Clinton Hill: The hits don’t stop

Feb 18 - Senators move to guard bike lanes. Cameras will catch drivers who block or invade. The city’s cyclists and walkers get a shot at safer streets. No more hiding behind the wheel.

Senate bill S 5008, now in sponsorship, aims to launch a bicycle lane safety program in New York City. The bill, introduced February 18, 2025, sits in committee. Its summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal leads, joined by Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, Liz Krueger, Jessica Ramos, and Julia Salazar. The bill targets drivers who block or misuse bike lanes, using cameras to enforce the rules. The move puts pressure on the city to protect cyclists and pedestrians from daily danger.

• File S 5008, Open States, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 14 - Two drivers collided on Lafayette Avenue. Both suffered head injuries and whiplash. Distraction behind the wheel caused the crash. The impact left both conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, two vehicles collided at 14:31 on Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2015 Nissan sedan struck the rear of a 2012 Honda SUV, both traveling eastbound. Both drivers, a 50-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman, sustained head injuries and whiplash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No other contributing factors are cited. Both drivers remained conscious and were not ejected. The crash highlights the danger of distraction at the wheel, resulting in injuries to both drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792709 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 8 - A sedan traveling north on Washington Avenue collided with a bicyclist heading east at Willoughby Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered upper arm injuries, left in shock and pain. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Washington Avenue struck a bicyclist traveling east near Willoughby Avenue in Brooklyn at 4:31 a.m. The point of impact was the sedan's left front quarter panel and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his shoulder and upper arm, resulting in complaints of pain and nausea and emotional shock. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in interactions with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791847 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 2 - Transit advocates and officials rallied at Grand Central. They demanded Governor Hochul fill a $33 billion gap in the MTA capital plan. Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal called transit vital for the region. Advocates stressed accessibility and equity. The state’s budget leaves riders exposed.

On February 2, 2025, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal joined transit advocates at Grand Central Terminal to push for full funding of the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan. The rally targeted Governor Hochul’s $252 billion budget, which omits $33 billion needed for transit upgrades. The event, covered by amny.com, highlighted the matter: 'NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This is about the economic engine for the entire region.' Assembly Member Tony Simone and others demanded investment in transportation deserts and accessible stations. Advocates cited the MTA’s ADA settlement, noting only a quarter of stations are wheelchair-accessible, with the fewest in low-income areas. The rally underscored that without full funding, vulnerable riders—especially those with disabilities—face continued barriers and danger.

• NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue, amny.com, Published 2025-02-02

Jan 26 - A cargo van turned left on Cropsey Avenue. It struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide. Gil died. The aide survived. No charges for the driver. Another senior lost to city traffic. The street remains dangerous for the old and frail.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn with her home health aide. According to the NYPD, 'a man driving a cargo van struck both of them while making a left turn.' Gil died from her injuries; her aide was hospitalized. Police did not arrest or charge the driver. The article notes that Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn this year, and cites Transportation Alternatives: '46 senior pedestrians were killed in car crashes across the city last year.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk seniors face on city streets, especially at intersections where turning vehicles endanger those crossing on foot.

• Elderly Woman Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-01-26

Jan 16 - A northbound SUV struck an e-bike on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn. The bicyclist suffered bruises and arm injuries but remained conscious. Both vehicles were traveling straight when impact occurred on their right and left front quarters, respectively.

According to the police report, a 2020 Honda SUV and an e-bike were both traveling northbound on Vanderbilt Avenue near 331 Vanderbilt Ave in Brooklyn at 12:45. The SUV's right front quarter panel collided with the e-bike's left side doors. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists the bicyclist's contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of impact, indicating a collision without clear driver fault noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 16 - Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Jan 13 - A sedan struck a 16-year-old boy on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn. The teen suffered bruises to his knee and lower leg. No driver errors listed. The car showed no damage. Impact was at the right front quarter.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 16-year-old male pedestrian. The impact occurred at the vehicle's right front quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity rated at level 3. No driver errors or contributing factors, such as failure to yield or speeding, were listed in the report. The sedan showed no damage, and the driver was alone. No helmet use or crossing signal violations were noted as contributing factors. The report focuses on the collision and injuries, not assigning blame to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787973 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 8 - Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 803 aims to keep cars out of bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Streets could clear. Cyclists might breathe easier. Lawmakers back the crackdown. The fight for safe passage continues.

Assembly bill A 803, now in sponsorship, proposes a bicycle lane safety program for New York City. It would enforce restrictions on bike lane use with photo devices. The bill summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Primary sponsor Zohran Mamdani leads, joined by Brian Cunningham, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Harvey Epstein, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill was introduced January 8, 2025. No safety analyst note was provided. The measure targets drivers who block or endanger cyclists.

