Utica, Church, Linden: a body count and a clock

Feb 25 - A licensed male driver in an SUV struck a parked sedan on Church Avenue, causing chest injuries and shock. The SUV hit the sedan’s left rear quarter panel and left front bumper. Failure to yield right-of-way was cited as the cause.

According to the police report, at 3:35 AM on Church Avenue, a 42-year-old male driver in a 2020 Honda SUV traveling east collided with a 2016 Mercedes sedan that was parked and facing north. The point of impact was the SUV’s left rear quarter panel and the sedan’s left front bumper. The SUV driver was licensed and driving straight ahead. The sedan had no occupants at the time. The injured driver suffered chest injuries and was in shock, with airbags deployed and lap belt harness used. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights driver error in yielding and the dangers posed to occupants even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706575 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 8 - Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Feb 8 - Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

Feb 1 - A northbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan on Kings Highway, injuring the sedan’s driver. The collision caused shoulder and whiplash injuries. Police cited handheld cell phone use as a contributing factor, highlighting driver distraction in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Kings Highway in Brooklyn at 1:35 a.m. A northbound BMW SUV collided with the center back end of a northbound Toyota sedan. The sedan’s driver, a 44-year-old man, suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries along with whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time. The report identifies handheld cell phone use by the SUV driver as a contributing factor, indicating driver distraction. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead prior to impact. The SUV sustained front-end damage, while the sedan’s rear was damaged. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the sedan driver. This crash underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving on busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699366 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 21 - Two sedans collided at Winthrop Street, both drivers sustained injuries. The impact damaged the right front bumper of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. One driver suffered an elbow and lower arm injury but remained conscious.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling straight ahead—one southbound and one eastbound—collided at the intersection of Winthrop Street and East 54 Street. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the southbound Nissan and the left front bumper of the eastbound Hyundai. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. The 51-year-old male driver of the Nissan sustained an injury to his elbow and lower arm but was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both vehicles had one occupant each, and damage was limited to the front bumpers. The report does not indicate any pedestrian or cyclist involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696738 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 17 - Seven Brooklyn officials urge DOT to clear cars from corners. They want boulders, planters, and bike corrals—not just paint. Their call follows deadly crashes. They press the city to use state law and federal funds. DOT promises review. Advocates back the push.

On January 17, 2024, seven Brooklyn elected officials—including Council Member Shahana Hanif, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Marcela Mitaynes, Jo Anne Simon, Robert Carroll, and State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Andrew Gounardes—issued a joint letter to the NYC Department of Transportation. They called for 'universal daylighting with hardened materials such as boulders, planters, and bike corrals' at intersections. The officials cited recent fatal crashes and urged the city to opt into a state law banning parking within 20 feet of corners. They want federal funds used for these changes. The group opposes DOT’s slow pace and reliance on paint, demanding physical barriers. Community board leaders and advocates support the move. DOT says it will review the letter and remains committed to evidence-based daylighting.

• Seven Brooklyn Electeds Join Growing Calls For Universal Daylighting, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-17

Jan 13 - Five people hurt in a Brooklyn crash. Two SUVs and a sedan slammed together. Police cite alcohol as a cause. Victims suffered shock, pain in neck, back, and body. No pedestrians involved. Metal twisted. Sirens followed.

