Third Avenue: Two Miles, Too Many Graves

After a crash killed a mother and two daughters in Gravesend, advocates and Council Member Shahana Hanif rallied for the Stop Super Speeders bill. The law would force repeat reckless drivers to use speed-limiting tech. Survivors demand action. Lawmakers promise change.

On April 1, 2025, Council Member Shahana Hanif joined a rally at Brooklyn Borough Hall demanding passage of the Stop Super Speeders bill. The bill, sponsored in Albany by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, would require drivers with repeated violations to install intelligent speed assistance (ISA) devices. These devices cap speed at 5 mph over the limit for those with 11 or more license points in 24 months or six camera tickets in a year. The rally followed a fatal Gravesend crash that killed a mother and her two daughters. Hanif and other lawmakers called current enforcement—ticketing, suspensions, fines, jail—ineffective. Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon said, 'The speed limiter technology is available to us. Let’s use it. It will save lives.' The bill is modeled on EU and Virginia laws. Some opposition remains, but supporters say the measure is urgent and practical.

• ‘Enough is enough’: Street safety advocates demand passage of ‘Stop Super Speeders’ bill after tragic Gravesend crash, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-04-01

After a Brooklyn crash killed a mother and two children, lawmakers renewed calls for speed limiters on cars of repeat offenders. Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and others demand action. The bill targets drivers with long records of speeding and red-light violations.

Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, representing District 50, is pushing for the Stop Super Speeders bill, which would require speed limiters on vehicles owned by drivers with repeated speeding or red-light violations. The bill, stalled for years in Albany, gained urgency after a fatal Brooklyn crash on April 1, 2025. Gallagher, joined by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and city Comptroller Brad Lander, rallied at Borough Hall, urging swift passage. The bill targets drivers with 11 or more license points in 24 months, or six camera violations in a year. Gallagher said, 'A lot of what happens when it comes to getting a bill to the top of the list is really through a movement and folks fighting for the bill.' Gounardes added, 'It’s no longer simply enough to shake our heads in despair when these preventable tragedies occur—it’s time for us to act.' The legislation mirrors past efforts like the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Act, aiming to hold reckless drivers accountable and protect vulnerable road users.

• NYC lawmakers push ‘super speeder’ bill after Brooklyn crash kills mom, 2 kids, gothamist.com, Published 2025-04-01

A driver sped through a red light on Ocean Parkway. She struck an Uber, flipped, then hit a mother and her three children in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died. The lone surviving son remains in critical condition.

According to the New York Post (2025-04-01), Miriam Yarimi drove her Audi at 50 mph—twice the speed limit—without a license, insurance, or registration. She ran a red light at Quentin Road and Ocean Parkway, striking an Uber and then a family lawfully crossing. Natasha Saada, 32, and her daughters Diana, 8, and Debra, 5, were killed. Only Saada’s son survived, hospitalized in critical condition. The article quotes survivor Mahbuba Ahmedova: “When I opened my eyes, I saw two kids were killed, and I thought they were my kids.” Yarimi faces three counts of manslaughter. The crash exposes the lethal risk of unchecked speeding and unlicensed driving on city streets.

• Speeding Driver Kills Brooklyn Family Crossing, New York Post, Published 2025-04-01

A driver ran a red light on Ocean Parkway. She struck a mother and three children in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died. The youngest boy fights for life. Charges include manslaughter and reckless driving. Systemic failures linger.

NY Daily News reported on March 31, 2025, that Miriam Yarimi faces charges after fatally striking Natasha Saada and her three children in a Brooklyn crosswalk. Police say Yarimi 'careened into them' at Ocean Parkway and Quentin Road, running a red light and speeding. The mother and two daughters, ages 5 and 8, died at the hospital. The 4-year-old son remains in critical condition. Yarimi faces counts of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed driving. The article notes Yarimi's prior legal battles with the city and her involuntary psychiatric commitment after the crash. The case highlights ongoing risks at city intersections and the deadly consequences when drivers ignore signals and speed limits.

• Brooklyn Mother, Children Killed in Crosswalk Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-31

After a deadly Brooklyn crash, lawmakers push a bill to force speed limiters on cars of repeat reckless drivers. The devices would cap speed, targeting those with long records of violations. The aim: stop killers behind the wheel.

Bill to mandate speed limiters for repeat reckless drivers was introduced after a fatal Brooklyn crash. The measure, announced March 31, 2025, would require drivers with 11+ license points in two years or six camera tickets in a year to install speed-control devices for one year. The bill is sponsored by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher. Gounardes said, 'My legislation would require repeat reckless drivers to install speed limiters, so they can no longer use their vehicles as a deadly weapon.' Gallagher added, 'We have the tools and the knowledge to prevent these tragedies from happening.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Families for Safe Streets support the bill, calling it a powerful tool to protect everyone from super speeders. The bill awaits committee action.

• After deadly Brooklyn crash, pols push for ‘speed limiters’ on vehicles owned by notoriously reckless drivers to force safe travel, amny.com, Published 2025-03-31

A reckless driver with a long record ran a red light on Ocean Parkway. She killed a mother and two children. The crash left another child fighting for life. Advocates demand action. The system failed to stop a known danger.

