Crash Count for Sunset Park (East)-Borough Park (West)
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 533
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 251
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 56
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 0
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 26, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Sunset Park (East)-Borough Park (West)?

No One Is Safe Until Streets Change

Sunset Park (East)-Borough Park (West): Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 17, 2025

The Toll in Plain Sight

The streets do not forgive. Since 2022, one person has died and 237 have been injured in traffic crashes in Sunset Park (East)-Borough Park (West). No one is spared: children, elders, workers, neighbors. In the last year alone, 63 people were hurt—none killed, but pain is not measured only in funerals. A 16-year-old girl, crossing with the light, was struck by a sedan. A 66-year-old man, walking with the signal, was hit by a turning car. The numbers do not flinch: most injuries come from cars and SUVs. The wounds are real. The silence is not safety.

The Human Cost

On July 2, a 27-year-old man was hit by a bus while crossing at 9th Avenue and 39th Street. He left with torn skin and shock, crossing with the signal. On May 2, a teenage girl was bruised by a sedan while walking with the right of way. The driver failed to yield. The street did not care. “It’s devastating. It’s affecting everyone in our family, especially (Ruiz’s) mom. Maddy was her only daughter,” said Ruiz’s sister-in-law. The grief does not fade. The tire marks remain.

Leadership: Action and Inaction

Local leaders have taken steps, but the pace is slow. Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes has co-sponsored bills to hold reckless drivers accountable and to daylight intersections with real barriers, not just paint. Council Member Alexa Avilés backs a ban on parking near crosswalks. But the carnage continues. Votes against speed cameras and safer school zones by others—like Assembly Member Lester Chang—leave the most vulnerable exposed. The city has the power to lower speed limits and redesign streets. The question is not what can be done, but why it is not done faster.

The Next Step Is Yours

Every crash is preventable. Every injury is a failure of will. Call your council member. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand real daylighting. Demand that every child, every elder, every neighbor can cross the street and come home. The blood on the asphalt is not an act of God. It is a choice. Make them choose safety.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Lester Chang
Assembly Member Lester Chang
District 49
District Office:
6904 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11228
Legislative Office:
Room 523, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Alexa Avilés
Council Member Alexa Avilés
District 38
District Office:
4417 4th Avenue, Ground Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11220
718-439-9012
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1746, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7387
Twitter: AlexaAviles
Sam Sutton
State Senator Sam Sutton
District 22
Other Geographies

Sunset Park (East)-Borough Park (West) Sunset Park (East)-Borough Park (West) sits in Brooklyn, Precinct 66, District 38, AD 49, SD 22, Brooklyn CB12.

See also
Boroughs
City Council Districts
Community Boards
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Sunset Park (East)-Borough Park (West)

Speeding Driver Kills Brooklyn Family Crossing

A driver sped through a red light on Ocean Parkway. She struck an Uber, flipped, then hit a mother and her three children in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died. The lone surviving son remains in critical condition.

According to the New York Post (2025-04-01), Miriam Yarimi drove her Audi at 50 mph—twice the speed limit—without a license, insurance, or registration. She ran a red light at Quentin Road and Ocean Parkway, striking an Uber and then a family lawfully crossing. Natasha Saada, 32, and her daughters Diana, 8, and Debra, 5, were killed. Only Saada’s son survived, hospitalized in critical condition. The article quotes survivor Mahbuba Ahmedova: “When I opened my eyes, I saw two kids were killed, and I thought they were my kids.” Yarimi faces three counts of manslaughter. The crash exposes the lethal risk of unchecked speeding and unlicensed driving on city streets.


Brooklyn Mother, Children Killed in Crosswalk Crash

A driver ran a red light on Ocean Parkway. She struck a mother and three children in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died. The youngest boy fights for life. Charges include manslaughter and reckless driving. Systemic failures linger.

