Ridgewood’s daily toll: bikes down, bodies up

Mar 31 - A mother and her two daughters died on Ocean Parkway. A driver with a suspended license and 93 violations struck them. Fines unpaid, laws unenforced. One more person hospitalized. The street stays deadly. The system failed to stop her.

According to the New York Post (March 31, 2025), Miriam Yarimi crashed on Ocean Parkway, killing a mother and her two daughters. Yarimi drove with a suspended license, $1,345 in unpaid fines, and 'reportedly had 93 prior traffic violations.' The article notes, 'The case has raised concerns about enforcement of traffic laws and the actions of the Brooklyn District Attorney.' One more person was hospitalized. The crash highlights gaps in license suspension enforcement and persistent failures in holding repeat traffic offenders accountable. The deaths underscore systemic weaknesses that allow dangerous drivers to remain on city streets.

• Suspended Driver Kills Mother, Daughters, New York Post, Published 2025-03-31

Mar 30 - A suspended driver in an Audi struck a mother and her children in Gravesend. The car flipped, crushing them as they crossed. Three died. One child clings to life. The driver had a long record of violations. The street stayed silent.

According to the New York Post (March 30, 2025), Miriam Yarimi, whose license was suspended, drove an Audi into a Brooklyn family, killing Natasha Saada and her two daughters. Dashcam footage 'shows the overturned Audi mowing down the family as they crossed the road.' Yarimi's car had over 93 violations, including 20 speeding tickets and five red-light violations since August 2023. Police said the car 'smashed into an Uber and went careening onto the sidewalk, striking victims.' Yarimi refused to speak to police, asking only for a lawyer. The crash exposes gaps in enforcement against repeat traffic offenders and raises questions about how suspended drivers remain on city streets.

• Suspended Driver Kills Brooklyn Family, New York Post, Published 2025-03-30

Mar 29 - A mother and two daughters died in a Brooklyn crosswalk. A third child clings to life. Ten hurt. The Audi driver, license suspended, rear-ended a car, then plowed into pedestrians. Ocean Parkway’s speed and lawlessness left a family shattered.

ABC7 reported on March 29, 2025, that a mother and her two children were killed while crossing Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the crash was "caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road." The Audi driver, Mariam Yarimi, 32, had a suspended license. She rear-ended a Toyota Camry, sending her car airborne into a family in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died at the scene; a four-year-old boy was critically injured. Ten people were hospitalized. Residents cited chronic speeding and red-light running on Ocean Parkway. Authorities are investigating speed, possible red-light running, and impairment. No arrests have been made. The crash highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians and systemic failures in traffic enforcement.

• Brooklyn Crosswalk Crash Kills Family, ABC7, Published 2025-03-29

Mar 28 - A speeding Mercedes ran a red in Queens. The driver, high and drunk, struck a young airport worker headed to his job. The worker died. Two passengers survived. The driver, a probationary firefighter, now faces manslaughter charges.

NY Daily News reported on March 28, 2025, that Michael Pena, a probationary FDNY firefighter, was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter in a Queens crash. Prosecutors said Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and struck Justin Diaz, 23, who had the right-of-way. Pena's blood-alcohol content was 0.156%, nearly double the legal limit, and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. The article states, 'Pena was driving nearly 60 mph above the speed limit after a night of drinking at a bar.' Surveillance footage confirmed the sequence. Two passengers in Pena's car were hospitalized. The crash highlights ongoing risks from impaired and reckless driving, even among public servants.

• Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-28

Mar 28 - DOT refuses to promise safer streets on Atlantic Avenue. Council Members Hudson and Ossé demand a redesign before rezoning. Four dead, 473 hurt since 2021. DOT offers only studies and minor fixes. Advocates want protected lanes. The city delays. Danger remains.

