Brownsville Bleeds: Three Dead, a Thousand Hurt, and City Hall Watches

A driver suffered a head injury and concussion in a three-vehicle crash on Howard Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver was semiconscious but restrained by a lap belt and harness. Multiple vehicles sustained front-end and bumper damage in the collision.

According to the police report, a three-vehicle collision occurred on Howard Avenue in Brooklyn at 5:02 AM. The injured party was a 51-year-old male driver who suffered a head injury and concussion. He was semiconscious at the scene and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The crash involved two SUVs and one sedan. One SUV was parked before impact and sustained damage to its right front bumper. The other SUV and the sedan both had center front-end damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver but does not specify any driver errors or victim behaviors. The collision resulted in significant vehicle damage and serious injury to the driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795676, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man sped through a stop sign in Brownsville. His Mercedes hit a school bus. His passenger died. He ran from the wreck in a taxi. Police found him later. The victim’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged.

NY Daily News reported on March 2, 2025, that Tyree Epps, 32, drove a Mercedes-Benz without a license, ran a stop sign on Van Sinderen Ave, and crashed into a school bus. The article states, “After the crash, Epps hopped in a taxi and took off, leaving his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, in the front seat suffering severe head trauma.” Epps faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, and unlicensed driving. The bus driver survived. The crash exposes ongoing risks from unlicensed, reckless drivers and the persistent danger at city intersections. The victim’s family is left to grieve and organize a funeral, while the intersection remains a site of loss.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Fatal Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-02

A sedan tore down Van Sinderen Avenue, slammed a bus, then a parked truck. Metal screamed. The front passenger, a 26-year-old woman, died in her seat. Head wounds ended everything. She never saw it coming. The driver had no license.

A deadly crash unfolded on Van Sinderen Avenue near Blake Avenue in Brooklyn when, according to the police report, a sedan traveling at 'unsafe speed' collided with a bus and then struck a parked box truck. The report states the sedan's front passenger, a 26-year-old woman, suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. The sedan's driver was unlicensed, as documented in the official vehicle records. The police report attributes the primary contributing factor to 'Unsafe Speed.' The narrative describes the sedan as 'slammed into a bus, then a parked box truck,' underscoring the violent sequence. No contributing factors related to the victim's behavior are cited in the report. The focus remains on the unlicensed driver’s excessive speed and the systemic danger posed by unqualified motorists operating vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795300, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pick-up truck traveling north struck a parked sedan on Livonia Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact injured the sedan’s front passenger, causing neck trauma and whiplash. The collision damaged the front center of both vehicles, highlighting driver error in vehicle control.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck was traveling straight ahead northbound on Livonia Avenue when it collided with a parked sedan. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles, causing damage to each. The sedan had one occupant, a 40-year-old female front passenger, who was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the victim. The driver of the pick-up truck failed to maintain control or avoid the parked vehicle, resulting in the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793279, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan making a left turn collided with a westbound bicyclist on Mother Gaston Blvd in Brooklyn. The bicyclist was ejected, suffered injuries to the entire body, and was incoherent at the scene. The sedan sustained front-left damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Mother Gaston Blvd near Sutter Ave in Brooklyn at 3:20 PM. A sedan traveling north was making a left turn when it struck a bicyclist traveling westbound. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front bumper and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 29-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his entire body, resulting in incoherence and minor bleeding. The report lists no contributing factors from the bicyclist but notes unspecified factors overall. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2013 vehicle. The crash highlights the danger posed by turning vehicles failing to yield to bicyclists traveling straight through intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793008, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on Hegeman Avenue in Brooklyn. Both drivers, aged 75 and 60, suffered back injuries and shock. Vehicles impacted at left front bumpers while parked. No explicit driver errors were cited in the police report.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Hegeman Avenue in Brooklyn at 18:49. Both vehicles were described as parked before the crash, and the point of impact was the left front bumper on each vehicle. The drivers, a 75-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman, were both injured with back injuries and experienced shock. Both occupants were not ejected and did not wear safety equipment. The report lists contributing factors for both occupants as 'Unspecified,' and no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The collision involved two licensed drivers from New York and New Jersey. The police report does not attribute fault to either driver or mention any victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792039, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 19-year-old male pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries after being hit at a Brooklyn intersection. The vehicle, a Nissan traveling south, struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The pedestrian was not ejected and experienced shock and minor bleeding.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Rockaway Avenue and Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn around 10:28 PM. The pedestrian was struck by a Nissan car or SUV traveling south, which impacted the pedestrian at the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and was not ejected from the impact. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian and no explicit driver errors or violations such as failure to yield or speeding were recorded. Vehicle damage was noted as none. The pedestrian was located at the intersection, but their actions and safety equipment use are unknown. The report highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians at intersections and the impact of vehicle contact even without visible vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793663, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 47-year-old man was struck at an intersection in Brooklyn by a pickup truck backing up. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The truck showed no damage despite the impact.

