Prospect Heights Bleeds While City Hall Waits

Nov 16 - A pedestrian crossing Atlantic Avenue with the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered head abrasions but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Atlantic Avenue when a male driver operating a 2000 Lincoln SUV from Pennsylvania was making a left turn and struck a female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained head injuries classified as abrasions and was conscious after the impact. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The SUV impacted the pedestrian at the center front end, yet the vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as failure to yield and distraction in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774528 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 14 - A van struck a stopped sedan on Bergen Street. Both occupants suffered back injuries and shock. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely as crash causes.

According to the police report, a Ford van traveling west on Bergen Street rear-ended a BMW sedan stopped in traffic. The van hit the sedan's center back end with its front. The sedan's driver, a 61-year-old man, and the front passenger, a 58-year-old woman, both suffered back injuries and shock. Both complained of pain or nausea. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors for the van driver. The sedan occupants' actions were not cited as factors. The passenger wore a lap belt and harness. The crash underscores driver error as the source of injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773231 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Oct 25 - A sedan turning left struck a 64-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered full-body injuries and shock. Police cite driver distraction. The street stayed quiet. The pain lingered.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Prospect Place made a left turn and struck a 64-year-old woman as she crossed at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her entire body and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian's lawful crossing was noted but not cited as a cause. The sedan, a 2005 Toyota, showed no damage. The driver was licensed and alone in the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768370 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 24 - A southbound SUV collided with a bicyclist traveling the same direction on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a hip and upper leg abrasion. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, at 17:03 on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn, a southbound SUV and a southbound bicycle collided. The point of impact was the SUV's right front quarter panel striking the center back end of the bike. The bicyclist, a 42-year-old man, was injured with abrasions to his hip and upper leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the crash, specifically noting this for the bicyclist. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction in shared road spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 11 - SUV turned left, ignored traffic control. Motorcycle struck. Passenger hit head, suffered whiplash. Night on Washington Avenue. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, an SUV making a left turn on Washington Avenue disregarded traffic control and collided with a southbound motorcycle at 21:10. The motorcycle's front end struck the SUV's right front bumper. A 33-year-old male passenger on the motorcycle suffered head injuries and whiplash. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor for the SUV driver. No contributing factors are listed for the passenger. The passenger was not ejected and remained conscious. This crash shows the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls, putting motorcycle passengers at risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763042 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 11 - A sedan struck a bicyclist from behind on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact caused head injuries to the 32-year-old female cyclist. Police cite the sedan driver’s failure to yield and following too closely as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:30 on Atlantic Avenue near Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn. A 32-year-old female bicyclist was injured, sustaining head trauma but remained conscious. The sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, was traveling northwest and was passing when it collided with the bicyclist. The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the bike. The report identifies the sedan driver’s errors as 'Following Too Closely' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The bicyclist was not ejected and wore no helmet listed as contributing factor. The collision’s cause centers on the sedan driver’s failure to maintain safe distance and yield, highlighting systemic dangers for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763952 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 7 - An SUV collided with a helmeted bicyclist traveling east on Saint Marks Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider was ejected and suffered abrasions to her elbow and lower arm. Police cite improper passing and lane usage by the bicyclist as contributing factors.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old female bicyclist was injured in a collision with a 2014 Dodge SUV on Saint Marks Avenue in Brooklyn at 18:20. The SUV was traveling east, going straight ahead, when the right front bumper struck the center back end of the bicyclist's e-bike. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained abrasions to her elbow and lower arm. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors attributed to the bicyclist. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The SUV driver had no reported license or occupant information. Vehicle damage was noted on the SUV's right front bumper and the e-bike's center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761967 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 22 - A sedan driver suffered head injuries after colliding with two parked vehicles on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact damaged the front and left sides of the vehicles. The driver was conscious but sustained a contusion and bruising to the head.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Atlantic Avenue near Clermont Avenue in Brooklyn at 4:30 a.m. A 29-year-old male sedan driver was injured when his vehicle struck two parked sedans. The report cites "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s response to another vehicle not involved in the collision led to the crash. The sedan's center front end and left front bumper impacted the parked vehicles, causing damage to the left rear quarter panel of one parked car as well. The driver sustained a head injury described as a contusion and bruise but was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758127 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 19 - A helmeted bicyclist suffered a concussion after an SUV passed too closely and struck him while making a right turn in Brooklyn. The collision caused head injuries and vehicle damage, highlighting driver errors in lane usage and passing distance.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn near 620 Vanderbilt Avenue at 13:57. A bicyclist traveling east was injured when a 2017 Hyundai SUV, also traveling east and previously parked, made a right turn and struck the bike. The bicyclist sustained a concussion and head injury while wearing a helmet. The report cites 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors attributed to the SUV driver. The SUV's right front bumper and quarter panel collided with the bike's center front end. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected. The SUV driver was licensed, but the incident underscores critical driver errors in maintaining safe passing distance and lane discipline, directly causing the bicyclist's injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757642 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 24 - A westbound SUV struck the right rear bumper of a sedan traveling straight on Atlantic Avenue. The sedan’s front passenger suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries, including whiplash. Both vehicles sustained right-side damage in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn around 5:30 p.m. A 2017 SUV traveling west struck the right rear bumper of a 2006 sedan also traveling west. The point of impact was the sedan's center front end and the SUV's right rear bumper. The sedan carried one occupant, a 31-year-old female front passenger, who was injured with abdominal and pelvic trauma and complained of whiplash. She was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles were reported with damage to their right sides. The contributing factors listed for the crash were "Other Vehicular," indicating driver errors related to vehicle operation. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors in the police data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751629 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 17 - SUV slammed into a 24-year-old cyclist turning right on Bergen Street. The crash threw him off his bike. He hit the ground hard. Blood on his arm and hand. Brooklyn pavement took the rest.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured when an SUV struck him on Bergen Street in Brooklyn at 12:25 p.m. The cyclist was making a right turn, while the SUV traveled straight ahead. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious at the scene. The SUV, registered in Pennsylvania, showed no damage. The cyclist wore no safety equipment. The crash underscores the risk when drivers turn or change lanes unsafely in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748570 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 14 - A sedan making a U-turn on Atlantic Avenue struck a southbound moped. The moped driver, partially ejected, suffered elbow and arm injuries. Police cited driver inattention and traffic control disregard as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn at 13:13. A sedan traveling west was making a U-turn when it collided with a moped traveling south. The moped driver, a 67-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, along with whiplash. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors for the sedan driver. The moped driver was unlicensed and not using any safety equipment. The point of impact was the sedan's right front quarter panel and the moped's center front end. The sedan carried three occupants, while the moped had one. The collision highlights critical driver errors leading to serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749246 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 5 - Mayor Adams’s DOT has proposed just seven miles of new bus lanes for 2024. The law requires thirty. Riders wait. Buses crawl. Advocates rage. The city drags its feet. Streets stay dangerous. The promise of safer, faster transit goes unmet.

