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

May 28 - Council pushes a bill to cut bike share costs for New Yorkers over 65. The measure aims to open city cycling to more seniors. The committee now weighs its next move.

Bill Int 1288-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for seniors,' would require the Department of Transportation to mandate lower bike share rates for those 65 and older. Council Member Farah N. Louis leads as primary sponsor, joined by Marte, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, Banks, Menin, Feliz, Hanks, Avilés, Gutiérrez, and Restler. The bill was re-referred to committee June 4. The move aims to make cycling more accessible for older New Yorkers.

• File Int 1288-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 28 - Council pushes cheaper bike share for students 16 and up. More teens on bikes. Streets shift. Danger remains. The bill sits in committee. Cyclists wait.

Int 1287-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to set a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older. The matter title reads: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older." Council Member Christopher Marte leads as primary sponsor, joined by Louis, Stevens, Brooks-Powers, Ossé, Restler, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, and Banks. The bill was referred to committee and awaits further action. No safety analysis has been provided.

• File Int 1287-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 26 - Two sedans collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Five people inside. One passenger suffered a neck injury. Police blamed passenger distraction. Metal twisted. Whiplash followed. The road stayed dangerous.

Two sedans crashed on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Five occupants were involved. According to the police report, 'Passenger Distraction' was the contributing factor. One passenger, a 26-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and whiplash. The other four occupants, including both drivers, were not seriously hurt. Both vehicles were traveling west and struck at the center front and back ends. The report lists no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the risk when attention lapses behind the wheel. No mention of helmet or turn signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815988 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 26 - A pregnant woman stepped from her car after a crash. The other driver floored it, struck her, dragged her, then fled. She died at the hospital. The driver vanished into the night. Police search. Grief lingers on Van Buren Street.

According to the New York Post (published May 26, 2025), Tiffany Cifuni, 32, was killed after a minor collision at Van Buren Street and Marcus Garvey Boulevard in Brooklyn. Cifuni exited her Toyota 4Runner to check for damage. The driver of a Chevy Trax then accelerated, struck her from behind, dragged her, and sped away against traffic on a one-way street. The article states, "the driver of the Trax gunned it and struck Cifuni from behind, dragging her before speeding away." The suspect crashed into two more vehicles before fleeing on foot, leaving behind a car with temporary plates. The driver remains at large. The incident highlights the lethal risk of hit-and-run drivers and the dangers posed by unchecked reckless driving on city streets.

• Pregnant Woman Killed In Brooklyn Hit-And-Run, New York Post, Published 2025-05-26

May 25 - A pregnant woman stood in the street after a fender bender. The other driver hit her, dragged her, then sped off. She died at the scene. The driver fled on foot. Family waits for answers. The street holds the silence.

ABC7 reported on May 25, 2025, that a 32-year-old pregnant woman was killed in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, after a traffic incident at Van Buren Street and Marcus Garvey Boulevard. The article states, "Authorities say a female driver slammed into the victim as she stood in the roadway after a traffic incident." The victim, Tiffany Cifuni, had exited her SUV following a minor collision and approached the other vehicle. The driver then accelerated, dragging Cifuni and driving the wrong way before striking parked cars and fleeing on foot. The crash highlights the dangers of post-collision interactions and reckless driving. Police continue to search for the suspect.

• Pregnant Woman Killed In Brooklyn Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-05-25

May 23 - A sedan struck a cyclist at Smith Street. The driver was distracted. The cyclist, a 24-year-old man, was ejected and bruised his leg. Both vehicles moved north. The crash left the cyclist hurt and the car damaged.

A crash at 175 Smith Street in Brooklyn involved a sedan and a cyclist. The cyclist, a 24-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and suffered a contusion to his lower leg. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The sedan, driven by a 21-year-old woman, was entering a parked position when the collision occurred. Both vehicles were traveling north. The police report does not specify injuries to the sedan's occupants. The cyclist was the only person reported injured. The data lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 22 - A sedan hit a 15-year-old boy crossing Gold Street at Nassau. The car’s front end struck his lower leg. He was conscious, bruised, and hurt. The driver failed to yield and ignored the signal. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A 15-year-old pedestrian was injured when a sedan struck him at the intersection of Gold Street and Nassau Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the boy was crossing with the signal when the vehicle, traveling north, hit him with its center front end. The impact caused a contusion to his knee and lower leg, but he remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The data shows the driver did not yield and ignored traffic controls. No helmet or signal use by the pedestrian is cited as a factor. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot in city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815327 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 21 - Two sedans collided on Adams Street in Brooklyn. A distracted driver struck a stopped car. A 62-year-old passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Metal crumpled. The street bore the mark of inattention.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Adams Street near Prospect Street in Brooklyn. One sedan was stopped in traffic when another, traveling south, struck it from behind. Six people were involved. A 62-year-old front passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The impact damaged the right rear bumper of the stopped sedan and the right front bumper of the striking car. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814602 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 21 - Senate moves to clamp down on repeat speeders. Bill forces reckless drivers to install speed limiters. Lawmakers act after years of carnage. Streets remain perilous for walkers and riders until the law takes hold.

