Six Dead in Crown Heights—And Politicians Still Look Away

Maritza Davila endorsed Mark Levine’s run for Comptroller. Levine vows to cut living costs, build housing, and make streets safer. He supports congestion pricing and more cycling lanes. Davila’s support signals a push for citywide safety and accountability.

On December 12, 2024, Mark Levine announced his candidacy for New York City Comptroller. The campaign launch drew endorsements from Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Brian Cunningham and Maritza Davila, and others. The campaign summary states Levine will 'drive affordability, solve the housing crisis, support working families, demand fiscal responsibility, and make streets safer.' Davila, representing District 53, publicly backed Levine. Levine’s record includes advocacy for congestion pricing, e-commerce reform, and expanding cycling infrastructure. These stances align with efforts to protect vulnerable road users and reduce traffic violence. The campaign’s focus on safer streets and better transit marks a shift toward systemic change for New Yorkers.

• Mark Levine launches campaign for Comptroller, backed with citywide support, amny.com, Published 2024-12-12

A 57-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn on Eastern Parkway. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle’s left front bumper struck her, causing contusions and bruises.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Eastern Parkway made a left turn and struck a 57-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection with Albany Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises, and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact occurring at the left front bumper. No driver license or occupant information was provided. The driver’s failure to yield while turning directly caused the pedestrian’s injuries, highlighting systemic dangers at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777434 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

At a heated mayoral forum, Zellnor Myrie demanded a dedicated busway for Flatbush Avenue. Candidates slammed slow buses and empty promises. They called for more bus lanes, free rides, and less fare policing. Riders want action, not talk. Streets remain dangerous.

On December 6, 2024, a mayoral candidate forum spotlighted New York City's broken bus service. State Senator Zellnor Myrie, representing District 20, called for a dedicated busway on Brooklyn's Flatbush Avenue, echoing the success of Manhattan's 14th Street. The forum, hosted by Riders Alliance, saw candidates—including Myrie, Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—debate urgent transit reforms. The matter: 'improving NYC's slow bus service.' Myrie and others backed more bus lanes, fare-free buses, and expanding Fair Fares for low-income riders. Mamdani vowed not to cave to local opposition. All criticized Mayor Adams for stalled bus projects. The forum exposed deep frustration with city inaction and highlighted the need for bold, street-level changes to protect riders and speed up commutes.

• Could a new mayor fix New York City's terrible bus service?, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-06

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

DOT built just 5.3 miles of new bus lanes in 2024. The law demands 30. Commissioner Rodriguez called it a great job. Critics slammed the city for falling short. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On December 4, 2024, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the agency’s bus lane record before critics. The Streets Master Plan requires 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. In 2024, DOT delivered only 5.3 miles—just 17 percent of the legal mandate. Rodriguez claimed, “We are doing a great job,” citing national comparisons and blaming delays on community board processes and local opposition, especially around the 96th Street project. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, and State Sen. Zellnor Myrie condemned the city’s self-praise and legal failure. The matter title reads: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement. Several projects are planned for 2025, but completion is uncertain. The city’s slow pace leaves bus riders and other vulnerable road users exposed to dangerous, congested streets.

• DOT Commish: ‘We Are Doing A Great Job’ … Falling Short of Bus Lane Requirement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-04

Six mayoral hopefuls faced off on transit. They promised bus lanes, free buses, and fair fares. Each slammed the mayor’s record. They called for less fare enforcement, more service. Riders, not drivers, took center stage. Words flew. Streets stayed dangerous.

On December 3, 2024, six candidates for New York City mayor—Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—spoke at a Riders Alliance forum. The event focused on transit policy. Candidates pledged support for bus lanes, free buses, expanded Fair Fares, and shifting gas tax funds to mass transit. Lander vowed to end subway and street homelessness for the severely mentally ill by connecting them to stable housing. Mamdani promised a world-class bus network. Myrie pushed for citywide bus lanes. Ramos called for automatic Fair Fares registration. Stringer backed more bus routes. Walden opposed fare evasion crackdowns, urging resources go to service instead. All criticized Mayor Adams’ record on bus lanes and congestion pricing. The forum highlighted a united front for safer, more accessible transit, but offered no immediate relief for vulnerable road users.

