Williamsburg Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Stall, Children Pay

Nov 7 - A 25-year-old man crossing outside a crosswalk was hit by an eastbound SUV on Kent Avenue. He suffered back abrasions and shock. Police cited pedestrian confusion as a factor. The SUV showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male pedestrian was injured at 10:20 AM near 25 Kent Avenue in Brooklyn. He was crossing outside a crosswalk when an eastbound 2017 Nissan SUV struck him. The pedestrian suffered back abrasions and was in shock. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors or violations were recorded. The SUV sustained no damage. The incident highlights the danger faced by pedestrians crossing outside marked areas, even when drivers are licensed and vehicles are undamaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769715 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 30 - Private trash trucks still maim and kill. Five years after reform, chaos rules. Only one waste zone runs. No citywide plan. Streets stay dangerous. Lawmakers and survivors demand action. The city stalls. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

""If done right, CWZs can eliminate millions of truck miles traveled from our streets, keep workers and pedestrians safe, and ensure quality service for all customers. The city's goal right now should be to prevent bad implementation from undermining a good bill."" -- Antonio Reynoso

The 2019 commercial waste zone reform aimed to cut truck carnage by dividing New York City into 20 zones, each served by specific haulers. As of October 30, 2024, only one zone is active. No timeline exists for citywide rollout. The Department of Sanitation claims caution is needed to avoid price hikes and ensure effective change, but offers no clear metrics or deadlines. Lauren Pine, a crash survivor, pleads, 'We can't wait another day to enforce truck safety requirements.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso warns, 'The city's goal right now should be to prevent bad implementation from undermining a good bill.' Delays keep streets deadly for workers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The law’s promise remains unfulfilled. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

• Private Trash Haulers Are Still Killing and Injuring New Yorkers As Long-Awaited Reforms Lag, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-30

Oct 21 - A 37-year-old man crossing Kent Avenue with the signal suffered a fractured arm. He stayed conscious. No driver errors listed. Systemic danger left him hurt at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Kent Avenue with the signal. He sustained a fracture and dislocation to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, but remained conscious after the crash. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors from either party. No vehicle details or driver information were recorded. The absence of cited driver mistakes, such as failure to yield, highlights the persistent systemic risks at this intersection. This incident underscores the vulnerability of pedestrians, even when following the law.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769346 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 17 - An eastbound SUV driver distracted while parked struck a 24-year-old e-bike rider. The cyclist was partially ejected, suffering abrasions and lower leg injuries. Both drivers showed inattention, highlighting systemic risks at Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep SUV was parked eastbound near 50 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn when the driver, distracted and inattentive, caused a collision with an eastbound e-bike rider. The 24-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both the SUV driver and the bicyclist. The SUV's left side doors were impacted, and the e-bike's center front end was damaged. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment. This crash underscores the dangers posed by driver distraction and inattention, especially involving vulnerable road users like cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765643 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 2 - A tow truck driver distracted while parked struck a bicyclist traveling west on South 4 Street. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The truck showed no damage; the bike’s front end was hit.

According to the police report, a tow truck was parked on South 4 Street when the driver, distracted and inattentive, struck a bicyclist traveling west. The bicyclist, a 57-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the tow truck driver. The tow truck showed no damage, while the bike sustained damage to its center front end. The bicyclist was conscious and injured but not wearing any safety equipment. The crash occurred around 6:30 PM. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. The incident highlights the dangers posed by inattentive drivers even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760494 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 2 - City will cut McGuinness Boulevard from four lanes to two. DOT reversed course after backlash. Advocates and Assembly Member Gallagher cheered the move. Fewer lanes mean slower cars, fewer crashes. The fight for safety on the rest of the boulevard continues.

On October 2, 2024, the Adams administration reversed its earlier decision and restored the road diet for McGuinness Boulevard between Calyer Street and Meeker Avenue. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will reduce the street from four lanes to two. The DOT cited community and elected officials' feedback as the reason for the change. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher said, "I'm just really grateful to the better angels of the Adams administration for coming back with this." The advocacy group Make McGuinness Safe called it a win for safety and vowed to keep pushing for improvements. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi praised the city's willingness to listen. Local business Broadway Stages, which had opposed the plan, said it respects the process. Removing car lanes will slow traffic and protect all users, according to advocates.

• FLIP-FLOP: City Brings Back Road Diet For McGuinness Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-02

Sep 27 - A pick-up truck collided with a bicyclist on Havemeyer Street in Brooklyn at night. The 43-year-old cyclist, wearing a helmet, suffered head injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and inexperience as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the collision occurred at 22:13 on Havemeyer Street in Brooklyn. A pick-up truck traveling east struck a southbound bicyclist, impacting the left side doors of the truck and the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old man wearing a helmet, sustained head injuries and was in shock. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors linked to the bicyclist, while the truck driver was also cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The bicyclist was not ejected and had no visible complaints at the scene. The data highlights driver errors, particularly inattention and distraction, as central causes of this serious collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760654 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council pushes Albany to let New York City ticket drivers who block bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Cyclists face deadly risk. Lawmakers demand action. Streets must protect the vulnerable.

