Sunset Park Bleeds: Lower the Speed, Stop the Killing

A chain collision on the Gowanus Expressway involved multiple vehicles traveling northbound. Driver distraction triggered the crash. A 39-year-old female passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash, restrained by a lap belt, and remained conscious after impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:13 on the Gowanus Expressway. Multiple vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and a taxi, were traveling northbound when the collision happened. The primary contributing factor cited was driver inattention or distraction. One occupant, a 39-year-old female passenger, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. She was restrained by a lap belt. The impact points included the right rear quarter panel of an SUV and the left side doors of a Tesla sedan. The report highlights driver distraction as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger. This crash underscores the systemic danger posed by driver inattention on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729329, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcycle making a left turn collided with a sedan traveling straight on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. Both vehicles sustained front quarter panel damage in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:46 on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. A motorcycle was making a left turn when it collided with a sedan traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the motorcycle and the right front quarter panel of the sedan. The motorcycle driver, a 24-year-old male, was injured with abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm but was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles northbound. The report lists the motorcycle driver's contributing factors as unspecified and does not cite any specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729289, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two male drivers collided on the Gowanus Expressway at dawn. Both suffered upper arm injuries and whiplash. Police cited improper passing and lane usage as the cause. Vehicles struck front ends during an eastbound lane change maneuver.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:25 AM on the Gowanus Expressway involving a 2020 Mazda SUV and a 2009 BMW sedan, both traveling eastbound. The SUV driver was changing lanes when the collision happened, impacting the left front bumper of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. Both drivers, males, sustained upper arm injuries and whiplash but were conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the primary contributing factor for both drivers. This indicates driver error in lane management led to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727503, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford SUV traveling north collided with a westbound e-scooter on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver, a 29-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. The impact occurred at the SUV’s right front quarter panel and the scooter’s center back end.

According to the police report, a 2020 Ford SUV was traveling straight north on 3 Avenue when it struck an e-scooter moving west. The point of impact was the SUV's right front quarter panel and the e-scooter's center back end. The e-scooter driver, a 29-year-old male, was injured with abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected from his vehicle. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, providing no direct cause from the e-scooter driver. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The collision highlights the dangers posed by vehicle movements at intersections or crossing paths, with no mention of victim fault or protective equipment contributing to the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727496, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A dump truck struck a parked sedan’s left rear bumper on 20th Street in Brooklyn. The sedan’s female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as the crash cause, highlighting systemic risks in urban traffic.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:22 on 20th Street in Brooklyn. A dump truck traveling west struck the left rear bumper of a parked 2018 Toyota sedan. The sedan’s female driver, age 51, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report identifies "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor for the crash. Both vehicles were traveling west, with the dump truck moving straight ahead and the sedan parked. The impact was on the sedan’s left rear bumper and the dump truck’s right front bumper. The driver of the sedan was wearing a lap belt. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash underscores the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726963, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 66-year-old woman rode her moped west on 39th Street. The street gave way. She flew, struck her head, and died alone on the asphalt. No helmet. The city’s broken ground claimed her last breath.

A 66-year-old woman was killed while riding a moped westbound on 39th Street, near Council District 38, according to the police report. The report states, 'The pavement broke beneath her.' She was ejected from the moped, struck her head, and died at the scene. Police list 'Pavement Defective' as the primary contributing factor. The victim was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the systemic failure of the roadway. No other vehicles or persons were involved. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of neglected infrastructure, as the defective pavement directly led to the fatal ejection and head injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726907, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pickup truck turned left across 4th Avenue, striking a 49-year-old man on an e-bike. Thrown and crushed, he died in the street. The twisted bike and bloodied truck marked the violence of the city’s roads.

