No Excuses: Death Is a Policy Choice on Our Streets

Two sedans crashed on Coney Island Avenue. Seven people inside. One man, sixty-six, suffered a head injury. Police blame driver inattention. Metal and glass. Shock and blood. The street swallowed another day.

Two sedans collided at 771 Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. Seven people were inside the vehicles. According to the police report, driver inattention and distraction caused the crash. One passenger, a sixty-six-year-old man, sustained a head injury and was in shock. The other occupants, including two infants and several young adults, were listed with unspecified injuries. Both vehicles suffered damage to their left front bumpers. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor for both drivers. No other contributing factors were noted. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819084, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan struck a truck on Caton Ave. The crash left a passenger hurt. Police blame driver distraction. Metal twisted. The street stayed open. The city moved on.

A crash on Caton Ave in Brooklyn involved a sedan and a truck. One passenger in the sedan suffered a knee and lower leg injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the main contributing factor. The sedan, traveling west, hit the truck's left rear quarter panel. The impact damaged the sedan's left front bumper. Multiple occupants were in the sedan, but only one was reported injured. The police report lists no other contributing factors. Helmet use or signaling were not cited. The data shows a clear pattern: distraction behind the wheel led to harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814143, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan hit a 17-year-old riding outside a vehicle on Ocean Parkway at Foster Avenue. The teen was partially ejected and suffered a leg injury. Two other occupants were unhurt. The crash left the teen bruised and shaken.

A crash on Ocean Parkway at Foster Avenue in Brooklyn left a 17-year-old male injured. According to the police report, the teen was riding or hanging on the outside of a vehicle and was partially ejected during the collision. He sustained a contusion and injury to his lower leg. Two other occupants, both 56-year-old females, were not injured. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The sedan, traveling north, struck the teen with its left front bumper. No vehicle damage was reported. The police report does not specify any driver errors or violations.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815879, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A diesel truck struck a sedan’s rear on Caton Avenue. Metal crumpled. Three men inside the sedan suffered neck and arm injuries. The crash left bruises and whiplash. The street stayed open. No cause listed. The city’s danger remains.

A diesel tractor truck hit the back of a sedan on Caton Avenue near Stratford Road in Brooklyn. Three men inside the sedan were injured: one suffered a shoulder bruise, two others sustained whiplash to the neck. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as speeding, distraction, or failure to yield are noted in the data. All injured occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the ongoing risk faced by vehicle occupants on city streets, even when no clear cause is identified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812107, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Evening light faded on 18th Avenue as a motorcycle and SUV collided near East 8th Street. The motorcycle driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered a bruised leg. Sirens cut through Brooklyn’s air as emergency crews responded to the scene.

According to the police report, a motorcycle and a sport utility vehicle collided at 18th Avenue and East 8th Street in Brooklyn. The crash occurred as the motorcycle was making a U-turn and the SUV was traveling straight ahead. The motorcycle driver, a 31-year-old man, was injured, sustaining a contusion to his lower leg. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for the crash, with no further details about driver actions or errors. The report notes that the motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808005, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan driver made an improper lane change on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn, colliding with another southbound sedan. The front passenger of the struck vehicle suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt. The crash caused right rear and left front damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:45 on Ocean Parkway near Parkville Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans traveling south collided when one driver was making a left turn and the other was going straight ahead. The contributing factor cited was 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper,' indicating a driver error in lane handling. The impact occurred at the right rear quarter panel of the turning vehicle and the left front bumper of the other sedan. A 42-year-old female front passenger in the struck vehicle was injured, suffering head trauma and shock, and was restrained by a lap belt. The report notes her complaint of pain or nausea. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were listed. The collision highlights the dangers of improper lane changes on busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802377, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 49-year-old woman suffered abrasions and arm injuries after an SUV made a left turn and struck her at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The vehicle showed no damage. The crash highlights driver failure to yield dangers.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing at an intersection on Caton Ave in Brooklyn at 8:45 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2016 Honda SUV, traveling east and making a left turn, struck her with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report lists no contributing factors for the pedestrian but indicates the driver was making a left turn, a maneuver requiring yielding to pedestrians. This crash underscores the systemic danger posed by driver failure to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801727, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan struck the left rear bumper of another vehicle traveling south on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. The driver of the struck vehicle suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police report unspecified contributing factors but note no ejection or pedestrian involvement.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:56 on Ocean Parkway near 18 Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2016 Nissan sedan traveling south went straight ahead and impacted the left rear bumper of another vehicle also traveling south. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the striking vehicle and the left rear quarter panel of the struck vehicle. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 34-year-old female, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was not ejected. The report lists her contributing factors as unspecified, and no pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The report does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding, only noting unspecified contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of rear-end collisions on busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799289, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan making an improper turn struck a northbound pick-up truck in Brooklyn. The impact hit the truck’s left rear quarter panel. A 72-year-old front passenger in the truck was injured, suffering internal complaints. Driver error caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn at 18:18. A sedan was making a U-turn when it collided with a northbound pick-up truck. The point of impact was the left rear quarter panel of the truck, which sustained damage. The contributing factor cited was "Turning Improperly," indicating driver error by the sedan operator. The pick-up truck had two occupants, including a 72-year-old female front passenger who was injured with internal complaints but remained conscious and was not ejected. The passenger was secured with a harness. Other vehicles involved were parked and not actively contributing to the collision. The report explicitly identifies the sedan driver’s improper turning as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795589, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Ford SUV slams its front bumper into a three-year-old girl stepping from a parked car. Blood spills on Coney Island Avenue. She survives, conscious, head gashed. The driver was distracted. Alcohol was involved. The city’s danger is plain.

