Blood on the Crosswalk: No More Delays, No More Deaths

A reckless driver with a long record ran a red light on Ocean Parkway. She killed a mother and two children. The crash left another child fighting for life. Advocates demand action. The system failed to stop a known danger.

On March 30, 2025, police charged Miriam Yarimi after she sped through a red light on Ocean Parkway, killing Natasha Saada and her two daughters, ages 5 and 8. The crash also left a 4-year-old boy in critical condition. Yarimi faces manslaughter, negligent homicide, assault, reckless driving, and more. Her license was suspended. Her car had 99 violations in a year, including 21 speeding and five red-light tickets. Advocates, including Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives, blame Albany’s delay in passing Senator Andrew Gounardes’s bill to require speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders. Furnas said, “If Albany had passed this bill when it was first introduced, this vehicle would already have been speed limited and this crash would never have happened.” The bill remains pending. Advocates will rally at the crash site, demanding urgent action to protect lives.

• Recidivist Driver Who Killed Three on Ocean Parkway Has Been Charged, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-30

A mother and her two daughters died on Ocean Parkway. The driver, on a suspended license, crashed after colliding with another car. She had a long record of violations. The victims were leaving Shabbat services. Streets remain unforgiving.

According to the New York Post (March 30, 2025), Miriam Yarimi, 32, drove her Audi with a suspended license on Ocean Parkway in Gravesend. She collided with a Toyota Camry, then struck and killed a mother and her two daughters, ages 8 and 6, as they left Shabbat services. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed Yarimi's license status. The article reports Yarimi had 'over 93 traffic violations on WIGM8KER including 20 speeding tickets,' and a recent ticket for 'speeding through a school zone.' Yarimi was arrested at the scene, but charges were pending at publication. The case highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians and repeated failures to keep high-risk drivers off city streets.

• Suspended Driver Kills Family On Parkway, New York Post, Published 2025-03-30

A sedan making a left turn struck a northbound moped on Smith Street in Brooklyn. The moped driver suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The crash caused damage to both vehicles’ left front bumpers.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Smith Street near Nelson Street in Brooklyn at 14:16. A 27-year-old male moped driver traveling north was hit by a sedan also traveling north but making a left turn. The point of impact was the left front bumper of both vehicles. The moped driver sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity 3. The sedan had two occupants, and the driver was licensed in New York. The report lists no specific contributing factors for the crash, but the sedan’s left turn movement directly led to the collision. The moped driver was conscious and not ejected. No victim behaviors or helmet use were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger posed by turning vehicles to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802829 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An Audi driver with a suspended license turned at a red. She struck a family crossing Ocean Parkway. A mother and two daughters died. Their son fights for life. Another family in a hit car suffered minor wounds. Streets remain unforgiving.

Gothamist reported on March 29, 2025, that a mother and her two daughters were killed when an Audi A3, driven by Miriam Yarimi, turned right on red and struck them in Midwood, Brooklyn. Police said Yarimi’s license was suspended. The car first hit a Toyota Camry, then continued forward, hitting the family in the crosswalk. The article quotes NYPD Commissioner Tisch: 'This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road.' Yarimi faces multiple charges, including manslaughter and aggravated unlicensed operation. The crash left a young boy in critical condition and injured another family. The incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed driving and the risks at busy intersections.

• Suspended Driver Kills Brooklyn Family, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-29

An SUV slammed into a sedan’s rear on Hamilton Avenue. The sedan driver, a 41-year-old man, suffered bruises to his knee and leg. Both vehicles moved straight. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Hamilton Avenue was struck from behind by a southbound SUV. The sedan’s 41-year-old male driver suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash happened at 16:50. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead at impact, with the sedan’s rear and the SUV’s front taking the damage. The report does not list explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No information was provided about the SUV’s driver. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801449 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A dump truck making a left turn struck a 36-year-old man crossing a marked crosswalk at night in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered arm injuries and shock. The crash resulted from the truck driver's failure to yield right-of-way and following too closely.