• File A 803, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 1 - A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

Dec 31 - A southbound SUV turned right on Grand Avenue, its front end slamming into a 65-year-old man crossing with the signal. He stayed conscious, crushed beneath the wheels as the driver continued turning. The year ended in blood and metal.

According to the police report, a 65-year-old man was crossing Grand Avenue at Fulton Street in Brooklyn with the pedestrian signal when a southbound SUV made a right turn. The vehicle's front end struck the man's back, causing crush injuries. The report states the pedestrian remained conscious at the scene. The SUV driver continued the turn after impact. Contributing factors cited in the report include 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly.' The pedestrian's action—'Crossing With Signal'—is noted in the report, but the primary focus remains on the driver's failure to yield and improper turning. The incident underscores the lethal consequences when drivers disregard pedestrian priority at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784506 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 27 - An unlicensed driver slowed and struck the rear of an SUV on Classon Ave in Brooklyn. Two elderly passengers suffered head injuries and whiplash. Obstruction and debris contributed to the crash, highlighting systemic road hazards and driver errors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Classon Ave in Brooklyn at 15:10. A sedan driven by an unlicensed male driver traveling north slowed or stopped and impacted the center back end of a northbound SUV. The SUV carried three occupants, including two elderly passengers aged 82 and 83, both injured with head trauma and whiplash. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' and 'Obstruction/Debris' as contributing factors. The unlicensed status of the sedan driver and the presence of obstruction or debris on the roadway were key elements leading to the collision. Both injured passengers were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were conscious after the crash. The report notes no ejections. This collision underscores the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and hazardous road conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782200 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - Metal groaned on Nostrand Avenue. Two cars trapped, one stacked atop the other. A bus driver, a woman, a girl—hurt but alive. Emergency crews worked fast. The street bore the scars. The cause stayed hidden in the wreckage.

NY Daily News reported on December 18, 2024, that a multi-vehicle crash at Nostrand Ave. and Park Ave. in Brooklyn left three people injured. The article states, 'Three people were injured, including an MTA bus driver and a young girl, in a collision that pinned two cars between a box truck and a city bus.' Footage showed two vehicles sandwiched between the bus and truck, with one car stacked atop another. The injured included a 59-year-old MTA driver, a 33-year-old woman, and a 9-year-old girl. All were hospitalized in stable condition. The cause of the crash was not determined at the time of reporting. The incident highlights the risks at busy intersections and the dangers posed by large vehicles in dense urban traffic.

• Cars Crushed Between Bus And Truck, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 10 - A sedan traveling south collided with a westbound bicyclist on Waverly Ave in Brooklyn. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered serious arm injuries. The crash involved multiple traffic control violations by the bicyclist, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old male bicyclist was injured after being struck by a 2024 sedan on Waverly Ave near Willoughby Ave in Brooklyn at 3:00 PM. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained fractures and dislocations to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, resulting in shock. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' twice as contributing factors, indicating the bicyclist failed to obey traffic controls. The sedan, driven by a female driver traveling straight south, impacted the bicyclist on the right side doors with its center front end. The vehicle sustained some damage, while the bike showed no damage. The police report highlights the bicyclist's disregard for traffic control as a key cause, with no mention of helmet use or other victim behaviors. Driver errors by the sedan were not indicated.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778242 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 5 - 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

Nov 27 - A taxi executing an improper U-turn on Fulton Street struck a bicyclist traveling east. The cyclist was ejected, suffering knee and lower leg injuries. The crash exposed critical driver error and the violent impact of turning vehicles on vulnerable riders.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Fulton Street in Brooklyn at 1:35 PM. A taxi driver, licensed in New York, was making an improper U-turn when the vehicle's left front bumper collided with the right front bumper of a bicyclist traveling straight east. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report explicitly cites "Turning Improperly" as the contributing factor, highlighting the taxi driver's error. The bicyclist was conscious but injured, with no contributing factors attributed to his behavior. This collision underscores the dangers posed by vehicle drivers executing illegal or unsafe turns, which place vulnerable road users at severe risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 27 - A driver struck three cars in Bed-Stuy. She dragged a person, hit a vehicle with a pregnant woman, then crashed into an empty car. No life-threatening injuries. Police arrested her at the scene. Charges include assault and reckless endangerment.

Gothamist reported on November 27, 2024, that a New York City Housing Authority employee was arrested after a chaotic crash in Brooklyn. According to police, the driver, Tanisha Simpson, "swiped an oncoming car," then "drove away, dragging the person several feet and hitting another car with a pregnant woman inside." She struck a third, empty car before New York City Sheriffs arrested her nearby. The pregnant woman was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but no serious injuries were reported. Simpson faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene. The incident highlights the dangers of hit-and-run behavior and the risks faced by vulnerable road users at busy intersections.

• Three-Car Brooklyn Crash Sparks Arrest, Gothamist, Published 2024-11-27