Bushwick’s Blood Price: How Many More Must Die Before We Act?

Eighteen Brooklyn officials demand state DOT address BQE’s full deadly stretch. They reject piecemeal fixes. They call out decades of harm. The state’s refusal leaves neighborhoods exposed. The city’s hands are tied. The highway’s danger remains. Vulnerable lives hang in the balance.

On February 10, 2023, eighteen Brooklyn lawmakers issued a joint letter demanding New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) participate in comprehensive planning for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The statement, prompted by a Streetsblog report, reads: "We ask that the NYS DOT remember the daily harms caused by the BQE in its current state—not just the crumbling cantilever section—and join us at the table in search of a solution." The group includes Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Dan Goldman, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, state Sens. Jabari Brisport, Julia Salazar, Kristen Gonzalez, Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Members Bobby Carroll, Maritza Davila, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Emily Gallagher, Jo Anne Simon, Marcela Mitaynes, and Council Members Alexa Avilés, Shahana Hanif, Crystal Hudson, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Lincoln Restler. Senator Gounardes called the state’s refusal to join the city’s visioning process “unacceptable and irresponsible.” The lawmakers stress that the BQE’s harms—crashes, pollution, division—stretch from Bay Ridge to Greenpoint. Without state action, only city-owned segments see attention. The city’s efforts are limited. The state’s inaction leaves systemic danger unaddressed.

• Brooklyn Pols Demand the State ‘Come to the Table’ on the BQE, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-10

Eighteen Brooklyn officials demand state DOT address BQE’s full deadly stretch. They reject piecemeal fixes. They call out decades of harm. The state’s refusal leaves neighborhoods exposed. The city’s hands are tied. The highway’s danger remains. Vulnerable lives hang in the balance.

On February 10, 2023, eighteen Brooklyn lawmakers issued a joint letter demanding New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) participate in comprehensive planning for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The statement, prompted by a Streetsblog report, reads: "We ask that the NYS DOT remember the daily harms caused by the BQE in its current state—not just the crumbling cantilever section—and join us at the table in search of a solution." The group includes Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Dan Goldman, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, state Sens. Jabari Brisport, Julia Salazar, Kristen Gonzalez, Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Members Bobby Carroll, Maritza Davila, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Emily Gallagher, Jo Anne Simon, Marcela Mitaynes, and Council Members Alexa Avilés, Shahana Hanif, Crystal Hudson, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Lincoln Restler. Senator Gounardes called the state’s refusal to join the city’s visioning process “unacceptable and irresponsible.” The lawmakers stress that the BQE’s harms—crashes, pollution, division—stretch from Bay Ridge to Greenpoint. Without state action, only city-owned segments see attention. The city’s efforts are limited. The state’s inaction leaves systemic danger unaddressed.

• Brooklyn Pols Demand the State ‘Come to the Table’ on the BQE, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-10

Eighteen Brooklyn officials demand state DOT address BQE’s full deadly stretch. They reject piecemeal fixes. They call out decades of harm. The state’s refusal leaves neighborhoods exposed. The city’s hands are tied. The highway’s danger remains. Vulnerable lives hang in the balance.

On February 10, 2023, eighteen Brooklyn lawmakers issued a joint letter demanding New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) participate in comprehensive planning for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The statement, prompted by a Streetsblog report, reads: "We ask that the NYS DOT remember the daily harms caused by the BQE in its current state—not just the crumbling cantilever section—and join us at the table in search of a solution." The group includes Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Dan Goldman, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, state Sens. Jabari Brisport, Julia Salazar, Kristen Gonzalez, Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Members Bobby Carroll, Maritza Davila, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Emily Gallagher, Jo Anne Simon, Marcela Mitaynes, and Council Members Alexa Avilés, Shahana Hanif, Crystal Hudson, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Lincoln Restler. Senator Gounardes called the state’s refusal to join the city’s visioning process “unacceptable and irresponsible.” The lawmakers stress that the BQE’s harms—crashes, pollution, division—stretch from Bay Ridge to Greenpoint. Without state action, only city-owned segments see attention. The city’s efforts are limited. The state’s inaction leaves systemic danger unaddressed.

• Brooklyn Pols Demand the State ‘Come to the Table’ on the BQE, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-10

A box truck struck an e-bike from behind on Bushwick Avenue. The e-bike rider, a 23-year-old man, suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The truck driver followed too closely, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling northwest on Bushwick Avenue rear-ended an e-bike going in the same direction. The e-bike rider, a 23-year-old male, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor to the crash. The box truck impacted the right rear bumper, while the e-bike was hit at the center front end. The e-bike rider was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The truck driver was licensed in New Jersey and was driving straight ahead prior to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604419 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

State DOT will not redesign the BQE. City studies a short stretch. Ten miles of highway cut through Brooklyn. Local leaders warn of neglect. Pollution and danger persist. No plan means more harm for people on foot, bike, or bus.