According to the police report, a dump truck traveling south in Brooklyn was making a left turn at the intersection of Wolcott Street when it struck a 36-year-old male pedestrian crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was in shock. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and following too closely as contributing factors. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the truck. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating a 2002 Mack truck. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing behavior. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors at intersections, particularly failure to yield to pedestrians legally crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801043 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on the Gowanus Ramp, injuring a 45-year-old male driver. The crash involved unsafe speed and lane changing. The driver sustained a head contusion but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:35 on the Gowanus Ramp involving multiple SUVs traveling westbound. The driver of a 2023 BMW SUV was changing lanes at unsafe speed when the collision happened. The point of impact was the center front end of the BMW and the right rear bumper of a 2023 Mercedes SUV traveling straight ahead. The 45-year-old male driver of the BMW was injured, suffering a head contusion but remained conscious and was not ejected, secured by a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. Vehicle damage was concentrated on the front and rear quarter panels. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800655 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker flew through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection is known for danger. Delivery speed and city policy collide.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after being struck by an e-bike delivery worker who "sped through a stop sign" at Franklin and India streets 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 as the investigation continued. The article notes that the intersection is a known trouble spot, with Collins stating, "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The report highlights systemic issues: delivery app pressures, lack of regulation, and a street design that encourages risky moves. City data shows e-bikes account for a small share of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues.

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

A 55-year-old man suffered elbow and hand injuries after a sedan traveling north hit him while crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian’s right side, causing shock and a minor burn.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old male pedestrian was injured at 3:47 PM in Brooklyn near 447 Columbia Street. The pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk but not at an intersection and without a crossing signal. A 2023 Honda sedan traveling north struck the pedestrian on its right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, experienced shock, and complained of a minor burn. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any pedestrian fault. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The collision highlights the danger posed by vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians crossing outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798771 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV plows into flatbed’s rear on Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Driver and passenger hurt. Police cite inattention and tailgating. Metal crunches. Shock and bruises follow.

According to the police report, at 8:35 AM on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, a Dodge SUV rear-ended a Ford flatbed truck. The SUV driver was inattentive and distracted, and followed too closely, causing the crash. Both the 67-year-old SUV driver and his 48-year-old front passenger suffered moderate injuries, including back contusions and shock. Both wore lap belts and were not ejected. The flatbed’s right rear bumper and the SUV’s front end were damaged. The report highlights driver inattention and following too closely as key factors in the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798390 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two taxis collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at 7:51 a.m. Following too closely caused a rear-end crash. Two passengers suffered head and full-body injuries with whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses.

According to the police report, at 7:51 a.m., two taxis traveling eastbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided. The crash involved a rear-end impact, with the striking taxi hitting the center back end of the lead taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Following Too Closely," indicating driver error in maintaining unsafe distance. Two passengers in the lead taxi were injured: a 25-year-old female with head injuries and a 33-year-old male with injuries to his entire body. Both passengers complained of whiplash, were conscious, and were restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report does not indicate any contributing factors from the passengers or other road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798603 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

SUV driver, distracted, hit a moped on Court Street. Moped rider, 26, bruised arm. Impact crushed moped’s front, SUV’s side. No mention of rider fault. Inattention behind the wheel caused harm.

According to the police report, a crash occurred at midnight on Court Street in Brooklyn. A licensed SUV driver, distracted and inattentive, struck a 2024 moped while parked. The moped rider, a 26-year-old man, was driving straight and suffered a contusion to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV’s left side doors and the moped’s front end were damaged. There is no mention of any error or fault by the moped rider. The crash highlights the danger posed by distracted drivers in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796391 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

MTA rolled out new open-gangway subway cars on Brooklyn’s G line. Riders can move freely between cars. Wider doors, better lighting, and safety cameras mark a shift. Council Member Shahana Hanif backed the upgrade. Riders welcomed the change. More trains coming soon.

