Crash Count for Dyker Beach Park
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 85
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 62
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 14
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 0
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 0
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Aug 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Dyker Beach Park?

No More Casualties: Dyker Beach Bleeds While Politicians Stall

Dyker Beach Park: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 16, 2025

The Slow Grind of Harm

In Dyker Beach Park, the violence comes quietly. No headlines. No sirens in the night. But the numbers do not lie. In the last twelve months, 19 people were injured in 24 crashes. Not one death, but the wounds are real—broken legs, bruised faces, a child’s knee torn open by a truck. No one walks away untouched.

A five-year-old boy and his mother were hit crossing at a marked crosswalk. The truck kept going straight. The boy’s injury: abrasion. His mother’s: a bruise. Both were left conscious, but changed. The cause: “Failure to Yield Right-of-Way” according to NYC Open Data.

Who Pays the Price

Children, the elderly, the ones on foot—these are the first to bleed. In this region, cars and trucks caused every pedestrian injury. Not a single bike or moped. Trucks struck twice, sedans twice.

A crash on 14th Avenue left a driver and her passenger burned and hurt. The reason: “Turning Improperly” and “Passenger Distraction.” The air bags went off. They were lucky. Others are not.

Leadership: Votes and Silence

State Senator Andrew Gounardes has moved. He voted yes to extend school speed zones, saying it would improve child pedestrian safety as shown in Open States records. He sponsored the bill to curb repeat speeders, pushing for devices that would keep the worst drivers from killing again according to Open States.

But not all stand with the vulnerable. Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny voted no, opposing safer school speed zones for children per Open States. The silence is loud.

The Words That Remain

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of two individuals… simply trying to access food like so many New Yorkers in need,” said City Harvest. The line for food is long. The danger is longer.

A relative, after a driver killed his girlfriend doing donuts in a parking lot, said: “It was just a freak accident. Nothing intentional. I know that he loved her. He loved her dearly. He’d do anything for her, and she would do the same for him.” as reported by NY Daily News

Call to Action: No More Waiting

This is not fate. This is policy. Call your council member. Call your senator. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand real penalties for repeat speeders. Do not wait for another child’s blood on the crosswalk.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Alec Brook-Krasny
Assembly Member Alec Brook-Krasny
District 46
District Office:
2002 Mermaid Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11224
Legislative Office:
Room 529, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
David Carr
Council Member David Carr
District 50
District Office:
130 Stuyvesant Place, 5th Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301
718-980-1017
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1553, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6965
Twitter: CMDMCarr
Andrew Gounardes
State Senator Andrew Gounardes
District 26
District Office:
497 Carroll St. Suite 31, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Legislative Office:
Room 917, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247

Traffic Safety Timeline for Dyker Beach Park

Gounardes Advocates Subway Accessibility For All New Yorkers

Summer Streets grows, but cars still rule. Pedestrians and cyclists get scraps. Asphalt wins. The city drags its feet. People lose. Safety rises where cars vanish, but the reach is small.

"The subway belongs to all New Yorker, and it should be accessible to all New Yorkers." -- Andrew Gounardes

On August 11, 2025, David Meyer issued a statement on the expansion of Summer Streets, covered by Streetsblog NYC. He said, 'Summer Streets is bigger and better than ever—and New Yorkers are begging for more.' Meyer supports car-free events but criticizes their limited scale. No council bill or committee action is attached. A safety analyst notes: expanding Summer Streets increases car-free space, encourages walking and cycling, and improves safety by reducing vehicle conflicts and promoting mode shift. But the limited reach means citywide benefits remain out of grasp.


Gounardes Supports Safety Boosting Smith 9th Street Elevator Plan

MTA will install an elevator at Smith-9th Street, the city’s tallest subway station. Riders now face steep climbs. Soon, F and G lines open to all. Barriers fall. Access rises. Fewer forced to drive.

"Every day, New Yorkers hike the stairs up this station like they're climbing Mount Everest, struggling to catch the train on time... With elevators coming to the Smith-9th Street station, that's finally going to change. It's simple: The subway belongs to every New Yorker, and it should be accessible to every New Yorker." -- Andrew Gounardes

On August 11, 2025, the MTA announced an elevator for Smith-9th Street station, Brooklyn’s highest subway stop. BKReader reported: 'The MTA will install an elevator at the Smith-9th Street station.' No council bill or committee is listed. State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, and NYCHA leaders backed the move. MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo called Smith-9th the clearest case for access. Installing an elevator helps pedestrians, especially those with mobility impairments. It makes transit a real option, shifting trips away from cars and reducing street danger for all.


Gounardes Welcomes Smith-9th Street Elevator Accessibility Upgrade

Smith-9th Streets, city’s highest subway stop, will get elevators. The climb ends. State officials promise relief for riders. No more 90-foot ascent. Gowanus waits for access.

"With elevators coming to the Smith-9th Street station, that’s finally going to change." -- Andrew Gounardes

On August 11, 2025, state officials announced elevators for Smith-9th Streets station in Gowanus, the city’s tallest subway stop. The MTA’s $68.4 billion capital plan for 2025-2029 funds the project. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes said, “With elevators coming to the Smith-9th Street station, that’s finally going to change.” Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon praised the MTA for prioritizing accessibility. The upgrades follow a court settlement requiring 95% ADA-accessible stations by 2055. Safety analysts note: elevator installation boosts access for people with mobility challenges but does not directly impact street safety for pedestrians or cyclists.


