack down on illegal operators who imperil riders and people on the street. The bill sits in committee.

Int 1347-2025 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced and referred on August 14, 2025. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to enforcing violations against unlicensed commuter vans.” It orders TLC, with NYPD and DOT, to keep a compliance checklist. When officers stop an unlicensed van, they must check every rule and issue the maximum fine for each breach. Primary sponsor Nantasha M. Williams. Co-sponsors Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Mercedes Narcisse, and Chris Banks. Status: Committee. If enacted, it takes effect 120 days later. It targets illegal operators who put riders and bystanders at risk.

• File Int 1347-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

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

Two SUVs slammed together on Dumont Ave and Essex St. Drivers and a child passenger suffered neck and abdominal injuries. Police cite driver inattention, unsafe speed, and traffic control ignored.

Two SUVs crashed at Dumont Avenue and Essex Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight when they collided. Two drivers, a 56-year-old man and a 32-year-old man, were injured, along with a 9-year-old boy who suffered abdominal trauma. Other passengers reported unspecified injuries. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' 'Unsafe Speed,' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833432 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two sedans collided on Rockaway Ave. Alcohol played a role. Four people hurt, including a child. Metal twisted, bodies slammed. Brooklyn street turned dangerous in a flash.

Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Ave at Linden Blvd in Brooklyn. According to the police report, alcohol involvement contributed to the collision. Four people were injured: a 32-year-old woman suffered back injuries, a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old man sustained neck injuries, and a 13-year-old girl was hurt in the knee and lower leg. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left metal and bodies battered, underscoring the danger when alcohol enters the equation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833446 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A truck struck a parked chassis cab on Fountain Ave. One driver suffered a head injury. Unsafe speed played a role. Metal twisted. Sirens followed. Brooklyn night, broken by impact.

A tractor truck hit a parked chassis cab on Fountain Ave near Linden Blvd in Brooklyn. According to the police report, unsafe speed was a contributing factor. One 24-year-old male driver suffered a head injury and concussion. Both vehicles were damaged at their center ends. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the driver error. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one person injured and exposed the danger of speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830969 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan hit a man crossing Pennsylvania Avenue. The driver failed to yield. The pedestrian suffered a head injury. Blood on the street. Shock followed. System failed to protect the walker.

A sedan traveling south struck a 34-year-old man crossing at the intersection of 518 Pennsylvania Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and minor bleeding, and was in shock. The driver and a vehicle occupant were not reported injured. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830773 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan hit a 21-year-old man crossing Linden Boulevard with the signal. The car disregarded traffic control. The pedestrian suffered facial abrasions. System failed to protect him.

A 21-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Linden Boulevard at Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a sedan traveling east struck the pedestrian as he crossed with the signal at the intersection. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to his face. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupant. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic signals. The system left a vulnerable road user exposed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831332 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two cars collided on Linden Boulevard. Three men hurt. Head and leg bruises. No clear cause. Brooklyn street, night, metal and flesh struck hard.

Two vehicles, a Carry All and a Sedan, crashed on Linden Boulevard at Hendrix Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, three men were injured: a 66-year-old front passenger suffered a head contusion, a 48-year-old driver had a leg bruise, and another 48-year-old passenger sustained a head injury. All were conscious after the crash. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were recorded in the data. No mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The impact left both vehicles damaged, with injuries to those inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830666 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A taxi slammed on Linden Boulevard. The driver took a blow to the head. He stayed conscious. Police list injuries, but no cause. The street stayed quiet after the crash.

A taxi crashed on Linden Boulevard near Fountain Avenue in Brooklyn. The 54-year-old male driver suffered a head injury but remained conscious, according to the police report. He was the only occupant. The report lists his injury as internal, with impact to the left side doors and rear quarter panel of the taxi. Another vehicle was involved, but details are unspecified. Police list the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are named in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use appears.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830636 - 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 sedans collided on Jerome Street at Dumont Avenue. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Metal, glass, and shock in the morning light.

Two sedans crashed at Jerome Street and Dumont Avenue in Brooklyn. One driver, age 55, suffered neck injuries and shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, as noted by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830150 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two sedans crashed on Linden Boulevard. Metal twisted. Airbags burst. A child and two men injured. One driver trapped, all shaken. Streets held the wreckage. No clear cause named.

Two sedans collided at Linden Boulevard and Van Siclen Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, three people were injured: a 74-year-old male driver, a 20-year-old male driver, and an 8-year-old male passenger. The older driver was trapped and in shock. The child suffered chest injuries. Airbags deployed in both vehicles. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed. The crash left one car overturned and the other with front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830143 - 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

Council bill lets ambulettes drive and double-park in bus lanes. More vehicles in bus lanes mean more risk for people walking, biking, and waiting at curbs. Danger grows where curb chaos reigns.

Bill Int 1339-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since July 14, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...exempting ambulettes from certain bus lane restrictions and allowing them to double park to assist passengers,' would let ambulettes drive, stop, and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers. Council Member Julie Menin sponsors, joined by Linda Lee, Frank Morano, Eric Dinowitz, Lynn C. Schulman, Kamillah Hanks, Carlina Rivera, and Chris Banks. Allowing more vehicles to double-park and block bus lanes increases risk for pedestrians and cyclists at the curb. The city’s most vulnerable will face more conflict and less safe space.

• File Int 1339-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-07-14

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 walking on Pennsylvania Ave hit by a vehicle. He suffered leg and internal injuries. The crash left him conscious but hurt. No driver errors listed. Streets remain dangerous.

A 53-year-old man was struck and injured while walking on Pennsylvania Ave at New Lots Ave in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered injuries to his leg and internal injuries but remained conscious at the scene. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The vehicle type was not specified. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian or use of safety equipment. The incident highlights the ongoing risk faced by people on foot in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825597 - 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