The Dead Don’t Wait—Why Should We?

• Brooklyn cop killed in hit-run recalled as ‘top of his class’ both at NYPD and in life, NY Daily News, Published 2025-09-03

Aug 30 - Southbound SUV cut lanes on Wyckoff and hit a 28‑year‑old woman at Halsey. She went down hard. Knee torn. Sirens in the grit. The driver kept moving wrong. The street let it happen.

A southbound SUV on Wyckoff Ave at Halsey St struck a 28-year-old pedestrian in the intersection. She suffered a lower-leg injury and abrasions. According to the police report, contributing factors were “Passing or Lane Usage Improper” and “Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle.” The data lists driver behavior before impact as “Avoiding Object in Roadway,” and the point of impact was the center front end. Driver errors cited include improper passing or lane usage. After those factors, the report notes the pedestrian was “Crossing Against Signal.” The vehicle is recorded as having no damage, underscoring the force borne by the person, not the car.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4839364 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 29 - Southbound SUV crowded a rider on Central and Weirfield. The bike took the hit. The man went down, hurt and conscious. Tailgating and distraction marked the crash. Night street. Thin margin. Steel wins. Flesh pays.

A southbound SUV making a left at Central Ave and Weirfield St hit a southbound bicyclist. The cyclist, a 38-year-old man, was injured and remained conscious. According to the police report, contributing factors were “Following Too Closely, Driver Inattention/Distraction.” The data flags driver errors: Following Too Closely and distraction by the SUV driver. The bicycle showed front-end impact; the SUV showed damage to its left front quarter panel. No other injuries were reported among vehicle occupants. The report lists the bicyclist’s safety equipment as None, but that comes after the driver’s failures noted by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4838433 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 29 - The driver of a box truck turned left and hit a 41-year-old man crossing with the signal at Irving Ave and Halsey. He suffered knee and lower-leg injuries and an abrasion and remained conscious. Police recorded failure to yield and inattention.

The driver of a 2024 Hino box truck turned left on Irving Ave at Halsey and hit a 41-year-old man who was crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower-leg injuries and an abrasion and remained conscious. According to the police report, contributing factors were "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. The report attributes those driver errors to the truck operator. The point of impact was the truck’s left rear bumper. The vehicle showed no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4838328 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 25 - Two sedans met at Central and Weirfield. Metal hit metal. A teen passenger was hurt. Night streets. Hard stop. Parked car took the extra blow. Paper lists inexperience and vague vehicle faults. People pay. Cars keep coming.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at Central Ave and Weirfield St in Brooklyn, with a parked Toyota also struck. A 13-year-old front-seat passenger was injured; multiple occupants reported unspecified injuries. The data cites Driver Inexperience and Other Vehicular as contributing factors. One driver held only a permit. Both moving vehicles were traveling straight, and each showed left-front damage, signaling a failure to manage right-of-way and space at the intersection. The parked car suffered right-front damage from the chain of impact. No pedestrian or cyclist injuries were recorded in this report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 23 - A driver in an SUV clipped an 18-year-old cyclist on Myrtle Avenue. The rider fell and suffered an abrasion to his arm. He remained conscious. Police listed driver inattention/distraction as a contributing factor.

A driver in an SUV traveling east struck the rear of a bicycle near 1438 Myrtle Ave in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, an 18-year-old man, suffered injuries to his elbow and lower arm and remained conscious. According to the police report, the crash involved an "SUV" and a "Bike," with "Driver Inattention/Distraction" listed as a contributing factor. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction as the driver error. The SUV's right front bumper struck the bike's center back end. Vehicle data show the SUV was going straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836952 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 15 - A left-turn sedan cut across Gates Ave at Wilson Ave and struck an eastbound motorcycle. Two 18-year-old riders were ejected. The passenger bled heavily from a head wound; the driver suffered leg injuries. Police recorded driver inattention.

A Toyota sedan turned left at Gates Ave and Wilson Ave and collided with an eastbound motorcycle carrying two people. Two 18-year-olds were ejected. The passenger suffered a head injury with severe bleeding; the motorcycle driver suffered knee and lower-leg injuries. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The report lists driver inattention for the involved parties. The sedan was making a left turn while the motorcycle was going straight. Police recorded left-front impact on both vehicles and logged the injuries sustained by the motorcycle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835385 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 13 - A sedan rolled east on Gates. The driver drifted, distracted. He struck a 21‑year‑old woman crossing midblock. She went down, clutching her arm. Sirens cut the heat. The car showed no damage. The street did the harm.

