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

May 7 - An SUV making a left turn collided head-on with a moped traveling straight. The moped driver was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries. Police cite driver inexperience and failure to yield as key factors in the Brooklyn crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 86 Street near Bay 34 Street in Brooklyn at 1:00 PM. A 23-year-old male moped driver was traveling eastbound when a 2004 Honda SUV, traveling southbound and making a left turn, struck the moped head-on at the center front end. The moped driver was ejected from his vehicle and sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the collision. The moped driver was not wearing any safety equipment. No other occupants were in the SUV. The crash highlights critical driver errors leading to severe injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727816 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 4 - Two sedans slammed together on Belt Parkway. Both drivers hurt. One left unconscious. Unsafe speed and reckless lane change fueled the wreck. Metal twisted. Lives changed in seconds.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Belt Parkway collided. Both drivers were injured; one was left unconscious with internal injuries. A front passenger suffered arm contusions. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors for both drivers. Both vehicles sustained severe front-end damage. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The collision underscores the deadly risk of driver error on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723404 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 29 - Two sport utility vehicles collided on Bay Parkway in Brooklyn. The impact struck the right front quarter panel of one SUV and the left front bumper of the other. A 32-year-old female driver suffered whiplash and whole-body injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:41 AM on Bay Parkway near 81 Street in Brooklyn. Two SUVs, both Mazda models from 2023 and 2024, traveling east and north respectively, collided. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the eastbound SUV and the left front bumper of the northbound SUV. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs by one or both drivers. A 32-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining whiplash and injuries to her entire body. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision caused damage to the right side doors of one vehicle and the center front end of the other.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - Two sport utility vehicles crashed on Avenue T in Brooklyn. The driver of one SUV suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The collision involved a rear-end impact. Both vehicles were registered in New York. The injured driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Avenue T near West 7 Street in Brooklyn around 1 p.m. The crash involved a 2006 Toyota SUV and a 2023 Hyundai SUV traveling north. The Hyundai was stopped in traffic before the collision, which occurred at the right rear bumper. The driver of the Hyundai, a 48-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious. He was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact and resulting injury highlight the dangers of rear-end collisions even at seemingly low speeds.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719027 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 15 - A northbound bus collided with a parked sedan on Avenue T in Brooklyn. The sedan’s female driver suffered facial abrasions but was conscious and not ejected. The bus impacted the sedan’s left side doors, causing injuries to the driver.

According to the police report, at 15:21 in Brooklyn on Avenue T, a northbound bus traveling straight ahead struck a parked northbound sedan on its left side doors. The sedan’s 23-year-old female driver, who was conscious and not ejected, sustained facial abrasions classified as injury severity 3. The bus’s right front bumper was the point of impact. The sedan was stationary before the collision, while the bus was in motion. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver but does not specify driver errors for the bus. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision highlights the systemic danger posed by moving large vehicles impacting parked cars, with injuries to vehicle occupants resulting from the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718099 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 15 - A 32-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered full-body contusions after colliding with a parked sedan in Brooklyn. The sedan sustained damage to its left side doors. The bicyclist was conscious but injured severely in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn near 86th Street at 13:42. A 32-year-old male bicyclist traveling west collided with a 2019 Toyota sedan that was parked. The point of impact was the sedan's left side doors and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions and bruises over his entire body, classified as injury severity level 3. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash and was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan driver was licensed and the vehicle was registered in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the bicyclist but does not cite any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The collision highlights the dangers posed to vulnerable road users by parked vehicles and the impact forces involved in side collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717705 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 10 - An 87-year-old woman lost consciousness while reversing her Toyota on West 10th Street. Ejected from the car, her chest crushed, she died alone in the driver’s seat. The vehicle showed no damage. Only silence remained.

According to the police report, an 87-year-old woman was backing her 2013 Toyota sedan on West 10th Street at 14:57 when she lost consciousness. The report states she was not using any safety equipment and was ejected from the vehicle, suffering fatal chest injuries. The narrative notes, 'She died alone in the driver’s seat.' The sedan bore 'no scars,' indicating no reported vehicle damage. The police report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as the primary contributing factor. No other vehicles or people were involved, and no victim behavior is cited as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the systemic dangers when drivers lose control of vehicles, even at low speeds and in routine maneuvers like backing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716250 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 9 - A sedan struck an 82-year-old woman in Brooklyn. She suffered an eye injury and bruises. The driver failed to yield and sped. The crash left the pedestrian hurt and conscious. Impact hit the car’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, a 2013 Toyota sedan traveling south on Shore Parkway in Brooklyn struck an 82-year-old female pedestrian. The impact was at the vehicle’s left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered an eye injury and contusions, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious. The report lists the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and alone in the car. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time of the crash. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumper. Driver errors—failure to yield and unsafe speed—caused harm to the vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715919 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 6 - Two SUVs collided head-on and rear-end on 86th Street. The female driver of the struck vehicle suffered a fractured shoulder. Police cite aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling westbound at impact.

According to the police report, two SUVs traveling westbound on 86th Street collided in a sequence involving a rear-end and front-end impact. The female driver of the struck SUV, age 62, sustained a fractured and dislocated upper arm injury but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies aggressive driving and road rage as the primary contributing factors to the crash. The struck vehicle was impacted at the center back end, while the striking vehicle hit with its center front end. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The collision caused significant vehicle damage, including to the right rear bumper of the struck vehicle and the front end of the striking vehicle. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715189 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 19 - Council wants bold signs at every school entrance. Paint on pavement. Metal overhead. The aim: warn drivers, shield kids. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait. Danger does not.

