No More Excuses: Seven Dead, Hundreds Hurt, Still No Action

A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. The driver hit a man crouched for food. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. The driver fled. Police are still searching. Brooklyn’s streets remain deadly for those on foot.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was kneeling in the street to pick up food when the truck, turning right, hit him. According to police, 'the driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene.' The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The article notes this was one of several fatal crashes in Brooklyn that week, highlighting persistent dangers for pedestrians. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene underscores ongoing issues with hit-and-runs and enforcement.

• Dump Truck Kills Pedestrian in Williamsburg, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-03

Steel and weight met a baby boy at Woodpoint and Withers. A dump truck’s left turn ended his life as he crossed with the signal. The street held him, still and broken, beneath the right bumper’s crush.

At the corner of Woodpoint Road and Withers Street in Brooklyn, a dump truck making a left turn struck and killed a baby boy who was crossing the intersection with the signal. According to the police report, 'a dump truck turned left. Its right bumper struck a baby boy crossing with the signal. He died there, crushed beneath steel and weight.' The report states the point of impact was the right front bumper of the truck. The child, a pedestrian, suffered fatal crush injuries to his entire body. The police narrative explicitly notes the victim was 'crossing with the signal.' The driver’s actions—executing a left turn in a large vehicle—placed the most vulnerable road user in mortal danger. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both the driver and the victim, but the sequence of events centers the dump truck’s left turn and the resulting impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796530, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A bicyclist riding south on Graham Avenue was struck by a sedan making a U-turn. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The cyclist suffered bruises and lower leg injuries but remained conscious and helmeted at impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan was making a U-turn when it struck a southbound bicyclist. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The bicyclist, a 37-year-old man, was wearing a helmet and was not ejected from his bike. He sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at 3. The sedan’s left rear bumper was the point of impact, while the bike’s center front end was damaged. The driver’s failure to maintain attention during the U-turn directly led to the collision, highlighting systemic dangers posed by distracted driving in shared street spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795283, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 35-year-old e-bike rider was partially ejected and injured on Meadow Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver failed to yield right-of-way while making a right turn, causing a collision that left the cyclist with arm bruises and contusions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:20 p.m. on Meadow Street near Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision involved a motorcycle making a right turn westbound and an e-bike traveling northbound. The e-bike rider, a 35-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, including contusions and bruises. The report cites the motorcycle driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The e-bike rider was conscious and wearing a helmet, but no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The motorcycle showed no damage despite the impact to its center front end, while the e-bike was described as demolished. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding and attention in Brooklyn's streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795238, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A distracted driver caused a violent crash on Bushwick Avenue, leaving a 25-year-old male passenger unconscious with severe head injuries. The impact fractured and dislocated bones, highlighting the dangers of driver inattention in Brooklyn’s streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:00 PM on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. The sole injured party was a 25-year-old male occupant who was not ejected but suffered a severe head injury described as a fracture, distortion, and dislocation. The report explicitly cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor to the collision. The vehicle’s point of impact was the center front end, indicating a frontal collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The injured occupant was unconscious and not using any safety equipment at the time, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. This crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796979, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs collided on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver of one SUV suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:29 AM on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn involving two SUVs traveling east and north. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of one SUV and the left front bumper of the other. The driver of the eastbound SUV, a 39-year-old female, was injured with neck pain and whiplash, remaining conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front ends, confirming the impact location. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794051, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A box truck lurched from parking on Bushwick Ave. A motorcycle struck its side. The rider, forty-seven, flew from the seat. Blood pooled on the street. His leg was torn open. The truck stood, unmarked, silent, unmoved.

