Sunset Park Bleeds: Lower the Speed, Stop the Killing

A woman, 53, was hit in the face by a southbound bike on 53rd Street near 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. She was left in shock, with abrasions and facial injuries, after the collision outside an intersection.

A collision occurred on 53rd Street near 4th Avenue in Brooklyn involving a southbound cyclist and a 53-year-old woman. According to the police report, the pedestrian was getting on or off a vehicle, not at an intersection, when the crash happened. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The woman suffered facial abrasions and was described as being in shock. No driver errors or helmet issues were cited in the data. The cyclist's bike showed no damage, and no other vehicles were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804794, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A cyclist’s leg scraped the pavement after a collision with an SUV on 4th Avenue near 21st Street. The air was thick with the sound of metal and shouts. The injured rider remained conscious, clutching his knee, as traffic pressed on.

According to the police report, an SUV and a bicycle traveling north on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn collided near 21st Street. The cyclist, a 40-year-old man, suffered abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both parties, providing no details on specific driver errors. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the SUV and the left rear quarter of the bicycle. No mention of helmet use or signaling is included in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805086, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A tractor truck slammed into the rear of a slowing sedan on the Gowanus Expressway just after midnight. The sedan’s 25-year-old front passenger suffered full-body injuries and shock. The crash left twisted metal and a shaken passenger in its wake.

According to the police report, a tractor truck traveling south on the Gowanus Expressway struck the center rear end of a southbound sedan that was slowing or stopping. The impact injured a 25-year-old male front passenger in the sedan, who suffered bodily injuries across his entire body and was described as being in shock. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors to the crash, indicating hazardous road conditions and driver-related errors. The truck sustained front-end damage, while the sedan was damaged at the rear. No helmet use or pedestrian crossing signals were cited as factors in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802627, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 39-year-old bicyclist was ejected and suffered neck injuries after a collision with a sedan on 38th Street in Brooklyn. The driver disregarded traffic control and drove at unsafe speeds, causing a violent impact that left the cyclist bruised and injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:53 on 38th Street in Brooklyn involving a sedan and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 39-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained a neck contusion and bruising. The report cites the driver’s errors as 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed,' highlighting critical failures in obeying traffic laws. The bicyclist’s contributing factors included 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper,' but the primary fault lies with the sedan driver. The sedan, driven by a licensed female driver traveling eastbound, struck the bicyclist at the center front end with no reported damage to the vehicle. The violent impact underscores systemic dangers posed by driver negligence in Brooklyn’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801754, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A female driver suffered neck injuries in a rear-end collision on Prospect Expressway East. The sedan struck another vehicle from behind, causing whiplash. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old female driver operating a 2019 sedan traveling south on Prospect Expressway East was involved in a rear-end collision. The point of impact was the center back end of her vehicle. She sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The driver was restrained by a lap belt. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, with no mention of pedestrian or cyclist involvement. The collision appears to have resulted from the sedan striking another vehicle from behind, indicating a failure to maintain safe following distance or attention. No other vehicles or persons were reported injured or involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801065, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan making a left turn struck a 28-year-old pedestrian outside an intersection in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg bruises. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, with no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a 2018 Toyota sedan traveling north in Brooklyn was making a left turn when it struck a 28-year-old male pedestrian who was not in the roadway and outside an intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated as moderate. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the sole contributing factor to the crash. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front bumper, yet no vehicle damage was recorded. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The driver’s failure to maintain attention while executing the turn directly led to the collision, highlighting systemic dangers posed by distracted driving in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800915, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A young cyclist, riding south on 37th Street near 3rd Avenue, was struck hard. His left leg ripped open, blood pooling on the asphalt. The bike’s front crushed. Unsafe lane changing tore through flesh and steel. He stayed conscious.

A 20-year-old male cyclist suffered severe lacerations to his left leg after a violent collision on 37th Street near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The report details that the cyclist, heading south, was struck with enough force to crush the bike’s front and leave blood pooling on the street. The police report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the primary contributing factor in the crash. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but the report does not list helmet use as a contributing factor. The victim remained conscious at the scene. The focus remains on the danger created by unsafe lane changes, as highlighted by the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800408, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 78-year-old male driver suffered full-body injuries in a Belt Parkway crash. The SUV’s right front bumper struck an unknown object or vehicle. Police cite 'Other Vehicular' factors twice, highlighting driver error in a high-speed impact.

