Brooklyn Bleeds While Leaders Stall

SUV hit a woman crossing Fulton Street at Washington Avenue. She died from crush injuries. The impact was on the right front bumper. No driver errors listed. Brooklyn night, life lost.

A woman, age 55, was killed when a Ford SUV struck her as she crossed Fulton Street at Washington Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the impact occurred at the right front bumper of the vehicle. The pedestrian suffered fatal crush injuries to her entire body. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction are noted in the data. The woman was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk when the crash occurred. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813415 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A car struck Larry Maxwell, 72, on Sutter Avenue. The driver had just crashed into another vehicle and fled. Maxwell died at Brookdale Hospital. The driver did not stop. Police are still searching. No arrests. The street stayed quiet.

NY Daily News reported on May 15, 2025, that Larry Maxwell, 72, was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The article states, “An elderly man was mowed down and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Brooklyn on May 10, just seconds after the same driver smashed into a nearby vehicle.” The driver first collided with a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, then continued on and struck Maxwell near Sutter Ave. and Osborn St. The Malibu’s occupants were uninjured and remained at the scene. The driver who killed Maxwell fled and remains unidentified. The NYPD Highway District collision investigation squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The case highlights the lethal risk of fleeing drivers and the ongoing challenge of enforcement.

• Hit-And-Run Driver Kills Brooklyn Elder, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-15

SUV turned wrong on Gates Avenue. Cyclist struck, arm gashed, helmet on. Police cite improper turn, close pass. System failed to protect the rider.

A cyclist, age 28, was injured when an SUV turned improperly on Gates Avenue in Brooklyn and struck him. According to the police report, the SUV driver was cited for 'Turning Improperly' and 'Passing Too Closely.' The cyclist suffered an arm injury and abrasion. The report notes the cyclist wore a helmet. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants, including a 10-year-old passenger. The crash highlights the danger when drivers turn without care and pass too close to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812810 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pick-up truck struck a 69-year-old woman crossing Myrtle Ave with the signal. She suffered abdominal injuries. Pavement was slippery. The driver was making a left turn.

A pick-up truck hit a 69-year-old woman as she crossed Myrtle Ave at Classon Ave in Brooklyn. She was crossing with the signal and suffered injuries to her abdomen and pelvis. According to the police report, the pavement was slippery at the time of the crash. The driver, a 30-year-old man, was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as the contributing factor. No driver errors beyond road conditions are noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812808 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Letitia James fights Trump’s threat to choke off billions in transit funds. The lawsuit says tying DOT money to immigration crackdowns endangers safety. Projects stall. Streets grow riskier. Immigrants fear reporting crimes. The federal move puts lives on the line.

On May 13, 2025, New York Attorney General Letitia James led a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration’s move to tie U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funding to state cooperation with immigration enforcement. The suit, joined by other state attorneys general, challenges an April 24 announcement by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy that would cut off funding to states refusing to enforce federal immigration law or maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The matter summary states, 'DOT’s blatant overreach threatens to divert critical resources away from public safety and undermine projects that keep our communities connected and safe.' James and her colleagues argue this policy forces states to choose between billions in infrastructure funds and supporting immigrant communities. They warn that withholding funds will halt vital safety projects, making streets and transit more dangerous. The attorneys general also note that immigrants may avoid reporting crimes if they fear deportation, further undermining public safety.

• AG James Sues Trump Over ‘Strong-Arm’ Tactic of Tying DOT Funds to Immigration Crackdown, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-13

SUV struck on Lafayette and Clinton. Three men inside hurt. Head, neck, and back injuries. Police cite other vehicular factors. Streets remain unforgiving.

Three men were injured when a 2023 Toyota SUV, traveling north on Lafayette Avenue, was struck while making a left turn at Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Other Vehicular' contributing factors. The driver and two rear passengers suffered whiplash, with injuries to the head, neck, and back. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report does not specify further details about the cause, but lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811683 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

A principal drove down Lenox Road, lost control, hit parked cars, and flipped his vehicle. Police pulled him from the wreck. He refused a Breathalyzer. Charges followed. The street bore the scars. The system let him drive. The danger stayed.

According to NY Daily News (2025-05-06), Gregory Jackson, principal of Brownsville Collaborative Middle School, crashed on Lenox Road near Utica Ave. Police say he struck several parked cars and overturned his vehicle around 11:30 p.m. Jackson told police he had 'only one drink.' He refused a Breathalyzer test at the scene. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, and refusing the test. The Department of Education referred questions to the NYPD. The incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired drivers and the vulnerability of anyone near city streets, even when parked. Systemic gaps allow such danger to persist.

• Principal Overturns Car In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-06

NYPD targets cyclists with harsh enforcement. Riders face tickets and criminal charges for routine acts. Streetsblog exposes the crackdown. Outrage erupts. Critics warn of racial targeting and danger. The policy punishes the vulnerable. Safety for cyclists erodes.