A Honda sedan traveling east struck a 21-year-old pedestrian near 1467 Gates Ave in Brooklyn. She was injured in the shoulder and arm. According to the police report, “Driver Inattention/Distraction” was the contributing factor for the crash. The driver was licensed and the car had no reported damage to speak of, with impact at the center back end noted. The pedestrian was crossing outside an intersection. Driver inattention is the cited error throughout the report, including for the driver and listed occupants. No other contributing factors are documented beyond “Unspecified.”

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 8 - A driver in an SUV turned left on Wilson Ave and hit a southbound motorcycle. The 34-year-old rider was ejected and suffered fractures and dislocations. Police recorded driver inattention and failure to yield.

A driver in an SUV made a left turn on Wilson Ave at Bleecker St and collided with a southbound motorcycle. The motorcycle driver, 34, was ejected and suffered fractures and dislocations to the entire body. The SUV's right front bumper struck the motorcycle's center front end, damaging both vehicles. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' were listed as contributing factors. The rider was reported in shock. No other serious injuries were recorded at the scene in Brooklyn's 83rd precinct at 18:20.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Aug 7 - Another pedestrian killed on Morgan Avenue. Three deaths in three years. Advocates rally. City stalls. No redesign. The street stays deadly. The call for change grows louder.

On August 7, 2025, Sophia Lebowitz and street safety advocates renewed demands for a Morgan Avenue redesign after a third pedestrian death in three years. Streetsblog NYC reports: 'renewing calls from advocates for the city to redesign the dangerous street.' Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, State Sen. Julia Salazar, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher back the push. Advocates want a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and safer loading zones. Despite meetings and official letters, the city has not acted. The safety analyst notes: advocacy alone brings no immediate safety change, but it could spark future improvements. The danger remains until the city moves.

• Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 6 - Adams promised fair pay for delivery workers. Now he stalls. Council bills pass, but the mayor balks. Riders wait. Streets stay harsh. No new shield for the most exposed.

"Mayor Adams promised to raise pay standards for tens of thousands of grocery delivery workers, and signing Intro 1135 into law is key to fulfilling that. He made this commitment clear in 2022" -- Sandy Nurse

On August 6, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams signaled a likely veto of Intro 1135, a City Council bill to expand minimum wage protections to over 20,000 grocery delivery workers. The Council passed the bill with a veto-proof majority. Council Member Sandy Nurse, the sponsor, called out Adams for breaking his 2022 promise to raise pay standards. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection backed the bill, saying it would close gaps in pay protections. According to safety analysts, this event concerns labor protections and does not directly affect street safety or infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Eric Adams May Veto Grocery Delivery Minimum Wage that Eric Adams Championed, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 3 - A man crossed Broadway. A driver hit him. The driver sped off. The man died on the street. Police hunt for the vehicle, possibly a garbage truck. The city’s roads claim another life.

NY Daily News (2025-08-03) reports a 47-year-old pedestrian was killed crossing Broadway at Suydam St. in Brooklyn. The driver, possibly operating a garbage truck, left the scene. Police said, "A driver struck and killed a 47-year-old pedestrian... then left the scene." The victim died before help arrived. The driver’s failure to remain highlights ongoing dangers for those on foot and the persistent issue of hit-and-runs in New York City.

• Driver Flees After Brooklyn Pedestrian Death, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-03

Jul 30 - Council moves to ban parking near corners. Sightlines clear. Crashes drop. Pedestrians and cyclists breathe easier. DOT doubts linger. Advocates press on. Streets could change fast.

""Universal daylighting is a proven, effective way to make our streets safer for pedestrians, bikers and drivers."" -- Sandy Nurse

On July 30, 2025, the NYC Council Progressive Caucus made a major push for Intro 1138, a bill to ban parking within 20 feet of intersections. The measure sits with the Transportation Committee. Council Member Julie Won introduced it after deadly crashes in her district. Eighteen caucus members back the bill, aiming to force a vote this year. The matter: 'eliminate parking within 20 feet of an intersection.' Council Member Sandy Nurse called daylighting 'a proven, effective way to make our streets safer.' DOT raised doubts about non-hardened daylighting, but safety analysts say restricting parking near intersections improves visibility, reduces collisions, and protects people on foot and bike.

• NYC Council Progressive Caucus to make push for universal daylighting in 2025, City & State NY, Published 2025-07-30

Jul 28 - A driver in a Ford SUV hit a 53-year-old cyclist at Wilson Ave and Hancock St in Brooklyn. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. The rider suffered arm and hand abrasions.

