Blood on Neptune Avenue: How Many More Must Die Before Leaders Act?

Feb 15 - A 41-year-old woman was struck while crossing Neptune Avenue. The SUV hit her center front. She suffered a neck contusion and remained conscious. No driver errors were specified. The vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian was at an intersection.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Neptune Avenue at an intersection. She was struck by a 2019 SUV traveling west, which impacted her at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained a neck contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian's crossing was noted as 'Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk,' but no fault or blame is assigned. The report marks the pedestrian's contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face even without clear driver violations.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606743 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 15 - A 55-year-old man was struck by a sedan backing on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian suffered a back injury and shock. The vehicle showed no damage. The crash happened outside an intersection.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2006 Toyota sedan backed into him on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was in the roadway but not at an intersection. The driver, a licensed female, was traveling south and backing the vehicle when the collision occurred. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian suffered a back injury and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The sedan showed no damage after impact. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606730 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Feb 1 - A sedan made a left turn on Surf Avenue and hit an 80-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered hip and upper leg injuries and was left in shock. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a 2021 Kia sedan traveling north on Surf Avenue made a left turn and struck an 80-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, experienced minor bleeding, and was in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor for the driver. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact. The pedestrian was not at fault and was crossing lawfully when the collision occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4602334 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 31 - A sedan making a U-turn struck a southbound bicyclist on Stillwell Avenue. The 20-year-old cyclist suffered bruises and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The driver was inattentive. The cyclist wore a helmet and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Stillwell Avenue made a U-turn and collided with a southbound bicyclist going straight ahead. The bicyclist, a 20-year-old male, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. The sedan's point of impact was the left front quarter panel, while the bike sustained damage to its center front end. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet and was conscious after the collision. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the maneuver. No damage was reported to the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4602332 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 28 - An 83-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn on Neptune Avenue. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to her lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, an 83-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Neptune Avenue with the signal. She was struck by a 2019 SUV making a right turn westbound. The report lists driver errors as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicle showed no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The impact occurred at the right front quarter panel of the SUV. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4601754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 25 - An SUV pulled out from parking and struck the right side of a sedan traveling east on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan’s female driver and an 8-year-old male passenger suffered facial and back injuries. Both were restrained and taken in shock.

According to the police report, an SUV was starting from parking when it collided with the right side doors of a sedan traveling straight ahead east on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan carried three occupants, including a 31-year-old female driver and an 8-year-old male rear passenger. Both occupants were injured, suffering facial and back injuries, and experienced shock. They were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and complained of pain or nausea. The report lists "Other Vehicular" as the contributing factor for both vehicles. The SUV sustained center front end damage, and the sedan’s right side doors were damaged. No ejections occurred. The report does not list any helmet or signaling issues.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600534 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 25 - SUV and sedan slammed together on Mermaid Avenue. A woman riding up front took the hit. She left with back pain and whiplash. Police blamed driver distraction. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a sedan heading east and an SUV heading south collided at Mermaid Avenue and West 21 Street in Brooklyn. The crash struck the sedan's left front and the SUV's right front. A 55-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed men traveling straight. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600521 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 24 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

Jan 20 - A 12-year-old girl was struck by a southbound sedan on West 25 Street in Brooklyn. She emerged from in front of a parked vehicle and suffered an upper arm contusion. The driver’s car showed no damage. The child was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old female pedestrian was injured after emerging from in front of a parked vehicle on West 25 Street, Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered a contusion and an upper arm injury. The driver, a licensed male from Delaware, was traveling southbound in a 2017 Dodge sedan going straight ahead. The point of impact was the vehicle’s right front bumper, but the car sustained no damage. The report lists the contributing factor as "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion." No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. No safety equipment or helmet was mentioned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600763 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 20 - Norman Fruchter, education reformer, died after a driver reversed into him at a crosswalk-less Bay Ridge intersection. The driver stayed. No charges. A vigil drew family, officials, and anger. Fruchter’s wife was killed by a reckless driver in 1997. Grief, outrage, no justice.

On January 4, 2023, Norman Fruchter was struck and killed by a reversing driver at 68th Street and Bliss Terrace in Council District 47. The intersection lacked a pedestrian crosswalk. Council Member Justin Brannan attended the vigil and tweeted, 'Confronting traffic violence also means taking personal responsibility [and] safe driving habits. It will take all of us.' The driver remained at the scene but faced no charges. Fruchter’s son Lev condemned the New York Automobile Insurance Plan for letting dangerous drivers stay insured. Community leaders, including NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, joined in mourning and frustration. Fruchter’s wife Rachel was also killed by a reckless driver in 1997, a tragedy that helped spark Vision Zero. Nearly three decades later, traffic laws remain weak. No systemic change. Vulnerable road users still pay the price.

