Park Slope Bleeds While Leaders Watch

Flatbush Avenue will lose car lanes. Bus lanes and pedestrian islands will take their place. Fifty-five killed or badly hurt since 2019. Buses crawl. Pedestrians dodge traffic. The city moves to fix a deadly, clogged corridor.

Gothamist reported on June 4, 2025, that New York City's Department of Transportation plans to overhaul Flatbush Avenue between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza. The redesign replaces two car lanes with 24/7 bus-only lanes and adds pedestrian islands. DOT officials said, 'almost 70,000 daily bus riders are stuck waiting too long for slow buses, drivers are caught in a mess of traffic and pedestrians are left crossing intersections clogged with vehicles.' Since 2019, 55 people have been killed or severely injured in crashes along this stretch. The plan removes curbside parking and bans cars from bus lanes, aiming to speed up twelve bus routes and protect people on foot. Most residents in the area do not own cars and depend on slow buses. The proposal reflects a shift toward prioritizing vulnerable road users and addressing systemic danger on one of Brooklyn's busiest corridors.

• Flatbush Avenue Bus Lanes, Pedestrian Islands Planned, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-04

A teen was ejected and injured when an SUV failed to yield on Atlantic Avenue at Flatbush. The crash left the 15-year-old bleeding and in shock. Center front and left bumper damage marked the impact. The street bore the cost.

A crash on Atlantic Avenue at Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn involved a station wagon/SUV and left a 15-year-old male injured and ejected from a vehicle. According to the police report, the SUV was traveling east and struck another vehicle at the center front and left front bumper. The injured teen suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was reported in shock with minor bleeding. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. Multiple occupants, including a 66-year-old male, were involved but did not report injuries. The crash data also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor. The impact underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield on busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817838, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An SUV turned right on Flatbush Avenue. The driver did not see the e-bike. Metal struck flesh. The cyclist hit the pavement, hurt his leg. Distraction and bad lane use led to blood on the street.

A collision occurred on Flatbush Avenue at 5th Avenue in Brooklyn. An SUV making a right turn struck a southbound e-bike. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The 39-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and abrasions. The SUV driver, a 63-year-old man, was not reported injured. The e-bike operator was listed as unlicensed, but the police report highlights driver distraction and improper lane use as the main contributing factors. The impact was to the SUV's right front and the e-bike's left side. The crash left a vulnerable road user hurt on a busy city street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811560, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Night air hung heavy on Bergen Street as an SUV making a U-turn collided with a 60-year-old cyclist. The crash left the man in shock, pain radiating through his leg. Emergency lights flickered against metal and pavement. No words, just sirens.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Bergen Street at Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn involving two SUVs and a bicycle. At 9 p.m., an SUV making a U-turn struck a cyclist, a 60-year-old man, who suffered a lower leg injury and was described as being in shock. A 36-year-old woman, listed as an occupant and driver, also reported neck pain and shock. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both the driver and the cyclist. No specific driver errors or helmet use are cited as contributing factors in the data. The impact point was the SUV's right front bumper and the cyclist's leg. The crash underscores the vulnerability of cyclists in encounters with turning vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809255, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Night air split by screeching metal at 5th Avenue. A sedan making a U-turn struck a 19-year-old bicyclist moving straight. The cyclist, thrown and in shock, clutched his injured leg as traffic slowed and sirens approached.

A 19-year-old bicyclist suffered leg injuries after being struck by a sedan at 434 5th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash occurred as the sedan, driven by an unlicensed driver, attempted a U-turn and hit the cyclist traveling straight. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the key contributing factor. The cyclist was partially ejected and experienced shock. No helmet use or signaling issues were cited in the data. The sedan had three occupants and was registered out of state.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806751, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Metal and flesh collide on 5th Avenue. A Toyota SUV pulls from the curb. A cyclist, southbound, is thrown to the ground. Blood streaks his arm. Sirens cut through the night. A child in the SUV cries. The cyclist is conscious, bruised.

