Bed-Stuy Bleeds: City Rips Out Safety, Death Toll Rises

May 19 - A sedan struck an e-bike from behind on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The sedan driver was cited for following too closely and passing too closely, causing the collision and injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn at 7:38 p.m. A sedan, stopped in traffic, rear-ended an e-bike traveling south. The e-bike rider, a 34-year-old man, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies the sedan driver’s errors as "Following Too Closely" and "Passing Too Closely," directly contributing to the collision. The sedan showed no damage, while the e-bike sustained other damage. The e-bike driver was conscious and not ejected. The sedan driver was licensed in New Jersey, while the e-bike rider was unlicensed. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in maintaining safe distances behind vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727715 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - A northbound SUV making a left turn collided with a northbound e-bike on Marcy Avenue. The 19-year-old e-bike rider suffered full-body injuries and shock. Limited visibility contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:52 on Marcy Avenue when a northbound Station Wagon/SUV was going straight ahead and an e-bike was making a left turn. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the e-bike and the right front bumper of the SUV. The 19-year-old male e-bike driver was injured with full-body trauma and was in shock, reporting complaints of pain or nausea. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor for both parties, indicating limited visibility played a critical role. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet, but no other victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead, but the limited view during the maneuver led to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725744 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

May 15 - Two sedans collided head-on and side-on on Park Avenue. Both drivers and a passenger suffered bruises and contusions. The crash left one driver with knee and foot injuries, another with neck trauma. Driver distraction caused the violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:32 AM on Park Avenue involving two sedans traveling north and east. The point of impact was the center front end of one vehicle and the right side doors of the other. The driver of the eastbound sedan, a 33-year-old female, sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries with contusions. A 24-year-old male passenger in the northbound sedan suffered neck injuries and bruising. Both occupants were conscious and not ejected. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision caused significant damage to the front and right side of the vehicles, underscoring the dangers of distracted driving in multi-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725454 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 14 - Steel tore flesh on Flushing Avenue. A dump truck veered too close, grinding a parked ambulance. Blood streaked the door. A 39-year-old man inside lost part of his arm. The truck did not yield. The city swallowed another limb.

A dump truck traveling east on Flushing Avenue near Tompkins Avenue in Brooklyn struck a parked ambulance, according to the police report. The report states both vehicles faced east when the dump truck 'scraped a parked ambulance.' Inside the ambulance, a 39-year-old man suffered an arm amputation. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors, highlighting clear driver error. The narrative notes, 'Steel shrieked. A 39-year-old man inside lost part of his arm. Blood smeared the door.' The man was not wearing a seatbelt, but the report attributes the crash to the dump truck driver’s actions. No evidence in the report suggests the victim’s behavior contributed to the collision. The impact left one man permanently injured, underscoring the dangers posed by inattentive driving and large vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729255 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 5 - A 34-year-old moped driver was ejected and suffered bruises and arm injuries on Bedford Avenue. The driver was conscious and helmeted but sustained serious trauma to the elbow and lower arm. The crash caused front-end damage to the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male moped driver traveling north on Bedford Avenue was ejected from his vehicle during the crash. The driver, who was wearing a helmet, sustained contusions and injuries to the elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The moped suffered center front-end damage, indicating a frontal impact. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead at the time of impact. The crash highlights the vulnerability of moped riders to ejection and serious injury even when helmeted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723075 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - A northbound SUV struck the rear of a bus on Throop Avenue. The bus showed no damage. A front passenger in the SUV suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.

According to the police report, a 2023 Ford SUV traveling north on Throop Avenue collided with the rear center of a 2011 bus also heading north. The bus sustained no damage, but the SUV’s front passenger, a 38-year-old woman wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash. The report identifies the SUV driver’s error as "Following Too Closely," indicating failure to maintain a safe distance behind the bus. Both drivers were licensed, with the SUV driver licensed in Washington and the bus driver licensed in New York. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The impact caused injury to the SUV passenger but no ejection occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723108 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 2 - A woman riding east on Gates Avenue struck a defective patch of road. Her bike stopped cold. She flew forward, her helmet cracking on impact. Blood pooled as she lay incoherent. The street’s broken surface drew its price.

A 38-year-old woman riding a bicycle eastbound on Gates Avenue was severely injured when defective pavement caused her to crash, according to the police report. The report describes how 'the road gave way,' halting her bike and sending her headfirst to the ground. She suffered a head injury with severe bleeding and was described as incoherent at the scene. The police report identifies 'Pavement Defective' as the sole contributing factor in the crash. The narrative notes her helmet cracked on impact, but no victim behavior is cited as a contributing factor. The incident underscores the danger posed by hazardous street conditions to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721986 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 24 - A 74-year-old woman suffered back injuries and shock after being hit by an eastbound SUV on Fulton Street. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at an intersection when the vehicle's right front bumper struck her, causing pain and nausea.

