The Blood Doesn’t Lie: Dyker Heights Demands Safer Streets Now

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - 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

Sep 15 - An e-bike struck a parked vehicle on Fort Hamilton Parkway, injuring the 46-year-old male rider. The crash caused abrasions and lower leg injuries. Police cite other vehicular factors contributing to the impact and damage to both vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn around 2:55 p.m. The e-bike, traveling north, collided with a parked vehicle also facing north. The point of impact was the e-bike's right front quarter panel and the parked vehicle's left side doors. The bicyclist, a 46-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor, indicating driver or vehicle-related errors beyond the bicyclist's control. The parked vehicle was unoccupied at the time. No driver license issues or victim fault were noted. This crash highlights risks posed by vehicle interactions and parked cars on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755908 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 12 - A white SUV struck a 74-year-old man in a Bay Ridge crosswalk. The driver did not slow down. The victim flew through the air. He died at the hospital. The driver fled. Senator Gounardes called for prosecution and safer streets.

On September 12, 2024, State Senator Andrew Gounardes (District 26) responded to a fatal hit-and-run in Bay Ridge. Surveillance video shows a white SUV slamming into Segundo Reina-Gaon, 74, at Ridge Boulevard and Bay Ridge Avenue. The driver did not slow down and fled the scene. Gounardes wrote, 'Awful news to wake up to this morning in Bay Ridge. The video is hard to watch. The driver doesn’t appear to even slow down. This driver needs to be apprehended and prosecuted. And we will continue to work with DOT to make this intersection – and Ridge Boulevard – safer.' Gounardes supports stronger enforcement and street redesign to protect pedestrians. The crash underscores the deadly risk to vulnerable road users at dangerous intersections.

• Brutal video shows SUV plow into 74-year-old, send him flying in fatal hit-and-run crash, nypost.com, Published 2024-09-12

Sep 12 - A white SUV struck and killed a 74-year-old man in a Bay Ridge crosswalk. The driver fled. Council Member Justin Brannan called out the violence. Police search for answers. Grief and anger grip the neighborhood. The victim’s family mourns. Justice remains elusive.

On September 12, 2024, Council Member Justin Brannan (District 47) responded to a deadly hit-and-run in Bay Ridge. The incident, reported by brooklynpaper.com, saw a 74-year-old pedestrian killed while crossing Ridge Boulevard at Bay Ridge Avenue. The matter, titled 'Police seek driver of white SUV after 74-year-old killed in Bay Ridge hit-and-run,' details how the driver fled, leaving the victim and several damaged vehicles behind. Brannan posted: 'This is not the news any of us wanted to wake up to today. One of our neighbors was killed by a driver in a white SUV last night. The driver took off, and all of it was captured on video.' State Senator Andrew Gounardes also voiced outrage and concern. Both officials pledged to support the investigation and seek justice for the victim. No safety analyst assessment was provided for this event.

• Police seek driver of white SUV after 74-year-old killed in Bay Ridge hit-and-run, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-09-12

Sep 12 - A white SUV struck Segundo Reina-Gaon, 74, in a Brooklyn crosswalk. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed Reina-Gaon to the hospital. He died. Police set up a checkpoint. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes had raised safety concerns at this spot days before.

On September 12, 2024, a fatal hit-and-run occurred in Council District 26. Segundo Reina-Gaon, 74, was killed crossing Ridge Blvd. near Bay Ridge Ave. The incident happened just a block from where State Senator Andrew Gounardes met with Department of Transportation officials to discuss safety issues earlier that week. Gounardes responded, 'Devastated to wake up to the news that a Bay Ridge neighbor was killed by an SUV in a hit-and-run last night. Just two days ago I was discussing safety concerns one block from here with DOT.' The NYPD set up a checkpoint at the crash site, stopping vehicles and checking IDs. The matter underscores the deadly risk to pedestrians and the urgent need for systemic change. Gounardes supports pedestrian safety improvements and enforcement against hit-and-run drivers.

