Downtown Brooklyn bleeds at the seams: Tillary, Flatbush, Atlantic

Aug 5 - A sedan passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash in a Brooklyn crash on Washington Street. The vehicle was struck on the right rear quarter panel while traveling east. Unsafe speed and passing too closely contributed to the impact.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Washington Street in Brooklyn involving a sedan traveling east. The front passenger, a 29-year-old woman, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unsafe speed and passing too closely as contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle was impacted on the right rear quarter panel, sustaining damage to the right front quarter panel. No pedestrians were involved. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4554074 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - A parked SUV in Brooklyn struck its front passenger. The 64-year-old man suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries. He wore a lap belt and remained conscious. The vehicle's front center end was damaged. No driver errors were listed in the report.

According to the police report, a 2015 Chevrolet SUV was parked in Brooklyn near 310 State Street when a crash occurred. The front passenger, a 64-year-old man, was injured with contusions and upper arm trauma. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The vehicle sustained damage to its center front end. The report lists no contributing driver errors or factors. The driver was licensed and from Virginia. The passenger was not ejected and no other persons were reported injured. The crash details do not specify any failure to yield, speeding, or other driver mistakes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4553054 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 1 - Speed cameras now run all day, every day in New York City. The law ends the blackout. No more breaks for speeders. State Senator Andrew Gounardes led the charge. The city’s streets stay watched. Vulnerable lives get a fighting chance.

On August 1, 2022, a new law took effect expanding New York City’s speed camera program to operate 24/7. The bill, sponsored in the State Senate by Andrew Gounardes, passed in Albany and was signed by Governor Hochul in June. The measure extends the program for three years and ends the old rule that shut cameras off overnight and on weekends. The Department of Transportation has installed about 2,000 cameras in 750 school zones. The bill’s summary: 'expands the safety technology around the clock.' Gounardes said, 'Your right to speed does not supersede anyone’s rights to live on the streets safely.' Mayor Eric Adams joined advocates to celebrate, stating, 'A city that never sleeps deserves a camera system that won’t take a nap.' DOT data shows 59% of traffic deaths happened during off hours. The expansion aims to close that deadly gap.

• Whoa there! NYC speed cameras now stay on 24/7, amny.com, Published 2022-08-01

Jul 27 - An e-scooter struck a parked sedan on Adams Street in Brooklyn. The scooter driver, 35, was ejected and suffered neck injuries and abrasions. Police cited driver inattention as a contributing factor. The sedan was damaged on its left side doors.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male e-scooter driver traveling north collided with a parked sedan on Adams Street in Brooklyn. The scooter driver was ejected from his vehicle and sustained neck injuries and abrasions, resulting in injury severity level 3. The sedan, a 2016 Nissan, was damaged on its left side doors. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as the primary contributing factors. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The scooter driver was not using any safety equipment at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550062 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 24 - A 59-year-old woman was struck while getting on or off a vehicle outside an intersection in Brooklyn. The sedan backed up, hitting her on the right side. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver was distracted.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2014 Nissan sedan backed up and struck her on the right side doors in Brooklyn near 18th Street and 4th Avenue. The pedestrian was getting on or off a vehicle outside an intersection when the collision occurred. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with limited or obstructed view. The driver was licensed and traveling north before backing. No vehicle damage was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4548885 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 21 - A driver killed cyclist Wenntwen Porgho at a deadly Bronx intersection. No charges were filed. The spot is known for crashes, yet remains unchanged. Lawmakers blasted the lack of accountability. Another pedestrian, Monica Chen, was killed days earlier. Still, no charges.

On July 21, 2022, a driver killed cyclist Wenntwen Porgho at a dangerous Bronx intersection. The intersection, despite a history of crashes, has not been redesigned. No charges were filed against the driver, even though evidence suggested a failure to yield. Days earlier, Monica Chen, a pedestrian, was killed by a turning driver in Bay Ridge. Again, no charges. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and City Council Member Justin Brannan expressed outrage, stating, "We are both outraged that the epidemic of traffic violence continues and as a result, a 67 year old woman is dead." They pledged to press the Department of Transportation for more safety measures. The NYPD declined comment. The Bronx faces a surge in road deaths. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Driver Kills Cyclist in Deadly Bronx Yet is Not Charged — Part of a Surge in Road Violence, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-21

Jul 15 - E-bike rider crashed into a parked sedan’s rear in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered back abrasions. Police cite passenger distraction and improper lane use. No one else was hurt. Metal and flesh met on a city street.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old man riding an e-bike northbound struck the right rear quarter panel of a parked 2016 Toyota sedan at 6 Metrotech Center in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider suffered back abrasions but remained conscious. Police list passenger distraction and improper passing or lane usage as contributing factors. The sedan’s driver, a licensed man, was not injured. The report notes no vehicle damage. Unsafe speed was also cited as a factor. The e-bike rider wore no safety equipment. The crash left one person hurt and exposed the risks of street design and distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4548919 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 15 - Governor Hochul signed a law forcing new drivers to study pedestrian and cyclist safety. The law adds these topics to pre-licensing courses and written exams. Senator Gounardes pushed the measure. Streets are not just for cars. The law takes effect January.

