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

Mar 18 - A bicyclist was ejected and injured after colliding with a parked SUV on Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. The driver’s inattention caused the crash, leaving the cyclist with abrasions and upper arm injuries. The SUV showed no damage from the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Bay Parkway in Brooklyn at 16:23. A 30-year-old male bicyclist traveling south collided with a parked 2015 SUV. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver’s failure to maintain awareness. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions and upper arm injuries, classified as injury severity level 3. The SUV showed no damage, suggesting the impact was primarily against the bicyclist. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but no contributing factor was assigned to his behavior. The crash highlights the danger posed by distracted drivers even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799785 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 12 - A moped driver suffered severe leg injuries after a collision with a sedan making a left turn on 24 Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved failure to yield and unsafe speed, highlighting critical driver errors in a busy intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:45 AM on 24 Avenue in Brooklyn. The moped, traveling south with two occupants, was struck by a northbound sedan making a left turn. The moped driver, a 24-year-old male, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, emphasizing driver errors by the moped operator. Notably, the moped driver was unlicensed but wearing a helmet. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The impact occurred at the center front end of the moped and the right front quarter panel of the sedan. This collision underscores the dangers posed by unlicensed operation and failure to yield in Brooklyn's traffic environment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798102 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 12 - Council bill orders signs at every speed camera. Drivers will see warnings from all directions. Law aims for full sign coverage within a year. No mention of direct safety gains for people on foot or bike.

Int 1218-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 12, 2025, by Council Members Chris Banks (primary), Susan Zhuang, and Frank Morano. The bill reads: 'requiring the installation of signs indicating the presence of every speed camera.' If passed, the city must install signs near each speed camera, visible from all approaches, within a year. The bill was referred to committee on the day of introduction. There is no analyst note on its impact for vulnerable road users. The measure focuses on driver awareness, not direct protection for pedestrians or cyclists.

• File Int 1218-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-03-12

Mar 9 - Two SUVs smashed on Shore Parkway. Alcohol played a role. A woman driver suffered head trauma and whiplash. She was semiconscious. Both vehicles took heavy bumper damage. Systemic risk and driver error collided.

According to the police report, two SUVs crashed on Shore Parkway near Bay 38 Street. Both vehicles traveled west. The 2016 Jeep SUV struck the left rear bumper of a 2024 Honda SUV. The female Jeep driver, age 29, suffered head injuries and whiplash. She was semiconscious at the scene, restrained by a lap belt, and not ejected. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor, highlighting impaired driving. Both drivers held valid licenses. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The impact left both vehicles with significant bumper damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797242 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 8 - An SUV parked on 86th Street in Brooklyn struck by a northbound vehicle caused head injuries to the front passenger. Alcohol involvement by the driver contributed to the crash, leaving the passenger in shock with minor bleeding and serious head trauma.

According to the police report, a 2008 Dodge SUV was involved in a crash on 86th Street near Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn at 1:45 AM. The vehicle was initially parked before impact occurred at the left front bumper and center front end. The front passenger, a 40-year-old male, sustained head injuries with minor bleeding and was in shock. The report explicitly cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver impairment. The passenger was restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the systemic danger posed by impaired driving in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797206 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 8 - A driver out on bail smashed into a Toyota in Bushwick. The crash killed Hayden Wallace and injured three others. The driver fled, leaving chaos behind. Police tracked him for over a year. Charges stack up, but the loss remains.

NY Daily News (March 8, 2025) reports that Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested after a deadly hit-and-run in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Seabrook had been out on bail for a previous crash involving police. On January 8, 2024, he crashed into a Toyota, killing Hayden Wallace and injuring three others. Seabrook fled the scene, abandoning his vehicle. The article notes, "All accidents are useless but this one was even more useless because [Seabrook] had so many other offenses." Seabrook faces 23 charges, including manslaughter, leaving the scene, unlicensed driving, and speeding. The case highlights repeated driver offenses and questions about bail and enforcement. Police needed over a year to arrest Seabrook, who had a history of fleeing crashes and driving without a license.

