Six Dead, Hundreds Broken—But the Street Never Changes

Mar 15 - Two sedans crashed head-on at Riverdale Avenue and Miller Avenue in Brooklyn. Both drivers were men, one suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cite alcohol involvement as a key factor. The impact damaged both vehicles’ front ends.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:27 on Riverdale Avenue near Miller Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans collided front-to-front. One driver was stopped in traffic heading south while the other was making a right turn northbound. Both drivers were licensed men from New York. The driver who was stopped suffered back injuries and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The police report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor, indicating driver impairment played a role. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were specified. The collision caused significant damage to the center front ends of both vehicles. This crash highlights the dangers of impaired driving and its severe consequences for vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799071 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 13 - Two vehicles traveling west on Linden Blvd collided in Brooklyn. Both drivers suffered injuries, including head trauma and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. The crash left both vehicles damaged and occupants hurt.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Linden Blvd near Van Siclen Ave in Brooklyn at 11:30 AM. Two vehicles, a 2021 Honda sedan and a 2018 box truck, both traveling west, struck each other. The sedan was impacted on its left rear bumper, sustaining damage to the left front quarter panel, while the truck was hit on its right front bumper. The female sedan driver, age 64, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both drivers. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles straight ahead when the crash occurred, highlighting systemic risks tied to driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798479 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 12 - Council bill orders signs at every speed camera. Drivers will see warnings from all directions. Law aims for full sign coverage within a year. No mention of direct safety gains for people on foot or bike.

Int 1218-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 12, 2025, by Council Members Chris Banks (primary), Susan Zhuang, and Frank Morano. The bill reads: 'requiring the installation of signs indicating the presence of every speed camera.' If passed, the city must install signs near each speed camera, visible from all approaches, within a year. The bill was referred to committee on the day of introduction. There is no analyst note on its impact for vulnerable road users. The measure focuses on driver awareness, not direct protection for pedestrians or cyclists.

• File Int 1218-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-03-12

Mar 8 - A driver out on bail smashed into a Toyota in Bushwick. The crash killed Hayden Wallace and injured three others. The driver fled, leaving chaos behind. Police tracked him for over a year. Charges stack up, but the loss remains.

NY Daily News (March 8, 2025) reports that Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested after a deadly hit-and-run in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Seabrook had been out on bail for a previous crash involving police. On January 8, 2024, he crashed into a Toyota, killing Hayden Wallace and injuring three others. Seabrook fled the scene, abandoning his vehicle. The article notes, "All accidents are useless but this one was even more useless because [Seabrook] had so many other offenses." Seabrook faces 23 charges, including manslaughter, leaving the scene, unlicensed driving, and speeding. The case highlights repeated driver offenses and questions about bail and enforcement. Police needed over a year to arrest Seabrook, who had a history of fleeing crashes and driving without a license.

• Repeat Offender Kills Passenger In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-08

Mar 3 - A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. It struck a man crouched in the road. The driver fled. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. Police are still investigating. Brooklyn’s streets claim more lives. The toll grows.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was 'crouched in the street to pick up food' when the northbound truck turned right and hit him, according to NYPD officials. The driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene. No arrests have been made. The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The article notes this crash followed two other recent fatal collisions in Brooklyn. The incident underscores persistent dangers for pedestrians and ongoing issues with drivers leaving crash scenes. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace.

• Dump Truck Kills Pedestrian In Williamsburg, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-03

Mar 2 - A man sped through a stop sign in Brownsville. His Mercedes hit a school bus. His passenger died. He ran from the wreck in a taxi. Police found him later. The victim’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged.

NY Daily News reported on March 2, 2025, that Tyree Epps, 32, drove a Mercedes-Benz without a license, ran a stop sign on Van Sinderen Ave, and crashed into a school bus. The article states, “After the crash, Epps hopped in a taxi and took off, leaving his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, in the front seat suffering severe head trauma.” Epps faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, and unlicensed driving. The bus driver survived. The crash exposes ongoing risks from unlicensed, reckless drivers and the persistent danger at city intersections. The victim’s family is left to grieve and organize a funeral, while the intersection remains a site of loss.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Fatal Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-02

Mar 1 - A Kia slammed into a Toyota on Stockholm Street. Hayden Wallace, 29, died. Two friends survived with critical wounds. The driver fled. Police arrested Christopher Seabrook. The crash left a new life cut short, a city shaken.

According to the NY Daily News (published March 1, 2025), Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested for the hit-and-run crash that killed Hayden Wallace, 29, in Bushwick on January 8, 2024. Seabrook allegedly crashed a Kia Sportage into a Toyota Yaris carrying Wallace and friends, then fled the scene on foot. Wallace died; two others were critically injured. The Toyota’s driver was also charged with driving without a license. Seabrook faces charges including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene. The article quotes Wallace’s aunt: “He lived life to the fullest. He was only 29 years old and lit up every room he entered.” The case highlights the deadly consequences of reckless driving and fleeing crash scenes in New York City.

• Bushwick Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-01

Feb 28 - A drunk driver blasted through a red light at 72 mph. He struck Katherine Harris, killing her steps from home. The car crashed on. Blood alcohol twice the limit. The street became a crime scene. Lives shattered in seconds.

NY Daily News reported on February 28, 2025, that Erick Trujillo, 29, was sentenced to three to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. On April 16, 2023, Trujillo drove his Volvo at 72 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a red light at Atlantic Ave and Clinton Street in Brooklyn. He struck pedestrian Katherine Harris, 31, killing her instantly, then rear-ended another car and crashed into an outdoor dining shed. Trujillo's blood alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "This defendant made a disastrous decision when he got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated." The case highlights the lethal consequences of impaired driving and excessive speed, underscoring systemic risks for pedestrians in New York City.