A 53-year-old cyclist was injured when the driver of a Ford SUV hit him at Wilson Ave and Hancock St in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash involved a 2019 Ford SUV traveling south and a bicycle traveling west. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his lower arm and hand. Police listed 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor by the driver. The report notes the SUV had been stopped in traffic, and the cyclist was going straight ahead. Impact points were the SUV’s left front quarter panel and the bike’s center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831816 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jul 24 - A left-turning driver struck a northbound sedan on Bushwick Avenue at Linden Street in Brooklyn. A 30-year-old woman suffered head injury and whiplash; a 61-year-old man reported back pain. Police cited failure to yield and reaction to an uninvolved vehicle.

Two drivers collided at Bushwick Avenue and Linden Street in Brooklyn. The driver of a northbound NJ-registered sedan was going straight. The driver of an MD-registered sedan was making a left turn. A 30-year-old woman suffered a head injury and complained of whiplash. A 61-year-old man reported back pain. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle.' Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. Both drivers were conscious after the crash, and no pedestrians or cyclists were involved, per the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830141 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jul 20 - A sedan driver making a left turn collided with a westbound motorcycle on Myrtle Avenue. A 28-year-old male motorcycle passenger was ejected and injured, suffering whole-body pain and shock. Police cited driver inattention.

According to the police report, a westbound motorcycle going straight and an eastbound sedan making a left turn collided on Myrtle Avenue near Grove Street in Brooklyn. A 28-year-old male motorcycle passenger was ejected and sustained entire-body injuries, described as pain and shock. Police list "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor. The motorcycle carried two occupants; the sedan had one. The report records center-front impacts on both vehicles and right-front damage to the sedan. No other contributing factors are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829966 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jul 17 - Two men died crossing Third Avenue. A driver sped through a red. The city knew the danger. The mayor stalled safety plans. The street stays deadly. The toll mounts. The fix waits.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-17) reports Mayor Adams delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue, long known as hazardous. Last week, a speeding driver ran a red light, killing two pedestrians. The article quotes Adams, who once called Third Avenue 'extremely intimidating' and said it 'must be at the top of our list.' Despite this, his administration 'put the brakes on a potentially life-saving road redesign,' favoring business interests. Attorney Peter Beadle notes, 'they had a plan ready to go and then it was pulled back.' The city could face legal action for failing to act despite knowing the risks, echoing a 2017 state court ruling on municipal liability.

• Mayor Delays Third Avenue Safety Redesign, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 17 - Council raised pay for grocery deliveristas. EMTs now earn less. Delivery workers face city streets daily. Council chose their risk. First responders left behind.

On July 17, 2025, the NYC Council passed a bill raising minimum pay for app-based grocery delivery workers to $21.44 per hour. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, matches earlier raises for restaurant deliveristas. The matter summary: 'the NYC Council approved on Monday a pay increase for app-based grocery-delivery workers.' Speaker Adrienne Adams and Justin Brannan backed higher EMT pay, but the bill leaves FDNY EMTs earning less than delivery workers. Safety analysts found no direct impact on pedestrians or cyclists: 'The pay increase for app-based delivery workers does not directly affect the safety of pedestrians or cyclists, nor does it impact street design, mode shift, or driver accountability.'

• FDNY EMT outrage: First responders now earn less than grocery delivery workers after NYC Council vote, AMNY, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 16 - A driver spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The car struck a woman on the curb. She died at the hospital. Police charged the driver with negligent homicide. The lot was left scarred. The city mourns another loss.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-16), Zachary Cando, 24, was 'doing the dangerous spinning trick' known as donuts in a Gateway Center parking lot when he lost control and hit Madisyn Ruiz, 21, who was sitting nearby. Ruiz died after being rushed to the hospital. Police charged Cando with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The article notes the car was 'badly dented in the front.' The crash highlights the risks of reckless driving in public spaces and the need for stronger deterrents in parking lots.

• Driver Kills Girlfriend Doing Donuts, New York Post, Published 2025-07-16

Jul 15 - The city plans to rip out protected bike lanes on Bedford Avenue. Cyclists vow legal action if injuries follow. Over 200 sign a pledge. The mayor moves ahead, ignoring proven safety gains.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-15) reports Brooklyn cyclists pledged to sue if the city removes protected bike lanes on Bedford Avenue and injuries result. Over 200 signed a pledge after Mayor Adams decided to strip three blocks of protection, despite city data showing the lanes made the street 'dramatically safer.' The move follows a court ruling allowing the change. City Hall claims the redesign addresses 'serious safety concerns.' Legal precedent (Turturro v. City of New York) could hold the city liable for knowingly making streets less safe. Advocates see the decision as political, not safety-driven.

• Cyclists Threaten Lawsuit Over Bedford Ave, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-15