According to the police report, a 78-year-old male driver operating a 2024 Nissan SUV on Belt Parkway at 8:14 AM was injured in a collision. The vehicle was traveling east, going straight ahead, when the right front bumper struck an object or another vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to his entire body but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor twice, indicating driver-related errors or conditions involving other vehicles. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel, resulting in damage to that area. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash underscores systemic dangers on Belt Parkway involving vehicle interactions and driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799801, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided head-on on the Gowanus Expressway at 4 a.m. Unsafe speed caused the crash. A 29-year-old female front passenger suffered chest injuries and shock. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the westbound lanes.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling westbound on the Gowanus Expressway collided head-on at 4:00 a.m. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The report cites unsafe speed as the contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error. One vehicle, a 2019 Mercedes with two occupants, included a 29-year-old female front passenger who was injured with chest trauma and shock, complaining of pain and nausea. Both drivers were licensed in New York and were going straight ahead prior to the collision. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front ends, confirming the head-on nature of the impact. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799387, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A tractor truck struck a sedan from behind on the Gowanus Expressway. Both sedan occupants suffered moderate injuries including chest contusions and whiplash. Police cited following too closely and unsafe speed as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Gowanus Expressway around 12:30 AM. A 2024 tractor truck traveling east collided with the rear center of a 2016 sedan also traveling east. The sedan had two occupants: a 24-year-old male driver and a 27-year-old female front passenger. Both were injured with moderate severity—chest contusions for the driver and whiplash for the passenger. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report identifies the tractor truck driver’s errors as 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed,' which contributed to the rear-end collision. The sedan driver was also noted for 'Following Too Closely.' No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The impact damaged the center front end of the truck and the center back end of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798605, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 24-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured in Brooklyn when a sedan entering a parked position collided with him. The impact to the bicyclist’s chest caused shock and pain. Driver distraction and bicyclist confusion contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist wearing a helmet was riding northbound on 43rd Street in Brooklyn when a 2015 Toyota sedan, also traveling north, was entering a parked position. The sedan’s right front quarter panel struck the bicyclist’s left front bumper, ejecting him and causing chest injuries and shock. The bicyclist complained of pain and nausea. The report cites driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor, alongside bicyclist confusion or error. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and the challenges bicyclists face when vehicles maneuver into parking spots.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800046, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi traveling east struck a parked sedan on southbound 4 Ave in Brooklyn. The impact injured the taxi driver and front passenger, both in shock with severe injuries. The parked vehicle sustained left-side damage. No driver errors were cited.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:45 on 4 Ave in Brooklyn. A taxi, traveling eastbound, collided with a sedan that was parked and facing southbound. The point of impact was the taxi's center front end striking the sedan's center back end, causing damage to the sedan's left side doors. The taxi driver, a 40-year-old male, and a 59-year-old female front passenger were both injured with bodily injuries described as affecting the entire body and chest, respectively. Both occupants were in shock and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The collision involved no ejections or pedestrian victims, focusing on vehicle-to-vehicle impact and occupant injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796424, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan making a left turn struck a northbound bicyclist on 42nd Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered severe leg fractures. Police cite defective brakes on the sedan as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2023 Ford sedan was making a left turn on 42nd Street in Brooklyn at 9:23 AM when it collided with a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 23-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies the sedan driver's defective brakes as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The point of impact was the right side doors of the sedan and the center front end of the bike. The sedan had two occupants, and the driver held a permit license. The bicyclist was conscious but seriously injured. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795245, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A distracted driver triggered a chain collision involving multiple vehicles on the Gowanus Expressway. The SUV driver suffered a back injury and concussion, restrained by a lap belt. Impact concentrated on front and rear vehicle ends amid eastbound traffic.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:34 AM on the Gowanus Expressway involving several eastbound vehicles, including a tractor truck, SUVs, and a pick-up truck. The primary contributing factor cited was 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The SUV driver, a 33-year-old male occupant, was injured with back trauma and a concussion but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt. The report notes impact points on the left front quarter panel of the tractor truck and center front and back ends of the other vehicles, indicating a chain collision. All drivers held valid New York licenses. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the systemic danger of driver distraction on high-speed urban expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795620, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A distracted driver triggered a violent crash between an SUV and a sedan on 2 Ave in Brooklyn. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash, restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles struck front-left bumpers, halting traffic abruptly.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:40 a.m. on 2 Ave near 65 St in Brooklyn. The collision involved a 2023 SUV traveling south and a 2008 sedan heading north. The SUV was stopped in traffic when the crash happened. The point of impact was the left front bumper on both vehicles. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain proper focus. The sedan driver, a 48-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but was not ejected and was conscious. He was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed. The data highlights driver error as the cause, with no victim fault noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792498, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 26-year-old driver and 32-year-old passenger were injured when a 2023 Jeep SUV struck the right rear bumper of a station wagon merging eastbound on the Gowanus Expressway. Both occupants suffered shock and moderate injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:15 AM on the Gowanus Expressway. A 2023 Jeep SUV traveling eastbound went straight ahead and collided with the right rear bumper of a station wagon merging eastbound. The station wagon driver, 26, and front passenger, 32, both male, were injured and experienced shock. The driver sustained injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as moderate severity. The passenger's injuries were unspecified but also moderate. The report lists no explicit contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both vehicle occupants were not ejected and used safety equipment as noted for the passenger. The collision highlights risks during merging maneuvers on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792314, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 17-year-old male pedestrian suffered severe full-body injuries after being hit by a northbound passenger vehicle on 4 Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The driver struck the pedestrian with the vehicle’s center front end.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing 4 Avenue at an intersection in Brooklyn at 8:45 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a passenger vehicle traveling northbound struck him with the center front end. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his entire body and was semiconscious, complaining of pain or nausea. The vehicle was going straight ahead before impact and suffered damage to its center front end. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any driver errors explicitly. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not identified as a contributing factor. The collision highlights the dangers pedestrians face even when crossing legally.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792473, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A moped driver without a license collided with a box truck while traveling west on 49th Street in Brooklyn. The rider was ejected, suffered head injuries, and was left in shock. The truck was merging with no reported damage.

