Four Dead, 555 Hurt: City Stalls, Streets Kill

Assembly bill A 803 aims to keep cars out of bike lanes. Cameras would catch violators. Streets could clear. Cyclists might breathe easier. Lawmakers back the crackdown. The fight for safe passage continues.

Assembly bill A 803, now in sponsorship, proposes a bicycle lane safety program for New York City. It would enforce restrictions on bike lane use with photo devices. The bill summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Primary sponsor Zohran Mamdani leads, joined by Brian Cunningham, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Harvey Epstein, Amy Paulin, and others. The bill was introduced January 8, 2025. No safety analyst note was provided. The measure targets drivers who block or endanger cyclists.

• File A 803, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

A sedan making a left turn hit a 30-year-old male pedestrian crossing Beverley Road outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and concussion. Glare impaired the driver's vision, contributing to the collision and serious injury.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Beverley Road in Brooklyn was making a left turn when it struck a 30-year-old male pedestrian crossing the street without a signal or crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion. The report identifies glare as a contributing factor that impaired the driver's visibility. The vehicle's center front end was the point of impact, indicating the pedestrian was hit directly by the front of the sedan. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the glare and failure to yield while turning led to the collision. The pedestrian was not ejected and remained conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783279 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Metal groaned on Nostrand Avenue. Two cars trapped, one stacked atop the other. A bus driver, a woman, a girl—hurt but alive. Emergency crews worked fast. The street bore the scars. The cause stayed hidden in the wreckage.

NY Daily News reported on December 18, 2024, that a multi-vehicle crash at Nostrand Ave. and Park Ave. in Brooklyn left three people injured. The article states, 'Three people were injured, including an MTA bus driver and a young girl, in a collision that pinned two cars between a box truck and a city bus.' Footage showed two vehicles sandwiched between the bus and truck, with one car stacked atop another. The injured included a 59-year-old MTA driver, a 33-year-old woman, and a 9-year-old girl. All were hospitalized in stable condition. The cause of the crash was not determined at the time of reporting. The incident highlights the risks at busy intersections and the dangers posed by large vehicles in dense urban traffic.

• Cars Crushed Between Bus And Truck, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-18

A corruption probe toppled Ingrid Lewis-Martin, City Hall’s top aide and a key road safety foe. Her resistance stalled the McGuinness Blvd. redesign, leaving pedestrians and cyclists at risk. Only after investigators seized phones did the city revive its safety plan.

This story centers on the McGuinness Boulevard safety redesign, a project to protect pedestrians and cyclists on a deadly Brooklyn street. No council bill number applies, but the saga unfolded across 2023 and 2024, with City Hall’s powerful aide Ingrid Lewis-Martin at the center. The matter: 'What role did a single bike lane play in Ingrid Lewis-Martin's undoing?' Lewis-Martin, Mayor Adams’s closest advisor, fought the road diet and bike lane, siding with Broadway Stages and its CEO Gina Argento, who opposed the plan. Under their pressure, Adams abandoned the Department of Transportation’s safety design. After both women’s phones were seized in a corruption probe, City Hall reversed course and advanced the safety project. The episode exposes how political interference delayed life-saving street changes, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to ongoing danger.

• The Lewis-Martin Probe and McGuinness Blvd.: What We Know, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-17

Power and money stalled safety on McGuinness Boulevard. A teacher died. Eleven pedestrians and three cyclists killed since 1995. City Hall caved to donors. Bike lanes and road diets delayed. Vulnerable road users paid the price. The fight continues.

This controversy centers on the McGuinness Boulevard safety redesign, with Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (District 42) mentioned at a pivotal June 15, 2023, town hall. The saga unfolded as City Hall, under pressure from Broadway Stages and its donors, repeatedly stalled or watered down the Department of Transportation’s plan to calm the deadly Brooklyn roadway. The matter’s summary: 'Under pressure from Broadway Stages, Mayor Adams abandoned his own Department of Transportation's plan to calm the notoriously dangerous Brooklyn roadway.' Despite neighborhood support and a history of fatal crashes, City Hall intervened, delaying life-saving changes. Bichotte Hermelyn appeared alongside DOT Commissioner Rodriguez at a meeting dominated by project opponents. The watered-down redesign, installed north of Calyer Street, did 'nothing' for pedestrian safety, according to local officials. The pattern: political influence trumped safety, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• The Lewis-Martin Probe and McGuinness Blvd.: What We Know, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-12-17

Council bill bars cars from blocking crosswalks. No standing or parking within 20 feet. City must install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections yearly. Streets clear. Sightlines open. Danger cut.

