Five Dead, Still No Action: Crown Heights Pays the Price for City Neglect

A box truck struck a 79-year-old man crossing Utica Avenue. The impact left him with a head abrasion. Police cited obstructed view as a factor. The truck showed no damage. The street offered no safe crossing. The danger was systemic.

A 79-year-old pedestrian was injured when a box truck traveling north on Utica Avenue struck him as he crossed outside a crosswalk. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor. The truck, a GMC registered in New Jersey, showed no damage. The driver, a 20-year-old man, was licensed and wore a lap belt and harness. No injuries were reported for the driver or other occupants. The crash happened at a location without a marked crosswalk or signal, exposing the pedestrian to risk. Systemic street design and limited visibility played a role in this collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819133, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan hit a 26-year-old man crossing Eastern Parkway with the signal. The crash broke his arm. Police cite driver distraction. The impact came at the intersection with New York Avenue. The driver was making a left turn. System failed the walker.

A sedan struck a 26-year-old pedestrian as he crossed Eastern Parkway at New York Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver, making a left turn, hit him. The man suffered a fractured and dislocated arm. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The driver and an occupant were not reported injured. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention, especially at intersections where pedestrians have the right of way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818300, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs crashed on Bedford Avenue at Montgomery Street. One driver suffered back injuries. Police cite following too closely and driver inattention. Metal struck metal. The street bore the weight of careless force. Another wound in Brooklyn’s traffic grid.

Two station wagons, both SUVs, collided on Bedford Avenue near Montgomery Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, one driver, a 34-year-old man, was injured with back pain and whiplash. The crash involved two licensed drivers traveling south, each in their own vehicle. Police list 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The impact struck the center front end of one SUV and the center back end of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors. The crash left one person hurt and exposed the danger of inattention and tailgating on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816322, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An SUV hit a 58-year-old e-bike rider on Carroll Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered a fractured arm. Police cite failure to yield and failure to keep right. The crash left the cyclist injured and the SUV’s front end damaged.

A collision occurred on Carroll Street in Brooklyn involving a station wagon/SUV and an e-bike. The 58-year-old male e-bike rider was injured, suffering a fractured arm. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Failure to Keep Right.' The SUV’s right front bumper struck the cyclist. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary causes listed are driver errors. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists when drivers fail to yield and keep right.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814724, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A young unlicensed driver crashed her SUV into parked vehicles on Rochester Avenue. She suffered injuries. Passengers, including a baby, were shaken. Police cite inexperience and distraction. Metal twisted. The street bore the mark of impact. System failed the vulnerable.

A 23-year-old unlicensed woman drove a Ford SUV north on Rochester Avenue and crashed into two parked SUVs. According to the police report, she was injured, suffering whiplash and injuries to her entire body. Four passengers, including a 23-year-old woman, a 40-year-old man, a 66-year-old man, and an infant, were also involved. The police report states: “Driver Inexperience” and “Driver Inattention/Distraction” contributed to the crash. The driver was not licensed. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported hurt. The impact damaged the center front ends of all vehicles. The crash highlights the danger when inexperience and distraction meet heavy metal on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813190, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An SUV and a motorcycle collided on Eastern Parkway at Rogers Avenue. The crash left the motorcycle rider hurt. Police cite following too closely as a factor. Metal struck flesh. The street bore the mark. The system failed to protect.

A collision between a station wagon/SUV and a motorcycle occurred at Eastern Parkway and Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash happened as both vehicles were making a right turn. The motorcycle driver, a 27-year-old man, suffered a knee and lower leg injury and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. No other injuries were specified for the SUV occupants. The motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet, as noted in the data. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to maintain safe distance, especially at turns and intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812317, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An SUV struck a taxi’s rear on Eastern Parkway. The crash left a passenger injured, clutching her chest. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Lives jarred. The street stayed busy. The system failed to protect those inside.

