Third Avenue: Two Miles, Too Many Graves

A sedan turning right struck a southbound e-bike on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The 41-year-old bicyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions over his entire body. Police cited failure to yield and unsafe speed as contributing factors.

According to the police report, a 2015 Kia sedan was making a right turn on 4 Avenue when it collided with a southbound e-bike. The 41-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions across his entire body. The police identified driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The sedan's point of impact was the right front quarter panel, while the e-bike was struck at its center front end. The bicyclist remained conscious after the crash but was injured seriously enough to be noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4659502 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 24-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a station wagon SUV turning right on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike hit the SUV’s right rear bumper. The cyclist suffered back injuries and whiplash, remaining conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike southbound on 4 Avenue collided with a westbound station wagon SUV making a right turn. The point of impact was the SUV’s right rear bumper and the e-bike’s center front end. The bicyclist sustained back injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor to the crash. The SUV driver was licensed and making a right turn. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by speed and vehicle turning movements in Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 35-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a sedan on 6 Avenue near 19 Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm. The bike sustained front-end damage; the sedan showed no damage.

According to the police report, a bicyclist traveling north on 6 Avenue collided with a sedan traveling east near 19 Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old man wearing a helmet, sustained a fracture and dislocation to his elbow and lower arm. The bike's center front end was damaged, while the sedan showed no damage. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report lists the bicyclist's contributing factors as unspecified, with no driver errors attributed to the sedan operator. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658341 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A box truck and a moped moved south on 4th Avenue. The moped rider, 21, wore a helmet. He was ejected. His head was crushed. The truck showed no damage. The street showed the cost.

A box truck and a moped traveled south on 4th Avenue at 53rd Street in Brooklyn. The moped rider, age 21, was ejected and suffered a crushed head. According to the police report, 'A box truck and a moped moved south. The moped driver, 21, wore a helmet. He was ejected. Conscious. His head was crushed.' The data lists no specific driver errors, but the narrative shows the moped rider paid the price. The rider wore a helmet. The truck showed no damage, but the human toll was severe.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657687 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A moped and GMC truck crashed on 3 Avenue. The unlicensed moped driver suffered a fractured hip and leg. Police cite traffic control disregarded. The truck struck the moped’s front. The driver was conscious, not ejected.

According to the police report, a moped and a GMC truck collided on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. The 23-year-old moped driver was injured, suffering a fractured and dislocated hip and upper leg. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The moped driver was unlicensed and traveling south; the truck was traveling west. The crash point was the moped’s center front end and the truck’s right side doors. The moped driver was conscious, not ejected, and was not using any safety equipment at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655448 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A sedan and SUV collided on 4 Avenue. Two women, passengers, suffered chest and head injuries. Both stayed conscious. No ejections. No driver errors listed. Steel and glass met. Passengers bore the brunt.

According to the police report, a 2008 BMW sedan heading south and a 2012 Toyota SUV heading west collided on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan struck with its front center; the SUV took damage to its right front quarter. Two female passengers, ages 35 and 55, were injured. One suffered chest injuries and whiplash, the other head contusions and bruises. Both remained conscious and were not ejected. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed. The crash left the passengers hurt, the vehicles battered, and the street marked by impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655348 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A woman driving a 2003 SUV backed unsafely in Brooklyn. She hit a male pedestrian, causing an abrasion to his elbow and lower arm. The pedestrian was conscious but injured. The crash happened near 3 Avenue, zip 11232.

According to the police report, a female driver operating a 2003 Honda SUV was backing southbound near 3 Avenue in Brooklyn when she struck a male pedestrian. The pedestrian suffered an abrasion to his elbow and lower arm and was conscious at the scene. The report lists "Backing Unsafely" as the contributing factor to the crash. The point of impact was the center back end of the vehicle. The pedestrian was injured but not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655347 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 33-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a 2017 SUV making a left turn on 4 Avenue. The SUV struck the bike on its left side doors. The cyclist suffered abrasions and leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on 4 Avenue was struck by a southbound 2017 SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the SUV's left side doors and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries, including abrasions, and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor for both the bicyclist and the driver. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The bicyclist was not ejected and was wearing no listed safety equipment contributing to the crash. This collision highlights the dangers of improper lane usage during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655122 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A speeding driver ran a red light on Atlantic Avenue, killing an 18-year-old passenger and injuring three others. The crash happened outside Trader Joe’s in Cobble Hill. Council Member Lincoln Restler called for urgent safety fixes. Atlantic Avenue remains deadly. No changes yet.

