No Deaths—Just Broken Bodies. Canarsie Deserves Better.

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

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 driver turned wrong on Belt Parkway. He hit something with the right front bumper. The crash left him with a head injury and confusion. Police cite improper turn and distraction.

According to the police report, a 60-year-old man driving a sedan east on Belt Parkway was injured after turning improperly. The car struck an object with its right front bumper. The driver suffered a head injury and was incoherent at the scene. Police list 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report highlights driver error as the cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779783 - 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

Jessica Scarcella-Spanton led Staten Island and Brooklyn politicians in a rally against congestion pricing. They gathered at the Verrazano Bridge, denouncing the plan as a burden on working-class commuters. The coalition promised fierce resistance, demanding the governor keep the program paused.

On November 14, 2024, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (District 23) led a bipartisan rally against the revival of congestion pricing. The event, held at the Verrazano Bridge, included U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Council Member Joe Borelli, and others. The group opposed Governor Hochul's plan to re-implement congestion pricing, which would charge vehicles entering lower Manhattan. The rally's matter title: 'Staten Island, Brooklyn pols rally against congestion pricing as Hochul considers reviving program.' Scarcella-Spanton pledged to 'fight tooth and nail until congestion pricing is dead.' Brooklyn Assembly Member Jaime Williams and others condemned the plan as unfair to transit deserts and working-class communities. No safety analyst assessment was provided regarding the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Staten Island, Brooklyn pols rally against congestion pricing as Hochul considers reviving program, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-11-14

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Two sedans collided on Belt Parkway. Unsafe lane changing caused the crash. A 23-year-old right rear passenger suffered neck injuries and shock. The impact struck the right rear bumpers. Driver errors triggered the violent collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:46 on Belt Parkway involving two sedans traveling east. The collision resulted from 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Following Too Closely,' both cited as contributing factors. The impact occurred at the right rear bumpers of both vehicles. A 23-year-old male occupant seated as the right rear passenger was injured, sustaining neck injuries and experiencing shock. He was restrained with a lap belt and harness and complained of pain and nausea. The report highlights driver errors—specifically unsafe lane changing—as the cause of the crash. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision underscores the dangers posed by improper lane changes on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 32-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries after a collision on Seaview Ave in Brooklyn. The crash involved driver inexperience and improper turning, causing the bicyclist to sustain abrasions and shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Seaview Ave in Brooklyn at 15:40. The bicyclist, a 32-year-old female, was riding eastbound when she was struck due to a driver's failure to yield right-of-way and improper turning. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way,' 'Driver Inexperience,' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The bicyclist was ejected from her bike, suffering head injuries and abrasions, and was reported to be in shock. The vehicle involved was a bike traveling straight ahead, impacted on the left front bumper. The report emphasizes driver errors without attributing fault to the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Belt Parkway, injuring a 45-year-old female driver. The crash involved unsafe lane changing and reaction to an uninvolved vehicle. The injured driver suffered bruises and arm injuries, with airbags deployed and seatbelt used.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:36 on Belt Parkway involving two SUVs traveling west. One driver, a 45-year-old woman, was injured with contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors. The injured driver was conscious, restrained with a lap belt and harness, and the airbag deployed. The other vehicle was operated by an unlicensed male driver who was changing lanes prior to impact. The collision point was the center back end of one SUV and the center front end of the other. The report highlights driver errors related to unsafe lane changes and failure to maintain safe vehicle control, leading to the crash and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764491 - 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

Chain collision on Belt Parkway. SUV slams into sedan. Driver, woman, 53, suffers bruised abdomen and pelvis. Police cite driver inattention and distraction. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction crash struck Belt Parkway at 1:30 PM. Three vehicles, including an SUV and two sedans, collided westbound. The 53-year-old female SUV driver was injured, sustaining contusions to her abdomen and pelvis. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors. The SUV hit the back of a sedan, showing classic signs of poor spacing and distraction. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes the injured driver was conscious and restrained with airbag deployment. The crash exposes the danger of inattention behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758776 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Rockaway Parkway when one failed to yield during a lane change. The 81-year-old driver suffered neck injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt and harness. Impact struck the left rear quarter panel, causing pain and nausea.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:11 on Rockaway Parkway involving two SUVs traveling east. One SUV was going straight ahead while the other was changing lanes. The collision impacted the left rear quarter panel of the first vehicle. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating the lane-changing driver did not properly yield. The injured party was the 81-year-old male driver of the first SUV, who was restrained by a lap belt and harness. He sustained neck injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. No ejection occurred. Vehicle damage was limited to the left rear quarter panel of the first SUV, while the second SUV showed no damage. Driver errors centered on the lane change and failure to yield, with no victim fault noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755872 - 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

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

Two drivers collided head-on on Belt Parkway at unsafe speeds. Both suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite aggressive driving and road rage as key factors. One driver was unlicensed. The crash left both conscious but injured.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Belt Parkway involving a 2019 sedan and a 2020 SUV traveling east and west, respectively. Both drivers were injured, sustaining head injuries and whiplash. The report identifies 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors for both drivers. The sedan driver was unlicensed, compounding the risk. Both vehicles impacted center front ends, indicating a head-on collision. Neither occupant was ejected, and both remained conscious after the crash. The police report highlights driver errors—aggressive driving, road rage, unsafe speed, and unlicensed operation—as the causes of the crash. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739093 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two vehicles collided head-on on Belt Parkway, injuring two young passengers. Both suffered moderate injuries and shock. The crash involved improper lane usage and following too closely, highlighting driver errors that led to the impact and injuries.

According to the police report, a 2015 Honda SUV and a 2014 Infiniti sedan collided head-on on Belt Parkway at 11:20. Both vehicles were traveling east and struck each other at their center front ends. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors to the crash. Two young male passengers, ages 12 and 13, were injured in the collision. The 12-year-old, seated in the left rear passenger position, suffered back injuries and was in shock. The 13-year-old, seated in the front passenger seat, sustained injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot and was also in shock. Both were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The driver errors of improper lane usage and following too closely directly contributed to the crash and the resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737936 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04