Bay Ridge Bleeds—City Shrugs. Demand Action Before Another Family Mourns.

A 78-year-old man was struck by a BMW sedan while crossing 3 Avenue with the signal in Brooklyn. The driver was making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his lower leg and foot. Pavement was slippery.

According to the police report, a 78-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 3 Avenue and 73 Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2019 BMW sedan, driven by a male driver making a left turn, struck him with the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as a contributing factor to the crash. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were specified. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision and suffered serious lower limb injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661424 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

MTA promised faster R trains in Brooklyn. Riders waited up to 16 minutes. Senator Gounardes called out the agency for misleading the public. Track work on another line delayed improvements. Riders left stranded. Trust broken. Transparency demanded.

On September 7, 2023, the MTA faced backlash for failing to deliver on its pledge of eight-minute weekday headways for the R train in southern Brooklyn. The issue, reported by State Senator Andrew Gounardes, surfaced after riders complained of waits as long as 16 minutes. The MTA had announced service upgrades, but later changed its press release, citing F line track work as the cause for delay—work unrelated to the R train. Gounardes, who fought for MTA funding in Albany, accused the agency of misrepresenting the improvements, saying, 'I’m shocked and frustrated that the MTA would misrepresent these service upgrades to the riding public.' Transit advocates like Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance echoed calls for honesty: 'Public transit shouldn’t be a rollercoaster of mismatched expectations.' The incident has strained relations between the MTA and its legislative supporters, highlighting the need for transparency and reliability in transit service.

• MTA ‘Bungles’ Increased R Train Service Promise, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-07

A 28-year-old woman was struck at a Brooklyn intersection. The sedan, making a left turn, hit her on the left front quarter panel. She suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and showed inexperience.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing with the signal at an intersection in Brooklyn. The driver of a 2021 Honda sedan was making a left turn when the vehicle struck the pedestrian on the left front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle westbound. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing factors. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4660104 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Two sedans collided on 86 Street in Brooklyn. One driver made a left turn into the path of an oncoming sedan. The left rear passenger of the turning vehicle suffered a hip and upper leg injury. Both vehicles sustained right-side damage.

According to the police report, a 2013 Ford sedan was making a left turn on 86 Street when it collided with a 2021 Toyota sedan traveling straight westbound. The impact struck the right side doors of the turning vehicle and the right front bumper of the oncoming vehicle. The left rear passenger in the turning sedan, a 54-year-old woman, was injured with contusions and bruises to her hip and upper leg. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but notes the turning vehicle's pre-crash action as making a left turn and the other vehicle going straight ahead. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657179 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Pickup truck turned left and struck a 13-year-old on a bike. The boy suffered leg injuries and abrasions. Police cite driver for following too closely and unsafe speed. The street saw pain, not mercy.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old boy riding a bike was hit by a 2019 Chevrolet pickup truck making a left turn on Bay Ridge Parkway in Brooklyn. The boy was injured in his knee, lower leg, and foot, and suffered abrasions. The report lists the driver’s errors as following too closely and unsafe speed. The pickup truck had no damage, but the bike’s front end was struck and damaged. The boy was conscious and not ejected. No safety equipment was noted. The driver was licensed in Georgia. The crash shows the danger when drivers fail to keep distance and control speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657136 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

E-scooter slammed head-on into a vehicle on Bay Ridge Avenue. Rider, 22, suffered arm abrasions. Police cite traffic control disregarded. No damage to vehicles. Brooklyn street, broad daylight, danger clear.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male e-scooter driver traveling north on Bay Ridge Avenue collided head-on with a vehicle going east on 4th Avenue. The rider was conscious but suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor. The e-scooter driver wore a helmet. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The crash underscores the risk when traffic control is ignored, leaving vulnerable road users injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656080 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A speeding driver ran a red light on Atlantic Avenue, killing an 18-year-old passenger and injuring three others. The crash happened outside Trader Joe’s in Cobble Hill. Council Member Lincoln Restler called for urgent safety fixes. Atlantic Avenue remains deadly. No changes yet.

"We can’t fix Atlantic Ave fast enough, and we need a hell of a lot more accountability for drivers who speed and run red lights." -- Andrew Gounardes

On August 18, 2023, a speeding driver in a Mercedes ran a red light at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring three others. This stretch of Atlantic Avenue is notorious for deadly crashes. Council Member Lincoln Restler responded, stating, “Our community is unified in demanding immediate changes to dramatically slow down traffic, improve safety at intersections, and install new mid block crossings.” The incident marks the second fatal crash on this corridor in 2023. Despite calls from Restler and other local officials for mid-block crossings and traffic calming after previous deaths, the city has not acted. The bill or action is a public statement, not legislation, but it highlights urgent demands for redesign and enforcement to protect vulnerable road users. No safety improvements have been implemented yet.

