Flatbush Bleeds, City Shrugs: Who Will Stop the Killing?

A northbound SUV struck a westbound e-bike on E 38 St in Brooklyn. Both drivers suffered serious injuries. Police cite disregarded traffic control and unsafe speed as causes. Impact damaged the SUV’s front bumper and the e-bike’s left side doors.

According to the police report, at 21:47 on E 38 St near Avenue S in Brooklyn, a 2014 Mazda SUV traveling north collided with a westbound e-bike. The SUV driver, a 27-year-old woman, and the e-bike rider, a 29-year-old man, both sustained serious injuries, including chest trauma and full-body contusions. The report identifies the primary contributing factors as 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' for both drivers. The SUV was damaged at the right front bumper, while the e-bike suffered damage to its left side doors. Both drivers were conscious and not ejected from their vehicles. The SUV driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness; the e-bike rider wore no safety equipment. The collision highlights critical driver errors in obeying traffic controls and managing speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767001 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council scrapped jaywalking tickets. Pedestrians can cross outside crosswalks. Police lose a tool for targeting Black and Hispanic New Yorkers. The bill keeps some restrictions. Advocates call it a start, not a finish. The vote: 40 for, eight against.

On September 26, 2024, the New York City Council passed a modified jaywalking decriminalization bill. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, cleared the Council with 40 votes in favor and eight against. The bill's summary states it 'legalizes jaywalking, allowing pedestrians to walk into the street outside of crosswalks.' Narcisse stressed, 'Enforcement has disproportionately impacted certain communities, with 96.5 percent of jaywalking tickets this year issued to Black and Hispanic New Yorkers.' The legislation removes jaywalking as a pretext for police stops, though officers may still intervene for other reasons. The Department of Transportation must now educate the public on street rights and responsibilities. Advocates hailed the bill as historic, but say more must be done to protect pedestrians.

• Modified ‘Jaywalking’ Repeal Passes Council, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-26

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

A 42-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian suffered a back injury but remained conscious. No vehicle damage was reported at the scene in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing East 56 Street at an intersection in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2011 Nissan SUV, traveling south and making a right turn, struck him. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian suffered a back injury and was conscious at the time of the report. The vehicle sustained no damage, and the driver was licensed and operating the vehicle without other noted violations. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving, especially at intersections where pedestrians have the right of way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758763 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 2-year-old boy suffered facial abrasions after being hit by an SUV while crossing Flatbush Avenue outside an intersection. The driver, traveling westbound, struck the child with the vehicle’s front center, causing injury but no loss of consciousness.

According to the police report, a 2-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Flatbush Avenue near Avenue V in Brooklyn at 17:29. The child was crossing the street outside of a crosswalk or signal when a westbound SUV struck him at the vehicle’s center front end. The toddler sustained abrasions to the face and was conscious at the scene. The report cites "Other Vehicular" as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error or vehicle-related fault. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No pedestrian fault or helmet use was noted as contributing factors. Vehicle damage was limited to the center front end, confirming the point of impact. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver actions in areas where pedestrians cross unsignaled.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756328 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City Council pulled the jaywalking bill before a vote. Advocates warned new language could blame pedestrians for crashes. The bill would have let people cross mid-block, but now demands they yield to drivers. Racial bias in enforcement remains unaddressed.

On September 12, 2024, the City Council delayed action on a bill to legalize jaywalking. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, passed the Transportation Committee but was withdrawn before a full Council vote. The bill’s summary stated it would 'legalize crossing outside crosswalks and require a pedestrian education campaign.' Advocates objected to last-minute changes that would force pedestrians to yield to drivers, fearing it could criminalize those struck by cars. Narcisse highlighted 'systemic bias in how these laws are enforced.' Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'There is little evidence to support the claim that criminal or civil offenses for jaywalking change pedestrian behavior or increase pedestrian safety,' and noted racial disparities in ticketing. The NYPD and DOT opposed the bill, citing safety concerns. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with advocates demanding stronger protections for pedestrians.

• Council Balks on Legalizing ‘Jaywalking’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-10

