Dragged to Death—How Many More Before City Hall Acts?

A bus lunged from its parking spot on Fulton. Metal struck flesh. A 47-year-old woman on an e-scooter flew, body torn, blood pooling beneath the streetlamp. Shock and lacerations marked the aftermath. Driver inattention shaped the night’s violence.

According to the police report, a bus moved from its parked position near 1922 Fulton Street in Brooklyn at 22:10. An e-scooter, operated by a 47-year-old woman, was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The report states, 'A bus lunged from its parking spot. The e-scooter turned left. Metal struck flesh.' The woman was ejected from her scooter, sustaining severe lacerations and shock, with injuries to her entire body. The police report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. The bus's center front end struck the left side doors of the e-scooter. The victim was unlicensed and unshielded, but the report does not cite these as contributing factors. The impact left her torn and shaking beneath a streetlamp, underscoring the consequences of driver inattention in a city street environment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785969, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan and an SUV collided on Marcus Garvey Blvd in Brooklyn. Three occupants in the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both drivers disregarded traffic controls, and inexperience contributed to the crash. The impact struck the sedan’s front and SUV’s right side doors.

According to the police report, at 22:55 on Marcus Garvey Blvd in Brooklyn, a collision occurred involving a 2012 sedan traveling south and a 2024 SUV traveling west. Both drivers were operating with permit licenses and disregarded traffic controls, a critical driver error cited in the report. The sedan’s front end struck the right side doors of the SUV. The sedan carried three occupants, all injured with neck injuries and complaints of whiplash. The driver and two passengers were conscious and not ejected. Driver inexperience was also listed as a contributing factor alongside traffic control disregard. The report highlights the systemic danger posed by drivers ignoring traffic signals and lacking experience, which led to this violent impact and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786378, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan making a right turn collided with a northbound motorcycle on Myrtle Ave in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver, a 55-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The sedan driver held a permit license. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:36 on Myrtle Ave near Lewis Ave in Brooklyn. A sedan, driven by a male with a permit license, was making a right turn when it struck the left front bumper of a northbound motorcycle. The motorcycle driver, a 55-year-old man, was injured with contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, but the sedan driver’s action of making a right turn into the path of the motorcycle indicates a failure to yield or improper turn. The motorcycle driver was not ejected and was wearing a helmet or similar protective gear. Vehicle damage was limited to the front bumpers of both vehicles. The report does not assign fault to the motorcycle driver or note any victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786633, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan making a left turn collided head-on with a southbound moped on Broadway in Brooklyn. The moped driver was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries. The sedan’s front center bore the impact, highlighting driver error in turn judgment.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:04 on Broadway near Vernon Ave in Brooklyn. A 2018 Honda sedan, traveling north and making a left turn, struck a 2023 moped traveling south straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The moped driver, a 30-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan driver was licensed and female. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but the critical driver error was the sedan’s left turn into the path of the moped. The moped driver’s license status was not provided. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision underscores the dangers posed by turning vehicles failing to yield to oncoming traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782723, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan struck a 35-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on Utica Avenue. The cyclist suffered upper arm abrasions and remained conscious. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors in the collision’s impact and injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:30 PM on Utica Avenue near Fulton Street. A southbound sedan collided with a southbound bicyclist, impacting the cyclist’s right front quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old male, sustained abrasions to his shoulder and upper arm but was conscious and not ejected from his bike. The report identifies driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors to the crash. The sedan driver’s errors directly led to the collision and injuries. The bicyclist’s safety equipment status is unknown, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. Vehicle damage was noted on the bike’s right front quarter panel, while the sedan showed no damage. This crash underscores the dangers posed by distracted drivers failing to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782481, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 61-year-old moped driver was ejected and injured after a Ford SUV made a left turn and struck him head-on on Throop Avenue. Both drivers were distracted, with the moped driver also misusing the lane, compounding the crash’s severity.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Throop Avenue in Brooklyn around 2:45 PM. A 61-year-old male moped driver, traveling north and unlicensed, was struck by a northbound Ford SUV making a left turn. The moped suffered center front end damage, and the SUV’s left front bumper was impacted. The moped driver was ejected and sustained hip and upper leg injuries, described as contusions and bruises. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' for both drivers and notes 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' for the moped rider. The moped driver wore a helmet, but the police report does not list this as a contributing factor. The SUV driver was licensed and female. The collision highlights critical driver errors—distraction and improper lane use—that led to a violent impact and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779506, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An 11-year-old boy suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a distracted driver made a right turn and struck him at a Brooklyn intersection. The child was crossing with the signal when the vehicle’s front center impacted him, causing pain and shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:00 p.m. on Gates Avenue near Malcolm X Boulevard in Brooklyn. The driver, traveling south and making a right turn, struck an 11-year-old pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The boy sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact at the center front end. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. This incident highlights the critical role of driver distraction in pedestrian injuries at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777847, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 75-year-old man suffered upper leg injuries and shock after a sedan struck him at a Brooklyn intersection. The driver, making a left turn, failed to pay attention, hitting the pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2022 sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, struck him at the intersection of Stuyvesant Ave and Monroe St in Brooklyn at 16:55. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The driver was making a left turn and the point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to the hip and upper leg, resulting in shock. Despite the impact, the vehicle sustained no damage. The report explicitly identifies driver error, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777845, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

