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

Metal shrieked at Ralph and Gates. Two cars collided head-on. A 20-year-old driver, belted in, suffered head trauma and crushing pain. The cause: driver inattention. The street fell silent in the aftermath.

A sedan and an SUV collided head-on at the corner of Ralph Avenue and Gates Avenue in Brooklyn just before midnight, according to the police report. The report states that a 20-year-old male driver, secured by a lap belt and harness, remained conscious but sustained head trauma and crush injuries. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor in the crash. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before impact, with damage concentrated at the front ends. The narrative describes the moment: 'Metal screamed. A 20-year-old driver, belted in, stayed conscious through head trauma and crushing pain. The cause: inattention.' No other contributing factors are cited. The report makes clear that driver distraction led directly to the violent collision and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722345, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An 11-year-old girl riding a bike was struck by a northbound sedan on Bainbridge Street. The bicyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, highlighting ongoing dangers for young cyclists.

According to the police report, at 21:21 on Bainbridge Street in Brooklyn, a northbound sedan driven by a licensed female driver collided with an 11-year-old female bicyclist also traveling north. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front bumper. The bicyclist sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No safety equipment was noted for the bicyclist, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. Vehicle damage was reported as none, indicating the impact was likely at low speed but still caused significant injury. This incident underscores the risks posed by distracted driving to vulnerable road users, especially children.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721932, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Tesla SUV and a Lexus sedan collided on Fulton Street at 5:30 p.m. The SUV was parked while the sedan was passing. A 20-year-old male passenger suffered a back contusion. Driver inattention was cited as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Fulton Street at 17:30. A 2023 Tesla SUV was parked when it was struck on the left rear quarter panel by a 2007 Lexus sedan traveling west and passing. The sedan's right front quarter panel was the point of impact. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The injured party was a 20-year-old male occupant seated in the right rear passenger position of the SUV, who sustained a back contusion but was conscious and not ejected. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721976, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcycle driver suffered neck injuries and shock after passing too closely to a box truck on Broadway. The crash caused pain and nausea but no vehicle damage. The truck driver was licensed; the motorcyclist was unlicensed.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:15 on Broadway near Van Buren Street. The collision involved a 2023 motorcycle traveling northeast and a 2022 box truck traveling northwest. The contributing factor cited was "Passing Too Closely," indicating the motorcycle driver’s unsafe proximity to the truck. The motorcycle driver, a 46-year-old male, was injured with neck pain and experienced shock, reporting complaints of pain and nausea. He was not ejected but was unlicensed at the time of the crash. The box truck, driven by a licensed male driver from New York, sustained no damage and had two occupants. The report lists no damage to either vehicle and no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of close passing maneuvers and unlicensed operation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719700, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 33-year-old woman suffered upper leg injuries after a sedan struck her at an intersection. The driver, making a left turn, failed to pay attention, hitting the pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The victim was left in shock and pain.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling northwest on Hancock Street in Brooklyn struck a 33-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection near Ralph Avenue at 9:57 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle, making a left turn, impacted her with the left front bumper. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' twice as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, experienced shock, and complained of pain or nausea. The vehicle showed no damage. The driver was licensed and from South Carolina. The collision highlights the critical role of driver distraction in causing harm to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719199, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided at Halsey Street and Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn. Both drivers, women aged 55, suffered upper arm and head injuries. Police cited unsafe speed and traffic control disregard as contributing factors. Both occupants were conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:59 AM on Halsey Street near Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans, one traveling south and the other west, collided with impact to the center front end and right front quarter panel respectively. Both drivers, women aged 55, were injured; one suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries, the other head injuries. Both occupants were conscious and wearing lap belts. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors for both drivers. There is no indication of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. The crash resulted in whiplash complaints from both occupants. Vehicle damage was centered on the front ends, consistent with a collision involving failure to obey traffic controls and excessive speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719083, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An SUV making a right turn struck a 27-year-old male pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered hip and upper leg injuries and was left in shock. The driver disregarded traffic control, causing the collision at an intersection.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Dodworth Street at 17:07. The pedestrian was struck by a northbound SUV making a right turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian suffered injuries to the hip and upper leg and was reported to be in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The vehicle sustained no damage. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior were noted. The collision underscores the dangers posed when drivers fail to obey traffic controls at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716940, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A northbound SUV hit a 9-year-old girl crossing outside a crosswalk in Brooklyn. The girl suffered a hip and upper leg contusion but remained conscious. The vehicle's right front bumper took the impact, revealing a failure to avoid the pedestrian.

