Brownsville Bleeds—Leaders Stall. Demand Safe Streets Now.

Feb 27 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 18 - A BMW X5 veered off Belt Parkway near Exit 14. The SUV struck a tree. Marcus Joseph, 41, died at the scene. No passengers. No bystanders hurt. The crash left only silence and wreckage on the Brooklyn road.

NY Daily News (2025-02-18) reports Marcus Joseph, 41, died after his BMW X5 spun out of control on the Belt Parkway near Exit 14 in Starrett City, Brooklyn. Police said the SUV 'skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.' Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The article does not mention weather or road conditions. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed corridors like the Belt Parkway, where loss of control can prove fatal. No charges were filed. The report underscores the persistent risks for all road users on New York City highways.

• BMW Skids, Slams Tree On Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 18 - Senators move to guard bike lanes. Cameras will catch drivers who block or invade. The city’s cyclists and walkers get a shot at safer streets. No more hiding behind the wheel.

Senate bill S 5008, now in sponsorship, aims to launch a bicycle lane safety program in New York City. The bill, introduced February 18, 2025, sits in committee. Its 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.' Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal leads, joined by Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, Liz Krueger, Jessica Ramos, and Julia Salazar. The bill targets drivers who block or misuse bike lanes, using cameras to enforce the rules. The move puts pressure on the city to protect cyclists and pedestrians from daily danger.

• File S 5008, Open States, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 14 - A pick-up truck struck a parked sedan on Livonia Avenue. The crash injured the sedan’s front passenger, leaving her with neck trauma and whiplash. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling north on Livonia Avenue collided with a parked sedan at Strauss Street in Brooklyn. The impact hit the center front of both vehicles. The sedan’s front passenger, a 40-year-old woman, suffered neck trauma and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors. The driver of the pick-up truck failed to maintain control, striking a stationary vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793279 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 14 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 11 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 8 - A Nissan struck a 19-year-old man at Rockaway and Sutter. He suffered knee and leg injuries, shock, and minor bleeding. The car hit him head-on. No vehicle damage. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male pedestrian was hit by a Nissan traveling south at the intersection of Rockaway Avenue and Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn at 10:28 PM. The vehicle struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and shock. He was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not record any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No vehicle damage was noted. The incident underscores the risk pedestrians face at intersections, even when the car shows no visible damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793663 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 29 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 21 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 16 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 7 - Unlicensed driver failed to yield. Two sedans collided in Brooklyn. Licensed driver suffered arm injuries and shock. Systemic danger exposed by reckless driver actions.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 19:02 on Liberty Avenue in Brooklyn. The unlicensed driver, heading south, struck the left side doors of another sedan traveling west. The licensed driver, a 35-year-old man, suffered contusions and bruises to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and experienced shock. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the cause. The unlicensed status of the striking driver highlights the systemic danger of driver error. No victim behavior contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784384 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 6 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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