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

A 21-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a taxi struck him at a Brooklyn intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the taxi, making a left turn, failed to yield right-of-way. The driver caused the impact, leaving the victim in shock.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling northeast on Stuyvesant Avenue in Brooklyn was making a left turn at approximately 19:50 when it struck a 21-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal, positioned as a pedestrian at the intersection. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the taxi driver. The impact occurred at the center front end of the taxi, which sustained no damage. The pedestrian suffered injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in a severity level 3 injury and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly identifies the driver's failure to yield as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773990, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans crashed head-on on Decatur Street in Brooklyn. The female driver of one sedan suffered a serious shoulder injury. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as causes. The collision left one occupant injured, highlighting dangers of inattention behind the wheel.

At 9:27 PM on Decatur Street in Brooklyn, two sedans collided head-on, according to the police report. The report identifies unsafe speed and driver inattention or distraction as the primary contributing factors to the crash. One driver, a 20-year-old female with a learner's permit, sustained an upper arm and shoulder injury classified as serious (injury severity 3). She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time. The other vehicle, driven by a licensed male, also contributed to the collision with inattention cited. The crash caused front-end damage to both sedans. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report highlights driver errors—unsafe speed and distraction—as central to this violent impact on a Brooklyn street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773994, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 28-year-old woman was struck at a Brooklyn intersection while crossing with the signal. The sedan, making a left turn, hit her with its right front bumper. Limited visibility contributed to the crash. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Stuyvesant Ave and Fulton St in Brooklyn at 6:28 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2022 Toyota sedan, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the right front bumper. The report notes the driver's error as a failure to yield during the left turn, compounded by 'View Obstructed/Limited,' which impaired the driver's ability to see the pedestrian. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at 3. The sedan showed no vehicle damage. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions or equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775251, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 49-year-old man was struck while crossing Van Buren Street outside a crosswalk. The sedan driver was making a left turn and failed to pay attention. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Van Buren Street was making a left turn when it struck a 49-year-old male pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot and remained conscious after the collision. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, alongside pedestrian confusion or error. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but the report emphasizes the driver's failure to maintain attention during the maneuver. This crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and the risks posed to pedestrians crossing mid-block.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773355, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A rear-end crash on Hancock Street in Brooklyn left two men with neck injuries and whiplash. Both drivers were traveling west when the sedan struck the SUV’s rear. Both occupants suffered shock and moderate neck trauma, restrained by lap belts.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:44 on Hancock Street in Brooklyn. Two vehicles, a 2021 sedan and a 2023 SUV, were both traveling westbound. The sedan impacted the center back end of the SUV, causing damage to both vehicles. The sedan driver and the SUV front passenger both sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and were reported to be in shock. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and were not ejected. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both injured occupants, with no explicit driver errors cited. The collision’s point of impact and damage patterns indicate a rear-end collision scenario, highlighting the dangers of close vehicle following and impact forces on vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773461, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A scooter driver was violently ejected and suffered severe leg injuries in a Brooklyn collision. The vehicle was demolished on impact. Police cite failure to yield right-of-way as the critical driver error behind the crash.