• Drunk Driver Speeds, Kills Pedestrian in Brooklyn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-28

Feb 24 - A 24-year-old woman was struck while crossing a marked crosswalk on Dumont Ave in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, traveling east, had limited view obstructed. The pedestrian suffered lower leg injuries and shock but no visible complaints were reported.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Dumont Ave and Miller Ave in Brooklyn around 4:10 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when the collision occurred. The driver, a licensed male operating a 2019 Hyundai sedan traveling eastbound, had a limited view obstructed, which was cited as a contributing factor. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the primary driver error leading to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot and was in shock, though no visible complaints were noted. The vehicle showed no damage and the point of impact was recorded as 'No Damage.' No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 13 - Council pushes for a study and five-year plan to install tactile paving on city sidewalks. The bill targets safer streets for blind and low-vision New Yorkers. Sponsors demand action, not delay.

Bill Int 1195-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 13, 2025. The bill, titled “A Local Law in relation to requiring a study and plan regarding the installation of tactile paving on sidewalks,” calls for a one-year study and a five-year plan to install tactile paving. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary sponsor), Sandra Ung, and Chris Banks back the measure. The plan will identify high-priority blocks, consult disability advocates, and set standards for design and maintenance. Annual progress reports must go to the Mayor and Council Speaker and be posted online.

• File Int 1195-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

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 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 11 - A bus struck the rear of a sedan traveling north on Milford Street in Brooklyn. The sedan driver and three passengers, including two children, suffered neck, shoulder, and full-body injuries. All occupants were restrained, and no ejections occurred.

According to the police report, a 2013 bus traveling north on Milford Street in Brooklyn collided with the rear of a 2023 sedan also traveling north. The point of impact was the center back end of the bus striking the center front end of the sedan. The sedan carried five occupants, including a 42-year-old female driver and three injured passengers: a 13-year-old female front passenger with neck injuries and minor burns, a 2-year-old male rear passenger with full-body injuries, and others in shock. All occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses, and none were ejected. The bus had three occupants and was driven by a licensed male driver. The police report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The injuries resulted from the rear-end collision impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 8 - Two SUVs crashed at Pennsylvania and New Lots. A front passenger took a blow to the head. Blood on the seat. Driver distraction listed as the cause. The street stayed quiet, but danger cut through.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at 4:33 AM on Pennsylvania Avenue near New Lots Avenue in Brooklyn. A Florida-registered Honda drove east, going straight. A New York-registered Cadillac moved north, making a left turn. The Honda struck the Cadillac’s left side doors. The Honda’s front passenger, a 39-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and minor bleeding. She was not ejected. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. The crash shows the risk when drivers lose focus at busy city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791944 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 29 - A concrete mixer reversed on Watkins Street. A woman crossed in the marked crosswalk. The truck struck her, crushing her hip and leg. She lay conscious, broken on the pavement. The truck kept moving. The street did not forgive.

According to the police report, a concrete mixer backed west on Watkins Street near Linden Boulevard without warning. A 40-year-old woman was crossing in the marked crosswalk when the truck struck her, crushing her hip and leg. The report states she was left conscious on the pavement, suffering from severe injuries. The vehicle's pre-crash action is listed as 'Backing,' and the point of impact was the 'Center Back End.' No contributing factors are cited for the pedestrian; the driver’s maneuver—reversing a large truck into a crosswalk—created the danger. The police report does not list any contributing pedestrian behaviors. The crash underscores the lethal risk posed when heavy vehicles back through pedestrian space.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792038 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 25 - Two sedans collided on Dumont Ave in Brooklyn, injuring four occupants. The crash involved aggressive driving and unsafe speed. Victims suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. One driver was unlicensed. Parked vehicles were struck in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:40 on Dumont Ave, Brooklyn. Two sedans collided head-on with center front end and right front bumper impacts. The male driver of the southbound Honda sedan was unlicensed and cited for unsafe speed and aggressive driving/road rage. The female driver of the westbound Honda sedan held a learner's permit. Four occupants were injured, including the unlicensed male driver and his front passenger, both 33 years old, who suffered whiplash and entire body injuries. A 5-year-old rear passenger was also injured, restrained in a child safety seat. The report notes that contributing factors were unsafe speed and aggressive driving by the male driver. Parked vehicles, including a 2003 Chevy SUV and a 2022 Mazda sedan, sustained rear-end damage. The collision highlights driver errors and systemic dangers posed by speeding and aggressive behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789048 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 24 - An ambulance traveling north collided with a box truck passing southbound on Rockaway Ave in Brooklyn. Both ambulance occupants suffered upper body injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and passing too closely as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Rockaway Ave near Linden Blvd in Brooklyn at 17:33. The ambulance, traveling north, was struck on its left rear bumper by a box truck passing southbound. The ambulance driver and front passenger were injured, suffering shoulder and hip-upper leg injuries respectively, both experiencing shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The report explicitly identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors. The ambulance driver was licensed and wearing a lap belt, as was the passenger. The box truck showed no damage, while the ambulance sustained damage to its left rear quarter panel. The collision highlights critical driver errors involving distraction and unsafe passing maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788842 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 18 - A northbound bicyclist was partially ejected and injured after a sedan made a left turn on Linden Blvd in Brooklyn. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, resulting in a hip and upper leg contusion for the 19-year-old cyclist.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 20:10 on Linden Blvd near Ashford St in Brooklyn. A 19-year-old male bicyclist traveling north was partially ejected when a sedan, also traveling north but making a left turn, struck him. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the bike, while the sedan sustained no damage. The bicyclist suffered a contusion and bruising to his hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity 3. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor to the collision. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2016 Lexus. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786899 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19