Int 1138-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 5, 2024. The bill states: “prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.” Council Member Erik D. Bottcher leads, joined by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and over two dozen co-sponsors. The law orders the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections each year, up from 100. The city must also run outreach and education. The bill aims to keep crosswalks clear, improve visibility, and protect people on foot and bike. No more hiding behind parked cars. The committee laid the bill over on April 21, 2025.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A city worker crashed into three cars in Bed-Stuy. She dragged a person, struck a car with a pregnant woman, and tried to flee. No life-threatening injuries. Police arrested her near the scene. Charges include assault and reckless endangerment.

Gothamist (2024-11-27) reports a New York City Housing Authority employee crashed into three vehicles near Gates Avenue and Marcus Garvey Boulevard in Brooklyn. Police say the driver, Tanisha Simpson, "swiped an oncoming car," dragged a person trying to get her information, and hit another car with a pregnant woman inside. She then struck a third, unoccupied vehicle before being arrested by city sheriffs nearby. The pregnant woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Simpson faces charges of reckless endangerment, assault, and leaving the scene. The incident highlights ongoing risks at busy intersections and underscores the consequences of fleeing after a crash.

• Driver Drags Person, Hits Pregnant Woman, Gothamist, Published 2024-11-27

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a 36-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV showed no damage despite the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Ocean Avenue near Foster Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:11 AM. The SUV was traveling north and was making a left turn when it struck the bicyclist, who was also traveling north. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper. The bicyclist, a 36-year-old male, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including abrasions, and remained conscious. The report lists no specific contributing factors for the crash but notes the SUV's maneuver as a left turn, indicating a failure to yield or improper turning as the likely cause. The bicyclist was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The SUV showed no damage despite the collision. The data highlights the dangers posed by vehicle left turns to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771770 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi making a left turn in Brooklyn struck parked cars. The driver, 39, was found unconscious and injured. Metal twisted. No pedestrians or cyclists involved. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a crash unfolded near 1110 Caton Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:30 AM. A taxi, turning left, collided with a sedan and two parked SUVs. The 39-year-old male driver was found unconscious, harnessed, with unknown injuries. The taxi's pre-crash action was 'Making Left Turn.' Parked vehicles bore the brunt of the impact. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report highlights the taxi's left turn as a critical moment. No blame is assigned to the injured driver. The crash shows the risk when turning vehicles meet dense, parked traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768392 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Box truck hit sedan from behind on Caton Avenue. Sedan driver, 30, suffered shoulder and arm injuries. Both vehicles moved east. Confusion listed as a crash factor.

According to the police report, a box truck rear-ended a sedan at 1312 Caton Avenue in Brooklyn at 3:02 AM. Both vehicles traveled east. The sedan's driver, a 30-year-old man, was injured in the shoulder and upper arm and reported whiplash. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, showing confusion played a role. No driver errors like failure to yield or speeding are listed. Both drivers were licensed and going straight. The crash exposes the dangers of multi-vehicle movement even when both drivers proceed as expected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767213 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A dump truck turning improperly collided with a parked sedan in Brooklyn. The sedan’s driver, a 36-year-old woman, suffered hip and upper leg injuries. The impact hit the sedan’s right rear bumper, causing abrasions but no ejection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:40 AM in Brooklyn near Coney Island Avenue. A dump truck traveling west was making a right turn when it struck a parked sedan facing east. The point of impact was the sedan’s right rear bumper. The dump truck driver’s action was cited as "Turning Improperly," indicating driver error. The sedan’s driver, a 36-year-old female occupant, was injured with abrasions and hip-upper leg injuries but was not ejected from the vehicle. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The dump truck sustained no damage despite the collision. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the sedan driver or other victims. The crash highlights the dangers posed by improper turning maneuvers by large vehicles near parked cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04