No Deaths Yet—But the Streets Are Still Running Red

Aug 11 - Two people died, one in Brooklyn, one in Manhattan. Both fell onto subway tracks. Trains struck. No criminality. Lives ended fast, steel and speed. Names withheld. City moves on.

NY Daily News (2025-08-11) reports two deaths on NYC subway tracks, one at Sutter Ave L station in Brooklyn, another at East Broadway F station in Manhattan. Both victims fell onto tracks and were struck by trains. Police said, "No criminality is suspected in either case." The article notes EMS pronounced both dead at the scene. Identities remain unreleased. The incidents highlight ongoing dangers in the subway system, with no mention of driver error or system changes.

• Two Killed By Subway Trains In NYC, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 6 - A driver started from parking on Flatbush Ave and hit a 72-year-old man at Parkside Ave. The man suffered facial fractures and was conscious at the scene. Police cite aggressive driving and driver inattention.

A driver started from parking on Flatbush Ave at Parkside Ave and struck a 72-year-old pedestrian. The man sustained fractures to his face and was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the crash involved "Aggressive Driving/Road Rage" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The vehicle made contact with its left front bumper while traveling north; the pre-crash action is recorded as 'Starting from Parking' and the point of impact as 'Left Front Bumper.' Vehicle occupants were recorded as none and no vehicle damage was reported. Police list aggressive driving and driver distraction as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833816 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jul 31 - Two SUVs collided on Rogers Ave at Lefferts. A 41-year-old driver suffered a back contusion. Police recorded 'Following Too Closely.' One driver was conscious and restrained. Metal hit metal. Streets stayed dangerous.

Two sport utility vehicles traveling north on Rogers Avenue at Lefferts Avenue collided when the left front bumper of one struck the center back end of the other. A 41-year-old male driver was injured, reported conscious with a back contusion and not ejected. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' Police listed Following Too Closely as the contributing factor for the injured occupant. Both vehicles were going straight ahead when the collision occurred. The injured driver was recorded as wearing a lap belt and harness; no other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831875 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jul 29 - A bus driver turned right at Flatbush and Lincoln and hit a 39-year-old woman in the intersection. She suffered bruises and stayed conscious. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver and an obstructed view.

A bus driver making a right turn at Flatbush Avenue and Lincoln Road hit a 39-year-old woman in the intersection at 10:25 p.m. She suffered bruises to her entire body and stayed conscious. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right of way and had a limited or obstructed view. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" and "View Obstructed/Limited" as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center front end of the bus. The crash occurred in Brooklyn, within the 71st Precinct.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831874 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jul 22 - Two sedans collided on Fenimore Street. Glare and driver inattention struck hard. Six people hurt, most of them children. Metal twisted. Whiplash and fear lingered in the summer night.

A crash involving two sedans on Fenimore Street in Brooklyn left six people injured, including four children and two adults. According to the police report, 'Glare' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' were listed as contributing factors. The driver, a 35-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Four children, ages 4, 6, 11, and 14, were passengers and sustained unspecified injuries. The report highlights driver inattention and glare as key causes. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jul 17 - Two men died crossing Third Avenue. A driver sped through a red. The city knew the danger. The mayor stalled safety plans. The street stays deadly. The toll mounts. The fix waits.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-17) reports Mayor Adams delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue, long known as hazardous. Last week, a speeding driver ran a red light, killing two pedestrians. The article quotes Adams, who once called Third Avenue 'extremely intimidating' and said it 'must be at the top of our list.' Despite this, his administration 'put the brakes on a potentially life-saving road redesign,' favoring business interests. Attorney Peter Beadle notes, 'they had a plan ready to go and then it was pulled back.' The city could face legal action for failing to act despite knowing the risks, echoing a 2017 state court ruling on municipal liability.

• Mayor Delays Third Avenue Safety Redesign, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 16 - A driver spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The car struck a woman on the curb. She died at the hospital. Police charged the driver with negligent homicide. The lot was left scarred. The city mourns another loss.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-16), Zachary Cando, 24, was 'doing the dangerous spinning trick' known as donuts in a Gateway Center parking lot when he lost control and hit Madisyn Ruiz, 21, who was sitting nearby. Ruiz died after being rushed to the hospital. Police charged Cando with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The article notes the car was 'badly dented in the front.' The crash highlights the risks of reckless driving in public spaces and the need for stronger deterrents in parking lots.