• Promises, Promises: What the Candidates Said At The Transit Forum, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-03

Mayoral hopefuls hammered Eric Adams for broken bus lane promises. At a transit forum, they called out City Hall’s slow pace. The law demands 30 miles a year. Adams delivered half. Candidates pledged pro-transit reforms. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 3, 2024, a mayoral candidate forum on NYC bus service and transportation policy spotlighted City Hall’s failures. The event, organized by Riders Alliance, saw candidates attack Mayor Eric Adams for not meeting the Streets Master Plan law, which mandates 30 new miles of bus lanes each year. Adams’ administration installed only 15.7 miles last fiscal year. State Sen. Jessica Ramos said, 'The current mayor promised 150 miles of bus lanes and hasn't delivered.' Comptroller Brad Lander promised a 'professional, world-class DOT commissioner.' Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani vowed to resist business interests blocking bus projects. Sen. Zellnor Myrie, mentioned at the forum, made pro-transit promises. The forum exposed how political inaction and broken promises keep streets unsafe for bus riders and pedestrians.

• Mayoral candidates hit Adams on failed promises to boost NYC's bus service, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-03

Six mayoral hopefuls faced off on transit. They clashed over congestion pricing, bus expansion, and subway safety. Zellnor Myrie pledged to defend congestion pricing. Others called for more police, more buses, and mental health teams. Streets and subways remain battlegrounds.

On December 3, 2024, at a Riders Alliance forum, six Democratic mayoral candidates—Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, and Jim Walden—debated New York City transit policy. The event focused on congestion pricing, set to begin January 5, and subway safety. The matter summary reads: 'NYC mayoral candidates participated in a transit-focused forum... discussing congestion pricing, subway safety, and transit upgrades.' Zellnor Myrie, representing District 20, criticized Mayor Adams for not defending congestion pricing and promised to support it regardless of federal politics. Ramos pushed for congestion pricing revenue to fund the MTA. Stringer called for bus expansion and DOT reform. Walden wanted more police and exemptions for seniors and disabled riders. Lander and Mamdani argued for housing and outreach teams over policing. The forum highlighted sharp divides on how to protect vulnerable New Yorkers on streets and subways.

• 2025 NYC mayoral candidates sound off on congestion pricing, subway safety, amny.com, Published 2024-12-03

A sedan struck a 39-year-old woman crossing Eastern Parkway. She suffered a concussion and full-body injuries. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive. The crash left the pedestrian conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old woman was crossing Eastern Parkway at an intersection in Brooklyn when a sedan making a left turn struck her with its left front bumper. The crash happened at 18:54. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal and suffered a concussion and injuries to her entire body. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The driver was licensed in New York. The pedestrian’s use of the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The incident underscores driver error and the risks faced by people crossing at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775978 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A city worker crashed into three cars in Bed-Stuy. She dragged a person, struck a car with a pregnant woman, and tried to flee. No life-threatening injuries. Police arrested her near the scene. Charges include assault and reckless endangerment.

Gothamist (2024-11-27) reports a New York City Housing Authority employee crashed into three vehicles near Gates Avenue and Marcus Garvey Boulevard in Brooklyn. Police say the driver, Tanisha Simpson, "swiped an oncoming car," dragged a person trying to get her information, and hit another car with a pregnant woman inside. She then struck a third, unoccupied vehicle before being arrested by city sheriffs nearby. The pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Simpson faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene. The incident highlights ongoing risks at busy intersections and underscores the consequences of fleeing after a crash.

• Driver Drags Person, Hits Pregnant Woman, Gothamist, Published 2024-11-27

A distracted driver caused a collision on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans and an SUV were involved. A 76-year-old driver suffered facial contusions. The crash highlights dangers of driver inattention in busy city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:12 AM on Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision involved two sedans and an SUV. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. A 76-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining facial contusions and bruising. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The vehicles had impact damage at their center back ends and front ends, indicating a chain reaction collision. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. This crash underscores the systemic danger posed by driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774062 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council weighs Adams’s City of Yes plan. Mayoral challengers back the original, urge no watering down. They want housing, not parking. Council may weaken it. The fight is over homes versus cars. Vulnerable road users watch as parking mandates hang in the balance.

