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

Jan 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

Jan 25 - 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

Jan 24 - 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

Jan 23 - 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 2025-09-19

Jan 19 - 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 2025-09-19

Jan 13 - 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

Jan 4 - 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

Jan 2 - 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 2025-09-19

Dec 19 - 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 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - 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 2025-09-19

Dec 16 - 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 2025-09-19

Dec 14 - 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

Dec 6 - A speeding SUV struck an e-bike on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn late at night. The e-bike rider, a 20-year-old man, suffered bruises but remained conscious. The SUV showed damage to its right front bumper. The crash involved unsafe speed.

According to the police report, a 2015 SUV traveling south on Bushwick Avenue collided with a northbound e-bike that was changing lanes. The e-bike rider, a 20-year-old male, was injured with contusions but was conscious and not ejected. The SUV sustained damage to its right front bumper, while the e-bike was damaged at its right rear bumper. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. The e-bike rider was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by speeding vehicles to vulnerable road users like e-bike riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587881 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 29 - Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso demands more. He wants car-free streets in Brooklyn, longer than Manhattan’s. He pledges funding. He rejects short, patchwork routes. The city drags its feet. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for safe, open roads.

On November 29, 2022, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called on the Department of Transportation to expand the Summer Streets program into Brooklyn. Reynoso insists the new corridor must be at least as long as Manhattan’s six-and-a-half-mile stretch, not just a patchwork of short Open Streets. He told Streetsblog, "We have to think about, long-term, having a route that is as long if not longer than the one Manhattan does." Reynoso commits city funding to make this happen. The Adams administration has yet to announce plans. The matter, described as 'expansion of car-free Summer Streets program to Brooklyn,' remains in policy advocacy, with support from public-space advocates. Reynoso’s push centers on opening streets to pedestrians and cyclists, not just for events, but as a lasting, borough-wide change.

• Bigger and Better: Brooklyn BP Wants Summer Streets Longer Than Manhattan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-29

Nov 5 - A taxi parked on Hart Street took a hard hit on its left side. The sedan struck the taxi’s left doors while traveling west. The taxi driver, 33, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Passenger distraction and pedestrian confusion contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a taxi was parked on Hart Street in Brooklyn when it was struck on the left side doors by a westbound sedan. The taxi driver, a 33-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists passenger distraction and pedestrian or bicyclist confusion as contributing factors. The sedan was traveling straight ahead and impacted the taxi’s left side. No ejections occurred. The taxi driver’s injury severity was moderate. The report does not indicate any fault or error by the taxi driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581098 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 5 - A 23-year-old man was injured while emerging from behind a parked vehicle on Bleecker Street. Two SUVs and a sedan were involved in a collision caused by driver inexperience. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and leg injuries.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Bleecker Street while emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle. The crash involved three vehicles: two Station Wagons/SUVs and one sedan. One SUV was entering a parked position when the collision occurred. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicles showed damage primarily at their center front and back ends. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579176 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 1 - A sedan struck a bicyclist traveling north on Wilson Avenue. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The driver showed inattention and distraction. The cyclist was in shock with minor bleeding.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Wilson Avenue collided with a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 37-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, resulting in minor bleeding and shock. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The bicyclist was unlicensed and inexperienced but was not cited as a cause. The sedan sustained damage to its center front end, while the bike showed no damage. The driver of the sedan was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4578096 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 1 - A moped and pick-up truck collided on Wilson Avenue. The female moped driver was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries. Both vehicles struck each other amid limited visibility. Unsafe speed and obstructed views contributed to the violent impact.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Wilson Avenue involving a moped and a pick-up truck. The moped driver, a 22-year-old woman, was ejected from her vehicle and sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors for the moped driver. The pick-up truck, driven by a man with a permit license, struck the right side doors of the truck and the center front end of the moped was damaged. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before impact. The moped driver was wearing a helmet. The crash highlights the dangers posed by limited visibility and unsafe speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 30 - A 22-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured in a collision with a pick-up truck on Beaver Street, Brooklyn. The rider suffered bruises and lower leg injuries. The truck showed no damage. Driver inattention was cited as a factor.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Beaver Street in Brooklyn involving a pick-up truck and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 22-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. The truck, driven by a licensed female driver from Virginia, was traveling south and showed no damage. The bicyclist was also traveling south but was unlicensed. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the bike. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4577543 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 30 - A 30-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered a head contusion after a collision with an SUV. The crash occurred at 5:50 a.m. on Stockholm Street. Driver inattention and unsafe speed contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on Stockholm Street was struck by a 2017 SUV traveling east. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained a head contusion, resulting in injury severity level 3 and shock. The report lists driver errors including inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV's point of impact was the left front bumper, while the bike was hit at the center front end. The crash involved a station wagon/SUV and a bike, with the bicyclist as the injured party. No pedestrian errors or helmet use were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579185 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19