Feb 18 - A BMW X5 veered off Belt Parkway near Exit 14. The SUV struck a tree. Marcus Joseph, 41, died at the scene. No passengers. No bystanders hurt. The crash left only silence and wreckage on the Brooklyn road.

NY Daily News (2025-02-18) reports Marcus Joseph, 41, died after his BMW X5 spun out of control on the Belt Parkway near Exit 14 in Starrett City, Brooklyn. Police said the SUV 'skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.' Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The article does not mention weather or road conditions. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed corridors like the Belt Parkway, where loss of control can prove fatal. No charges were filed. The report underscores the persistent risks for all road users on New York City highways.

• BMW Skids, Slams Tree On Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 18 - Senators move to guard bike lanes. Cameras will catch drivers who block or invade. The city’s cyclists and walkers get a shot at safer streets. No more hiding behind the wheel.

Senate bill S 5008, now in sponsorship, aims to launch a bicycle lane safety program in New York City. The bill, introduced February 18, 2025, sits in committee. Its summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal leads, joined by Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, Liz Krueger, Jessica Ramos, and Julia Salazar. The bill targets drivers who block or misuse bike lanes, using cameras to enforce the rules. The move puts pressure on the city to protect cyclists and pedestrians from daily danger.

• File S 5008, Open States, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 5 - A sedan making a left turn struck a stationary e-bike in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider, a 35-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police cite the sedan driver’s disregard of traffic control as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Fulton Street in Brooklyn at 8:00 p.m. The sedan was traveling northwest and was making a left turn when it collided with a parked e-bike facing east. The e-bike rider, a 35-year-old male driver, sustained abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The police report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor, pointing to the sedan driver’s failure to obey traffic signals or signs. The e-bike rider was not ejected and remained conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted. Vehicle damage included the sedan’s left front bumper and the e-bike’s center back end, confirming the point of impact was the sedan’s front center. This collision underscores the dangers posed by driver errors in traffic control compliance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790719 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 4 - 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

Jan 31 - A BMW’s bumper slammed into a man standing off Essex Street. Blood spilled. His arm split open, but he stayed awake. The driver, distracted, kept the night silent. Metal met flesh. The city’s danger pressed on.

According to the police report, at 1:15 a.m. near 151 Essex Street in Brooklyn, a BMW sedan traveling east struck a 44-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the man suffered severe lacerations to his arm but remained conscious. The collision was marked by the BMW’s right front bumper bearing the impact. The police report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time of the crash, according to the report. No contributing factors were attributed to the pedestrian. The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by driver distraction, with the victim injured while not even occupying the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789489 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 26 - A cargo van turned left on Cropsey Avenue. It struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide. Gil died. The aide survived. No charges for the driver. Another senior lost to city traffic. The street remains dangerous for the old and frail.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn with her home health aide. According to the NYPD, 'a man driving a cargo van struck both of them while making a left turn.' Gil died from her injuries; her aide was hospitalized. Police did not arrest or charge the driver. The article notes that Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn this year, and cites Transportation Alternatives: '46 senior pedestrians were killed in car crashes across the city last year.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk seniors face on city streets, especially at intersections where turning vehicles endanger those crossing on foot.

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

Jan 18 - Two sedans collided on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, injuring a 61-year-old female driver. The impact damaged front and rear bumpers. The injured driver suffered contusions and leg injuries but was conscious and not ejected from her vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:12 on Fulton Street in Brooklyn involving two sedans traveling north and east. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the northbound sedan and the left rear quarter panel of the eastbound sedan. The injured party was a 61-year-old female driver of one sedan, who sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle. Both vehicles sustained damage to their bumpers. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, with no direct driver errors or victim behaviors noted. The collision highlights the dangers of vehicle interactions at intersections, even without clear fault assigned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786891 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 18 - A northbound SUV struck the left rear quarter of a westbound sedan on Bushwick Avenue. The impact injured a 91-year-old female passenger in the sedan, causing head trauma and whiplash. Both drivers were female; the SUV driver held a permit license.

According to the police report, at 10:51 AM on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn, a 2016 Toyota SUV traveling north struck the left rear quarter panel of a 2011 Nissan sedan traveling west. The point of impact was the SUV's right front bumper against the sedan's left rear quarter panel. The collision injured a 91-year-old female occupant seated in the right rear of the sedan, who sustained head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The SUV driver, a female with a permit license, was going straight ahead at the time of the crash. The sedan driver was a licensed female also traveling straight. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the injured passenger. The SUV's failure to avoid rear-ending the sedan reveals a critical driver error, underscoring systemic dangers posed by drivers operating with permit licenses.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786889 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 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 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