According to the police report, a 1999 SUV traveling north on Lewis Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 9-year-old female pedestrian crossing the street outside a crosswalk. The impact occurred at the vehicle's right front bumper, causing contusions and bruising to the girl's hip and upper leg. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and sustained injury severity level 3. The report lists no explicit contributing factors for the driver, but the collision with a pedestrian crossing without a signal or crosswalk indicates a failure to yield or properly observe the pedestrian. No driver errors such as speeding or impairment were noted, and the pedestrian's actions were unspecified as contributing factors. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicles failing to detect or yield to pedestrians outside designated crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715678, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An 8-year-old boy was injured crossing Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn. The vehicle struck him with its front center while traveling north. The child suffered back contusions and was left in shock. The crash occurred off intersection, without a crossing signal.

According to the police report, an 8-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn at 21:09. The child was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when a vehicle traveling north struck him with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained back contusions and was in shock, classified as injury severity level 3. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian and no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The vehicle was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The absence of detailed vehicle type and driver information limits identification of specific driver errors, but the collision’s nature highlights the dangers posed to pedestrians crossing outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714373, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A one-year-old girl suffered back contusions after being struck by a sedan traveling east near 400 Decatur Street, Brooklyn. The driver showed no damage to the vehicle. The toddler was conscious but injured, with unspecified contributing factors noted.

According to the police report, a one-year-old female pedestrian was injured in a collision with a 2023 Tesla sedan traveling east near 400 Decatur Street in Brooklyn at 6:00 PM. The child sustained back contusions and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle, occupied by three people and driven by a licensed male driver, showed no damage and was going straight ahead at the time of the incident. The report lists the pedestrian's contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly cited. The toddler's actions in the roadway were categorized as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but no further details or victim behaviors were identified as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712522, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A moped rider was ejected and injured after an SUV made an improper left turn on Broadway in Brooklyn. The driver’s inattention caused a violent collision, striking the moped head-on. The rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:01 on Broadway near Palmetto Street in Brooklyn. The SUV driver was making a left turn when the collision happened, with the contributing factors listed as "Turning Improperly" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The moped rider, an 18-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report notes the rider was traveling straight north when the SUV struck him at the center front end. The SUV had three occupants, and the driver was licensed in New York. The police report highlights the driver's failure to maintain attention and improper turning as the primary causes, with no contributing factors attributed to the victim. The rider was left in shock and complained of pain and nausea following the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710751, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan making a left turn on Saratoga Avenue struck two pedestrians in a marked crosswalk. Both pedestrians suffered severe lower leg fractures and were left in shock. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision and injuries.

