Six Dead in Crown Heights—And Politicians Still Look Away

A 14-year-old boy was partially ejected and suffered severe leg injuries after a van struck him at an intersection in Brooklyn. The van, driven by a permit-holder, hit the pedestrian with its left front bumper while starting in traffic.

According to the police report, a van traveling east on Carroll Street in Brooklyn struck a 14-year-old pedestrian at an intersection near Albany Avenue around 8:00 AM. The pedestrian was partially ejected and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver, a male with a New York permit license, was starting in traffic when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the van's left front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. No vehicle damage was reported. The report does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield but highlights the pedestrian's crossing against the signal. The victim was conscious and injured, with no safety equipment noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721833 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan executing an improper U-turn collided with a southbound e-bike on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The crash caused damage to both vehicles’ front bumpers and left side doors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:38 on Utica Avenue near 330 in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling north was making a U-turn when it struck a southbound e-bike. The police identified the contributing factor as "Turning Improperly" by the sedan driver. The e-bike rider, a 33-year-old man, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity 3. The e-bike was impacted on its left front bumper, while the sedan sustained damage to its right front bumper and left side doors. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the improper turn. No contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A new state bill would let New York City street sweepers use cameras to catch cars blocking cleaning routes. Repeat offenders rack up most tickets. Lawmakers say dirty streets and blocked drains endanger everyone. The law would sunset in 2029.

Assembly Bill (unnumbered) was introduced by Brooklyn Assembly Member Brian Cunningham on April 25, 2024. The bill is pending in the state legislature. It would allow New York City to mount enforcement cameras on street sweepers to ticket cars parked illegally during street cleaning hours. The bill summary states it 'fulfills the Sanitation Department's longstanding ask for help getting vehicles out of the way of road-cleaning operations.' Cunningham, who sponsors the bill, said, 'Dirty streets are totally unacceptable.' Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch supports the change, noting that state law must allow automated ticketing. Uptown Manhattan State Senator Robert Jackson introduced a similar Senate bill. The law would phase in after a year and expire by mid-2029, giving officials time to assess its impact. No formal safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• Street Sweepers Could Nab Illegal Parking Under State Bill, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-25

Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Two sedans collided on Eastern Parkway at dawn. A female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. The impact struck the right rear quarter panel and front end of the vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:59 AM on Eastern Parkway involving two sedans. One driver, a 41-year-old female, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as the primary contributing factors. The first vehicle, a 2018 Toyota sedan traveling west, struck the right rear quarter panel of the second vehicle, a 2021 Nissan sedan making a right turn northbound. The impact points were the center front end of the Toyota and the right rear quarter panel of the Nissan. No occupants were ejected. The female driver’s injuries and the collision dynamics highlight the dangers of distracted driving in multi-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718028 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...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, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

A 74-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after a Hyundai SUV struck her during a right turn on Carroll Street. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian injured but conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 2017 Hyundai SUV, traveling east and making a right turn on Carroll Street in Brooklyn, struck a 74-year-old female pedestrian. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle without occupants. This collision underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716340 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A southbound sedan struck a parked car on Schenectady Avenue. The driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite inattention and unsafe speed. The parked car was empty. Impact was severe.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Schenectady Avenue in Brooklyn collided with a parked sedan at 4:57 AM. The moving car's left front bumper hit the right rear bumper of the parked vehicle. The 24-year-old male driver of the moving sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash, remaining inside his car and restrained by a lap belt. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No other behaviors or factors are noted. The parked sedan was unoccupied. The crash damaged the right rear quarter panel of the parked car and the center front end of the moving vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715081 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 52-year-old man lay bleeding on Eastern Parkway, head struck by a Nissan sedan. The driver, unlicensed and inattentive, left the street empty but for silence and blood. Metal crumpled. The man did not move.

A 52-year-old pedestrian suffered a severe head injury and lay unconscious on Eastern Parkway after being struck head-on by a 2012 Nissan sedan, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 3:18 a.m. The report states the driver was unlicensed and operating a vehicle registered in Pennsylvania. The car's left front quarter panel was crushed from the impact. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The narrative describes the victim bleeding in the road, unmoving, after the collision. No contributing factors are attributed to the pedestrian. The police report makes clear the driver's lack of a valid license and inattention were central to this crash, underscoring the systemic danger posed by unlicensed, inattentive drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713356 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Two SUVs collided on Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact struck the left front bumper of one vehicle and the right rear bumper of the other. A passenger suffered a back contusion, injured but conscious, restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:56 on Rogers Avenue in Brooklyn involving two SUVs traveling north. One driver was making a right turn while the other proceeded straight ahead. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the Audi SUV and the right rear bumper of the Hyundai SUV. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors. A 36-year-old female occupant in one vehicle was injured, sustaining a back contusion. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time of the collision. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712725 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

A Brooklyn subway shooting jolted lawmakers. Jo Anne Simon called the National Guard’s presence unwarranted, stoking fear instead of safety. Calls for more policing, mental health funding, and gun control echoed. Riders remain wary. No clear path to safer commutes.