""It s unacceptable that Mayor Adams has not prioritized improving bus speeds, service, and reliability with the tools he has at his control,"" -- Zellnor Myrie

On August 5, 2024, the Department of Transportation revealed it has proposed only seven miles of bus priority lanes for the year—less than a quarter of the thirty miles required annually by the Streets Master Plan law. This marks the lowest bus lane mileage since 2018. The matter, titled 'Adams Has Proposed Just 7 Miles of Bus Lanes This Year — Less Than 1/4 of Requirement,' has drawn sharp criticism. State Sen. Zellnor Myrie called it 'unacceptable that Mayor Adams has not prioritized improving bus speeds, service, and reliability.' Scott Stringer accused the administration of using 'community engagement as an excuse to not get things done.' Brad Lander pledged to push for more dedicated bus lanes. Riders like Alex Gean described daily gridlock. The DOT claims more lanes are coming, but offers no details. Vulnerable road users—bus riders, pedestrians—remain at risk as the city fails to meet its own safety and mobility targets.

• Adams Has Proposed Just 7 Miles of Bus Lanes This Year — Less Than 1/4 of Requirement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-05

Jul 11 - Council Member Chi Ossé joined activists at Nostrand Avenue station. They blasted Governor Hochul’s pause on congestion pricing. The delay halts elevator upgrades, trapping seniors, parents, and disabled riders. The street outside roars with traffic. The subway stays out of reach.

On July 11, 2024, Council Member Chi Ossé (District 36) stood with Riders Alliance and other advocates outside the Nostrand Avenue subway station. They protested Governor Kathy Hochul’s June 5 decision to suspend congestion pricing, a move that froze $16.5 billion in MTA upgrades, including elevators for Bed-Stuy’s busy station. The event, covered by brooklynpaper.com, highlighted the urgent need for accessibility: 'We want our elevators, we want our service, and we want it now,' said State Sen. Jabari Brisport. Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest called the delay a denial of basic rights. Ossé called Hochul’s move 'an attack on our most vulnerable constituents.' Only a quarter of city stations are wheelchair-accessible. The hold traps thousands—seniors, parents, disabled riders—forcing them to risk dangerous streets or skip transit altogether.

• Activists rail against Hochul’s congestion pricing delay, call for accessibility upgrades to Bed-Stuy subway station, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-11

Jul 2 - State senators debate cutting the $15 congestion toll. Brad Hoylman-Sigal backs a lower fee if safety and transit gains hold. Liz Krueger wants $1 billion for the MTA. Jabari Brisport slams the rushed process. Trump vows to kill the tolls.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), discussed reducing the $15 base congestion pricing fee. The debate, reported by Gothamist, centers on whether a lower toll could unfreeze the program while still funding the MTA. Hoylman-Sigal said, "Nobody's wedded to $15. We are wedded to the improvements that congestion pricing will provide for mass transit or safety on our streets for cleaner air." Sen. Liz Krueger is open to a new fee if it raises $1 billion yearly. Sen. Jabari Brisport criticized the lack of study and feedback in the process, calling it "irresponsible." Any change needs legislative, MTA, and federal approval. Trump has promised to end congestion pricing if elected. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers weigh lower congestion pricing fee – but Trump could kill tolls if elected, gothamist.com, Published 2024-07-02

Jun 16 - E-scooter driver thrown and badly hurt on Eastern Parkway. Improper lane use by another vehicle led to fractures and dislocations. Impact struck center back end. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a crash on Eastern Parkway at 17:46 involved an e-scooter and another vehicle. The e-scooter driver, a 50-year-old man, was ejected and suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor. The other vehicle was changing lanes when it struck the center back end of the e-scooter. The injured driver wore a helmet, but the report does not cite victim behavior as a cause. This crash shows the danger of improper lane changes for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733840 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 14 - A 34-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The crash occurred in Brooklyn near Dean Street. Driver inattention and distraction caused the injury, with no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male bicyclist was injured and ejected from his bike at approximately 16:40 in Brooklyn near 500 Dean Street. The bicyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The bicyclist was traveling west, going straight ahead, and was the sole occupant of the bike. The bike sustained no damage despite the ejection and injury. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction, even to vulnerable road users like bicyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733049 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19