According to the police report, a pickup truck was backing up when it struck a 47-year-old male pedestrian crossing an intersection on Thomas S Boyland Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was injured, sustaining abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report notes the pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication. The vehicle's point of impact was the left side doors, yet the truck sustained no damage. The report does not specify driver contributing factors, but the pre-crash action of backing implicates driver error in failing to ensure the path was clear. The pedestrian’s contributing factors are listed as unspecified, with no mention of helmet use or crossing signals as causal. This crash highlights the dangers posed by vehicle backing maneuvers in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791026, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 52-year-old woman suffered abrasions and elbow injuries while crossing Sutter Avenue with the signal. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. The pedestrian was conscious and injured outside an intersection in Brooklyn’s 11212 zip code.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old female pedestrian was injured on Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn while crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle with no details on driver actions or contributing factors listed in the report. The pedestrian was located outside an intersection at the time of the collision. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited in the data. The report does not indicate any contributing factors from the pedestrian. The incident occurred in the 11212 zip code area, with no additional narrative or vehicle details provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787621, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan making a left turn collided with a bicyclist traveling straight on Hegeman Avenue in Brooklyn. The 19-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries, experiencing shock and pain. The sedan’s right front bumper was damaged in the impact.

According to the police report, a 2004 Nissan sedan was making a left turn on Hegeman Avenue in Brooklyn when it struck a 19-year-old male bicyclist traveling straight east. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front bumper, which sustained damage. The bicyclist, who was not wearing safety equipment, was injured with knee, lower leg, and foot trauma and was reported to be in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the sedan’s left turn maneuver as the critical action preceding the collision. No driver errors such as failure to yield are explicitly cited, but the turning vehicle’s movement directly caused the crash. The bicyclist was not ejected and sustained moderate injuries. This crash underscores the dangers posed by turning vehicles to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786308, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on Liberty Avenue in Brooklyn. The unlicensed driver struck the left side of another sedan. The licensed driver suffered arm injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause, highlighting dangerous driver errors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:02 on Liberty Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans traveling straight ahead collided, with the unlicensed driver striking the left side doors of the licensed driver's vehicle. The licensed driver, a 35-year-old male, was injured with contusions and bruises to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and experienced shock. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor to the crash. The unlicensed status of the striking driver further underscores the systemic danger posed by driver errors. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784384, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sport utility vehicles collided on Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn. The 85-year-old driver of one SUV suffered a head injury and shock. Police cited traffic control disregard as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front and rear quarter panel damage.

