Third Avenue: Two Miles, Too Many Graves

Nov 29 - A 27-year-old male moped driver was ejected and suffered head injuries on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved no other vehicles but was caused by slippery pavement. The driver was conscious but injured, with whiplash and head trauma reported.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male moped driver was ejected from his vehicle on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn at 16:45. The report cites slippery pavement as the sole contributing factor, causing the driver to lose control. The driver sustained head injuries and whiplash, was conscious at the scene, and was not wearing any safety equipment. The moped was traveling north, going straight ahead, and no damage to the vehicle was recorded. The report highlights the hazardous road condition—pavement slippery—as the critical cause, with no other vehicles involved. No driver errors beyond the environmental condition were noted, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774988 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 28 - A sedan rear-ended a van on Prospect Expressway East. The sedan driver, a 36-year-old woman, suffered whole-body injuries and shock. Police cited a faulty accelerator and driver distraction as causes.

According to the police report, a sedan struck the rear of a van on Prospect Expressway East at 2:43 a.m. The sedan, driven by a 36-year-old woman, hit the van while both vehicles traveled straight. The sedan driver suffered injuries to her entire body and was in shock. The report lists 'Accelerator Defective' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, pointing to both mechanical failure and driver error. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted. The crash highlights the risks posed by vehicle defects and distracted driving on fast-moving city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 27 - A garbage truck making a left turn struck a northbound bicyclist on 23rd Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries with minor bleeding. The crash was caused by driver inattention, according to the police report.

According to the police report, at 14:47 a garbage or refuse truck traveling east on 4th Avenue made a left turn and collided with a northbound bicyclist on 23rd Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 44-year-old female driver, was ejected from her bike and sustained head injuries with minor bleeding. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The garbage truck showed no damage, while the bike sustained impact to the center front end. The truck driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but failed to maintain attention during the turn, causing the collision. No victim fault or behavior was noted as contributing in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775404 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 27 - A driver struck three cars in Bed-Stuy. She dragged a person, hit a vehicle with a pregnant woman, then crashed into an empty car. No life-threatening injuries. Police arrested her at the scene. Charges include assault and reckless endangerment.

Gothamist reported on November 27, 2024, that a New York City Housing Authority employee was arrested after a chaotic crash in Brooklyn. According to police, the driver, Tanisha Simpson, "swiped an oncoming car," then "drove away, dragging the person several feet and hitting another car with a pregnant woman inside." She struck a third, empty car before New York City Sheriffs arrested her nearby. The pregnant woman was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but no serious injuries were reported. Simpson faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene. The incident highlights the dangers of hit-and-run behavior and the risks faced by vulnerable road users at busy intersections.

• Three-Car Brooklyn Crash Sparks Arrest, Gothamist, Published 2024-11-27

Nov 25 - Bay Ridge’s parks and promenade get $30 million for repairs and upgrades. Community Board 10 approves. New lighting, wider paths, and more green space promised. Council Member Justin Brannan funds and supports. Cyclists and pedestrians get safer, smoother routes. No timeline yet.

On November 25, 2024, City Council Member Justin Brannan and Community Board 10 announced approval and funding for major upgrades to the Bay Ridge Promenade and Leif Ericson Park. The Parks Committee and full board both voted unanimously for the $30 million overhaul, which includes $20.97 million for the Shore Road Promenade and $9.25 million for Leif Ericson Park. The project, described as 'Destination: Greenways!', will expand green space, separate bike and pedestrian lanes, add lighting, and install new amenities. Brannan, a key funder and supporter, said, 'Our local parks are the lungs of our city.' The overhaul aims to improve recreational cycling, repair pothole-ridden paths, and increase accessibility. Board members raised concerns about safety and sanitation, which the Parks Department pledged to address in final designs. No construction timeline has been set.

• Bay Ridge community board greenlights $30M facelift for Shore Road Promenade, Leif Ericson Park, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-11-25