Resolution 0574-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced September 26, 2024, it urges passage of S.5008A/A.803A. The measure calls for a 'bicycle lane safety program' using cameras to enforce bike lane rules. Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor), Lincoln Restler, and Erik D. Bottcher back the resolution. The text states: 'enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' The council demands Albany act. Cyclists die while drivers block lanes. The bill aims to hold motorists accountable and protect those most at risk.

• File Res 0574-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 22 - A 40-year-old man crossing with the signal suffered chest injuries after an e-scooter struck him head-on. The driver’s inattention and unsafe speed caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian in shock at a Brooklyn intersection.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Kent Avenue and North 6 Street in Brooklyn around 3:30 a.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when an e-scooter traveling south struck him with its center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian sustained chest injuries and was in shock following the impact. The e-scooter driver, licensed in Illinois, was operating the vehicle going straight ahead. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front end, confirming the point of impact. The report explicitly attributes the crash to driver errors without indicating any fault or contributing behavior on the part of the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759293 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 19 - Two SUVs slammed together on Nassau Avenue. Impact tore metal. Driver and passenger in one SUV suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Streets stayed silent. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at 12:37 a.m. on Nassau Avenue near Lorimer Street in Brooklyn. The crash involved a 2016 Toyota traveling south and a 2018 Ford heading east, both going straight. The Ford struck the Toyota’s right rear quarter panel with its left front bumper. The 49-year-old female driver and her 28-year-old front passenger in the Ford suffered whiplash and injuries to their entire bodies. Both wore lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The force of the collision left both occupants in shock.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756996 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 17 - A 22-year-old bicyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm after a distracted driver rear-ended him on Wythe Avenue. The crash caused injury without vehicle damage. Driver inattention and following too closely were cited as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn at 1:20 p.m. A 22-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from his bike. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factors to the collision. The bicyclist was riding northeast and making a right turn when the crash happened. The driver’s failure to maintain safe distance and focus led to the impact. No vehicle damage was reported, underscoring the vulnerability of the bicyclist. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but this was not listed as a contributing factor by the police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 11 - A 34-year-old bicyclist suffered full-body injuries and partial ejection after a right-turning SUV struck him on South 5 Street. The driver’s inattention and distraction contributed to the crash, leaving the cyclist semiconscious with minor bleeding.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:45 PM on South 5 Street near Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2018 Ford SUV was making a right turn traveling east when it struck a bicyclist also traveling east. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front bumper. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his entire body, resulting in semiconsciousness and minor bleeding. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes. The SUV driver was licensed in New York and traveling legally, but failed to maintain attention during the maneuver. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning movements in Brooklyn’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758474 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 8 - A parked sedan collided with a bicyclist and passenger on Grand Street in Brooklyn. Both riders were ejected and suffered contusions to their arms. The crash involved improper lane usage by the vehicle, causing serious injuries and shock.

According to the police report, a 2024 Alfa sedan was parked on Grand Street near Union Avenue in Brooklyn when it struck two bicyclists traveling east. The bicyclist driver and passenger, both 36-year-old females, were ejected from the bike and sustained contusions and bruises to their elbows, lower arms, and hands. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor by the vehicle, indicating driver error in lane handling. The sedan's right front quarter panel was the point of impact, but the vehicle sustained no damage. Both bicyclists suffered injury severity level 3, with one in shock and the other conscious. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclists. This collision highlights the dangers posed by improper vehicle lane use around vulnerable cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754720 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 8 - A northbound SUV struck a bicyclist traveling straight on Lorimer Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered back contusions. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause of the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:40 on Lorimer Street near Nassau Avenue in Brooklyn. A 39-year-old female bicyclist was traveling northbound when she was struck by a northbound 2024 Chevrolet SUV. The SUV was parked prior to the crash and impacted the bicyclist on its right side doors, causing the cyclist to be partially ejected and sustain back contusions classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly identifies the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was conscious after the collision. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted in the police data. The incident highlights driver error and systemic danger posed by failure to yield in vehicle-bicycle interactions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754428 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 5 - SUV and motorcycle slammed head-on on Hope Street. Rider thrown from bike, left unconscious with shattered leg. Police cite driver inattention. Both vehicles crushed at the front.

According to the police report, a motorcycle and an SUV collided head-on at 17:50 on Hope Street in Brooklyn. The motorcyclist, a 30-year-old man, was ejected and suffered severe injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, losing consciousness at the scene. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight and struck each other at their center front ends. The SUV driver was licensed and headed west; the motorcyclist was going north. The report does not cite any victim actions as contributing factors, focusing on driver error as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755208 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 5 - A sedan struck a 3-door vehicle from behind on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The 25-year-old sedan driver suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. Police cited following too closely as the cause. Both vehicles traveled eastbound at impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at 1:30 p.m. A Ford sedan traveling eastbound rear-ended a 3-door vehicle also moving eastbound. The point of impact was the center back end of the sedan and the center front end of the 3-door. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the sedan operator. The sedan driver, a 25-year-old male occupant, was injured with a fractured and dislocated shoulder but was not ejected and remained conscious. He was wearing a lap belt. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim or other behaviors. The collision caused significant damage to both vehicles' impact points.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760325 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19