• Repeat Offender Kills Passenger In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-08

Mar 4 - Two sedans collided head-on on Belt Parkway late at night. A 34-year-old male driver suffered a concussion and head injury. Police cited aggressive driving and passing too closely as contributing factors. The crash left one occupant injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:01 on Belt Parkway involving multiple sedans traveling east. The driver of a 2023 McLaren Artura sustained a head injury and concussion, classified as injury severity 3, while remaining conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly identifies 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors to the collision. Both vehicles involved had center front-end damage, indicating a direct impact. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing solely on driver errors. The injured party was not ejected and was the sole occupant of his vehicle. This crash underscores the dangers posed by aggressive driving behaviors on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796695 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 3 - A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. It struck a man crouched in the road. The driver fled. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. Police are still investigating. Brooklyn’s streets claim more lives. The toll grows.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was 'crouched in the street to pick up food' when the northbound truck turned right and hit him, according to NYPD officials. The driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene. No arrests have been made. The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The article notes this crash followed two other recent fatal collisions in Brooklyn. The incident underscores persistent dangers for pedestrians and ongoing issues with drivers leaving crash scenes. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace.

• Dump Truck Kills Pedestrian In Williamsburg, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-03

Mar 2 - A man sped through a stop sign in Brownsville. His Mercedes hit a school bus. His passenger died. He ran from the wreck in a taxi. Police found him later. The victim’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged.

NY Daily News reported on March 2, 2025, that Tyree Epps, 32, drove a Mercedes-Benz without a license, ran a stop sign on Van Sinderen Ave, and crashed into a school bus. The article states, “After the crash, Epps hopped in a taxi and took off, leaving his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, in the front seat suffering severe head trauma.” Epps faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, and unlicensed driving. The bus driver survived. The crash exposes ongoing risks from unlicensed, reckless drivers and the persistent danger at city intersections. The victim’s family is left to grieve and organize a funeral, while the intersection remains a site of loss.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Fatal Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-02

Mar 1 - A Kia slammed into a Toyota on Stockholm Street. Hayden Wallace, 29, died. Two friends survived with critical wounds. The driver fled. Police arrested Christopher Seabrook. The crash left a new life cut short, a city shaken.

According to the NY Daily News (published March 1, 2025), Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested for the hit-and-run crash that killed Hayden Wallace, 29, in Bushwick on January 8, 2024. Seabrook allegedly crashed a Kia Sportage into a Toyota Yaris carrying Wallace and friends, then fled the scene on foot. Wallace died; two others were critically injured. The Toyota’s driver was also charged with driving without a license. Seabrook faces charges including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene. The article quotes Wallace’s aunt: “He lived life to the fullest. He was only 29 years old and lit up every room he entered.” The case highlights the deadly consequences of reckless driving and fleeing crash scenes in New York City.

• Bushwick Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-01

Feb 28 - A drunk driver blasted through a red light at 72 mph. He struck Katherine Harris, killing her steps from home. The car crashed on. Blood alcohol twice the limit. The street became a crime scene. Lives shattered in seconds.

NY Daily News reported on February 28, 2025, that Erick Trujillo, 29, was sentenced to three to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. On April 16, 2023, Trujillo drove his Volvo at 72 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a red light at Atlantic Ave and Clinton Street in Brooklyn. He struck pedestrian Katherine Harris, 31, killing her instantly, then rear-ended another car and crashed into an outdoor dining shed. Trujillo's blood alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "This defendant made a disastrous decision when he got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated." The case highlights the lethal consequences of impaired driving and excessive speed, underscoring systemic risks for pedestrians in New York City.

• Drunk Driver Speeds, Kills Pedestrian in Brooklyn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-28