• Speeding Driver Runs Red Light and Kills 18-Year-Old on Deadly Atlantic Avenue Speedway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-18

A reckless driver ran a red light on Atlantic Avenue. He killed an 18-year-old passenger and injured four others. Council Member Lincoln Restler called the strip deadly. He demanded urgent safety fixes. Another life lost. The street remains a threat.

On August 18, 2023, Council Member Lincoln Restler (District 33) responded to a fatal crash at Atlantic Avenue and Court Street. An 18-year-old woman died after a driver sped through a red light and struck another car. Restler stated, 'This is one of the most dangerous strips in Brooklyn & we need safety improvements on Atlantic Ave NOW.' He called for immediate action: slower traffic, mid-block crossings, and better protections for all. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes echoed the demand for accountability and urgent fixes. No council bill is attached, but Restler’s public statement highlights the deadly pattern on Atlantic Avenue and the urgent need for systemic change to protect vulnerable road users.

• Cops cuff driver after Brooklyn crash kills 18-year-old woman: NYPD, amny.com, Published 2023-08-18

A 22-year-old female driver made a left turn on 65 Street. Her SUV struck a westbound sedan head-on on the right side. Three occupants suffered whiplash and bruises. The crash left right doors damaged and injuries to neck and body.

According to the police report, a 2022 SUV driven by a 22-year-old woman was making a left turn on 65 Street when it collided with a westbound 2017 sedan. The point of impact was the right side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. Three occupants were injured: the SUV driver, a 42-year-old front passenger, and an 18-year-old right rear passenger. Injuries included whiplash and contusions. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor for the 18-year-old passenger, indicating a driver error during the turn. No other contributing factors were specified. All occupants were conscious and not ejected. Vehicle damage was concentrated on the right side doors of the SUV and the front end of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652078 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Senate bill S 7621 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets trigger mandatory speed control tech. Sponsors push to curb repeat danger. No votes yet. Streets stay tense.

Senate bill S 7621, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed August 2, 2023, it 'relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill forces drivers with eleven points in eighteen months, or six speed/red light camera tickets in a year, to install speed-limiting devices. No safety analyst note yet. The measure aims to cut repeat speeding and protect those outside the car.

• File S 7621, Open States, Published 2023-08-02

State Sen. Gounardes and Assembly Member Gallagher push a bill to force repeat speeders to install limiters. The tech would cap speed, targeting drivers with six or more tickets. Advocates say it could cut deaths. Reckless drivers face real consequences.

On August 2, 2023, State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher announced new legislation targeting recidivist reckless drivers. The bill, introduced in the New York State Legislature, would require drivers with at least six speeding tickets in a single year, or 11 points in 18 months, to install speed limiter devices in their vehicles. The matter summary states: "We are going to literally force you to slow down by requiring you to install a speed limiter on your car." Gounardes led the announcement at the Atlantic Avenue intersection where a driver killed Katherine Harris. Gallagher, co-sponsor, said, "Cars and trucks can act as weapons when used recklessly." The bill aims to bypass bureaucratic hurdles and act automatically, modeled after ignition interlock devices for drunk drivers. Advocates and city officials joined the call, citing data that speed limiters can reduce traffic deaths by 37 percent. The bill targets the most dangerous drivers, seeking to end impunity for repeat offenders.

• In-Car Tech Would Force NYC’s Worst Drivers to Slow Down Under New Proposal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-02

Lawmakers push a bill to force speed-limiting devices on repeat reckless drivers. The measure targets those with a record of speeding and red-light violations. It aims to slow down the worst offenders and curb the rising toll of traffic deaths.

On August 1, 2023, lawmakers introduced a bill requiring speed-limiting devices for repeat reckless drivers. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher, targets drivers with six or more automated speed or red light tickets, or eleven license points in 18 months. The measure would force these drivers to install devices that cap speed at five miles per hour above the limit. Gounardes said, 'There is a persistent cohort of drivers... driving on our streets recklessly without any consequences.' The bill was unveiled at the site of a fatal pedestrian crash in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, which mandates safety courses for repeat offenders, has faced criticism for weak enforcement. This new bill seeks to close those gaps and directly slow down the most dangerous drivers on city streets.

• State lawmakers unveil bill to put speed limiting devices in reckless drivers’ cars, amny.com, Published 2023-08-01

A sedan hit an e-bike turning left on 4 Avenue. Both e-bike riders suffered leg injuries. Police cite traffic control disregarded and improper turn by the e-bike driver. The sedan’s front end was damaged.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 4 Avenue collided with an e-bike making a left turn at Bay Ridge Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike carried two people: a 41-year-old male driver and a 40-year-old female passenger. Both suffered knee, lower leg, and foot injuries; the passenger had a fracture and dislocation. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Turning Improperly' as driver errors by the e-bike operator. Neither e-bike occupant wore safety equipment. The sedan, driven by a licensed male, sustained center front-end damage. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649541 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A sedan turning left hit a bicyclist going straight on 86 Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist, 34, suffered a head abrasion but was conscious. The driver’s view was obstructed, and traffic control was disregarded. The bike rider wore no helmet.

