Brooklyn Bleeds While Leaders Stall

A 45-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in a crash with a sedan on De Kalb Avenue, Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered contusions and lower leg injuries. The sedan struck the bike’s center front, damaging its front end.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on De Kalb Avenue in Brooklyn involving a sedan and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 45-year-old man wearing a helmet, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions. The sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, struck the bike’s center front end with its left front bumper. The report lists obstruction or debris as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was traveling west, and the sedan was traveling south, both going straight ahead. The bicyclist’s license status was unlicensed. No other driver errors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661367 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 22-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and injured in Brooklyn. The SUV driver made a left turn and struck her. She suffered a facial contusion. The crash involved driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old female bicyclist was riding straight on De Kalb Avenue when a 2019 Nissan SUV made a left turn and struck her with its left front bumper. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained a facial contusion, classified as injury severity 3. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" by the SUV driver. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash. There is no mention of helmet use or other safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling northwest, while the bicyclist was unlicensed and traveling south.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657101 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 55-year-old man was struck by a westbound SUV on Fulton Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk or signal. He suffered a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2021 Honda SUV traveling west on Fulton Street struck him with its left front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and remained conscious. The SUV showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656944 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV turned left on Myrtle Avenue. Sedan went straight. They collided. Both drivers and a front passenger hurt. Failure to yield listed as cause. Metal bent. Bodies bruised. No one killed.

According to the police report, a 2008 Lexus SUV making a left turn on Myrtle Avenue struck a 2015 Ford sedan traveling straight east. The SUV's left front bumper hit the sedan's right front quarter panel. Both drivers and a 30-year-old female front passenger suffered injuries, including head trauma, whiplash, and abrasions. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. Both drivers wore lap belts and harnesses. No one was ejected. The crash caused moderate injuries but no fatalities.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656787 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan turning left hit a cyclist riding straight on Lafayette Avenue. The cyclist, 23, suffered bruises to his knee and leg. Police cite failure to yield. The bike was undamaged. The sedan’s front panel took the blow.

According to the police report, a 2023 Toyota sedan making a left turn on Lafayette Avenue collided with a 23-year-old male bicyclist traveling straight east. The cyclist was injured, sustaining contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor by the sedan driver. The sedan’s left front quarter panel was damaged, while the bike showed no damage. The cyclist was not ejected. No other injuries were reported. The crash underscores the risk to cyclists when drivers fail to yield during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Four vehicles slammed together on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A 21-year-old woman’s hip and leg broke. Drivers followed too close. Metal crumpled. She stayed conscious. She did not leave her seat.

According to the police report, four vehicles collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The crash injured a 21-year-old female passenger, who suffered a fractured and dislocated hip and upper leg. She was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors. The vehicles involved were mostly SUVs, with impacts at the front and rear. No helmet or signaling issues were reported. The crash shows the danger when drivers crowd each other at speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653263 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan pulled from parking on Washington Avenue. A motorcycle struck, overturned. The rider, age 55, was thrown and badly hurt. Limited view and vehicle error fueled the crash.

According to the police report, a collision took place on Washington Avenue in Brooklyn between a northbound motorcycle and a sedan starting from parking. The 55-year-old motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered severe injuries to his entire body, including fractures and dislocations. The sedan, driven by a licensed Connecticut driver, showed no damage and its driver was not hurt. Contributing factors listed are 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Other Vehicular,' pointing to driver errors involving limited visibility and vehicle operation. The motorcycle overturned at impact. The report notes the rider wore a helmet. No victim fault is cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652945 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 55-year-old male in-line skater was ejected and suffered a head injury after colliding with an SUV making a right turn on Clinton Avenue. The skater was crossing against the signal. The driver was licensed and traveling southbound.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old male in-line skater was injured and ejected after colliding with a 2022 Lincoln SUV making a right turn on Clinton Avenue. The skater was crossing against the signal at the intersection when the crash occurred. The driver was licensed and traveling southbound. The report lists no specific driver errors but notes the skater's action of crossing against the signal. The skater suffered a head injury and concussion. No safety equipment was used by the skater. The SUV sustained no damage. The collision point was the center front end of the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655870 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

A Brooklyn family sues the city after a police van, driven recklessly by officers, killed Ronald Smith. The van sped, ran red lights, and struck Smith as he panhandled in the rain. The city faces charges of wrongful death and calls for accountability.

On July 10, 2023, the family of Ronald Smith filed a wrongful death lawsuit against New York City in Brooklyn Supreme Court. The suit alleges that Officers Orkhan Mamedov and Evan Siegel killed Smith by 'driving recklessly at nearly double the posted speed limit, at night, running red lights, in the wrong lane, with visibility limited by rain ... without justification or cause.' Smith was struck and killed while panhandling on Eastern Parkway. The officers, transporting prisoners, had no emergency but rushed to beat a shift change. Attorney David Rankin, representing the family, criticized the city's harsh treatment of victims' families, saying, 'The City of New York, in every instance where an employee kills somebody, puts the family and loved ones though a rigorous and unnecessarily brutal process.' Attorney General Letitia James cleared the officers of criminal charges but condemned their actions and called for NYPD procedural reform. The NYPD and city officials declined to comment further, while the family seeks both accountability and compensation.

• Family of Man Killed by Recklessly Driving Cop Sues City, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-10

A 9-year-old boy was struck while crossing Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV, parked with damage on its left side doors, and a sedan traveling east collided. The child suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The boy was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 9-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was hit near a parked SUV with damage to its left side doors and a sedan traveling east with front-end damage. The child sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors for the crash. The pedestrian was conscious and complained of abrasions. The vehicles involved were a 2014 SUV and a 2012 sedan. No helmet or signaling issues were noted, and no driver violations were recorded in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641432 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Two SUVs collided on Myrtle Avenue. A moving SUV struck a parked SUV’s left rear bumper. The parked SUV’s driver, a 36-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Unsafe lane changing caused the crash. Both vehicles sustained damage.

According to the police report, a 2016 Ford SUV traveling west on Myrtle Avenue collided with a parked 2006 Ford SUV. The moving vehicle impacted the left rear bumper of the parked SUV. The parked SUV’s driver, a 36-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report lists "Unsafe Lane Changing" as a contributing factor to the crash. The moving SUV’s driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead before the collision. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637593 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

An 18-year-old male bicyclist was struck on his right side by a southbound SUV on De Kalb Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered bruises over his entire body but remained conscious. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a 2017 SUV traveling south on De Kalb Avenue collided with an 18-year-old male bicyclist traveling west. The point of impact was the right side doors of the bike and the center front end of the SUV. The bicyclist, wearing a helmet, sustained contusions and bruises over his entire body but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The SUV showed no damage. No other contributing factors were noted. The cyclist was riding straight ahead and was the sole occupant of his bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634242 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-06-01

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31

Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16