According to the police report, a Toyota SUV pulled from the curb on 5th Avenue in Brooklyn and struck a 26-year-old male cyclist riding south. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered a contusion to his arm but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors, both driver errors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, but helmet use was not cited as a factor in the crash. No injuries were reported among the SUV occupants. The incident highlights the consequences of improper lane changes and unsafe driver behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803843, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 25-year-old man suffered full-body injuries after an SUV making a right turn hit him outside an intersection on 6 Ave in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was conscious but fractured and dislocated limbs. Police cited driver inexperience as a key factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:16 on 6 Ave in Brooklyn. A 25-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2021 Mazda SUV, traveling northeast and making a right turn, struck him at the left rear quarter panel. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and was conscious but suffered injuries to his entire body, including fractures and dislocations. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was not cited with any contributing factors. The collision involved multiple vehicles, including a sedan with front-end damage, but the primary impact was from the SUV’s turn. This incident highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers executing turns in areas with pedestrian presence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802191, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 40-year-old woman crossing with signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn on 7 Ave in Brooklyn. The driver’s limited view contributed to the collision. The pedestrian suffered a concussion and arm injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:23 AM on 7 Ave near Union St in Brooklyn. A Ford SUV, traveling east and making a right turn, struck a 40-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver failed to see the pedestrian in time. The pedestrian sustained a concussion and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage, suggesting a low-speed impact. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No pedestrian errors were noted as contributing factors. This collision underscores the dangers posed by limited driver visibility during turning maneuvers in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801284, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An e-bike passenger suffered back injuries after a rear-end collision on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved driver inattention, striking the bike’s center back end. The passenger remained conscious but bruised, highlighting dangers from distracted driving.

