Fort Hamilton Bleeds: One Death, 167 Hurt, Politicians Stall

Aug 4 - SUV chased by police crashed into sedan on Belt Parkway. Driver’s leg shattered. Unsafe speed fueled the wreck. Metal twisted. No pedestrians or cyclists hurt.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old man driving an SUV was injured when his vehicle struck the right rear quarter panel of a sedan on Belt Parkway during a police pursuit. The SUV driver suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles. No safety equipment was used by the injured driver. The impact left the SUV and sedan badly damaged, but only the SUV driver was reported hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651397 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - Sedan merged into motorcycle on Belt Parkway. Rider thrown. Leg and foot battered. Police cite improper passing and unsafe lane change. Helmet worn. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a sedan merged into a motorcycle on Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. The 29-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan struck the motorcycle's left front with its right front bumper. Police list driver errors as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Unsafe Lane Changing." The motorcyclist wore a helmet. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642934 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Jun 1 - 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 2023-06-01

May 31 - 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 2023-05-31

May 16 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

Apr 28 - Assembly Member Carroll rejects letting suburbs dodge the MTA payroll tax hike. He says all regions use transit, all must pay. Exempting suburbs would gut MTA funding. Carroll demands shared cost, warns against service cuts, and calls for real revenue.

Assembly Member Robert Carroll issued a legislative statement on April 28, 2023, urging equal cost-sharing for the MTA Payroll Mobility Tax (PMT) increase. The proposal, discussed in the Assembly, faces suburban resistance. Carroll’s statement, titled "When It Comes to Transit, Everyone Must Pay Their Fair Share," argues that exempting suburbs would cost the MTA $325 million and undermine regional transit. Carroll and NYC Assembly colleagues wrote to Speaker Heastie, demanding the PMT hike apply to both city and suburbs or, failing that, that new revenue go only to NYC Transit. Carroll said, "It is unwise and bad policy to abandon the principle of an integrated regional transportation system funded through cost sharing across the jurisdictions that benefit most from the MTA." He warns that letting only city businesses pay would be unfair and would threaten transit service. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the statement centers on funding the transit system that protects vulnerable road users.

• Assembly Member Carroll: When It Comes to Transit, Everyone Must Pay Their Fair Share, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-04-28

Apr 14 - A Yamaha motorcycle smashed into a Chevy SUV making a U-turn on Poly Place. The 21-year-old rider, helmeted but unlicensed, was thrown and killed. Improper turning and lane use by drivers led to the fatal crash. The SUV driver survived.

A violent collision unfolded on Poly Place near the VA hospital. According to the police report, a Yamaha motorcycle struck the left rear quarter panel of a Chevy SUV as the SUV made a U-turn. The 21-year-old motorcycle rider, who wore a helmet but was unlicensed, was thrown from his bike and killed. The SUV driver, a 54-year-old man, survived. Police listed 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The report notes the rider's helmet use only after citing driver errors. The impact shattered the rider's body. No pedestrians or other bystanders were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620581 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 5 - A sedan struck an object on 7 Avenue late at night. The 56-year-old male driver suffered a head contusion. Police cited alcohol involvement and driver distraction. The vehicle's front center bore the damage. The driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old male driver was injured in a crash on 7 Avenue at 10 p.m. The driver, who was the sole occupant of a 2010 sedan, sustained a head contusion but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists alcohol involvement and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The sedan was traveling south and impacted with its center front end, causing damage there. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The driver was licensed in New York. The crash highlights the dangers of impaired and distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4618590 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 4 - MTA’s Brooklyn bus overhaul draws fire. Riders and officials slam cuts to B48, fear lost connections. Seniors and disabled New Yorkers face longer walks. Community voices rise. The city’s promise of better service clashes with real, lived needs.

