Six Dead on Madison—Blood Paid for City’s Broken Promises

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

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

DOT sides with car-first politicians. Daylighting stalls. Corners stay blind. Pedestrians and cyclists lose. Safety takes a back seat. The city’s most vulnerable pay the price.

On August 8, 2025, Streetsblog NYC covered the clash over universal daylighting. No bill number or committee listed. DOT’s report claimed high costs and little safety gain, fueling opposition from Council Members Inna Vernikov, Bob Holden, and Vito Fossella. Council Member Julie Won and Mayor Ravi Bhalla called the report a scare tactic, urging citywide daylighting to save lives. DOT’s compromise with pro-car officials weakens protections. As safety analyst notes, this shift prioritizes cars over people, undermining vulnerable road user safety and citywide mode shift goals.

• We Told You So! DOT’s Anti-Daylighting ‘Scare Tactic’ Now Fuels Pro-Car Pols, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08

Poor DOT signs on Hylan Boulevard sow chaos. Drivers turn from the wrong lane. Collisions mount. Bus lane rules shift by the hour. The street stays dangerous for those on foot and bike.

According to amny (2025-08-05), collisions on Hylan Boulevard have risen due to unclear DOT signage about bus lane hours. Borough President Vito Fossella noted, “That’s one accident every four days where somebody perhaps unwittingly thinks they must turn from the middle lane.” The article reports 32 crashes in 2025 tied to drivers making right turns from the middle lane instead of the curb-side bus lane. Some signs list hours, others only say 'Bus Corridor Photo,' confusing drivers. The lack of clear, consistent information leaves intersections hazardous, especially for vulnerable road users. The report highlights a pressing need for better signage and clearer policy.

• Confusing Bus Lane Signs Spur Crashes, amny, Published 2025-08-05

A van and sedan collided on Ocean Avenue. Three people hurt. Impact struck legs, back, head. Police cite driver distraction. Streets left bruised, silent.

A van and a sedan crashed at Ocean Avenue and Avenue R in Brooklyn. Three occupants suffered injuries: a 32-year-old woman with leg injuries, a 34-year-old man with back pain, and a 35-year-old woman with head trauma. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the collision. Both vehicles were traveling south. The crash left visible damage to both vehicles. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833409 - 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 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 moped hit a 90-year-old man at Avenue U and E 14 St. The impact left him unconscious, bleeding from the head. Brooklyn pavement ran red. No driver errors listed. The city failed to protect him.

A 90-year-old pedestrian suffered a head injury and severe bleeding after a moped struck him at Avenue U and E 14 St in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the man was found unconscious at the intersection. The moped’s center front end took the impact. No specific driver errors were listed in the report; contributing factors are marked as 'Unspecified.' The crash highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians at city intersections, especially the elderly. No helmet or signal use was noted as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826233 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Sedan making U-turn hit motorcyclist on Avenue P. Rider suffered leg injury. Police cite driver inattention. Streets remain dangerous for those outside cars.

A sedan making a U-turn on Avenue P in Brooklyn struck a motorcyclist traveling straight. The 28-year-old rider suffered a knee and foot injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were damaged. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. No injuries were reported for the sedan's occupant. The crash highlights the risk posed by inattentive driving, especially during unpredictable maneuvers like U-turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826889 - 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

Sedan hit e-bike on Avenue R. Cyclist, 21, suffered shoulder fracture. Police cite improper lane use. Sedan’s left side damaged. Crash left three car occupants with unspecified injuries.

A sedan and an e-bike collided on Avenue R at East 18th Street in Brooklyn. The 21-year-old male cyclist was injured, sustaining a shoulder fracture and dislocation. Three sedan occupants, including a 76-year-old male driver and a 34-year-old female passenger, had unspecified injuries. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The sedan’s left side doors were damaged. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No other contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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

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