No Excuses: Death Is a Policy Choice on Our Streets

A 39-year-old male driver was injured and rendered unconscious in a Brooklyn crash involving multiple parked vehicles and a taxi making a left turn. The collision caused significant damage to several vehicles, highlighting driver errors and hazardous conditions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn near Caton Avenue at 11:30 AM. The injured party was a 39-year-old male driver, unconscious and restrained by a harness, suffering unknown bodily injuries. The report details a taxi making a left turn that collided with a sedan and multiple parked SUVs, causing damage to the front and sides of the vehicles involved. The taxi's pre-crash action was 'Making Left Turn,' indicating a possible failure to yield or misjudgment during the maneuver. The sedan and SUVs were parked prior to impact, suggesting the moving taxi's driver actions were a critical factor. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver but does not attribute fault to the victim. This crash underscores the dangers posed by driver errors during turning movements in dense urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768392, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan making a left turn struck a southbound motorcycle on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered serious lower leg injuries. The sedan driver was licensed; the crash caused front-end damage to both vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:02 on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling north was making a left turn when it collided head-on with a motorcycle traveling southbound straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The motorcycle driver, a 30-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries classified as severity level 3. He was conscious and wearing a helmet at the time. The sedan driver, a licensed female from New York, was the sole occupant of her vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the motorcyclist but does not specify driver errors for the sedan. The collision caused center front end damage to both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766093, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sport utility vehicles collided on East 17 Street in Brooklyn. The impact partially ejected two male passengers, causing back and leg injuries. Both remained conscious despite abrasions and bruises. The crash occurred during a right turn maneuver at night.

According to the police report, the crash involved two sport utility vehicles on East 17 Street near Foster Avenue in Brooklyn at 9:00 PM. One SUV was making a right turn when the collision occurred, impacting the left rear bumper of that vehicle and the right front bumper of the other. Two male passengers, ages 44 and 37, were partially ejected from the vehicles. Both sustained injuries: one suffered back abrasions, the other contusions to the knee and lower leg. Both were conscious at the scene. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite pedestrian or cyclist involvement. Driver errors such as failure to yield or improper turning are implied by the collision during a right turn. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764460, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two vehicles collided at 18 Avenue in Brooklyn as one made a left turn and the other a right turn. The SUV driver suffered a shoulder injury and bruising. Both drivers were licensed, with damage to front and rear panels of the vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:41 on 18 Avenue in Brooklyn. A 33-year-old female SUV driver, traveling west and making a left turn, collided with a sedan traveling east and making a right turn. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. The SUV sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel, while the sedan's left front bumper was damaged. The SUV driver was injured with a contusion and shoulder-upper arm injury but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the turning movements of both vehicles as central to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759403, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An SUV making a left turn struck an eastbound e-scooter on Caton Avenue in Brooklyn. The 19-year-old e-scooter driver suffered head abrasions. Police cited unsafe speed as the primary contributing factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Caton Avenue near Rugby Road in Brooklyn at 4:30 p.m. A Ford SUV was making a left turn westbound when it collided with an eastbound e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 19-year-old male, sustained head abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The police report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, specifically linked to the e-scooter driver. The point of impact was the left side doors of the e-scooter and the center front end of the SUV. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling west, while the e-scooter was going straight ahead eastbound. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of his vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757646, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A speeding motorcycle collided with a left-turning sedan on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. The 68-year-old pedestrian suffered full-body injuries, while the 23-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and sustained serious head trauma. Driver inexperience and unsafe speed were key factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:08 on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn when a motorcycle traveling south at unsafe speed struck a sedan making a left turn northbound. The motorcyclist, a 23-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected and suffered head injuries with unconscious status. The sedan driver was licensed in Virginia. The 68-year-old female pedestrian, located off the roadway and not at an intersection, sustained injuries to her entire body and was in shock. Police cited unsafe speed and driver inexperience as contributing factors for the motorcyclist. The pedestrian's error or confusion was also noted but no blame is placed on her. The point of impact was the motorcycle's center front end and the sedan's left front bumper. Both drivers' unsafe speed and inexperience highlight systemic danger on this stretch of Coney Island Avenue.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755095, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 15-year-old bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in a collision with an SUV on Foster Avenue in Brooklyn. The bike overturned on impact, causing contusions to the rider’s abdomen and pelvis. The SUV was traveling west while the bike made a left turn.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:50 PM on Foster Avenue in Brooklyn. A 15-year-old male bicyclist, traveling north and making a left turn, collided with a westbound 2021 Toyota SUV going straight ahead. The impact caused the bike to overturn and the bicyclist to be partially ejected, sustaining contusions and bruises to his abdomen and pelvis. The SUV and bike both suffered front-end damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the bicyclist’s partial ejection and injury severity level 3. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight, while the bicyclist was the driver of the bike without safety equipment. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield are cited, but the collision dynamics indicate a dangerous interaction during the bike’s left turn across the SUV’s path.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750933, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck turned right on Ditmas Avenue, crushing a 16-year-old riding a Hurley e-bike beneath its front. His chest collapsed. He was thrown and died at the scene. The truck rolled on, untouched. The street swallowed another life.