"You have so many people living here who are seniors. You have people with disabilities, you have people who just cannot tolerate the elimination of one stop." -- Alec Brook-Krasny

On April 4, 2023, Council Member Phara Souffrant Forrest and other Brooklyn officials voiced strong opposition to the MTA’s Brooklyn bus network redesign. The draft plan, released in December, proposes increased spacing between stops, route changes, and new 'Rush' service. Key changes include the elimination and rerouting of the B48, which officials say 'removes a vital connection between Western Crown Heights and Greenpoint without any adequate transit replacement.' Forrest and others argue these cuts threaten accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities. Community members warn that longer distances between stops will hit the most vulnerable hardest. The MTA claims the redesign will bring 'more reliable, frequent service with better connections,' but public feedback shows deep concern. The plan remains under review, with workshops ongoing and legal hurdles for new bus lanes due to budget and staffing woes.

• Brooklyn bus redesign proposal rankles some riders, amny.com, Published 2023-04-04

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 3 - South Brooklyn residents rallied in Coney Island. They slammed the MTA’s bus redesign plan. Protesters warned that cutting stops would strand seniors and people with disabilities. Council Member Justin Brannan led the charge, demanding the MTA keep vital service for vulnerable riders.

On March 2, 2023, Council Member Justin Brannan (District 47) joined southern Brooklyn residents at a public protest against the MTA’s proposed Brooklyn bus network redesign. The event, covered by brooklynpaper.com, centered on fears that eliminating bus stops would harm those with few transit options. The matter, titled 'Southern Brooklynites blast MTA’s proposed bus redesign at Coney Island protest,' drew attention to the impact on seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income riders. Brannan launched a petition urging the MTA to reconsider, stating, 'I'm going to make sure the MTA knows this plan won't fly with me.' The protest reflects deep concern that the redesign would cut lifelines for the city’s most vulnerable road users.

• Southern Brooklynites blast MTA’s proposed bus redesign at Coney Island protest, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-03-03

Feb 13 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Jan 24 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

Nov 25 - A sedan struck the right front bumper into an object on Belt Parkway. The front passenger, a 33-year-old woman, suffered a head abrasion. The driver was speeding. The passenger was restrained and conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 2018 Infiniti sedan traveling east on Belt Parkway crashed with impact on the right front bumper. The front passenger, a 33-year-old woman, was injured with a head abrasion but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The driver, a male with a learner's permit, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The passenger was not ejected and suffered moderate injury severity.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4584537 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 22 - Three sedans slammed together on Belt Parkway. Rear-end impacts left a 57-year-old woman bruised and hurt. Police cite following too closely. Metal crumpled. Airbags fired. No one thrown from cars.

According to the police report, three sedans traveling west on Belt Parkway crashed in a chain-reaction. All drivers were slowing or stopping when the collisions struck. A 57-year-old female driver suffered contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the cause. The vehicles took damage to their front and rear ends. The injured driver was conscious, restrained by a lap belt and harness, and protected by airbags. No one was ejected. The crash shows the danger when drivers fail to keep enough distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575849 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 29 - A Nissan SUV struck a Toyota sedan from behind on Belt Parkway. Four occupants, including two children, suffered upper arm and leg injuries. The SUV driver was following too closely. Airbags deployed. All victims conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a Nissan SUV traveling west on Belt Parkway rear-ended a Toyota sedan also heading west. The SUV was slowing or stopping, while the sedan was going straight ahead. The collision caused injuries to four occupants: two adults and two children, all conscious and restrained with airbags deployed. Injuries included contusions and abrasions to shoulders and legs. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance, causing the crash. No victims were ejected. The children were secured in child restraints. The crash damaged the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4532185 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 15 - Jeep SUV crashed into a parked convertible on Belt Parkway. Driver trapped, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cite unsafe speed. Airbag deployed. Metal twisted. Night shattered by impact.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV struck a parked convertible on Belt Parkway. The 43-year-old male SUV driver was trapped inside, conscious, and suffered injuries to his entire body, including whiplash. Police list unsafe speed as a contributing factor. The SUV's left rear quarter panel and the convertible's right front quarter panel were damaged. The driver used a lap belt and the airbag deployed. No other contributing factors or errors by other parties are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4503392 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19