Third Avenue: Two Miles, Too Many Graves

Aug 14 - A 14-year-old boy pedaled south on 4th Avenue, helmet strapped tight. An SUV’s left front slammed him, sent him flying. Blood pooled on the Brooklyn pavement as sirens wailed. The boy, conscious, clung to the world, wounded and ejected.

A 14-year-old bicyclist was struck and injured by an SUV at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 23rd Street in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 13:11, when the boy, traveling south on his bike, was hit by the left front quarter panel of a Nissan SUV heading east. The police report states the boy was ejected from his bicycle, suffered severe lacerations to his back, and was found conscious and bleeding. The narrative details, 'A 14-year-old boy on a bike, helmet on, struck by an SUV’s left front. Ejected. Conscious. Bleeding from the back.' The official contributing factor listed is 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' No driver errors are cited in the report. The focus remains on the force of the SUV’s impact and the resulting injuries to the vulnerable cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747945 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - Three SUVs slammed together on 4 Avenue. One driver hurt his back and neck. Police blamed driver inattention. Metal crumpled. Focus lost. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, three SUVs crashed on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn at 9:15 AM. The first SUV was stopped in traffic. The second SUV, slowing or stopping, hit the first at the center front. The third SUV, also stopped, was struck at the center back. A 36-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and not ejected. Police cited 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. No victim actions contributed. The crash shows how distraction behind the wheel endangers everyone on crowded city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747425 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - A sedan rear-ended a stopped SUV on the Gowanus Expressway. Both drivers injured. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe speed. Center-end damage to both vehicles. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old man driving a sedan eastbound on the Gowanus Expressway struck the center rear of a stopped 2020 Jeep SUV at 12:03 AM. Both drivers, male, suffered contusions and lower body injuries. The sedan driver was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV driver, 28, was stopped in traffic when hit. Both men were conscious and not ejected. The sedan had front-end damage; the SUV, rear-end damage. Driver errors—specifically inattention and unsafe speed—were central, with no contributing factors attributed to the SUV driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747424 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - SUV slammed into turning car on 3 Avenue. Aggressive driving sent two women to the hospital with head injuries. Police report blames road rage. Metal twisted. Blood spilled. Brooklyn streets stay dangerous.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling south on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn struck another vehicle making a left turn at 10:15. The SUV's left front bumper hit the other car, causing center front end damage to the SUV and center back end damage to the other vehicle. The report cites 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as a contributing factor. Two women in the SUV were injured: the 29-year-old driver suffered a concussion and head injury, and a 46-year-old right rear passenger sustained a head contusion. Both were conscious and wore lap belts. No victim actions were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748062 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 5 - An 8-year-old girl riding as a passenger on an e-bike suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after a rear-end collision with an SUV on the Gowanus Expressway. The crash was caused by driver inexperience, according to the police report.

At 13:02 on the Gowanus Expressway, an e-bike traveling east was struck from behind by a 2022 Audi SUV also traveling east, according to the police report. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-bike and the center back end of the SUV. The e-bike carried two occupants, including an 8-year-old female passenger who sustained abrasions to her knee and lower leg, classified as injury severity 3. The police report cites 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The injured passenger was not ejected and remained conscious. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745888 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 4 - A 27-year-old female driver suffered shoulder injuries in a high-speed crash involving multiple sedans on the Gowanus Expressway. The collision, marked by front-end and side impacts, exposed dangers of unlicensed driving and reckless speed on city roads.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Gowanus Expressway at 22:37 involving multiple vehicles traveling eastbound. The key contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Speed" by the drivers. One driver, a 27-year-old female occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries but was conscious and not ejected. Another vehicle involved was driven by an unlicensed male driver operating a 2014 Toyota sedan, who struck the center front end of a vehicle. The collision also involved a Tesla SUV and a 2022 Hyundai sedan, with impacts to the right side doors and center back end respectively. The report highlights driver errors including unsafe speed and unlicensed operation, underscoring systemic risks on the expressway. No victim behavior was noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745407 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 3 - A 33-year-old male bicyclist suffered abrasions and partial ejection after a collision on 57 Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, driver inattention and distraction led to the impact, injuring the cyclist’s lower arm and hand.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 57 Street in Brooklyn at 9:30 p.m. involving a bicyclist traveling north. The bicyclist, a 33-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" twice as the contributing factors to the crash. The bicyclist was riding straight ahead when the collision happened, with impact to the center back end of his bike. The other vehicle, also traveling north, impacted the center front end. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction, which directly caused serious injury to the vulnerable bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745327 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 3 - A sedan blew past traffic control on 53 Street. It struck another car. Two women inside suffered bruised legs and feet. Metal twisted. The street fell silent. The system failed them.

