Ocean Hill Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Feb 2 - Transit advocates and officials rallied at Grand Central. They demanded Governor Hochul fill a $33 billion gap in the MTA capital plan. Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal called transit vital for the region. Advocates stressed accessibility and equity. The state’s budget leaves riders exposed.

On February 2, 2025, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal joined transit advocates at Grand Central Terminal to push for full funding of the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan. The rally targeted Governor Hochul’s $252 billion budget, which omits $33 billion needed for transit upgrades. The event, covered by amny.com, highlighted the matter: 'NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This is about the economic engine for the entire region.' Assembly Member Tony Simone and others demanded investment in transportation deserts and accessible stations. Advocates cited the MTA’s ADA settlement, noting only a quarter of stations are wheelchair-accessible, with the fewest in low-income areas. The rally underscored that without full funding, vulnerable riders—especially those with disabilities—face continued barriers and danger.

• NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue, amny.com, Published 2025-02-02

Jan 31 - A 14-year-old boy suffered a head contusion after being struck while crossing with the signal at a Brooklyn intersection. The pedestrian was conscious but injured, highlighting dangers at this location despite lawful crossing behavior.

According to the police report, a 14-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Thomas S Boyland St and Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn at 5:40 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. He sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise and was conscious at the scene. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian or the vehicle driver, and the vehicle involved is unspecified. The absence of driver errors in the report does not diminish the fact that a lawful pedestrian crossing resulted in injury, underscoring systemic danger at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790210 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 26 - A cargo van turned left on Cropsey Avenue. It struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide. Gil died. The aide survived. No charges for the driver. Another senior lost to city traffic. The street remains dangerous for the old and frail.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn with her home health aide. According to the NYPD, 'a man driving a cargo van struck both of them while making a left turn.' Gil died from her injuries; her aide was hospitalized. Police did not arrest or charge the driver. The article notes that Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn this year, and cites Transportation Alternatives: '46 senior pedestrians were killed in car crashes across the city last year.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk seniors face on city streets, especially at intersections where turning vehicles endanger those crossing on foot.

• Elderly Woman Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-01-26

Jan 24 - A sedan struck a 60-year-old man crossing at Atlantic Avenue. The impact left him with head wounds and abrasions. He stayed conscious but hurt. The car’s right front bumper took damage.

According to the police report, a 2016 Infiniti sedan traveled north on Atlantic Avenue near Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn just after midnight. The sedan hit a 60-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection. The man was crossing against the signal. He suffered head injuries and abrasions but remained conscious. The car’s right front bumper was damaged. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. The only noted factor was the pedestrian crossing against the signal. No other causes were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788318 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 8 - 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

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 1 - 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

Dec 18 - 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

Dec 14 - SUV turned left on Ralph Ave. Hit cyclist riding straight. Cyclist hurt, arm scraped. Driver unlicensed. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, an unlicensed male SUV driver turned left on Ralph Ave near Fulton St and struck a female bicyclist riding south. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, but the SUV driver's lack of a license stands out. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the SUV and the left front of the bike. The crash left the cyclist conscious but injured, underscoring the danger when unlicensed drivers operate heavy vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781872 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 14 - A sedan driver suffered neck bruises after his car was struck on the left side while starting from parking near Atlantic Avenue. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Police listed no driver errors.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old man driving a 2007 Chevrolet sedan was injured at 3:04 AM near 2402 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan, licensed in Illinois, was struck on the left side doors while starting from parking. The driver suffered neck contusions and was conscious at the scene. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The crash underscores the risks drivers face when moving from parking positions on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778540 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 9 - A driver suffered illness while traveling west on Pacific Street, striking two parked sedans. The impact injured the driver with chest trauma. Slippery pavement compounded the loss of control, leading to a chain reaction crash in Brooklyn’s 11233 zip code.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:47 on Pacific Street in Brooklyn. A 39-year-old male driver, licensed in New York, was operating a 2019 Nissan sedan traveling westbound when he experienced an illness. This medical condition, combined with slippery pavement, caused him to collide with two parked sedans, a 2008 Honda and a 2012 Lincoln, both also facing west. The point of impact was the center front end of the Nissan and the center back ends of the parked vehicles. The driver was injured, sustaining chest trauma and internal complaints, but was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. The police report cites 'Illness' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors, highlighting the driver’s medical emergency and road conditions as primary causes. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777761 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 8 - A 15-year-old bicyclist was ejected and suffered neck injuries after a collision with a sedan on Thomas S Boyland St. The crash involved failure to yield right-of-way by both parties, resulting in whiplash and shock for the youth.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 16:05 on Thomas S Boyland St in Brooklyn involving a sedan and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 15-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained neck injuries described as whiplash, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor attributed to both the bicyclist and the vehicle driver. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not using any safety equipment at the time. The sedan, a 2013 Honda with two occupants, struck the left side doors of the bicycle. The report highlights driver errors, specifically failure to yield, as central to the crash dynamics. No victim fault or behavior beyond these factors is noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777414 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 6 - Two sedans collided on Eastern Parkway. Both drivers and a front passenger suffered neck and back injuries. The crash left them in shock. Center-end damage marked the scene. Straight roads still bring sudden harm.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling eastbound collided at 1586 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn at 9:02 AM. Both drivers and a front passenger were injured, suffering neck and back trauma and shock. The report notes center back and front end damage to the vehicles. No specific driver errors or contributing factors such as failure to yield or speeding are listed; the report marks contributing factors as unspecified. All injured occupants were restrained with lap belts and were not ejected. The crash underscores the persistent risk faced by vehicle occupants, even when traveling straight on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777804 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 5 - 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