On November 21, 2024, the City Council debated Mayor Adams’s City of Yes zoning proposal, which aims to boost housing and scrap mandatory parking citywide. The Council may weaken the plan by creating a three-tiered system, risking fewer new homes. Mayoral challengers Zellnor Myrie, Brad Lander, Scott Stringer, Jessica Ramos, and Zohran Mamdani—all Democrats—strongly support the original plan. Myrie urges, 'resist efforts to revise the proposal in any way that would yield fewer homes.' Lander calls for ending exclusionary zoning and prioritizing housing over parking. Stringer calls the plan a 'small step.' Mamdani opposes changes that reduce housing or water down parking elimination. Ramos would vote yes but wants to protect neighborhood character. The Council’s decision will shape the city’s streets, homes, and the future for those outside cars.

• What Do the Mayoral Candidates Think Of ‘City of Yes’?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-21

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

A sedan making a right turn struck a moped traveling straight on Nostrand Ave in Brooklyn. The moped driver was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries. Police cited unsafe speed as a key factor in the collision’s impact and damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:40 PM on Nostrand Ave in Brooklyn. A 2023 Tesla sedan was making a right turn when it collided with a 2023 ZNEN moped traveling straight southbound. The moped driver, a 23-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. The point of impact was the sedan’s right side doors and the moped’s center front end, indicating a direct side collision. The report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, highlighting driver error on the sedan’s part. The moped driver was licensed but was not using any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified. The collision underscores the dangers posed by turning vehicles traveling at unsafe speeds in busy Brooklyn streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A van turning right struck a pedestrian crossing with the signal in Brooklyn. The woman suffered bruises and lower leg injuries. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision at a busy intersection on Crown Street.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a Chevrolet van, traveling southeast and making a right turn on Crown Street in Brooklyn, failed to yield the right-of-way. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the van's right front bumper struck her. The victim sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. The van showed no vehicle damage, and the driver was licensed in New York. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash. This incident highlights a driver error in yielding that directly caused harm to a pedestrian lawfully crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pedestrian suffered serious back injuries after a distracted driver hit him at an intersection on Rogers Avenue. The impact came from the vehicle's center front end as it traveled southbound. The victim was left in shock, complaining of pain and nausea.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:47 AM on Rogers Avenue near Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was injured after being struck by a vehicle traveling straight ahead southbound. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the collision. The pedestrian was located at the intersection and suffered back injuries, resulting in a complaint of pain and nausea and a state of shock. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions or safety equipment. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768693 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 52-year-old woman suffered a severe head injury when a sedan struck her at an intersection on Empire Boulevard. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was traveling at unsafe speed. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when hit.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling westbound on Empire Boulevard struck a 52-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as severe, including fracture and dislocation, and remained conscious after the impact. The vehicle’s point of impact was the center front end, and no vehicle damage was reported. The driver was going straight ahead prior to the crash. This incident highlights driver errors, specifically failure to yield and unsafe speed, as central causes of the pedestrian’s serious injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766877 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck an e-scooter from behind on Union Street in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver, a 20-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:30 on Union Street near Albany Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling eastbound collided with the rear of an eastbound e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 20-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. The report identifies the sedan driver’s errors as "Following Too Closely" and "Passing Too Closely," indicating a failure to maintain a safe distance behind the e-scooter. Both vehicles sustained front-center damage. The e-scooter driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior beyond helmet use, which is noted but not cited as a cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769467 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV driver, distracted and speeding, rear-ends sedan on Utica Avenue. Sedan driver suffers back injuries. Impact crushes both vehicles. Driver inattention and unsafe speed caused the crash.

According to the police report, an SUV struck a sedan from behind on Utica Avenue at 20:27. Both vehicles were heading east. The SUV hit the sedan's center back end, damaging both cars. The sedan driver, a 36-year-old man, was injured with back contusions and bruises but remained conscious and restrained. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The data also notes 'Following Too Closely.' No fault is assigned to the injured sedan driver. The crash underscores the danger of distracted, speeding drivers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan and a passenger car collided head-on on Eastern Parkway. The sedan driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and distraction for the crash.

According to the police report, at 9:28 AM on Eastern Parkway, a 2022 Toyota sedan traveling west and a 2008 Ford passenger vehicle traveling north collided front-to-front. The sedan driver, a 59-year-old man, was injured with head trauma and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' twice as contributing factors. No other causes or victim actions were noted. The sedan was damaged on the right front bumper; the Ford was hit at the center front end. Driver error stands out as the cause in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764202 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04