Feb 23 - A truck hit a woman crossing Sutton Street in Greenpoint. She lies in critical condition. The driver, with a long record of violations, faces charges. Council Member Restler and others demand safer streets, calling out reckless driving and deadly intersections.

On February 23, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined other officials in a public statement after a truck struck a pedestrian at Sutton Street and Nassau Avenue in Greenpoint. The incident left a 49-year-old woman in critical condition. The driver, Stanley Manel, was arrested and charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. The officials' statement read: 'We’re deeply saddened and outraged at the news of yet another pedestrian being struck by an unsafe driver in Greenpoint.' Restler and colleagues highlighted the intersection's dangers and the driver's history—35 tickets since 2019, including 26 speed camera violations. They urged support for bills requiring speed control devices for repeat offenders and for Sammy’s Law, which would let NYC set its own speed limits. The group called on the Department of Transportation to install raised crosswalks and daylighting to protect pedestrians.

• Driver arrested after crash that left Greenpoint pedestrian in critical condition, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-02-23

Feb 23 - A truck hit a woman crossing Sutton Street in Greenpoint. She lies in critical condition. The driver, with a long record of violations, faces charges. Council Member Restler and others demand safer streets, calling out reckless driving and deadly intersections.

On February 23, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined other officials in a public statement after a truck struck a pedestrian at Sutton Street and Nassau Avenue in Greenpoint. The incident left a 49-year-old woman in critical condition. The driver, Stanley Manel, was arrested and charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. The officials' statement read: 'We’re deeply saddened and outraged at the news of yet another pedestrian being struck by an unsafe driver in Greenpoint.' Restler and colleagues highlighted the intersection's dangers and the driver's history—35 tickets since 2019, including 26 speed camera violations. They urged support for bills requiring speed control devices for repeat offenders and for Sammy’s Law, which would let NYC set its own speed limits. The group called on the Department of Transportation to install raised crosswalks and daylighting to protect pedestrians.

• Driver arrested after crash that left Greenpoint pedestrian in critical condition, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-02-23

Feb 22 - A reckless driver with a long record struck a woman in a Greenpoint crosswalk. She clings to life. Officials demand action: lower speed limits, mandate speed devices, redesign streets. The city’s system failed to stop a repeat offender. Streets remain deadly.

On February 22, 2024, a woman was struck and critically injured by Stanley Manel, a driver with 26 prior speed camera violations, at Sutton Street and Nassau Avenue in Greenpoint. Manel was charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. Nassau Avenue, a two-way street used by cyclists, lacks protective infrastructure. Following the crash, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Council Member Lincoln Restler, and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez called for passage of two state bills: one requiring repeat speeding offenders to install intelligent speed assistance devices, and Sammy's Law, which would let the City Council lower speed limits. They also urged the Department of Transportation to install raised crosswalks and daylighting at intersections. Their statement reads: “Lowering the speed limit and enforcing real accountability for dangerous drivers are urgent steps we must take to protect New Yorkers.”

• Serious Crash in Greenpoint Again Reveals Flaws in City Design, Enforcement Against Reckless Drivers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-22

Feb 22 - A reckless driver with a long record struck a woman in a Greenpoint crosswalk. She clings to life. Officials demand action: lower speed limits, mandate speed devices, redesign streets. The city’s system failed to stop a repeat offender. Streets remain deadly.

On February 22, 2024, a woman was struck and critically injured by Stanley Manel, a driver with 26 prior speed camera violations, at Sutton Street and Nassau Avenue in Greenpoint. Manel was charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. Nassau Avenue, a two-way street used by cyclists, lacks protective infrastructure. Following the crash, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Council Member Lincoln Restler, and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez called for passage of two state bills: one requiring repeat speeding offenders to install intelligent speed assistance devices, and Sammy's Law, which would let the City Council lower speed limits. They also urged the Department of Transportation to install raised crosswalks and daylighting at intersections. Their statement reads: “Lowering the speed limit and enforcing real accountability for dangerous drivers are urgent steps we must take to protect New Yorkers.”

• Serious Crash in Greenpoint Again Reveals Flaws in City Design, Enforcement Against Reckless Drivers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-22

Feb 21 - A Dodge pickup turned left on Nassau Avenue, striking a 49-year-old woman in a marked crosswalk. She died beneath the streetlights. The driver, unharmed, failed to yield. Blood pooled on the asphalt. The city’s danger is written in her absence.