Dec 5 - 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

Dec 3 - A sedan and a bus collided on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, a 20-year-old man, suffered injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and improper lane usage as causes. Both vehicles sustained damage to their quarter panels.

According to the police report, at 8:50 AM on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, a collision occurred between a 2021 BMW sedan and a 2020 bus. The sedan driver, a 20-year-old male with a learner's permit, was injured and experienced shock. The report identifies driver errors as the primary contributing factors, specifically 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' on the part of the sedan driver. Both vehicles were traveling southbound and sustained damage to their quarter panels—the sedan's right front and the bus's left rear. The sedan driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The bus driver was licensed and had two occupants. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. This crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and improper lane use in multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775925 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 1 - A sedan slammed into another from behind on Saratoga Avenue. The struck driver suffered facial abrasions. Both cars took heavy damage. Streets remain dangerous for those inside and outside vehicles.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling east on Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn when a rear-end collision occurred. The BMW sedan was hit in the center back end by a Honda sedan. The BMW's 49-year-old male driver suffered facial abrasions and was injured. The report lists unspecified contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead at the time of the crash. The impact pattern points to a failure by the striking driver, exposing persistent risks for all road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 28 - A sedan making a left turn struck a 23-year-old e-bike rider going straight on Eastern Parkway. The rider suffered upper arm injuries and bruises. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:00 PM on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling west was making a left turn when it collided head-on with an e-bike traveling northeast. The e-bike driver, a 23-year-old male, was injured with contusions and an upper arm injury but remained conscious and was not ejected from his vehicle. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for the collision, specifically pointing to the sedan driver. The e-bike driver was unlicensed, but no contributing factors related to victim behavior were noted. The sedan had four occupants, and the driver was licensed. Vehicle damage was centered on the front ends of both vehicles, confirming the point of impact. This crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction during left turns in busy urban streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776981 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 28 - A 76-year-old man fell hard on Broadway, his head split open by an eastbound e-bike. Blood pooled on the asphalt. The rider kept moving. Confusion ruled the intersection. The old man stayed down, silent in the chaos.

A 76-year-old pedestrian was struck and severely injured by an eastbound e-bike at Broadway and Mac Dougal Street in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The report describes the scene: 'Head split, blood on the asphalt. He stayed down. The rider did not.' The collision left the man with severe lacerations to his head, and he remained conscious but injured at the intersection. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, explicitly noting confusion at the intersection. The e-bike was traveling straight ahead and struck the pedestrian with its center front end. No additional driver errors or victim behaviors are cited in the report. The incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at busy Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 27 - A distracted driver caused a collision between a parked taxi and an SUV traveling east on St Marks Ave in Brooklyn. A 26-year-old female passenger suffered upper arm injuries and shock. The crash exposed dangers of driver inattention in city traffic.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:17 on St Marks Ave in Brooklyn. The collision involved a parked 2017 taxi and a 2011 SUV traveling east. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The taxi was stationary before impact, struck on its left rear bumper, while the SUV hit with its right front bumper. A 26-year-old female occupant in the taxi, seated as a right rear passenger, sustained injuries to her shoulder and upper arm and was in shock. She was not ejected and was not using any safety equipment. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the passenger. The crash highlights the systemic danger posed by driver distraction in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774664 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19