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

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 2025-11-04

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 2025-11-04

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 2025-11-04

Jan 26 - A 74-year-old woman suffered bruises and leg injuries after a sedan struck her while she was getting on or off a vehicle. The driver’s inattention caused the impact, leaving the pedestrian injured but conscious on Shore Parkway in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, a 74-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2022 Toyota sedan traveling east on Shore Parkway struck her on the right rear quarter panel. The pedestrian was getting on or off a vehicle other than a school bus at the time of the collision. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The sedan showed no vehicle damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. No pedestrian errors or contributing factors were noted in the report. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving to vulnerable road users in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788270 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 26 - A cargo van turned left on Cropsey Avenue. It struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide. Gil died. The aide survived. No charges for the driver. Another senior lost to city traffic. The street remains dangerous for the old and frail.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn with her home health aide. According to the NYPD, 'a man driving a cargo van struck both of them while making a left turn.' Gil died from her injuries; her aide was hospitalized. Police did not arrest or charge the driver. The article notes that Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn this year, and cites Transportation Alternatives: '46 senior pedestrians were killed in car crashes across the city last year.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk seniors face on city streets, especially at intersections where turning vehicles endanger those crossing on foot.

• Elderly Woman Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-01-26

Jan 24 - A Ford SUV swung left at Cropsey and 24th. Its bumper struck a 95-year-old woman’s head. She fell, blood pooling on cold pavement. She died in the street, winter sky above, another life ended by steel and speed.

At the intersection of Cropsey Avenue and 24th Avenue, a Ford SUV making a left turn struck a 95-year-old woman, according to the police report. The vehicle’s left front bumper hit the woman’s head, causing her to fall and suffer severe bleeding. She died at the scene. The police report notes the SUV was making a left turn when the impact occurred, and describes the pedestrian as being at the intersection. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are explicitly cited, but the narrative details the SUV’s movement and the fatal contact. The victim’s actions are described only as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' with no indication of contributing behavior. The focus remains on the lethal outcome of a turning vehicle meeting a vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788054 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 23 - Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 1 - An 18-year-old pedestrian suffered upper arm injuries after an SUV made a left turn and struck her at an intersection. The driver’s inattention and disregard for traffic control led to the collision despite the pedestrian crossing lawfully.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Dahill Road near Avenue P in Brooklyn at 3:20 AM. The involved vehicle, a 2016 Honda SUV, was making a left turn when it struck an 18-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and upper arm injury and was in shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The SUV’s point of impact was the center front end, and no vehicle damage was reported. The driver’s failure to observe traffic controls and maintain attention directly caused the collision, underscoring systemic dangers posed by distracted driving at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783938 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 1 - A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01