Six Dead in Crown Heights—And Politicians Still Look Away

A taxi struck a sedan from behind on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. Two passengers in the sedan, a child and an elderly woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash involved alcohol and following too closely, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn at 16:16. A taxi traveling east rear-ended a sedan also going east. The taxi driver, a licensed male, caused the collision by following too closely and was involved with alcohol. Two injured occupants in the sedan—a 5-year-old boy and a 69-year-old woman—suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both passengers were conscious and not ejected but were not using safety equipment. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' and 'Alcohol Involvement' as contributing factors. Vehicle damage was noted on the left front bumper of the sedan and the right rear bumper of the taxi. The report highlights driver errors as the cause without attributing fault to the passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760523 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 15-year-old boy crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan making a left turn on Empire Boulevard. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries, enduring shock and pain. Driver inattention and failure to yield caused the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:54 PM on Empire Boulevard near Schenectady Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling south was making a left turn when it struck a 15-year-old male pedestrian crossing the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock and complaining of pain or nausea. The report identifies driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing behavior. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan. This collision underscores the dangers posed by driver distraction and failure to yield at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760592 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A taxi improperly passing collided with an e-scooter on Kingston Avenue in Brooklyn. The 24-year-old e-scooter driver suffered bruises and arm injuries. The crash highlights dangerous lane usage and driver errors in late-night traffic.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:46 a.m. in Brooklyn on Kingston Avenue. A taxi, traveling north and attempting to pass another vehicle, struck the center front end of an e-scooter also traveling north. The point of impact was the taxi's left rear bumper hitting the e-scooter's center front end. The e-scooter driver, a 24-year-old male, was injured with contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating the taxi driver's failure to maintain proper lane discipline. The e-scooter driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756779 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a 21-year-old woman crossing Utica Avenue with the signal. Driver failed to yield and was distracted. The impact left the pedestrian with hip and leg injuries. She stayed conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old woman was crossing Utica Avenue at Eastern Parkway with the signal when a northbound Ford sedan hit her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The report lists the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian’s lawful crossing was noted but not cited as a factor. The crash happened just after midnight in Brooklyn’s 35th council district, underscoring the danger when drivers fail to yield and pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Two sedans slammed together at Eastern Parkway and Albany Avenue. Three people hurt. Obstructed view played a role. Bruises and scrapes marked the aftermath. No one ejected. All stayed conscious.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 17:39 on Eastern Parkway near Albany Avenue in Brooklyn. One sedan traveled west, making a right turn. The other went straight south. The westbound car struck the right side doors of the southbound sedan. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, pointing to driver visibility issues. Three occupants were injured: a 41-year-old female driver with back bruises, a 10-year-old front passenger with abrasions, and a 12-year-old rear passenger with leg bruises. All remained conscious and were not ejected. Driver error tied to limited sightlines was central. No victim actions contributed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747820 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moving sedan struck a parked car on Washington Avenue. Three men hurt. Impact bruised a teen’s shoulder and left two drivers with whiplash. Police cite lost consciousness. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, a northbound Volkswagen sedan hit the rear of a parked Nissan sedan at 881 Washington Avenue in Brooklyn. Three men were injured: a 15-year-old passenger suffered shoulder contusions and lost consciousness, while the 37-year-old and 29-year-old drivers sustained whiplash. All were conscious after the crash and wore lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor for the passenger. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are specified. Both drivers held valid licenses. The crash involved a moving vehicle striking a stationary car, underscoring the dangers faced by vehicle occupants on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746051 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

An SUV struck a sedan from behind on Empire Boulevard in Brooklyn. Three female passengers in the sedan suffered chest and neck contusions. The crash happened at 7:40 p.m. Driver error involved following too closely, causing blunt injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:40 p.m. on Empire Boulevard near Albany Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2017 SUV traveling east rear-ended a 2008 sedan also traveling east. The point of impact was the center back end of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the SUV operator. Three female occupants in the sedan, aged 47, 59, and 72, sustained contusions and bruises to their neck and chest areas. None were ejected and all remained conscious. The 72-year-old front passenger was using a lap belt and harness. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victims. The collision caused blunt force injuries consistent with a rear-end impact, emphasizing the danger of tailgating on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745759 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

An SUV hit a northbound moped on Troy Avenue. The moped rider was ejected and suffered a severe facial fracture. Police cite failure to yield as a factor. The crash left the vulnerable rider badly hurt.

According to the police report, a 2019 Mercedes SUV traveling east on Troy Avenue struck a northbound moped at 9:26 PM in Brooklyn. The moped driver, a 20-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated face. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unspecified' as contributing factors. The moped sustained no damage. The SUV had front-end damage. The report focuses on the serious injury to the moped rider and the impact, highlighting the failure to yield as a key factor. No blame is placed on the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739516 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound bicyclist was struck by an eastbound SUV making a right turn on Rogers Avenue. The cyclist suffered a contusion to the elbow and lower arm, remaining conscious. Police cite driver inattention and bicyclist confusion as contributing factors.

According to the police report, at 21:50 on Rogers Avenue, a 30-year-old male bicyclist traveling north was hit by a 2018 Mercedes SUV making a right turn eastbound. The point of impact was the SUV's right front quarter panel and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist, wearing a helmet, sustained contusions to the elbow and lower arm but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and the vehicle sustained damage to the right front quarter panel. The collision highlights driver failure to maintain attention during a turn, creating a hazardous environment for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738641 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 25-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and whiplash after a collision on Utica Avenue. According to the police report, driver inattention caused the crash. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:50 on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. The 25-year-old male driver, occupant of a station wagon/SUV, was injured with head trauma and whiplash. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The driver was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness, which likely prevented more severe injury. The collision involved two vehicles traveling south, with impact at the center front end of one vehicle and center back end of the SUV. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The report explicitly identifies the driver's inattention as the cause, highlighting the systemic danger posed by distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739527 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man on a bike slammed into a parked SUV’s door on Schenectady Avenue. He flew headfirst, blood pooling, skin scorched by the street. The SUV’s door buckled. He lay broken but conscious, the city’s danger etched in flesh.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old man riding a bike collided with the left side doors of a parked SUV near 296 Schenectady Avenue in Brooklyn at 10:09 a.m. The report describes the cyclist being ejected from his bike, landing headfirst, and suffering severe burns and a head injury. The SUV’s door was folded inward from the impact. The police report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors to the crash. The narrative details blood on the pavement and the cyclist lying conscious but broken. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is listed after the driver errors and contributing factors. The focus remains on the systemic dangers and driver actions that led to this violent collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736603 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan driver made an improper lane maneuver on Carroll Street, Brooklyn, colliding with a 48-year-old e-scooter rider. The rider suffered a concussion and arm injuries. Police cite driver error as the primary cause, with no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Carroll Street near Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn at 12:30 PM. A sedan traveling north was making a left turn and committed 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper,' colliding with a southbound e-scooter rider. The e-scooter driver, a 48-year-old man wearing a helmet, sustained a concussion and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor but emphasizes the sedan driver's improper lane use as the primary cause. Neither vehicle showed damage upon impact. The e-scooter rider was conscious and not ejected from his vehicle. The data underscores systemic dangers posed by driver lane violations in Brooklyn streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07