According to the police report, a box truck was making a right turn on Ditmas Avenue near Coney Island Avenue when it struck a 16-year-old riding a Hurley e-bike. The report states the teen was crushed beneath the truck’s right front quarter panel, suffering fatal chest injuries. The victim was ejected and died at the scene. The truck sustained no damage and continued on, according to the narrative. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' and does not cite any driver error, but the sequence of events centers on the truck’s right turn and the resulting impact. The report notes the e-bike rider was unlicensed and wore no helmet, but these details are listed only after the fatal collision caused by the truck’s maneuver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749410, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 29-year-old moped driver was ejected and injured during a left turn on Foster Avenue in Brooklyn. Steering failure and defective brakes caused loss of control. The driver suffered contusions and leg injuries but remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male moped driver was making a left turn on Foster Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:47 when the vehicle experienced steering failure and defective brakes. These mechanical failures led to the driver being ejected from the moped. The report lists 'Steering Failure' and 'Brakes Defective' as contributing factors, highlighting critical vehicle control issues. The driver sustained injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises, but remained conscious. The moped showed no visible damage at the point of impact. The report does not indicate any pedestrian involvement or victim behavior contributing to the crash. The incident underscores the dangers posed by vehicle malfunctions during complex maneuvers like left turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745222, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 40-year-old man suffered facial injuries and shock after being struck while crossing 18 Avenue at Ocean Parkway. The pedestrian was following the crossing signal. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no driver errors were documented in the report.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 18 Avenue and Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn around 12:30. The report states the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred, resulting in facial injuries and minor bleeding. The pedestrian experienced shock but was not ejected from any vehicle. The vehicle involved is listed as unspecified, with no detailed information on vehicle type, driver license status, or pre-crash actions. The report does not cite any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The focus remains on the incident's facts without assigning fault to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743417, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Three pedestrians were struck by an SUV traveling north on Newkirk Avenue. All were crossing with the signal. Injuries included head, chest, and shoulder trauma. The vehicle showed no damage despite center front impact. Driver errors remain unspecified.

According to the police report, a 2022 Ford SUV traveling north on Newkirk Avenue struck three pedestrians—ages 13, 37, and 42—while they were crossing with the signal. The impact occurred at the center front end of the vehicle, which sustained no damage. All pedestrians were conscious but suffered injuries: head contusion, chest concussion, and shoulder bruising. The report does not specify contributing driver errors or factors, listing them as 'Unspecified.' The pedestrians were not at fault and were crossing legally. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead at the time. This crash highlights the danger pedestrians face even when crossing with the signal and the lack of clear driver fault details in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740623, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan turned left on Beverley Road. An e-bike rider went straight. Metal struck flesh. The cyclist, thirty, hit the ground headfirst, helmetless. Blood pooled. Lacerations deep. He lay conscious, half-thrown from his bike, pain sharp, Brooklyn afternoon.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn collided with an e-bike traveling straight along Beverley Road near Rugby Road in Brooklyn at 14:10. The report states, 'A sedan turned left. An e-bike went straight. Metal met flesh.' The 30-year-old e-bike rider was partially ejected and struck the ground headfirst, sustaining severe lacerations and head injuries. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors in the crash. The e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor—driver error remains central. The collision left the cyclist conscious but badly hurt, underscoring the dangers faced by vulnerable road users when drivers fail to yield or pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738383, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A convertible making an improper left turn collided with an eastbound e-scooter on 18 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver, a 21-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries and a concussion. Unsafe speed and turning errors caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:38 AM on 18 Avenue near Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. A convertible was making a left turn southwest when it struck the left front quarter panel of an eastbound e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 21-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, along with a concussion. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors, both attributed to the vehicle driver. The convertible's driver was licensed in New York and traveling southwest, while the e-scooter was going straight ahead east. The collision impact was centered on the convertible's front end and the e-scooter's left front quarter panel. The report highlights driver errors without attributing fault to the injured e-scooter rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737741, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck traveling west struck a northbound sedan making a right turn on Caton Avenue. The sedan’s front passenger suffered an eye abrasion but remained conscious. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the late-night crash.

