Flatlands Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Sleep

A taxi struck a 27-year-old man at Avenue J and Flatbush. The pedestrian suffered knee, leg, and foot injuries. He was conscious. The crash marked another night of danger for Brooklyn’s walkers.

According to the police report, a taxi hit a 27-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection of Avenue J and Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn at 11:40 PM. The man was in the roadway and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with abrasions and a moderate injury severity. He remained conscious after the crash. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. No pedestrian actions or safety equipment were cited as contributing factors. The incident highlights the ongoing risk faced by pedestrians at Brooklyn intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A cargo van struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide in Brooklyn. Gil died. The driver turned left, hit them in the crosswalk. No charges filed. Gil survived war and disaster, but not New York traffic. Another senior lost to city streets.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. A man driving a cargo van made a left turn and struck Gil and her home health aide. The aide survived; Gil did not. Police made no arrests or charges. The article notes, 'She was a very active lady.' Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn that month. Transportation Alternatives highlighted that 46 senior pedestrians died in city crashes last year. The crash underscores the ongoing risk to older New Yorkers at crosswalks and the lack of driver accountability in such incidents.

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

Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

A moving sedan struck a parked car on Avenue J. The crash injured a 78-year-old woman riding in the back seat. Metal twisted. The street fell silent. Emergency crews arrived. Another life changed by impact.

According to the police report, a southbound sedan hit a parked vehicle on Avenue J in Brooklyn at 9:11 AM. The impact injured a 78-year-old female passenger in the moving car. She suffered trauma to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The parked car was stationary before the crash. The injured passenger was wearing a lap belt and remained conscious after the collision. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The report documents the force of a moving vehicle striking a stationary car, leaving a passenger hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786264 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 17-year-old male pedestrian suffered head injuries after a bus traveling east on Utica Avenue struck him at a marked crosswalk. The impact occurred at the bus's right rear bumper. The victim was conscious and sustained contusions and bruises.

According to the police report, a bus traveling eastbound on Utica Avenue struck a 17-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a crossing signal. The collision occurred at 5:30 PM near Avenue H in Brooklyn. The point of impact was the bus's right rear bumper, damaging its right rear quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained head injuries classified as contusions and bruises and was conscious at the scene. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not specify driver errors or violations such as failure to yield. The bus was moving straight ahead with one occupant, and no driver license or behavioral details were provided. The focus remains on the bus's involvement in striking the pedestrian at the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785743 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

A 68-year-old woman suffered abrasions and full-body injuries after a sedan struck her at a Brooklyn intersection. The driver, making a left turn, failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when hit.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 68-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The driver was making a left turn and impacted the pedestrian with the center front end of the vehicle. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The driver’s failure to yield and distraction directly contributed to the crash, underscoring systemic dangers posed by inattentive turning drivers in crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784892 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs slammed together on Avenue O. A woman in the front seat was thrown partway out, scraped head to toe. Police cite ignored traffic signals and driver distraction as causes.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at Avenue O and E 53 Street in Brooklyn at 16:29. The left front bumper of a 2015 Jeep struck the right side doors of a 2007 Mercedes. A 55-year-old woman, riding as front passenger, was partially ejected and suffered abrasions over her entire body. She was conscious and wore a lap belt. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, along with driver inattention. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The crash left the passenger with serious injuries, underscoring the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls and lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784029 - 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 pick-up truck crash in Brooklyn left a 21-year-old female passenger unconscious with head injuries. The vehicle’s left front bumper struck the occupant’s side, causing minor bleeding. Alcohol involvement by the driver was cited in the police report.

According to the police report, a 2023 pick-up truck traveling straight ahead on Kings Hwy in Brooklyn struck a passenger inside the vehicle, a 21-year-old female seated in the left rear position. The impact occurred at the vehicle’s left front bumper, causing head injuries and unconsciousness with minor bleeding. The injured occupant was restrained by a lap belt and was not ejected. The report explicitly cites alcohol involvement as a contributing factor, indicating driver impairment. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of impaired driving and its direct impact on vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780514 - 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 sedan making a left turn struck a woman crossing with the signal. She suffered hip and leg injuries. The driver failed to yield. The street became a scene of pain and shock.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old woman was crossing Avenue O at E 56 Street in Brooklyn with the signal when a sedan, making a left turn, struck her with its center front end. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the driver’s contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her hip and upper leg, experienced shock, and reported internal complaints. The vehicle was a 2024 Volvo sedan registered in New Jersey, driven by a licensed New York driver. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield to pedestrians who have the right of way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779692 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a 50-year-old man crossing Utica Avenue. The driver was distracted and failed to yield. The pedestrian suffered a bruised upper arm. Impact came from the car’s left front bumper. Brooklyn street, night, blood on asphalt.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on Utica Avenue struck a 50-year-old male pedestrian in a marked crosswalk at an intersection. The pedestrian suffered a contusion and upper arm injury but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The vehicle’s left front bumper hit the pedestrian, causing visible damage. The driver was licensed and operating a Pennsylvania-registered 2016 Toyota sedan. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. Driver error led to serious injury for a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780283 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Steel twisted on Kings Highway. Two sedans collided head-on at speed. Fire erupted. A 57-year-old unlicensed man died, trapped and burned in his Ford. By the time help arrived, the car was ash. Brooklyn night, one life erased.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on at speed at Kings Highway and Avenue M in Brooklyn. The report states, 'Steel crumpled. Fire bloomed.' A 57-year-old unlicensed man, driving a Ford sedan, was killed—burned to death while strapped in his seat. The Ford was described as 'ash by the time help came.' The crash occurred at 21:45. The police report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The deceased was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The data shows the man was unlicensed at the time of the crash. The other vehicle, a Toyota sedan, was also demolished. The report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The deadly outcome traces directly to unsafe speed and the presence of an unlicensed driver behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Kings Hwy. The rear car hit the lead sedan’s back end. A 30-year-old woman suffered pelvic and abdominal injuries. Police blame following too closely. No visible damage reported.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed at 18:50 on Kings Hwy near New York Ave in Brooklyn. Both vehicles were slowing or stopping when the trailing sedan struck the lead car’s center back end. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the cause. The lead driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered injuries to her abdomen and pelvis and was in shock. She was not ejected. No visible complaints or vehicle damage were noted at the scene. The report does not list any victim actions as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776679 - 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

A sedan making a left turn collided with a northbound bus on Farragut Rd in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, aged 68, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:02 on Farragut Rd near Kings Hwy in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling northwest was making a left turn when it collided with a northbound bus. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the right front bumper of the bus. The sedan driver, a 68-year-old male, was injured with back trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly lists aggressive driving and road rage as the primary contributing factors to the collision. There is no indication of victim fault or other contributing factors. The bus had no occupants and was traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774499 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04