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

May 31 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31

May 28 - A 59-year-old man was hit by an SUV while crossing De Kalb Avenue. The impact struck his face, causing minor bleeding and shock. The driver’s view was obstructed. The pedestrian was not at an intersection or crosswalk.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2006 SUV traveling west on De Kalb Avenue struck him with its right front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing outside an intersection or crosswalk. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s impaired visibility. The pedestrian suffered facial injuries and minor bleeding, resulting in shock. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4632910 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 26 - A 25-year-old male e-bike driver suffered a head abrasion after colliding with a sedan on Suydam Street. The crash involved disregard of traffic control. The e-bike showed no damage. The rider was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Suydam Street involving a sedan and an e-bike. The e-bike driver, a 25-year-old man, sustained a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted, suggesting some confusion or error on the part of the e-bike rider. The sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, showed no damage, and the e-bike also had no visible damage. The rider was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers when traffic controls are ignored.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4632238 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 24 - E-bike slammed into a vehicle on Troutman Street. Rider, 27, took the hit. Abrasions, leg injuries. Driver inattention and bad lane use fueled the crash.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old man riding an e-bike collided with a vehicle on Troutman Street. The e-bike struck the vehicle's right side doors. The rider suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and improper lane usage as contributing factors. No safety equipment was noted on the rider. Both vehicles were traveling straight before the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633259 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 21 - A pickup truck slammed into the rear of an SUV on Stanhope Street in Brooklyn. Both vehicle occupants suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash happened at night. The pickup truck driver followed too closely, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling south on Stanhope Street rear-ended a slowing SUV. The impact injured both occupants of the SUV, a 52-year-old male driver and a 59-year-old female front passenger, both suffering back injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor for the crash. The pickup truck sustained front-end damage, while the SUV showed no damage. The pickup truck driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead before the crash. The collision caused injury but no ejections. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630967 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 20 - A 52-year-old man driving an SUV struck an e-bike on Cypress Avenue. The driver suffered chest injuries and shock. Police cited traffic control disregard and unsafe speed. The e-bike showed no damage. The SUV’s front end was damaged.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Cypress Avenue involving a station wagon/SUV and an e-bike. The 52-year-old male SUV driver was injured, suffering chest trauma and shock. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The e-bike was traveling west, the SUV south, both going straight ahead. The SUV sustained front-end damage; the e-bike showed no damage. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness. The crash highlights driver errors in traffic control compliance and speed management.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630574 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 17 - A 25-year-old female bicyclist was injured in a collision with an SUV on Willoughby Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash happened at night. The bicyclist suffered a head contusion but was conscious and wearing a helmet. The SUV and bike collided front to front.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old female bicyclist traveling west on Willoughby Avenue collided head-on with a northbound SUV. The bicyclist sustained a head injury described as a contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver errors including Traffic Control Disregarded and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, which was noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The SUV was a 2020 model traveling straight ahead, as was the bicyclist. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The crash highlights the dangers when drivers disregard traffic controls and fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4629868 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

May 6 - A man stepped from a parked car. A bus passed too close. Metal ripped his arm. Blood spilled on De Kalb Avenue. The bus did not stop. The man stayed behind, awake, bleeding, his arm torn open.

A 31-year-old man exited a parked car on De Kalb Avenue. As he stepped down, a westbound bus passed too close. According to the police report, 'Passing Too Closely' was the contributing factor. The bus struck the man’s arm, causing severe lacerations and heavy bleeding. The bus did not stop. The man remained conscious at the scene. No injuries were reported for the bus driver or other vehicle occupants. The police report lists no errors by the victim. The crash highlights the danger when large vehicles fail to give space to people outside cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 4 - A taxi and an SUV crashed on Wyckoff Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 24-year-old man, suffered head injuries and whiplash. The collision involved disregard of traffic control. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west and an SUV traveling south collided on Wyckoff Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 24-year-old male occupant, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor to the crash. The taxi's point of impact was the center front end, while the SUV was struck on the left front quarter panel. No ejections occurred. The driver errors involved failure to obey traffic controls, leading to the collision. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626144 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 1 - A moped and sedan collided on Grove Street in Brooklyn. The moped driver suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. The sedan struck the moped’s center front end. Improper lane usage and turning errors caused the crash.

According to the police report, a moped traveling north on Grove Street was making a right turn when it collided with a sedan going straight ahead. The moped driver, a 28-year-old man, sustained a head contusion but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan struck the moped’s center front end with its left front bumper. The report lists driver errors including "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Turning Improperly" as contributing factors. The moped driver held a permit license, while the sedan driver was licensed. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash caused injury to the moped driver but no further details on other injuries or victims were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626141 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 1 - A driver killed Katherine Harris on Atlantic Avenue. Politicians demand mid-block crossings, daylighted intersections, and curb extensions. They call the street a speedway. They blame city inaction. They vow to push for changes. The city promises only to study.