On May 21, 2025, the Senate Transportation Committee advanced bill S4045B, known as the Stop Super Speeders bill. The measure passed with just two 'no' votes out of 13. The bill requires speed-limiting devices in cars of drivers with six or more camera-issued speeding tickets in a year. Streetsblog NYC reports, 'A bill that would prevent the most-reckless drivers from speeding easily moved forward on Tuesday.' Senator Andrew Gounardes sponsors the bill, emphasizing it targets the most dangerous drivers. Assembly sponsor Emily Gallagher raised concerns about cost and judicial bias, but stressed that speeding endangers everyone. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins backs the bill's safety focus. According to safety analysts, restricting repeat speeders directly tackles a major threat to pedestrians and cyclists, likely reducing crashes and making streets safer citywide.

• ‘Stop Super Speeders’ Bill Advances in Senate Committee, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-21

May 20 - A man slipped into a Brooklyn bus depot. He took the wheel of an MTA bus with the operator still on board. He drove one block, then crashed into a parked car. No one was hurt. Police arrested him at the scene.

According to the New York Post (published May 20, 2025), a 32-year-old man entered the Ulmer Park Bus Depot in Brooklyn and drove off in a B6 MTA bus while the operator was on board. The article states, "The suspect was somehow able to drive off the lot with the operator on board, making it down the block to 25th and Cropsey avenues, where he crashed into a parked car." No injuries were reported. Police took the man into custody at the scene. The incident highlights a lapse in depot security, as the intruder was known to frequent the area and accessed the bus before the route began. The event raises questions about access controls and safety protocols at MTA facilities.

• Intruder Crashes Stolen MTA Bus, New York Post, Published 2025-05-20

May 17 - A man crossed Fulton Street. A Ford Explorer hit him. The driver sped off. The man died at the hospital. The street stayed quiet. Police searched for the car. The city counted another lost life.

ABC7 reported on May 17, 2025, that a 55-year-old man was killed while crossing Fulton Street at Washington Avenue in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. According to police, 'a burgundy Ford Explorer with Pennsylvania license plates struck and killed the 55-year-old man.' The driver did not remain at the scene. The crash happened just before 12:30 a.m. The victim was taken to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The incident highlights the ongoing danger faced by pedestrians and the persistent problem of hit-and-run drivers in New York City.

• Driver Flees After Brooklyn Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-05-17

May 16 - A car struck Maurette Lafleur in the crosswalk. She had the signal. The driver sped through. Bones broke. She died on Rutland Road. The street stayed loud. Witnesses watched. The city’s crackdown missed the real threat.

Streetsblog NYC reported on May 16, 2025, that a 68-year-old woman, Maurette Lafleur, was killed by a driver while crossing Rutland Road at E. 95th Street in East Flatbush. Lafleur was in the crosswalk with the walk signal when the driver of a 2025 Mercedes Benz GLC 300 struck her. A witness told Streetsblog, "The lady spin around and sped through," and described hearing the impact. The article notes that police have not released the driver's name. The incident occurred as NYPD focused enforcement on electric bikes, while drivers continue to cause deadly harm. The tragedy highlights the ongoing danger to pedestrians and raises questions about city policy and street design.

• Driver Kills Senior In East Flatbush, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-16

May 16 - Senator Palumbo, once wary, now backs the Stop Super Speeders bill. The measure targets repeat speeders with court-ordered limiters. Twenty-one percent of fatal pedestrian crashes involve such drivers. Speed limiters cut deaths by over a third. Action, not talk.

On May 16, 2025, the New York State Senate debated the Stop Super Speeders bill (S4045/A2029), which requires speed-limiting devices for drivers with six or more speed-camera violations in a year. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Gounardes, aims to curb reckless driving. Initially, Sen. Anthony Palumbo (R-Suffolk) opposed the measure, citing concerns about government overreach and enforcement. He compared it to ignition locks for drunk drivers, which he supports. After discussion with Gounardes, Palumbo shifted, supporting the bill if it meets its goal. The bill’s summary states it targets repeat speeders with court orders and misdemeanor charges for non-compliance. Data shows 21 percent of fatal pedestrian crashes in NYC involve vehicles with six or more camera tickets in the prior year. Speed limiters have been shown to reduce traffic deaths by 37 percent. Palumbo now signals willingness to take strong action against reckless drivers.

• How One Anti-Gov’t Republican Signed onto a Street Safety Bill to Rein in Reckless Drivers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-16

May 16 - State Sen. Palumbo, once wary of government reach, now supports speed-limiting devices for repeat speeders. The bill targets drivers with six or more violations. Debate follows a fatal crash. Lawmakers clash, then unite. Vulnerable lives hang in the balance.