According to the police report, a moped driver traveling west on 49th Street in Brooklyn collided with a box truck that was merging. The moped's front center end struck the truck's left front bumper. The moped driver, a 54-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained head injuries with an injury severity level of 3. He was reported to be in shock. The moped driver was unlicensed according to the report. The box truck, also traveling west, showed no damage and was merging at the time of the crash. The report lists no contributing factors for the truck driver, while the moped driver's contributing factors are unspecified. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was noted, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790338, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A distracted driver struck a 43-year-old man crossing with the signal on 55th Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered facial abrasions but remained conscious. The crash exposed driver inattention as a critical threat at intersections.

According to the police report, at 10:30 PM on 55th Street in Brooklyn, a vehicle traveling south struck a pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian, a 43-year-old male, was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper, causing abrasions to the pedestrian's face. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a primary contributing factor. The pedestrian's role was noted as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian at Intersection,' and he was conscious after the crash. While the report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor, the critical driver error was distraction. The vehicle was going straight ahead, and the damage was limited to the left front bumper. This incident underscores the persistent danger posed by distracted driving in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785719, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided on Brooklyn’s 60 Street at 8:25 a.m. A 19-year-old female driver suffered a head injury and concussion. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The crash involved a right turn and an unspecified pre-crash action, according to the police report.

At 8:25 a.m. on 60 Street in Brooklyn, two sedans collided, resulting in injury to a 19-year-old female driver. According to the police report, one vehicle was making a right turn while the other was engaged in an unspecified pre-crash action. The impact occurred at the left front bumper of both vehicles, causing front-end damage. The injured driver suffered a head injury and concussion and was not ejected from her vehicle but was reported to be in shock. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. The collision highlights driver errors related to maneuvering and failure to maintain safe vehicle positioning during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785716, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14