• Education reform leader remembered after being killed by traffic violence, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-01-20

Jan 15 - A 65-year-old male driver suffered facial injuries and minor bleeding after an SUV made an improper left turn and hit a sedan traveling north on Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver was restrained and in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, an SUV making a left turn on Cropsey Avenue collided with a northbound sedan. The impact occurred at the left front bumper of the SUV and the right rear bumper of the sedan. The sedan's 65-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining facial wounds and minor bleeding. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists driver errors including "Turning Improperly" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as contributing factors. No other occupants were involved, and both drivers were licensed in New York. The injured driver was in shock at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4598089 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 15 - A 48-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver made a left turn and hit the cyclist traveling west. The bicyclist suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries and was in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a 2022 Mazda SUV was making a left turn on Stillwell Avenue when it collided with a westbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 48-year-old man, was injured with upper arm and shoulder trauma and experienced shock. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for the crash. The SUV struck the bicyclist with its left front bumper, causing injury but no ejection. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590702 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 9 - A sedan hit a 73-year-old man crossing Surf Avenue. The driver, distracted, struck him with the right front bumper. The man suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, leg, and foot. He was conscious but badly hurt.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Surf Avenue struck a 73-year-old male pedestrian crossing at the intersection. The impact occurred at the right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in serious injuries. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were noted. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4590669 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 3 - Two sedans collided on Belt Parkway at 8:15 p.m. A 46-year-old male driver suffered back contusions. The crash involved a right rear quarter panel impact. Driver inattention and unsafe lane changing caused the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Belt Parkway collided when one driver changed lanes unsafely. The 46-year-old male driver of one vehicle was injured, sustaining back contusions but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The point of impact was the right rear quarter panel of one sedan and the left front bumper of the other. The report lists driver inattention and unsafe lane changing as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed and operating vehicles legally. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4587819 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 24 - Two sedans traveling east on Surf Avenue collided. The left front bumper of one struck the right side doors of the other. A 20-year-old female driver suffered elbow and lower arm injuries and whiplash. Both drivers were licensed and going straight ahead.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Surf Avenue while both were traveling eastbound. The impact occurred between the left front bumper of one vehicle and the right side doors of the other. A 20-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining elbow and lower arm injuries along with whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed and proceeding straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. A third parked vehicle was damaged at the center back end but had no occupants. The collision caused center front and right side damage to the involved vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4585012 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 19 - A 31-year-old male e-bike rider was ejected and injured on Mermaid Avenue. The collision involved a Jeep SUV making a left turn. The rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Alcohol and unsafe speed contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male e-bike rider traveling east on Mermaid Avenue was struck by a Jeep SUV making a left turn westbound. The rider was ejected from the bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with contusions and bruises noted. The report lists alcohol involvement and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The e-bike rider was unlicensed and not using any safety equipment. The Jeep driver was licensed and traveling west. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the e-bike and the right front bumper of the SUV. No pedestrian was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4583573 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 15 - A 43-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury on Surf Avenue. The crash involved a vehicle making a right turn and the cyclist going straight. Driver inattention caused the impact to the bike’s rear and front of the vehicle.

According to the police report, a vehicle making a right turn collided with a bicyclist traveling straight on Surf Avenue. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old man, was ejected and sustained a head contusion. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle struck the bike at its center back end, while the vehicle’s center front end was damaged. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash resulted in injury severity level 3, with the cyclist conscious but bruised. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4583568 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 3 - A 23-year-old man was struck by an SUV while crossing Neptune Avenue with the signal. The impact caused head injuries and abrasions. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian was conscious but injured at the scene.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being hit by a 2017 Honda SUV traveling south on Neptune Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing the street with the signal at an intersection when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, causing head injuries and abrasions to the pedestrian. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash and suffered injury severity level 3. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4578704 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 26 - A sedan struck an e-scooter on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, 67, suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries. Both vehicles collided front to side. Driver distraction caused the crash. The e-scooter rider’s condition is unreported.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old male sedan driver traveling west on Neptune Avenue collided with an e-scooter traveling north. The sedan impacted the right side doors of the e-scooter with its center front end. The sedan driver sustained contusions and bruises to the abdomen and pelvis, classified as injury severity 3. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the sedan driver. The e-scooter rider’s injuries or condition are not detailed. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction in multi-vehicle collisions involving vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4577260 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19