"We can’t fix Atlantic Ave fast enough, and we need a hell of a lot more accountability for drivers who speed and run red lights." -- Andrew Gounardes

On August 18, 2023, a speeding driver in a Mercedes ran a red light at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring three others. This stretch of Atlantic Avenue is notorious for deadly crashes. Council Member Lincoln Restler responded, stating, “Our community is unified in demanding immediate changes to dramatically slow down traffic, improve safety at intersections, and install new mid block crossings.” The incident marks the second fatal crash on this corridor in 2023. Despite calls from Restler and other local officials for mid-block crossings and traffic calming after previous deaths, the city has not acted. The bill or action is a public statement, not legislation, but it highlights urgent demands for redesign and enforcement to protect vulnerable road users. No safety improvements have been implemented yet.

• Speeding Driver Runs Red Light and Kills 18-Year-Old on Deadly Atlantic Avenue Speedway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-18

A reckless driver ran a red light on Atlantic Avenue. He killed an 18-year-old passenger and injured four others. Council Member Lincoln Restler called the strip deadly. He demanded urgent safety fixes. Another life lost. The street remains a threat.

On August 18, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) responded to a fatal crash at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street. An 18-year-old woman died after a driver sped through a red light and struck another car. Restler stated, 'This is one of the most dangerous strips in Brooklyn & we need safety improvements on Atlantic Ave NOW.' He called for immediate action: slower traffic, mid-block crossings, and better protections for all. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes echoed the demand for accountability and urgent fixes. No council bill is attached, but Restler’s public statement highlights the deadly pattern on Atlantic Avenue and the urgent need for systemic change to protect vulnerable road users.

• Cops cuff driver after Brooklyn crash kills 18-year-old woman: NYPD, amny.com, Published 2023-08-18

A 28-year-old female bicyclist was struck on her right side by a Jeep SUV traveling east on 4 Avenue. The collision caused fractures and dislocations to her lower leg and foot. Police cited traffic control disregard by the driver.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV traveling east on 4 Avenue collided with a southbound female bicyclist. The bicyclist suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious but was injured seriously. The SUV sustained front-end damage on the center, while the bike was damaged on the right side. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers when drivers fail to obey traffic controls, putting vulnerable cyclists at risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652433 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 19-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured after an SUV made a right turn on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The bike hit the SUV's right side doors. The cyclist suffered abrasions and arm injuries, remaining conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 2015 Jeep SUV was making a right turn on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn when it collided with a northbound bicyclist going straight ahead. The impact occurred on the SUV's right side doors and the bike's center front end. The 19-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious at the time of the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors for the SUV or bicyclist. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles to cyclists traveling straight.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Senate bill S 7621 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets trigger mandatory speed control tech. Sponsors push to curb repeat danger. No votes yet. Streets stay tense.

Senate bill S 7621, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed August 2, 2023, it 'relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill forces drivers with eleven points in eighteen months, or six speed/red light camera tickets in a year, to install speed-limiting devices. No safety analyst note yet. The measure aims to cut repeat speeding and protect those outside the car.

• File S 7621, Open States, Published 2023-08-02

State Sen. Gounardes and Assembly Member Gallagher push a bill to force repeat speeders to install limiters. The tech would cap speed, targeting drivers with six or more tickets. Advocates say it could cut deaths. Reckless drivers face real consequences.

On August 2, 2023, State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher announced new legislation targeting recidivist reckless drivers. The bill, introduced in the New York State Legislature, would require drivers with at least six speeding tickets in a single year, or 11 points in 18 months, to install speed limiter devices in their vehicles. The matter summary states: "We are going to literally force you to slow down by requiring you to install a speed limiter on your car." Gounardes led the announcement at the Atlantic Avenue intersection where a driver killed Katherine Harris. Gallagher, co-sponsor, said, "Cars and trucks can act as weapons when used recklessly." The bill aims to bypass bureaucratic hurdles and act automatically, modeled after ignition interlock devices for drunk drivers. Advocates and city officials joined the call, citing data that speed limiters can reduce traffic deaths by 37 percent. The bill targets the most dangerous drivers, seeking to end impunity for repeat offenders.