A 49-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 53rd Street in Brooklyn when a pickup truck turned left and struck him, according to the police report. The report states the e-bike rider was 'thrown' and 'crushed,' dying at the scene. Both the pickup truck and the e-bike were cited for 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pickup, a 2007 Chevrolet, was making a left turn when it collided with the e-bike, which was traveling straight. The police report describes the aftermath: 'The bike lay twisted. The truck bore blood and silence.' The e-bike rider was ejected and suffered crush injuries to the entire body. The data does not specify helmet use or other victim behaviors as contributing factors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726906, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 51-year-old man lost consciousness while driving westbound on the Gowanus Expressway. His SUV collided with seven vehicles, tearing metal and shattering glass. He died restrained in his seat as traffic crawled past the wreckage. Multiple occupants suffered neck injuries.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old man driving a station wagon/SUV westbound on the Gowanus Expressway lost consciousness behind the wheel. The report states, "His SUV struck seven cars. Metal tore. Glass scattered. Airbags bloomed." The driver died at the scene, "strapped in his seat, still and silent, as traffic crawled past the wreckage." The sole contributing factor cited is "Lost Consciousness." The collision involved multiple vehicles traveling straight ahead, with impacts to center back ends, side doors, and quarter panels. Several occupants suffered neck injuries consistent with whiplash. The report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors for the other drivers. The crash was caused by the initial driver's loss of consciousness, triggering a deadly chain reaction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725083, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan traveling west struck a parked SUV on Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 65-year-old man, was injured and rendered unconscious. Multiple parked vehicles were involved in the chain of impacts, highlighting driver failure to control vehicle speed and maintain safe distance.

According to the police report, at 15:08 on Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn, a westbound sedan collided with a parked SUV, impacting the SUV's center back end and causing injury to the SUV's 65-year-old male driver. The driver was unconscious with injury severity rated as serious (3). The sedan's pre-crash action was 'Going Straight Ahead,' while the SUV was 'Parked.' The report lists the SUV driver as injured and unconscious but does not specify contributing factors for the collision. The presence of multiple parked vehicles with damage suggests the sedan failed to maintain control or safe distance, resulting in a rear-end collision. The report notes unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver but does not attribute fault to the victim. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725325, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on a Brooklyn street late at night. A driver starting from parking hit a parked vehicle on its left side. The driver of the moving car was injured, unconscious, and suffered full-body trauma despite safety restraints.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:50 in Brooklyn near 4 Avenue. A sedan registered in New York, driven by a licensed female driver, was starting from parking when it struck a parked sedan registered in Texas on the left side doors. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles involved. The injured party was the driver of the moving sedan, a 23-year-old female occupant who was unconscious and sustained injuries to her entire body. She was not ejected and had an airbag deployed along with lap belt and harness restraints. The collision caused damage to the left side doors of both vehicles. The report highlights driver distraction as the critical cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the victim's behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723199, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan making a left turn collided with an eastbound bicyclist on 65 Street near 3 Avenue. The bicyclist suffered facial abrasions but remained conscious. Driver inattention or distraction caused the crash, damaging the sedan’s left front quarter panel.

According to the police report, a 2007 Honda sedan was traveling north on 65 Street and making a left turn when it struck a bicyclist traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front quarter panel and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 44-year-old man, sustained abrasions to his face but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan’s driver was licensed in New York. No contributing factors were listed for the bicyclist. The collision caused damage to the left front quarter panel of the sedan. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721278, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 77-year-old man suffered a fractured hip and leg after an SUV backing westward hit him in Brooklyn. The driver’s unsafe backing and distraction caused the crash, leaving the pedestrian injured and conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 77-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2008 Ford SUV backed unsafely in Brooklyn near 142 44 Street at 2:51 AM. The vehicle was traveling west and struck the pedestrian with its center back end. The report cites 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained a fractured and dislocated upper leg and hip injury, classified as injury severity 3, and remained conscious. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The crash highlights the dangers of unsafe backing maneuvers combined with driver distraction, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720585, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A westbound SUV struck a northbound sedan on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 22-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Both vehicles sustained front and side damage. Police cited other vehicular factors as contributing causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:38 AM on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn involving a westbound 2020 Toyota SUV and a northbound 2021 Audi sedan. The SUV driver, a 22-year-old male, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The point of impact was the SUV's center front end and the sedan's right side doors. Police identified 'Other Vehicular' factors twice as contributing causes, indicating driver errors related to vehicle operation. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report does not list any pedestrian or cyclist involvement or victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719594, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 17-year-old bicyclist was ejected and suffered a head contusion after a sedan struck him on 55 Street. The driver’s improper lane usage caused the collision. The bicyclist was conscious but injured, with no helmet reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:50 on 55 Street involving a sedan traveling south and a westbound bicycle. The sedan driver, licensed in Florida, was going straight ahead but committed 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper,' which the report cites as the contributing factor. The 17-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained a head contusion, classified as injury severity 3. The bicyclist was conscious at the scene but was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan showed no damage, while the bike sustained center front end damage. The report highlights the driver’s lane misuse as the cause, focusing on systemic danger from vehicle operation errors without attributing fault to the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720421, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 33-year-old female bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in a collision with a right-turning SUV on 57 Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist suffered back contusions and bruises. The SUV driver was licensed; the bicyclist was unlicensed.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:40 AM on 57 Street in Brooklyn. A 33-year-old female bicyclist, traveling westbound and going straight ahead, collided with a Nissan SUV making a right turn westbound. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained back contusions and bruises, classified as injury severity level 3. The SUV driver was licensed and had two occupants. The bicyclist was unlicensed and was riding without safety equipment. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the bicyclist but does not cite any specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The impact was to the center front end of the bike and the right front quarter panel of the SUV. The data highlights the danger posed by turning vehicles to bicyclists, especially when the bicyclist is unlicensed and partially ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715835, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs collided on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn at 5:31 p.m. Both drivers were distracted, causing a crash that injured one man with neck whiplash. The impact damaged the right front quarter panel and left front bumper of the vehicles.

