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

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A city worker crashed into three cars in Bed-Stuy. She dragged a person, struck a car with a pregnant woman, and tried to flee. No life-threatening injuries. Police arrested her near the scene. Charges include assault and reckless endangerment.

Gothamist (2024-11-27) reports a New York City Housing Authority employee crashed into three vehicles near Gates Avenue and Marcus Garvey Boulevard in Brooklyn. Police say the driver, Tanisha Simpson, "swiped an oncoming car," dragged a person trying to get her information, and hit another car with a pregnant woman inside. She then struck a third, unoccupied vehicle before being arrested by city sheriffs nearby. The pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Simpson faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene. The incident highlights ongoing risks at busy intersections and underscores the consequences of fleeing after a crash.

• Driver Drags Person, Hits Pregnant Woman, Gothamist, Published 2024-11-27

Bay Ridge’s parks and promenade get $30 million for repairs and upgrades. Community Board 10 approves. New lighting, wider paths, and more green space promised. Council Member Justin Brannan funds and supports. Cyclists and pedestrians get safer, smoother routes. No timeline yet.

On November 25, 2024, City Council Member Justin Brannan and Community Board 10 announced approval and funding for major upgrades to the Bay Ridge Promenade and Leif Ericson Park. The Parks Committee and full board both voted unanimously for the $30 million overhaul, which includes $20.97 million for the Shore Road Promenade and $9.25 million for Leif Ericson Park. The project, described as 'Destination: Greenways!', will expand green space, separate bike and pedestrian lanes, add lighting, and install new amenities. Brannan, a key funder and supporter, said, 'Our local parks are the lungs of our city.' The overhaul aims to improve recreational cycling, repair pothole-ridden paths, and increase accessibility. Board members raised concerns about safety and sanitation, which the Parks Department pledged to address in final designs. No construction timeline has been set.

• Bay Ridge community board greenlights $30M facelift for Shore Road Promenade, Leif Ericson Park, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-11-25

A drowsy driver crashed his sedan into a stopped car on North Henry Street. The impact injured the 71-year-old man. Police cite fatigue as the cause. No one else was hurt.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old male driver fell asleep while heading north on North Henry Street in Brooklyn. His 2003 Mercedes sedan struck the rear of a stopped 2008 Chevrolet sedan. The report lists 'Fatigued/Drowsy' as the contributing factor. The driver who fell asleep was injured and incoherent but remained restrained by a lap belt. The striking vehicle suffered front-end damage. The stopped car had no damage, and no other injuries were reported. Driver fatigue is cited as the primary cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773661 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council weakened Adams’s zoning plan. Parking mandates stay in low-density zones. Central areas lose mandates. Housing projections drop. Some neighborhoods bear the burden. Car-centric rules persist. Vulnerable road users see little relief. The city’s streets remain dangerous.

""The consequences of today's decision to exempt R1, R2, and R3 contextual districts from City of Yes are severe," he said in a statement. "The housing pressure on every other neighborhood will go up, which means if Queens or Staten Island doesn't grow, Brooklyn is asked to do more than our fair share."" -- Antonio Reynoso

Bill: City of Yes zoning reform. Status: Amended and advanced by City Council on November 22, 2024. The Council’s action, described as 'watering down' the mayor’s plan, keeps mandatory parking in low-density neighborhoods while ending it in central areas. The matter summary states: 'ending mandatory parking in areas with the best transit while keeping the costly mandate in low-density neighborhoods where it most hinders development.' Council Member Crystal Hudson voted yes, urging all neighborhoods to share the housing burden. Council Member Kevin Riley defended single-family zones. Council Member Rafael Salamanca cited balancing concerns and securing $5 billion for affordable housing. Borough President Antonio Reynoso warned of increased housing pressure elsewhere. The Council’s changes preserve car-centric zoning, leaving vulnerable road users exposed and limiting progress on safer, less car-dependent streets.

