Three Dead in Three Years—Morgan Avenue Is a Killing Field

Aug 9 - A left-turning sedan hit a cyclist at Humboldt and Grand. The bike rider went down. Injured. The car kept its nose clean; the human body paid. Driver actions flagged as improper passing or lane use. Night in Brooklyn, hard and cold.

A sedan making a left turn on Grand Street collided with an eastbound cyclist at Humboldt Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old man, was injured with leg abrasions and remained conscious. According to the police report, contributing factors were “Passing or Lane Usage Improper” and “Other Vehicular.” These driver errors come first in the chain. The sedan’s front end struck the rider. The data lists the bicyclist with no safety equipment, but only after the driver’s failures. One vehicle showed no damage; the bike and its rider took the impact. The crash was recorded in the 90th Precinct under collision ID 4834885.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834885 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 7 - Another pedestrian killed on Morgan Avenue. Three deaths in three years. Advocates rally. City stalls. No redesign. The street stays deadly. The call for change grows louder.

"At the meeting, Gutiérrez showed strong support for the redesign initiative. 'Every single death that we have experienced since I took office just two years ago, and before that, is 100 percentable preventable. We as a city are not moving fast enough to achieve Vision Zero. We are not moving with urgency.'" -- Jennifer Gutiérrez

On August 7, 2025, Sophia Lebowitz and street safety advocates renewed demands for a Morgan Avenue redesign after a third pedestrian death in three years. Streetsblog NYC reports: 'renewing calls from advocates for the city to redesign the dangerous street.' Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, State Sen. Julia Salazar, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher back the push. Advocates want a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and safer loading zones. Despite meetings and official letters, the city has not acted. The safety analyst notes: advocacy alone brings no immediate safety change, but it could spark future improvements. The danger remains until the city moves.

• Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 7 - Another pedestrian killed on Morgan Avenue. Three deaths in three years. Advocates rally. City stalls. No redesign. The street stays deadly. The call for change grows louder.

On August 7, 2025, Sophia Lebowitz and street safety advocates renewed demands for a Morgan Avenue redesign after a third pedestrian death in three years. Streetsblog NYC reports: 'renewing calls from advocates for the city to redesign the dangerous street.' Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, State Sen. Julia Salazar, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher back the push. Advocates want a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and safer loading zones. Despite meetings and official letters, the city has not acted. The safety analyst notes: advocacy alone brings no immediate safety change, but it could spark future improvements. The danger remains until the city moves.

• Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 6 - A southbound box truck hit a 46-year-old man walking on Morgan Avenue. The impact crushed his head. He died at the scene. Police list no driver errors. The truck showed no damage.

A 46-year-old man walking outside an intersection on Morgan Avenue was killed after a southbound box truck struck him. "According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered fatal head injuries and apparent death from crush injuries." The truck was registered in Tennessee and driven by a licensed man from Connecticut. Police recorded no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The report lists the pedestrian as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Not at Intersection' with 'Other Actions in Roadway.' The vehicle's pre-crash action was 'Going Straight Ahead' and the point of impact was the right rear quarter panel. One person died.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833207 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - A driver in a sedan hit a 27-year-old cyclist at Grand and Leonard in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a head wound. Police cite 'Other Vehicular.' The sedan was listed as parked before the crash.

A driver in a sedan hit a man on a bike at Grand Street and Leonard Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist, 27, was injured with a head wound and abrasion. According to the police report, 'Other Vehicular' was a contributing factor. Police also recorded 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan was listed as 'Parked' before the crash. The bike was going straight west. Damage was noted to the sedan’s right front quarter panel and the bike’s front end. Two elderly occupants of the sedan were listed with unspecified injuries. No other serious injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832113 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - A driver hit a 38-year-old man on Graham Avenue at Ten Eyck Walk. He suffered fractures and dislocations. He was conscious. Police recorded no driver errors. The report listed the vehicle as unspecified.

A driver hit a 38-year-old man on Graham Avenue at Ten Eyck Walk in Brooklyn at 4:00 a.m. The pedestrian was injured. “According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his entire body and was conscious.” Police recorded no contributing factors or driver errors. The report did not list the vehicle type, travel direction, pre-crash actions, or point of impact. The vehicle was recorded only as unspecified. The man was documented as a pedestrian at an intersection. No other details were provided in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832287 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - A distracted driver hit a 53-year-old man crossing Grand Street at Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. He suffered a fractured and dislocated upper arm and was conscious at the scene. Police listed driver inattention as a contributing factor.