• SUV collides with 74-year-old man on Brooklyn crosswalk in fatal hit-and-run, nydailynews.com, Published 2024-09-12

Aug 29 - A sedan making a left turn struck a 27-year-old woman riding an e-scooter northbound on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider suffered a head contusion and bruising but was conscious and not ejected. Improper lane usage by the sedan caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn at midnight. A 2017 Infiniti sedan, traveling north and making a left turn, collided with a northbound e-scooter rider. The e-scooter driver, a 27-year-old woman, was riding without safety equipment and sustained a head contusion and bruising. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to yield or properly navigate the lane during the turn. The e-scooter sustained no damage, and the rider was conscious and not ejected. The sedan's left front bumper was damaged at the point of impact. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior, focusing on the sedan driver's lane usage error as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751852 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 24 - A speeding sedan slammed into parked cars on 67th Street. The driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Impact crushed front and rear ends. Police cite unsafe speed and passing too closely. No pedestrians or cyclists hurt.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 67th Street in Brooklyn struck several parked sedans at 8:00 AM. The 37-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash, but remained conscious and restrained. The crash damaged the front and rear ends of at least four sedans. Police list 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors, both driver errors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes the injured person was the driver and does not list any victim actions as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750252 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 15 - 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

Aug 11 - Two sedans crashed at the intersection of 65 Street and 7 Avenue in Brooklyn. Both drivers disregarded traffic control, causing a violent impact. One driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash, highlighting critical driver errors and distraction.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:45 AM on 65 Street near 7 Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans collided, one traveling north and the other west. Both drivers were cited for 'Traffic Control Disregarded,' indicating failure to obey traffic signals or signs. The northbound BMW struck the right side doors of the westbound Toyota. The BMW driver, a 36-year-old male with a permit license, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report also notes 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the injured driver. Neither occupant was ejected. This crash underscores the dangers of ignoring traffic controls and driver distraction, which directly led to the collision and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746947 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - Atlantic Avenue gets a lifeline. New mid-block crossings, concrete islands, and curb extensions aim to slow cars and protect people. Local leaders call it overdue. For years, crashes haunted this corridor. Now, the city moves to put people before traffic.

On July 26, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced major street safety upgrades for Atlantic Avenue in District 33. The project, led by NYC DOT, brings mid-block crossings, concrete pedestrian islands, curb enhancements, and split-phase signals to one of Brooklyn’s deadliest corridors. The matter, titled 'Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor,' highlights years of advocacy after repeated crashes. Restler, who has long pushed for these changes, praised the progress: 'Atlantic Avenue has been extremely dangerous my whole life. I'm excited by the progress we're making in partnership with DOT to expand mid-block crossings and other smart interventions to slow down cars and advance safety in our community.' The announcement follows a deadly crash last spring and is part of the city’s Vision Zero push. Local officials and advocates say these changes mark a crucial step in ending the street’s legacy of danger and death.

• Atlantic Avenue upgrade: Locals celebrate major safety fixes coming to dangerous corridor, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-07-26

Jul 21 - A 69-year-old cyclist hit a parked sedan on 81 Street. He was thrown from his bike. He suffered bruises to his hip and leg. The sedan’s left doors crumpled. No driver errors listed. The street stayed silent.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on 81 Street in Brooklyn collided with the left side doors of a parked sedan at 15:15. The impact partially ejected the cyclist, causing contusions and bruises to his hip and upper leg. The report classifies his injuries as severity level 3. The sedan was stationary before the crash, and no driver actions or violations are cited. The police report lists unspecified contributing factors for the bicyclist. The cyclist wore a helmet, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. The sedan’s left side doors were damaged. No other injuries or vehicle damage were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742790 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 19 - Council Speaker Adams wavers on using new power to lower speed limits. She calls for district input. Advocates warn: patchwork rules endanger lives. Uniform 20 mph limit saves people. Council delays action as streets stay deadly.

On July 19, 2024, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams addressed the Council’s authority under Sammy’s Law, which lets New York City lower its speed limit. The matter, discussed in Streetsblog, quotes Adams: “Each Council member is going to have to weigh in on how they feel it should be enacted or should not be enacted in their district.” Adams hesitated to commit to a citywide 20 mph limit, instead suggesting community-by-community decisions. Eric McClure of StreetsPAC called this approach “chaotic and dangerous,” pushing for a uniform 20 mph limit to save lives. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives urged a comprehensive, data-driven plan. State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Brad Hoylman-Sigal pressed the Council to use its new powers. The Department of Transportation clarified its limited authority. The Council’s delay leaves vulnerable road users at risk.

