Four Dead, Dozens Broken—Sheepshead Bay Streets Still Kill

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

SUV hit a 65-year-old woman crossing with the signal on Avenue Z. She suffered neck abrasions. Driver failed to yield. The street stayed busy. The system failed to protect her.

A 65-year-old woman was injured when an SUV struck her as she crossed Avenue Z at E 17th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver, making a left turn, failed to yield the right-of-way. The impact caused neck abrasions to the pedestrian, who remained conscious. The driver was licensed and uninjured. 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 4833702 - 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

Two SUVs slammed together on Emmons Avenue. Unsafe speed and close passing sent metal crunching. Three people injured. Pain, whiplash, chaos. Brooklyn street, another crash. System failed again.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed on Emmons Avenue at Dooley Street in Brooklyn. Three people were injured, including both drivers and a front passenger. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing Too Closely.' One driver was operating with a permit. Injuries included neck, head, and back trauma, with complaints of whiplash and pain. The report lists no pedestrian or cyclist victims. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front quarter panels. The police report highlights driver errors as the main contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833089 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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 motorcycle struck a stopped SUV’s rear on Belt Parkway. One rider injured. Three others involved. Police list no clear cause. The crash left bodies bruised and questions open.

A motorcycle collided with the left rear bumper of a stopped SUV on Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. According to the police report, one 22-year-old male motorcycle rider was injured, suffering abrasions to his entire body. Three other occupants—an SUV driver, a 15-year-old passenger, and another registrant—were involved but not seriously hurt. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield were cited. The SUV was stopped in traffic when the motorcycle, changing lanes, struck it from behind. No mention of helmet use or signals as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832817 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A speeding motorcycle struck a seven-year-old boy at an intersection in Brooklyn. The child suffered arm injuries. Driver failed to yield. Streets turned violent in a heartbeat.

A motorcycle traveling east on Oriental Blvd collided with a seven-year-old pedestrian at an intersection in Brooklyn. The child was injured in the shoulder and upper arm. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The driver was licensed and going straight ahead when the impact occurred. The report lists no contributing factors for the pedestrian. The crash left the child in shock and pain, underscoring the danger faced by young pedestrians on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832358 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV hit hard on Girard Street. Two women suffered chest injuries. Unsafe speed drove the crash. Police found bruises and pain. Brooklyn street, another wound.

A station wagon SUV crashed near 186 Girard Street in Brooklyn. Two women, ages 35 and 72, suffered chest injuries and bruises. According to the police report, the vehicle was traveling at unsafe speed. The driver and front passenger were both conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the main contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact struck the center front end of the SUV. No other vehicle details were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831486 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two drivers suffered neck injuries in a Belt Parkway crash. Both vehicles struck hard. Unsafe lane changing and speed fueled the impact. Shock followed. The road stayed dangerous.

Two vehicles, a taxi and a sedan, collided on Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. According to the police report, both drivers, a 42-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, were injured with neck trauma and shock. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the taxi. Both vehicles sustained damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the ongoing risks on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUVs and a sedan slammed together on Belt Parkway. Two passengers hurt—one struck in the head, another bruised and battered. Drivers followed too close. Metal and glass scattered. The system failed again.

A multi-vehicle collision unfolded on Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. Two passengers suffered injuries: a 55-year-old man with a head injury and a 20-year-old woman with hip and leg bruises. According to the police report, the crash involved sedans and SUVs traveling east. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. Driver error played a clear role. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Helmet use and turn signals were not cited as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831739 - 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

SUV merged, struck moped. Two riders hurt. Child and young man partially ejected. Police cite passing too closely and failure to yield. Metal and flesh met hard on Shore Parkway.

A station wagon/SUV merged into a moped on Shore Parkway near Ford Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, two people on the moped—a 22-year-old driver and a 10-year-old passenger—were injured, both partially ejected. The child suffered abrasions to his leg; the driver had a fracture and dislocation. Police list 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The SUV driver and another occupant were not seriously hurt. The crash underscores the danger when larger vehicles fail to give space and yield to smaller, more vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829075 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV hit an 11-year-old riding outside a motorized scooter on Bedford Ave. The child was ejected, suffered a head injury. Police cite driver inattention and confusion. Streets remain harsh for the young.

An SUV traveling north on Bedford Ave collided with a motorized scooter at Avenue Y. An 11-year-old boy, riding outside the scooter, was ejected and suffered a concussion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' contributed to the crash. The SUV's left front bumper struck the scooter. The child had no safety equipment. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the dangers faced by young, vulnerable road users in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828781 - 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

SUV hit a man crossing E 12 St. Pedestrian suffered leg injuries. Police cite pedestrian confusion. Streets stay dangerous. No damage to the vehicle. Another day, another wound.

A man, age 60, was struck by a station wagon/SUV while crossing E 12 St at William Ct in Brooklyn. He suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The driver, also a 60-year-old man, was traveling south and reported no injuries or vehicle damage. The report lists no driver errors. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The crash left the pedestrian bruised and conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827381 - 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