According to the police report, two station wagon/SUV vehicles collided on Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn at 13:50. The first vehicle, traveling east, impacted the center front end of the second vehicle, which was traveling south and struck on its right rear quarter panel. The 85-year-old male driver of the first SUV was injured, suffering a head injury and experiencing shock, with complaints of pain or nausea. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error in failing to obey traffic signals or signs. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles straight ahead before impact. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report. The collision caused significant damage to both vehicles, highlighting systemic dangers at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784156, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 33-year-old woman driving a vehicle on Mother Gaston Blvd suffered back injuries and semiconsciousness after a collision with a sedan. The impact struck her vehicle's center front end, leaving her with pain and nausea, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:00 PM on Mother Gaston Blvd in Brooklyn. A 33-year-old female driver, restrained by a lap belt and harness, was injured with back pain and semiconsciousness after her vehicle was struck at the center front end. The other vehicle, a 2019 Nissan sedan traveling west, impacted the right rear quarter panel of the injured driver's vehicle, which was traveling south. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead before the collision. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver but does not specify driver errors or violations. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783008, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 12-year-old girl was struck while crossing with the signal at a Brooklyn intersection. The sedan’s left front quarter panel made contact, causing abrasions and lower leg injuries. The driver showed no visible vehicle damage. Contributing factors remain unspecified.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn at 5:59 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2023 Honda sedan traveling south struck her on the left front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle sustained no visible damage. The driver was licensed and going straight ahead. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no direct driver errors or victim behaviors noted. The collision highlights the danger pedestrians face even when crossing legally.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783369, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 24-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a southbound vehicle on Rockaway Ave. The driver’s inattention and failure to yield caused severe leg injuries. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Rockaway Ave and Livonia Ave in Brooklyn around 6:30 p.m. The 24-year-old male pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a southbound vehicle struck him with its center front end. The report identifies driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. The vehicle was traveling straight ahead and had damage to its center front end. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No other contributing factors such as pedestrian fault or helmet use were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780559, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A collision on Pitkin Avenue in Brooklyn left three men injured. The crash involved a sport utility vehicle and an ambulance. Alcohol involvement by one driver contributed to the crash. Injuries included whiplash and upper leg trauma.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Pitkin Avenue in Brooklyn at 4:57 a.m. The collision involved a sport utility vehicle traveling west and an ambulance traveling south. The ambulance sustained damage to its left front quarter panel, while the SUV was damaged on the right front bumper. Three male occupants were injured: a 36-year-old driver and a 40-year-old front passenger in the SUV, and a 60-year-old male driver of the ambulance. All three suffered injuries including whiplash, head, neck, and upper leg trauma. The report explicitly cites alcohol involvement as a contributing factor for the 60-year-old ambulance driver. No other contributing factors were specified. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by impaired driving in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775455, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 49-year-old woman suffered severe leg fractures after being struck at a Brooklyn intersection. The crash occurred late at night. Police reports note no contributing factors from the pedestrian or driver, leaving the cause unclear but highlighting the danger at this location.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Rockaway Avenue and Pitkin Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:18 p.m. She sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report classifies her injury severity as serious (level 3) and notes she was conscious after the crash. The pedestrian was in the roadway at the time, described as 'Other Actions in Roadway.' The vehicle involved is unspecified with no details on driver behavior or contributing factors listed in the report. There is no mention of driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding, nor any pedestrian contributing factors. The absence of identified causes in the report underscores systemic risks at this intersection, where severe pedestrian injuries can occur without clear driver fault documented.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775454, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 53-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a pickup truck backed unsafely in Brooklyn. The impact struck the pedestrian outside the roadway, causing contusions and bruises. The driver’s failure to back safely led to the collision.

According to the police report, a pickup truck backed unsafely near Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn at 8:05 PM. The vehicle struck a 53-year-old male pedestrian, who was not in the roadway at the time. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the collision. The report explicitly cites 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor to the crash. The point of impact was the center back end of the truck. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The driver’s unsafe backing maneuver directly caused the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772600, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 27-year-old woman suffered hip and upper leg injuries after a vehicle backing west on Pitkin Avenue struck her. The pedestrian was crossing outside an intersection in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s backing maneuver and close passing contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a vehicle traveling west on Pitkin Avenue was backing when it struck a 27-year-old female pedestrian. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk but not at an intersection. The report cites the driver’s backing maneuver as a key factor, with the vehicle impacting the center back end. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg and was in shock at the scene. The report identifies 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor, indicating the vehicle’s proximity to the pedestrian during the backing. Additionally, the pedestrian’s error or confusion is noted but the primary driver error was the backing movement. The vehicle sustained no damage, and the driver was licensed in New York. The pedestrian complained of pain and nausea following the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771318, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 66-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash after his sedan collided with the right rear quarter panel of another vehicle on Mother Gaston Blvd in Brooklyn. The crash caused front-end damage to the sedan and left the driver injured but conscious.

According to the police report, at 15:01 on Mother Gaston Blvd in Brooklyn, a 2019 Toyota sedan traveling north went straight ahead and struck the right rear quarter panel of another vehicle. The collision caused center front-end damage to the sedan. The 66-year-old male driver, who was the sole occupant, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The report lists the driver's contributing factors as unspecified, and no pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers of vehicle-to-vehicle impacts and the resulting injuries to drivers, with no indication of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768755, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15