Nov 17 - A westbound sedan and pickup truck collided head-on and side-on on the Gowanus Expressway. The front passenger in the sedan suffered a severe knee and lower leg injury. Both drivers were licensed men traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:47 AM on the Gowanus Expressway involving a 2019 Toyota sedan and a 2023 Ford pickup truck, both traveling westbound. The sedan sustained center front end damage from the collision, while the pickup truck was impacted on its left side doors. The front passenger in the sedan, a 27-year-old female, was injured with fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were licensed men from New York, traveling straight ahead before the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Victim behavior was not cited as a factor. The collision's cause remains unspecified, but the impact points and injuries highlight the severe consequences of the crash on the sedan's passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774616 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - An 18-year-old e-bike rider was injured and ejected after a collision with a southbound SUV making a left turn on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver’s inattention caused the crash, fracturing the rider’s lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn at 6:30 pm. The collision involved a southbound 2021 Tesla SUV making a left turn and a northbound e-bike traveling straight. The SUV driver was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' which directly contributed to the crash. The e-bike rider, an 18-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report notes the rider was conscious but injured. The point of impact was the SUV’s right rear bumper striking the e-bike’s center front end. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were listed. The data highlights the dangers posed by distracted vehicle operators turning across vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771243 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 8 - Governor Hochul cuts the congestion toll to $9. The move aims to beat a Trump block. Experts warn the lower fee will not cut traffic like the original $15 plan. Urgency grows as the MTA stalls projects. Vulnerable road users wait for relief.

""It’s more important than ever that we start congestion pricing immediately, before Trump can block it,"" -- Andrew Gounardes

On November 8, 2024, State Senator Andrew Gounardes responded to Governor Hochul’s revised congestion pricing plan. The new proposal drops the peak toll from $15 to $9. The plan’s status is pending, with urgency to implement before a new presidential administration. Gounardes stressed, “It’s more important than ever that we start congestion pricing immediately, before Trump can block it.” The bill aims to fund the MTA’s 2020-2024 capital plan, but economist Charles Komanoff warns, “You don’t get the immediate traffic speed gain that a $15 toll would give.” The measure is meant to reduce traffic and improve transit, but the lower toll means less impact. The MTA has already paused $16 billion in work. The focus is on starting the program, but advocates note the diluted toll will not deliver the same safety and quality-of-life gains for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Analysis: Hochul's $9 Congestion Toll May Stave Off Trump, But Won't Reduce Traffic as Much, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-11-08

Nov 8 - Governor Hochul slashes NYC’s congestion toll to $9. The move aims to beat a federal block but guts traffic reduction. Streets will see less relief. The plan leaves vulnerable road users exposed. The city trades speed and safety for political timing.

""It s more important than ever that we start congestion pricing immediately, before Trump can block it," said state Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn). "The time to commit to better public transit, less traffic and cleaner air is now."" -- Andrew Gounardes

On November 8, 2024, Governor Hochul proposed lowering New York City’s congestion pricing toll from $15 to $9. The plan, a policy proposal to adjust congestion pricing, comes as officials rush to implement it before a new presidential administration can intervene. The original $15 toll, crafted by the Traffic Mobility Review Board and approved by the MTA Board, promised strong traffic reduction and included credits and caps. The $9 version, previously reviewed in environmental assessments, may lack those protections. Economist Charles Komanoff warns, 'You lose other benefits. Most noticeably, you don’t get the immediate traffic speed gain that a $15 toll would give.' State Senator Andrew Gounardes urges swift action, saying, 'The time to commit to better public transit, less traffic and cleaner air is now.' The lower toll is projected to improve traffic speeds by only 6.4 percent, far less than the 17 percent expected from the original plan. With less traffic reduction, streets remain dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Analysis: Hochul’s $9 Congestion Toll May Stave Off Trump, But Won’t Reduce Traffic as Much, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-08

Nov 6 - A 43-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after an SUV made a U-turn and hit his e-bike on the left side. The crash unfolded in Brooklyn at 5:08 p.m., with driver inattention cited as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:08 in Brooklyn near 694 5 Ave. A 2024 Subaru SUV, traveling south and making a U-turn, collided with a southbound e-bike driven by a 43-year-old male bicyclist. The point of impact was the left side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the e-bike. The bicyclist sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the SUV driver. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the maneuver that led to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769424 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 29 - A 31-year-old man was injured crossing 2 Ave outside a crosswalk when a northbound bus starting from parking struck him at the center front end. Limited view contributed to the crash, resulting in knee and lower leg contusions.

