Speed Kills in Canarsie. Who Will Stop It?

Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

A principal drove down Lenox Road, lost control, hit parked cars, and flipped his vehicle. Police pulled him from the wreck. He refused a Breathalyzer. Charges followed. The street bore the scars. The system let him drive. The danger stayed.

According to NY Daily News (2025-05-06), Gregory Jackson, principal of Brownsville Collaborative Middle School, crashed on Lenox Road near Utica Ave. Police say he struck several parked cars and overturned his vehicle around 11:30 p.m. Jackson told police he had 'only one drink.' He refused a Breathalyzer test at the scene. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, and refusing the test. The Department of Education referred questions to the NYPD. The incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired drivers and the vulnerability of anyone near city streets, even when parked. Systemic gaps allow such danger to persist.

• Principal Overturns Car In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-06

A teen cyclist ejected, struck in the neck. Passenger hurt. SUV and bike collided. Defective brakes listed. Brooklyn street, late afternoon. System failed. People paid.

A 17-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured in the neck after a collision with an SUV on E 94 St at Avenue D in Brooklyn. A 19-year-old passenger was also hurt, suffering head pain. According to the police report, 'Brakes Defective' was listed as a contributing factor for both vehicles. No other driver errors were cited. The crash left vulnerable road users exposed and injured, underscoring the danger when basic vehicle systems fail.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812306 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV hit a 69-year-old woman crossing with the signal. Her leg fractured. Glare cited. Brooklyn street, early evening. Driver and passenger unhurt.

A 69-year-old woman was struck by an SUV while crossing East 94th Street at Glenwood Road in Brooklyn. She was crossing with the signal and suffered a fractured leg. According to the police report, 'Glare' was listed as a contributing factor. The driver and a passenger, both 80-year-old men, were not injured. No other driver errors were reported. The crash highlights the danger pedestrians face even when following signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810671 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit a man crossing Avenue L. The impact hurt his leg. Another car occupant and the driver were also injured. Police cite vehicular factors. Streets remain hostile to those on foot.

A sedan traveling east on Avenue L struck a 42-year-old man who was crossing outside a crosswalk. According to the police report, the crash resulted in injuries to the pedestrian's lower leg, as well as pain for a 23-year-old driver and a 38-year-old occupant. Police list 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor. No driver-specific errors like failure to yield are cited in the report. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The crash underscores the persistent dangers faced by people crossing Brooklyn streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit a 68-year-old woman crossing Flatlands Ave with the signal. She suffered head injuries and severe bleeding. Driver failed to yield. Impact was left front bumper. Danger at the intersection was clear.

A 68-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Flatlands Avenue at East 84th Street in Brooklyn. She was crossing with the signal and suffered head injuries and severe bleeding. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the pedestrian. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The driver was making a left turn at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

A stolen Porsche sped through Brooklyn. Police set a trap. The driver tried to break through, nearly hitting an officer. A shot rang out. The car crashed. The driver died. The passenger survived. The street bore the cost.

According to the New York Post (April 30, 2025), police shot and killed the driver of a stolen Porsche after he "nearly struck an NYPD officer" while attempting to evade a roadblock near the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. Officers first noticed the vehicle due to stolen plates and tried to pull it over on Cropsey Avenue. The driver fled, leading police to set up a blockade. As the car tried to pass, an officer fired one round, striking the driver. The wounded man crashed into a police car and was later pronounced dead at Brookdale Hospital. The passenger was unharmed and taken into custody. The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases and roadblocks in dense urban areas, where bystanders and officers face sudden danger.

• Police Shoot Driver At Brooklyn Roadblock, New York Post, Published 2025-04-30

Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-04-29

E-scooter rider struck on Remsen Avenue. Driver inattention listed. Man, 36, suffered back contusion. Streets failed to protect. Another wound in Brooklyn’s traffic grid.

A 36-year-old man riding an e-scooter was injured on Remsen Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash was caused by driver inattention or distraction. The rider, who was driving straight ahead, suffered a back contusion but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured. The crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809393 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 101-year-old woman crossed with the light. An SUV turned left. The driver was unlicensed. She died days later. Her family mourns. The street remains the same.

According to the New York Post (April 24, 2025), Taibel Brod, 101, was fatally struck by a 2023 GMC Yukon while crossing Brooklyn Avenue at Montgomery Street in Crown Heights. Police say Brod had the light. The driver, Menachem Shagalow, 65, was unlicensed and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to exercise due care. The article quotes Brod's grandson: "She was extremely independent till her last day." Brod died less than two weeks after the crash. The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians, especially from unlicensed drivers. Shagalow was released with a desk appearance ticket. The case underscores persistent gaps in enforcement and street design that leave vulnerable road users exposed.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Brooklyn Matriarch, New York Post, Published 2025-04-24

Two cars slammed together on E 96 St and Avenue L. Three passengers hurt. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Bodies bruised. Brooklyn streets bear the scars.