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male scooter driver was injured and ejected during a crash on Broadway near Arion Place in Brooklyn at 9:20 AM. The scooter, traveling north and going straight ahead, was demolished upon impact. The driver sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating a driver error that led to the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash involved a scooter and another vehicle, a Honda SUV, traveling east. The focus remains on the driver's failure to yield, which caused the violent ejection and serious injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772725, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 38-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries at a Brooklyn intersection. The truck driver, making a left turn, failed to pay attention, striking the pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The victim remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Hancock Street and Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash occurred at 3:30 PM when a 2012 Chevrolet truck, traveling southwest and making a left turn, struck her. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal but was not listed as a contributing factor to the crash. She sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity rated as moderate. The truck showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely low-speed but sufficient to cause injury. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but his failure to maintain attention led to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772361, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Jeep SUV making a right turn struck two pedestrians crossing with the signal on Kingston Avenue in Brooklyn. Both victims, a 1-year-old boy and a 49-year-old woman, suffered contusions and bruises to face and lower limbs. Driver inattention caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:25 on Kingston Avenue near Fulton Street in Brooklyn. A Jeep SUV was making a right turn when it failed to yield right-of-way to two pedestrians crossing with the signal at the intersection. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The victims, a 1-year-old male pedestrian and a 49-year-old female pedestrian, were both injured with contusions and bruises—one to the face and the other to the knee, lower leg, and foot. Both pedestrians were conscious at the scene. The impact point was the center front end of the SUV. No driver license or occupant information was provided. The report highlights driver errors as the cause, with no contributing victim behavior noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771365, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 67-year-old female e-bike rider was injured and ejected after a collision with a sedan on Ralph Ave in Brooklyn. The sedan, driven by a licensed male from New Jersey, struck the e-bike’s front end with its right front bumper. Injuries included abrasions and lower leg trauma.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:47 on Ralph Ave in Brooklyn. A 67-year-old female e-bike rider was injured and ejected from her vehicle, suffering abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan, driven by a licensed male driver from New Jersey, was traveling south and struck the e-bike’s center front end with its right front bumper. The report lists the contributing factor as "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion," but does not specify driver errors. Both vehicles were initially parked before the crash. The e-bike rider was conscious after the collision. The sedan sustained damage to its right front bumper, and the e-bike’s center front end was damaged. No driver errors were explicitly cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768254, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 46-year-old man suffered facial injuries and shock after being struck by an SUV while crossing Macon Street with the signal. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian bleeding and injured at the intersection in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Macon Street and Lewis Avenue in Brooklyn at 3:31 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when he was struck by a northbound 2018 Ford SUV. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained facial injuries and was in shock, with minor bleeding reported. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle properly before the crash, which was initially parked. There is no indication of pedestrian fault or contributing behaviors. Vehicle damage was reported as none, underscoring the severity of the pedestrian’s injuries despite minimal vehicle impact damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769910, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi traveling east struck the left rear bumper of a parked SUV on Greene Avenue in Brooklyn. Two passengers in the taxi suffered neck and back injuries, both restrained and in shock. The crash stemmed from the taxi driver's reaction to an uninvolved vehicle.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on Greene Avenue collided with the left rear bumper of a parked Jeep SUV. The taxi driver, a licensed female driver from New York, was operating the vehicle straight ahead when the crash occurred around 12:45 a.m. The contributing factor cited is 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle,' indicating the taxi driver’s response to another vehicle led to the collision. Two passengers in the taxi, a 28-year-old male and a 26-year-old female, were injured with neck and back injuries respectively. Both occupants were restrained—one with a lap belt and the other with a harness—and were reported to be in shock. The SUV had no occupants at the time. The damage was concentrated on the right front quarter panel of the taxi and the left rear bumper of the SUV. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768252, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15