According to the police report, a bus traveling north on 2 Ave in Brooklyn struck a 31-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing outside a crosswalk. The bus was starting from parking when the collision occurred at 7:28 AM. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor for both the bus driver and the pedestrian, indicating visibility issues played a key role. The pedestrian's crossing outside a designated signal or crosswalk is noted as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' but the primary driver error was limited visibility. The bus showed no damage despite the impact at the center front end. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally according to the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767400 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 28 - A 38-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after a pick-up truck struck her at a Brooklyn intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way while making a right turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling west on 5 Ave in Brooklyn struck a 38-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection with Prospect Ave at 17:10. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver, making a right turn, failed to yield right-of-way. The impact occurred at the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to her knee and lower leg and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor, emphasizing driver error. The vehicle sustained no damage. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767206 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 24 - A tractor truck slammed into the back of a stopped SUV on the Gowanus Expressway. Three occupants in the SUV suffered concussions and back or shoulder injuries. Police cite other vehicular factors as causes. All victims were conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, at 22:38 on the Gowanus Expressway, a 2021 diesel tractor truck traveling east struck the center back end of a stopped 2010 SUV also heading east. The SUV had three occupants: a 63-year-old female driver and two passengers aged 33 and 40. All three sustained injuries including concussions and back or shoulder trauma. Each occupant was conscious and wearing lap belts. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors for both vehicles, indicating driver-related errors or conditions led to the collision. The truck's point of impact was its left front bumper, damaging its center front end. The SUV's damage was concentrated at its center back end. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of rear-end collisions involving heavy trucks and passenger vehicles on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766573 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 23 - A turning vehicle failed to yield. It struck a northbound motorcycle. The rider was thrown onto 3rd Avenue. He suffered fractured and dislocated leg bones. The crash left him conscious but badly hurt.

According to the police report, a vehicle making a right turn on 3rd Avenue struck a northbound motorcycle at 13:48. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The impact hit the motorcycle's left front bumper, ejecting the 40-year-old rider. He suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. The rider was conscious at the scene. No victim actions were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765812 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 23 - A 34-year-old male bicyclist suffered a head injury and lost consciousness after a collision on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved a distracted driver and left the cyclist bleeding with serious injuries but not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:40 AM on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old man, was traveling south and was struck at the center front end of his bike. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor twice, indicating the cyclist was impaired by the driver's failure to maintain attention. The bicyclist was not ejected but suffered a head injury, was unconscious, and had minor bleeding. The other vehicle involved was a skate board, also traveling south, which sustained no damage. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving to vulnerable road users like cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765807 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 22 - A Jeep’s bumper met a young man’s head at 3rd Avenue and 36th Street. Blood pooled on Brooklyn pavement. The SUV rolled on. The driver vanished. The city’s morning did not pause.

A 23-year-old man was struck in the head by a Jeep SUV at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and 36th Street in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The collision left the pedestrian bleeding severely at the intersection. The police report notes that the SUV’s right front bumper made contact with the victim, yet the vehicle sustained no visible damage. The driver did not stop after the crash and left the scene. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' providing no details on the driver’s actions beyond the hit-and-run. The pedestrian was conscious but suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. No evidence in the report suggests any victim behavior contributed to the crash. The focus remains on the driver’s failure to remain at the scene and the systemic risk posed by vehicles in city crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765817 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 14 - A rear-end pileup struck the Gowanus Expressway. Cars and a truck slammed together. One driver took a neck injury. Metal crumpled. Traffic stopped. No pedestrians or cyclists caught in the wreck.

According to the police report, multiple vehicles—including sedans, an SUV, and a tractor truck—collided southbound on the Gowanus Expressway. The crash triggered a chain of rear-end impacts. A 21-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors, pointing to driver error. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The sequence of impacts—center back and front ends—shows the danger of close spacing and inattention on fast-moving roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764092 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 14 - Two sedans collided on 20 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. A female driver changing lanes struck a male passenger in the other vehicle. The passenger suffered neck injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:52 AM on 20 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision involved two sedans traveling northbound. The female driver of one sedan was changing lanes when her vehicle's right front bumper struck the left front bumper of the other sedan, which was going straight ahead. The impact injured a 62-year-old male front-seat passenger in the struck vehicle, who suffered neck injuries and was in shock. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The police report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764125 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 11 - A 36-year-old moped driver was partially ejected and suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation after colliding with a sedan in Brooklyn. The crash involved driver inexperience and following too closely, causing left front bumper impact and serious injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:25 AM on 35 Street near 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The moped driver, a 36-year-old male wearing a helmet, was partially ejected during the collision with a sedan. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The moped's left front bumper struck the sedan, resulting in the driver sustaining a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm injury classified as severity level 3. The sedan had no occupants at the time. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as inexperience and unsafe following distance, which directly contributed to the violent impact and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766373 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 10 - A sedan making a right turn collided with a northbound e-scooter on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn. The 24-year-old e-scooter driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:05 PM on 5 Avenue near 23 Street in Brooklyn. A sedan, traveling north and making a right turn, struck an e-scooter also traveling north. The point of impact was the sedan's right front quarter panel and the e-scooter's center front end. The e-scooter driver, a 24-year-old male, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the collision, specifically noting this for the e-scooter driver. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2007 Hyundai. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762691 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19