Bill Int 0714-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 19, 2024. The bill reads: 'installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, Riley, and Feliz. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to paint and hang school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The goal: alert drivers to children and pedestrians. The bill awaits further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Mar 9 - A 73-year-old man crossing Stillwell Avenue with the signal was struck by a left-turning vehicle. The impact injured his knee and lower leg, causing abrasions. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, according to the police report.

At 11:00 on Stillwell Avenue, a 73-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a vehicle making a left turn struck him. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The vehicle's point of impact was the left front bumper, damaging the left front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity level of 3. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor attributed to the driver. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The driver’s failure to yield during the left turn created a hazardous situation, resulting in the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708173 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Feb 29 - A sedan struck a 64-year-old man crossing West 12 Street at Avenue U. The impact left the pedestrian with injuries to his entire body. No driver errors listed. The victim stayed conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 64-year-old male pedestrian was hit by a 2016 Mercedes sedan while crossing a marked crosswalk at West 12 Street and Avenue U in Brooklyn at 18:10. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his entire body but remained conscious. The sedan, driven by a licensed male, was traveling north and struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal, which is noted in the report but not listed as a contributing factor. Vehicle damage was limited to the center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706147 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 29 - Two SUVs crashed on Mc Donald Avenue. A woman suffered neck injuries and shock. Broken traffic signals failed both drivers. Metal twisted. No one else was hurt.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at 12:04 PM on Mc Donald Avenue near Avenue S in Brooklyn. Both vehicles were going straight when they struck each other at the front. The report lists 'Traffic Control Device Improper/Non-Working' as the main contributing factor for both drivers. The 42-year-old woman driving the Honda suffered neck injuries and shock. She was properly restrained. No other driver errors or victim actions are noted. The crash highlights the danger of failed traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706231 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 28 - Council bill pushes DOT to let schools, centers, and institutions use streets outside their doors. More people, less traffic. Streets shift from cars to community. Still in committee.

Int 0450-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since February 28, 2024. The bill orders DOT to create a program letting community centers, schools, arts, and religious institutions use adjacent outdoor spaces. The matter title reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to establish a program to allow community centers, schools, arts and cultural institutions and religious institutions to use adjacent outdoor spaces.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Stevens, Restler, Won, and others. The bill has not yet passed. If enacted, it could reclaim space from cars, giving it to people. No formal safety analysis yet, but the measure could mean safer, more vibrant streets for all.

• File Int 0450-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 26 - An 18-year-old pedestrian crossing with the signal was struck on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver, traveling south, failed to pay attention, hitting the pedestrian’s face and causing bruising. The victim remained conscious despite the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:10 AM on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. An 18-year-old male pedestrian was crossing at an intersection with the signal when a vehicle traveling south struck him on the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruising to the face and remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor, indicating the driver failed to maintain focus on the road. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were specified. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705292 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 25 - Two SUVs collided on Bay Parkway. Both women behind the wheel suffered abdomen and pelvis injuries. Shock set in. The crash came from failure to yield and tailgating. Metal twisted. No one walked away unscathed.

According to the police report, two SUVs crashed at 8655 Bay Parkway in Brooklyn at 17:10. Both drivers, women aged 33 and 44, were injured in the abdomen and pelvis and were in shock. The 2024 BMW SUV was changing lanes while the 2015 BMW SUV went straight. The vehicles struck at their front quarter panels. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way and following too closely as driver errors. Both drivers were licensed and used lap belts and harnesses. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705157 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 23 - A 29-year-old woman crossing Benson Avenue with the signal was hit. She suffered knee and leg injuries. No driver errors listed. The street remains dangerous for those on foot.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Benson Avenue at Bay 34 Street in Brooklyn at 7:30 p.m. She was in the intersection and crossing with the signal when she was struck. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report does not specify the vehicle type or any driver actions. No contributing factors or driver errors are listed in the data. No mention of safety equipment is made. The incident highlights the risks pedestrians face, even when following traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 22 - A 74-year-old bicyclist suffered a hip and upper leg injury after a sedan hit him on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was partially ejected and bruised. Police cite the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:30 AM on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. A 74-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained a hip and upper leg injury, described as contusions and bruises. The bicyclist was conscious at the scene. The sedan, driven by a licensed male driver traveling north, struck the bicyclist on the right front quarter panel, causing damage to the sedan's right front bumper and the bike's center front end. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, identifying the sedan driver’s error. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were noted. The focus remains on the driver’s failure to yield, which led to the collision and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704422 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 17 - A sedan and SUV slammed together on Avenue P. Both drivers hurt. Police blame failed traffic control. Metal twisted. Shock set in. System failed. No victim at fault.

According to the police report, a sedan and an SUV collided on Avenue P in Brooklyn. Both male drivers, ages 35 and 65, were injured. The 35-year-old suffered whiplash and neck pain. The 65-year-old had injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and complained of pain and nausea. Both drivers wore lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Device Improper/Non-Working' as the main contributing factor for both drivers. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The impact points were the sedan's right front and the SUV's center front. The crash highlights a failure in traffic management, not driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703252 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19