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

DOT refuses to commit to a road diet for Atlantic Avenue. Council Members Hudson and Ossé demand urgent redesign. Residents fear crossing. Four dead, 473 injured in three years. DOT wants a two-year study. Advocates call the delay deadly. The danger remains.

On February 6, 2025, the City Council held a hearing on the safety of Atlantic Avenue. The Department of Transportation (DOT) would not commit to a 'road diet' or redesign for the deadly 13-block Brooklyn stretch, pending a traffic study that could take two years and requires Council funding. Council Members Crystal Hudson and Chi Ossé, along with Borough President Antonio Reynoso, demanded a fully funded redesign, calling Atlantic Avenue 'one of the most dangerous corridors in the entire borough.' Residents testified about fear and danger from speeding cars and blind turns. From 2021 to 2024, four people died and 473 were injured in 831 crashes. Advocates and lawmakers condemned DOT's reluctance, calling it emblematic of citywide failures. The rezoning plan, which could add thousands of residents, now moves to the full Council.

• DOT: Safety Improvements on Atlantic Avenue? Wait Two More Years, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-06

Crystal Hudson backs the Atlantic Avenue rezoning plan. She wants strong tenant protections, affordable housing, and safer streets. The plan cuts lanes, adds metered parking, and targets deadly intersections. Community boards demand more. Residents fear displacement. The fight for safety and equity continues.

On February 5, 2025, Council Member Crystal Hudson (District 35) expressed support for the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, a rezoning proposal for central Brooklyn. The plan, conditionally endorsed by Community Boards 3 and 8, aims to create 4,600 apartments, protect manufacturing jobs, and improve street safety. The matter summary states the plan 'aims to bring nearly 4,600 new apartments, safeguard manufacturing space, and enhance pedestrian safety and infrastructure.' Hudson praised Borough President Reynoso’s recommendations, emphasizing 'strong manufacturing requirements, affordable housing, tenant protections, street safety, and workforce opportunities.' She called for a 'robust redesign of Atlantic Avenue that incorporates street safety improvements.' The plan includes a 'road diet' to reduce lanes, more metered parking, and safety upgrades at dangerous intersections. Residents and advocates raised concerns about displacement, legal protections, and infrastructure strain. The plan’s fate now rests with the city council and administration.

• Reynoso endorses Atlantic Avenue plan, calls for stronger tenant protections, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-02-05

Senate bill S 4421 seeks a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. Michael Gianaris leads. Robert Jackson, John Liu, Julia Salazar join. The move could shift riders from cars to buses. Status: sponsorship.

Senate bill S 4421, now at the sponsorship stage, proposes a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. The bill summary reads: 'Provides a fare-free bus pilot program in New York City for one year, subject to appropriations.' Michael Gianaris sponsors, with Robert Jackson, John Liu, and Julia Salazar as co-sponsors. Introduced on February 4, 2025, the bill awaits committee review. No safety analyst has assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The pilot could change how New Yorkers move, but its effect on street safety remains unstudied.

• File S 4421, Open States, Published 2025-02-04

Brooklyn Borough President Reynoso demands DOT cut car lanes and boost safety on deadly Atlantic Avenue. He calls for a road diet, better bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and metered parking. DOT offers piecemeal fixes, but no bold redesign. Advocates want more.

On January 29, 2025, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso pressed the Department of Transportation to overhaul a six-lane stretch of Atlantic Avenue as part of a rezoning plan. Reynoso’s recommendations—outlined in his official statement—include a road diet, pedestrian and cyclist upgrades, and paid parking. He criticized DOT’s lack of detail, saying, 'Daylighting streets is necessary, but a bare minimum.' The Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan, now heading to a Department of City Planning hearing, would rezone 13 blocks and remove parking minimums for new housing. Council Member Crystal Hudson acknowledged the community’s demand for safety but stopped short of backing a road diet. DOT has promised some safety tweaks—painted neckdowns, daylighting, planters, a new bike lane—but not a full redesign. Advocates and Transportation Alternatives call for protected bike lanes and pedestrian plazas. Reynoso’s push highlights the gap between incremental fixes and the urgent need for systemic change to protect vulnerable road users.

