Dragged to Death: City Lets Kids Bleed for Parking Spots

A 28-year-old man was struck while crossing Bergen Street. The impact hit his knee and lower leg, causing bruises. The pedestrian was conscious but injured. The vehicle struck the pedestrian head-on while traveling westbound straight ahead.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Bergen Street outside an intersection. The vehicle, traveling westbound and going straight ahead, struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists the pedestrian's contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors or contributing factors were noted. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The vehicle had damage to its center front end, indicating a direct collision. No further details on the vehicle or driver were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4604710 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Assembly bill A 3180 demands complete street design on state and federally funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. The bill calls for public guidance. Streets must serve people, not just cars.

Assembly Bill A 3180 was introduced on February 2, 2023, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force planners to think of people first. Didi Barrett leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill also orders the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note is available, but the bill’s intent is clear: streets must protect all users, not just drivers.

• File A 3180, Open States, Published 2023-02-02

A developer pushes a new housing plan after his truck depot faces backlash. Council Member Richardson Jordan stands firm. She demands more affordable units and community input. Pollution from trucks draws fire. The fight pits profit against people in Harlem.

On February 2, 2023, Council Member Kristin Richardson Jordan opposed a developer's push to swap a polluting truck depot for a new housing plan in Harlem. The developer, Bruce Teitelbaum, offered 'One45 Harlem for ALL,' promising 50% below-market-rate units. Richardson Jordan wants deeper affordability: 60% of units at 60% AMI, 30% at 30% AMI. She rejects private deals and insists on community-led negotiations. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Attorney General Letitia James joined calls to shut the truck depot, citing pollution. Richardson Jordan's spokesperson said, 'Right now, the truck stand cannot be on the table whatsoever. That is not good faith.' The council member stands with her community, demanding clean air and real affordability.

• Truck Depot Developer Wants to Restart His Bid for ‘Affordable’ Housing — But How Affordable?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-02

NYPD cleared Officer Michael Kovalik after he threatened Senator Zellnor Myrie with pepper spray at a 2020 protest. Despite video and a civilian board’s finding of abuse, an NYPD judge found no misconduct. Myrie calls the system rotten. No officers face charges.

On January 31, 2023, the NYPD declined to charge Officer Michael Kovalik for threatening Brooklyn State Senator Zellnor Myrie with pepper spray during a 2020 George Floyd protest. The case, reviewed internally by Assistant Trial Commissioner Josh Kleiman, ended with Kovalik cleared of wrongdoing. The Civilian Complaint Review Board had found Kovalik abused his authority, but Kleiman ruled, 'The evidence fails to support either of the specifications with which Respondent is charged.' NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell signed off on the decision. Senator Myrie, who testified about being shoved and threatened, condemned the ruling: 'This ruling is EXACTLY why New Yorkers have zero faith in the system.' Myrie and then-Assembly Member Diana Richardson, both detained at the protest, have filed a federal lawsuit. The NYPD’s internal process shielded officers from accountability, leaving vulnerable protesters exposed to unchecked force.

• NYPD Declines to Charge Cop who Threatened Brooklyn State Senator During 2020 Protests, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-31

Attorney General Letitia James called out a Harlem truck depot for endangering health and safety. Trucks bring noise, fumes, and danger to streets. Council Member Richardson Jordan and advocates rallied to stop it. The depot stands accused of harming a vulnerable community.

On January 30, 2023, Attorney General Letitia James issued a statement warning that a new truck depot at W. 145th Street and Lenox Avenue in Harlem may violate state law. James called the depot a potential 'public nuisance,' citing 'increased traffic, noise, vibrations, and local air pollution from trucks.' The matter, described as 'Attorney General James Says Harlem Truck Depot May Violate State Law,' centers on developer Bruce Teitelbaum’s project, which followed failed rezoning for affordable housing. Council Member Kristin Richardson Jordan and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams joined community members and Transportation Alternatives in opposition, arguing the depot 'will make our streets more dangerous.' Richardson Jordan thanked James for her support. The Attorney General’s office is considering legal action, echoing past interventions against similar depots. No formal council bill is attached, but the case highlights systemic threats to vulnerable road users in Harlem.