According to the police report, a box truck started from parking on Bushwick Ave near Johnson Ave in Brooklyn. As the truck pulled out, a motorcycle traveling straight ahead collided with its side. The motorcyclist, age 47, was thrown from his vehicle and suffered severe lacerations to his leg, described as 'knee-lower leg foot' injuries, and was partially ejected but remained conscious. The report notes the truck sustained no damage, while the motorcycle's left front bumper took the impact. Both vehicles list 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors, which, in this context, points to the truck's movement from parking as a critical action preceding the crash. The police narrative underscores the violence of the impact and the aftermath, with blood spreading on the blacktop. No driver errors beyond 'Other Vehicular' are specified, and no victim behavior is cited as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793524, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs stopped in traffic were struck from behind by a garbage truck traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Both SUV drivers suffered neck and head injuries, conscious and restrained, as the truck's front end impacted their rear ends.

According to the police report, at 7:17 AM on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, a garbage truck traveling east struck two stopped SUVs from behind. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error related to vehicle operation. Both SUV drivers, aged 44 and 35, were injured with neck and head trauma respectively, conscious and wearing lap belts. The truck driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of the truck against the center back ends of the SUVs. The collision caused internal complaints but no ejections. The report does not specify driver errors beyond the general vehicular factor, but the rear-end nature of the crash highlights failure to maintain safe distance or control by the truck driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792252, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A bicyclist suffered full-body contusions after an SUV failed to yield right-of-way in Brooklyn. Both vehicles traveled east, colliding at the bike’s left side. The cyclist remained conscious but injured, with no helmet reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn near Johnson Avenue at 7:00 PM. A bicyclist traveling east was struck on the left side doors by an SUV also traveling east. The report cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver did not yield properly. The bicyclist, a 42-year-old male, sustained injuries to his entire body, described as contusions and bruises, but was not ejected and remained conscious. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. Vehicle damage was not reported on either the bike or the SUV. The collision highlights driver error in yielding and the vulnerability of bicyclists in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792993, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn, injuring a 49-year-old male driver. The impact struck the right side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. Failure to yield right-of-way was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, at 18:05 on Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn, two sedans collided while both were traveling east. The impact occurred on the right side doors of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. The driver of one sedan, a 49-year-old male, suffered injuries to his entire body including whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and operating vehicles registered in New York and New Jersey. No victim behaviors or pedestrian involvement were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793723, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 62-year-old male driver suffered head injuries after his sedan was struck from behind by an SUV merging on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The collision caused internal injuries and shock, highlighting driver inattention and following too closely as key factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:45 PM on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A 62-year-old male sedan driver was injured when an SUV merging westbound rear-ended his vehicle. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan sustained damage to its left rear bumper, while the SUV's front left bumper was impacted. The injured driver suffered head injuries and internal complaints, experiencing shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling westbound. The collision underscores the dangers of driver errors such as failing to maintain safe distance and distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791481, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi skids on the slick Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The front end crumples violently. A 54-year-old rear passenger suffers a facial contusion but remains conscious. Wet pavement causes loss of control, turning a routine ride into a scene of injury and wreckage.

According to the police report, a 2023 taxi traveling westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway lost control due to slippery pavement. The report states, 'A taxi skids on wet blacktop. Metal folds. A man, 56, sits in the back. Blood spills from his head. He is awake. The cab's front end is crushed.' The injured passenger, a 54-year-old female seated in the right rear, sustained a facial contusion and remained conscious at the scene. The contributing factor listed is 'Pavement Slippery,' indicating hazardous road conditions caused the crash. No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield are cited. The impact occurred at the center front end of the vehicle, causing significant damage and injury to the occupant. The report highlights systemic danger from wet roads rather than driver negligence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790513, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man was struck by an SUV while emerging from in front of a parked vehicle on Bushwick Ave in Brooklyn. The impact caused bruising and injuries to his entire body. The pedestrian was conscious but seriously hurt after the collision.