• Driver Kills Girlfriend Doing Donuts, New York Post, Published 2025-07-16

Jul 15 - A car spun out in a Brooklyn lot. The driver lost control. Madisyn Ruiz, 21, died. Two boys hurt. Tire marks linger. The driver faces charges. The family mourns. The system failed to protect.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-15), Madisyn Ruiz, 21, was killed when her boyfriend, Zachary Cando, lost control of a 2023 Genesis G80 while 'doing donuts' in the Gateway Center parking lot. Ruiz was sitting by the curb when struck. Two nephews, ages 12 and 17, were also injured. Cando told police he 'lost control' during the stunt. He was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. The article notes, 'Days later, circular tire tracks were still visible in the parking lot.' This crash highlights the dangers of reckless driving in public spaces and raises questions about parking lot safety and enforcement.

• Driver Doing Donuts Kills Girlfriend, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 12 - A BMW sped through a Brooklyn red light at dawn. Two men crossing 3rd Avenue fell. Both died on the street. The driver fled. Police caught him. Charges followed. The toll of cars grows.

Gothamist (2025-07-12) reports a Staten Island man "blew through a red light and killed two pedestrians" at 3rd Avenue and 52nd Street, Brooklyn. Police say the driver, 23, struck Kex Un Chen, 80, and Faqiu Lin, 59, then fled. Both victims died at the scene. The suspect faces manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges. NYPD data shows 98 citywide traffic deaths this year, nearly half pedestrians. The crash highlights the lethal risk at intersections and the deadly impact of ignoring signals.

• Red Light Run Kills Two Pedestrians, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-12

Jul 10 - City rips out Bedford Avenue bike lane. Cyclists lose safe passage. Judge sides with mayor. Injuries had dropped. Advocates warn: danger returns. Streets grow harsher for those outside cars.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-10) reports that Mayor Adams will remove a protected bike lane on Bedford Avenue after a judge upheld the city’s decision. Advocates say this 'all but guarantees that there will be blood on Eric Adams's hands.' NYPD data showed injuries dropped after the lane’s installation. The city acted after complaints from local leaders. The lane sits on a 'Vision Zero Priority Corridor,' one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous streets. Cyclists and residents called the move political and warned it strips away proven safety. No driver errors cited, but the policy shift exposes vulnerable road users to renewed risk.

• Brooklyn Bike Lane Removal Sparks Outrage, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-10

Jul 6 - SUV slammed center front on Brooklyn Ave. Driver lost consciousness. Passenger suffered head injury, severe bleeding. Police cite illness as cause. Streets remain unforgiving.

A station wagon SUV struck hard at the center front on Brooklyn Avenue in Brooklyn. One passenger, age 65, suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. According to the police report, the driver lost consciousness due to illness, leading to the crash. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' and 'Illnes' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The streets showed no mercy to those inside the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829996 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jul 5 - A sedan struck a standing scooter on Troy Ave. The scooter driver suffered a fractured leg. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Streets failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan collided with a standing scooter at Troy Ave and Maple St in Brooklyn. The 37-year-old scooter driver was injured, suffering a fractured leg. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as a contributing factor. The report does not specify any errors by the injured party. The crash highlights the risk faced by those outside cars when drivers ignore traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827717 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 29 - An SUV struck and killed an eight-year-old boy crossing Eastern Parkway with his sister. Blood washed from the street. His yarmulke left behind. The driver stayed. Police probe speed. The community mourns.

ABC7 (2025-06-29) reports an eight-year-old boy, Mordica Keller, died after a southbound SUV hit him at Eastern Parkway and Albany Avenue in Crown Heights. He was crossing with his sister. The 69-year-old driver remained at the scene. Police towed a black Honda Pilot. The article notes, "Police are looking at whether speed was a factor." No arrests have been made. Residents called the street dangerous. The crash highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians at busy Brooklyn intersections.