• Attorney General James Says Harlem Truck Depot May Violate State Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-30

Assembly bill A 2610 targets bus lane cheaters. Sponsors back cameras and owner liability. The goal: keep bus lanes clear, speed up buses, cut crashes. No votes yet. The fight for safer streets rolls on.

Assembly bill A 2610, now in sponsorship, aims to extend bus rapid transit camera enforcement. The bill, titled "Relates to owner liability for failure of operator to comply with bus operation-related local law or regulation traffic restrictions," was introduced January 26, 2023. Primary sponsor Alicia Hyndman leads, joined by Deborah Glick, Sarahana Shrestha, Manny De Los Santos, Zohran Mamdani, and others. The bill would hold vehicle owners liable for bus lane violations and expand photo enforcement. No votes have been recorded. The measure seeks to keep bus lanes clear, speed up transit, and reduce risk for those outside cars.

• File A 2610, Open States, Published 2023-01-26

A 19-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Kingston Avenue. The crash involved a vehicle making a left turn and the cyclist traveling north. The rider suffered a facial abrasion and remained conscious. Driver inattention was cited as a factor.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on Kingston Avenue was injured when a vehicle making a left turn struck the left side doors of the bike. The bicyclist sustained a facial abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor to the crash. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified. The collision caused damage to the left side doors of the vehicle and other damage to the bike. The bicyclist was not ejected and was the sole occupant of the bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600530 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

A 34-year-old e-bike rider was ejected after a head-on crash with a sedan on Rochester Avenue. The rider suffered severe leg injuries, including fractures and dislocations. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as causes.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Rochester Avenue involving a sedan and an e-bike. The 34-year-old male e-bike driver was ejected from his vehicle and sustained serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when the crash happened, impacting center front ends. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling south, while the e-bike rider traveled east. The crash highlights critical driver errors without assigning fault to the injured rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597905 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

A sedan traveling west struck a parked Nissan on Bergen Street. The unlicensed driver was injured and incoherent. The parked car showed no damage. The crash involved physical disability as a contributing factor. No ejections occurred.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male driver, unlicensed, was injured after his sedan traveling west collided with a parked Nissan sedan on Bergen Street. The point of impact was the left side doors of the parked vehicle and the right front bumper of the moving sedan, which sustained damage. The driver was incoherent and suffered an injury severity rated at 3. The report lists 'Physical Disability' as a contributing factor but does not specify driver errors beyond the unlicensed status. The parked vehicle had no occupants and no damage was noted. No ejections occurred during the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597854 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Senate bill S 343 seeks a clear, public safety score for cars. The DMV would post these ratings. Lawmakers push for sunlight on danger. Pedestrians face risk. The system aims to expose it.

Senate bill S 343 was proposed on January 4, 2023. It sits in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Creates a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles,' would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to post these ratings online. Primary sponsor Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The measure targets transparency. It puts the danger of cars in plain sight. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 343, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

A 34-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. He was making a left turn on red when the crash occurred. The driver suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured while making a left turn on red on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. The crash involved impact to the center back end of the e-scooter. The driver was not ejected but suffered injuries to his entire body and was in shock. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the driver. The driver held a permit license from New York. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595393 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A 33-year-old male bicyclist was struck on Saint Johns Place. The sedan hit the e-bike from behind. The rider suffered a hip and upper leg contusion. Police cited aggressive driving as a key factor. The rider wore a helmet and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Saint Johns Place involving a sedan and an e-bike traveling eastbound. The 33-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining a contusion to his hip and upper leg. The e-bike sustained damage to its center back end, indicating the point of impact was from behind. The sedan showed no damage but was identified as the striking vehicle. The report lists aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet and was conscious after the crash. No other driver errors were noted. The bicyclist was not ejected and suffered injury severity level 3.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594539 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A GMC SUV made a right turn and struck a BMW sedan from behind on Rochester Avenue. The sedan driver, a 55-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash was caused by driver inattention and following too closely.