• In-Car Tech Would Force NYC’s Worst Drivers to Slow Down Under New Proposal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-02

Lawmakers push a bill to force speed-limiting devices on repeat reckless drivers. The measure targets those with a record of speeding and red-light violations. It aims to slow down the worst offenders and curb the rising toll of traffic deaths.

On August 1, 2023, lawmakers introduced a bill requiring speed-limiting devices for repeat reckless drivers. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, targets drivers with six or more automated speed or red light tickets, or eleven license points in 18 months. The measure would force these drivers to install devices that cap speed at five miles per hour above the limit. Gounardes said, 'There is a persistent cohort of drivers... driving on our streets recklessly without any consequences.' The bill was unveiled at the site of a fatal pedestrian crash in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, which mandates safety courses for repeat offenders, has faced criticism for weak enforcement. This new bill seeks to close those gaps and directly slow down the most dangerous drivers on city streets.

• State lawmakers unveil bill to put speed limiting devices in reckless drivers’ cars, amny.com, Published 2023-08-01

An SUV made a left turn on 3 Avenue and struck a 27-year-old e-bike rider going straight. The rider suffered knee and lower leg fractures. Police cited traffic control disregard by the SUV driver. The rider was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a 2009 Chevrolet SUV was making a left turn on 3 Avenue when it collided with a 27-year-old male e-bike rider traveling straight south. The e-bike rider sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The SUV's left front bumper struck the e-bike's center front end. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The e-bike rider wore a helmet, but the primary cause was the SUV driver's failure to yield while turning.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 29-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with an SUV on 60 Street in Brooklyn. The SUV struck the bike on its left side doors. The bicyclist suffered shoulder and upper arm abrasions and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2019 SUV traveling south on 60 Street struck him on the bike's left side doors. The bicyclist was going straight west and was not wearing any safety equipment. The SUV driver was going straight ahead and impacted the bike with the center front end of the vehicle. The bicyclist suffered abrasions to the shoulder and upper arm but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The bicyclist was unlicensed. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647545 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

New York stands firm on congestion pricing. New Jersey sues. Assemblymember Carroll calls the suit a stunt. Officials defend the plan’s review. The fight is sharp. Streets remain dangerous. Vulnerable road users wait for real change.

On July 21, 2023, Assemblymember Robert Carroll (District 44) responded to New Jersey’s lawsuit against New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, titled “New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,” saw Carroll label the suit a 'stunt' and accuse Governor Murphy of ignoring environmental and quality-of-life concerns. State Senator Andrew Gounardes called the lawsuit a cynical move to control New York’s roads. MTA officials, including John McCarthy, defended the environmental review, citing extensive outreach and public hearings. The bill’s status is an official response to legal challenge, not a council vote or committee action. No direct safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided. The debate underscores the ongoing struggle to make streets safer for those outside cars.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-07-21

New York leaders stand firm on congestion pricing. They dismiss New Jersey’s lawsuit as political theater. Officials say the environmental review was thorough. The MTA promises mitigation for affected communities. The fight centers on who controls city streets and who pays the price.

On July 21, 2023, New York officials responded to a lawsuit from New Jersey over congestion pricing. The matter, titled 'New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,' saw Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember Robert Carroll defend the plan. Gounardes called the suit 'a cynical attempt' by New Jersey to interfere. Carroll labeled it 'a stunt.' MTA spokesperson John McCarthy said the environmental assessment 'covered every conceivable potential traffic, air quality, social and economic effect.' The MTA also pledged mitigation for environmental justice communities. The bill’s status is active, with strong support from New York’s leadership and ongoing opposition from New Jersey.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-21

A box truck, speeding, rammed a slowing tractor-trailer on the Gowanus Expressway. Steel twisted. The box truck driver, 34, bled from the face but stayed conscious. The crash left shattered glass and a trail of blood on the highway.

A violent crash unfolded on the Gowanus Expressway when a box truck, traveling at unsafe speed, struck the rear of a slowing tractor-trailer. According to the police report, 'A box truck, too fast, crushed into a slowing tractor-trailer. Steel folded. The driver, 34, wore his belt. Blood ran down his face. He stayed awake, staring through shattered glass at the wreck he made.' The driver of the box truck suffered severe facial lacerations but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. The tractor-trailer was slowing or stopping when it was hit. The only injury reported was to the box truck driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647798 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09