According to the police report, a northbound sedan disregarded traffic control on 53 Street near 3 Avenue in Brooklyn and collided with a westbound sedan. The impact hit the right front bumper of the northbound car. Two occupants in that vehicle, a 62-year-old driver and an 80-year-old rear passenger, were injured with contusions and bruises to their knees, lower legs, and feet. Both were conscious and restrained. The police report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor. No errors or contributing factors are listed for the injured occupants. The westbound sedan sustained no damage and its occupant was not reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745326 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 29 - A 25-year-old bicyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm after a 2018 SUV collided with his bike’s center front. The crash occurred at 5 Avenue in Brooklyn, with driver inattention and failure to yield cited by police as causes.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 20:42 on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn involving a 2018 Subaru SUV and a 25-year-old male bicyclist. The bicyclist was traveling south going straight ahead when the SUV struck the bike’s center front end, impacting the SUV’s right rear quarter panel. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors on the part of the SUV driver. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet and was not ejected from his bike. The report also notes 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a factor related to the bicyclist, but the primary driver errors were those of the SUV operator.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743920 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - Atlantic Avenue gets a lifeline. New mid-block crossings, concrete islands, and curb extensions aim to slow cars and protect people. Local leaders call it overdue. For years, crashes haunted this corridor. Now, the city moves to put people before traffic.

On July 26, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced major street safety upgrades for Atlantic Avenue in District 33. The project, led by NYC DOT, brings mid-block crossings, concrete pedestrian islands, curb enhancements, and split-phase signals to one of Brooklyn’s deadliest corridors. The matter, titled 'Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor,' highlights years of advocacy after repeated crashes. Restler, who has long pushed for these changes, praised the progress: 'Atlantic Avenue has been extremely dangerous my whole life. I'm excited by the progress we're making in partnership with DOT to expand mid-block crossings and other smart interventions to slow down cars and advance safety in our community.' The announcement follows a deadly crash last spring and is part of the city’s Vision Zero push. Local officials and advocates say these changes mark a crucial step in ending the street’s legacy of danger and death.

• Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-26

Jul 25 - A 57-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected and injured on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash caused contusions to his elbow and lower arm. The rider wore a helmet but suffered significant trauma. The motorcycle sustained damage to its left front bumper.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old male motorcycle driver was involved in a crash on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:57 AM. The motorcyclist was ejected from the vehicle and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, including contusions and bruises. The rider was conscious and wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The motorcycle, a 2013 VESP-MCL, was damaged on the left front bumper. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify pedestrian involvement or victim fault. The driver was licensed and traveling north before the crash, which involved impact to the left front bumper. The incident highlights the dangers motorcyclists face from vehicle impacts and ejections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742931 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 24 - A tractor truck rear-ended a sedan on the Gowanus Expressway. Two men in the sedan suffered neck injuries and shock. The truck driver failed at safe vehicle handling. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

According to the police report, a northbound tractor truck struck the center back end of a sedan traveling the same direction on the Gowanus Expressway at 22:54. The sedan carried two men, ages 36 and 39. Both suffered neck injuries, whiplash, and emotional shock. The police cited 'Other Vehicular' errors by the truck driver, including issues with oversized vehicle operation. The sedan occupants were secured with harnesses and belts. The crash's point of impact confirms a rear-end collision caused by the truck. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743242 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 19 - A 60-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured on Hamilton Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider suffered elbow and lower arm injuries with minor bleeding. The crash involved a single bike traveling north, impacting the rider’s left front side.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:05 on Hamilton Avenue in Brooklyn. The injured party was a 60-year-old male bicyclist, who was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, with minor bleeding. The bicyclist was the sole occupant and driver of the bike, which was traveling straight ahead northbound. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the bike, with damage to the center front end. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors, nor does it indicate any victim behaviors as contributing causes. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet (motorcycle type) but this was not cited as a factor. The crash highlights the vulnerability of bicyclists to severe injury even without other vehicles involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741552 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 19 - Council Speaker Adams wavers on using new power to lower speed limits. She calls for district input. Advocates warn: patchwork rules endanger lives. Uniform 20 mph limit saves people. Council delays action as streets stay deadly.