According to the police report, a GMC SUV traveling north on Rochester Avenue made a right turn and collided with the rear of a BMW sedan also heading north. The sedan's 55-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining neck pain and whiplash. The report lists driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The impact damaged the center front end of the SUV and the center back end of the sedan. No other victims or factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4592985 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A police van sped down Eastern Parkway. The driver watched soccer on his phone. He struck Ronald Smith, dragged him 40 feet, and failed to help. The NYPD refused comment. Smith’s family demands the officers be fired and prosecuted. The city stays silent.

On April 7, 2022, NYPD Officers Orkhan Mamedov and Evan Siegel drove a police van on Eastern Parkway during a non-emergency prisoner transfer. Surveillance and body camera footage, released by Attorney General Letitia James on December 19, 2022, shows the van speeding, running a red light, and striking Ronald Smith, a pedestrian. The van dragged Smith 35-40 feet. The matter summary states: 'Video shows cop speeding in NYPD van—and may have been watching a soccer game before fatal crash.' Smith’s sister, Julie Floyd, and Justice Committee director Yul-san Liem condemned the officers’ actions and inaction. Floyd called for their firing and prosecution, saying, 'These officers drove an NYPD van so fast and recklessly... they dragged my brother... and had no regard for my brother’s life.' The NYPD declined to comment or disclose the officers’ status. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Video Shows Cop Speeding in NYPD Van — And May Have Been Watching a Soccer Game Before Fatal Crash, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-19

Two sedans collided on Lincoln Place in Brooklyn. A 39-year-old female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved reaction to an uninvolved vehicle and passing too closely. The driver was semiconscious but restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Lincoln Place in Brooklyn involving two sedans. The 39-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining neck injuries and whiplash. She was semiconscious at the scene and was wearing a lap belt. The report lists driver errors including 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors. One sedan was traveling east and struck the left front bumper of another vehicle that was parked. The crash caused damage to the left front bumper of the moving vehicle and the right rear bumper of the parked vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4589452 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Two sedans collided on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash struck a rear passenger, leaving him with neck injuries and whiplash. Driver distraction and unsafe speed caused the impact.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at Atlantic Avenue and Albany Avenue in Brooklyn at 7:01 p.m. The right front bumper of one car hit the right rear bumper of the other. A 35-year-old man riding as a rear passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The police report lists driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash resulted from driver distraction and speeding, leading to injury for the passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4588834 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

Two sport utility vehicles crashed on Rochester Avenue in Brooklyn. Three occupants suffered whiplash and head injuries. Both drivers were distracted. Airbags deployed. All were conscious and restrained. Damage hit front bumpers and quarter panel.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Rochester Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved a 34-year-old female driver with a permit and a 61-year-old male licensed driver. Both drivers were cited for driver inattention and distraction. Three occupants were injured: the two drivers and a 47-year-old female front passenger. Injuries included whiplash and head trauma, with all victims conscious and restrained by seat belts and airbags deployed. The point of impact was the left front bumper of one vehicle and the right front bumper of the other, causing damage to the left front quarter panel and right front bumper. The report lists driver inattention as the sole contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591129 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15

A Ford SUV struck its front passenger on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The 38-year-old woman suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The driver’s actions remain unclear.

According to the police report, a 2016 Ford SUV traveling west on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn collided with its front passenger. The 38-year-old female occupant sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified.' The point of impact was the vehicle’s right front bumper, which also sustained damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle under an 'Other*' pre-crash condition. No ejection occurred. The crash left the passenger injured but conscious, with no further details on the cause or other involved parties.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4588827 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-15