On July 15, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill mandating that new drivers in New York be tested on pedestrian and cyclist safety awareness. The measure, championed by State Senator Andrew Gounardes, requires pre-licensing courses and written exams to include instruction on the dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians. The bill's summary states it aims to 'educate drivers about the dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians and will create a thoughtful road culture going forward.' Gounardes sponsored the bill, which takes effect in January. Until now, the driver's manual offered only a single page on sharing the road. The law directs the state to consult law enforcement, advocates, and medical experts to shape the curriculum. Hochul said, 'This law will help prevent crashes and save lives.'

• Hochul signs bill mandating new NY drivers be tested on cyclist and pedestrian safety awareness, gothamist.com, Published 2022-07-15

Jul 15 - Gov. Hochul signed a law forcing new drivers to learn about pedestrian and cyclist safety. The law closes a deadly gap in driver education. Assemblymember Gallagher and Senator Gounardes led the push. The change targets inexperience behind the wheel. Lives are at stake.

On July 15, 2022, Governor Hochul signed a law requiring cyclist and pedestrian safety awareness in New York's driver licensing process. The bill, led by Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and Senator Andrew Gounardes, updates the five-hour pre-licensing course and driver's manual. The matter summary states: 'The law addresses a longstanding gap in driver education, which had previously left generations of motorists with little awareness of road-sharing with pedestrians and cyclists.' Gov. Hochul said, 'It is common sense to make pedestrian and bike safety education mandatory for drivers.' Gounardes noted that driver instruction had not kept pace with the growing presence of cyclists and micro-mobility users. In 2021, driver inexperience contributed to over 2,500 injury crashes in NYC. The law took 11 years to pass, reflecting persistent advocacy for vulnerable road users.

• Gov. Hochul Signs Law Adding Cyclist and Pedestrian Safety Awareness to Driver’s License Requirements, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-15

Jul 15 - Developer broke promises. No Urban Room. No park. Few affordable homes. Streets stay dangerous. Assembly Member Simon and locals want sanctions. State agency shrugs. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Trust in government fades. Public space remains a broken pledge.

On July 15, 2022, advocates and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon called out Greenland Forest City Partners for failing to deliver on the Pacific Park (Atlantic Yards) project in Brooklyn. The developer missed the May deadline for the promised 'Urban Room,' a glass-enclosed public space meant to serve heavy foot traffic. Only a fraction of affordable housing is built. The centerpiece park is missing. Simon demanded Empire State Development (ESD) sanction the developer or renegotiate terms for safer streets and better public space. As Simon put it, 'This is a bad actor that needs to be held accountable.' ESD claims it will work with the developer, but trust is thin. Cyclists and pedestrians remain at risk in one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous corridors. The state’s failure to enforce commitments leaves vulnerable road users exposed and public trust shattered.

• Hold Developer Accountable for Failed Promises at Brooklyn Mega-Project: Advocates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-15

Jul 11 - A 49-year-old man was struck by an unlicensed cyclist traveling west near Metrotech Center in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion and bruises. The cyclist was speeding with limited visibility. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, an unlicensed male cyclist traveling west at unsafe speed collided with a 49-year-old male pedestrian near Metrotech Center in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was injured, sustaining a head contusion and bruises. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The cyclist was going straight ahead and caused no vehicle damage. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was conscious after the crash. The cyclist's unlicensed status is noted. No safety equipment or helmet use was mentioned. The crash highlights the dangers posed by speeding cyclists with limited visibility in busy urban areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4545690 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 8 - Bus swung left, struck SUV head-on. Three men inside suffered head and face bruises. Driver inattention and bad turn listed. No one thrown from vehicles. Brooklyn street, late at night. Metal and flesh took the blow.

According to the police report, a bus heading south on Flatbush Avenue Extension made an improper left turn and hit a northbound SUV at Tillary Street. The crash struck the left front of the SUV and the right front of the bus. Three male passengers were hurt, suffering head and face contusions. All were conscious and strapped in with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists driver inattention and turning improperly as contributing factors. No one was ejected. The SUV driver was licensed; the bus driver's license status was not given. The crash left serious injuries but no deaths.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4544678 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 8 - Drunk drivers who kill a parent may pay child support for up to 18 years. Lawmakers Gounardes and Meeks push bills to force accountability. Few drivers face these charges now. The aim: make killers pay, not just serve time.

""If you drive recklessly, you are going to be held accountable,"" -- Andrew Gounardes

Senate bill, drafted by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Demond Meeks, would require convicted drunk drivers who kill a custodial parent to pay child support until the victim’s children turn 18. The proposal, announced July 8, 2022, mirrors a Tennessee law. The bill targets drivers convicted of vehicular manslaughter (first or second degree) or aggravated vehicular homicide. Gounardes said, 'If you drive recklessly, you are going to be held accountable.' He stressed the lack of accountability and financial compensation for victims’ families. The bill is limited to drunk drivers for now, but Gounardes hopes to expand it to all reckless drivers who kill. Few drivers are convicted under these charges in New York City. The measure sends a clear message: kill a parent, pay for it—literally and for years.