NY Daily News reported on March 31, 2025, that Miriam Yarimi faces charges after fatally striking Natasha Saada and her three children in a Brooklyn crosswalk. Police say Yarimi 'careened into them' at Ocean Parkway and Quentin Road, running a red light and speeding. The mother and two daughters, ages 5 and 8, died at the hospital. The 4-year-old son remains in critical condition. Yarimi faces counts of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed driving. The article notes Yarimi's prior legal battles with the city and her involuntary psychiatric commitment after the crash. The case highlights ongoing risks at city intersections and the deadly consequences when drivers ignore signals and speed limits.


Suspended Driver Kills Family On Parkway

A mother and her two daughters died on Ocean Parkway. The driver, on a suspended license, crashed after colliding with another car. She had a long record of violations. The victims were leaving Shabbat services. Streets remain unforgiving.

According to the New York Post (March 30, 2025), Miriam Yarimi, 32, drove her Audi with a suspended license on Ocean Parkway in Gravesend. She collided with a Toyota Camry, then struck and killed a mother and her two daughters, ages 8 and 6, as they left Shabbat services. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed Yarimi's license status. The article reports Yarimi had 'over 93 traffic violations on WIGM8KER including 20 speeding tickets,' and a recent ticket for 'speeding through a school zone.' Yarimi was arrested at the scene, but charges were pending at publication. The case highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians and repeated failures to keep high-risk drivers off city streets.


Suspended Driver Kills Brooklyn Family

An Audi driver with a suspended license turned at a red. She struck a family crossing Ocean Parkway. A mother and two daughters died. Their son fights for life. Another family in a hit car suffered minor wounds. Streets remain unforgiving.

Gothamist reported on March 29, 2025, that a mother and her two daughters were killed when an Audi A3, driven by Miriam Yarimi, turned right on red and struck them in Midwood, Brooklyn. Police said Yarimi’s license was suspended. The car first hit a Toyota Camry, then continued forward, hitting the family in the crosswalk. The article quotes NYPD Commissioner Tisch: 'This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road.' Yarimi faces multiple charges, including manslaughter and aggravated unlicensed operation. The crash left a young boy in critical condition and injured another family. The incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed driving and the risks at busy intersections.


E-Bike Rider Runs Stop, Kills Man

Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker flew through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection is known for danger. Delivery speed and city policy collide.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after being struck by an e-bike delivery worker who "sped through a stop sign" at Franklin and India streets in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Witness Jack Collins said, "He died basically on the spot." The e-bike rider remained at the scene; no arrests were made as the investigation continued. The article notes that the intersection is a known trouble spot, with Collins stating, "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The report highlights systemic issues: delivery app pressures, lack of regulation, and a street design that encourages risky moves. City data shows e-bikes account for a small share of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues.


Chan Opposes Misguided Payroll Tax Hike Hurting Brooklyn Businesses

Albany weighs a payroll tax hike for big NYC employers to plug the MTA’s $35 billion gap. Steve Chan slams the move as a blow to city businesses. Closed-door talks continue. Transit riders wait. Streets stay dangerous. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.

""Democrats need to stop taxing our business community and everyday New Yorkers. It's completely out of touch with today's realities and a slap on the Brooklyn businesses struggling for survival in my district."" -- Steve Chan

State budget negotiations on March 20, 2025, centered on funding for the MTA. Lawmakers discussed raising the payroll mobility tax on large New York City employers. The measure aims to close a $35 billion hole in the MTA’s five-year capital plan, which covers subway and bus upgrades. The bill has no number yet and remains under negotiation. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, 'The discussion on revenue raisers is definitely going to have to be a part of the MTA.' Senator Steve Chan, District 17, criticized the tax hike, calling it 'a slap on the Brooklyn businesses struggling for survival in my district.' The talks also floated surcharges on for-hire vehicles and online deliveries. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The budget deadline looms. Riders and pedestrians see no promised relief.


