No More Widows for Van Buren: Lower the Speed, Save a Life

A man fell onto Prospect Park subway tracks during a fight. The train struck him. He died at the scene. Police questioned the other person. The platform became a place of sudden death.

NY Daily News (2025-07-30) reports a man died after falling onto the tracks at Prospect Park station during a fight. Police said, "As the fight escalated, he landed on the train tracks and was struck by an oncoming train." The victim suffered fatal head trauma. The other person involved was taken into custody for questioning. No charges were filed at the time. The article does not specify if the man fell or was pushed. The incident highlights the dangers of open subway platforms and the risks faced by riders in moments of conflict.

• Man Dies After Fall Onto Subway Tracks, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-30

A sedan hit a cyclist on Stuyvesant Ave. The cyclist suffered a hip injury. Police cite driver inattention. System failed to protect the vulnerable. Metal met flesh. The street stayed dangerous.

A sedan collided with a cyclist at Stuyvesant Ave and Chauncey St in Brooklyn. The cyclist, a 52-year-old man, suffered a hip injury and bruising. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. The crash highlights the risk faced by people on bikes when drivers lose focus. The report lists no errors by the cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830855 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan turned improperly on Fulton. A motorcycle struck. The rider was ejected, bleeding from the head. Unsafe speed and a bad turn left one man hurt. Brooklyn street, rush hour, danger in motion.

A sedan making a U-turn on Fulton Street collided with a motorcycle. The motorcycle driver, a 46-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Turning Improperly' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The sedan had two occupants, both uninjured. The motorcycle rider wore a helmet. The crash highlights the danger when drivers turn improperly and speed on busy Brooklyn streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830083 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

SUV veered on Fulton. Cyclist struck, arm bruised. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe lane change. Bike rider left hurt. Streets stay dangerous.

A cyclist was injured when an SUV changed lanes unsafely on Fulton Street at Throop Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV driver was inattentive and made an unsafe lane change, striking the 32-year-old male cyclist. The cyclist suffered a contusion and injuries to his arm. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this is noted only after the driver’s errors. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829093 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A car struck an 11-year-old boy by a Brooklyn playground. He survived. Police search for answers. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on July 19, 2025, that an 11-year-old boy was hit by a car near a playground on Bedford Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. The crash happened around 5:30 p.m. Friday. The boy is in stable condition. Police are investigating the circumstances. The article states, "There is no word yet on how the accident happened." No details on driver actions or charges have been released. The incident highlights the ongoing risk to children near city streets and playgrounds.

• Child Hit Near Sheepshead Bay Playground, ABC7, Published 2025-07-19

A driver spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The car struck a woman on the curb. She died at the hospital. Police charged the driver with negligent homicide. The lot was left scarred. The city mourns another loss.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-16), Zachary Cando, 24, was 'doing the dangerous spinning trick' known as donuts in a Gateway Center parking lot when he lost control and hit Madisyn Ruiz, 21, who was sitting nearby. Ruiz died after being rushed to the hospital. Police charged Cando with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The article notes the car was 'badly dented in the front.' The crash highlights the risks of reckless driving in public spaces and the need for stronger deterrents in parking lots.

• Driver Kills Girlfriend Doing Donuts, New York Post, Published 2025-07-16

A judge stopped the city from tearing out Bedford Avenue’s only protected bike lane. The fight over safety and street space continues. Cyclists and pedestrians wait as legal battles stall change.

Streetsblog NYC reported on July 15, 2025, that an appellate judge halted Mayor Adams’s plan to remove a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue. Judge Ventura issued a restraining order after Transportation Alternatives and Baruch Herzfeld appealed the city’s move. The city had planned to start demolition after complaints from local leaders, but the court’s order blocks any changes until further review. Streetsblog quotes Ben Furnas: 'The Adams administration is going to have to spend their night preparing their legal case, not ripping out a critical safety project.' The article highlights weak enforcement of parking rules and the city’s reversal against its own DOT’s safety plan. The case underscores how political pressure and lax enforcement can threaten vulnerable road users.

• Court Blocks Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Removal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-15

Two sedans collided on Marcus Garvey. One driver suffered back injuries. Police cite following too closely and reacting to another vehicle. Metal and bodies took the impact. The street stayed dangerous.

A rear-end collision involving two sedans unfolded on Marcus Garvey Blvd at Kosciuszko St in Brooklyn. One driver, a 29-year-old woman, sustained back injuries and whiplash. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle.' Other occupants reported no injuries. Both vehicles were traveling south when the impact struck. The report lists driver errors as the primary factors. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827763 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A motorcycle and SUV collided on Howard Avenue. The rider was ejected and suffered a leg amputation. Both occupants were injured. Police list no clear cause. The motorcycle rider was unlicensed.

A motorcycle and an SUV crashed at Howard Avenue and Macon Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle rider, a 59-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a leg amputation. A 58-year-old woman in the SUV was also injured. According to the police report, both vehicles sustained right front damage. No specific driver errors were listed. The motorcycle rider was unlicensed. Helmet use was noted for the rider, but no other contributing factors were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827070 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan hit a cyclist on Stuyvesant Ave. The rider, 47, suffered crush injuries to his arm. Police cite failure to yield and driver distraction. The cyclist wore a helmet.