• BP Reynoso: DOT Must Open its Street Safety Toolkit on Atlantic Ave., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-29

A cargo van struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide in Brooklyn. Gil died. The driver turned left, hit them in the crosswalk. No charges filed. Gil survived war and disaster, but not New York traffic. Another senior lost to city streets.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. A man driving a cargo van made a left turn and struck Gil and her home health aide. The aide survived; Gil did not. Police made no arrests or charges. The article notes, 'She was a very active lady.' Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn that month. Transportation Alternatives highlighted that 46 senior pedestrians died in city crashes last year. The crash underscores the ongoing risk to older New Yorkers at crosswalks and the lack of driver accountability in such incidents.

• Elderly Woman Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-01-26

Council leadership handed street policy to car-first politicians. Safety bills stalled. Parking won. Cyclists and pedestrians lost. Deaths stayed high. Advocates condemned the shift. The Speaker and committee heads blocked reforms. Vulnerable New Yorkers paid the price.

""[Intro 606] that was brought forth by Bob Holden wouldn't have seen the light of day and wouldn't have gotten as many signatures as it has now because the leadership wouldn't have had it that way. We wouldn't allow for what I consider his false narrative and public perception to dictate safety and safety policy."" -- Antonio Reynoso

On January 21, 2025, the City Council, under Speaker Adrienne Adams, set its transportation agenda. The session saw progressives sidelined as the Council prioritized car-centric bills, including Intros 103 and 104 (parking protection) and hearings on Intro 606 (e-bike registration). The Common Sense Caucus, known for opposing bike lanes and congestion pricing, led the charge. Progressive members lost key committee seats. Universal daylighting (Intro 1138) and other safety reforms stalled. Council Member Julie Won continued to push for daylighting but faced resistance. As Streetsblog reported, 'roadway safety is simply not a priority.' Advocates and former members criticized the Council for failing to hold the mayor accountable on the Streets Master Plan and for focusing on parking over safety. The Council's actions marked a retreat from previous street safety gains, leaving vulnerable road users exposed.

• ‘Progressives’ Turn Council’s Transportation Policy Over to Republicans, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-21

An 11-year-old boy suffered abrasions and leg injuries after a distracted SUV driver struck him while he crossed Myrtle Avenue outside a crosswalk. The impact hit the vehicle’s left front bumper, leaving the child injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a 2021 Toyota SUV traveling southeast on Myrtle Avenue struck an 11-year-old pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk. The vehicle's left front bumper was the point of impact. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, but remained conscious. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving on city streets, especially to vulnerable pedestrians outside designated crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790329 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator 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 bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

A sedan making a left turn collided head-on with a southbound moped on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. The moped driver, wearing a helmet, and the sedan driver both suffered serious injuries. Police cite driver inattention and unspecified errors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:46 on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling north was making a left turn when it struck a moped traveling south. The moped driver, a 44-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained injuries to his entire body and was not ejected. The sedan driver, a 37-year-old female, also suffered neck injuries. The report identifies driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor for the moped driver and unspecified errors for the sedan driver. Both vehicles sustained center front end damage. The collision highlights critical driver errors, including failure to yield while turning and inattention, which led to serious injuries for both vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792798 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan turning left struck a 23-year-old woman in Brooklyn. She crossed with the signal. The car’s bumper hit her knee and leg. She was left injured and in shock. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old female pedestrian was injured at Stockholm Street and Wyckoff Avenue in Brooklyn at 4:50 a.m. She was crossing with the signal when a northbound sedan, making a left turn, struck her with its right front bumper. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock. The sedan’s right front quarter panel was damaged. No driver errors were listed in the report. The crash underscores the risk to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785120 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit a parked car on Dekalb Avenue. The driver, a 26-year-old woman, suffered leg injuries and whiplash. Police blame driver inattention. No one else was hurt. The street stayed silent after the crash.