According to the police report, a crash on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn involved two SUVs and a sedan. Five occupants were injured, including drivers and passengers. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor for multiple drivers. Passenger distraction was also noted. All victims wore lap belts and harnesses. Injuries included neck, back, hip, and full-body trauma, with all experiencing shock. The SUVs sustained rear bumper damage, while the sedan was hit in the front. No pedestrian actions or helmet use were listed as factors. The report highlights driver errors tied to alcohol, which played a central role in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694804 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 5 - A 19-year-old woman crossing East 52 Street in Brooklyn was struck by a northbound vehicle. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered a concussion and injuries to her entire body, remaining conscious after the impact.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at approximately 7:30 PM on East 52 Street in Brooklyn. The 19-year-old female pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when she was struck by a northbound vehicle. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its center front end but sustained no damage. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her entire body, including a concussion, and remained conscious after the collision. The report highlights driver errors as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693283 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 21 - A 16-year-old male on an e-scooter crashed on Remsen Avenue. He suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The scooter’s front end was damaged. The rider was conscious and not ejected. Police cited pedestrian confusion as a factor.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old male driving an e-scooter on Remsen Avenue was injured in a crash. He sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The scooter’s center front end was damaged. The driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The rider was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash involved confusion with a pedestrian or bicyclist, but no blame is assigned to the injured e-scooter driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690521 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 8 - A sedan struck a 39-year-old woman crossing Clarkson Avenue with the signal. She suffered back contusions. The crash happened as the car turned left. No driver errors listed. She stayed conscious.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old woman was hit by a sedan while crossing Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn at 12:50 a.m. She had the signal. The sedan, making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. She suffered back contusions but remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. No helmet or signaling issues were noted for the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686635 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 5 - A 63-year-old woman was struck by an SUV while crossing Tilden Avenue with the signal. She suffered bruises and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The driver was traveling eastbound. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 63-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Tilden Avenue and East 49 Street in Brooklyn. She was crossing with the signal when a 2004 Dodge SUV traveling eastbound struck her. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and remained conscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The impact caused other vehicle damage, and the pedestrian was treated for moderate injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685921 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 3 - A 44-year-old man was struck by a vehicle backing north on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was not in the roadway but suffered bruises and full-body injuries. The vehicle hit the pedestrian at its center back end. The man remained conscious.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured by a vehicle backing on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. The 44-year-old male pedestrian was not in the roadway when the vehicle, traveling north, backed into him. The point of impact was the vehicle's center back end. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to his entire body but remained conscious. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond the vehicle backing. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The pedestrian's location off the roadway and the vehicle's backing maneuver were central to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683930 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 1 - Two SUVs crashed on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. A 27-year-old female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The collision struck the right rear quarter panel of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. Driver errors caused the crash.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. The 27-year-old female driver of a 2019 Jeep SUV was injured, sustaining neck pain and whiplash. The crash involved improper passing or lane usage and reaction to an uninvolved vehicle. The Jeep was struck on its right rear quarter panel while the other SUV, a 2011 Nissan, was hit on its left front bumper. The female driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686073 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 20 - A 26-year-old man was struck while crossing East 40 Street at an intersection. The vehicle hit him head-on, causing knee and lower leg injuries. The pedestrian was conscious and internally injured. The driver was going straight southbound.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing East 40 Street at an intersection in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a vehicle traveling southbound struck him with its center front end. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot and remained conscious after the collision. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The vehicle was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No information on the vehicle type or driver details was provided. The pedestrian was not ejected and no safety equipment was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4681363 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 7 - A 55-year-old woman was struck while crossing East 57 Street at a marked crosswalk. The SUV driver made a left turn and failed to notice her. She suffered bruises and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The driver was distracted.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old female pedestrian was injured crossing East 57 Street at a marked crosswalk in Brooklyn. The driver of a 2013 Nissan SUV was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed. No other factors such as pedestrian error or safety equipment were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers turning across pedestrian paths.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677791 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 27 - A 41-year-old woman crossing against the signal was struck by a northbound e-bike on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. She suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. Alcohol was involved in the crash. The e-bike showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Utica Avenue against the signal. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The collision involved a northbound e-bike traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian at the center front end. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor for both the pedestrian and the crash. The e-bike sustained no damage. The pedestrian's action of crossing against the signal and alcohol involvement were noted, but no driver errors such as failure to yield were specified in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674758 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 23 - A 40-year-old woman was hit by an SUV while crossing Linden Boulevard in Brooklyn. The impact fractured her knee and lower leg. She remained conscious but suffered severe leg injuries. The driver was traveling west, striking her at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2008 SUV traveling west on Linden Boulevard struck her at the intersection. She was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The collision caused fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver, a licensed male from New York, was going straight ahead when the vehicle's right front quarter panel impacted the pedestrian. No specific driver errors were listed in the report, and no contributing factors such as failure to yield or distraction were noted. The pedestrian's injuries were severe but she remained conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672932 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 19 - A 24-year-old man was struck while crossing Remsen Avenue with the signal. He suffered bruises and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver was in a Jeep SUV. The pedestrian remained conscious after the impact.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Remsen Avenue at an intersection with the signal. He sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicle involved was a Jeep SUV. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The pedestrian was conscious and did not suffer ejection. No information on driver actions or vehicle damage was provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674742 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 11 - A 22-year-old male bicyclist crashed on Remsen Avenue at night. He was partially ejected and suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The rider wore a helmet but sustained serious injuries. No other vehicles involved.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on Remsen Avenue was involved in a crash where he was partially ejected from his bike. The bicyclist suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any other vehicles or driver errors. The rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved, and no driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669930 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 7 - A sedan plowed into an e-scooter on Church Avenue. The rider, 37, flew from his seat. His head struck the pavement. Blood pooled beneath him. He lay conscious, crushed and broken, as traffic roared past in Brooklyn dusk.

A sedan struck an eastbound e-scooter at Church Avenue and East 49th Street in Brooklyn. The 37-year-old e-scooter rider was ejected and suffered severe head injuries. According to the police report, 'A sedan struck an eastbound e-scooter. The rider, 37, flew from the seat. No helmet. Head crushed. He lay conscious in the street, blood spreading beneath him like a shadow that would not leave.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the police report, but the primary cause cited is driver inattention. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668550 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19