Crash Count for Flatbush
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,589
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,153
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 255
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 13
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 5
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 26, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Flatbush?

Flatbush Bleeds While City Hall Waits

Flatbush Bleeds While City Hall Waits

Flatbush: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025

The Toll in Flatbush: Lives Shattered, Numbers Rising

A mother and her son, walking near Bedford Avenue, hear a bus jump the curb. Metal tears through fence and flesh. The boy is eight. His mother is forty-three. Both survive, but the scars will last. “Thank God they were conscious. She was able to speak to me. The little boy was pretty much in shock,” said a school employee who saw the aftermath.

In the last twelve months, Flatbush saw 388 crashes, 292 injuries, and 2 people seriously hurt. No deaths this year—yet. But the numbers do not rest. Four people have died since 2022. Over a thousand have been injured. Trucks, buses, SUVs, sedans—they all take their share. Pedestrians, cyclists, children—they pay the price.

Leadership: Words, Delays, and the Weight of Inaction

After the school bus crash, Councilmember Farrah Louis acknowledged the need for more traffic safety in this area. The words hang in the air. Promises are easy. Change is slow. Sammy’s Law now lets the city lower speed limits to 20 mph. The power is there. The clock ticks. The council can act. The mayor can act. They have not.

What’s Been Done—and What Hasn’t

Speed cameras work. Where installed, speeding drops. But the law that keeps them running is always on the edge of expiring. Protected bike lanes and safer intersections come in fits and starts. Each delay means another family waits at the hospital.

The Next Step: Demand Action Now

Flatbush does not need more studies. It needs leaders to use the tools they have. Call your council member. Call the mayor. Tell them to lower the speed limit. Tell them to keep the cameras on. Tell them to build streets that protect people, not just cars. Take action now.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn
District 42
District Office:
1312 Flatbush Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11210
Legislative Office:
Room 727, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Rita Joseph
Council Member Rita Joseph
District 40
District Office:
930 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226
718-287-8762
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1752, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7352
Twitter: RitaJosephNYC
Kevin Parker
State Senator Kevin Parker
District 21
District Office:
3021 Tilden Ave. 1st Floor & Basement, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Legislative Office:
Room 504, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
Other Geographies

Flatbush Flatbush sits in Brooklyn, Precinct 70, District 40, AD 42, SD 21, Brooklyn CB14.

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

Traffic Safety Timeline for Flatbush

Int 0875-2024
Louis co-sponsors bill boosting step street lighting, improving pedestrian safety.

Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.


Int 0874-2024
Louis co-sponsors pilot program penalizing cyclists, likely reducing overall street safety.

Council bill targets repeat pedal-assist bike violators. Three strikes trigger a mandatory safety course. Ignore the course, lose your bike. DOT will track results. Three-year pilot. Enforcement, not education, leads.

Int 0874-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, by Council Members Ariola (primary), Hanks, Hudson, Louis, Mealy, and Banks, the bill orders DOT to launch a pilot abatement program for unsafe pedal-assist bicycle operators. The bill summary states: 'Pedal-assist bicycle operators who accrue 3 or more moving violations under city law would be required to take a safe pedal-assist bicycle operation course offered by DOT.' Noncompliance means bike impoundment. DOT must report on course completions, impounds, and program effectiveness. The pilot sunsets after three years. The bill aims to curb reckless riding through strict enforcement.


SUV Hits Boy Crossing Bedford Avenue

An 11-year-old boy was struck by an SUV while crossing Bedford Avenue with the signal. The vehicle failed to yield right-of-way and the driver was inattentive. The boy suffered bruises and injuries to his lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, at 17:12 on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn, a 2023 GMC SUV traveling north struck an 11-year-old pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors on the part of the vehicle driver. The boy sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the impact. The SUV's point of impact was the right front bumper, and no vehicle damage was reported. The incident highlights driver errors in yielding and attention that led to harm to a vulnerable pedestrian.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724995 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Unlicensed SUV Left Turn Breaks Cyclist’s Neck

SUV turned left on Bedford Avenue. Driver unlicensed. View blocked. Struck northbound cyclist. Cyclist thrown, neck fractured. Blood on the street. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a 2018 Mercedes SUV, driven by an unlicensed man, made a left turn on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn at 20:42. The SUV struck a 38-year-old northbound bicyclist. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered a neck fracture with dislocation, classified as injury severity 3. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver's impaired visibility. The bicyclist was not found at fault. This crash underscores the danger of unlicensed drivers and obstructed views during turns.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724174 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Strikes Bicyclist on Flatbush Avenue

