Blood on Graham Avenue—How Many More Will Die Before City Hall Acts?

City wants waste haulers to report every crash, injury, and reckless move. The rule targets companies with deadly records. Data will track harm, expose danger, and force accountability. Streets and lives hang in the balance. The city must act.

On May 7, 2024, the Department of Sanitation proposed amendments to the Commercial Waste Zones program. The rule, not yet law, would require all contracted waste haulers to submit detailed crash and driving data twice a year. The matter targets companies like Action Carting, linked to at least five traffic deaths. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who led the original reforms as a council member, said, 'Crash data from [commercial waste zone] awardees is good, but crash data from CWZ applicants would have been even better.' The bill aims to end the 'Wild West' of private waste hauling, which killed seven New Yorkers in a single year. The new rules demand real-time telematics, immediate injury reports, and full transparency on crashes. Advocates say the data could help redesign streets and hold dangerous drivers to account. The city must prevent weak enforcement from gutting the law’s promise.

• Waste Reforms Could Require Data on Crashes, Dangerous Driving, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-07

A moped rider was ejected and injured after a pick-up truck struck him from behind on Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn. The truck driver’s inattention and unsafe lane change caused the crash. The rider, wearing a helmet, suffered leg injuries and bruises.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 11:44 PM on Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn involving a pick-up truck and a moped. The moped driver, a 21-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, along with contusions. The truck driver, licensed and traveling north, struck the moped from behind with the center front end of his vehicle. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors on the part of the truck driver. The moped driver’s helmet use was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and unsafe maneuvers in Brooklyn streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720826 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 46-year-old man riding an e-scooter was ejected and suffered full-body injuries in Brooklyn. The crash caused left front damage to the vehicle. The driver was semiconscious and complained of pain and nausea after impact.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old male e-scooter driver was involved in a crash at 22:40 in Brooklyn near Scholes Street. The driver, traveling east and going straight ahead, was ejected from the vehicle upon impact, sustaining injuries to his entire body. The vehicle sustained damage to the left front bumper, indicating a center front end collision. The driver was semiconscious and complained of pain or nausea. The report lists unspecified contributing factors without naming any driver errors or victim behaviors. The driver was licensed in New York and was the sole occupant of the e-scooter. This crash highlights the severe consequences of e-scooter impacts and the vulnerability of riders to ejection and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720485 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi struck the rear of an SUV on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway late at night. The SUV driver, a 40-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited the taxi driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.

According to the police report, at 11:00 PM on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, a taxi traveling east collided with the center back end of a 2019 Kia SUV also traveling east. The taxi’s point of impact was its center front end. The SUV driver, a 40-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The police report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the taxi driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the SUV. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720573 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 29-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a taxi driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian was struck while getting on or off a vehicle outside an intersection. The driver was unlicensed, and the taxi showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Grand Street in Brooklyn at 4:30 AM. The pedestrian was getting on or off a vehicle outside an intersection when a 2020 Honda taxi, operated by an unlicensed male driver, failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The taxi was parked before the crash and showed no damage upon impact. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, emphasizing driver error. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The driver’s unlicensed status further underscores systemic danger in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730205 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 63-year-old male driver fell asleep behind the wheel, crashing his SUV into the rear of a stopped vehicle on Vandervort Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact injured the driver, causing chest trauma. Both vehicles sustained damage to their bumpers.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:27 AM on Vandervort Avenue in Brooklyn. The 63-year-old male driver of a 2021 Ram SUV was traveling south when he fell asleep at the wheel. This driver error led to a rear-end collision with a 2018 Toyota SUV that was stopped in traffic. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the Ram and the right rear bumper of the Toyota. The driver of the Ram sustained internal chest injuries and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor for the collision. Both vehicles were occupied by a single driver each, and both drivers held valid New York licenses. The injured driver was not ejected from the vehicle. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718545 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 39-year-old man crossing Metropolitan Avenue with the signal was struck by a sedan making a right turn. The driver’s inattention caused a fracture and dislocation to the pedestrian’s lower leg and foot. The victim remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Metropolitan Avenue near Vandervort Avenue in Brooklyn at 13:24. A 39-year-old male pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2023 Toyota sedan, traveling north and making a right turn, struck him on the right front quarter panel. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered a fracture and dislocation to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No pedestrian errors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving, especially at intersections where pedestrians have the right of way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728630 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

E-bike slammed into right front panel on Bushwick Avenue. Rider, age 30, bruised knee and leg. Unsafe speed and inexperience listed as causes. Helmet worn. Night crash in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male e-bike driver was injured while traveling south on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn at 22:08. The e-bike, a 2023 Taizhou City Senlong Motorcycle, struck the right front quarter panel. The driver suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The driver was wearing a helmet and was not ejected. No other road users were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715170 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2024-03-27

The city’s commercial waste zone plan crawls forward. Only one Queens zone launches this fall. Nineteen more wait in limbo. Oversight is absent. Haulers with deadly records win contracts. Advocates demand speed, transparency, and real safety for streets choked by trucks.