• Analysis: Mayor Gets the ‘W,’ But Council Turns His Zoning Plan into ‘City Of Yes … Sort Of’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-22

A box truck and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway late at night. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old man, suffered chest injuries and shock. Police cited improper lane usage as the cause. No ejections or visible complaints were reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:39 on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The collision involved a 2016 box truck traveling north and a 2024 sedan also heading north. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the truck and the left front quarter panel of the sedan, which sustained damage. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old male occupant, was injured with chest trauma and experienced shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The driver was wearing a lap belt. The police report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor to the crash, pointing to driver error in lane management. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. Both drivers were licensed in New York.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776735 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Grand Street in Brooklyn. The rear passenger of the stopped vehicle suffered head injuries and whiplash. Driver inattention caused the crash. The injured occupant was conscious and restrained by a lap belt during impact.

According to the police report, a rear-end collision occurred on Grand Street in Brooklyn at 7:00 PM involving two sedans traveling north. The front sedan, driven by a male from Virginia, was going straight ahead and struck the rear of a stopped sedan driven by a licensed female from New York. The impact was at the center front end of the striking vehicle and the center back end of the stopped vehicle. The rear passenger, a 21-year-old female, sustained head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end impacts and serious injuries to vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772698 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi making a left turn struck a southbound motorcycle on Humboldt Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver, helmeted, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield and improper lane usage as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:16 on Humboldt Street in Brooklyn when a taxi making a left turn collided with a motorcycle traveling southbound. The motorcycle driver, a 49-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors attributed to the motorcycle driver. The taxi driver was also implicated in the failure to yield. The motorcycle's point of impact was the left front quarter panel, indicating a side collision with the taxi. Both vehicles were registered in New York and driven by licensed male drivers. The motorcycle driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. This collision highlights critical driver errors involving yielding and lane use that led to injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773003 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a 35-year-old bicyclist on Graham Avenue. The crash left the cyclist with a head injury. Driver confusion and reaction errors fueled the impact. The street turned dangerous in a heartbeat.

According to the police report, a sedan starting from parking on Graham Avenue in Brooklyn collided with a 35-year-old female bicyclist traveling south. The bicyclist suffered a head contusion and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The sedan and bike both sustained damage to their left front bumpers. The data highlights driver confusion and systemic danger at the scene. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771955 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Steel shrieked on Meeker Avenue as a westbound sedan plowed into a parked Dodge. A 29-year-old man gripped his bleeding arm, seatbelt biting. The signal was ignored. The wound lingered, echoing the violence of midnight metal.

A westbound Honda sedan struck a parked Dodge on Meeker Avenue near Union Avenue just before midnight, injuring the 29-year-old male driver of the Honda. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as the primary contributing factor. The narrative states, 'The signal was ignored,' underscoring the failure to obey traffic controls. The impact left the driver with severe lacerations to his arm, as he remained restrained by his lap belt. The parked Dodge was unoccupied at the time of the crash. No evidence in the police report attributes any contributing factors to the parked vehicle or its occupants. The collision highlights the consequences when drivers disregard traffic signals, as detailed in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774773 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped turned right and struck a cyclist riding east on Montrose Avenue. The cyclist, a 24-year-old woman, suffered arm abrasions. Police cited driver inattention and ignored traffic control as causes.

According to the police report, a moped making a right turn on Montrose Avenue in Brooklyn collided head-on with a 24-year-old female bicyclist traveling east. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, pointing to the moped driver's failure to observe traffic controls. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770240 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Ford truck driver, distracted, struck a 58-year-old man crossing Maspeth Ave. The pedestrian suffered bruises and leg injuries. The crash left the vehicle undamaged. The street stayed dangerous. The pain lingered.