A driver going straight ahead hit a 53-year-old man crossing Grand Street at Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. The man suffered a fractured and dislocated upper arm and was conscious at the scene. "According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor." The report records the vehicle's pre-crash action as going straight ahead and the point of impact as the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian was listed as at an intersection. No vehicle type, driver identity, or other contributing factors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831769 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - A Nissan struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider fell, hit his head, and lay critical as the red light blinked. The unlicensed driver fled. Police arrested him two hours later.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver hit a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. near 14th St., leaving the rider with serious head trauma. The driver fled, but police arrested him two hours later, charging him with "leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license." The crash shut down Second Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The article highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and the consequences of fleeing crash scenes.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-30

Jul 29 - A distracted SUV driver went straight at 677 Broadway in Brooklyn. A 56-year-old man rode on the outside. He was ejected and hurt across his body. He was conscious. The 2022 Kia SUV showed no damage.

A 56-year-old man rode on the outside of an SUV at 677 Broadway in Brooklyn. He was ejected and injured across his body. He was conscious. The driver of a 2022 Kia SUV was going straight before the crash. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. Police recorded driver inattention by the driver. The report lists no other specific contributing factors. The SUV showed no damage. The report lists no helmet or signal factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - A driver in a sedan rear-ended two men on bikes on Meserole Street in Brooklyn. Police said both riders were ejected or partially ejected. One suffered a head contusion; the other sustained arm/elbow trauma. Police listed driver inattention.

A driver in a sedan hit two bicyclists traveling south on Meserole Street. Both riders were thrown from their bikes; one was ejected, the other partially ejected. One man suffered a head contusion. The other suffered elbow/ lower-arm/hand contusions. According to the police report, the sedan's center front end struck the bikes' center back ends and lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor. The report records injury complaints as contusions. One bicyclist's age is listed as 32; the other's age is unspecified. The police narrative attributes the crash to driver inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831218 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 25 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. Police investigate. No arrests. The road claimed another life.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-25) reports Matthew Goicochea, 31, was killed after falling from his motorcycle and being struck by a car near E. 25th St. on FDR Drive. The driver did not remain at the scene. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The article states, "He was then struck by an unknown vehicle shortly thereafter, which did not remain on the scene." No arrests have been made. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users on high-speed city highways and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers.

• Firefighter Killed in FDR Drive Collision, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-25

Jul 23 - The driver of a sedan hit a 32-year-old male cyclist merging on Humboldt Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered abrasions and elbow and lower-arm injuries. Police recorded alcohol involvement and unsafe lane changing by the driver.

The driver of a sedan traveling south on Humboldt Street struck a 32-year-old male bicyclist who was merging near Scholes Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist was injured, sustaining abrasions and trauma to the elbow and lower arm. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' were contributing factors. Police recorded center front end damage to the sedan and listed the vehicle as demolished. The bicyclist was treated for injury and no other victims were reported. The crash is logged under collision ID 4830174.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830174 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 23 - Two men killed crossing Third Avenue. A driver sped through a red light, fled. Eighty hurt or dead since 2018. Residents rally. Promised fixes stalled. Danger remains. Children cross nine lanes to reach school.

Gothamist (2025-07-23) reports Sunset Park residents and officials demand safety upgrades on Third Avenue after a hit-and-run killed two men. Police say the driver "sped through a red light" and fled. Since 2018, drivers have killed or seriously injured 80 people on this two-mile stretch. A redesign with protected bike lanes was approved but stalled. State Sen. Gounardes criticized the city's response: "We should all be offended... the response... is a sign that says: 'be careful.'" The article highlights the need for enforcement and infrastructure, noting children must cross nine lanes daily.

• Sunset Park Demands Safer Third Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-23

Jul 22 - A driver tore through Midtown, smashing cars and fleeing police. Metal scraped. Horns blared. The chase ended at Lexington and 50th. Police drew guns. The driver was arrested. Streets bore the scars.

