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

Nov 13 - Two sedans traveling east on Belt Parkway collided head-on at 9:39 p.m. Both drivers suffered injuries, including whiplash and full-body trauma. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling eastbound on Belt Parkway collided at 21:39. Both vehicles impacted with their right front bumpers. The female driver of a 2023 Mazda was injured with whiplash and full-body trauma but was conscious and not ejected. Airbags deployed in her vehicle. The male driver of a 2020 BMW was also involved. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for both drivers. There were no other contributing factors noted, and no victim behaviors were cited. Both drivers were licensed in New York. Vehicle damage was minimal, with no damage reported despite the collision. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771221 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 13 - A sedan making a left turn struck a 46-year-old male pedestrian outside an intersection in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries with bruising. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the victim injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a 2021 Toyota sedan traveling north on McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn was making a left turn at 5:50 AM when the driver, distracted and inattentive, struck a 46-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian was outside an intersection and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle's point of impact was the left front bumper, and notably, the vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No pedestrian actions or safety equipment were listed as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772425 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 2 - Three sedans collided on Bay 48 St in Brooklyn. A 78-year-old driver suffered back injuries. Rear-end impacts sent him to the hospital. No pedestrians or cyclists involved. Night, metal, pain.

According to the police report, three sedans collided westbound on Bay 48 St near Shore Parkway in Brooklyn at 10:54 PM. The first car stopped in traffic. The second sedan struck its rear. The third sedan hit the second car's rear. A 78-year-old male driver in the second sedan was injured, suffering a back contusion and bruising. He remained conscious and wore a lap belt. The report lists unspecified contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash shows classic chain-reaction rear-end impacts, with damage to the center front and back ends of the vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 19 - Two sedans collided on Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn at 1:45 a.m. The driver of one vehicle suffered head injuries and shock. Both vehicles sustained damage to their right front bumpers. The crash left one driver injured and in pain.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn at 1:45 a.m. Two sedans traveling straight ahead collided, each impacting the other's right front bumper. The driver of the New York-registered Dodge sedan, a 40-year-old man, was injured with head trauma and experienced shock. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the driver, but no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited. The South Carolina-registered Nissan sedan was unoccupied at the time. Both vehicles sustained damage to their right front bumpers. The report does not indicate any pedestrian or cyclist involvement or victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764735 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 5 - A sedan making a left turn struck a moped traveling west on Avenue Z in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, distracted and following too closely, caused a collision that injured the sedan driver’s arm. Both vehicles suffered front-end damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Avenue Z in Brooklyn around 12:10 PM. A sedan was making a left turn when it collided with a moped traveling straight westbound. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured, sustaining contusions and bruises to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites driver errors including 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' by the sedan driver. The moped driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front quarter panel and the moped’s center front end, indicating the collision occurred during the sedan’s turn. The sedan driver was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. No contributing factors related to the moped driver or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762312 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 24 - A distracted driver making a right turn struck a parked pickup truck in Brooklyn. The SUV’s left front bumper hit the truck’s right rear quarter panel. The driver suffered chest injuries and shock, with unsafe speed and inattention cited as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:26 in Brooklyn near Bay 49 Street. A 41-year-old male driver operating a 2011 SUV was making a right turn when he collided with a parked 2010 pickup truck. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper against the truck's right rear quarter panel. The driver was injured, sustaining chest trauma and experiencing shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. Both vehicles were occupied by a single licensed male driver. The driver was restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and unsafe speed, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 4 - A 71-year-old man crossing a marked crosswalk was struck by a sedan traveling east on West Street. The pedestrian suffered a hip and upper leg injury. The driver’s inexperience and distraction led to the collision at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk on West Street at 7:23 AM. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal when a 2018 Ford sedan traveling east struck him on the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruising to his hip and upper leg. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision occurred at an intersection, emphasizing the dangers posed by driver errors in urban environments. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754195 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 29 - A taxi struck the right rear quarter of a northbound sedan on Avenue Z in Brooklyn. The sedan’s right rear passenger suffered whiplash and whole-body injuries. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, at 8:15 AM on Avenue Z in Brooklyn, a taxi traveling east collided with the right rear quarter panel of a northbound sedan. The sedan carried a single occupant driver and a right rear passenger, a 54-year-old woman who sustained whiplash and injuries to her entire body. The passenger was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report identifies "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers held valid licenses, with the taxi driver licensed in Pennsylvania and the sedan driver licensed in New York. The impact point and vehicle damage confirm the taxi struck the sedan from the side and rear. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in multi-vehicle crashes involving vulnerable passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752793 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 27 - A pickup truck backing up collided with a parked sedan on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. The sedan’s driver suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Police cited driver inattention and distraction, with the pickup driver unlicensed at the time of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:05 on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. A pickup truck was backing up when it struck a parked sedan. The sedan’s driver, a 48-year-old man, was injured with a fractured elbow and dislocation, remaining conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. Additionally, the pickup truck driver was unlicensed, compounding the risk. The point of impact was the center back end of the pickup and the right front bumper of the sedan. The collision highlights systemic danger caused by driver errors, specifically backing maneuvers without proper attention and unlicensed operation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755077 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 21 - Two sedans collided on Belt Parkway when one vehicle followed too closely and struck the rear of the other. The driver of the struck vehicle suffered a neck injury and was reported in shock. Both drivers were licensed and traveling westbound.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway at 20:03 involving two sedans traveling westbound. The rear vehicle, a 2021 BMW, was stopped in traffic when it was struck from behind by a 2006 Acura going straight ahead. The primary contributing factor was 'Following Too Closely,' indicating driver error by the trailing vehicle. The driver of the front sedan, a 33-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained a neck injury and was in shock. The impact point was the center back end of the front vehicle and the center front end of the rear vehicle. Both drivers held valid licenses from New York and Florida. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers of close following distances on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749778 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Jul 26 - A 26-year-old male bicyclist riding south on Bay 50 Street was injured and rendered unconscious with a head injury. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet. The crash involved no other vehicles but caused serious internal injuries.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male bicyclist was traveling southbound on Bay 50 Street near Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn at 2:00 AM when the crash occurred. The cyclist was the sole vehicle involved and was not ejected but suffered a serious head injury and internal injuries, resulting in unconsciousness. The report notes the bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment, specifically no helmet. The contributing factors are listed as unspecified, and no driver errors or other vehicles were cited. The impact point and vehicle damage are categorized as 'Other,' indicating an atypical collision circumstance. The report focuses on the cyclist's injury severity and lack of helmet use but does not attribute fault to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745091 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 17 - A 10-year-old boy suffered head injuries after a sedan struck him at a marked crosswalk on Avenue X in Brooklyn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, hitting the pedestrian with the vehicle’s center front end. The child was conscious and bruised.