• Drunk Drivers Who Kill Could Be Paying for their Crime for Almost 20 Years, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-08

Jul 4 - An e-bike driver struck on Adams Street in Brooklyn suffered chest injuries. The crash involved driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way. The rider was conscious and bruised but not ejected. The bike’s front end took damage.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male e-bike driver was injured on Adams Street in Brooklyn. The driver suffered chest contusions and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The e-bike was traveling south, going straight ahead, and sustained damage to the center front end. No helmet or other safety equipment was noted. The driver was not ejected from the vehicle. This crash highlights the dangers of distracted driving and failure to yield in Brooklyn’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543635 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - A 19-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan on Dean Street. The bike struck the sedan’s right front bumper. The bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Dean Street collided with a bicyclist traveling east. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front bumper and the bike’s center front end. The 19-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining knee and lower leg injuries and was reported to be in shock. The report lists contributing factors including "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" and "Traffic Control Disregarded." The sedan driver was licensed and going straight ahead. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights confusion and traffic control disregard as key driver-related errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543634 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - E-bike rider thrown and injured on Fulton. Sedan driver distracted, passed too close. Rider’s leg and foot broken. Metal twisted. Brooklyn street scarred.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male riding an e-bike was ejected and injured in a crash with a sedan on Fulton Street in Brooklyn. The rider suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan was entering a parked position when it struck the e-bike, damaging the right side doors and the e-bike’s front. Contributing factors listed in the report include driver inattention and distraction, as well as passing too closely. The report highlights these driver errors and does not attribute fault to the e-bike rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543630 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 1 - A sedan door swung open on Flatbush. The e-bike rider slammed into steel. Her helmet stayed on. Her leg split open. Blood ran on the street. She stayed conscious. The city kept moving.

A 31-year-old woman riding an e-bike southbound on Flatbush Avenue collided with the left-side door of a parked sedan. According to the police report, 'A sedan door swung open. Metal met flesh. Her helmet held. Her leg split. Blood pooled on the pavement. She stayed awake.' The crash left her with severe lacerations to her lower leg and foot. No driver errors were listed in the data. The report notes she wore a helmet, which remained on during the impact. The street did not stop for her pain. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4542615 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 30 - A 29-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured after colliding with a parked taxi on Jay Street in Brooklyn. The impact struck the taxi’s right side doors. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm.

According to the police report, a bicyclist traveling south on Jay Street collided with a parked taxi. The point of impact was the taxi’s right side doors, and the cyclist was ejected from his bike. The 29-year-old male bicyclist sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The taxi was occupied by two licensed male drivers and was stationary before the crash. The bicyclist was passing at the time of the crash. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable road users when interacting with parked vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543012 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 24 - Governor Hochul signed the bill. Speed cameras in New York City now operate around the clock. No more nighttime gaps. Deborah Glick backed the measure. The law aims to slow cars, protect people, and keep streets safer for everyone.

On June 24, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill extending and expanding New York City's speed camera program. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymember Deborah Glick (District 66) and Senator Andrew Gounardes, allows speed cameras to operate 24/7 in up to 750 school zones. The bill was set to expire but now runs through July 1, 2025. The matter summary states: 'New York City is now able to operate its speed cameras 24 hours a day.' Glick, who sponsored the bill, dismissed criticism that cameras are a cash grab, saying, 'The city isn't in the car with you... If you don't want to get a ticket, don't speed.' Mayor Eric Adams called the cameras a deterrent, not a punishment. Advocates say the law will slow cars and protect pedestrians, especially children. The bill passed just before the legislative session ended, closing a deadly loophole in city enforcement.

• NYC speed cameras can now operate 24/7, gothamist.com, Published 2022-06-24

Jun 24 - Governor Hochul signed a bill making school zone speed cameras run all day, every day. No more gaps. Crashes and injuries near schools drove the change. The law dropped tougher penalties, but sponsors vow to keep fighting. Streets stay dangerous. Cameras now never sleep.

On June 24, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill expanding New York City's school zone speed camera program to operate 24/7, year-round. The bill, sponsored by Assembly Member Deborah Glick and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, was passed after statistics showed rising crashes and injuries near schools. The matter summary: 'The city's school zone speed cameras will now operate 24/7 year-round.' Hochul cited student deaths and the need for constant protection. Mayor Adams called the program a national model, noting, '72 percent of fatalities have been happening when the cameras were off.' The bill was weakened from its original form, dropping escalating fines and stricter penalties for repeat offenders due to City Council concerns. Glick and Gounardes pledged to push for stronger measures. A separate bill to expand red light cameras failed. The new law closes deadly loopholes but leaves enforcement gaps for repeat offenders.

• Hochul Signs Speed Camera Bill, Citing Streetsblog’s Coverage of Unsafe School Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-24