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

May 28 - Council pushes a bill to cut bike share costs for New Yorkers over 65. The measure aims to open city cycling to more seniors. The committee now weighs its next move.

Bill Int 1288-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for seniors,' would require the Department of Transportation to mandate lower bike share rates for those 65 and older. Council Member Farah N. Louis leads as primary sponsor, joined by Marte, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, Banks, Menin, Feliz, Hanks, Avilés, Gutiérrez, and Restler. The bill was re-referred to committee June 4. The move aims to make cycling more accessible for older New Yorkers.

• File Int 1288-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 28 - Council pushes cheaper bike share for students 16 and up. More teens on bikes. Streets shift. Danger remains. The bill sits in committee. Cyclists wait.

Int 1287-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to set a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older. The matter title reads: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older." Council Member Christopher Marte leads as primary sponsor, joined by Louis, Stevens, Brooks-Powers, Ossé, Restler, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, and Banks. The bill was referred to committee and awaits further action. No safety analysis has been provided.

• File Int 1287-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 27 - A BMW sedan hit a woman crossing at Flushing and Stewart. She suffered leg injuries and shock. The crash left pain and confusion. Obstruction or debris played a role. The street turned violent in a heartbeat.

A BMW sedan traveling south on Flushing Avenue at Stewart Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 27-year-old woman as she crossed at the intersection. According to the police report, the pedestrian was injured in the knee, lower leg, and foot, and experienced shock and pain. Two passengers and the driver in the sedan were listed as uninjured. The police report cites 'Obstruction/Debris' as a contributing factor in the crash. No other driver errors were noted in the data. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but this is not listed as a contributing factor. The report does not mention helmet or signal use. The collision underscores the danger faced by people on foot when streets are blocked or visibility is compromised.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816296 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

May 26 - A driver struck Tiffany Cifuni after a fender-bender in Bedford-Stuyvesant. She was pregnant. The driver dragged her down a one-way street, crashed again, then fled. Cifuni’s family mourns. The street holds the mark of violence and loss.

NY Daily News reported on May 26, 2025, that Tiffany Cifuni, 32, was killed after a Chevy Trax rear-ended her on Van Buren St. in Brooklyn. Cifuni exited her vehicle to confront the driver, who then ran her over and dragged her down the street. The driver fled, crashing into two more vehicles before abandoning the car. The article quotes Cifuni’s husband: “I lost my whole family tonight.” Surveillance footage captured the confrontation and the fatal impact. The incident highlights the lethal risk of driver aggression and the dangers of hit-and-run crashes. The driver’s decision to flee and drive the wrong way down a one-way street escalated the harm, underscoring systemic failures in street safety and enforcement.

• Pregnant Woman Killed In Brooklyn Hit-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-26

May 20 - Two sedans collided on Bushwick Ave. Three men hurt. Police cite improper turn and failure to yield. Metal twisted. Shock and pain followed. Brooklyn night, sirens cut the dark.

Two sedans crashed at Bushwick Ave and Flushing Ave in Brooklyn. Three men, aged 33 and 40, suffered injuries to their back and shoulders. According to the police report, both vehicles were making left turns when the collision occurred. Police list 'Turning Improperly' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left occupants in shock and pain. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815542 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

May 17 - A pickup truck struck a man in a marked crosswalk on Wyckoff Ave. The oversized vehicle left the 29-year-old with facial abrasions. He stood in shock. The truck showed no damage.

A 29-year-old man was injured when a pickup truck hit him as he crossed Wyckoff Avenue at Himrod Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk with no signal when the oversized vehicle struck him. The man suffered facial abrasions and was in shock. The report lists 'Oversized Vehicle' as a contributing factor. The truck had no visible damage. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815047 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

May 16 - A woman walked with the light. A Mercedes struck her. Bones broke. She died in the crosswalk. The driver sped through. The street stayed silent. The city failed to protect her.

Streetsblog NYC reported on May 16, 2025, that Maurette Lafleur, 68, died after a driver in a 2025 Mercedes Benz GLC 300 struck her as she crossed Rutland Road at E. 95th Street in East Flatbush. Lafleur was in the crosswalk, with the signal to walk. A witness said, "The lady spin around and sped through." The driver, a 64-year-old woman, has not been charged. The vehicle had one prior violation for blocking a bus lane. The article highlights the lack of immediate accountability and calls for stronger pedestrian protections: "The government should do something, like when people are walking, no cars should be moving."

• Driver Kills Pedestrian In Crosswalk, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-16

May 15 - E-scooter struck a woman at Knickerbocker and Suydam. She suffered a fractured arm. Police cite driver distraction. The street stayed loud. The injury stayed real.

A 38-year-old woman walking at the intersection of Knickerbocker Avenue and Suydam Street in Brooklyn was struck by an e-scooter. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a fractured arm and was in shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The e-scooter was traveling north and going straight ahead. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash left the pedestrian injured and the street unchanged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813237 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

May 15 - A Mercedes turned left onto Rutland Road. The car struck Maurette Lafleur, 68, in the crosswalk. Medics rushed her to the hospital. She died. The driver stayed. No charges. The street stayed open. The danger stayed.

NY Daily News reported on May 15, 2025, that Maurette Lafleur, 68, was killed while crossing Rutland Road at E. 94th St. in East Flatbush. The article states, "Maurette Lafleur was in the crosswalk...when the driver of the 2025 Mercedes-Benz slammed into her." Police said the 64-year-old driver was turning left from E. 95th St. onto Rutland Road when the crash occurred. Lafleur was transported to Kings County Hospital but could not be saved. The driver remained at the scene and faced no immediate charges. The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and raises questions about intersection safety and left-turn protocols.