According to the police report, a three-year-old girl was struck by a Ford SUV near 948 Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. The incident occurred as she stepped down from a parked SUV. The report states, 'A Ford strikes her head with its front bumper. Blood pools on the curb. She is conscious.' The child suffered severe lacerations to her head and was listed as injured but conscious. The police report explicitly notes that 'the driver was distracted' and that 'alcohol was involved.' These driver errors—distraction and alcohol use—are central to the crash. The report does not cite any contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior. The impact and aftermath underscore the ongoing systemic danger faced by the city’s most vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794620, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A moped driver was injured when an SUV struck the rear of his vehicle on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact caused abrasions and back injuries. The moped driver was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:04 AM on Coney Island Avenue near Beverley Road in Brooklyn. A station wagon/SUV traveling west struck the center back end of a stopped moped also facing west. The moped driver, a 22-year-old male wearing a helmet, suffered back injuries and abrasions but was not ejected and remained conscious. The SUV sustained damage to its center front end. The report lists the moped driver’s contributing factors as unspecified, indicating no fault attributed to him. The collision suggests a failure by the SUV driver to maintain safe distance or attention, resulting in a rear-end impact. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792287, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A bus struck a driver in Brooklyn, rendering him unconscious with chest injuries. The driver was restrained by a lap belt but suffered internal trauma. The crash occurred near Lawrence Avenue, involving multiple parked vehicles damaged by impact.

According to the police report, a bus traveling west on Lawrence Avenue in Brooklyn collided with a vehicle driven by a 51-year-old man. The driver, an occupant of the vehicle, was injured and lost consciousness, suffering chest injuries and internal trauma. The report notes the driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. The bus impacted the center front end of the vehicle, causing damage to the left front bumper. Multiple other parked vehicles nearby sustained damage to their left front and rear panels. The contributing factor listed is 'Lost Consciousness,' indicating a medical event or impairment affecting the driver. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited in the report. The incident highlights the dangers posed by sudden driver incapacitation on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792204, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 31-year-old woman suffered severe leg injuries after a sedan made a left turn and struck her at a Brooklyn intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, compounded by limited view, causing a fracture and dislocation. The pedestrian was in shock.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southwest in Brooklyn made a left turn and struck a 31-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at an intersection near McDonald Avenue. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations, and was reported to be in shock. The report cites the driver's failure to yield the right-of-way as a primary contributing factor, along with a limited or obstructed view that impaired the driver's ability to see the pedestrian. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The driver was licensed and operating a 2013 Toyota sedan. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The collision highlights driver errors and systemic dangers related to visibility and yielding at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792285, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 48-year-old woman suffered a hip and upper leg contusion when an SUV failed to yield while making a left turn. The collision occurred at a Brooklyn intersection where the pedestrian was crossing with the signal. Limited driver visibility contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Caton Ave and St Pauls Pl in Brooklyn at 7:46 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when struck by a 2024 Audi SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruising to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The SUV showed no damage. The driver, a licensed male from New York, had two occupants in the vehicle. This crash highlights driver error in yielding and limited visibility at intersections as critical dangers to pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792063, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An 11-year-old boy suffered a head contusion after a distracted SUV driver struck him while making a left turn on Coney Island Avenue. The boy was crossing against the signal at the intersection when the impact occurred, leaving him injured but conscious.