According to the police report, a male pedestrian was injured on Bushwick Ave in Brooklyn around 8:00 AM when he emerged from in front of a parked vehicle and was struck by a southbound SUV. The vehicle, a 2016 station wagon/SUV, impacted the pedestrian with its right front bumper, sustaining damage to the same area. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to his entire body, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious after the crash. The report cites 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as the contributing factor, indicating the pedestrian's action of emerging from a parked vehicle contributed to the collision. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted in the data. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786398, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A moving SUV struck a parked SUV’s left rear quarter panel in Brooklyn. The driver of the moving vehicle suffered chest injuries and internal complaints. Illness was cited as a contributing factor, highlighting a sudden driver impairment in the crash.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old female driver of a 2023 Honda SUV traveling west collided with a parked 2021 Mazda SUV’s left rear quarter panel on Meserole Street in Brooklyn at 4:10 a.m. The driver was injured, sustaining chest injuries and internal complaints, and remained conscious. The report lists "Illness" as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating a sudden health issue likely impaired the driver’s control. The moving vehicle’s pre-crash action was "Going Straight Ahead," while the parked vehicle was stationary. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision caused damage to the right front bumper of the moving SUV and the left rear quarter panel of the parked SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785301, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 29-year-old bicyclist suffered an elbow abrasion after colliding with a sedan on Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn. The bike was making a left turn while the sedan traveled straight. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash caused moderate injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Manhattan Avenue near Meserole Street in Brooklyn at 5:45 p.m. A 29-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining an abrasion to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The bicyclist was making a left turn when he collided with a sedan traveling straight westbound. The report notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor but does not cite any driver errors such as Failure to Yield. Both vehicles showed no damage, indicating a low-impact collision. The bicyclist was not ejected and was not wearing safety equipment. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The injury severity was classified as moderate. The report focuses on the bicyclist's error without attributing fault to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782197, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 13-year-old boy was injured crossing with the signal on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver failed to yield right-of-way while making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered contusions to his lower leg and foot, remaining conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:14 AM on Bushwick Avenue near Johnson Avenue in Brooklyn. A 13-year-old male pedestrian was crossing the street with the signal when he was struck by a 2023 SUV making a left turn. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The SUV struck the pedestrian with its center front end but sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The report emphasizes the driver's failure to yield right-of-way, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778860, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on Johnson Avenue in Brooklyn, striking the right side doors of one vehicle. The 54-year-old male driver suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. Unsafe speed was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 16:20 on Johnson Avenue near Stewart Avenue in Brooklyn involving two sedans traveling south and east. The impact was on the right side doors of the southbound vehicle, which sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel. The eastbound sedan struck with its left front bumper. The 54-year-old male driver of the southbound sedan was injured, suffering abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm, and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles going straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777546, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 34-year-old e-bike rider was ejected and suffered full-body injuries after a collision with a sedan on Grand Street in Brooklyn. The crash involved driver inexperience and resulted in shock and pain complaints from the cyclist.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Grand Street in Brooklyn at 8:57 PM. A sedan and an e-bike, both traveling westbound, collided with the point of impact at the center front end of the sedan and center back end of the e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 34-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained injuries to his entire body, resulting in shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The report cites driver inexperience as a contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision caused damage primarily to the front of the sedan and other damage to the e-bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778398, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A northbound sedan stopped in traffic collided with a northbound bicyclist on Manhattan Avenue. The cyclist suffered a hip and upper leg contusion. Police cite other vehicular factors contributing to the crash. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Manhattan Avenue in Brooklyn at 12:26 PM. A northbound sedan was stopped in traffic when it collided with a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 33-year-old male, sustained a contusion to his hip and upper leg and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error or vehicle-related issues on the part of the sedan driver. Both vehicles showed no damage, and the cyclist was not ejected. The sedan driver was licensed in New York and was stopped prior to the collision, while the bicyclist was traveling straight ahead. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775753, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pick-up truck traveling northeast struck an 83-year-old man walking off the roadway on Meeker Ave. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, with no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling northeast on Meeker Ave struck an 83-year-old male pedestrian who was not in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The truck’s point of impact was the center front end, yet the vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious and complained of internal pain. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving, especially to vulnerable pedestrians outside crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777448, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15