Gravesend Bleeds: Four Dead, Hundreds Hurt, and Still No Safe Streets

Jun 10 - A taxi struck a bicyclist traveling west on West 6 Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause. The bicyclist wore a helmet and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on Avenue T collided with a bicyclist going straight west on West 6 Street. The bicyclist was ejected from the bike and sustained injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in contusions and bruises. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the taxi operator. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and remained conscious after the impact. The point of impact was the taxi's left front bumper and the bike's center front end. The crash occurred near zip code 11223 in Brooklyn's 43rd council district.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636538 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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

May 16 - SUV hit e-bike on Shore Parkway. Two teens thrown from bike. One unconscious, one with broken leg. Police cite driver inattention, distraction, and traffic control disregard.

According to the police report, an SUV making a right turn collided with an eastbound e-bike carrying three teens at 1752 Shore Parkway in Brooklyn. Two riders, ages 15 and 16, were ejected. The 16-year-old passenger was found unconscious with shoulder and arm injuries. The 15-year-old driver suffered fractures to the knee, lower leg, and foot. Police list driver inattention, distraction, and traffic control disregarded as contributing factors. Neither teen wore safety equipment. The crash caused front-end damage to both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4629488 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 14 - A Mercedes SUV hit a 20-year-old cyclist head-on at Avenue P and West 8th Street. The crash crushed his leg and burned his skin. Blood stained the street. Sirens cut the night. The driver failed to yield. The cyclist lay broken.

A 20-year-old cyclist was struck head-on by a southbound Mercedes SUV at Avenue P and West 8th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a crushed leg and severe burns. The report states, "The driver failed to yield." Driver errors listed include 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s errors. The cyclist was left in shock and bleeding on the pavement. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628819 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 14 - A sedan hit a bike carrying two kids on West 10 Street. Both children suffered abrasions. The driver failed to yield. The bike was undamaged. The crash left young riders hurt and exposed.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on West 10 Street struck a bike carrying two children, ages 7 and 11, heading west. Both children were injured: the older suffered abrasions to the shoulder and upper arm, the younger to the face. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor for the sedan driver. The bike showed no damage. Both children were conscious and not ejected. The crash underscores the risk to vulnerable road users when drivers fail to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628909 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 11 - Two SUVs crashed at 86th Street in Brooklyn. The impact hit the right rear quarter panel of one vehicle and the right front bumper of the other. A 58-year-old female driver suffered a head injury and shock. Driver distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided at the intersection near 2600 86th Street in Brooklyn. The crash occurred when one SUV traveling south struck another SUV traveling west. The point of impact was the right rear quarter panel of the southbound vehicle and the right front bumper of the westbound vehicle. A 58-year-old female driver, an occupant in one SUV, sustained a head injury and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision caused damage to both vehicles but no ejections occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628071 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 8 - Two sedans crashed head-on on Avenue P. Three occupants suffered neck contusions. Drivers and a passenger were conscious but injured. The crash involved rear-end impact and driver distraction. All wore seat belts. Injuries were moderate but serious.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling westbound on Avenue P collided with center back and front end impacts. Three occupants were injured: a 72-year-old male driver, a 31-year-old female driver, and a 68-year-old female front passenger. All suffered neck contusions and bruises and remained conscious. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor for the female driver and passenger. The male driver’s contributing factors were unspecified. All occupants used lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The crash caused moderate injuries but no fatalities.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4627860 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 1 - A 26-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries after colliding with a parked SUV on Kings Highway in Brooklyn. The impact struck the bike’s front center and the SUV’s right rear quarter panel. Driver distraction was a factor.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old female bicyclist traveling east on Kings Highway collided with a parked SUV. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained head injuries, including contusions and bruises. The collision impacted the bike’s center front end and the SUV’s right rear quarter panel. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. Both vehicles were stationary or moving straight ahead prior to the crash. No other contributing factors were specified. The incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving around vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4625199 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 21 - Two sedans crashed on Bay Parkway. One driver made an improper turn. The other went straight. The impact hit the right front bumper of one car and the left front of the other. A 26-year-old driver suffered a head contusion and bruises.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Bay Parkway when one driver was making a U-turn and turned improperly. The other driver was traveling straight. The crash caused damage to the right front quarter panel of the turning vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. A 26-year-old male driver was injured with a head contusion and bruises but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and operating vehicles registered in New York. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4622423 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 21 - A 74-year-old male bicyclist suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation after colliding with a sedan on McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected. The crash involved driver inattention or distraction.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn involving a northbound bicyclist and a southbound sedan. The 74-year-old male bicyclist sustained a fractured and dislocated upper arm but remained conscious and was not ejected from his bike. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor to the crash. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The impact occurred at the center front end of the bike and the left front quarter panel of the sedan. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4623088 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - Two sedans slammed together on Cropsey Avenue. One driver had no license. Unsafe speed and traffic control ignored. A 61-year-old woman in the front seat took the hit. Whiplash. Whole body pain.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Cropsey Avenue. One driver was unlicensed and heading west; the other was licensed and moving north. The crash struck the right front bumper of one car and the left front bumper of the other. A 61-year-old female passenger in the front middle seat was injured, suffering whiplash and injuries to her entire body. The report lists unsafe speed and traffic control disregarded as contributing factors. The unlicensed status of one driver is noted. The passenger wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4621698 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 10 - A sedan making a right turn struck a 67-year-old female bicyclist going straight on 86 Street near Stillwell Avenue. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered a head injury. Police cited unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 86 Street was making a right turn when it collided with a bicyclist also traveling east. The bicyclist, a 67-year-old woman, was partially ejected and sustained a head injury, resulting in complaints of pain and nausea. The report lists unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The sedan showed no damage, indicating the impact was on the bike's right front bumper. The bicyclist was in shock and injured but no information on helmet use was provided. The crash highlights driver errors in yielding and speed control at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4619668 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 5 - Two SUVs smashed on 23 Avenue in Brooklyn. A young passenger took the blow—knee and leg battered. Police blame driver distraction. Metal twisted. Pain followed.