According to the police report, two SUVs traveling south on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn collided at 5:31 p.m. Both drivers were cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. One driver was merging while the other was going straight ahead. The point of impact was the right front bumper of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. The crash caused damage to the right front quarter panel and left front bumper. A 47-year-old male driver, wearing a lap belt and harness, suffered a neck injury described as whiplash and was conscious after the crash. The report explicitly identifies driver distraction as the cause, with no other contributing factors noted. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714596, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 58-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a right-turning SUV in Brooklyn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and turned improperly, causing head injuries and bruising to the pedestrian. The vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn at 25 Street and 4 Avenue around 3:34 PM. A 58-year-old female pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when she was hit by a 2018 Ford SUV making a right turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front quarter panel. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and improper turning as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and contusions but remained conscious. The SUV sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle eastbound. The report focuses on driver errors, specifically failure to yield and improper turning, as the cause of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714572, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 38-year-old male moped driver suffered a bruised elbow and lower arm injury in a Brooklyn crash. The collision occurred on 4 Avenue at 8:35 a.m., leaving the driver conscious but injured. The report notes no helmet or safety equipment used.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old male moped driver was injured in a crash on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn at 8:35 a.m. The driver, operating a 2023 moped traveling north and going straight ahead, sustained contusions and bruises to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report states the driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The moped's point of impact and damage was the center back end. The driver was not wearing any safety equipment at the time. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured or involved. The data highlights the vulnerability of the moped driver who suffered injury despite no noted violations or external factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714840, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcyclist was ejected and injured after colliding with a parked sedan on 4 Avenue. The rider suffered contusions and lower leg injuries. The crash exposed risks tied to unlicensed driving and vehicle positioning on city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:20 on 4 Avenue involving a motorbike and a sedan, both initially parked. The motorbike, driven by a 30-year-old unlicensed male, collided with the left side doors of the sedan. The motorcyclist was ejected and sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries, described as contusions and bruises. The report highlights the motorcyclist's unlicensed status as a critical factor. Both vehicles were traveling south before the collision, which impacted the motorbike's center front end and the sedan's left side doors. The motorcyclist was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714303, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan attempting an improper passing maneuver collided with a box truck on Hamilton Avenue in Brooklyn. The front passenger suffered facial abrasions and was injured. The sedan driver’s unsafe speed and lane misuse caused the impact, leaving the truck undamaged.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:21 AM on Hamilton Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling northwest attempted an improper passing maneuver, colliding with a box truck also heading northwest. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors attributed to the sedan driver. The front passenger in the sedan, a 35-year-old female, sustained facial abrasions and was injured but remained conscious and was not ejected. The box truck sustained no damage. The driver's errors in lane usage and speed directly caused the collision, highlighting systemic dangers related to improper passing in this area.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713533, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15