Six Dead, Hundreds Broken—But the Street Never Changes

Jul 26 - Two drivers going west crashed on Linden at Hendrix. Two passengers suffered head bruises. A driver took a leg bruise. Three men hurt, all conscious. Brooklyn night. Doors crushed, metal torn.

The driver of a Carry All and the driver of a sedan collided on Linden Boulevard at Hendrix Street in Brooklyn while both were going straight west. According to the police report, three men were injured: a 66-year-old front passenger with a head contusion, a 48-year-old driver with a leg bruise, and a 48-year-old passenger with a head contusion. All were conscious after the crash. The report lists the contributing factors as "Unspecified." No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were recorded in the data. Police noted right-side damage to the Carry All and left-side damage to the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830666 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 25 - A taxi driving east on Linden Boulevard was struck on its left side by another vehicle. The 54-year-old driver suffered a head injury and remained conscious. Police list contributing factors as unspecified.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on Linden Boulevard was struck on its left side by another vehicle. The taxi driver, a 54-year-old man, suffered a head injury and remained conscious. The taxi sustained damage to its left side doors and left rear quarter panel; the other vehicle showed center front-end damage with point of impact at its left front bumper. Police list the contributing factors as unspecified. No driver errors are named in the report. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830636 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 22 - Two sedans collided on Jerome Street at Dumont Avenue. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Metal, glass, and shock in the morning light.

Two sedans crashed at Jerome Street and Dumont Avenue in Brooklyn. One driver, age 55, suffered neck injuries and shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, as noted by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830150 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 21 - Two sedans crashed on Linden Boulevard. Metal twisted. Airbags burst. A child and two men injured. One driver trapped, all shaken. Streets held the wreckage. No clear cause named.

Two sedans collided at Linden Boulevard and Van Siclen Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, three people were injured: a 74-year-old male driver, a 20-year-old male driver, and an 8-year-old male passenger. The older driver was trapped and in shock. The child suffered chest injuries. Airbags deployed in both vehicles. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed. The crash left one car overturned and the other with front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830143 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 - A car spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The driver lost control. The machine struck Madison Ruiz as she sat by the curb. She died at the hospital. The driver faces criminal charges.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-15), Madison Ruiz, 21, was killed when Zachary Cando, 24, lost control of a Genesis G80 while 'doing donuts' in a Gateway Plaza parking lot. The article states Cando 'lost control' and struck Ruiz as she sat by the curb. Police charged Cando with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The incident highlights the risks of reckless driving in public spaces and raises questions about parking lot safety and enforcement.

• Driver Doing Donuts Kills Brooklyn Woman, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 14 - Council bill lets ambulettes drive and double-park in bus lanes. More vehicles in bus lanes mean more risk for people walking, biking, and waiting at curbs. Danger grows where curb chaos reigns.

Bill Int 1339-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since July 14, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...exempting ambulettes from certain bus lane restrictions and allowing them to double park to assist passengers,' would let ambulettes drive, stop, and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers. Council Member Julie Menin sponsors, joined by Linda Lee, Frank Morano, Eric Dinowitz, Lynn C. Schulman, Kamillah Hanks, Carlina Rivera, and Chris Banks. Allowing more vehicles to double-park and block bus lanes increases risk for pedestrians and cyclists at the curb. The city’s most vulnerable will face more conflict and less safe space.

• File Int 1339-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-07-14

Jul 12 - Two men crossed Third Avenue. A BMW struck them. Blood marked the car. The driver fled. Police tracked him down. He faces manslaughter charges. Sunset Park mourns.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-12), a BMW driver hit and killed two men, ages 59 and 80, as they crossed Third Ave. at 52nd St. in Brooklyn. The driver, Juventino Anastacio Florentino, left the scene, leaving car parts behind. Police used license plate readers to find him. Florentino admitted, 'I had a six pack of Modelos and two drinks... It's my fault.' His blood alcohol content was 0.06%, below the legal limit. He faces manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges. The case highlights the deadly risk of hit-and-run crashes and the role of alcohol, even below legal thresholds.