According to the police report, at 8:48 AM on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, a female driver operating a 2001 Honda SUV was making a left turn when she struck an 11-year-old boy crossing the street against the signal. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The boy, described as conscious, sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and was injured at the intersection. The vehicle showed no damage despite the center front end impact. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s distraction as the primary cause, with no mention of victim fault beyond crossing against the signal. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787788, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An 80-year-old woman crossing Church Avenue was struck by a westbound sedan. The impact to her shoulder caused internal injuries. The driver, traveling straight, hit the pedestrian with the vehicle’s right front bumper. The victim was conscious after the collision.

According to the police report, an 80-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Church Avenue outside an intersection. The pedestrian suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries classified as injury severity 3 and was conscious following the collision. The striking vehicle was a 2019 Mazda sedan, registered in New Jersey, driven by a licensed female driver traveling westbound going straight ahead. The point of impact was the vehicle’s right front bumper, which sustained damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. No victim behaviors were identified as contributing factors in the report. The collision highlights the danger posed by vehicles striking pedestrians outside controlled intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785421, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck passing too closely collided with a sedan traveling west on E 16 St in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, a 57-year-old man, suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries and a concussion. The truck struck the sedan’s left rear quarter panel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:30 on E 16 St near Beverley Rd in Brooklyn. A box truck traveling west was passing when it struck the left rear quarter panel of a sedan also traveling west. The report identifies "Passing Too Closely" as a contributing factor to the collision. The sedan driver, a 57-year-old male, was injured with abdominal and pelvic trauma and a concussion. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The box truck had no occupants and sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. The report highlights the truck driver’s error in passing too closely, which led to the impact and injuries. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785420, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 36-year-old man driving a sedan in Brooklyn crashed with his vehicle's front center damaged. According to the police report, alcohol involvement was a key factor. The driver was semiconscious and injured but not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male driver operating a 2022 Tesla sedan in Brooklyn at 2:00 AM was involved in a crash on Coney Island Avenue near Newkirk Avenue. The vehicle sustained damage to the center front end. The driver was the sole occupant and was found semiconscious with injuries of unknown severity. The report explicitly lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as the contributing factor twice, indicating impairment played a critical role in the crash. The driver was licensed in New York but was not using any safety equipment at the time. There is no mention of other vehicles or pedestrians involved, nor any victim behaviors contributing to the crash. The data clearly points to driver error due to intoxication as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783712, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle traveling west struck the right front quarter panel of an SUV pulling out from parking on Ditmas Avenue in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver, a 28-year-old man, suffered bruising and elbow injuries but remained conscious and helmeted.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:00 AM on Ditmas Avenue in Brooklyn when a motorcycle traveling west collided with an SUV that was starting from parking and traveling north. The point of impact was the motorcycle's center front end hitting the SUV's right front quarter panel. The motorcycle driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was not ejected and remained conscious. The driver was wearing a helmet. The SUV driver, a licensed female, was operating the vehicle while pulling out from parking. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield, but the collision dynamics suggest the SUV’s movement from parking created a hazardous condition leading to the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775105, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck traveling west on Caton Ave struck the rear of an SUV also heading west. The truck driver’s inattention caused the collision. The SUV driver suffered back injuries and shock but was restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 2023 Mack box truck driven by a licensed male from New Jersey collided with the center back end of a Hyundai SUV on Caton Ave in Brooklyn at 1:19 AM. Both vehicles were traveling westbound, with the truck striking the SUV from behind. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, indicating the truck driver failed to maintain proper attention. The SUV driver, a 37-year-old male, was injured with back trauma and experienced shock. He was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. The collision caused center front end damage to the truck and rear end damage to the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769188, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14