A sedan struck a 47-year-old bicyclist on Stuyvesant Avenue at Mac Donough Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered crush injuries to his upper arm and was partially ejected but remained conscious. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The cyclist was wearing a helmet. The sedan showed no damage, while the bike was damaged at the front. The report lists no other injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826973 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A car sped down Third Avenue. Two men, one with a cart, one with a cane, crossed. The driver did not brake. Both men died in the street. The car fled. Police arrested the driver hours later.

ABC7 reported on July 11, 2025, that two men, aged 59 and 80, were killed by a hit-and-run driver at Third Avenue and 52nd Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Surveillance showed the car "speeding southbound" and not braking before impact. The driver, Juventino Anastacio Florentino, was arrested and charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and reckless driving. The victims, Kex Un Chen and Faqiu Lin, were likely headed to a local food pantry. The incident highlights the lethal risk posed by reckless driving and the vulnerability of pedestrians, especially near essential services.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Two In Sunset Park, ABC7, Published 2025-07-11

A moped struck a 90-year-old man in Brooklyn. The driver fled. The man died at the hospital. Security video captured the impact. The street claimed another life.

CBS New York (2025-07-10) reports a 90-year-old man died after a moped hit-and-run in Brooklyn. Security footage 'shows the moment the man was struck.' The driver left the scene. The victim died at the hospital. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians and the ongoing danger of drivers who flee. No policy changes or arrests were reported.

• Elderly Man Killed In Brooklyn Hit-Run, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-10

A Jeep turned left on Gates Ave. It struck a moped. The rider, 22, was thrown and hit his head. He lay in shock. Police cite failure to yield. The street swallowed another body.

A Jeep making a left turn at 835 Gates Ave in Brooklyn struck a moped traveling straight. The 22-year-old moped rider was partially ejected and suffered a head injury, reporting pain and shock. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The Jeep's left front bumper hit the moped, damaging both vehicles. The police report lists no other contributing factors. The moped rider was not using safety equipment, as noted in the report, but the primary cause remains the driver's failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827904 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A judge let the city move a protected bike lane off Bedford Avenue. Cyclists lose curbside safety. Adams pushed the change after local protests. Advocates warn the street grows more dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-07-09) reports a state judge allowed Mayor Adams to remove curbside bike lane protections on Brooklyn's Bedford Avenue. The city will shift the lane to the street's center, ending the barrier of parked cars. The move follows protests from local Orthodox Jewish communities and a recent e-bike crash. Advocates sued, arguing Adams bypassed environmental review. The judge ruled the change was not a major project. Transportation Alternatives warns, 'If the Bedford Avenue safety improvements are destroyed, this all but guarantees that there will be blood on Eric Adams' hands.' The decision highlights Adams' pattern of scaling back street safety redesigns.

• Judge Allows Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Change, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-09

A Smart Car struck Dov Broyde, 70, as he crossed Avenue I near his home. Medics rushed him to the hospital. He died. The driver stayed. No charges filed. Brooklyn street claimed another life.

NY Daily News (2025-07-08) reports Dov Broyde, 70, was fatally struck by a Smart Car while crossing Avenue I at E. Fifth St. near Midwood around 9:30 p.m. The article states the driver 'plowed into him' and remained at the scene. No criminal charges were filed at the time. The incident highlights persistent danger for pedestrians in New York City, where 55 have died this year. The crash underscores the ongoing toll of traffic violence and the urgent need for systemic safety improvements.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing Avenue I, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-08

Two sedans collided on Kingston Ave. Alcohol played a role. One driver suffered neck injuries. Metal twisted. Sirens wailed. The street bore the mark of reckless force.

A crash involving two sedans occurred on Kingston Ave at Herkimer St in Brooklyn. According to the police report, alcohol involvement was a contributing factor. One male driver, age 34, sustained a neck injury and was in shock. Several other occupants were listed with unspecified injuries. The report notes both vehicles were sedans and highlights 'Alcohol Involvement' as a key factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data does not list any helmet or signal issues. The crash underscores the danger when alcohol mixes with driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824802 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

An SUV struck and killed eight-year-old Mordica Keller as he crossed Eastern Parkway with his sister. The driver stayed. Blood stained the concrete. The boy died at Kings County Hospital. The street claimed another child.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-29), eight-year-old Mordica Keller was killed by a black Honda Pilot while crossing Eastern Parkway at Albany Street with his sister. The 69-year-old driver, heading south, remained at the scene. Police said, "They were walking, he was crossing the street with his sister." The driver had a green light, and no arrest has been made. The incident highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians at busy intersections. The investigation continues.

• SUV Kills Boy Crossing Crown Heights Street, New York Post, Published 2025-06-29

A sedan and SUV crashed at Sumpter Street and Howard Avenue. One driver suffered a head injury. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Metal, glass, and blood on Brooklyn pavement.

A sedan and an SUV collided at Sumpter Street and Howard Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, one driver was injured, suffering a head injury and whiplash. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. Both vehicles were going straight before impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one man hurt, the street scarred, and the system’s dangers exposed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824985 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31