On March 4, 2025, the MTA unveiled open-gangway R211T subway cars on the G line at Church Avenue, Brooklyn. The event, covered by amny.com, marked a milestone in subway modernization. The new cars feature open gangways, wider doors, improved lighting, digital screens, better accessibility, and enhanced safety cameras. Council Member Shahana Hanif (District 39) attended the unveiling and voiced support: "It'll make our ride as users more comfortable and efficient." MTA NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow called the design a unique experience, highlighting increased comfort and reliability. The R211T cars are part of the MTA's $68 billion capital plan for 2025-2029, pending state approval. Riders responded positively, noting the freedom to move and improved comfort. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Gang way! MTA unveils new walk-through subway cars on Brooklyn – Queens train line, amny.com, Published 2025-03-04

MTA rolled out new open gangway trains on Brooklyn’s G line. Riders now move freely between cars. Wider doors, bright lights, and cameras sharpen safety. Council Member Shahana Hanif cheered the upgrade. More trains arrive soon. The city’s subway inches forward.

On March 4, 2025, the MTA debuted its open gangway R211T trains on the G line in Brooklyn. The event, attended by Council Member Shahana Hanif (District 39), marked the first time G riders could walk end-to-end through the train. The new cars feature wider doors, improved lighting, and advanced cameras. The MTA’s summary states: 'The open gangway train design allows riders to walk freely between cars, a first for the G line, offering increased mobility throughout the train.' Hanif, present at the unveiling, said, 'It'll make our ride as users more comfortable and efficient.' The trains are part of the MTA’s $68 billion capital plan for 2025-2029. More R211T trains will join the G line in coming months. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided, but the upgrades focus on accessibility, visibility, and crowd movement—key factors for passenger safety.

• MTA debuts futuristic open gangway trains on the G line in Brooklyn, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-04

A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. The driver hit a man crouched for food. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. The driver fled. Police are still searching. Brooklyn’s streets remain deadly for those on foot.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was kneeling in the street to pick up food when the truck, turning right, hit him. According to police, 'the driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene.' The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The article notes this was one of several fatal crashes in Brooklyn that week, highlighting persistent dangers for pedestrians. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene underscores ongoing issues with hit-and-runs and enforcement.

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

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

Two sedans collided on Brooklyn’s 3rd Avenue. The rear driver, a 54-year-old woman, suffered a back injury and shock. Police identified following too closely as the cause. The impact struck the rear bumper of one vehicle and the front bumper of the other.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:59 on 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans traveling straight ahead collided, with impact at the center back end of the front vehicle and the center front end of the rear vehicle. The rear vehicle’s driver, a 54-year-old woman, was injured with a back injury and experienced shock. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor leading to the collision. Both drivers were licensed and traveling in the same direction. The rear vehicle sustained damage to its right rear bumper, while the front vehicle’s right front bumper was damaged. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795964 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Council slashed parking mandates in transit-rich zones. Mandates linger in outer areas. Progress, but not full victory. Some districts carved out exceptions. Housing and parking no longer clash in core neighborhoods. Vulnerable road users still face cars in many places.

""Council Member Shahana Hanif (D Kensington) was one of the progressives whose district includes some of the 'outer transit zone.' Her spokesperson said the Council member 'did not advocate for any carve outs.'"" -- Shahana K. Hanif

On February 26, 2025, the City Council approved Mayor Adams's 'City of Yes' rezoning. The bill divided the city into zones: the Manhattan core, an inner transit zone with no parking mandates, an outer transit zone with reduced mandates, and areas beyond where mandates mostly remain. The matter summary states, 'The final plan did not eliminate parking mandates citywide but divided the city into zones.' Council Member Crystal Hudson pushed to eliminate mandates in all her districts. Council Member Shahana Hanif opposed carve-outs. Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez called parking mandates 'a concession to cars that we don’t need and can’t afford.' Council Member Sandy Nurse’s district saw mandates shaped by community board amendments, not her advocacy. Dan Garodnick, Department of City Planning chair, said, 'parking and housing are no longer coming into conflict in the parts of New York City that are well-served by transit.' The bill passed after compromises, leaving mandates in some areas and progress in others. No direct safety impact assessment was provided.

• ‘City of … Sort Of’: How Do The ‘Outer Transit Zone’ Parking Mandate Reductions Work?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-26