• BMW Driver Kills Two in Brooklyn Hit-and-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-12

• 2 Men Killed in Hit-and-Run on Brooklyn Street Known for Deadly Crashes, The New York Times, Published 2025-07-11

Jul 9 - A masked moped rider struck Zhou Xie, 90, in a Brooklyn crosswalk. The rider fled. Xie died from head trauma. Police search for the driver. The street stayed silent. The city counts another loss.

NY Daily News (2025-07-09) reports Zhou Xie, 90, was killed by a hit-and-run moped rider while crossing E. 14th St. at Avenue U. Xie was in the crosswalk when a blue moped, driven by a masked man, hit him and fled. A witness said, "He hit the guy and he left." Police are searching for surveillance footage to identify the rider. The article notes 56 people have died in city traffic so far in 2025. The crash highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians and the challenge of enforcing safe streets.

• Moped Rider Kills Elderly Pedestrian In Brooklyn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 6 - A man walking on Pennsylvania Ave hit by a vehicle. He suffered leg and internal injuries. The crash left him conscious but hurt. No driver errors listed. Streets remain dangerous.

A 53-year-old man was struck and injured while walking on Pennsylvania Ave at New Lots Ave in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered injuries to his leg and internal injuries but remained conscious at the scene. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The vehicle type was not specified. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian or use of safety equipment. The incident highlights the ongoing risk faced by people on foot in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825597 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jun 30 - SUV hit a moped on Avenue D. One moped rider suffered crush injuries to his leg. Police cite driver inexperience. Both vehicles showed no damage. The street stayed quiet after the crash.

A collision between a Jeep SUV and a JIAJU moped occurred on Avenue D at Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV struck the moped, injuring the 30-year-old male moped driver, who suffered crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. Police list 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor for both drivers. The moped driver was wearing a helmet. No damage was reported to either vehicle. No other injuries were documented.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824252 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 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 eight-year-old boy died after a Honda SUV struck him at Eastern Parkway and Albany Ave. He was dragged under the car. Blood pooled. His sister watched. The driver stayed. No arrest. The city investigates.

NY Daily News (2025-06-29) reports an 8-year-old boy was fatally struck by a 69-year-old Honda Pilot driver at Eastern Parkway and Albany Ave. in Brooklyn. The boy was crossing when hit; witnesses saw him dragged from under the SUV. The article quotes, "I saw the kid being dragged from underneath the car by a woman." The driver remained at the scene. No arrests were made. NYPD Collision Squad investigates. The crash highlights persistent dangers at city intersections and the lethal risk large vehicles pose to children.

• Child Killed By SUV In Crown Heights, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-29

Jun 27 - Sedan and pickup clashed on Linden. Two people hurt. Police cite improper lane use. Metal twisted. Lives changed in seconds.

A sedan and a pickup truck collided at Linden Blvd and Van Sinderen Ave in Brooklyn. Two occupants, a 58-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman, suffered neck and back injuries. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' Both vehicles were making right turns when the impact occurred. Police list no other contributing factors. The injured were not ejected and wore lap belts. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823753 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jun 24 - Seventeen-year-old Jhoan Puga died after his moped struck a turning car in Midwood. His passenger was thrown and critically hurt. The crash left trauma and questions in its wake.

According to NY Daily News (2025-06-24), Jhoan Puga, 17, was riding a gas moped north on East Eighth St. in Brooklyn when he collided with a Genesis G80 driven by a 71-year-old man making a left turn. The impact threw Puga and his passenger, causing severe injuries. The article states, "Jhoan later died at the hospital." The driver remained at the scene. No arrests have been made. The NYPD collision squad is investigating. The crash highlights risks at intersections and the vulnerability of moped riders in city traffic.

• Teen Killed, Passenger Hurt In Moped Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-24

Jun 19 - A moped and sedan collided at Van Siclen and Stanley. The crash threw a 17-year-old moped passenger onto the street. He suffered a fractured leg. Police cite unsafe speed. Metal struck flesh. System failed to protect the young.

A collision between a moped and a sedan occurred at Van Siclen Avenue and Stanley Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash involved a sedan making a left turn and a moped traveling straight. The impact ejected a 17-year-old male passenger from the moped, causing a fractured leg. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. No helmet use was cited as a factor. The crash highlights the danger faced by passengers when drivers operate at unsafe speeds. No other injuries were specified for the drivers or other occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822169 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 16 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16