Williamsburg Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Stall, Children Pay

Sep 4 - A 41-year-old man crossing with the signal suffered severe leg fractures when an SUV struck him head-on. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was distracted, causing a violent impact at the intersection on North 7 Street.

According to the police report, at 18:29 on North 7 Street, a 41-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The collision involved a 2010 Acura SUV traveling east, which struck the pedestrian at the center front end. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash and was located at the intersection. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to impact. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front end, confirming the direct collision with the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753943 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 3 - G train rolls again. After months of silence, trains run from Queens to Brooklyn. Riders endured shuttle buses, slow streets, no dedicated lanes. Council Member Restler praises upgrades, slams city for missing bus lanes. Modern signals promise speed, but funding future hangs in balance.

On September 3, 2024, the G train returned to full service after a summer shutdown for signal modernization. The $368 million project, led by the MTA, replaced century-old signals with Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC), aiming for faster, more reliable service. Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) praised the MTA’s handling and shuttle bus communication but criticized the city for not creating dedicated bus lanes during the closure, saying, 'They expressed dismay, however, that the city had not constructed a dedicated lane so shuttle buses could move faster.' Restler called for renewed investment in the MTA, including the resumption of congestion pricing, to fund future upgrades. The project continues through 2027, but no more full shutdowns are planned. The lack of bus lanes during the outage left vulnerable riders exposed to slow, crowded streets.

• Back on track: G train returns to full service following summer shutdown, amny.com, Published 2024-09-03

Aug 27 - A 61-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a van making a left turn in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered a fractured hip and upper leg. Driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way caused the collision.

According to the police report, a van traveling south on Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 61-year-old male pedestrian at an intersection while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the van's left front bumper hit him. The pedestrian sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his hip and upper leg and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies the driver's inattention and failure to yield the right-of-way as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2020 Ford van. The collision caused damage to the van's left front bumper. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The crash highlights driver errors leading to severe injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753282 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 26 - Mayor Adams caved to business pressure, gutting a proven safety redesign for McGuinness Boulevard. The city scrapped lane reductions and protected bike lanes. Pedestrians and cyclists remain exposed. Elected officials condemned the move. The mayor put politics before lives.

On August 26, 2024, Mayor Adams reversed a key street safety redesign for McGuinness Boulevard in Brooklyn. The Department of Transportation's original plan, announced after a fatal crash in 2021, would have reduced travel lanes and added a parking-protected bike lane. DOT data showed this 'would reduce deaths and serious injuries by 30 percent.' Under pressure from business interests, especially Broadway Stages, Adams first weakened the plan in July 2023, then scaled it back further in August 2024. Council Member Lincoln Restler said, 'Mayor Adams says he cares about safety, except when it comes to McGuinness Boulevard.' Assembly Member Emily Gallagher called the compromise 'a plan that does nothing to address the central safety concerns of our community.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams urged the city to follow the evidence and protect lives. The mayor’s decision leaves vulnerable road users at risk.

• Anatomy of a Debacle: How Adams Put Safety Last on McGuinness Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-26

Aug 24 - A Toyota sedan reversed on Hope Street. The driver looked away. The bumper smashed into a 26-year-old woman’s head as she stood off the road. Blood spilled. She stood silent, stunned, bleeding. Driver inattention and unsafe backing, police say.

According to the police report, a Toyota sedan was backing west on Hope Street in Brooklyn when the driver 'looked away.' The vehicle's bumper struck the head of a 26-year-old woman who was standing off the roadway. The report notes she suffered severe bleeding and shock, with the point of impact listed as the center back end of the sedan. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely' as contributing factors. The woman was not in the roadway and was not crossing at an intersection at the time of the crash. The report makes no mention of any pedestrian error or behavior contributing to the collision. The driver’s actions—specifically inattention and unsafe backing—are the only factors cited in the police account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750394 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 23 - Lawmakers say Hochul broke the law. They filed a brief. They argue the governor has no right to halt congestion pricing. The MTA Board, not Albany, holds the power. The pause sows confusion. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On August 23, 2024, a group of New York State legislators—Assembly Members Phil Steck and Andrew Hevesi, State Senator Julia Salazar, and former Assembly Member Dick Gottfried—filed a legal brief against Governor Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing. The matter, as described: “the legislature never gave her or any governor the power to do away with the traffic toll.” The brief cites the 2019 Traffic Mobility Act, arguing only the Traffic Mobility Review Board and the MTA can make such decisions. The lawmakers warn that letting the governor override the MTA would “make impossibly opaque the actual responsibility for MTA decisions.” Their action supports the MTA Board’s independence and opposes executive interference. No safety analyst has assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but the legislators’ stance highlights the risk of political meddling in life-and-death street policy.