According to the police report, at 18:18 on Avenue X in Brooklyn, a sedan traveling north struck a 10-year-old pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The sedan’s center front end was the point of impact, indicating the vehicle directly hit the pedestrian. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead prior to the collision. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report. This crash highlights the critical danger posed by drivers not yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741543 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 8 - Two vehicles collided head-on on Avenue Z in Brooklyn, injuring a 70-year-old male driver. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash. The impact left the SUV and sedan damaged, and the elderly driver suffered a bruised arm but remained conscious.

According to the police report, at 10:14 AM on Avenue Z in Brooklyn, a collision occurred involving a 2023 SUV and a 2022 sedan. Both drivers were traveling straight ahead when the crash happened. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor for both drivers. The 70-year-old male driver of the SUV was injured, sustaining contusions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, but was not ejected and remained conscious. He was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the right front bumper of the SUV, indicating a frontal collision. The police report explicitly identifies driver distraction as the cause, with no contributing factors related to the injured occupant's behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738903 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 24 - New Yorkers packed the MTA Board meeting. They slammed the Governor’s pause on congestion pricing. The move guts $15 billion from transit upgrades. Projects for elevators and ramps stall. Disabled riders, seniors, and veterans lose out. Politicians split. Riders left stranded.

On June 24, 2024, the MTA Board heard public testimony and political debate on the fallout from Governor Hochul’s indefinite pause of congestion pricing, which was set to begin June 30. The meeting focused on the loss of funding for transit accessibility. The matter, described as 'New Yorkers decry loss of congestion pricing money for accessible transit to MTA Board,' drew sharp criticism from disability advocates and riders. State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, representing District 23, praised the Governor’s pause, calling congestion pricing 'the wrong plan for my constituents.' The pause leaves a $15 billion hole in the MTA’s capital budget, halting upgrades like elevators and ramps at dozens of stations. Advocates warned that without this funding, disabled New Yorkers, seniors, and veterans remain shut out of the subway. The MTA faces a federal mandate to make 95% of stations accessible by 2055, but these projects now stall. Riders demanded action. Politicians offered little hope.

• New Yorkers decry loss of congestion pricing money for accessible transit to MTA Board, amny.com, Published 2024-06-24

Jun 23 - A westbound SUV struck parked SUVs on Bay 50 Street. The driver, a 74-year-old woman, suffered facial injuries. Police cite lost consciousness as a factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

According to the police report, a 2023 Nissan SUV traveling west on Bay 50 Street collided with the rear of a parked 2008 Audi SUV. The impact damaged both vehicles and a third parked BMW SUV. The 74-year-old female driver of the Nissan suffered facial contusions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved, and no victim actions contributed to the crash. The incident underscores the danger when moving vehicles strike stationary ones on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735198 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 18 - A 27-year-old woman suffered abrasions and a lower arm injury after a bus traveling east on Shore Parkway hit her while she worked in the roadway. The bus driver failed to maintain proper lane usage and disregarded traffic controls, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old female pedestrian was injured while working in the roadway on Shore Parkway near Bay 44 Street. The bus, driven by a licensed male driver, was traveling east and struck the pedestrian on the left rear quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites the bus driver's errors as 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded,' highlighting failure to maintain proper lane discipline and ignoring traffic signals or signs. The bus sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734151 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 16 - A bus and sedan slammed together on Cropsey Avenue. The sedan driver, a 54-year-old man, suffered neck injuries. Both vehicles took heavy front-end damage. Straight roads still hold danger.

According to the police report, a bus and a sedan collided at 6:56 AM on Cropsey Avenue near Shore Parkway. Both vehicles were traveling north and struck head-on. The sedan driver, a 54-year-old man, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash. He was conscious and wore a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not assign blame to the sedan driver. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The crash shows that even straightforward travel can turn violent in an instant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733389 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 7 - A 16-year-old boy suffered knee and lower leg injuries after being struck while crossing Cropsey Avenue at an intersection. He was conscious and sustained bruises. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. No driver errors or victim faults were reported.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Cropsey Avenue at 14:10 while crossing with the signal at an intersection. He sustained contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The vehicle involved was unspecified, and no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield were noted in the report. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal was documented but not cited as a contributing factor. The report does not indicate any driver license issues, vehicle damage, or pre-crash actions. The focus remains on the collision's impact and injuries without assigning fault to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18