A sedan parked on Flatbush Avenue was struck on its left side by a southbound bicyclist. The 43-year-old male cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries, wearing a helmet. The crash caused bruising but no ejection. Driver errors remain unspecified.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 3:05 AM on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn involving a 2018 Toyota sedan and a bicyclist. The sedan was parked when the bicyclist traveling southbound struck the left side doors of the vehicle. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan driver, a licensed female, was the sole occupant. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both contributing factors for the bicyclist are marked as unspecified. Vehicle damage was limited to the sedan's left side doors, while the bike showed no damage. The crash highlights the dangers bicyclists face even when vehicles are stationary.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723724 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Hits Bicyclist on Flatbush Avenue

A 57-year-old bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in a collision with a parked SUV on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact damaged the SUV’s left front quarter panel and the bike’s front end. Driver inattention and failure to yield were cited.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:40 on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. A 57-year-old male bicyclist, wearing a helmet, was partially ejected and sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The bicyclist was conscious after the collision. The SUV, a 2006 model traveling south, was initially parked before the impact. The point of impact was the SUV’s left front quarter panel and the bike’s center front end. The report explicitly cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The bicyclist’s helmet use is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. No blame is placed on the victim; the focus remains on the vehicle driver’s failure to yield and inattention leading to the crash.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723737 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Left Turn Hits Pedestrian Crossing Signal

A sedan making a left turn struck an 18-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at an intersection. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision and injury.

According to the police report, at 20:17 a 2015 Nissan sedan was making a left turn on Beverley Road near Flatbush Avenue when it struck an 18-year-old female pedestrian crossing the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian was conscious but sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper, and the vehicle sustained damage to its center front end. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor, indicating the driver did not yield to the pedestrian legally crossing the street. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle westbound with one other occupant. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield during left turns at intersections.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723731 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Left Turn Hits E-Bike on Ocean Avenue

A sedan making a left turn struck an eastbound e-bike on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider, a 30-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash involved improper lane usage by the sedan driver.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:09 on Ocean Avenue near Parkside Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2016 Honda sedan, traveling north and making a left turn, collided with an eastbound e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 30-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan's right front bumper struck the e-bike's right front bumper. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error by the sedan operator during the left turn. The e-bike rider was unlicensed but no other contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The sedan driver was licensed and female. Vehicle damage was limited to the right front bumpers of both vehicles.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723740 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Strikes Pedestrian Crossing With Signal

A 34-year-old woman suffered upper arm injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at a Brooklyn intersection. The driver’s failure to yield caused the collision and injury.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Saint Pauls Place and Parkside Avenue in Brooklyn at 4:46 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a northbound sedan, making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed but sufficient to cause injury. The driver was licensed and operating a 2007 Honda sedan. No other contributing factors were listed beyond the driver’s failure to yield.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721934 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Motorcycle Ejected Driver Injured in Brooklyn Crash

A motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered back injuries in a Brooklyn crash. The impact occurred at the center back end of the motorcycle. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor. The rider was helmeted and conscious after the collision.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling east on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn was involved in a collision at 10:40 PM. The motorcycle driver, a 31-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained back injuries classified as contusions and bruises. The point of impact was the center back end of the motorcycle, which suffered damage there. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The rider was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the incident. The other vehicle involved, a Dodge car or SUV also traveling east, had front end damage. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior, focusing instead on the driver's distraction as the cause.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720228 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Joseph Backs Safety Boosting Protected Bike Lane on Empire

Brooklyn Community Board 9 wants a protected bike lane on Empire Boulevard. The board passed a resolution after years of crashes and deaths. Cyclists and pedestrians have paid the price. Local officials back the call. DOT has not acted.

On April 18, 2024, Brooklyn Community Board 9 passed a resolution urging the Department of Transportation to build a protected bike lane on Empire Boulevard. The board wants to upgrade the faded painted lane, which runs west to Flatbush Boulevard, to a 'vehicle-protected' lane. The matter summary states: 'bring much-needed road safety to a neighborhood.' Council Members Rita Joseph and Crystal Hudson represent the area. Hudson's spokesperson called the resolution 'a necessary step to protect cyclists and pedestrians.' Joseph and DOT did not comment. Between 2021 and 2023, Empire Boulevard saw 406 crashes, injuring 29 cyclists and 52 pedestrians. Two cyclists and two pedestrians have died since 2011. Community Board 9 has zero miles of protected bike lanes. Advocates say improvements are overdue. DOT has yet to propose changes.