On May 16, 2025, State Sen. Anthony Palumbo, Republican from Suffolk, changed course on the Stop Super Speeders bill (S4045/A2029). The bill, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Gounardes, would require speed-limiting devices in cars of drivers with six or more speed-camera violations in a year. Palumbo first called the measure 'government overreach,' preferring license suspensions. After debate and a detailed comparison to ignition locks for drunk drivers, Palumbo agreed to support the bill if it meets its goal. Gounardes explained, 'We mimicked the ignition lock process and procedure.' The bill gained momentum after a deadly crash. According to the safety analyst, the event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative action affecting pedestrians or cyclists, so no safety impact can be determined.

• How One Anti-Gov’t Republican Signed onto a Street Safety Bill to Rein in Reckless Drivers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-16

May 15 - A bus hit a box truck on Tillary Street. One driver suffered arm and shoulder injuries. Police cite failure to yield. Metal and glass scattered. Shock followed. System failed to protect.

A bus and a box truck collided on Tillary Street at Cadman Plaza East in Brooklyn. One driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured in the arm and shoulder and reported shock. According to the police report, the crash involved a 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' Both vehicles were traveling east. The bus was changing lanes when it struck the right side of the box truck. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported hurt. The system allowed heavy vehicles to clash, leaving injury and disruption in their wake.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813622 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 15 - A Mercedes turned left onto Rutland Road. The car struck Maurette Lafleur, 68, in the crosswalk. Medics rushed her to the hospital. She died. The driver stayed. No charges. The street stayed open. The danger stayed.

NY Daily News reported on May 15, 2025, that Maurette Lafleur, 68, was killed while crossing Rutland Road at E. 94th St. in East Flatbush. The article states, "Maurette Lafleur was in the crosswalk...when the driver of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz slammed into her." Police said the 64-year-old driver was turning left from E. 95th St. onto Rutland Road when the crash occurred. Lafleur was transported to Kings County Hospital but could not be saved. The driver remained at the scene and faced no immediate charges. The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and raises questions about intersection safety and left-turn protocols.

• Mercedes Driver Kills Woman In Crosswalk, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-15

May 14 - SUV struck a pedestrian crossing with the signal. Three passengers hurt. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. Pain, abrasion, and injury marked the scene.

An SUV making a left turn on Court Street at Wyckoff Street in Brooklyn struck a 23-year-old woman as she crossed with the signal. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and failed to yield the right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered an arm abrasion. Two passengers, ages 57 and 97, reported pain and neck or back injuries. The driver and another occupant were also involved. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The crash left multiple people hurt, with the pedestrian injured while lawfully crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812814 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 13 - Senate Republicans forced a vote on S533 to repeal congestion pricing. Democrats may let it advance with a hollow 'Aye Without Recommendation.' Meanwhile, the Idaho Stop bill, which could save cyclists’ lives, remains stalled. NYPD cracks down on riders. Cyclists keep dying.

On May 13, 2025, the Senate Transportation Committee considered S533, a bill to repeal congestion pricing, after a procedural motion by Sen. Jack Martins. Committee Chair Jeremy Cooney was compelled to place it on the agenda. Democrats may use 'Aye Without Recommendation' to let the bill advance without clear support. A watchdog coalition, including Reinvent Albany and Bike New York, called the bill 'contrary to notions of basic fairness.' The same day, activists lobbied for the Idaho Stop bill (S639/A7071), sponsored by Sen. Rachel May and Assembly Member Karen McMahon. The bill would let cyclists treat red lights as stop signs and stop signs as yield signs, a move proven to reduce injuries. Despite support, the bill remains blocked. NYPD continues harsh enforcement against cyclists, who make up a small share of city trips but receive a disproportionate number of tickets. Cyclist deaths keep rising.

• How the Sausage Gets Made: Republicans Force Meaningless Vote on Congestion Pricing Repeal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-13

May 11 - A cyclist struck at Adams Street. Knee and leg hurt. Shock followed. Helmet worn. Police cite confusion as cause. Brooklyn street stays dangerous.

A 25-year-old woman riding a bike was injured at 117 Adams Street in Brooklyn. She suffered pain and injury to her knee and lower leg, and was in shock. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' contributed to the crash. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No other driver errors were listed in the report. The incident highlights the persistent risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812034 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 8 - A police cruiser slammed into a Nissan at a Brooklyn intersection. Sirens wailed. Metal twisted. An officer lay critically hurt. The Nissan driver survived. The street bore the scars. Another night, another crash. The city keeps moving.

ABC7 reported on May 8, 2025, that an NYPD officer was critically injured when a marked police vehicle collided with a white Nissan Rogue at Willoughby Avenue and Walworth Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Officers were responding to a 911 call for an armed man. The article states, “A marked NYPD vehicle was traveling eastbound on Willoughby Avenue when it collided with a white Nissan Rogue traveling northbound on Walworth Street.” The officer was hospitalized in critical but stable condition; the Nissan driver, age 28, was also hospitalized and is stable. The crash highlights the dangers at intersections, especially during emergency responses. The investigation continues, with no details yet on contributing factors or policy changes.

• NYPD Cruiser Collides With Nissan In Brooklyn, ABC7, Published 2025-05-08