On February 9, 2023, Governor Hochul’s administration confirmed the state has 'no plans' to redesign its portion of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The matter, covered by Streetsblog NYC, states the state DOT will only provide technical help to the city’s study of the 1.5-mile city-owned segment between Atlantic Avenue and Sands Street. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized the state’s lack of engagement: 'The state hasn't engaged in any way shape or form.' Assembly Member Emily Gallagher said her community wants the BQE 'revisioned and totally changed,' citing environmental and health impacts. Assembly Member Robert Carroll warned that lack of coordination could worsen problems. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon echoed fears that her constituents would be left behind. The city, under Mayor Adams, has pledged a 'corridor-wide vision,' but admits nothing comprehensive can happen without state DOT. No safety analyst has assessed the impact, but the state’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users exposed to ongoing harm.

• The State Has ‘No Plans’ to Redesign the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-09

A 12-year-old girl bled from the neck after a truck hit her on Flushing Avenue. The driver, distracted, drove straight. The truck showed no damage. The child did. She stayed conscious. Steel met flesh. The street bore witness.

A 12-year-old pedestrian was struck and injured by a 2019 Isuzu chassis cab truck on Flushing Avenue. According to the police report, the girl bled from the neck at the intersection but remained conscious. The driver, a 26-year-old man, was traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The truck sustained no visible damage, but the child suffered severe bleeding. No other injuries were reported among the vehicle occupants. The data does not mention any actions by the pedestrian as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the danger posed by distracted driving to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605132 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate bill S 3304 aims to keep cars out of bike lanes. Photo devices would catch violators. Sponsors say it’s time to protect cyclists. The bill stands at the sponsorship stage.

Senate bill S 3304, sponsored by Brad Hoylman-Sigal with co-sponsors Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, Liz Krueger, and Julia Salazar, was introduced on January 30, 2023. The bill is in the sponsorship stage. It seeks to 'establish in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' The measure targets drivers who block bike lanes, aiming to keep space clear for cyclists. No safety analyst note is available. The bill has not yet advanced to committee or vote.

• File S 3304, Open States, Published 2023-01-30

The Adams administration stalled a 2019 law to overhaul private carting. Key staff quit. Only half the jobs are filled. Streets stay dangerous. Trucks keep rolling. Council members and advocates demand action. The city drags its feet. Lives hang in the balance.

""There are significant delays to this process. Covid was the original reason why we had to postpone, but now the city is operating in full, why continue with delays on the implementation?"" -- Antonio Reynoso

Local Law 199 of 2019, meant to create 20 commercial waste zones and cut deadly truck traffic, faces delays under the Adams administration. The Department of Sanitation claims it needs more time to avoid mistakes and cost spikes. Council Member Antonio Reynoso questioned, 'Covid was the original reason why we had to postpone, but now the city is operating in full, why continue with delays on the implementation?' Justin Wood, an advocate, warned, 'Yet another tragic fatality involving a private sanitation truck shows the urgent need to fully implement the new commercial waste zones system.' Staff departures and unfilled positions cripple progress. Council Member Sandy Nurse lamented the loss of key leadership. The city says it remains committed, but the streets tell another story. A Council hearing is set to address the ongoing risk.

• EXCLUSIVE: Adams Administration Has Delayed Commercial Waste Reform That’s Required by Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-27

The Adams administration stalled a law to overhaul private carting. Streets stay dangerous. Trucks keep rolling. The city missed deadlines. No new zones. No relief. Advocates warn: every delay risks another life. The law waits. So do the people.

On January 27, 2023, the city delayed implementation of Local Law 199 of 2019, which would create 20 commercial waste zones and limit private carters. The law, introduced by then-Council Member Antonio Reynoso, aimed to cut truck miles and improve safety. The Department of Sanitation, led by Commissioner Jessica Tisch, missed deadlines for the program’s rollout. Council Member Sandy Nurse, District 37, voiced concern over lost expertise and stalled progress. Reynoso pressed, 'Why continue with delays?' Advocates, like Justin Wood, pointed to another fatal sanitation truck crash as proof of urgent need. The law has no set deadline, leaving the city under no obligation to act quickly. Each day of delay keeps dangerous trucks on city streets, putting vulnerable road users at risk.

• EXCLUSIVE: Adams Administration Has Delayed Commercial Waste Reform That’s Required by Law, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-01-27

Advocates call on Mayor Adams to back open streets, curb car use, and fund transit. They urge permanent outdoor dining, end to parking mandates, and more space for people. The message is clear: put safety and public space before cars.

On January 25, 2023, advocates released a statement ahead of Mayor Adams’s State of the City address. The statement, titled 'What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address,' urges the city to prioritize open streets, permanent outdoor dining, and public transit. The group calls for eliminating parking mandates and expanding Summer Streets to Brooklyn and Queens. They demand automated curb enforcement and a reduction in the city’s vehicle fleet. Borough Presidents Antonio Reynoso and Donovan Richards support the Summer Streets expansion. The statement insists, 'Leadership should be celebrating [public transit] and investing in it above all else.' The advocates reject half-measures and marketing campaigns. They want policies that move people out of cars and reclaim streets for vulnerable road users.