According to the police report, a 2005 sedan was making a left turn traveling east on Saratoga Avenue when it struck two pedestrians crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. Both pedestrians, a 1-year-old boy and a 33-year-old woman, sustained severe injuries including fractures and dislocations to their knees, lower legs, and feet. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver, who was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. The vehicle impacted the pedestrians at the center front end, yet the sedan sustained no damage. Both victims were found in shock. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrians’ actions, focusing solely on the driver's failure to yield as the cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710283, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan parked on Broadway struck a bicyclist traveling east. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. The rider remained conscious despite serious injuries.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male bicyclist was injured after a 2011 BMW sedan struck him on Broadway at 2:30 p.m. The sedan was parked prior to the crash and impacted the bicyclist on the left side doors. The bicyclist, traveling east going straight ahead, was ejected from his bike and sustained a fracture, distortion, and dislocation to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. The bicyclist was conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors such as victim behavior were noted. The incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in interactions with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708937, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcycle traveling north struck a southbound sedan making a left turn on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver, a 60-year-old man, was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries. Alcohol involvement and unspecified factors contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:43 p.m. on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn. A motorcycle traveling northbound collided with a southbound sedan that was making a left turn. The motorcycle driver, a 60-year-old man, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' and an 'Unspecified' contributing factor related to the motorcycle driver. The sedan's point of impact was its left front bumper, while the motorcycle's center front end was damaged. Both drivers were licensed. The motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet, but the report does not list victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash highlights driver errors involving alcohol and unspecified factors leading to a violent collision and severe injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705013, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 15-year-old girl crossing with the signal was struck by a turning vehicle in Brooklyn. The driver disregarded traffic control and failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries, sustaining bruises and contusions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on Broadway near De Kalb Avenue in Brooklyn. A 15-year-old female pedestrian, crossing with the signal at the intersection, was struck by a 2008 Toyota SUV making a left turn. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian at the center front end. The report cites the driver’s errors as 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The pedestrian suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the collision. The driver’s failure to obey traffic signals and yield to a lawful pedestrian crossing directly contributed to the crash and the victim’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704998, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 63-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured on Reid Avenue after a vehicle's improper lane usage caused a collision. The rider suffered abrasions and leg injuries, wearing a helmet but unable to avoid impact from the right rear quarter panel strike.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Reid Avenue in Brooklyn at 6:15 AM. The collision involved a bicyclist traveling north and another vehicle moving south. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error in lane management. The bicyclist, a 63-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was wearing a helmet at the time, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The point of impact was the right rear quarter panel of the other vehicle, which was going straight ahead. The crash highlights the dangers of improper lane usage and passing maneuvers in Brooklyn's streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707580, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan traveling east on Fulton Street struck another vehicle’s right side doors. The impact hit the sedan’s left rear quarter panel. A 32-year-old female passenger suffered a concussion and back injury, restrained by a lap belt and harness. The crash involved passing too closely.

According to the police report, a 2021 Honda sedan traveling east on Fulton Street was involved in a side collision impacting its left rear quarter panel and left side doors. The other vehicle’s right side doors and right rear quarter panel were damaged. The sedan had two occupants; a 32-year-old female passenger seated in the right rear was injured, sustaining a concussion and back injury. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan was slowing or stopping before the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The driver was licensed and traveling east at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704115, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pedestrian crossing Marcus Garvey Boulevard with the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn. The driver’s inattention caused a severe knee and lower leg injury. The victim remained conscious despite a fractured and dislocated limb.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling south on Marcus Garvey Boulevard made a left turn and struck a female pedestrian crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered a severe injury to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations, but remained conscious. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as the sole contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle sustained no damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed but forceful enough to cause serious injury. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing behavior, emphasizing the driver’s failure to maintain attention during the turn as the critical cause of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703918, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan traveling east struck the left rear quarter panel of a parked sedan on Fulton Street. The driver of the moving vehicle, a 60-year-old man, suffered a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. Illegal drug use was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a Dodge sedan traveling east on Fulton Street collided with the left rear quarter panel of a parked Honda sedan. The moving vehicle's driver, a 60-year-old male occupant, sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and was conscious at the time of the report. The report identifies illegal drug use as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating impairment on the part of the driver of the moving vehicle. The parked vehicle was unoccupied at the time of impact. There is no indication of victim error; the collision resulted from driver impairment and failure to maintain control. The driver was not using any safety equipment, and no ejection occurred. The damage was localized to the right front bumper of the moving sedan and the left rear quarter panel of the parked vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703988, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 75-year-old man crossing with the signal on Broadway was struck by a southbound vehicle making a left turn. The impact caused abrasions and lower leg injuries. Driver failure to yield and inattention led to the collision at a busy intersection.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Broadway and Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn at 5:20 p.m. The 75-year-old male pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a vehicle traveling southbound made a left turn and struck him with its left front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The driver’s failure to yield and distraction directly caused the collision, highlighting systemic dangers at this intersection. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4702779, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15