Steel Rules, Children Die—Albany Stalls

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 1 - SUV slammed head-on after driver lost consciousness on Broadway. Woman, 38, suffered back injury. Police cite sudden loss of control as cause. No other errors listed.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old woman driving a 2021 SUV west on Broadway near Whipple Street in Brooklyn lost consciousness at 16:34. The vehicle struck an object head-on, damaging the center front end. The driver, who was not ejected and wore a lap belt, suffered a back injury and was semiconscious after the crash. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as the primary contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim actions were cited. The driver held a valid New York license. This crash shows the danger when a driver becomes incapacitated behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692207 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 29 - A 51-year-old man on an e-bike was injured when a sedan struck him. The driver was unlicensed and distracted. The impact caused significant injuries to the rider's hip and upper leg.

A collision occurred involving a sedan and an e-bike on Hooper Street. The 51-year-old male e-bike rider was injured, suffering a contusion and serious injuries to his hip and upper leg. According to the police report, the driver was unlicensed and distracted, contributing to the crash. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. The sedan was traveling west, starting from a parked position, when it struck the e-bike, which was also moving west.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691204 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - A dump truck struck the left rear quarter panel of a sedan on Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn. Two young children in the sedan were injured and suffered shock. The truck driver passed too closely, causing the collision and damage.

According to the police report, a dump truck traveling west on Wythe Avenue collided with the left rear quarter panel of a sedan also traveling west. The collision injured two children, ages 7 and 5, who were passengers restrained in child seats in the sedan. Both children suffered shock and unknown bodily injuries. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as the contributing factor. The dump truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance while passing, leading to the impact. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4689945 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 13 - A 39-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg fractures in a crash on Union Avenue. The collision involved another vehicle traveling south. The bicyclist remained conscious but sustained serious injuries. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a bicyclist traveling south on Union Avenue was injured in a collision involving another vehicle also traveling south. The bicyclist, a 39-year-old man, suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with other vehicular causes. The bicyclist was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. The point of impact was noted as 'Other' on the bicyclist's vehicle and 'Left Front Bumper' on the other vehicle. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The report does not specify helmet use as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688402 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 13 - A sedan in police pursuit struck an eastbound e-bike on Marcy Avenue. The e-bike driver, 25, was partially ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash happened just after midnight. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male e-bike driver was injured in a collision with a sedan on Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan was involved in a police pursuit traveling south when it struck the e-bike going east. The e-bike rider was partially ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor. The e-bike driver was wearing a helmet. The sedan had three occupants at the time of the crash. The impact occurred at the center front end of both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691222 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 12 - A 27-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Wythe Avenue. The bike struck the right front bumper of a turning vehicle. The rider suffered bruises and lower leg injuries. Alcohol and driver distraction contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on Wythe Avenue collided with a vehicle making a right turn westbound. The point of impact was the bike's left front quarter panel and the vehicle's right front bumper. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and wearing a helmet. The report lists alcohol involvement and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The driver was unlicensed. No blame is placed on the bicyclist, who was the sole occupant of the bike. The crash highlights the dangers posed by impaired and distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691135 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 8 - A sedan struck an 11-year-old girl crossing Marcy Avenue against the signal. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The girl suffered an elbow and lower arm injury. The impact hit the vehicle's left front bumper. She remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Marcy Avenue struck an 11-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when the collision occurred. The report lists the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her elbow and lower arm but remained conscious. The vehicle’s point of impact was the left front bumper, and the driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding to pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686737 - 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

Nov 26 - Sedans slammed together on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. One driver took the hit—back pain, whiplash. Police blamed tailgating and unsafe speed. Metal crumpled. The road did not forgive.

