Six Dead, Hundreds Broken—But the Street Never Changes

Apr 23 - Taibel Brod crossed with the light. The SUV turned left, struck her. She fell. Two weeks later, she died. The driver had no license. Police charged him. The street stayed open. The city moved on.

NY Daily News reported on April 23, 2025, that Taibel Brod, 101, was killed after an SUV hit her while she crossed Montgomery St. in Crown Heights with the walk signal. The driver, Menachem Shagalow, turned left without a license and struck Brod. Police charged him with aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to exercise due care. The article quotes Brod’s son, who called the crash a "tragedy." Brod died from her injuries nearly two weeks later. The case highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians, especially from unlicensed drivers and left turns at intersections. No changes to the street were reported.

• Unlicensed SUV Driver Kills Brooklyn Elder, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-23

Apr 19 - A pick-up truck making a U-turn on Van Siclen Ave struck cars. Three passengers suffered neck and abdominal injuries. Metal and glass scattered. No driver errors listed. Systemic risk remains.

A pick-up truck making a U-turn on Van Siclen Ave at Stanley Ave in Brooklyn collided with multiple vehicles. According to the police report, three passengers—a 24-year-old woman, a 23-year-old woman, and a 23-year-old woman—were injured, suffering neck contusions and abdominal pain. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. Several drivers and occupants were involved, but only passengers sustained reported injuries. No pedestrians or cyclists were listed among the injured. The crash underscores the danger of vehicle maneuvers in dense city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 16 - New research from Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets announced a report detailing NYC's top 10 super speeders.

• Road report: Here’s where lead-foot drivers repeatedly get speed-camera tickets in NYC, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-04-16

Apr 14 - E-bike rider crashed into parked cars. His head struck hard. He lay stunned, pain in his skull. Two women sat silent in the sedans. Streets stayed still. Distraction led to injury.

An e-bike rider traveling north on Williams Ave struck two parked sedans near Riverdale Ave. According to the police report, the man on the TAIZHOU e-bike hit the cars, suffering a head injury and shock. Two women sat inside the sedans but were not reported injured. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The e-bike rider wore no helmet, as noted in the narrative, but the primary cause was distraction. The parked cars did not move. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805717 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 10 - Box truck reversed into sedan on Linden Blvd. A woman and a three-year-old boy in the sedan were injured. Police cite unsafe backing. Metal struck flesh. System failed the smallest passenger.

A box truck backed unsafely into a sedan at 1916 Linden Blvd in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a woman driving the sedan and a three-year-old boy riding as a passenger suffered injuries. The boy sustained a head injury. Police list 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor. The crash involved a truck and a sedan, both with licensed drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805415 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 10 - A driver ran a stop sign in East New York. He slammed into a school bus. His passenger died. The bus driver was hurt. The driver fled but police caught him. The street stayed stained. The system failed to protect.

According to amNY (April 10, 2025), Tyree Epps faces charges after a deadly crash at Van Sinderen and Blake avenues. Epps, unlicensed, "blew a stop sign" and struck a school bus, killing his passenger, Imani Vance, and injuring the bus driver. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "The tragic loss of Imani Vance was allegedly caused by the defendant's reckless decision to ignore a stop sign and drive at excessive speeds." Epps left the scene, tried to escape in an Uber, and was arrested after fleeing on foot. The crash was one of three fatal Brooklyn incidents that weekend. City data cited in the article shows ongoing danger: at least 15 killed in Kings County so far this year, with thousands injured, often due to driver inattention and failure to yield. The charges and details highlight persistent risks and enforcement gaps on city streets.

• Brooklyn Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, amny, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 9 - A driver ran a stop sign in East New York. He slammed into a school bus. His passenger died. The bus driver was hurt. The driver fled in an Uber. Police caught him soon after. Streets remain unforgiving.

Gothamist (April 9, 2025) reports that Tyree Epps, 32, was indicted after allegedly running a stop sign and crashing into a school bus in East New York, Brooklyn. The February collision killed his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, and injured the bus driver. According to the Brooklyn DA, Epps "ignored a stop sign and drove at excessive speeds," then left the scene by calling an Uber, abandoning his injured passenger. The impact pushed the bus into a third, empty vehicle. No children on the bus were harmed. Epps was apprehended after fleeing on foot. The case highlights persistent dangers at intersections and the lethal consequences of ignoring traffic controls.

