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

Jan 16 - 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

Jan 13 - 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

Jan 11 - 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 2025-09-19

Jan 11 - 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 2025-09-19

Jan 10 - 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 2025-09-19

Jan 8 - 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

Jan 8 - 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

Jan 5 - 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 2025-09-19

Jan 1 - 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

Dec 31 - 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 2025-09-19

Dec 28 - 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 2025-09-19

Dec 22 - 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 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - 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

Dec 18 - Council bill Intro 103 forces DOT to notify members for every parking change. Critics say it slows life-saving street redesigns. Advocates warn it props up car culture and blocks safer bike lanes. The bill risks more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings.

Intro 103, now before the City Council, would require the Department of Transportation to notify Council members every time a single parking spot is repurposed—for car-share, bike corrals, or Citi Bike docks. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola, claims residents need notice before losing parking. But DOT and street safety advocates slam the measure as a bureaucratic drag on urgent safety fixes. Council Member Lincoln Restler calls it 'additional hoops and hurdles' for street safety. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso says, 'I don’t know why we entertain any effort to stop or slow-roll safe street design.' Open Plans and StreetsPAC argue the bill props up car dominance and blocks safer, more sustainable streets. The bill could make it harder to move bike infrastructure off sidewalks, risking more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings for pedestrians. Similar bills (Intro 606, Intro 104) face the same criticism.

• Council Members Want To Be Notified When City Repurposes ‘Their’ Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 16 - A sedan making a left turn hit a bicyclist going straight on Bushwick Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn at 1:55 PM. A 37-year-old male bicyclist, traveling southbound straight ahead, was struck by a westbound sedan making a left turn. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained serious injuries, including a fractured and dislocated elbow. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The sedan's left front bumper was the point of impact, though the vehicle sustained no damage. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle with no noted license issues. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and failure to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781180 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 15 - A 43-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian suffered severe full-body injuries and was incoherent at the scene.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing at an intersection on Cypress Avenue near Dekalb Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when he was hit by a 2015 Chevrolet SUV traveling south and making a left turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver's failure to maintain focus led to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his entire body and was incoherent at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but his distraction caused a severe injury to a lawful pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785696 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 12 - Maritza Davila endorsed Mark Levine’s run for Comptroller. Levine vows to cut living costs, build housing, and make streets safer. He supports congestion pricing and more cycling lanes. Davila’s support signals a push for citywide safety and accountability.

On December 12, 2024, Mark Levine announced his candidacy for New York City Comptroller. The campaign launch drew endorsements from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Brian Cunningham and Maritza Davila, and others. The campaign summary states Levine will 'drive affordability, solve the housing crisis, support working families, demand fiscal responsibility, and make streets safer.' Davila, representing District 53, publicly backed Levine. Levine’s record includes advocacy for congestion pricing, e-commerce reform, and expanding cycling infrastructure. These stances align with efforts to protect vulnerable road users and reduce traffic violence. The campaign’s focus on safer streets and better transit marks a shift toward systemic change for New Yorkers.

• Mark Levine launches campaign for Comptroller, backed with citywide support, amny.com, Published 2024-12-12

Dec 12 - Maritza Davila endorsed Mark Levine’s run for Comptroller. Levine vows to cut living costs, build housing, and make streets safer. He supports congestion pricing and more cycling lanes. Davila’s support signals a push for citywide safety and accountability.

On December 12, 2024, Mark Levine announced his candidacy for New York City Comptroller. The campaign launch drew endorsements from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Brian Cunningham and Maritza Davila, and others. The campaign summary states Levine will 'drive affordability, solve the housing crisis, support working families, demand fiscal responsibility, and make streets safer.' Davila, representing District 53, publicly backed Levine. Levine’s record includes advocacy for congestion pricing, e-commerce reform, and expanding cycling infrastructure. These stances align with efforts to protect vulnerable road users and reduce traffic violence. The campaign’s focus on safer streets and better transit marks a shift toward systemic change for New Yorkers.

• Mark Levine launches campaign for Comptroller, backed with citywide support, amny.com, Published 2024-12-12

Dec 5 - Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

Dec 5 - Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05