According to ABC7 (2025-07-22), a driver struck multiple vehicles—including a police cruiser—while fleeing police through Midtown Manhattan. The pursuit began after a hit at Park Ave and ended at 50th and Lexington. The suspect, Jose Foster, faces charges including assault, reckless endangerment, and fleeing police. Witness Martina Minor said, "It felt like he was scratching like big noise and I was honking like stop and he kept doing it." The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases in dense city streets, with property damage and potential harm to bystanders.

• Police Chase Wrecks Cars In Midtown, ABC7, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 18 - Cargo van struck Mayya Gil, 95, as she crossed Cropsey Avenue. She died. Her aide survived. Driver charged with failure to yield and due care. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

Gothamist (2025-07-18) reports a 95-year-old woman, Mayya Gil, died after a cargo van hit her and her home health aide while they crossed Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver, Thimothe Andre, was charged with two counts of failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. Police said Andre struck both victims while turning. Gil died at the hospital; her aide survived. The article notes, 'NYPD data shows 100 people have died in city traffic crashes so far this year.' The case highlights persistent risks for pedestrians and the consequences of driver inattention at city intersections.

• Brooklyn Pedestrian Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-18

Jul 15 - A car spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The driver lost control. The machine struck Madison Ruiz as she sat by the curb. She died at the hospital. The driver faces criminal charges.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-15), Madison Ruiz, 21, was killed when Zachary Cando, 24, lost control of a Genesis G80 while 'doing donuts' in a Gateway Plaza parking lot. The article states Cando 'lost control' and struck Ruiz as she sat by the curb. Police charged Cando with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The incident highlights the risks of reckless driving in public spaces and raises questions about parking lot safety and enforcement.

• Driver Doing Donuts Kills Brooklyn Woman, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 13 - Council moves to shield delivery workers. Wage floors, tipping rules, and safety gear on the line. Workers face street danger daily. New rules aim to cut risk and boost dignity.

On July 14, 2025, the NYC Council will vote on bills to protect delivery workers. The agenda includes wage floors, tipping requirements, and safety measures. Council Members Shaun Abreu, Jennifer Gutierrez, and Sandy Nurse sponsor key bills. Barbara Russo-Lennon supports the package. The matter summary states: 'Council members will vote on a list of legislative items that would benefit delivery app workers.' These protections can improve worker well-being and bargaining power, reducing pressure to take unsafe risks. The council’s action targets the daily hazards faced by delivery workers on city streets.

• NYC Council expected to vote Monday on wage and workplace protections for delivery workers, AMNY, Published 2025-07-13

Jul 12 - A sedan driver turned right and hit a southbound motorcycle on Humboldt Street. A 23-year-old woman passenger was ejected and suffered leg injuries and abrasions. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction as a contributing factor.

A sedan driver turning right struck a southbound motorcycle on Humboldt Street at Conselyea Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver was going straight ahead. The sedan driver’s right front bumper made the point of impact. A 23-year-old woman passenger was ejected, remained conscious, and suffered knee, lower-leg and foot injuries plus abrasions. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" was a contributing factor. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction as the listed error. The motorcycle carried two occupants; both were involved in the crash and the sedan had damage to its right front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828849 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 12 - A sedan hit a cyclist at Grand and Leonard. The cyclist suffered leg injuries. Police cite failure to yield. Metal met flesh. The street stayed dangerous.

A sedan and a bicycle collided at Grand Street and Leonard Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist, a 36-year-old man, was injured in the leg. According to the police report, both the driver and cyclist were going straight ahead when the crash occurred. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for both parties. The cyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the persistent danger for cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827298 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 12 - Two drivers crashed on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway ramp. Three people — two drivers and a right-rear passenger — suffered neck abrasions. Police recorded driver inattention and following too closely.

Two drivers collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway ramp in Brooklyn. Three people were injured: two drivers (ages 41 and 45) and a right‑rear passenger (age 34). All three complained of neck abrasions. According to the police report, the contributing factors were 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely'. Police recorded driver inattention for both drivers and following too closely as a factor. Both striking vehicles had center-front damage. A third sedan stopped in traffic sustained center-back damage. The report lists those driver errors as contributing factors to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828428 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19