On March 15, 2024, following a deadly subway shooting, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (District 52) and other lawmakers responded with urgency. The incident came days after Governor Hochul’s National Guard deployment in the transit system. Simon stated, 'The Governor's recent deployment of the National Guard was unwarranted and caused fear rather than a sense of safety.' Other officials, including Brian Cunningham and Lester Chang, debated the effectiveness of increased policing and called for more investment in mental health and gun safety. The matter, titled 'NYC subway shooting a ‘wake up call’,' underscores deep divides on how to protect riders. Simon’s stance highlights the risk of heavy-handed security measures fueling anxiety, not safety, for vulnerable New Yorkers.

• NYC subway shooting a ‘wake up call’ — coming on heels of NY Gov. Kathy Hochul’s National Guard safety plan: lawmakers, nypost.com, Published 2024-03-15

A 42-year-old man suffered a severe head injury while crossing Eastern Parkway with the signal. The driver disregarded traffic control and drove at unsafe speed, striking the pedestrian and leaving him unconscious with fractures and dislocations.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male pedestrian was injured at an intersection on Eastern Parkway at 2:35 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, indicating the driver failed to obey traffic signals and was traveling too fast. The pedestrian sustained a severe head injury, described as a fracture, distortion, and dislocation, and was found unconscious at the scene. The vehicle was traveling west, going straight ahead, with one occupant. The report does not identify the vehicle type or driver details. The crash highlights driver errors in traffic control compliance and speed management as the primary causes of the pedestrian's serious injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706660 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council backs scramble crosswalks at schools. Cars stop. Kids cross in all directions. Fewer deadly conflicts. Bill aims to shield students at arrival and dismissal. Action now sits in committee.

Resolution 0060-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, urges Albany to pass A.5001-A/S.2515-B. The measure, introduced February 28, 2024, calls for scramble crosswalks at school entrances during arrival and dismissal. The resolution states: 'establishing scramble crosswalks leading to and from school buildings.' Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor) and Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (co-sponsor) lead the push. Scramble crosswalks halt all vehicles, letting pedestrians cross in every direction. This design cuts car-pedestrian conflicts, especially for children. The council's action follows years of crashes near schools and a drop in crossing guards. The bill aims to protect the city's most vulnerable road users—its students.

• File Res 0060-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council backs scramble crosswalks at schools. All cars stop. Kids cross in every direction. Fewer deadly turns. Streets safer at bell time. No more waiting for tragedy.

Resolution Res 0060-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it urges Albany to pass A.5001-A/S.2515-B. The bill calls for scramble crosswalks at school entrances during arrival and dismissal. The matter title reads: 'establishing scramble crosswalks leading to and from school buildings.' Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor) and Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (co-sponsor) lead the push. Scramble crosswalks stop all traffic, letting students cross in any direction. The Council notes: 'Such legislation could increase the safety of New York City students traveling to and from school.'

• File Res 0060-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council backs scramble crosswalks at schools. All cars stop. Kids cross in every direction. Fewer deadly turns. Streets safer at bell time. No more waiting for tragedy.

Resolution Res 0060-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it urges Albany to pass A.5001-A/S.2515-B. The bill calls for scramble crosswalks at school entrances during arrival and dismissal. The matter title reads: 'establishing scramble crosswalks leading to and from school buildings.' Council Members Shahana K. Hanif (primary sponsor) and Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (co-sponsor) lead the push. Scramble crosswalks stop all traffic, letting students cross in any direction. The Council notes: 'Such legislation could increase the safety of New York City students traveling to and from school.'

• File Res 0060-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council moves to outlaw fake plates. Fraud hides reckless drivers. Bill targets sellers, sets fines. Streets need truth. Law aims to strip shields from danger.

Bill Int 0178-2024 sits with the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the sale or distribution of fraudulent license plates," makes it illegal to sell or distribute fake or temporary plates, with civil penalties for violators. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Brewer, Brannan, and Avilés. The bill was referred to committee the same day. Fraudulent plates let reckless drivers vanish. This measure aims to close that escape, exposing those who endanger lives.

• File Int 0178-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council wants 500 solar-lit crosswalks in five years. Bright signals cut through the dark. The bill demands action and a study. Safety for walkers, not drivers. No more hiding in the shadows.

Int 0301-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to install at least 100 illuminated, solar-powered traffic control devices at crosswalks each year for five years. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law...in relation to the installation of solar-powered crosswalks.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by Menin, Brooks-Powers, Rivera, and others. The bill also requires a study comparing these devices to standard signs. The city must report findings within two years. The goal: more visible crossings, fewer deadly impacts.

• File Int 0301-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill pushes DOT to let schools, centers, and institutions use streets outside their doors. More people, less traffic. Streets shift from cars to community. Still in committee.

Int 0450-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 28, 2024. The bill orders DOT to create a program letting community centers, schools, arts, and religious institutions use adjacent outdoor spaces. The matter title reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to establish a program to allow community centers, schools, arts and cultural institutions and religious institutions to use adjacent outdoor spaces.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Stevens, Restler, Won, and others. The bill has not yet passed. If enacted, it could reclaim space from cars, giving it to people. No formal safety analysis yet, but the measure could mean safer, more vibrant streets for all.

• File Int 0450-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28