No One Dead—Yet: Gravesend’s Streets Are Waiting for Blood

Jan 13 - Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

Dec 30 - Two sedans crashed on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. One vehicle overturned. A 19-year-old female passenger suffered a neck contusion. The crash involved driver inattention and inexperience. Both vehicles sustained front and overturned damage.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. The first vehicle, a 2017 Kia sedan merging westbound, struck the left front bumper of the second vehicle, a 2015 Jeep sedan traveling northbound, which overturned. A 19-year-old female passenger in the Jeep was injured, sustaining a neck contusion but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors to the crash. The Kia driver was distracted while merging, leading to the collision. The Jeep overturned from the impact. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594426 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 16 - Two SUVs crashed on Stillwell Avenue at night. One driver was making a left turn, the other stopped in traffic. The female driver suffered a head injury and incoherence. Both drivers were distracted. Impact was front-center on both vehicles.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Stillwell Avenue. One driver, a 37-year-old woman making a left turn, was injured with a head wound and incoherent after the crash. She was wearing a lap belt and harness. The other driver was stopped in traffic. Both drivers were cited for driver inattention or distraction. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The injured driver complained of pain and nausea. No ejections occurred. The crash involved two licensed New York drivers operating SUVs traveling north and south. Driver distraction was the primary contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590725 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 17 - Steel met steel on Stillwell Avenue. An SUV carved a wrong U-turn. The sedan’s side crumpled. A 27-year-old man bled from the head, dazed but alive. Another driver hurt, pain in his body. The street bore the mark of reckless turning.

A crash unfolded on Stillwell Avenue near Bay 46 Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, an SUV attempted a U-turn and struck a sedan. The report states: “A U-turn carved wrong. The SUV’s nose met the sedan’s flank. Steel folded.” Two men, ages 27 and 38, both drivers, suffered injuries. The 27-year-old bled from the head with severe lacerations; the 38-year-old complained of pain across his body. The police list 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes airbags deployed and seat belts used, but only after the impact. The crash highlights the danger of improper turning on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4582536 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 9 - A 34-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured in a collision with a sedan on 27 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver suffered shoulder and upper arm abrasions. Police cited failure to yield and unsafe speed as factors.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 27 Avenue in Brooklyn involving a sedan and an e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 34-year-old man, was injured with abrasions to his shoulder and upper arm but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. The sedan and e-scooter both sustained damage to their left front bumpers. The e-scooter driver was not using any safety equipment at the time. The driver errors identified focus on the failure to yield and unsafe speed, with no mention of victim fault or helmet use contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4571729 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 23 - Two SUVs crashed on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. Both drivers were men, one aged 77, injured with head trauma and shock. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. The impact damaged the right front bumper and left front quarter panel of the vehicles.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. One driver, a 77-year-old man, suffered head injuries and shock but was not ejected from his vehicle. Both drivers were licensed and traveling north when the crash occurred. One driver was making a left turn while the other was going straight ahead. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The collision damaged the right front bumper of one SUV and the left front quarter panel of the other. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4557914 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 18 - A 41-year-old man was struck while crossing Avenue V with the signal. The SUV driver made a right turn, hitting the pedestrian with the right front bumper. The man suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Avenue V at an intersection with the signal. The driver of a 2008 SUV, traveling east and making a right turn, struck the pedestrian with the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot and was reported to be in shock. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The pedestrian was not at fault and was crossing legally. The SUV sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4556930 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 22 - Two SUVs crashed on Bay 46 Street in Brooklyn. One driver turned left, the other went straight. Both distracted. A 43-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles damaged on front and rear quarters. No ejections reported.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Bay 46 Street near Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. One driver, a 43-year-old man, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The crash occurred when one SUV was making a left turn and the other was traveling straight northbound. Both drivers were cited for driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the turning vehicle and the left rear quarter panel of the straight-moving vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors beyond driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4548725 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 15 - A taxi making a left turn struck a southbound sedan on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. Two passengers in the sedan suffered serious injuries. Police cited unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on Ocean Parkway was making a left turn when it collided with a southbound sedan. The impact occurred at the center front end of the taxi and the left front bumper of the sedan. Two male passengers in the sedan, ages 18 and 22, were injured. One suffered a fractured hip and upper leg, while the other sustained internal head injuries and was unconscious. The report lists unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as driver errors contributing to the crash. Neither passenger was ejected or wearing safety equipment. The taxi driver was licensed and the sedan driver was also licensed in Pennsylvania.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4546812 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 11 - A sedan turned right on Ocean Parkway. It hit a 68-year-old woman riding her bike straight. She suffered a head contusion. The driver’s view was blocked. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet.

According to the police report, a 2021 sedan traveling southeast on Ocean Parkway made a right turn and struck a 68-year-old female bicyclist who was riding straight ahead. The impact hit the sedan’s right side doors and the bike’s front end. The bicyclist suffered a head contusion but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists "View Obstructed/Limited" as a contributing factor, showing the driver’s view was blocked before turning. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet. No other driver errors are listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4536408 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 21 - A Hyundai slammed into a Honda’s rear on Shore Parkway. Metal twisted. A one-year-old boy in the back seat screamed, hurt. The 20-year-old driver suffered crush wounds. Both survived. The road fell silent after the impact.

