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

Mar 2 - A man sped through a stop sign in Brownsville. His Mercedes hit a school bus. His passenger died. He ran from the wreck in a taxi. Police found him later. The victim’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged.

NY Daily News reported on March 2, 2025, that Tyree Epps, 32, drove a Mercedes-Benz without a license, ran a stop sign on Van Sinderen Ave, and crashed into a school bus. The article states, “After the crash, Epps hopped in a taxi and took off, leaving his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, in the front seat suffering severe head trauma.” Epps faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, and unlicensed driving. The bus driver survived. The crash exposes ongoing risks from unlicensed, reckless drivers and the persistent danger at city intersections. The victim’s family is left to grieve and organize a funeral, while the intersection remains a site of loss.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Fatal Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-02

Mar 1 - A Kia slammed into a Toyota on Stockholm Street. Hayden Wallace, 29, died. Two friends survived with critical wounds. The driver fled. Police arrested Christopher Seabrook. The crash left a new life cut short, a city shaken.

According to the NY Daily News (published March 1, 2025), Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested for the hit-and-run crash that killed Hayden Wallace, 29, in Bushwick on January 8, 2024. Seabrook allegedly crashed a Kia Sportage into a Toyota Yaris carrying Wallace and friends, then fled the scene on foot. Wallace died; two others were critically injured. The Toyota’s driver was also charged with driving without a license. Seabrook faces charges including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene. The article quotes Wallace’s aunt: “He lived life to the fullest. He was only 29 years old and lit up every room he entered.” The case highlights the deadly consequences of reckless driving and fleeing crash scenes in New York City.

• Bushwick Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-01

Feb 28 - A drunk driver blasted through a red light at 72 mph. He struck Katherine Harris, killing her steps from home. The car crashed on. Blood alcohol twice the limit. The street became a crime scene. Lives shattered in seconds.

NY Daily News reported on February 28, 2025, that Erick Trujillo, 29, was sentenced to three to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. On April 16, 2023, Trujillo drove his Volvo at 72 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a red light at Atlantic Ave and Clinton Street in Brooklyn. He struck pedestrian Katherine Harris, 31, killing her instantly, then rear-ended another car and crashed into an outdoor dining shed. Trujillo's blood alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "This defendant made a disastrous decision when he got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated." The case highlights the lethal consequences of impaired driving and excessive speed, underscoring systemic risks for pedestrians in New York City.

• Drunk Driver Speeds, Kills Pedestrian in Brooklyn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-28

Feb 27 - A moped driver was ejected and injured in a Brooklyn crash on Quincy Street. The sedan and moped collided head-on as both traveled east. Unsafe speed and driver inexperience contributed to the violent impact, leaving the rider with severe leg injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Quincy Street in Brooklyn at 16:26. A moped traveling east struck a sedan also traveling east, impacting the sedan's left front bumper and the moped's right rear quarter panel. The moped driver, a 33-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity 3. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the collision. The moped driver was not using any safety equipment at the time. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The violent impact and ejection highlight systemic dangers related to speeding and inexperienced operation in Brooklyn traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795476 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 25 - E-scooter rider thrown in Brooklyn crash. Woman, 37, suffers leg injuries and shock. Front of scooter and car’s right panel smashed. Streets remain hostile to the unprotected.

According to the police report, a collision took place at 9:43 AM on Franklin Avenue near Monroe Street in Brooklyn. A 37-year-old woman riding an e-scooter was partially ejected and suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was in shock and had contusions and bruises. The e-scooter’s front end was damaged, and the other vehicle’s right front quarter panel was struck. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified. No mention of helmet use or victim fault appears in the report. The crash highlights the vulnerability of e-scooter riders on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803159 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 19 - A Nissan sedan slammed into parked cars on Throop Avenue. Metal shrieked. A 22-year-old man was crushed, his body broken, eyes wide in shock. The street froze, silence settling over twisted steel and shattered bone.

According to the police report, a Nissan sedan traveling north on Throop Avenue near Park Avenue veered into parked vehicles, including a Ford SUV and a Honda sedan. The collision resulted in a 22-year-old pedestrian suffering crush injuries to his entire body. The report describes the victim as 'crushed,' with 'eyes wide with shock.' The crash occurred at 17:28 in Brooklyn. The police report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The Ford SUV sustained damage to its right rear bumper, while the Nissan sedan's left front bumper was impacted. No contributing factors are attributed to the pedestrian. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a cause, keeping the focus on the driver's failure to maintain control and the lethal consequences for those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793716 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 18 - A BMW X5 veered off Belt Parkway near Exit 14. The SUV struck a tree. Marcus Joseph, 41, died at the scene. No passengers. No bystanders hurt. The crash left only silence and wreckage on the Brooklyn road.

NY Daily News (2025-02-18) reports Marcus Joseph, 41, died after his BMW X5 spun out of control on the Belt Parkway near Exit 14 in Starrett City, Brooklyn. Police said the SUV 'skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.' Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The article does not mention weather or road conditions. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed corridors like the Belt Parkway, where loss of control can prove fatal. No charges were filed. The report underscores the persistent risks for all road users on New York City highways.