A sedan and an SUV collided at E 96 St and Avenue L in Brooklyn. Three people were injured: a 48-year-old male rear passenger, a 25-year-old male front passenger, and a 29-year-old male driver. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The crash left the right front bumper of the sedan and the center front end of the SUV damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. All injured occupants were conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807476 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Sedan and pickup collided on Paerdegat 1 St. Obstructed views and driver distraction led to impact. One passenger hurt. Metal and glass scattered. Streets failed to protect.

A sedan and a pickup truck collided on Paerdegat 1 St in Brooklyn. One passenger, a 34-year-old man, suffered a shoulder injury and shock. According to the police report, 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. Both vehicles were traveling straight before impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one person injured and several others shaken. Systemic dangers remain when drivers cannot see and lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807287 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council grilled DOT on parking rules. Three bills on the table: daylighting, truck parking, fine relief. Lawmakers pressed for safer intersections and less chaos. Advocates rallied for clear corners. Truckers and drivers want relief. Streets remain dangerous. Action still pending.

On April 21, 2025, the City Council’s transportation committee held a hearing on parking policy. Three bills were considered: a daylighting bill by Councilmember Julie Won to ban parking near crosswalks and require 1,000 daylighting barriers per year; a bill by Councilmember Mercedes Narcisse to waive extra fees for late parking ticket responses; and a bill by Councilmember Natasha Williams to create overnight truck parking in industrial zones. The matter summary reads: 'NYC Council to examine truck parking, daylighting and fine relief in hearing on city parking woes.' Narcisse’s bill targets fee relief for drivers who respond to violations between 45 and 90 days. Won’s daylighting bill drew support from 120 organizations. DOT faced questions on loading zones, permit abuse, and intersection safety. The hearing spotlighted the city’s struggle to balance safety for pedestrians and cyclists with business and driver concerns. No final votes yet.

• NYC Council to examine truck parking, daylighting and fine relief in hearing on city parking woes, gothamist.com, Published 2025-04-21

A sedan hit a 69-year-old man crossing Avenue J. The car’s front bumper struck his head. He was left injured. The driver was making a right turn. Police list all factors as unspecified.

A 69-year-old man was struck and injured by a sedan while crossing at Avenue J and East 108th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the sedan was making a right turn when its left front bumper hit the pedestrian, causing a head injury and abrasion. The driver, a 65-year-old man, was licensed and wearing a seatbelt. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors or pedestrian actions were cited as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806635 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding driver tore through a Brooklyn crosswalk. Three lives ended. One child clings to life. The car never slowed. The street became a grave. Metal and flesh collided. The city mourns. Justice waits in a courtroom.

According to NY Daily News (April 16, 2025), Miriam Yarimi drove 68 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a Brooklyn crosswalk, striking Natasha Saada and her three children. Prosecutors say Yarimi never braked, ran a red light, and crashed into another car before hitting the family. Saada and two daughters died; her son remains in a coma. Yarimi had a suspended license and $11,000 in unpaid violations, including 21 speed camera and five red light tickets. Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez called it 'one of the worst collisions I've ever seen on a New York City street.' Yarimi faces manslaughter and assault charges. The case highlights persistent enforcement gaps and the deadly consequences of unchecked reckless driving.

• Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Children, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-16

A sedan struck trouble on E 79th. Two men, driver and passenger, suffered chest injuries. Both left in shock. Metal and bodies took the hit. Brooklyn night, pain and sirens.

A sedan crashed near 762 E 79th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a 29-year-old male driver and a 35-year-old male front passenger were injured, both suffering chest injuries and shock. The vehicle, a 2009 Hyundai sedan, sustained damage to its left rear bumper. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807122 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A driver ran a stop sign in East New York. He slammed into a school bus. His passenger died. The bus driver was hurt. The driver fled but police caught him. The street stayed stained. The system failed to protect.

According to amNY (April 10, 2025), Tyree Epps faces charges after a deadly crash at Van Sinderen and Blake avenues. Epps, unlicensed, "blew a stop sign" and struck a school bus, killing his passenger, Imani Vance, and injuring the bus driver. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "The tragic loss of Imani Vance was allegedly caused by the defendant's reckless decision to ignore a stop sign and drive at excessive speeds." Epps left the scene, tried to escape in an Uber, and was arrested after fleeing on foot. The crash was one of three fatal Brooklyn incidents that weekend. City data cited in the article shows ongoing danger: at least 15 killed in Kings County so far this year, with thousands injured, often due to driver inattention and failure to yield. The charges and details highlight persistent risks and enforcement gaps on city streets.

• Brooklyn Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, amny, Published 2025-04-10