On May 5, 2025, Streetsblog NYC, led by reporter David Meyer, exposed a new NYPD enforcement policy criminalizing common cycling violations. The article, 'Monday’s Headlines: NYPD Bike Crackdown Edition,' revealed that the crackdown would sweep 14 corridors across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest called the policy 'incredibly misguided' and 'unacceptable.' MSNBC’s Chris Hayes called it 'outrageous' and warned it targets immigrant delivery cyclists. The New York Civil Liberties Union warned of amplified racially targeted policing. The safety analyst notes: 'Criminalizing common cycling violations places undue burdens on cyclists, discourages cycling, and may reduce mode shift, ultimately undermining safety in numbers and street equity for vulnerable road users.' No council bill or committee action is involved, but the crackdown stands as a systemic threat to cyclists and street safety.

• Monday’s Headlines: NYPD Bike Crackdown Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-05

A distracted driver slammed into a stopped sedan on Washington Ave. One woman suffered neck and internal injuries. Police cite inattention and traffic control disregard.

A crash on Washington Ave at Greene Ave in Brooklyn left a 58-year-old woman injured. According to the police report, a northbound sedan struck another sedan stopped in traffic. The driver suffered neck and internal injuries. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front and rear ends. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report highlights driver error as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810552 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

A stolen Porsche sped through Brooklyn. Police set a trap. The driver tried to break through, nearly hitting an officer. A shot rang out. The car crashed. The driver died. The passenger survived. The street bore the cost.

According to the New York Post (April 30, 2025), police shot and killed the driver of a stolen Porsche after he "nearly struck an NYPD officer" while attempting to evade a roadblock near the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. Officers first noticed the vehicle due to stolen plates and tried to pull it over on Cropsey Avenue. The driver fled, leading police to set up a blockade. As the car tried to pass, an officer fired one round, striking the driver. The wounded man crashed into a police car and was later pronounced dead at Brookdale Hospital. The passenger was unharmed and taken into custody. The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases and roadblocks in dense urban areas, where bystanders and officers face sudden danger.

• Police Shoot Driver At Brooklyn Roadblock, New York Post, Published 2025-04-30

A 101-year-old woman crossed with the light. An SUV turned left. The driver was unlicensed. She died days later. Her family mourns. The street remains the same.

According to the New York Post (April 24, 2025), Taibel Brod, 101, was fatally struck by a 2023 GMC Yukon while crossing Brooklyn Avenue at Montgomery Street in Crown Heights. Police say Brod had the light. The driver, Menachem Shagalow, 65, was unlicensed and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to exercise due care. The article quotes Brod's grandson: "She was extremely independent till her last day." Brod died less than two weeks after the crash. The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians, especially from unlicensed drivers. Shagalow was released with a desk appearance ticket. The case underscores persistent gaps in enforcement and street design that leave vulnerable road users exposed.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Brooklyn Matriarch, New York Post, Published 2025-04-24

A moped and car collided on Washington Ave. The moped driver suffered hip and leg injuries. Police cite vehicular factors. The crash left the street scarred and the rider hurt.

A moped and a car crashed on Washington Ave near Park Ave in Brooklyn. The 33-year-old moped driver was injured in the hip and upper leg and reported whiplash. According to the police report, 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed to the crash. The moped was struck at the center back end, while the car was damaged at the front. The driver wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the main cause listed was vehicular error. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807248 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans crashed on Park Ave in Brooklyn. Three men injured, arms and shoulders hit. Police say one driver fell asleep. Shock followed. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

Two sedans collided on Park Ave near Classon Ave in Brooklyn. Three men, ages 33, 50, and 59, suffered arm and shoulder injuries. According to the police report, one driver 'fell asleep,' causing the crash. The impact left all three injured men in shock. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the primary contributing factor. No other driver errors are noted. The crash highlights the risk when drivers lose control at the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806574 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding driver tore through a Brooklyn crosswalk. Three lives ended. One child clings to life. The car never slowed. The street became a grave. Metal and flesh collided. The city mourns. Justice waits in a courtroom.

According to NY Daily News (April 16, 2025), Miriam Yarimi drove 68 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a Brooklyn crosswalk, striking Natasha Saada and her three children. Prosecutors say Yarimi never braked, ran a red light, and crashed into another car before hitting the family. Saada and two daughters died; her son remains in a coma. Yarimi had a suspended license and $11,000 in unpaid violations, including 21 speed camera and five red light tickets. Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez called it 'one of the worst collisions I've ever seen on a New York City street.' Yarimi faces manslaughter and assault charges. The case highlights persistent enforcement gaps and the deadly consequences of unchecked reckless driving.

• Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Children, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-16

A driver ran a stop sign in East New York. He slammed into a school bus. His passenger died. The bus driver was hurt. The driver fled but police caught him. The street stayed stained. The system failed to protect.

According to amNY (April 10, 2025), Tyree Epps faces charges after a deadly crash at Van Sinderen and Blake avenues. Epps, unlicensed, "blew a stop sign" and struck a school bus, killing his passenger, Imani Vance, and injuring the bus driver. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "The tragic loss of Imani Vance was allegedly caused by the defendant's reckless decision to ignore a stop sign and drive at excessive speeds." Epps left the scene, tried to escape in an Uber, and was arrested after fleeing on foot. The crash was one of three fatal Brooklyn incidents that weekend. City data cited in the article shows ongoing danger: at least 15 killed in Kings County so far this year, with thousands injured, often due to driver inattention and failure to yield. The charges and details highlight persistent risks and enforcement gaps on city streets.

• Brooklyn Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, amny, Published 2025-04-10

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10