The Dead Don’t Wait—Why Should We?

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 2025-10-02

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 2025-10-02

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 2025-10-02

Aug 7 - A pedestrian was killed on Morgan Avenue — the third in three years. Advocates call for protected bike lanes and mid-block crossings. Officials back the push. The city has not redesigned the street. Danger remains.

Bill number: none. Status: infrastructure safety advocacy with no committee action. Key date: August 7, 2025 (reporting and renewed calls). The matter: "Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe." Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez publicly backed the redesign and warned of urgency, saying, "Every single death... is 100 percentable preventable." State Sen. Julia Salazar and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher also supported the push. Advocates demand a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and new loading zones. The lack of significant street redesign after repeated fatalities perpetuates unsafe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, discouraging active transportation and failing to address systemic risks. Advocates plan a community speak-out to press DOT for action.

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

Aug 4 - A car struck and dragged a man fifty feet on Broadway. He died at the scene. The driver fled. Police search for answers. Brooklyn leads the city in pedestrian injuries this year.

Gothamist (2025-08-04) reports a 47-year-old man was killed after being struck and dragged over 50 feet by a northbound car at Broadway and Suydam Street in Bushwick. The driver fled. Police have not released the victim's name and seek information on the vehicle. The article notes, 'It was not immediately clear whether the man was walking in a crosswalk, or who had the right of way.' Brooklyn has the highest number of pedestrian injuries in New York City so far this year, with 228 hurt and two killed through June. The case highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers.

• Bushwick Hit-And-Run Kills Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-08-04

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 2025-10-02

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 2025-10-02

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 2025-10-02

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 15 - A judge stopped the city from ripping out Bedford Avenue’s protected bike lane. The lane stands. Cyclists and pedestrians keep a shield, for now. The fight over safety on this deadly stretch continues in court.

Gothamist reported on July 15, 2025, that a state appellate judge blocked Mayor Adams from removing the protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue. The lane, installed after high crash rates and pedestrian deaths, was set for removal until the court's emergency order. The Department of Transportation admitted, "The City risks legal liability for knowingly reducing safety on a Vision Zero priority corridor." Advocates and families appealed, citing the lane’s role in protecting vulnerable road users. The legal battle highlights the tension between city policy, resident concerns, and the need for proven safety infrastructure.

• Judge Halts Bedford Avenue Bike Lane Removal, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 13 - Council moves to shield delivery workers. Wage floors, tipping rules, and safety gear on the line. Workers face street danger daily. New rules aim to cut risk and boost dignity.

On July 14, 2025, the NYC Council will vote on bills to protect delivery workers. The agenda includes wage floors, tipping requirements, and safety measures. Council Members Shaun Abreu, Jennifer Gutierrez, and Sandy Nurse sponsor key bills. Barbara Russo-Lennon supports the package. The matter summary states: 'Council members will vote on a list of legislative items that would benefit delivery app workers.' These protections can improve worker well-being and bargaining power, reducing pressure to take unsafe risks. The council’s action targets the daily hazards faced by delivery workers on city streets.

• NYC Council expected to vote Monday on wage and workplace protections for delivery workers, AMNY, Published 2025-07-13

Jul 12 - A crash on Lincoln Avenue turned brutal. One driver struck another with a metal object. The victim landed in the hospital. The assailant fled in a black car. Police hunt for answers.

According to amny (2025-07-12), a traffic crash on Lincoln Avenue in Cypress Hills escalated when a driver "pulled out a metal object and repeatedly struck the victim about the head and body." The victim, 36, was hospitalized in stable condition. The assailant fled in a black vehicle. NYPD released video of the suspect, seeking public help. The incident highlights how post-crash confrontations can turn violent, raising questions about conflict de-escalation and the need for safer streets.

• Driver Attacks Man After Brooklyn Crash, amny, Published 2025-07-12

Jul 11 - A BMW ran a red in Sunset Park. Two men died on the street. The driver fled. Police made an arrest. Blood on the asphalt, lives ended fast.

Patch reported on July 11, 2025, that a hit-and-run driver killed two pedestrians at Third Avenue and 52nd Street in Brooklyn. The NYPD said the BMW "sped through a red light" before striking 80-year-old Kex Un Chen and 59-year-old Faqiu Lin. Both men died at the scene. Police later arrested Juventino Anastacio Florentino, charging him with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene. The crash highlights the lethal risk of red-light running and the ongoing threat to pedestrians in city crosswalks.

• Red Light Run Kills Two Pedestrians, Patch, Published 2025-07-11

Jul 9 - A driver turning left on Knickerbocker hit and ejected a 35-year-old male cyclist. He suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm and was conscious at the scene. Police cited driver inattention and passing too closely.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on Knickerbocker Avenue at Grove Street struck a cyclist traveling north. The cyclist, a 35-year-old man, was ejected and suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. Police recorded "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor and also listed "Passing Too Closely." The report notes the sedan's pre-crash action as making a left turn and the point of impact on the sedan's left front quarter panel. The cyclist was conscious at the scene and the report lists helmet use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827206 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 6 - A sedan reversed on Madison Street. The driver, distracted and inexperienced, struck a woman crossing outside the crosswalk. She suffered a leg injury. The street bore witness. The car did not yield.

A sedan, backing west on Madison Street in Brooklyn, struck a 27-year-old woman as she crossed outside a crosswalk. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience.' The pedestrian suffered a contusion and injury to her lower leg and foot. The driver’s errors—distraction and lack of experience—are cited as contributing factors. No other causes are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827987 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 4 - A man crossing near Broadway Junction died after a gray Ford hit him. The driver fled. Hours later, a Mustang plowed into six in the Bronx. Both drivers vanished. The city counts 55 pedestrian deaths this year.

NY Daily News (2025-07-04) reports a 36-year-old man was killed crossing Broadway and East New York Ave. in Brooklyn when a gray Ford struck him and fled. Hours later, a Ford Mustang hit six people in the Bronx, then the driver and passenger ran off. The article notes, 'It was the second hit-and-run in the five boroughs in 24 hours.' Police said, 'As of Thursday, 55 pedestrians have been killed by vehicles while crossing city streets.' Both drivers remain at large. The incidents highlight persistent dangers for pedestrians and the ongoing problem of drivers fleeing crash scenes.

• Hit-And-Run Drivers Strike Brooklyn, Bronx, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-04

Jul 1 - A motorcycle hit a woman crossing Evergreen Ave. She suffered leg injuries. Police cite failure to yield and driver inexperience. The rider was unlicensed. The street bore the mark of impact.

A motorcycle traveling north on Evergreen Ave struck a 31-year-old woman as she crossed in a marked crosswalk. She sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, the crash resulted from 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience.' The motorcycle operator was unlicensed. The report lists no contributing factors for the pedestrian. The impact left the pedestrian injured and exposed the risks faced by those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824974 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 29 - An SUV struck and killed an eight-year-old boy crossing Eastern Parkway with his sister. Blood washed from the street. His yarmulke left behind. The driver stayed. Police probe speed. The community mourns.

ABC7 (2025-06-29) reports an eight-year-old boy, Mordica Keller, died after a southbound SUV hit him at Eastern Parkway and Albany Avenue in Crown Heights. He was crossing with his sister. The 69-year-old driver remained at the scene. Police towed a black Honda Pilot. The article notes, "Police are looking at whether speed was a factor." No arrests have been made. Residents called the street dangerous. The crash highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians at busy Brooklyn intersections.

• SUV Kills Boy At Brooklyn Crossing, ABC7, Published 2025-06-29