On March 30, 2025, police charged Miriam Yarimi after she sped through a red light on Ocean Parkway, killing Natasha Saada and her two daughters, ages 5 and 8. The crash also left a 4-year-old boy in critical condition. Yarimi faces manslaughter, negligent homicide, assault, reckless driving, and more. Her license was suspended. Her car had 99 violations in a year, including 21 speeding and five red-light tickets. Advocates, including Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives, blame Albany’s delay in passing Senator Andrew Gounardes’s bill to require speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders. Furnas said, “If Albany had passed this bill when it was first introduced, this vehicle would already have been speed limited and this crash would never have happened.” The bill remains pending. Advocates will rally at the crash site, demanding urgent action to protect lives.

• Recidivist Driver Who Killed Three on Ocean Parkway Has Been Charged, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-30

A mother and her two daughters died on Ocean Parkway. The driver, on a suspended license, crashed after colliding with another car. She had a long record of violations. The victims were leaving Shabbat services. Streets remain unforgiving.

According to the New York Post (March 30, 2025), Miriam Yarimi, 32, drove her Audi with a suspended license on Ocean Parkway in Gravesend. She collided with a Toyota Camry, then struck and killed a mother and her two daughters, ages 8 and 6, as they left Shabbat services. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed Yarimi's license status. The article reports Yarimi had 'over 93 traffic violations on WIGM8KER including 20 speeding tickets,' and a recent ticket for 'speeding through a school zone.' Yarimi was arrested at the scene, but charges were pending at publication. The case highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians and repeated failures to keep high-risk drivers off city streets.

• Suspended Driver Kills Family On Parkway, New York Post, Published 2025-03-30

An Audi driver with a suspended license turned at a red. She struck a family crossing Ocean Parkway. A mother and two daughters died. Their son fights for life. Another family in a hit car suffered minor wounds. Streets remain unforgiving.

Gothamist reported on March 29, 2025, that a mother and her two daughters were killed when an Audi A3, driven by Miriam Yarimi, turned right on red and struck them in Midwood, Brooklyn. Police said Yarimi’s license was suspended. The car first hit a Toyota Camry, then continued forward, hitting the family in the crosswalk. The article quotes NYPD Commissioner Tisch: 'This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road.' Yarimi faces multiple charges, including manslaughter and aggravated unlicensed operation. The crash left a young boy in critical condition and injured another family. The incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed driving and the risks at busy intersections.

• Suspended Driver Kills Brooklyn Family, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-29

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck another car from behind on Prospect Expressway East. The driver, a woman, suffered neck injuries. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one person hurt.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old woman driving a 2019 sedan south on Prospect Expressway East rear-ended another vehicle. She was the only person injured, suffering neck injuries described as whiplash. The report notes she was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report lists no specific contributing factors. The sedan struck the center back end of the other vehicle. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801065 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker flew through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection is known for danger. Delivery speed and city policy collide.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after being struck by an e-bike delivery worker who "sped through a stop sign" at Franklin and India streets in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Witness Jack Collins said, "He died basically on the spot." The e-bike rider remained at the scene; no arrests were made as the investigation continued. The article notes that the intersection is a known trouble spot, with Collins stating, "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The report highlights systemic issues: delivery app pressures, lack of regulation, and a street design that encourages risky moves. City data shows e-bikes account for a small share of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues.

• E-Bike Rider Runs Stop, Kills Man, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-23

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A driver out on bail smashed into a Toyota in Bushwick. The crash killed Hayden Wallace and injured three others. The driver fled, leaving chaos behind. Police tracked him for over a year. Charges stack up, but the loss remains.

NY Daily News (March 8, 2025) reports that Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested after a deadly hit-and-run in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Seabrook had been out on bail for a previous crash involving police. On January 8, 2024, he crashed into a Toyota, killing Hayden Wallace and injuring three others. Seabrook fled the scene, abandoning his vehicle. The article notes, "All accidents are useless but this one was even more useless because [Seabrook] had so many other offenses." Seabrook faces 23 charges, including manslaughter, leaving the scene, unlicensed driving, and speeding. The case highlights repeated driver offenses and questions about bail and enforcement. Police needed over a year to arrest Seabrook, who had a history of fleeing crashes and driving without a license.

• Repeat Offender Kills Passenger In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-08

A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. The driver hit a man crouched for food. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. The driver fled. Police are still searching. Brooklyn’s streets remain deadly for those on foot.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was kneeling in the street to pick up food when the truck, turning right, hit him. According to police, 'the driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene.' The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The article notes this was one of several fatal crashes in Brooklyn that week, highlighting persistent dangers for pedestrians. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene underscores ongoing issues with hit-and-runs and enforcement.

• Dump Truck Kills Pedestrian in Williamsburg, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-03

A man sped through a stop sign in Brownsville. His Mercedes hit a school bus. His passenger died. He ran from the wreck in a taxi. Police found him later. The victim’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged.

NY Daily News reported on March 2, 2025, that Tyree Epps, 32, drove a Mercedes-Benz without a license, ran a stop sign on Van Sinderen Ave, and crashed into a school bus. The article states, “After the crash, Epps hopped in a taxi and took off, leaving his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, in the front seat suffering severe head trauma.” Epps faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, and unlicensed driving. The bus driver survived. The crash exposes ongoing risks from unlicensed, reckless drivers and the persistent danger at city intersections. The victim’s family is left to grieve and organize a funeral, while the intersection remains a site of loss.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Fatal Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-02