• Mercedes Driver Kills Woman In Crosswalk, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-15

May 13 - Five dead. Forty badly hurt. The Conduit slices through Queens and Brooklyn, fast and wide. DOT will study a fix. Borough presidents called for urgent change. The city will listen to neighbors. The old highway’s days are numbered. Lives hang in the balance.

On May 13, 2025, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a city-funded public engagement process for a major safety redesign of Conduit Boulevard, a three-mile corridor linking Atlantic Avenue to the Belt Parkway and JFK Airport. The project follows urgent requests in 2023 from Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "Brooklyn and Queens deserve a Conduit Boulevard that improves daily life, not a roadway that puts pedestrians and drivers at risk and physically divides entire neighborhoods." The corridor has seen five deaths and 40 severe injuries in five years. The median’s dirt paths show heavy pedestrian use, but only 15 crosswalks span the stretch. The public process begins in June and may run into 2026. The redesign aims to end decades of danger for vulnerable road users.

• Can New York City Fix Its Deadly ‘Conduit’ to JFK Airport?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-13

May 11 - A sedan hit a cyclist on Wyckoff Avenue. The rider suffered leg injuries. Police cite improper lane usage. The street saw blood, not mercy.

A sedan and a bike collided at 91 Wyckoff Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist, a 36-year-old man, was injured in the leg and remained conscious. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The report lists no injuries for the car occupant. The data shows both vehicles were moving straight ahead before impact. The cyclist was not ejected. No other contributing factors were listed. The system failed to protect the vulnerable. The street remains dangerous.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812428 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

May 8 - A sedan hit a 26-year-old man walking along Bushwick Ave. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered an abdominal abrasion but stayed conscious.

A sedan making a right turn on Bushwick Ave struck a 26-year-old male pedestrian walking with traffic. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and failed to yield the right-of-way. The pedestrian was injured in the abdomen and pelvis, suffering an abrasion but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was not using any safety equipment, but the primary causes were driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811369 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

May 6 - A principal drove down Lenox Road, lost control, hit parked cars, and flipped his vehicle. Police pulled him from the wreck. He refused a Breathalyzer. Charges followed. The street bore the scars. The system let him drive. The danger stayed.

According to NY Daily News (2025-05-06), Gregory Jackson, principal of Brownsville Collaborative Middle School, crashed on Lenox Road near Utica Ave. Police say he struck several parked cars and overturned his vehicle around 11:30 p.m. Jackson told police he had 'only one drink.' He refused a Breathalyzer test at the scene. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, and refusing the test. The Department of Education referred questions to the NYPD. The incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired drivers and the vulnerability of anyone near city streets, even when parked. Systemic gaps allow such danger to persist.

• Principal Overturns Car In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-06

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 4 - A motorcycle and sedan collided on Flushing Ave. One driver was ejected and injured. Police cite improper lane use and unsafe speed. Passengers shaken. Metal twisted. System failed.

A motorcycle and a sedan crashed at Flushing Ave and Noll St in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered a leg injury. Several passengers in the sedan were also hurt. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Speed' were listed as contributing factors. The report notes the motorcycle driver wore a helmet. No pedestrians were involved. The crash left metal bent and lives disrupted. Systemic danger remains on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810127 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

May 3 - A sedan hit a man working in the road at Knickerbocker and Jefferson. He took a blow to the shoulder. Police cite driver inexperience and failure to yield. The street stayed loud. The bruise will last.

A 30-year-old man was injured when a sedan struck him as he worked in the roadway at Knickerbocker Avenue and Jefferson Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a shoulder contusion and remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The sedan hit the man with its center front end while traveling north. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the danger faced by people on foot when drivers fail to yield and lack experience.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810726 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

May 3 - A moped slammed into a pickup on Knickerbocker Ave. Two teens hurt. Police cite driver inexperience and ignored signals. Metal, flesh, blood on the street. System failed the young.

A moped carrying two boys, ages 11 and 16, crashed into a pickup truck on Knickerbocker Ave near Stanhope St in Brooklyn. The 11-year-old suffered severe leg lacerations. The 16-year-old driver was bruised. According to the police report, 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' contributed to the crash. The moped driver was unlicensed. The pickup driver, age 66, was not reported injured. The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Driver Inexperience' as factors. The system put young riders at risk. No mention of helmet use as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

May 2 - A stolen Porsche sped down the Belt Parkway. Police set a roadblock. The driver swerved, nearly hitting a lieutenant. A shot rang out. The car crashed. One man died. The state investigates. The road stayed dangerous.

ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that a man was killed after a police-involved shooting during a stolen car stop in Brooklyn. Officers, following new NYPD pursuit rules, did not chase but instead set a roadblock. According to NYPD Chief John Chell, 'We didn't pursue the vehicle, we strategically radioed ahead to shut down traffic.' The driver, Jumaane Wright, swerved toward officers, nearly striking a lieutenant, who fired a single shot. Wright crashed a mile later and died at the hospital. The Attorney General's investigation is standard for such incidents. The case highlights risks in high-speed police interventions and the ongoing challenge of balancing pursuit policies with public safety.

• Police Roadblock Ends In Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-05-02

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01