A Hyundai sedan struck a Honda sedan from behind on Shore Parkway. According to the police report, 'A Hyundai struck a Honda from behind. Metal folded. A 1-year-old boy in the back screamed through crush wounds. The 20-year-old driver was broken too. Both lived. Both hurt.' The one-year-old boy, riding in the back seat, suffered crush injuries. The 20-year-old driver of the Honda was also injured. Both were conscious after the crash. The police report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver error is specified in the data. Both injured parties were using lap belts and harnesses. The crash left the road quiet, the damage done.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4529754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 18 - A 22-year-old man driving a sedan on Mc Donald Avenue in Brooklyn suffered serious leg injuries. The vehicle struck an object with its right front bumper. Alcohol involvement was a contributing factor. The driver was conscious and restrained at the time.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male driver was injured in a crash on Mc Donald Avenue near Avenue X in Brooklyn. The sedan, traveling north, impacted with its right front bumper. The driver sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists alcohol involvement as the contributing factor. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. There is no mention of other vehicles or pedestrians involved. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead before the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4520178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 7 - SUVs slammed together on West Street. A 25-year-old driver took a blow to the head. Police flagged alcohol and traffic control disregard. Metal crumpled. The driver stayed conscious. No one was ejected.

According to the police report, multiple SUVs collided on West Street in Brooklyn. A 25-year-old male driver suffered head abrasions. He was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The crash centered on the front and back ends of the vehicles. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The driver wore a lap belt and harness. The report does not mention other errors or factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4517367 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 5 - A 10-year-old boy emerged from behind a parked car in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling east hit him in the head. The child suffered minor bleeding and shock. The driver continued straight, striking the pedestrian outside an intersection.

According to the police report, a 10-year-old male pedestrian was injured after emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle in Brooklyn. The sedan, driven by a licensed male driver traveling eastbound, struck the child with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained head injuries with minor bleeding and was in shock. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond the pedestrian's location and action. The crash occurred away from an intersection on 29 Murdock Court. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The driver was going straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4517092 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 14 - A 53-year-old woman was struck at an intersection on Avenue Y in Brooklyn. The SUV hit her on the right rear quarter panel. She suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver was licensed and traveling west.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old female pedestrian was injured at an intersection on Avenue Y near Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was struck by a 2013 Honda SUV traveling west, which impacted her on the right rear quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver was licensed and going straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond unspecified causes. The vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4510115 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 14 - A KIA reversed on Bay 50th Street. A 61-year-old man stood behind. Metal struck flesh. His arm crushed under the car. He stayed conscious, pain silent and sharp. The car showed no damage. The street held the weight.

A KIA sedan backed east on Bay 50th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the car struck a 61-year-old man standing behind it. The impact crushed his arm. He remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The driver, a 21-year-old man, was licensed and uninjured. The car showed no damage. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and suffered crush injuries to his lower arm. No driver errors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4511793 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 6 - A 15-year-old boy on a bike was struck by an SUV on West 17 Street. The impact hit the bike’s front and the SUV’s left side. The boy suffered bruises and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The driver failed to yield.

According to the police report, a 15-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a 2018 SUV traveling north on West 17 Street in Brooklyn. The SUV struck the bike on its left side doors while the bike hit the SUV’s center front end. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor to the crash. No helmet or other safety equipment was noted. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The crash highlights a failure by the driver to yield to the bicyclist, resulting in serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4508673 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 18 - A 53-year-old female bicyclist was injured on Avenue X in Brooklyn. The SUV merged improperly, striking the cyclist head-on. The rider suffered knee and lower leg bruises. The driver’s lane misuse caused the crash. Both vehicles had front-end impact.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old female bicyclist traveling east on Avenue X was struck by a westbound SUV merging improperly. The collision caused injuries to the cyclist’s knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in contusions and bruises. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the primary contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to merge safely. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected. The SUV showed no damage despite the impact. The driver was licensed and driving with a hands-free cell phone, but no other driver errors were noted. The cyclist’s safety equipment status is unknown. The crash highlights the dangers of improper lane changes involving vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4504884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 14 - Council Member Brannan pushes a bill to ban higher parking rates for SUVs. Critics warn it props up dangerous vehicles. The bill covers all light-duty cars under 8,500 pounds. Debate rages as advocates call for clarity and safety.

On February 14, 2022, Council Member Justin Brannan introduced a bill to the New York City Council. The bill would require commercial parking garages to charge the same rate for all light-duty vehicles under 8,500 pounds, including sedans, vans, SUVs, and pickups. Brannan claims the measure fights arbitrary price-gouging, saying, 'The idea is to make it fair for people who choose to drive.' Critics, like StreetsPAC's Eric McClure, argue the bill subsidizes SUV use and endangers city streets, stating, 'We shouldn’t be bending over backwards to further subsidize someone’s choice to drive an SUV or pickup truck in New York City.' Brannan admits the bill needs revision. The bill’s status and committee assignment remain unclear. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• Brooklyn Pol’s Bill Would Prohibit Higher Parking Costs for SUVs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-02-14

Jan 26 - A 77-year-old woman crossing Ocean Parkway was hit by a southbound SUV. The vehicle’s front center struck her knee and lower leg. She suffered fractures and dislocations. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian was conscious but injured.

According to the police report, a 77-year-old female pedestrian was crossing Ocean Parkway outside an intersection when she was struck by a southbound 2019 SUV. The impact occurred at the vehicle’s center front end, injuring the pedestrian’s knee, lower leg, and foot with fractures and dislocations. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The pedestrian was not at a crosswalk or signal. The crash caused center front-end damage to the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4497436 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18