• Brooklyn Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, Gothamist, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 2 - A car plowed through families on Ocean Parkway. Three killed. Survivors hurt, shaken, haunted. The driver had a suspended license, dozens of violations, unpaid fines. The city’s streets failed to protect the most vulnerable. Pain lingers. Justice waits.

ABC7 reported on April 2, 2025, that a crash in Brooklyn killed a mother and her two daughters, leaving another family injured and traumatized. The article states, “Shakhzod described ongoing back pain and fears of another accident.” The driver, Miriam Yarimi, had 93 violations, $10,000 in unpaid fines, and a suspended license. She struck an Uber, then hit families crossing Ocean Parkway, flipping her vehicle. Yarimi faces charges including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The crash exposes systemic failure: a driver with a long record remained on the road. Survivors suffer lasting physical and emotional wounds. The city’s enforcement and oversight remain under scrutiny.

• Brooklyn Crash Leaves Family Scarred, Three Dead, ABC7, Published 2025-04-02

Apr 1 - A red-light runner tore through Ocean Parkway. The Audi slammed an Uber, then plowed into a family in the crosswalk. A mother and her two daughters died. Survivors watched, hurt and helpless, as medics tried to save the fallen.

According to the NY Daily News (April 1, 2025), a crash on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn left a mother and her two daughters dead after a speeding Audi, driven by Miriam Yarimi, struck an Uber and then pedestrians in a crosswalk. Police said Yarimi was driving about 50 mph in a 25 mph zone and ran a red light with a suspended license. She was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, reckless driving, and other offenses. The article quotes survivor Shakhzod Ahmedova: "After the car crash, we just saw the car flipped over and two kids on the ground. We were scared." The incident highlights the lethal consequences of unlicensed, reckless driving and raises questions about enforcement and street design on major corridors like Ocean Parkway.

• Speeding Audi Kills Mother, Two Children, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-01

Mar 31 - A speeding Audi struck a mother and her daughters in a Brooklyn crosswalk. The crash killed three. The youngest son was left fighting for life. The driver, with a long record of violations, now faces manslaughter charges.

According to the New York Post (March 31, 2025), Miriam Yarimi drove her Audi through a Brooklyn crosswalk, killing Natasha Saada and her daughters, Diana and Debra. Saada’s 4-year-old son was critically injured. Police said the victims were 'legally crossing the street in a crosswalk when the driver's speeding Audi struck them.' Yarimi’s car had over 93 traffic violations. She told first responders she was 'possessed' and is undergoing psychiatric evaluation. The article notes Yarimi’s history of paranoid social media posts and erratic behavior. She has been charged with manslaughter. The crash highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians and raises questions about enforcement against repeat traffic offenders.

• Brooklyn Driver Kills Mother, Two Daughters, New York Post, Published 2025-03-31

Mar 30 - A driver sped down Ocean Parkway, slammed into a Camry, then struck a mother and her three children in the crosswalk. Three died. The youngest clings to life. The Audi’s driver had a suspended license. The street ran red with grief.

ABC7 reported on March 30, 2025, that a multi-vehicle crash on Ocean Parkway in Midwood killed Natasha Saada and her daughters, ages 5 and 8, and critically injured her 4-year-old son. The article states, "A driver has been charged after a multi-vehicle crash in Brooklyn killed a mother and her two young daughters and critically injured her son." Police say Miriam Yarimi, driving an Audi with a suspended license, rear-ended a Toyota Camry and then struck the family in the crosswalk. Yarimi faces charges including manslaughter, reckless driving, and failing to yield. The Camry was an Uber with children inside, who were also hurt. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called it "a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road." The crash highlights the lethal risk posed by unlicensed, reckless drivers and the vulnerability of families crossing city streets.