Gounardes Celebrates Elevators Ending Smith-9th Subway Climb

Smith-9th Street stands 90 feet high. No elevators. State officials promise lifts. The climb ends. Access rises. Vulnerable riders—elderly, disabled, parents—gain ground. Transit grows safer. Streets may see fewer cars.

""With elevators coming to the Smith-9th Street station, that’s finally going to change."" -- Andrew Gounardes

On August 10, 2025, state officials announced elevators for Smith-9th Street station in Gowanus, Brooklyn. The station, nearly 90 feet above ground, is the city’s tallest and lacks elevators. The matter: 'New York City's tallest subway station will soon have elevators, ending the difficult climb to the platform.' State Sen. Andrew Gounardes led the announcement. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon praised the move. MTA chief accessibility officer Quemuel Arroyo backed the upgrade. Adding elevators boosts access for people with mobility challenges. It makes transit a real option, shifting trips away from cars and easing danger for vulnerable road users.


Confusing Bus Lane Signs Spur Crashes

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.


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.


Gounardes Calls for Safety Boosting Third Avenue Street Fixes

Eighty dead or maimed on Third Avenue since 2018. Sunset Park stands up. Residents, officials, and advocates demand the city end delays. No fixes yet. Danger remains.

""Here we are, once again gathering to mourn another preventable tragedy on our streets. But it doesn't have to be this way,"" -- Andrew Gounardes

On July 24, 2025, Sunset Park residents, Council Member Alexa Avilés, Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes, Senator Andrew Gounardes, and advocates rallied for urgent street safety fixes on Third Avenue. BKReader reports: 'Fatalities on Third Avenue...are preventable with safety upgrades.' The Department of Transportation's plan has stalled for two years. Avilés called the corridor 'persistently dangerous.' Gounardes said, 'We know how to fix it: safer street design.' No council bill or committee is listed. The event shows strong community demand, but no policy action has been taken. As of now, there is no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety.


Gounardes Condemns Delay of Safety Plan on Third Avenue

Two pedestrians killed. Advocates and local leaders demand action. City stalls. Third Avenue stays deadly. Anger and grief fill Sunset Park.

"This is not meant to be a highway. This is where people walk. This is where people live. This is where kids go to school." -- Andrew Gounardes

On July 23, 2025, local politicians and advocates rallied at 60th Street and Third Avenue, Sunset Park. They condemned the Adams administration's delay of a DOT safety plan, approved by Community Board 7 in 2023, after a hit-and-run killed two pedestrians. Council Member Alexa Avilés called for real investment. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives called the delay 'unconscionable.' State Sen Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes demanded urgent redesign. The rally's matter: 'demanding the Adams administration implement traffic safety measures on Third Avenue.' Safety analysts note: public rallies like this can push systemic changes, making streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.


Gounardes Advocates Safety Boosting Stop Super Speeder Bill

Six speeding tickets. School zones. Gersh Kuntzman calls out Andrew Cuomo. Reckless driving from leaders puts lives at risk. Streets stay dangerous. No answers from Cuomo.

"if the state legislature had passed Sen. Andrew Gounardes's "Stop Super Speeder" bill, would have required Cuomo to get a speed limiter installed into his beloved Dodge." -- Andrew Gounardes

On July 18, 2025, journalist Gersh Kuntzman of Streetsblog NYC criticized former Governor Andrew Cuomo for racking up six speed-camera tickets in city school zones between March and June. Kuntzman wrote, 'That's objectively a horrendous record of reckless driving through city school zones.' He noted that if Sen. Andrew Gounardes's 'Stop Super Speeder' bill had passed, Cuomo would face a mandatory speed limiter. No council bill or committee action is involved. The safety analyst notes this is an individual’s behavior, not a policy change, so there is no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety.


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.


Teen E-Scooter Rider Killed In Crash

A 16-year-old on an e-scooter died after a collision with a Hyundai in Staten Island. Head trauma proved fatal. Police are investigating. The driver stayed at the scene. No arrests. Another scooter death followed days later.

The Brooklyn Paper (2025-07-13) reports a fatal crash on June 29 in Staten Island. Sixteen-year-old Nacere Ellis, riding an electric scooter, collided with a westbound Hyundai Tucson. The article states, 'Ellis suffered head trauma as a result of the crash.' The 79-year-old driver remained at the scene. NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. No charges have been filed. The report notes a similar fatal scooter crash days earlier in Queens. The incidents highlight ongoing risks for micromobility users and the need for systemic safety measures.


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.


Gounardes Celebrates Bay Ridge Accessibility Upgrade Safety Boost

Two new elevators rise at Bay Ridge-95th Street. Barriers fall. Riders once shut out now enter. Subway access grows. Streets outside still threaten, but inside, movement is free. Each upgrade shifts the city’s balance.

"This project has been a long time coming. When I first got into elected office, there was not a single accessible station anywhere in my district... Today we are celebrating the second station in Bay Ridge to have accessibility access." -- Andrew Gounardes

On July 8, 2025, the MTA opened two ADA-compliant elevators at Bay Ridge-95th Street station, Brooklyn. The project, backed by federal funds, finished under budget. Council Member Justin Brannan, State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis all praised the upgrade. Quemuel Arroyo, MTA’s chief accessibility officer, called it 'a crucial connection.' The new elevators mark the third Brooklyn station made accessible this year. Improved subway access encourages walking and cycling to transit, boosting safety for vulnerable users by increasing their numbers and visibility. The MTA must reach 95% accessibility by 2055.


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.


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
Carr 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.