According to the police report, a 2021 sedan traveling north on 86 Street made a left turn and collided with a bicyclist traveling east. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old man, sustained a head abrasion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, indicating driver error in failing to yield or properly observe traffic controls. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. The impact occurred at the sedan’s center front end and the bike’s right side doors. The cyclist was not ejected from the bike. The crash highlights dangers from obstructed views and ignored traffic signals in Brooklyn’s 86 Street corridor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648896 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

New York stands firm on congestion pricing. New Jersey sues. Assemblymember Carroll calls the suit a stunt. Officials defend the plan’s review. The fight is sharp. Streets remain dangerous. Vulnerable road users wait for real change.

On July 21, 2023, Assemblymember Robert Carroll (District 44) responded to New Jersey’s lawsuit against New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, titled “New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,” saw Carroll label the suit a 'stunt' and accuse Governor Murphy of ignoring environmental and quality-of-life concerns. State Senator Andrew Gounardes called the lawsuit a cynical move to control New York’s roads. MTA officials, including John McCarthy, defended the environmental review, citing extensive outreach and public hearings. The bill’s status is an official response to legal challenge, not a council vote or committee action. No direct safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided. The debate underscores the ongoing struggle to make streets safer for those outside cars.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-07-21

New York leaders stand firm on congestion pricing. They dismiss New Jersey’s lawsuit as political theater. Officials say the environmental review was thorough. The MTA promises mitigation for affected communities. The fight centers on who controls city streets and who pays the price.

On July 21, 2023, New York officials responded to a lawsuit from New Jersey over congestion pricing. The matter, titled 'New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues,' saw Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assemblymember Robert Carroll defend the plan. Gounardes called the suit 'a cynical attempt' by New Jersey to interfere. Carroll labeled it 'a stunt.' MTA spokesperson John McCarthy said the environmental assessment 'covered every conceivable potential traffic, air quality, social and economic effect.' The MTA also pledged mitigation for environmental justice communities. The bill’s status is active, with strong support from New York’s leadership and ongoing opposition from New Jersey.

• New York Doubles Down on Congestion Pricing After New Jersey Sues, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-21

An e-bike tore through Shore Road. The rider struck a woman, ripping her leg. A teenage girl on the bike hit her head. Blood pooled. The driver did not see. The street fell silent. Two injured. Distraction and failure to yield led to pain.

A 34-year-old woman walking on Shore Road near 83rd Street in Brooklyn was struck by an e-bike. She suffered severe lacerations to her leg. A 17-year-old girl riding on the e-bike also sustained a serious head injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' were listed as contributing factors. The e-bike, traveling north, hit the pedestrian with its left front bumper. The report notes blood on the pavement and a silent street after the crash. No helmet or signal use was cited as a factor. The crash left two people hurt, both victims of driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646986 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Brooklyn officials demand equal tolls on all Manhattan crossings. They warn free bridges funnel traffic into certain neighborhoods. Their letter calls for fairness. The MTA stays silent. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will decide. Streets hang in the balance.

On July 18, 2023, Council Member Shahana Hanif and other Brooklyn officials called for 'equalized tolling on all crossings into Manhattan' as congestion pricing nears. Their letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board states: 'No one community should disproportionately bear the burden of the cars and trucks passing through their neighborhood.' Hanif, along with Lincoln Restler, Alexa Avilés, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Crystal Hudson, joined borough, state, and federal colleagues in this push. They propose a credit system to balance costs between DOT bridges and MTA tunnels, aiming to protect neighborhoods like the Brooklyn waterfront and the BQE corridor from traffic surges. The MTA declined comment. The Board will soon set final toll rates and rules. The federal government has approved the congestion pricing plan, with tolls for cars expected between $9 and $23. Over 100 exemption requests, including from taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers, are under review.

• Pols call for ‘equalized tolling’ on all crossings into Manhattan under congestion pricing on eve of board deliberations, amny.com, Published 2023-07-18

A 9-year-old boy was struck by an SUV on Battery Avenue in Brooklyn. The child suffered bruises and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The driver was going straight north when the collision occurred at the vehicle’s right front quarter panel.

According to the police report, a 9-year-old pedestrian was injured after being hit by a 2015 Mazda SUV traveling north on Battery Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact occurred at the vehicle’s right front quarter panel. The child sustained contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, and remained conscious. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was performing other actions in the roadway at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646378 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 59-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured in Brooklyn. The SUV hit the scooter’s front as both traveled straight. The rider suffered knee and lower leg fractures. Police cited traffic control disregard by the driver. No ejection occurred.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 66 Street in Brooklyn involving a 59-year-old male e-scooter driver and a Nissan SUV. The e-scooter was traveling south, and the SUV was traveling west. The point of impact was the e-scooter’s center front end and the SUV’s right rear quarter panel. The e-scooter driver sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs by the driver. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646014 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09