On March 28, 2025, the City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a hearing on the future of Atlantic Avenue. The Department of Transportation (DOT) declined to commit to a full redesign of a deadly 13-block stretch, despite pressure from Council Members Crystal Hudson and Chi Ossé. Both made redesign a condition for supporting a major rezoning. The official matter: 'The administration must commit to a fully-funded redesign of Atlantic Avenue from Flatbush Avenue in the west to Nostrand Avenue in the east.' DOT’s Brooklyn Borough Planner, Dash Henley, promised only an 18-month traffic study and minor intersection tweaks, projecting a seven-to-ten-year wait for real change. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso joined calls for traffic calming and lane reallocation. From 2021 to 2024, four people died and 473 were injured here. Advocates and council members want protected bike lanes and road diets. DOT has not committed.

• City Won’t Commit to Safer Walking and Biking on Atlantic Avenue Despite Upcoming Rezoning, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-28

Mar 25 - Two SUVs collided on Forest Avenue in Queens when one driver made a U-turn and failed to yield right-of-way. The female driver with a permit was injured, suffering pain and shock. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:40 AM on Forest Avenue in Queens. A male driver in a 2018 Toyota SUV was making a U-turn when he failed to yield right-of-way, colliding with a northbound 2019 Alfa SUV driven by a female with a learner's permit. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the Toyota and the right front bumper of the Alfa. The female driver was injured, reporting pain and nausea and experiencing shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. Both vehicles had a single occupant and sustained front-end damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 24 - SUV driver blacked out on Forest Ave. His vehicle struck parked and moving cars. He was injured, found incoherent. Police cite loss of consciousness and other vehicular factors. System failed to protect all on the street.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old man driving a Chevrolet SUV north on Forest Ave lost consciousness and crashed. His SUV hit a parked Ford SUV and collided with a moving Audi SUV and a Mercedes sedan. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. Police list 'Lost Consciousness' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The crash damaged the left side doors of the parked SUV and the right front bumpers of the other vehicles. No victim actions contributed, per the report. The primary driver error was incapacitation behind the wheel, which triggered the multi-vehicle collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801218 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 23 - Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker sped through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection has seen this before. The system pushes speed. The danger remains.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after an e-bike delivery worker "sped through a stop sign" and struck him as he exited his double-parked car in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Witness Jack Collins said, "He died basically on the spot." The e-bike rider remained at the scene. No arrests were made. The article notes this intersection is known for frequent stop sign violations: "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The piece highlights systemic issues, including delivery app pressures and gaps in e-bike regulation. City data shows e-bikes account for less than 2% of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues. Lawmakers have called for tighter rules, as delivery workers face incentives to rush.

• E-Bike Rider Runs Stop, Kills Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-23

Mar 20 - An 18-year-old female pedestrian suffered upper arm injuries after an SUV struck her at a Queens intersection. The vehicle's front center hit the victim, who was conscious and bruised. Driver inattention and failure to yield caused the collision.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Palmetto Street in Queens. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and upper arm injury but remained conscious. The collision involved a 2015 SUV traveling northeast, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian was located at the intersection at the time of impact. No helmet or crossing signal usage was noted as contributing factors. The driver’s errors in attention and yielding directly led to the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800135 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 19 - Dumbo’s speed limit drops to 20 mph. Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone targets crowded streets. Ten severe injuries and one death in five years haunt the area. Council Member Restler and DOT push for slower traffic. Lives hang in the balance.

On March 19, 2025, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced the lowering of Dumbo’s speed limit to 20 mph, making it Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone. The measure follows the passage of Sammy’s Law, which lets the city set its own speed limits. The Department of Transportation cited ten severe injuries and one death in Dumbo over five years. The new zone covers streets packed with pedestrians, from Furman to Navy and Hudson, and John to Sands and the BQE. Restler said, 'Data has shown that a one mile per hour increase in speed results in a nearly three percent increase in mortality.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez added, 'Lowering vehicle speed limits by even a few miles per hour could be the difference between life or death in a traffic crash.' The change will take effect after a public comment period. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called for more slow zones in high-crash neighborhoods. The city plans to expand 20 mph limits to over 250 locations by the end of 2025.