According to the police report, the crash occurred near Flatbush Avenue and Dean Street in Brooklyn at 11:50 PM. The collision involved an e-bike traveling north that was stopped in traffic and was struck from behind at the center back end. The report cites driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. The injured party was a 30-year-old female passenger on the e-bike, who sustained back contusions and bruises but was not ejected and remained conscious. The e-bike driver was licensed and traveling north. No other vehicle damage was reported. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the passenger’s behavior or safety equipment. This incident underscores the risk posed by distracted drivers to vulnerable road users, including passengers on motorized bicycles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800887, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two vehicles crashed head-on in Brooklyn’s 18th Avenue corridor. The SUV and sedan collided frontally, injuring the SUV driver, who suffered abrasions and arm injuries. The crash stemmed from improper lane usage, highlighting driver error in a busy urban setting.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 8:56 AM in Brooklyn near 18th Avenue involving a 2006 SUV traveling south and a 2013 sedan traveling north. Both vehicles struck each other with their left front bumpers, causing center front end damage. The contributing factor listed is "Passing or Lane Usage Improper," indicating driver error in lane management. The SUV driver, a 36-year-old male wearing a lap belt, sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was reported in shock. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as contributing factors. The crash underscores the dangers of improper lane usage in urban traffic and the severe consequences for vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800698, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan collided head-on with an e-bike on Flatbush Avenue, ejecting the 21-year-old bicyclist. The rider suffered lower arm injuries and shock. Police cited the sedan driver’s disregard for traffic control as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, at 19:21 on Flatbush Avenue, a 2017 Honda sedan traveling north struck an e-bike traveling west. The collision occurred at the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist, a 21-year-old male, was ejected and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, resulting in a complaint of pain and nausea and emotional shock. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' by the sedan driver as the contributing factor. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The e-bike rider was unlicensed and also traveling straight ahead. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers ignoring traffic controls, leading to severe injury of vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795062, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A van traveling north collided with the rear of a flatbed truck on Brooklyn’s 6th Avenue. The impact injured a 65-year-old female passenger in the van, causing whole-body trauma and shock. Driver distraction contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, at 9:20 AM on 6th Avenue in Brooklyn, a van traveling north struck the center back end of a flatbed truck also moving north. The collision caused damage to the front of the van and the rear of the truck. A 65-year-old female passenger seated in the middle rear seat of the van suffered injuries to her entire body, experienced shock, and complained of pain or nausea. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash, indicating a failure to maintain proper focus on the road. No contributing factors were assigned to the injured passenger. The crash involved multiple vehicles, but the primary error was the van driver's lack of attention leading to a rear-end collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793347, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 22-year-old male driver suffered a head injury and concussion after a collision involving a limo and a sedan in Brooklyn. The crash, marked by driver inexperience, left the driver in shock with serious injuries but no ejection from the vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:30 near 620 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision involved a 2016 limo and a 2017 sedan, both traveling east. The limo was parked before the crash, and impact occurred at the limo's left front bumper and the sedan's center front end. The 22-year-old male driver of the sedan, who was wearing a lap belt, sustained a head injury and concussion, resulting in shock. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The driver was not ejected from the vehicle. This incident highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792094, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 19-year-old bicyclist suffered bruises and arm injuries after a Mercedes SUV passed too closely on Union Street in Brooklyn. The driver’s improper passing and passenger distraction led to the collision. The cyclist remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:50 AM on Union Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. A Mercedes Benz SUV, occupied by two people, was parked before the crash but then passed the bicyclist improperly, striking the cyclist on the right side doors. The bicyclist, a 19-year-old male, was injured with contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists the driver’s errors as "Passing Too Closely" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper," with an additional factor of "Passenger Distraction." The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected but suffered injury severity level 3. The cyclist was unhelmeted, but no victim behavior was cited as contributing. The vehicle damage was reported as none, indicating the impact was likely from close contact rather than a high-speed collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791284, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 39-year-old man crossing Prospect Place with the signal was struck by a westbound sedan. The vehicle’s left front bumper impacted the pedestrian, causing a hip and upper leg contusion. Driver inattention was cited as the cause.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Prospect Place in Brooklyn at 10:31 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a westbound sedan struck him on the left front bumper, impacting his hip and upper leg. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated twice, highlighting the driver’s failure to maintain focus. The vehicle sustained damage to its left front quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered a contusion and was conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were noted. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. This crash underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791283, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorscooter driver in Brooklyn suffered injuries after rear-ending a stopped vehicle on Flatbush Avenue. The rider was ejected and sustained abrasions and arm injuries. Police cited following too closely as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn at 7:17 PM. The motorscooter, traveling south, struck the center back end of a stopped vehicle. The sole occupant, a 44-year-old female driver wearing a helmet, was ejected from the scooter and sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash. The vehicle struck showed no damage and had no occupants. The driver of the motorscooter was licensed in New York. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790031, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 48-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan making a right turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, with limited view cited. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his elbow and lower arm, remaining conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southwest on 5 Ave in Brooklyn struck a 48-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The collision occurred at 14:24 near Lincoln Pl. The driver was making a right turn and failed to yield the right-of-way, which is listed as a contributing factor along with a limited or obstructed view. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The vehicle's point of impact was the right front bumper, and the sedan showed no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The report highlights driver error—failure to yield right-of-way and limited visibility—as the primary causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784918, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 51-year-old woman crossing with the signal suffered knee and lower leg injuries when an SUV made an improper right turn. The driver’s inattention and distraction led to impact with the pedestrian at a Brooklyn intersection, causing bruising and moderate injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:00 PM on Union Street near 8th Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2016 GMC SUV, driven by a licensed male driver traveling east, was making a right turn when it struck a 51-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises with a severity level of 3. The report cites the driver’s errors as 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV’s point of impact was the left front bumper, and the vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No victim fault or behavior contributed to the crash according to the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782567, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs collided on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The left rear passenger of one vehicle suffered a concussion and head injury. Police cited driver inattention and unsafe lane changing as causes. The injured occupant remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:03 on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn involving two SUVs traveling north. One driver was merging while the other was going straight ahead. The point of impact was the left rear quarter panel of the merging SUV and the right front bumper of the other vehicle. The report cites driver inattention and unsafe lane changing as contributing factors. A 57-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear of the merging SUV sustained a concussion and head injury. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No safety equipment was reported for the injured passenger. The collision and injuries resulted directly from driver errors, specifically inattention and unsafe lane changes, as documented in the police data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773956, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A pick-up truck struck a sedan from behind on Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue. Both the driver and front passenger of the sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash unfolded in the afternoon, spotlighting following too closely as the key factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:40 on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2024 Nissan sedan traveling east was hit in the center back end by a 2023 RAM pick-up truck also traveling east. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The sedan carried two occupants: a 45-year-old female driver and a 58-year-old male front passenger. Both were conscious but injured, suffering back injuries and whiplash. Neither occupant was ejected or using safety equipment. The collision’s impact was centered on the sedan’s rear and the truck’s front. The report does not cite any contributing factors related to the victims, focusing solely on the truck driver’s error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773136, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14