• Speaker Adams: Council May Not Use its ‘Sammy’s Law’ Power to Lower Speed Limits, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-19

Jul 18 - A pedestrian crossing 12 Avenue at a marked crosswalk was struck by an SUV traveling north. The victim suffered injuries to her lower leg and foot, enduring shock and pain. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:35 on 12 Avenue in Brooklyn. A female pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal when she was hit by a northbound SUV. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The SUV showed no damage and was traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior. The collision highlights critical driver errors in yielding and attentiveness at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744660 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - A 73-year-old man suffered head injuries and shock after an SUV struck him while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal but was hit at a non-intersection location. The impact caused abrasions and serious injury.

According to the police report, a 73-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2020 Ford SUV, traveling northeast on 13 Avenue in Brooklyn, made a left turn and struck him. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal but was located at a non-intersection point. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV, which sustained damage in the same area. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and was in shock, with abrasions noted. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the driver's action of making a left turn as central to the collision. There is no indication of pedestrian error or fault. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739510 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 8 - A 6-year-old girl was struck by an SUV in Brooklyn. The driver failed to yield. The child suffered back abrasions but stayed conscious. The crash happened at Fort Hamilton Parkway and 67 Street.

According to the police report, a 6-year-old girl was hit by a northbound SUV at the intersection of Fort Hamilton Parkway and 67 Street in Brooklyn at 7:55 AM. The child, a pedestrian, suffered abrasions to her back and remained conscious after the impact. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the driver’s error. The SUV struck her with its center front end. No vehicle damage was reported. The injury was classified as moderate. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738765 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 7 - A sport utility vehicle struck a sedan from behind on 65 Street. The front passenger in the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash was caused by the SUV following too closely, resulting in a violent rear-end collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:57 AM on 65 Street when a sport utility vehicle traveling east struck a sedan from behind. The SUV's driver was cited for "Following Too Closely," a critical contributing factor in the collision. The sedan's front passenger, a 50-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, described as injury severity level 3. She was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness at the time. The SUV sustained damage to its left rear bumper, while the sedan's right front bumper was impacted. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead before the crash. The report highlights driver error in maintaining unsafe following distance as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738453 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 2 - A 13-year-old girl riding an e-bike was ejected and suffered a serious head injury. The crash occurred in Brooklyn at Bay Ridge Parkway. Police cite driver inexperience and lack of license as key factors in the violent impact and concussion.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old female e-bike driver was injured and ejected from her vehicle at Bay Ridge Parkway in Brooklyn. The report states the driver was unlicensed and inexperienced, contributing directly to the crash. The e-bike, traveling west and going straight ahead, sustained damage to the center front end. The young rider suffered a concussion and head injury, was semiconscious, and was not wearing any safety equipment. Driver inexperience is explicitly listed as a contributing factor, highlighting systemic risks tied to unlicensed operation and lack of training. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737701 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 28 - A 17-year-old bicyclist suffered facial abrasions after a collision with an SUV in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, starting from parking, hit the cyclist head-on. Driver inattention was cited as a key factor in the crash that left the teen injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 65 Street near 9 Avenue in Brooklyn around 18:20. A 2023 SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, was starting from parking when it struck a 17-year-old male bicyclist traveling westbound. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist, who was wearing a helmet, sustained facial abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for the SUV driver. The bicyclist's helmet use is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The collision highlights the dangers posed by inattentive drivers to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - A northbound SUV starting from parking struck a southbound box truck going straight on 64 Street. The impact hit the SUV’s front center and the truck’s left rear quarter panel. A female passenger suffered injuries amid driver distraction.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 64 Street in Brooklyn at 13:40. A 2009 SUV driven by a licensed male driver was starting from parking, traveling north, when it collided with a 2017 box truck traveling south. The point of impact was the SUV’s center front end and the truck’s left rear quarter panel. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. A 32-year-old female occupant in the SUV, seated as a right rear passenger and secured with a lap belt and harness, was injured and experienced shock. The report does not indicate any fault or contributing behavior by the passenger. Vehicle damage was noted on both vehicles, highlighting the force of the collision. Driver errors, specifically inattention and distraction, were central to this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733793 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19