Sedan Hits Pedestrian Crossing With Signal

A 66-year-old man was struck by a sedan making a left turn in Brooklyn. The impact caused head injuries and unconsciousness. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal but suffered serious trauma.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 41 Street and 8 Avenue in Brooklyn at 12:03 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2021 Toyota sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, made a left turn and struck him with the center front end of the vehicle. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and was unconscious, with a complaint of pain or nausea. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary contributing factor, but the primary fault lies with the driver's failure to yield. Vehicle damage was reported as none, highlighting the severity of the pedestrian's injuries despite minimal vehicle impact.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798780 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Int 1218-2025
Zhuang co-sponsors bill to require speed camera signs, reducing overall street safety.

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.


Repeat Offender Kills Passenger In Brooklyn Crash

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.


Dump Truck Kills Pedestrian in Williamsburg

A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. The driver hit a man crouched for food. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. The driver fled. Police are still searching. Brooklyn’s streets remain deadly for those on foot.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was kneeling in the street to pick up food when the truck, turning right, hit him. According to police, 'the driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene.' The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The article notes this was one of several fatal crashes in Brooklyn that week, highlighting persistent dangers for pedestrians. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene underscores ongoing issues with hit-and-runs and enforcement.


Unlicensed Driver Flees Fatal Brooklyn Crash

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.


Bushwick Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger

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.


BMW Skids, Slams Tree On Belt Parkway

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.


Moped Driver Ejected in Violent Brooklyn Crash

A moped driver was thrown from his vehicle on 9th Avenue. He suffered severe leg injuries and lost consciousness. The crash left the moped’s rear crushed. Impact was sudden, brutal, and unforgiving.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male moped driver was ejected and injured in a crash on 9 Avenue at 56 Street in Brooklyn at 18:25. The moped, traveling west, was struck in the right rear bumper by another vehicle’s right front bumper. The driver was found unconscious with serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report does not list any contributing factors or victim fault. The impact to the moped’s rear suggests the other driver failed to maintain control or distance. The moped driver was not wearing safety equipment, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The crash left the rider with severe trauma.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792625 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
A 5440
Mitaynes co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by holding vehicle owners liable.

Assembly bill A 5440 targets reckless drivers. It makes car owners pay when their vehicles run red lights. Cameras catch the lawbreakers. The aim: fewer crashes, safer streets for all.

Assembly bill A 5440 was introduced on February 14, 2025, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled "Imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York," seeks to hold vehicle owners accountable when their cars violate traffic signals, using camera enforcement. Assembly Member Steven Raga sponsors the bill, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Tony Simone, Yudelka Tapia, Karines Reyes, and Marcela Mitaynes as co-sponsors. No safety analyst note is available. The bill aims to curb dangerous driving and protect vulnerable road users by making owners answer for violations caught on camera.


Int 1160-2025
Avilés votes yes on pavement markings bill, boosting street safety citywide.

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.


Int 1160-2025
Brannan votes yes on pavement markings bill, boosting street safety citywide.

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.


Int 1160-2025
Zhuang votes yes on pavement markings bill, boosting street safety citywide.

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.


Elderly Woman Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue

A cargo van struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide in Brooklyn. Gil died. The driver turned left, hit them in the crosswalk. No charges filed. Gil survived war and disaster, but not New York traffic. Another senior lost to city streets.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. A man driving a cargo van made a left turn and struck Gil and her home health aide. The aide survived; Gil did not. Police made no arrests or charges. The article notes, 'She was a very active lady.' Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn that month. Transportation Alternatives highlighted that 46 senior pedestrians died in city crashes last year. The crash underscores the ongoing risk to older New Yorkers at crosswalks and the lack of driver accountability in such incidents.


SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing With Signal

A 63-year-old woman was injured crossing with the signal when an SUV making a right turn hit her. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered bruises and arm injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:52 in Brooklyn on 46th Street near 9th Avenue. A 63-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal when she was struck by a 2022 Honda SUV making a right turn. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The SUV showed no damage despite the center front end impact. The driver was licensed and traveling westbound. This collision highlights driver errors in yielding and attention, with no contributing fault attributed to the pedestrian.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787871 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04