According to the police report, at 1:46 AM on Dekalb Avenue in Brooklyn, a northbound sedan struck a parked sedan. The parked car was empty. The driver, a 26-year-old woman, was injured in her knee, lower leg, and foot, and suffered whiplash. She was conscious and wore a lap belt and harness. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. No other contributing factors or victim actions are noted. The moving sedan's front end hit the parked car's back end, damaging both vehicles. The crash highlights the danger of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785121 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

A sedan making a U-turn struck a 38-year-old woman crossing Bushwick Avenue outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock. Driver failure to yield and inattention caused the collision.

According to the police report, at 17:40 on Bushwick Avenue near Noll Street in Brooklyn, a sedan traveling south was making a U-turn when it struck a 38-year-old female pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot and was reported to be in shock. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, indicating the driver did not yield to the pedestrian. No vehicle damage was noted. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but the report emphasizes driver errors as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

A moped rider, thirty-one, thrown and bleeding after an SUV struck him head-on at Myrtle and Bushwick. Both drivers distracted. Sirens tore the night. Blood pooled on the street. The city’s danger sharpened in the dark.

A violent collision unfolded at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn when a Station Wagon/SUV traveling north struck a moped head-on. According to the police report, both drivers were 'distracted' at the time of the crash, with 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' listed as the contributing factor for both vehicles. The moped rider, a 31-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered severe bleeding from his arm, remaining conscious at the scene. The report describes the impact as centered on the front ends of both vehicles. The SUV, a 2008 Cadillac, and the moped were both traveling straight before the crash. The police narrative underscores the chaos: 'A moped hit head-on by an SUV. The rider, 31, thrown partway off, bleeding hard from his arm. He stayed awake. Both drivers distracted.' The crash highlights the lethal consequences of driver distraction, with the vulnerable moped rider bearing the brunt of the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786640 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 26-year-old man crossing Central Avenue was struck by an SUV making a right turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing a severe shoulder injury. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash, leaving the pedestrian with a dislocated fracture.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Central Avenue and Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn around 8:44 PM. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when a 2019 SUV, traveling east and making a right turn, struck him with its right front bumper. The report explicitly cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factor. Additionally, slippery pavement conditions played a role in the incident. The pedestrian sustained a severe injury described as a fractured, distorted, and dislocated shoulder and upper arm. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to yield created a dangerous situation resulting in serious harm to the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784224 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans traveling southbound collided on St Nicholas Ave in Brooklyn. Impact struck left side doors and front end. A 49-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and shock. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling southbound on St Nicholas Ave collided near Menahan St in Brooklyn at 10:45. The impact occurred on the left side doors of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. A 49-year-old male driver, occupant of the vehicle struck on the left side, sustained back injuries and was reported in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. Both vehicles were going straight ahead prior to the collision. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The driver was licensed in New York. The collision caused significant damage to the left side doors of one sedan and the front end of the other.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Metal groaned on Nostrand Avenue. Two cars trapped, one stacked atop the other. A bus driver, a woman, a girl—hurt but alive. Emergency crews worked fast. The street bore the scars. The cause stayed hidden in the wreckage.

NY Daily News reported on December 18, 2024, that a multi-vehicle crash at Nostrand Ave. and Park Ave. in Brooklyn left three people injured. The article states, 'Three people were injured, including an MTA bus driver and a young girl, in a collision that pinned two cars between a box truck and a city bus.' Footage showed two vehicles sandwiched between the bus and truck, with one car stacked atop another. The injured included a 59-year-old MTA driver, a 33-year-old woman, and a 9-year-old girl. All were hospitalized in stable condition. The cause of the crash was not determined at the time of reporting. The incident highlights the risks at busy intersections and the dangers posed by large vehicles in dense urban traffic.

• Cars Crushed Between Bus And Truck, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-18