According to the police report, a 74-year-old female pedestrian was injured at an intersection on Fulton Street at 11:50 AM. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when she was struck by a 2020 Honda SUV traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper, which sustained damage. The pedestrian suffered back injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. While the report notes the pedestrian crossed against the signal, no driver contributing factors were specified. The collision highlights the dangers present at intersections where pedestrian signals are disregarded, but the report does not assign fault to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723111 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 22 - A 71-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a northbound e-bike on Throop Avenue. The impact fractured her elbow and lower arm. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Throop Avenue in Brooklyn at 3:15 PM. A 71-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal when she was struck by a northbound e-bike. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-bike, which sustained damage in the same area. The pedestrian suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to her elbow and lower arm but remained conscious. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor twice, indicating the e-bike operator failed to maintain attention. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The driver was licensed in New York and traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752561 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 20 - A BMW sedan struck a parked Ford sedan on Delmonico Place, injuring the BMW driver. The impact damaged the right front quarter panel of the parked vehicle and the front center of the moving vehicle. The driver suffered a concussion but remained conscious.

According to the police report, at 14:12 on Delmonico Place, a BMW sedan traveling south collided with a parked Ford sedan. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the parked vehicle and the center front end of the BMW. The BMW driver, a 20-year-old male occupant, was injured and suffered a concussion but remained conscious. The report lists 'Illness' as a contributing factor, indicating a possible medical condition affecting the driver's control. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. The collision highlights the danger posed when driver health issues interfere with vehicle control, resulting in crashes involving stationary vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719617 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 19 - A distracted SUV driver collided with a bicyclist traveling west on De Kalb Avenue in Brooklyn. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered lower leg injuries. The crash caused significant vehicle damage and left the cyclist bruised but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:26 on De Kalb Avenue in Brooklyn. A 40-year-old male bicyclist, traveling west, was struck on the left side doors of a 2018 Honda SUV also traveling west. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. The SUV driver was licensed and driving straight ahead. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both the SUV driver and the bicyclist. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The collision caused damage to the left side doors of the SUV and the right front quarter panel of the bike. The report highlights driver distraction as the primary cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720157 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 7 - A 76-year-old driver suffered neck injuries after an SUV struck the rear of a parked vehicle on Throop Avenue. The crash caused whiplash and left the driver conscious but injured. Driver distraction was cited as a key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:20 AM on Throop Avenue when a 2022 SUV traveling north rear-ended a parked vehicle. The point of impact was the center back end of the parked vehicle and the center front end of the SUV. The sole occupant, a 76-year-old male driver, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious after the collision. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor leading to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction, resulting in injury even without ejection or loss of consciousness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715793 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 5 - A bicyclist was injured after an SUV struck him on Myrtle Avenue. The cyclist suffered head injuries and was partially ejected. Police cite improper lane usage by the SUV driver as the cause. The victim was unhelmeted and incoherent after impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Myrtle Avenue at 15:25 involving a station wagon/SUV and a bicyclist. The SUV was parked before the crash and struck the bicyclist on the left side doors, causing center front end damage to the bike. The bicyclist, a 37-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained head injuries with minor bleeding. The report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the SUV operator. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet and was incoherent after the collision, but no victim behaviors are cited as contributing factors. The focus remains on the SUV driver's improper lane usage leading to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719660 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 3 - A 34-year-old woman riding south on Franklin Avenue struck a parked SUV. She was ejected, bruised on hip and leg. Police cite driver inattention. The crash left the cyclist hurt, the SUV dented.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old female bicyclist traveling south on Franklin Avenue collided with the left side doors of a parked 2022 Toyota SUV. The cyclist was ejected from her bike and sustained contusions and bruises to her hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s actions were noted. The incident underscores the risk posed by driver distraction, even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715632 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 2 - SUV struck a 44-year-old man crossing Bedford Avenue mid-block. Impact broke his upper arm and shoulder. He lay in shock, pain sharp. Brooklyn street turned brutal for a pedestrian.

According to the police report, a Station Wagon/SUV traveling west on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 44-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing outside a crosswalk. The impact hit the pedestrian's upper arm and shoulder, leaving him in shock and pain. The report notes the pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing with no signal or crosswalk. No driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding are listed. The vehicle was going straight ahead with one occupant. This crash underscores the danger pedestrians face when crossing busy Brooklyn streets outside marked crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714926 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - 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 2024-03-27

Mar 25 - A 15-year-old bicyclist suffered head abrasions after a sedan struck him on Gates Avenue. The crash involved driver inattention and distraction. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected but sustained injuries to the head. The sedan showed no damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Gates Avenue at 16:43 involving a sedan and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 15-year-old male, was injured with head abrasions and remained conscious. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor twice, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain proper attention. The bicyclist was traveling west, attempting to avoid an object in the roadway, while the sedan was going straight westbound. The point of impact was the sedan's right side doors and the bike's center front end. The sedan sustained no damage. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction in interactions with vulnerable bicyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712569 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - A distracted driver traveling north on Bedford Avenue crashed the left front quarter panel of his SUV into the front center of an eastbound taxi. Both the driver and front passenger suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Airbags deployed in the SUV.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:50 AM on Bedford Avenue when a 21-year-old male driver of a 2022 SUV, licensed in New York, was traveling straight ahead northbound. The driver was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV's left front quarter panel struck the center front end of an eastbound 2019 taxi. The SUV carried two occupants: the driver and a 22-year-old female front passenger. Both were conscious but sustained injuries to their entire bodies, including whiplash. Airbags deployed in the SUV. The report highlights driver error—specifically inattention and unsafe speed—as the contributing factors. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711407 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 20 - 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 2024-03-20