• What the Livable Streets Movement Wants from Thursday’s State of the City Address, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-25

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

A box truck struck an e-scooter head-on on Myrtle Avenue. The e-scooter driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The truck driver ignored traffic controls and sped. Both vehicles damaged at front and right side. The rider was conscious but bruised.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling east on Myrtle Avenue collided with an e-scooter traveling west. The e-scooter driver, a 51-year-old man, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee and lower leg. The truck driver disregarded traffic controls and was driving at an unsafe speed, contributing to the crash. The point of impact was the truck's right front quarter panel and the e-scooter's center front end. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and remained conscious after the collision. The truck sustained damage to its right side doors. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as driver errors. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4599737 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 46-year-old woman crossing Myrtle Avenue was hit by a sedan. She suffered hip and leg injuries. Police cite improper lane use. A parked taxi was also struck. Speed and driver error shaped the crash.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, not at an intersection or crosswalk. She was struck by a 2021 Jeep sedan traveling eastbound. The sedan hit her with its center front end, causing hip and upper leg injuries and leaving her in shock. The report lists driver errors as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." A parked taxi was also struck at its center back end by the sedan. No contributing factors were attributed to the pedestrian. The crash underscores driver mistakes in lane usage as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600210 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

Senate bill S 343 seeks a clear, public safety score for cars. The DMV would post these ratings. Lawmakers push for sunlight on danger. Pedestrians face risk. The system aims to expose it.

Senate bill S 343 was proposed on January 4, 2023. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Creates a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles,' would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to post these ratings online. Primary sponsor Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The measure targets transparency. It puts the danger of cars in plain sight. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 343, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

Two SUVs crashed on Knickerbocker Avenue at 4:30 a.m. The driver of one vehicle suffered neck injuries and shock. The collision damaged the left front bumper of one SUV and the left rear quarter panel of the other. Brakes were defective.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Knickerbocker Avenue. The driver of one SUV, a 43-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and shock but was not ejected. The report lists defective brakes and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The point of impact was the left front bumper of one vehicle and the left rear quarter panel of the other. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead in different directions at the time of the crash. The driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594717 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 44-year-old woman was hit while crossing a marked crosswalk on Wilson Avenue. The SUV failed to yield right-of-way, striking her at the front center. She suffered bruises and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on Wilson Avenue. The driver of a 2012 Chevrolet SUV traveling north failed to yield the right-of-way, causing a collision at the vehicle's center front. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Glare' as contributing factors. No other driver errors or victim faults are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591269 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two SUVs collided on Saint Nicholas Avenue. A six-year-old girl in the back seat took the hit. Head injury. Whiplash. She stayed conscious. Failure to yield right-of-way caused the crash.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Saint Nicholas Avenue in Brooklyn. One SUV made a left turn and struck a southbound SUV. A six-year-old female passenger in the left rear seat suffered head injuries and whiplash. She was restrained with a lap belt and harness and remained conscious. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the cause of the crash. No other contributing factors or victim errors are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4592582 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 41-year-old SUV driver crashed on Knickerbocker Avenue. Alcohol and distraction cited. He suffered an eye abrasion. No other people hurt. The SUV struck an object head-on. Streets stayed quiet, danger clear.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old man driving a 2019 Audi SUV crashed on Knickerbocker Avenue. The vehicle struck an object with its center front end. The driver suffered an eye abrasion and was the only person injured. Police listed alcohol involvement and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. No other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists were involved. The driver was licensed in Oregon and wore a lap belt and harness. The crash happened as the SUV traveled straight ahead. Damage was limited to the vehicle's front.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590310 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

City plans to widen the BQE, restoring three lanes each way. Locals and advocates slam the move. They wanted fewer cars, less pollution, and safer streets. Officials focus on beautification. Vulnerable road users remain at risk. The fight continues.

On December 14, 2022, the city unveiled plans to redesign the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE), proposing to restore three lanes of traffic in each direction. The Department of Transportation cited federal and state rules for the widening. The plan, discussed in a public meeting, drew sharp criticism. The matter summary reads: 'proposing three similar options for a redesign that will restore three lanes of traffic in each direction, with a park on top.' Liz Denys of Bridges 4 People called out the city for ignoring creative ideas and failing to reduce car and truck traffic. William Meehan criticized the focus on beautification over safety. Council Member Lincoln Restler urged a reduction in car impacts, while Borough President Antonio Reynoso condemned the neglect of environmental justice. Advocates say the plan keeps vulnerable road users in danger and misses a chance to make streets safer.

• Locals Don’t Love the City’s Long-Awaited Re-Widening of Crumbling BQE, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-14