• Speed limit in Dumbo to be lowered to 20 mph as nabe becomes Brooklyn’s first ‘Regional Slow Zone’, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-19

Mar 13 - A car hit a man and a child in Flushing. The man lay trapped under the vehicle. Both went to the hospital. The man’s injuries were critical. The driver stayed at the scene. Police are still investigating.

ABC7 reported on March 13, 2025, that a car struck two pedestrians at 32nd Avenue and 138th Street in Queens. Police found an adult man pinned under the vehicle and a child, aged 8 to 10, also injured. Both were hospitalized, with the man in critical condition. The article states, 'Police responded...and found an adult man pinned under a vehicle.' The driver remained at the scene, and the investigation continues. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at city intersections. No charges or details on driver actions were released at the time of reporting.

• Man And Child Struck In Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-03-13

Mar 12 - Dozens gathered in Midtown. They demanded e-bike registration and license plates. Priscilla’s Law, named for a pedestrian killed by an e-bike, drove the call. Council Member Holden and Assembly Member Rajkumar led. Advocates want accountability. They say e-bike chaos endangers walkers and cyclists.

On March 12, 2025, Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30) joined Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and advocates in Midtown to rally for Priscilla’s Law (A339). The bill would require all e-bikes to have license plates and be registered with the DMV or DOT. The rally, held near Governor Hochul’s office, drew support from the NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance. The matter title: 'New Yorkers rally in Midtown to combat “lawless” e-bike riding in NYC.' Holden supports both city and state versions, stating, 'We need the state DMV to issue license plates for e-bikes.' Rajkumar declared, 'We will usher in a new era free of e-bikes blasting through red lights.' The bill is named for Priscilla Loke, killed by an e-bike in 2023. Advocates say e-bike collisions often end in hit-and-runs. They demand rules and consequences to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

• New Yorkers rally in Midtown to combat “lawless” e-bike riding in NYC, amny.com, Published 2025-03-12

Mar 10 - An e-bike traveling north on Fresh Pond Rd hit a 40-year-old woman crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg contusions. The crash exposed a failure to yield right-of-way by the e-bike operator at the intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:41 on Fresh Pond Rd in Queens. A 40-year-old female pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when she was struck by an e-bike traveling north, going straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-bike, which sustained damage in the same area. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor attributed to the e-bike operator. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. This incident highlights the dangers posed when vehicle operators fail to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797993 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 8 - A driver out on bail smashed into a Toyota in Bushwick. The crash killed Hayden Wallace and injured three others. The driver fled, leaving chaos behind. Police tracked him for over a year. Charges stack up, but the loss remains.

NY Daily News (March 8, 2025) reports that Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested after a deadly hit-and-run in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Seabrook had been out on bail for a previous crash involving police. On January 8, 2024, he crashed into a Toyota, killing Hayden Wallace and injuring three others. Seabrook fled the scene, abandoning his vehicle. The article notes, "All accidents are useless but this one was even more useless because [Seabrook] had so many other offenses." Seabrook faces 23 charges, including manslaughter, leaving the scene, unlicensed driving, and speeding. The case highlights repeated driver offenses and questions about bail and enforcement. Police needed over a year to arrest Seabrook, who had a history of fleeing crashes and driving without a license.

• Repeat Offender Kills Passenger In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-08

Mar 4 - A drunk, speeding firefighter ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died. He was 23. His family buried him with his new degree. The firefighter faces charges. The street remains unchanged.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-04), Justin Diaz, 23, was killed when an off-duty FDNY firefighter, Michael Pena, sped through a red light at 83 mph in a 25 mph zone and struck Diaz’s BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd. Diaz was heading to work at LaGuardia Airport. Prosecutors say Pena was drunk, high on cocaine and marijuana, and refused a breath test. His blood-alcohol content was 0.156 percent. Surveillance footage confirmed Diaz had the right-of-way. The article notes, 'The victim had the right-of-way, and Pena ran a steady red light, prosecutors say.' Pena was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI. His license was suspended. The case highlights ongoing dangers for New York City road users and questions about bail and accountability for reckless drivers.

• Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Airport Worker, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-04

Mar 3 - A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. It struck a man crouched in the road. The driver fled. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. Police are still investigating. Brooklyn’s streets claim more lives. The toll grows.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was 'crouched in the street to pick up food' when the northbound truck turned right and hit him, according to NYPD officials. The driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene. No arrests have been made. The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The article notes this crash followed two other recent fatal collisions in Brooklyn. The incident underscores persistent dangers for pedestrians and ongoing issues with drivers leaving crash scenes. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace.

• Dump Truck Kills Pedestrian In Williamsburg, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-03

Mar 2 - A man sped through a stop sign in Brownsville. His Mercedes hit a school bus. His passenger died. He ran from the wreck in a taxi. Police found him later. The victim’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged.

NY Daily News reported on March 2, 2025, that Tyree Epps, 32, drove a Mercedes-Benz without a license, ran a stop sign on Van Sinderen Ave, and crashed into a school bus. The article states, “After the crash, Epps hopped in a taxi and took off, leaving his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, in the front seat suffering severe head trauma.” Epps faces charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, and unlicensed driving. The bus driver survived. The crash exposes ongoing risks from unlicensed, reckless drivers and the persistent danger at city intersections. The victim’s family is left to grieve and organize a funeral, while the intersection remains a site of loss.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Fatal Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-02

Mar 1 - A woman stepped from a cab onto Flatbush Avenue. A Chevrolet struck her. She died at the hospital. Two cars, one victim, late at night. The street did not forgive her pause. The drivers stayed. The city investigates.

ABC7 reported on March 1, 2025, that a 45-year-old woman was killed after exiting a taxi near State Street and Flatbush Avenue in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. According to the NYPD, she was "riding in a black Cadillac traveling southbound in the middle lane" before she got out. A gray Chevrolet, also southbound but in the right lane, struck her. Both drivers remained at the scene. No arrests have been made. The NYPD Highway Collision Investigation Squad continues to review the crash. The incident highlights the risks faced by passengers exiting vehicles on busy city streets, and underscores the dangers of multi-lane traffic corridors where vulnerable road users must navigate fast-moving cars.

• Woman Killed Exiting Taxi In Brooklyn, ABC7, Published 2025-03-01

Feb 28 - A drunk driver blasted through a red light at 72 mph. He struck Katherine Harris, killing her steps from home. The car crashed on. Blood alcohol twice the limit. The street became a crime scene. Lives shattered in seconds.

NY Daily News reported on February 28, 2025, that Erick Trujillo, 29, was sentenced to three to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. On April 16, 2023, Trujillo drove his Volvo at 72 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a red light at Atlantic Ave and Clinton Street in Brooklyn. He struck pedestrian Katherine Harris, 31, killing her instantly, then rear-ended another car and crashed into an outdoor dining shed. Trujillo's blood alcohol level was .17, more than twice the legal limit. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "This defendant made a disastrous decision when he got behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated." The case highlights the lethal consequences of impaired driving and excessive speed, underscoring systemic risks for pedestrians in New York City.

• Drunk Driver Speeds, Kills Pedestrian in Brooklyn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-28

Feb 27 - A firefighter ran a red. Metal struck metal. A young man died. The street echoed with sirens. Two more rode to the hospital. The city keeps count. The danger stays.

According to the New York Post (February 27, 2025), off-duty FDNY firefighter Michael Pena drove through a red light at Northern Boulevard and 107th Street in Queens, striking Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance video captured Pena’s Mercedes “passing a red light on Northern Boulevard and T-boning Diaz’s 2022 BMW.” Diaz, 23, died at Elmhurst Hospital. Pena faces charges of vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to take a breath test. Two passengers in Pena’s car were hospitalized. The FDNY suspended Pena for 28 days without pay. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of red-light running and impaired driving, raising questions about enforcement and accountability on city streets.

• Red Light Crash Kills Driver in Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-02-27