According to the police report, a 2022 Volkswagen SUV heading west on 23 Avenue was struck on its right side by a 2006 Ford SUV making a right turn southbound from 80 Street. The crash injured a 20-year-old male passenger in the Volkswagen. He suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The point of impact was the right side doors of the Volkswagen and the center front end of the Ford. Both drivers were licensed. The passenger was restrained and not ejected. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4618405 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 13 - A 19-year-old male bicyclist was struck by a sedan traveling west on 86 Street near Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. The impact hit the bike’s front center and the car’s right front quarter panel. The cyclist suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries.

According to the police report, a sedan and a bicycle collided while both were traveling west on 86 Street near Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 19-year-old male, sustained serious injuries including a fractured knee, lower leg, and foot. The point of impact was the bike’s center front end and the sedan’s right front quarter panel. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The sedan driver was licensed and driving straight ahead. No helmet or signaling issues were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4613520 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 6 - A 10-year-old boy was struck by a southbound sedan on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. The child suffered a hip and upper leg contusion. The driver’s vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian was crossing outside an intersection without a signal.

According to the police report, a 10-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2019 Acura sedan traveling south on Stillwell Avenue struck him with the vehicle's left front bumper. The child sustained a contusion to his hip and upper leg and was conscious after the collision. The pedestrian was crossing the street outside of an intersection and not using a crosswalk or signal. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian and no contributing factors for the driver. The sedan showed no damage, and the driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610800 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 25 - An SUV turning right struck two pedestrians crossing with the signal on 23 Avenue. Both suffered injuries—one to the head, the other to the lower leg. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. Victims were left in shock and pain.

According to the police report, a 2011 Honda SUV, traveling west and making a right turn on 23 Avenue, failed to yield right-of-way to two pedestrians crossing with the signal. The driver’s inattention and distraction contributed to the crash. The victims, a 74-year-old man and a 90-year-old woman, were injured—he with knee and lower leg wounds, she with head trauma. Both suffered shock and complaints of pain. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No vehicle damage was noted. The pedestrians were not at fault and were crossing lawfully.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609664 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 16 - A sedan made a right turn on West 4 Street in Brooklyn. Two pedestrians, a 7-year-old boy and a 41-year-old woman, were crossing with the signal. Both suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver was inattentive and distracted at impact.

According to the police report, a 2012 Honda sedan traveling north on West 4 Street made a right turn and struck two pedestrians at the intersection. Both victims, a 7-year-old boy and a 41-year-old woman, were crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. They sustained injuries to their knees, lower legs, and feet, and were in shock. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606384 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 14 - A 46-year-old man on a bike was struck on Benson Avenue in Brooklyn. He suffered bruises and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV involved showed no damage. No driver errors were listed in the report.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a 2023 SUV on Benson Avenue in Brooklyn. The bicyclist suffered contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors for either party. The SUV showed no damage, and the bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The bicyclist was riding straight ahead at the time of the crash. No ejection occurred. The report does not indicate any failure to yield, speeding, or other driver mistakes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605789 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 14 - A 42-year-old man was struck while crossing Bay Parkway with the signal. The driver, making a right turn, showed inexperience. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. The SUV showed no damage despite the impact.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male pedestrian was injured at an intersection on Bay Parkway while crossing with the signal. The driver, a licensed male operating a 2020 Dodge SUV, was making a right turn when the collision occurred. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious after the crash. The vehicle struck the pedestrian with its center front end but showed no damage. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605645 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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