Feb 27 - Two sedans traveling straight collided at Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. The impact struck the right front areas of both vehicles. Both drivers and passengers sustained injuries including fractures and abrasions. Airbags deployed and seat belts were in use.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling straight ahead collided on Bay Parkway near Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn at 3:07 PM. The point of impact was the right front bumper of one sedan and the right front quarter panel of the other. Both vehicles were occupied by male drivers and passengers. The driver of the 2020 Ford sedan was conscious with head abrasions; his airbag deployed and he wore a lap belt and harness. The front passenger in the same vehicle suffered a fracture and dislocation to the elbow, lower arm, and hand, secured by a lap belt and harness. The report does not list specific driver errors or contributing factors, only unspecified factors for the passenger. The collision caused significant vehicle damage and multiple injuries without ejections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795294 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 26 - A sedan executing a U-turn struck a moped rider traveling straight on Bath Avenue in Brooklyn. The moped driver, helmeted and conscious, suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:40 on Bath Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan, traveling east and making a U-turn, collided with a moped traveling westbound. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper and the moped's center front end. The moped driver, a 27-year-old male occupant riding with a helmet, was injured with contusions and upper arm and shoulder injuries but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor attributed to the sedan driver. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the maneuver. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. Vehicle damage was consistent with the described impact points.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795136 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 18 - A moped traveling north struck an e-scooter making a left turn southbound on Avenue P in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver suffered a fractured elbow and hand injuries. Police cited driver inexperience and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:50 on Avenue P in Brooklyn. A moped traveling straight north collided head-on with an e-scooter making a left turn southbound. The e-scooter driver, a 35-year-old male, sustained serious injuries including a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the collision. Both vehicles sustained damage to their center front ends. The e-scooter driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not indicate any victim fault or helmet use. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in managing complex interactions between motorized personal vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793951 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 18 - SUV turned left at speed, struck cyclist riding straight. Cyclist hit, left bruised and battered in Brooklyn. Police cite unsafe speed. Impact tore into bike’s front, SUV’s side. System failed the vulnerable.

According to the police report, an SUV making a left turn collided with a southbound bicyclist near 1821 W 4 St in Brooklyn at 14:01. The SUV’s left side doors struck the bike’s front end. The cyclist, a 30-year-old man, suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. No cyclist errors were cited. The crash underscores driver error—unsafe speed during a left turn—leading to serious injury for a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793468 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 18 - A BMW X5 veered off Belt Parkway near Exit 14. The SUV struck a tree. Marcus Joseph, 41, died at the scene. No passengers. No bystanders hurt. The crash left only silence and wreckage on the Brooklyn road.

NY Daily News (2025-02-18) reports Marcus Joseph, 41, died after his BMW X5 spun out of control on the Belt Parkway near Exit 14 in Starrett City, Brooklyn. Police said the SUV 'skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.' Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The article does not mention weather or road conditions. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed corridors like the Belt Parkway, where loss of control can prove fatal. No charges were filed. The report underscores the persistent risks for all road users on New York City highways.

• BMW Skids, Slams Tree On Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 14 - A 61-year-old man driving west on Cropsey Avenue struck two parked sedans. The impact damaged the right front bumper of his vehicle and the rear panels of the parked cars. The driver suffered a neck contusion and bruising but remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:30 in Brooklyn on Cropsey Avenue. The driver, a 61-year-old male occupant of a 2001 Ford sedan, was traveling westbound when he collided with two parked sedans. The point of impact was the right front bumper of his vehicle, which struck the left rear bumper of one parked sedan and the right rear bumper of another. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated twice for emphasis. The driver was injured, sustaining a neck contusion and bruising, but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the parked vehicles or victim behavior, focusing solely on the driver's inattention as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792611 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 12 - A sedan traveling north struck an e-scooter heading west on Shore Parkway. The e-scooter driver was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The sedan’s right front quarter panel was damaged. Driver inattention caused the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Shore Parkway in Brooklyn involving a 2022 Toyota sedan and an e-scooter. The sedan was traveling north, and the e-scooter was moving west, both going straight ahead. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front quarter panel and the e-scooter’s center front end. The e-scooter driver, a 28-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the sedan driver’s failure to maintain focus led to the crash. No victim behaviors or helmet use were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793027 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 6 - A 44-year-old woman crossing Kings Hwy at a marked crosswalk was struck by a southbound sedan making a left turn. The vehicle passed too closely, hitting her right front quarter panel. She suffered knee and lower leg contusions but remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Kings Hwy near Van Sicklen St in Brooklyn at 8:15 AM. A 44-year-old female pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal when a southbound 2012 Ford sedan was making a left turn. The vehicle's contributing factor was 'Passing Too Closely,' cited twice in the report, indicating the driver failed to maintain safe distance from the pedestrian. The point of impact was the sedan's right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report highlights driver error in passing too closely as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19