• State Legislators Say They Never Gave Hochul the Power to Pause Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-23

Aug 20 - City pushes ahead with a scaled-back McGuinness Boulevard redesign. Protected bike lanes come, but dangerous elements stay. Councilmember Restler slams the compromise. Advocates and officials say safety is sacrificed for politics. DOT claims improvements, but critics remain unsatisfied.

On August 20, 2024, the city announced it will proceed with a controversial redesign of McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The plan, not a council bill but a Department of Transportation decision, extends parking-protected bike lanes from Calyer Street to Meeker Avenue. Councilmember Lincoln Restler, representing District 33, criticized the move, saying, 'The mayor has put forward a compromise that nobody likes.' A coalition of elected officials—including Rep. Nydia Velázquez, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Comptroller Brad Lander, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso—called for a more thorough redesign, arguing the current plan preserves dangerous elements. DOT spokesperson Vincent Barone claimed the redesign will make the corridor safer for all users, with new bike lanes and sidewalk extensions. Despite these claims, advocates and local leaders argue the plan fails to address core dangers and puts vulnerable road users at continued risk.

• City proceeds with controversial McGuinness Boulevard redesign despite opposition, gothamist.com, Published 2024-08-20

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 13 - DOT cuts Bedford Slip’s car-free hours. The plaza, once open all week, will now close to cars only on weekends. Locals and advocates wanted more. Businesses pushed back. Most neighbors don’t own cars. The fight for safe space continues.

On August 13, 2024, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced it would end 24/7 pedestrianization of Bedford Slip in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. The decision, not a council bill but a DOT action, follows a six-week trial during the G train shutdown. DOT will allow car-free hours only on weekends from late September through year’s end. The matter summary: 'DOT Rejects 24-7 Open Street for ‘Bedford Slip,’ Preferring Weekend-Only Hours.' Council Member Lincoln Restler, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, and Rep. Nydia Velázquez supported a permanent plaza. Katie Denny Horowitz of the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance vowed to keep pushing for full-time closure. DOT spokeswoman Mona Bruno said the agency is working with residents on a long-term vision. Most local households rely on transit, biking, or walking. The decision leaves vulnerable road users with less protection during the week.

• DOT Rejects 24-7 Open Street for ‘Bedford Slip,’ Preferring Weekend-Only Hours, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-13

Aug 10 - North Brooklyn residents and lawmakers demand DOT keep Bedford Slip car-free. The plaza, born of subway repairs, became a haven for pedestrians. Over 3,100 back it. Officials urge permanence. Opponents’ safety fears never came true. The fight for public space continues.

On August 10, 2024, North Brooklynites rallied to keep the temporary pedestrian plaza at Bedford Slip, a half-block offshoot of Bedford Avenue north of Nassau Avenue, car-free. The Department of Transportation (DOT) had closed the street to traffic during G train repairs, but plans to reopen it to vehicles. The matter, described as a push to 'continue this vital public space project as a permanent fixture,' drew support from Rep. Nydia Velázquez and State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who sent letters urging DOT to make the plaza permanent. Local organizations, businesses, and over 3,100 petitioners back the effort, citing increased community use and safety. Previous concerns about traffic and safety did not materialize. The plaza is part of a broader movement to reclaim streets for pedestrians in Greenpoint and Williamsburg.

• ‘Save the Slip’: North Brooklynites Urge DOT to Keep Temporary Plaza, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-10

Aug 8 - A sedan traveling north struck a southbound bicyclist on Driggs Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries, including fractures and dislocations. The driver’s inattention caused the crash, leaving the rider in shock and injured.

According to the police report, at 11:55 AM on Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn, a sedan traveling north collided with a bicyclist traveling south. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front bumper striking the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 25-year-old male, was ejected and sustained severe injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The bicyclist was not using any safety equipment. Vehicle damage was noted on the bike’s front end, while the sedan showed no damage. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in Brooklyn’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747437 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 5 - Two SUVs slammed together at Metropolitan Avenue and Rodney Street. One driver, a 33-year-old man, took a blow to the face. Metal twisted. The street bore the mark of impact. No clear cause named.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at 15:49 on Metropolitan Avenue and Rodney Street in Brooklyn. Both drivers were men, licensed in New York, and driving straight. The northbound Jeep struck the right front quarter panel, while the westbound Ford took damage to its right front bumper. A 33-year-old male driver suffered facial contusions but stayed conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor and does not assign blame. The crash left both vehicles damaged at the front right, showing the force of their meeting.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745668 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 4 - A distracted driver struck two parked SUVs on North 5 Street in Brooklyn. The collision caused damage to the center back end and left rear bumpers of the parked vehicles. The driver suffered unspecified injuries and was left in shock.