A crash on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn involved a taxi and an SUV. One passenger, a 45-year-old woman in the taxi, suffered chest injuries and whiplash. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The SUV hit the rear of the taxi, which was stopped in traffic. The impact damaged the center back end of the taxi and the front of the SUV. Other occupants, including drivers and registrants, were listed but did not report injuries. The report notes the injured passenger was wearing a lap belt and harness, but only after driver inattention is cited as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809486, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Taibel Brod crossed with the light. The SUV turned left, struck her. She fell. Two weeks later, she died. The driver had no license. Police charged him. The street stayed open. The city moved on.

NY Daily News reported on April 23, 2025, that Taibel Brod, 101, was killed after an SUV hit her while she crossed Montgomery St. in Crown Heights with the walk signal. The driver, Menachem Shagalow, turned left without a license and struck Brod. Police charged him with aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to exercise due care. The article quotes Brod’s son, who called the crash a "tragedy." Brod died from her injuries nearly two weeks later. The case highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians, especially from unlicensed drivers and left turns at intersections. No changes to the street were reported.

• Unlicensed SUV Driver Kills Brooklyn Elder, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-23

A city bus struck a 38-year-old man crossing against the signal at Eastern Parkway and Franklin Avenue. The collision left him conscious, with abrasions and injuries to his lower leg and foot. Sirens echoed as traffic halted and bystanders watched.

According to the police report, a bus traveling east on Eastern Parkway at Franklin Avenue struck a 38-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing the intersection. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are specifically identified in the data, and there is no mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The bus showed no visible damage. The incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at busy Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807957, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A moped and a sedan collided on Eastern Parkway at Rogers Avenue. The moped driver, a 38-year-old man, suffered a bruised leg. Sirens echoed as traffic slowed. The air smelled of fuel and rubber. The sedan showed no visible damage.

A crash involving a moped and a sedan occurred on Eastern Parkway at Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the collision left the moped driver, a 38-year-old man, with a contusion to his lower leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The moped sustained damage to its center back end, while the sedan had no visible damage. No other injuries were reported. The police report did not specify helmet use or other safety equipment as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805943, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 101-year-old woman crossing Brooklyn Ave with the signal was struck and killed by an unlicensed SUV driver making a left turn. The streetlights blinked. Blood pooled on the pavement. The driver walked away unharmed. The pain stayed.

A 101-year-old woman was killed at Brooklyn Ave and Montgomery St in Brooklyn when an SUV making a left turn struck her as she crossed with the signal. According to the police report, the driver was unlicensed and operating a 2023 GMC SUV. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing at the intersection with the signal when the collision occurred. She suffered fatal head injuries and was described as conscious but bleeding from the head before succumbing to her injuries. The driver was unharmed. The police report makes clear that the driver failed to yield and was distracted, while the pedestrian was lawfully crossing with the signal. Systemic danger persists when unlicensed, inattentive drivers operate large vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804451, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan parked on Eastern Parkway struck a westbound bicyclist at Troy Avenue. The cyclist, a 22-year-old man wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. Driver inattention caused the collision, according to police.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:00 PM on Eastern Parkway near Troy Avenue in Brooklyn. A 22-year-old male bicyclist traveling westbound was struck by a sedan that was parked and then impacted the bike's center front end with its right front quarter panel. The bicyclist was injured, sustaining abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and remained conscious after the collision. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan driver, a licensed male from New York, failed to maintain awareness, leading to the collision. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but no other contributing factors from the victim were noted. Vehicle damage was recorded on both the bike and the sedan at the points of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801791, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle traveling east struck a southbound bicyclist on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered facial injuries, shock, and pain. The motorcycle driver was unlicensed and speeding, causing severe impact and damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:00 PM on Eastern Parkway near Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. A motorcycle traveling eastbound collided with a bicyclist going straight southbound. The motorcycle driver, operating without a license, was cited for unsafe speed. The impact struck the left side doors of the bicycle and the center front end of the motorcycle. The bicyclist, a 39-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained facial injuries, shock, and complaints of pain or nausea. The report highlights the motorcycle driver's failure to maintain safe speed as the primary contributing factor. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash underscores the dangers posed by unlicensed, speeding drivers to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800718, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 12-year-old bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision with an SUV on Empire Boulevard. The crash involved improper lane usage and limited driver visibility. The boy was conscious and wearing a helmet at the time of impact.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Empire Boulevard in Brooklyn involving a 2017 BMW SUV and a 12-year-old male bicyclist. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound when the crash happened at 17:15. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was wearing a helmet. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors related to lane management and visibility. The bicyclist's inexperience is also noted as a contributing factor. The SUV driver, a licensed female, and the bicyclist both impacted each other at their vehicles' center front ends. The police report focuses on the driver's failure to maintain proper lane usage and limited view as key causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800081, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 55-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries when a sedan backing north on Franklin Avenue struck her. The driver’s unsafe backing and inattention caused the crash. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal outside an intersection.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn backed unsafely, striking a 55-year-old female pedestrian. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal and was located outside an intersection at the time of impact. The report cites 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating the impact occurred during the backing maneuver. The driver’s failure to maintain attention while reversing directly contributed to the collision and the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797831, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle slammed into the rear of a turning Mack truck on Washington Avenue. The rider, helmeted and conscious, was half-flung from the bike, his leg shattered. Both vehicles moved south. The crash left the motorcyclist with crushing injuries.