According to the police report, three sedans collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The crash happened when a driver following too closely and at unsafe speed struck a slowing vehicle, causing a chain reaction. A 57-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The crash underscores the danger of tailgating and speed on busy city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683034 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 24 - A man on a bike struck a woman crossing Bedford Avenue. Both fell. Both hurt. Blood on the street. Head and arm injuries. No one lost consciousness. Brooklyn traffic did not stop.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on Bedford Avenue collided with a 68-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing against the signal at the intersection with Rodney Street. The bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The pedestrian sustained head injuries. Both were conscious after the crash and treated for contusions and bruises. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factors for both parties. No specific driver errors were documented in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683008 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 21 - A 19-year-old woman was struck while crossing Marcy Avenue in Brooklyn. She suffered bruises and hip injuries. The driver, traveling west in a sedan, showed no vehicle damage. Police cited pedestrian confusion as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Marcy Avenue and Hooper Street in Brooklyn. She was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The driver, a licensed male in a 2023 Nissan sedan traveling westbound, was not cited for any errors, and the vehicle showed no damage. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684162 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 20 - A 65-year-old man was struck while crossing Williamsburg Street West with the signal. The sedan driver was making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion but was conscious and not ejected. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 65-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Williamsburg Street West in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a sedan, traveling north and making a left turn, struck him. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and remained conscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The sedan showed no damage, and the driver was licensed. The pedestrian was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The crash highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians even when crossing legally.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4681835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 20 - SUV slammed into a stopped sedan on Broadway. A woman in the front seat took the hit. Neck pain. No ejection. Metal bent. Traffic paused. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, an SUV heading east on Broadway rear-ended a sedan that was stopped in traffic near Hewes Street. The SUV hit the sedan's center back end. A 41-year-old woman, seated in the middle front seat of the sedan, suffered neck injuries described as whiplash. She was conscious and not ejected. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The sedan showed no damage, while the SUV's front end was damaged. The SUV driver was licensed in New York. No helmet or signaling issues were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680785 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 16 - Council weighed a citywide bridge vending ban. Residents and tour guides demanded swift removal. Vendors pleaded for compromise. Council Member Restler pushed for designated spaces, not a blanket ban. DOT has no timeline. The fight pits safety and space against livelihoods.

On November 16, 2023, the City Council held a hearing on a proposed ban on street vending across all 789 city bridges. The Department of Transportation (DOT) seeks to prohibit vendors from pedestrian paths, bike lanes, and bridge approaches. The matter, described as a 'span ban,' drew strong public support for restrictions. Council Member Lincoln Restler, representing Brooklyn, stated, 'I am a strong supporter of vending, but it should go in designated spaces... the Brooklyn Bridge is not the place for it.' He thanked DOT for acting to eliminate vending on the bridge, but called for more vendor licenses elsewhere. Vendors and advocates argued the ban is too harsh, urging specific rules instead of a blanket prohibition. DOT will review public comments before finalizing the rule. No timeline has been set.

• Bridge Vending Ban Gains Public Support As Vendors Beg For Compromise, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-16

Nov 15 - A distracted SUV driver struck a 20-year-old female bicyclist in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. The SUV showed no damage. The crash happened near Harrison Avenue late at night.

According to the police report, a 2019 Dodge SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, was parked when it collided with a southbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The bicyclist, a 20-year-old woman, was ejected and sustained a fractured and dislocated lower arm and hand. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for the SUV driver. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV sustained no damage despite impact on its left side doors, while the bike's front center end was damaged. No other factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680247 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 15 - A 56-year-old male bicyclist was ejected after a collision with an SUV on Broadway in Brooklyn. The crash caused knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The bicyclist remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old male bicyclist was injured and ejected in a crash involving a 2017 Toyota SUV on Broadway near Lynch Street in Brooklyn. Both vehicles were traveling east when the collision occurred. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor in the crash. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet (motorcycle only) but was still ejected from the bike. The SUV sustained damage to its right front quarter panel, while the bike was damaged on the left front quarter panel. The bicyclist remained conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680259 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 10 - A box truck struck a sedan from behind on Wythe Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as causes. The truck's front end was damaged; the sedan's rear was crushed.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling west on Wythe Avenue rear-ended a sedan also traveling west. The sedan's driver, a 38-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Oversized Vehicle' as contributing factors. The truck sustained front-end damage, while the sedan's rear was impacted. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The sedan driver was not ejected and suffered moderate injury severity. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and the risks posed by larger vehicles in rear-end collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678513 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 8 - An 8-year-old boy was struck by an e-bike while crossing near a stopped school bus in Brooklyn. The child suffered facial fractures and dislocations. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive. The boy remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, an e-bike traveling straight ahead struck an 8-year-old pedestrian at an intersection near Harrison Avenue in Brooklyn. The child was going to or from a stopped school bus when the collision occurred. The pedestrian sustained serious facial injuries, including fractures and dislocations, but remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The e-bike impacted the center front end of the vehicle. No other safety equipment or contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677579 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 8 - A 45-year-old woman was hit by a van while crossing at an intersection in Brooklyn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and concussion but remained conscious. Glare may have affected the driver's vision.

According to the police report, a van traveling east in Brooklyn struck a 45-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at an intersection near Division Avenue. The pedestrian sustained a head injury and concussion and was conscious after the crash. The report lists the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor, along with glare that may have impaired visibility. The van showed no damage and was previously parked. The driver was licensed in New Jersey. The pedestrian was not at fault and was following the crossing signal when struck.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677576 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19