• BMW Skids, Slams Tree On Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-18

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 15 - Two SUVs collided on slick Nostrand Avenue. The rear SUV struck a stopped SUV. A front passenger suffered neck injury and whiplash. Pavement was slippery. Impact sent pain through Brooklyn streets.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles crashed at 18:20 on Nostrand Avenue near Fulton Street in Brooklyn. The front SUV was stopped in traffic. The rear SUV, also heading south, struck it from behind. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as a contributing factor. A 43-year-old woman riding as front passenger in the stopped SUV was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash. She was conscious and not ejected. Both drivers were licensed men. No vehicle damage was reported, but the collision left the passenger hurt. The crash shows the danger when drivers fail to control their vehicles on slick city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792714 - 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 3 - A van driver following too closely struck an e-scooter making a left turn on Tompkins Avenue in Brooklyn. The 21-year-old e-scooter driver was partially ejected and injured, suffering abrasions and lower leg trauma.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:17 on Tompkins Avenue in Brooklyn. A van and an e-scooter, both traveling south and making left turns, collided when the van driver failed to maintain a safe distance, cited as 'Following Too Closely' in the report. The e-scooter driver, a 21-year-old male, was partially ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with abrasions noted. The van driver was licensed and operating a 2006 Ford van. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor, emphasizing driver error on the van operator's part. No pedestrian or e-scooter rider errors were cited as contributing factors in this collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790430 - 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

Feb 1 - A sedan hit a left-turning car at Quincy and Nostrand. The turning driver suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as causes.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Quincy Street collided with a vehicle making a left turn on red onto Nostrand Avenue at 5:30 AM in Brooklyn. The driver of the turning car, a 61-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and was in shock. Police list 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors for the left-turning driver. The sedan was going straight; the turning vehicle moved southbound. Both vehicles were damaged at the front. No contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted. The report highlights the dangers of ignoring traffic controls and speeding during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793487 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 29 - SUV hit a parked car on Nostrand Avenue. The front passenger took the blow—abdomen, pelvis, scraped. Lap belt held him in. Metal crumpled. Streets stayed hard.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV traveling west on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn struck the rear of a parked vehicle at 14:30. The front passenger, a 59-year-old man, suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries, along with abrasions. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The SUV’s front end and the parked car’s rear were damaged. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any passenger actions. The collision points to a lapse in vehicle control or attention by the SUV driver, resulting in injury to the passenger and damage to both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 21 - A 63-year-old woman suffered back contusions after a vehicle backing west on Myrtle Ave struck her. The driver’s inattention and following too closely led to the impact. The pedestrian was conscious but injured in the collision’s center back end.

According to the police report, a vehicle traveling west on Myrtle Ave was backing when it struck a 63-year-old female pedestrian. The point of impact was the vehicle’s center back end, causing contusions and back injuries to the pedestrian, who remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as primary contributing factors, along with following too closely. The pedestrian’s location in the roadway was noted as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but no victim behavior was cited as a contributing factor. The driver’s failure to maintain attention while backing created a hazardous situation resulting in injury. The collision highlights the dangers of distracted driving and improper vehicle positioning in Brooklyn’s Myrtle Ave corridor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787442 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 18 - A sedan making a left turn in Brooklyn struck two young women crossing with the signal. Both suffered knee and lower leg contusions. The driver’s inattention and improper turning caused the collision, highlighting systemic dangers at intersections.

According to the police report, a 2018 Toyota sedan was making a left turn on Tompkins Ave in Brooklyn at 8:52 PM when it struck two female pedestrians, ages 19 and 20, both crossing with the signal at the intersection. Both pedestrians sustained contusions and bruises to their knees and lower legs, injuries classified as moderate (severity 3). The report cites the driver’s contributing factors as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Turning Improperly." The vehicle sustained no damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed but sufficient to cause injury. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle southbound. The collision underscores the dangers posed by distracted drivers failing to execute turns safely, placing vulnerable pedestrians at risk even when crossing lawfully.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787440 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 18 - A bus and sedan collided on Nostrand Ave in Brooklyn. Driver inattention and traffic control disregard led to impact. Three people suffered neck and back injuries. The crash left passengers bruised and shaken.

According to the police report, a bus traveling south and a sedan traveling east collided at 8:20 AM on Nostrand Ave in Brooklyn. The sedan driver was cited for inattention and disregarding traffic control. The point of impact was the sedan’s center front and the bus’s right rear. Three occupants were hurt: the sedan driver, a 35-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash; a 68-year-old female passenger had neck contusions and shock; a 33-year-old male passenger sustained back contusions. The police report highlights driver inattention and traffic control disregard as the main contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790413 - 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 8 - Two bicyclists collided on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. A 3-year-old boy was partially ejected and suffered facial abrasions. The crash involved driver inattention and disregard for traffic control, highlighting dangers even among vulnerable cyclists.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:01 AM on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. Two bicycles traveling south and west collided. The 3-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained abrasions to his face, classified as injury severity 3. The report cites driver errors including 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. Both vehicles were bicycles, and neither showed damage. The young victim was conscious and wearing unspecified safety equipment labeled 'Other.' The collision's point of impact was the center front end of one bike and 'Other' on the second. The report emphasizes driver errors without attributing fault to the victim or noting any victim behaviors as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784695 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19