According to the police report, at 11:40 p.m. on Caton Avenue in Brooklyn, a 2017 box truck traveling west collided with a 2015 sedan traveling north and making a right turn. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the truck and the center front end of the sedan. The sedan carried two occupants; the front passenger, a 30-year-old male, was injured with an eye abrasion and remained conscious. He was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front ends. The truck driver was licensed in Pennsylvania, and the sedan driver was licensed in New York. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731467, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle and SUV collided head-on on Avenue H. The unlicensed motorcyclist, traveling east, suffered abrasions to his arm and elbow. Police cited unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Avenue H at 20:19 involving a 2018 motorcycle and a 2020 SUV, both traveling east. The motorcycle driver, a 25-year-old male, was unlicensed and driving without safety equipment. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The collision impact was on the right front quarter panel of the motorcycle and the left front quarter panel of the SUV. The motorcyclist sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The SUV had two occupants, and its driver was licensed. The police report highlights driver errors by the motorcyclist, including unsafe speed and failure to yield, as central to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730250, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck struck a sedan on Foster Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, changing lanes, was hit on the left side. The truck driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Improper lane usage by the sedan driver caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Foster Avenue in Brooklyn at 12:46 PM. A box truck traveling northgoing straight ahead collided with a sedan also traveling north but changing lanes. The point of impact was the truck's right front bumper hitting the sedan's left side doors. The sedan driver was cited for improper lane usage, a contributing factor to the collision. The truck driver, a 41-year-old male occupant, sustained neck injuries and whiplash, was conscious, and wore a lap belt. The report notes no ejection and no other contributing factors for the truck driver. Vehicle damage was recorded on the truck's right front bumper and the sedan's left front quarter panel. The crash involved no pedestrians or cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728449, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 40-year-old man was injured crossing Foster Avenue with the signal when an SUV making a right turn struck him. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, compounded by limited visibility. The pedestrian suffered bruises and arm injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Foster Avenue at East 17 Street with the crossing signal when he was struck by a 2021 Lexus SUV making a right turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor, along with obstructed or limited view conditions. The driver was licensed and traveling southeast at the time. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s failure to yield and limited visibility as the primary causes, without attributing fault to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722335, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An SUV struck an 8-year-old boy riding a bike in Brooklyn, causing a severe shoulder injury and partial ejection. The driver’s inattention led to the crash, with impact on the vehicle’s right front quarter panel. The child remained conscious after the collision.

According to the police report, a 2015 Mercedes SUV traveling west on Parkville Avenue in Brooklyn collided with an 8-year-old male bicyclist traveling south. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front quarter panel, which sustained damage. The bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered a fractured, dislocated shoulder and upper arm injury, classified as severity level 3. The child was conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, explicitly pointing to the SUV driver’s failure to maintain attention. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. The SUV driver was a licensed female driver from New York. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving to vulnerable road users like children on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721744, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 64-year-old woman suffered a head contusion after an SUV backing up hit her outside an intersection in Brooklyn. The driver caused the crash by reversing, leaving the pedestrian injured but conscious. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a 64-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2011 Honda SUV backed up and struck her at 1623 Church Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash occurred at 16:10. The pedestrian was located outside an intersection and sustained a head contusion, classified as injury severity 3, and remained conscious after the impact. The vehicle was traveling west and the point of impact was the center back end of the SUV. The report identifies the driver’s pre-crash action as backing, indicating driver error in vehicle movement. No vehicle damage was recorded. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not attribute fault to her. The driver held a valid New York license and had two occupants in the vehicle at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716079, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 21-year-old passenger suffered a back contusion after an SUV struck a sedan’s right rear bumper on Newkirk Avenue at 10:17 p.m. Both vehicles were traveling straight. The collision caused significant damage to the sedan’s rear quarter panel.

According to the police report, at 22:17 on Newkirk Avenue, a 2024 Nissan SUV traveling south collided with the right rear bumper of a 2020 Nissan sedan traveling east. The SUV sustained front-end damage, while the sedan’s right rear quarter panel was heavily damaged. The impact injured a 21-year-old male passenger in the sedan, who suffered a back contusion but was not ejected and remained conscious. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The passenger was secured with a lap belt and harness. The collision’s cause remains unspecified in the police data, but the SUV’s front-end impact to the sedan’s rear indicates a rear-end collision scenario.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714157, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14