According to the police report, at 11:55 AM on North 5 Street in Brooklyn, a licensed female driver operating a 2024 sedan traveling east collided with two parked SUVs. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan's right front bumper impacted the center back end of one parked SUV and the left rear bumper of another. The driver, a 60-year-old woman, was not ejected but experienced shock and unspecified injuries. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim or other road users. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban settings where parked vehicles line the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745463 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 3 - An aggressive e-scooter driver struck a 28-year-old man crossing Driggs Avenue against the signal. The pedestrian suffered a fractured and dislocated lower arm injury. The crash exposed dangerous driver behavior and intersection risks in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, at 1:30 p.m. on Driggs Avenue near North 11 Street in Brooklyn, an e-scooter traveling south struck a pedestrian crossing against the signal. The pedestrian, a 28-year-old man, sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his elbow and lower arm. The report cites 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as a contributing factor to the crash, highlighting the e-scooter driver's failure to safely navigate the intersection. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which was going straight ahead. The pedestrian was conscious but injured. The report does not attribute fault to the victim beyond noting his crossing against the signal, but the primary driver error remains aggressive driving. This collision underscores the peril posed by aggressive operators of electric scooters in busy urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747309 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - A sedan collided with a bicyclist traveling south on Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:36 near 404 Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan, initially parked, struck a bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the sedan's left front quarter panel and the bike's right side doors. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the collision. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2012 Mazda. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in interactions with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745553 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 1 - A 26-year-old e-bike rider crashed into a parked sedan on Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn. Thrown from the bike, his leg torn open, blood marked the street. The car never moved. Driver inattention and distraction led to carnage.

A 26-year-old e-bike rider was severely injured after colliding with a parked sedan on Metropolitan Avenue near Lorimer Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the e-bike rider was 'thrown from the bike' and suffered 'severe lacerations' to his leg, with blood left on the asphalt. The report states the sedan 'never moved' and was parked at the time of impact. The primary contributing factor cited is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the police narrative, but this detail follows the explicit mention of driver inattention as the central cause. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of distraction and inattention on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745557 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 27 - A moped passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV made a left turn and struck the moped’s left rear quarter panel. The collision occurred on Roebling Street in Brooklyn, highlighting a failure to yield right-of-way by the SUV driver.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:33 on Roebling Street in Brooklyn. A moped traveling west was struck on its left rear quarter panel by an SUV making a left turn in the same direction. The SUV driver failed to yield the right-of-way, causing the collision. The moped carried two occupants, including a 14-year-old male passenger seated in the middle rear seat, who sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The passenger was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The moped passenger was wearing a helmet, but the police report identifies no contributing factors from the victim’s behavior. The SUV’s right front quarter panel and right side doors were damaged, confirming the point of impact. The crash underscores the dangers posed by driver errors, specifically failure to yield, in multi-vehicle collisions involving vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743309 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - Atlantic Avenue gets a lifeline. New mid-block crossings, concrete islands, and curb extensions aim to slow cars and protect people. Local leaders call it overdue. For years, crashes haunted this corridor. Now, the city moves to put people before traffic.

On July 26, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced major street safety upgrades for Atlantic Avenue in District 33. The project, led by NYC DOT, brings mid-block crossings, concrete pedestrian islands, curb enhancements, and split-phase signals to one of Brooklyn’s deadliest corridors. The matter, titled 'Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor,' highlights years of advocacy after repeated crashes. Restler, who has long pushed for these changes, praised the progress: 'Atlantic Avenue has been extremely dangerous my whole life. I'm excited by the progress we're making in partnership with DOT to expand mid-block crossings and other smart interventions to slow down cars and advance safety in our community.' The announcement follows a deadly crash last spring and is part of the city’s Vision Zero push. Local officials and advocates say these changes mark a crucial step in ending the street’s legacy of danger and death.

• Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-26

Jul 22 - Low-density districts block City of Yes. Most community boards vote no. High-density areas back the plan. The fight centers on housing, parking, and who bears the city’s growth. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait as politics stall change.

Bill: City of Yes housing proposal. Status: Community board votes and public testimony as of July 22, 2024. Of 57 boards, 38 opposed the plan, 20 supported it, mostly in denser neighborhoods. The proposal, described as aiming to build 'a little more housing in every neighborhood,' faces resistance in low-density areas. Council Member Joann Ariola (R-Woodhaven) opposed more housing in her district, calling it 'suburbs.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized neighborhoods that refuse new housing, saying it increases pressure on poorer areas. Arlene Schlesinger, a Queens resident, voiced strong opposition, especially to lifting parking mandates and adding accessory dwelling units. Community boards, often older and whiter, resist change, leaving the city’s most vulnerable to bear the brunt of housing and transportation inequity.

• Map: How Did Community Boards Vote on ‘City of Yes’ Housing Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-22