Chain-Reaction Crash on Flatbush Avenue Injures Driver

A multi-vehicle collision on Flatbush Avenue sent shockwaves through traffic. A 55-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite following too closely as the key cause. Vehicles slammed into each other in a westbound chain reaction.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn at 10:10 AM. The collision involved multiple sedans traveling westbound. The primary contributing factor was 'Following Too Closely,' indicating driver error in maintaining safe distance. The injured party was a 55-year-old male driver, who sustained head injuries and whiplash but was not ejected from his vehicle. He was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report details impact points including center front ends and quarter panels, showing a chain-reaction collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of driver inattention or misjudgment in maintaining proper following distance on busy city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720235 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Int 0856-2024
Louis co-sponsors bill raising ATV and dirt bike fines, safety unchanged.

Council moves to hike fines for illegal ATVs and dirt bikes. First offense: $375–$750. Repeat: $750–$1,500. Law aims at reckless riders who menace city streets and endanger lives.

Bill Int 0856-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced April 18, 2024, it seeks to amend city code to raise fines for unlawful ATV and dirt bike use. The bill states: 'The first offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 375 dollars and up to 750 dollars. Any subsequent offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 750 dollars and up to 1500 dollars.' Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, and Farías. The bill was referred to committee the same day. No safety analyst note was provided.


Int 0842-2024
Louis co-sponsors bill requiring DOT to consider traffic enforcement agents.

Council bill orders DOT to factor traffic enforcement agents into city safety plans. The move targets deadly streets. Sponsors demand action, not words. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait for safer crossings.

Int 0842-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 18, 2024, the bill amends city law to require the Department of Transportation to consider where traffic enforcement agents are placed when drafting the interagency roadway safety plan. The bill summary states: 'require DOT to specifically consider placement of traffic enforcement agents in certain areas.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Members Brannan (primary), Louis, Restler, and the Queens Borough President sponsor the measure. The bill responds to Local Law 12 of 2011, which already mandates a five-year safety plan. Now, the council demands DOT put enforcement on the map, aiming to cut injuries and deaths.


Int 0857-2024
Louis co-sponsors bill to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.

Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.


Int 0853-2024
Louis sponsors borough-based traffic teams bill, boosting pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Council pushes for borough-based DOT teams. Staff must answer traffic requests fast. Response tied to need. Three-month deadline. Action targets slow fixes. Vulnerable road users wait less.

Int 0853-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 18, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating borough-based traffic request response teams,' requires the Department of Transportation to assign staff to each borough, matching staff numbers to request volume. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary sponsor), Amanda Farías, and Rafael Salamanca, Jr. back the measure. The teams must respond to traffic requests within three months. The bill aims to cut delays that leave dangerous conditions unaddressed, giving vulnerable road users a better shot at safer streets.


Sedan Strikes Pedestrian on Nostrand Avenue

A sedan hit a 46-year-old man on Nostrand Avenue. The car struck his lower leg. He was bruised but stayed conscious. The driver went straight. The crash happened outside an intersection.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a northbound 2023 Jeep sedan on Nostrand Avenue at 19:50. The collision took place outside an intersection while the pedestrian was performing 'other actions in roadway.' The sedan's right front bumper hit the pedestrian, causing contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. His injury severity was rated 3. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was traveling straight ahead at the time. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors for either party. The vehicle was undamaged. The pedestrian remained conscious after the crash.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716346 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Left Turn Hits Bicyclist on Bedford Avenue

A 21-year-old bicyclist was injured when an SUV making a left turn struck him on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact caused knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:50 on Bedford Avenue near Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn. A 21-year-old male bicyclist, traveling southbound straight ahead, was struck by a northbound 2019 Audi SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the SUV and the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and was conscious at the scene. The police report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the SUV driver as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but no other victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time of the crash.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716175 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Bus Rear-Ends SUV on Farragut Road

A bus struck the rear of a slowing SUV on Farragut Road in Brooklyn. The SUV’s 16-year-old front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash exposed the dangers of tailgating in heavy vehicle traffic.

According to the police report, at 7:20 a.m. on Farragut Road in Brooklyn, a bus traveling west collided with the center back end of a slowing or stopping SUV also heading west. The bus driver failed to maintain a safe distance, with 'Following Too Closely' cited as the contributing factor. The impact injured a 16-year-old male front passenger in the SUV, who sustained neck injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and was conscious. The passenger was restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report highlights driver error in the bus’s failure to yield adequate stopping space, leading to the rear-end collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714696 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
S 2714
Parker votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.