A 49-year-old woman was killed at the corner of Nassau Avenue and Sutton Street in Brooklyn when a Dodge pickup truck, making a left turn, struck her head-on as she crossed in the marked crosswalk. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way. The report states, 'A Dodge pickup turned left. A 49-year-old woman crossed in the marked crosswalk. The truck struck her head-on.' The woman suffered fatal head injuries and severe bleeding, dying at the scene. The driver, a licensed man, was not injured and his vehicle sustained no damage. The police report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The victim was crossing without a signal but within a marked crosswalk, as noted in the police report, after the driver’s error. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver failure to yield at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-02-13

Feb 13 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-02-13

Feb 9 - A station wagon SUV and a sedan collided on Calyer Street in Brooklyn. Both female drivers suffered bruises and chest or back injuries. The crash involved a failure to yield right-of-way. Both drivers were conscious and restrained at impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Calyer Street in Brooklyn at 14:05. A 2020 SUV traveling east struck a 2012 sedan traveling north. The point of impact was the SUV's center front end and the sedan's left side doors. Both vehicles were driven by licensed female drivers who were restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the collision. Both drivers sustained contusions and bruises, with injuries to the chest and back, and were conscious at the scene. There is no indication of victim fault or other contributing factors beyond the driver error of failing to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701429 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 8 - Council bill targets cars blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, and hydrants near schools. Civilian complaints trigger fines. Streets clear, danger cut. Council moves to protect the vulnerable.

Int 0080-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 8, 2024, the bill creates a $175 penalty for vehicles blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants within 2,640 feet of schools. The Department of Transportation must set up a civilian reporting program. If a civilian complaint leads to a fine, the complainant gets 25 percent of proceeds. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to hazardous obstruction by vehicles and civilian complaints.' Council Member Carlina Rivera leads, joined by Restler, Ayala, Joseph, Menin, and others. The bill aims to keep paths clear for those most at risk.

• File Int 0080-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Feb 8 - Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Feb 3 - Two sedans collided on Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn when one driver failed to yield and followed too closely. The impact injured a 56-year-old male driver, causing back injuries and shock. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the northbound crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:05 on Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn involving two northbound sedans. The driver of one sedan, a 56-year-old man, was injured with back injuries and was in shock but not ejected. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors attributed to the driver. Both vehicles sustained center front-end damage, indicating a rear-end collision. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness, and no pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The report highlights driver errors as the cause, with no victim fault or external factors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700211 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 30 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-01-30

Jan 28 - A 29-year-old woman lost control of her motorscooter on Manhattan Avenue. Speed too high, pavement slick, she hit the ground hard. Blood pooled on cold asphalt. No helmet. The street was empty, the night silent.

A 29-year-old woman riding a KYMC motorscooter suffered a severe head injury after losing control on Manhattan Avenue, according to the police report. The crash occurred just before 1 a.m. The report states the driver was traveling at 'unsafe speed' and encountered 'pavement slippery' conditions. The narrative describes her skidding out, hitting the ground hard, and bleeding from the head. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor, with 'Pavement Slippery' also noted. The woman was not wearing a helmet, as documented in the report, but this detail appears after the driver error of unsafe speed. No other vehicles or people were involved. The scene was empty, the crash unfolding in isolation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700210 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 23 - Advocates stormed Albany for Sammy’s Law. They want New York City to set its own speed limits. Last year, Speaker Heastie blocked a vote. Mothers starved in protest. Lawmakers stalled. Now, survivors and families demand action. Data shows lower speeds save lives.

On January 23, 2024, advocates launched a renewed push for Sammy’s Law in Albany. The bill, which would let New York City control its own speed limits, stalled last year when Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refused to allow a vote, despite majority support. Brooklyn Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, a strong supporter, noted, 'Even [lawmakers] who had City Council members from their districts supporting the bill were still not interested.' Queens Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas, recently injured by a driver, said, 'Had the car been going faster ... I might not be here.' Amy Cohen of Families for Safe Streets highlighted broad support: 'We have organizations from across the city supporting Sammy’s Law.' City data shows a 36% drop in pedestrian deaths after the 2014 speed limit reduction. The bill remains in limbo, but advocates are not backing down.