A 68-year-old man suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries after being hit by an SUV making a left turn on East 71 Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal. The driver’s vehicle showed no damage, highlighting the severity of impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:24 AM on East 71 Street near Avenue U in Brooklyn. A 68-year-old male pedestrian was crossing outside an intersection without a signal when he was struck by a southbound SUV making a left turn. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his abdomen and pelvis, classified as injury severity level 3. The SUV, a 2024 Jeep, had no visible damage despite the impact occurring at the center front end. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not cite any driver errors explicitly. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The absence of vehicle damage suggests a significant force transferred to the pedestrian, emphasizing the danger posed by turning vehicles to those crossing mid-block.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 57-year-old man crossing outside an intersection on Flatbush Avenue was struck by a northbound sedan. The driver’s inattention caused a center front impact, injuring the pedestrian’s entire body and leaving him in shock.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Flatbush Avenue struck a 57-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing at a marked crosswalk but not at an intersection. The point of impact was the vehicle’s center front end. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his entire body and was reported to be in shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing behavior. The driver was going straight ahead prior to the collision. This incident highlights the critical role of driver distraction in pedestrian injuries in Brooklyn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753247 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A moped passenger was violently ejected and injured on East 52 Street in Brooklyn. The crash involved a southbound SUV and an eastbound moped. The passenger suffered full-body contusions and incoherence, with traffic control violations cited by police.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:14 on East 52 Street in Brooklyn involving a southbound Nissan SUV and an eastbound Zhejiang moped. The moped carried two occupants, including a 23-year-old male passenger who was riding outside the vehicle and was ejected during the collision. The passenger sustained injuries to his entire body, was incoherent, and suffered contusions and bruises. The moped driver was unlicensed. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor, indicating driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or controls. The SUV struck the moped with its left front bumper, causing the passenger to be thrown from the vehicle. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers disregarding traffic controls and unlicensed operation of vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748199 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided at East 73 Street and Avenue K in Brooklyn. The male driver of one sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and inexperience as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:52 on East 73 Street near Avenue K in Brooklyn. Two sedans, one traveling north and the other east, collided with impact centered on the front ends of both vehicles. The male driver of the northbound Ford sedan, aged 26, was injured with back pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors for this driver. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front ends, with the Ford impacted at the center front and the Nissan at the right front quarter panel. The female driver of the eastbound Nissan was licensed and driving straight ahead. The collision highlights driver error as the primary cause, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742626 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The rear vehicle struck the front one’s center back end. A 40-year-old female driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:38 AM on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Two SUVs traveling north collided when the rear vehicle impacted the center back end of the front vehicle. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 40-year-old woman, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the collision. Both vehicles were stopped or moving straight ahead before impact. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end crashes in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742161 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two buses collided on Strickland Avenue. Metal screamed. A 70-year-old woman in the rear seat slammed her head, blood marking the aftermath. Crush injuries followed. The aisle fell silent, the cost of a distracted turn echoing in the wreckage.

According to the police report, two buses met near Strickland Avenue and 56 Drive—one parked, one turning. The turning bus struck the parked vehicle with its right front bumper, colliding with the left rear of the other bus. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. A 70-year-old woman, seated in the rear of one bus, suffered head trauma and crush injuries. She was not wearing a seat belt, but the police report attributes the crash to driver inattention, not passenger behavior. The narrative describes metal shrieking and blood marking the seat as silence filled the aisle. The sequence of events underscores the danger when drivers lose focus behind the wheel, especially in vehicles carrying vulnerable passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738783 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan backing unsafely hit a westbound scooter in Brooklyn. The scooter driver, a 40-year-old woman, was ejected and suffered severe shoulder injuries including fracture and dislocation. The crash left the rider injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn near East 36 Street around 1:30 AM. A sedan was backing unsafely when it struck a scooter traveling westbound. The scooter driver, a 40-year-old woman, was ejected from her vehicle and sustained serious injuries to her shoulder and upper arm, including fractures and dislocations. The police report identifies 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor, highlighting the sedan driver's error. The scooter driver was wearing a helmet at the time, but no other victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The impact occurred on the right side doors of the scooter and the center back end of the sedan, indicating the sedan reversed into the scooter. The victim was conscious despite the severity of her injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752444 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 12-year-old boy was injured crossing outside a crosswalk when a southbound sedan struck him with its right front bumper. The boy suffered facial abrasions but remained conscious. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at impact.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old male pedestrian was injured in Brooklyn at 19:38 when a southbound sedan collided with him. The vehicle, a 2005 Honda sedan with two occupants and a licensed female driver, struck the boy on the right front bumper while going straight ahead. The pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk and no signal was present. The report cites 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, but no driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The boy sustained abrasions to his face and was conscious at the scene. Vehicle damage was limited to the right front quarter panel. The incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face when crossing mid-block or outside designated crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735968 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City officials fight to keep jaywalking illegal. They claim it protects pedestrians. Enforcement is rare but hits people of color hardest. Council Member Narcisse wants change. NYPD and DOT resist. Advocates say criminalization fails safety and justice.

On June 26, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on a bill to decriminalize jaywalking. The bill, proposed by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, seeks to end criminal penalties for crossing streets outside crosswalks. The matter summary states officials argue, 'keeping it illegal protects pedestrian safety.' DOT First Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione testified against full legalization, supporting only a reduction to a civil offense. NYPD Deputy Chief Thomas Alps defended targeted enforcement in high-crash areas. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers questioned the law's fairness, noting most tickets go to Black and Brown New Yorkers. Advocates criticized the city's stance, saying criminalization does not improve safety and harms communities of color. The bill remains under debate, with no clear path forward.

• City Wants To Keep ‘Jaywalking’ Illegal For Pedestrians’ Own Good, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-26

Council Member Narcisse moves to end NYPD jaywalking tickets. Data shows Black and Latino New Yorkers bear the brunt. The bill seeks fairness, not punishment. Streets should not be hunting grounds. The council will hear the measure Tuesday.

On June 25, 2024, Council Member Mercedes Narcisse introduced a bill to decriminalize jaywalking in New York City. The measure heads to its first hearing before the transportation committee. Narcisse’s bill responds to city data: in 2023, 92 percent of jaywalking summonses went to Black or Latino New Yorkers; in early 2024, that number rose to 96.5 percent. Narcisse calls this 'a troubling picture of racial disparities.' She states, 'Jaywalking should not be a criminal matter that disproportionately impacts certain groups based on race or ethnicity.' Narcisse urges the city to redirect police resources and end selective enforcement. The bill aims to protect the rights of all residents and promote equity in city policy.

• Brooklyn Pol: NYPD’s Enforcement of ‘Jaywalking’ is a ‘Racial Injustice’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-25