On May 1, 2023, after the death of Katherine Harris, Brooklyn Heights Council Member Lincoln Restler and State Senator Andrew Gounardes called for urgent safety fixes on Atlantic Avenue. At a rally, Restler said, "It is wrong how deadly this strip is." The officials demand mid-block crossings, daylighted intersections, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, and safer pedestrian space near BQE ramps. Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized city resistance to reallocating street space, saying, "They drag their feet because they don’t want to do the inevitable." The Department of Transportation has agreed only to study new crosswalks. The bill is not yet formal legislation but marks a push for action after years of delay. No safety analyst assessment is available.

• In Wake of Death, Pols Want Mid-Block Crossings, Safer Atlantic Ave., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-05-01

Apr 30 - A 23-year-old male bicyclist struck a parked SUV on De Kalb Avenue. The bike hit the SUV’s left rear bumper. The rider suffered facial abrasions but remained conscious. Alcohol was involved in the crash. No helmet was worn.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male bicyclist traveling west on De Kalb Avenue collided with a parked 2016 Dodge SUV. The bike struck the SUV’s left rear bumper, causing damage to both vehicles. The bicyclist sustained facial abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. The driver of the SUV was not present in the vehicle at the time. No specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted in the data. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. The crash highlights the dangers posed by parked vehicles and alcohol-related impairment in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4624887 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 28 - A 34-year-old male e-bike rider was injured on Bushwick Avenue. The crash involved a collision on the right and left side doors of two vehicles traveling south. The rider suffered bruises and contusions to his lower arm and hand.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike was injured in a crash on Bushwick Avenue. The collision occurred when the e-bike and another unspecified vehicle, both traveling south, made contact on their side doors. The bicyclist sustained contusions and bruises to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as a contributing factor to the crash. The rider was not ejected and was conscious after the incident. No safety equipment was noted. The crash highlights the dangers of close passing in shared road spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626300 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 17 - A 21-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured after a collision with a sedan making a left turn on Flushing Avenue. The sedan struck the e-bike’s front center. The rider suffered bruises over his entire body but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on Flushing Avenue collided with an eastbound e-bike. The 21-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions over his entire body. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-bike and the left front bumper of the sedan. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was conscious and injured but was not cited for any contributing factors. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle while making the left turn. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles' front ends.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4622324 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 6 - Two sedans collided on Cypress Avenue after midnight. Two young male passengers suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cite alcohol and driver distraction. Both victims were conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Cypress Avenue at 12:38 a.m. The impact struck the front quarter panels of both vehicles. Two 22-year-old male passengers were injured, each suffering back injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and wore lap belts and harnesses. The police report lists alcohol involvement and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. One sedan was parked before the crash, while the other was moving straight ahead. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4618642 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 2 - A 26-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Harman Street in Brooklyn. The crash involved a vehicle turning improperly. The cyclist suffered back injuries and was in shock. The impact damaged the bike's left front quarter panel.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a crash on Harman Street near Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision involved a vehicle turning improperly, which was identified as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was not ejected but suffered back injuries and was in shock. The bike was traveling east going straight ahead when it was struck on the right front bumper, causing damage to the left front quarter panel. The other vehicle was starting from parking and impacted the bike's left front bumper. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as the driver error. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The bicyclist was the sole occupant of the bike and was not visibly complaining of injury at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4618650 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - Brooklyn’s Age-Friendly Task Force released ten sharp recommendations. The focus: safer sidewalks, better bus driver training, and more housing for older adults. Council Member Crystal Hudson backed the push. The plan aims to cut danger for Brooklyn’s aging population.

On March 27, 2023, the Age-Friendly Brooklyn Task Force released ten policy recommendations to make Brooklyn safer and more inclusive for its 352,000 residents aged 65 and older. The initiative, supported by Council Member Crystal Hudson, Chair of the City Council Committee on Aging, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, narrows 33 ideas to ten urgent actions. The report calls to 'ensure safe, clean, well-maintained sidewalks with well-lit intersections,' and to 'provide training to MTA bus drivers on working with older riders and riders with disabilities.' Hudson stated, 'We have to do all we can to ensure that our communities are responsive to the needs of our aging population.' The recommendations target housing, transportation, and public safety, aiming to reduce risks for older pedestrians and transit users.

• BP’s Age-Friendly Task Force releases 10 recommendations for an age-inclusive Brooklyn, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-03-27

Mar 25 - Two sedans crashed on Evergreen Avenue. Both drivers distracted. Three women inside suffered neck, head, and leg injuries. All wore seat belts. Shock and whiplash reported. Impact hit right side doors and front bumpers. Parked car also damaged.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Evergreen Avenue at 4:05 a.m. The crash involved a northbound Infiniti sedan and a westbound Acura sedan. Three female occupants were injured: the Infiniti driver, front passenger, and rear passenger. Injuries included neck and head whiplash and leg contusions. All occupants wore lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The contributing factors listed were driver inattention and distraction for both drivers. The Infiniti was struck on the right side doors, and the Acura sustained front-end damage. A parked Audi sedan also suffered damage to its right rear bumper. The report highlights driver inattention as the primary cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4615448 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21