• This Year’s Mettle: The Push for Sammy’s Law Begins — With or Without Carl Heastie, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-23

Jan 12 - A sedan turned left on Greenpoint Avenue. An e-scooter kept straight. Metal struck flesh. A young man flew, head first, no helmet. Blood pooled on cold pavement. He lay conscious, bleeding, alone in the street.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at the intersection of Greenpoint Avenue and Humboldt Street in Brooklyn. A sedan, registered in New Jersey, was making a left turn while an e-scooter, operated by a 22-year-old man, was traveling straight. The report states, 'A sedan turned left. An e-scooter went straight. Metal struck flesh.' The collision ejected the e-scooter rider headfirst onto the pavement, resulting in severe bleeding from a head injury. The victim was conscious but alone and bleeding in the cold. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both parties, but the narrative and vehicle actions highlight the sedan's left turn across the path of the e-scooter. The report notes the e-scooter rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is listed after the description of the driver's maneuver. No injuries were reported for the sedan driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695261 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 11 - A 35-year-old man was struck at a Nassau Avenue intersection. The collision involved a pick-up truck and an SUV. The pedestrian suffered hip and upper leg injuries, left bruised and in shock. Driver errors contributed to the violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:15 on Nassau Avenue in Brooklyn. A 35-year-old male pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal when he was struck by a pick-up truck traveling east and an SUV making a right turn northeast. The report cites driver errors including 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg, described as contusions and bruises, and was in shock at the scene. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the pick-up truck and the left front bumper of the SUV. The report explicitly notes driver failure to yield as the primary cause, with no indication that the pedestrian's actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695799 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 6 - A 43-year-old man suffered a head injury and concussion after a sedan struck him while crossing with the signal. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive during a left turn on McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn at night.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old male pedestrian was injured at an intersection on McGuinness Boulevard near Greenpoint Avenue in Brooklyn around 9 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2019 sedan, driven by a licensed male driver traveling west and making a left turn, struck him. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained a head injury and concussion but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. The driver’s failure to yield and distraction were key causes of the collision. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693749 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 27 - A bus collided with a motorcycle in Brooklyn. The 22-year-old driver was ejected and suffered a serious hip injury. He was in shock at the scene.

A bus and a motorcycle collided on Bayard Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver, a 22-year-old male, was ejected and sustained a hip injury. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The driver was not wearing a helmet, which is noted as a contributing factor. The bus was traveling north while the motorcycle was going straight ahead when the impact occurred on the left side doors of the motorcycle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690625 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 7 - A 20-year-old on a moped hit a tanker’s side at Greenpoint and Kingsland. He was thrown from the seat, head struck the pavement. No helmet. He died alone. The tanker rolled on, untouched. The street stayed cold and silent.

A deadly crash unfolded at Greenpoint Avenue and Kingsland Avenue. A 20-year-old moped rider struck the side of a turning tanker truck. According to the police report, the moped operator was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. The moped rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data, but this is mentioned only after the driver error. The tanker sustained no damage and continued on. No other injuries were reported. The crash left one young life ended in the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685506 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 29 - Mayor Adams gutted the McGuinness Blvd. safety plan. Two lanes each way remain. Bike lanes go unprotected. Crossing distances stretch. Local leaders say nothing changed for people on foot. Cyclists dodge cars and illegal parking. The danger stays. The fight continues.

On November 29, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams’s administration scaled back the Department of Transportation’s original McGuinness Boulevard redesign. The DOT’s first plan would have cut traffic lanes and added a parking-protected bike lane. Adams ordered a weaker version after business pushback. The compromise left two car lanes in each direction during the day. Elected officials—U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and Council Member Lincoln Restler—sent a letter urging DOT to restore the full safety plan, writing, “Nothing has been done to improve conditions for pedestrians.” Advocates say the new design increases crossing distances and leaves cyclists and pedestrians exposed. DOT says work will continue into 2024. The boulevard remains dangerous for vulnerable road users.

• Eric Adams’s McGuinness Blvd. Capitulation Did ‘Nothing’ for Pedestrians, Greenpoint Pols Charge, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-29