Council Bill for commercial waste zone reform, passed in 2019, remains stalled. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will launch only one zone in central Queens after September 3, 2024. The oversight task force has not met in two years. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, who authored the law as a Council member, called DSNY’s rollout a 'missed opportunity' for clarity and accountability. Justin Wood of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest warned, 'The system cannot achieve transformational change if it is treated as a limited pilot program.' The city’s goal to cut truck miles falls short of original promises. Action Carting, whose driver killed a cyclist in 2017, secured contracts for 14 zones. Advocates say the lack of outreach, oversight, and clear safety benchmarks leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Commercial Waste Zone Rollout Too Slow and Unclear: Advocates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-26

A 58-year-old woman suffered full-body injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn. The impact occurred at an intersection where the pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The driver’s error and glare contributed to the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Meeker Avenue made a left turn and struck a 58-year-old female pedestrian crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her entire body and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The report identifies the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factor. Additionally, glare was noted as a contributing factor affecting the driver’s visibility. The vehicle’s point of impact was the right front bumper, and despite the collision, the sedan sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors like failure to yield, especially at intersections where pedestrians have the right-of-way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712326 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A box truck collided with an e-bike on Meserole Street in Brooklyn. The 33-year-old bicyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The crash involved driver inattention and confusion, with no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:00 PM on Meserole Street in Brooklyn. A box truck traveling southwest and an e-bike traveling west collided head-on. The bicyclist, a 33-year-old male, was ejected from his e-bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both the truck driver and the bicyclist, along with 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' affecting the bicyclist. The box truck driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead, as was the e-bike rider. Neither vehicle sustained damage, but the bicyclist was injured and conscious at the scene. The report highlights driver inattention as a key cause, emphasizing systemic danger posed by distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2024-03-20

Council wants bold signs at every school entrance. Paint on pavement. Metal overhead. The aim: warn drivers, shield kids. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait. Danger does not.

Bill Int 0714-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 19, 2024. The bill reads: 'installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, Riley, and Feliz. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to paint and hang school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The goal: alert drivers to children and pedestrians. The bill awaits further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Council bill orders DOT to repair broken curbs during street resurfacing. Hazardous curbs trip, trap, and injure. The fix is overdue. Pedestrians need solid ground. Council moves to force action.

Int 0724-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 19, 2024, the bill commands DOT to repair broken curbs that pose safety hazards during any resurfacing project. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... requiring that the department of transportation repair broken curbs as part of resurfacing projects.' Council Members Schulman, Gennaro (primary), Gutiérrez, Louis, Brewer, and Avilés sponsor the measure. The bill targets a simple danger: shattered curbs that trip and injure. If passed, DOT must fix these hazards as routine, not afterthought. The law would take effect 120 days after enactment.

• File Int 0724-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

A taxi driver made an improper turn on Meeker Avenue, colliding with a westbound moped. The moped driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage in the impact, highlighting driver error as the crash cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:37 on Meeker Avenue when a taxi driver, traveling west and going straight ahead, collided with a moped driver making a left turn. The taxi's right front bumper struck the moped's left front bumper. The moped driver, a 45-year-old male, was injured with contusions and trauma to the knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Turning Improperly' twice as the contributing factor, indicating the taxi driver's failure to execute a proper turn led directly to the collision. Both drivers were licensed and operating vehicles registered in New York. There is no mention of victim fault or contributing factors from the moped driver. The damage to both vehicles was concentrated on their front bumpers, consistent with the described impact points.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710367 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Box truck hit sedan’s front left in Brooklyn. Sedan driver, 41, suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Both vehicles moved straight before impact. Streets stay dangerous for those inside.

According to the police report, a box truck and a sedan collided on Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn at 3:30 PM. The sedan’s 41-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck trauma and internal complaints. He was conscious and not ejected. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause, pointing to the box truck driver’s failure to stay alert. Both vehicles were traveling straight before the crash. The sedan carried three people; the truck had one. No other contributing factors or victim actions were reported. The crash underscores the risk posed by distracted drivers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711141 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 33-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries in a Brooklyn crash. The collision involved improper lane usage, striking the right side of an unspecified vehicle. The bicyclist was injured but conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Woodpoint Road near Withers Street in Brooklyn at 5:30 a.m. The bicyclist, a 33-year-old male, was riding northbound and was ejected from his bike after colliding with the right side doors of an unspecified vehicle also traveling northbound. The report identifies "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error related to lane management. The bicyclist sustained head injuries and was conscious at the scene. There is no mention of helmet use or victim fault in the report. The collision caused damage to the left side doors of the bike and the right side doors of the other vehicle. This crash highlights the dangers posed by improper lane usage on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710370 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill demands DOT fix NYCHA sidewalks first. Seniors come before all. Broken walks trip, injure, kill. Law forces city to show its work. No more hiding behind red tape.

Bill Int 0504-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 7, 2024. It orders the DOT to prioritize sidewalk repairs at NYCHA sites, with senior housing first. The bill summary reads: 'establishing priority for sidewalk repairs at developments operated by the New York city housing authority.' Sponsors include Alexa Avilés (primary), Shaun Abreu, Shahana K. Hanif, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Sandy Nurse, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Lincoln Restler, Rafael Salamanca, Jr., and Farah N. Louis. The law also requires public reporting of repairs and timelines. Sidewalk neglect endangers NYCHA residents—this bill aims to force action and transparency.

• File Int 0504-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07