According to the police report, a motorcycle collided with the rear of a Mack tractor truck making a right turn on Washington Avenue near Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. The crash occurred as both vehicles traveled south. The report states the motorcycle 'slammed into the rear' of the turning truck, resulting in the 34-year-old rider being 'crushed,' his leg shattered, and partially ejected from the bike. The rider was helmeted and conscious at the scene. Police cite 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The impact left the motorcyclist with severe lower leg injuries, underscoring the dangers posed by close following and inattention on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797441, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 59-year-old man walking outside an intersection suffered a severe arm fracture when a Ford SUV traveling west struck him on Franklin Ave. The driver’s failure to maintain safe distance caused the injury, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured on Franklin Ave near Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn at 5:00 AM. The 59-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a Ford SUV traveling westbound. The point of impact was the vehicle's right rear quarter panel. The pedestrian was located outside an intersection and engaged in other actions in the roadway. The report cites the driver’s error as "Passing Too Closely," directly contributing to the collision. The pedestrian sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, with an injury severity rated at 3. There is no indication of pedestrian fault or contributing factors from the victim. The driver was going straight ahead and had no occupants in the vehicle at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793884, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 35-year-old woman was struck at a Brooklyn intersection while crossing with the signal. The sedan driver failed to yield right-of-way and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered upper leg injuries and bruising but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Montgomery Street in Brooklyn struck a 35-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection while she was crossing with the signal. The driver was making a right turn at the time of impact and hit the pedestrian with the center front end of the vehicle. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors on the driver's part. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, including contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the collision. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact. The report explicitly cites driver errors, emphasizing systemic danger from failure to yield and distraction, without attributing fault to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793184, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two men suffered whiplash in a multi-vehicle collision on Eastern Parkway. A sedan driver following too closely struck a stopped vehicle, triggering a chain reaction. Both occupants were conscious but injured, highlighting driver inattention and close following as critical factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn around 6 p.m. Two sedans and an SUV were involved in a rear-end collision. The driver of a 2023 Acura sedan was stopped in traffic when struck from behind by another vehicle traveling eastbound. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. Both occupants of the Acura sedan, a 29-year-old male driver and a 28-year-old male front passenger, sustained neck and head injuries described as whiplash. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. The collision's impact points were center front and center back ends of the vehicles, indicating a chain-reaction crash caused by failure to maintain safe distance and driver distraction. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792536, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 21-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries in a violent collision with an unlicensed SUV driver on Eastern Parkway. The SUV struck the motorcycle’s right side, demolishing the bike and leaving the rider unconscious and fractured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn at 11:55 AM. The collision involved a 2020 Ford SUV traveling north and a 2024 Jiajue motorcycle traveling east. The SUV driver, who was unlicensed and held a North Carolina license, disregarded traffic control, leading to the crash. The SUV struck the motorcycle on its right side doors, causing the motorcyclist to be ejected. The 21-year-old motorcyclist was unconscious with severe injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. The motorcycle was demolished, and the SUV sustained front-end damage. The report highlights the driver error of traffic control disregard and the unlicensed status of the SUV driver as key factors in this serious collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791062, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14