On July 19, 2024, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams addressed the Council’s authority under Sammy’s Law, which lets New York City lower its speed limit. The matter, discussed in Streetsblog, quotes Adams: “Each Council member is going to have to weigh in on how they feel it should be enacted or should not be enacted in their district.” Adams hesitated to commit to a citywide 20 mph limit, instead suggesting community-by-community decisions. Eric McClure of StreetsPAC called this approach “chaotic and dangerous,” pushing for a uniform 20 mph limit to save lives. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives urged a comprehensive, data-driven plan. State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Brad Hoylman-Sigal pressed the Council to use its new powers. The Department of Transportation clarified its limited authority. The Council’s delay leaves vulnerable road users at risk.

• Speaker Adams: Council May Not Use its ‘Sammy’s Law’ Power to Lower Speed Limits, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-19

Jul 16 - A motorcycle and sedan collided head-on on 28 Street in Brooklyn. The motorcycle’s rear passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Both vehicles had front-end damage. The passenger was conscious and bruised but not ejected from the motorcycle.

According to the police report, at 18:00 on 28 Street in Brooklyn, a northbound motorcycle and a westbound sedan collided front-to-front. The motorcycle, carrying two occupants, struck the sedan, which had one occupant. The rear passenger on the motorcycle, a 30-year-old female, sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both vehicles showed center front-end damage, indicating a direct collision. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision resulted in injury to a vulnerable passenger, highlighting the dangers of multi-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740890 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 8 - SUV hit e-bike merging on 4 Avenue. E-bike rider, a 28-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and was semiconscious. Impact was SUV’s right front bumper to bike’s center front. Both vehicles headed north.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV collided with a northbound e-bike merging into traffic on 4 Avenue near 23 Street in Brooklyn at 12:55. The SUV’s right front bumper struck the e-bike’s center front end. The e-bike rider, a 28-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and was semiconscious at the scene. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for both drivers. There is no mention of helmet use or victim fault. The SUV driver was licensed in New York. The crash underscores the danger when large vehicles and e-bikes share busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738996 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 3 - Two sedans collided near 551 2 Avenue. A 37-year-old woman suffered bruises and full-body trauma. The Chevrolet started from parking. The Volvo drove straight north. Metal crumpled. Danger at the curb.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed near 551 2 Avenue in Brooklyn at 13:40. A 37-year-old female driver was injured with contusions and trauma to her entire body. She was conscious and wore a lap belt. The Chevrolet sedan was starting from parking when it collided with a Volvo sedan traveling north. The impact struck the Chevrolet's left front quarter panel and the Volvo's center front end. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The police report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737970 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 26 - An unlicensed, distracted motorcyclist turned right and hit an e-bike rider going straight. The e-bike rider suffered bruises. Driver inattention and improper turn fueled the crash.

According to the police report, an unlicensed 18-year-old motorcycle driver made a right turn on 4th Avenue and struck an e-bike traveling north. The impact hit the motorcycle's left front bumper and the e-bike's center front end, causing injury to the e-bike rider. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The e-bike rider was bruised but stayed conscious and was not ejected. The motorcycle driver lacked a valid license. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736120 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 22 - A distracted SUV driver collided with an eastbound e-bike rider on 21st Street. The e-bike rider was ejected, suffering severe leg injuries including fractures and dislocations. The crash left the rider conscious but seriously hurt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:06 on 21st Street involving a northbound 2020 Nissan SUV and an eastbound e-bike. The SUV struck the e-bike on its left side doors, impacting the e-bike's center front end. The e-bike rider, a 31-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. The rider was conscious at the scene and was wearing a helmet, classified as 'Helmet Only (In-Line Skater/Bicyclist).' The police report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver's failure to maintain focus. No other contributing factors were noted. The collision demonstrates the dangers posed by driver distraction to vulnerable e-bike riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734657 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 12 - A bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered facial abrasions after a sedan backing west collided with him in Brooklyn. The crash involved unsafe speed and driver distraction, leaving the cyclist injured but conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn near 830 4 Avenue at 15:43. A 22-year-old male bicyclist traveling south was partially ejected and sustained facial abrasions, classified as injury severity 3. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment. The sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, was backing west when the collision happened. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors led to the crash. No vehicle damage was reported on either the bike or the sedan, but the impact caused significant injury to the bicyclist. The bicyclist’s lack of helmet or other safety gear is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the sedan driver’s backing maneuver combined with unsafe speed and distraction as the primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732249 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19