According to the police report, a 58-year-old male pedestrian was hit by a Ford truck while crossing Maspeth Avenue near Vandervoort Avenue in Brooklyn at 5:00 AM. The man suffered contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver, licensed in New Jersey, was making a left turn when the crash happened. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a primary contributing factor. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact at the center front end. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but the report centers the driver’s distraction as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769718 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Private trash trucks still maim and kill. Five years after reform, chaos rules. Only one waste zone runs. No citywide plan. Streets stay dangerous. Lawmakers and survivors demand action. The city stalls. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

""If done right, CWZs can eliminate millions of truck miles traveled from our streets, keep workers and pedestrians safe, and ensure quality service for all customers. The city's goal right now should be to prevent bad implementation from undermining a good bill."" -- Antonio Reynoso

The 2019 commercial waste zone reform aimed to cut truck carnage by dividing New York City into 20 zones, each served by specific haulers. As of October 30, 2024, only one zone is active. No timeline exists for citywide rollout. The Department of Sanitation claims caution is needed to avoid price hikes and ensure effective change, but offers no clear metrics or deadlines. Lauren Pine, a crash survivor, pleads, 'We can't wait another day to enforce truck safety requirements.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso warns, 'The city's goal right now should be to prevent bad implementation from undermining a good bill.' Delays keep streets deadly for workers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The law’s promise remains unfulfilled. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

• Private Trash Haulers Are Still Killing and Injuring New Yorkers As Long-Awaited Reforms Lag, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-30

A pick-up truck changing lanes struck a sedan’s left rear quarter panel on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Both drivers suffered neck injuries with whiplash. The crash exposed risks of improper lane use on high-speed roadways.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:46 on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway involving a sedan and a pick-up truck traveling east. The pick-up truck was changing lanes when it impacted the left rear quarter panel of the sedan, which was going straight ahead. The report cites "Unsafe Lane Changing" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as contributing factors. Both the sedan driver, a 32-year-old male, and the front passenger, a 66-year-old female, were injured with neck injuries described as whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The pick-up truck showed no damage despite the collision. The data highlights driver errors in lane management as the cause, with no victim fault or pedestrian involvement noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767489 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped and bicycle collided head-on on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. The 22-year-old bicyclist suffered a head contusion and bruising. Police cited improper lane usage as the cause. Both vehicles were traveling east when the crash occurred.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:00 PM on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. A moped and a bicycle, both traveling east, collided front-to-front. The bicyclist, a 22-year-old male, sustained a head injury described as a contusion and bruise. The report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error related to lane discipline. The bicyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No helmet use or victim behavior was cited as a contributing factor. The moped sustained damage to its center front end, matching the point of impact on the bicycle. This collision highlights the dangers of improper lane usage among vulnerable road users in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766189 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 32-year-old e-bike rider was ejected and injured in a collision with a GMC sedan making a right turn on Manhattan Avenue. The crash caused abdomen and pelvis injuries, with the e-bike sustaining front bumper damage and the rider in shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:53 on Manhattan Avenue involving a GMC sedan and an e-bike, both traveling north. The sedan driver was making a right turn when the collision happened. The e-bike driver, a 32-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and suffered injuries to the abdomen and pelvis, resulting in a complaint of pain and nausea and emotional shock. The police report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor by the sedan driver. The e-bike sustained damage to its right front bumper, while the sedan showed no damage. The e-bike driver was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766163 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An unlicensed SUV driver struck a pedestrian crossing with the signal at an intersection. The pedestrian suffered a fractured elbow and hand injuries. The crash occurred on Bushwick Avenue, highlighting driver errors amid pedestrian confusion.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing with the signal at an intersection on Bushwick Avenue. The vehicle involved was a 2011 Honda SUV traveling west, driven by an unlicensed male driver. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the SUV. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to the elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor but explicitly notes the driver was unlicensed, a critical driver error. The vehicle sustained no damage despite the collision. The pedestrian was conscious and not ejected from any vehicle. This incident underscores the systemic danger posed by unlicensed drivers operating vehicles in pedestrian-heavy areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765839 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04