• Mother And Daughters Killed On Ocean Parkway, ABC7, Published 2025-03-30

Mar 29 - A late-night crash on Ditmas Avenue sent a 25-year-old driver to the hospital with neck injuries. Two sedans and an SUV collided head-on and side-on, with driver inexperience cited as a key factor in the violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:20 PM on Ditmas Avenue in Brooklyn. Three vehicles were involved: a 2014 Kia sedan traveling west, a 2021 Jeep SUV traveling east, and a 1997 Toyota sedan making a right turn eastbound. The point of impact included the center front end of the Kia, the left side doors of the Jeep, and the left rear quarter panel of the Toyota. The 25-year-old male driver of one vehicle was injured with a neck contusion and bruising but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inexperience' as the contributing factor for the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers navigating complex traffic movements.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803890 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 29 - A car struck a mother and her two daughters in a Brooklyn crosswalk. All three died. A young boy fights for life. The driver’s license was suspended. The Audi hit another car, then pedestrians. Ocean Parkway’s danger is no secret.

According to ABC7 (published March 29, 2025), a 34-year-old woman and her two daughters, ages six and eight, were killed when an Audi, driven by Mariam Yarimi on a suspended license, rear-ended a Toyota Camry and then struck the family in a crosswalk on Ocean Parkway. A four-year-old boy remains in critical condition. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called it 'a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road.' The Audi went airborne after the collision. Residents described chronic speeding and red-light running on Ocean Parkway. Authorities are investigating whether speed or a red light violation contributed. No arrests have been made. The crash highlights persistent systemic dangers for pedestrians on city streets.

• Mother And Children Killed On Ocean Parkway, ABC7, Published 2025-03-29

Mar 28 - A sedan struck a 40-year-old woman crossing Georgia Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact caused injuries to her entire body and left her in shock. The driver was making a right turn and failed to pay attention, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Georgia Avenue near Dumont Avenue in Brooklyn at 4:30 PM. The pedestrian was hit by a northbound Dodge sedan making a right turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk and suffered injuries to her entire body, resulting in shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally but failed to notice the pedestrian, leading to this serious collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 24 - A Ford pick-up truck traveling south rear-ended a stopped vehicle on Van Siclen Ave in Brooklyn. The 63-year-old female driver of the struck vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The impact occurred at the left rear bumper, causing moderate injury.

According to the police report, a Ford pick-up truck was stopped in traffic on Van Siclen Ave near Linden Blvd in Brooklyn when it was struck from behind at the left rear bumper. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 63-year-old woman, was wearing a lap belt and harness and sustained neck injuries described as whiplash. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists no contributing factors for the driver or the victim, but the collision suggests a failure to maintain safe distance or attention by the pick-up truck driver. The impact caused injury severity level 3 to the occupant. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801510 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 24 - A left-turning sedan collided with a northwestern-bound sedan going straight on New Lots Ave. The female driver struck on her right side suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both drivers were licensed. Impact centered on front and right side panels.

According to the police report, at 8:01 AM on New Lots Ave, a male driver in a 2008 Honda sedan was making a left turn when his vehicle's center front end struck the right side doors of a female-driven 2020 Honda sedan traveling northwest straight ahead. The female driver, aged 25, was conscious and suffered neck injuries and whiplash, wearing a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision points and vehicle damage indicate the left-turning vehicle impacted the right side of the other car. The report lists no specific contributing factors but the left-turning maneuver by the male driver likely caused the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803137 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 23 - Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker sped through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection has seen this before. The system pushes speed. The danger remains.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after an e-bike delivery worker "sped through a stop sign" and struck him as he exited his double-parked car in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Witness Jack Collins said, "He died basically on the spot." The e-bike rider remained at the scene. No arrests were made. The article notes this intersection is known for frequent stop sign violations: "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The piece highlights systemic issues, including delivery app pressures and gaps in e-bike regulation. City data shows e-bikes account for less than 2% of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues. Lawmakers have called for tighter rules, as delivery workers face incentives to rush.

• E-Bike Rider Runs Stop, Kills Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-23

Mar 15 - A taxi making a left turn struck a pedestrian crossing New Lots Ave at a marked crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered bruises and lower leg injuries. Driver inattention caused the collision at the intersection, leaving the victim injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on New Lots Ave was making a left turn when it struck a pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian, a male, was injured with contusions and trauma to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor, cited twice, indicating the driver failed to maintain focus during the maneuver. The point of impact was the taxi's center front end, and the vehicle sustained damage to the left front bumper. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and did not contribute to the crash through any listed behavior. This collision underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning movements in intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799072 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19