• SUV Kills Boy At Brooklyn Crossing, ABC7, Published 2025-06-29

Jun 26 - Zohran Mamdani beat Andrew Cuomo for the Democratic mayoral nod. He vows faster buses, more bike lanes, and car-free space. Streets remain deadly. Change hinges on action.

Bill number not assigned. On June 26, 2025, Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for NYC mayor. The matter, as reported by Sophia Lebowitz, states Mamdani's platform: 'make buses fast and free, add more protected bike lanes, and increase car-free public space.' Mamdani promises political will for proven safety measures. No specific legislation or committee action yet. The safety analyst notes: 'The event describes a political nomination outcome without reference to any specific transportation policy or legislation, so it has no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety.'

• Here’s What Mamdani Can Steal From Other Candidates To Strengthen His Livable Streets Platform, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-26

Jun 25 - Albany stalled. Lawmakers dragged their feet. No new laws for safer streets. Pedestrians and cyclists left exposed. The car stays king. The status quo kills. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

""Sometimes we can’t account for whether or not the trucks actually got down the block, or whether or not cars are obstructing them," Cunningham told Streetsblog. "That destroys our catch basins because they don’t get clean."" -- Brian Cunningham

The 2025 Albany legislative session ended June 25, with lawmakers failing to pass key street safety bills. The Streetsblog NYC report reads: "Our elected officials in Albany have failed the livable streets movement again." Despite support for measures like speed camera reauthorization, most bills to protect pedestrians and cyclists died in committee or never reached the floor. Assembly Member Amy Sohn and others criticized the lack of action. The only major win was extending the city’s speed camera program. A safety analyst notes: 'Failure to advance livable streets policies likely maintains the status quo, which typically prioritizes car-centric infrastructure and neglects the safety and needs of pedestrians and cyclists.' The session’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No progress. No protection.

• D-Minus! The Albany Report Card for 2025, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-25

Jun 21 - Two SUVs collided on Empire Boulevard. One passenger suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely. The street stayed loud and dangerous.

A crash involving two SUVs occurred on Empire Boulevard at Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. One passenger, a 50-year-old woman, sustained neck injuries. According to the police report, the collision was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely.' Both vehicles were traveling east when one SUV struck the other from behind. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The impact left one person hurt and others shaken, underscoring the risks faced by passengers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822777 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jun 19 - A speeding SUV opened its door into a passing motorcycle. The rider was ejected, face bloodied. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. Streets remain hostile. Metal meets flesh. Riders pay.

A station wagon/SUV struck a motorcycle on Winthrop Street near Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV's right side doors hit the motorcycle as it traveled straight ahead. The 26-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and suffered facial abrasions. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. Driver inattention and distraction are also noted. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, as recorded in the report. No pedestrians were involved. The crash left one person injured and exposed the ongoing danger for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823565 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jun 19 - A sedan struck a standing scooter on Albany Ave. The rider, ejected and hurt, wore a helmet. Police cite failure to yield. The driver held only a permit.

A sedan and a standing scooter collided on Albany Ave at E New York Ave in Brooklyn. The 18-year-old male scooter rider was ejected and injured across his entire body. He wore a helmet. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was a contributing factor. The sedan driver, a 34-year-old woman with a permit, was not reported injured. The crash highlights driver error as the cause. Helmet use is noted only for the injured scooter rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822533 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jun 19 - Streetsblog gathered street-safety leaders. They ranked mayoral candidates by their promises for safer streets. No council action. No new law. Just a sharp look at who stands with people, not cars. The city’s future rides on these choices.

On June 19, 2025, Streetsblog NYC published 'Streetsblog Celebrities Reveal Their Mayoral Rankings!' The article asked, 'Who did the legends of the livable streets movement rank for mayor?' and used a ranked-choice simulator to show results. No council bill, vote, or committee action took place. No council members were involved. Instead, advocates like Zohran Mamdani, Brad Lander, Zellnor Myrie, Adrienne Adams, Michael Blake, and Scott Stringer ranked candidates based on their records and promises for safer streets. Streetsblog made no endorsements. According to safety analysts, this event did not create any policy or legislative change for pedestrian or cyclist safety. It simply revealed which candidates street-safety advocates trust to protect vulnerable road users.

• Streetsblog Celebrities Reveal Their Mayoral Rankings!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-19