Children die under car wheels. Streets fill with danger. Policy favors cars, not kids. The violence is routine. Planners ignore root causes. Victims get blamed. The call is clear: end car dominance, reclaim safety for the young.

On November 6, 2023, Streetsblog NYC published an editorial titled, "Drivers Are Killing Our Children. We Need to Talk About It." The piece is not a council bill but a forceful policy statement. It highlights how car-centric planning and urban sprawl endanger children, stating, "Car drivers' rights are not more important than children's rights to be safe on our streets." The editorial opposes car-based infrastructure and victim-blaming, while supporting lower speed limits, car-free zones, and higher fees for large vehicles. It urges a public reckoning with the normalized violence of cars, especially around schools. The editorial demands urgent action to protect vulnerable road users and challenges the privileged status of drivers over children’s safety.

• Drivers Are Killing Our Children. We Need to Talk About It., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-06

A young rider slammed into a car at high speed on Belt Parkway. He flew from his bike. His chest crushed. He died alone on the cold pavement. Unsafe speed and inexperience marked his final ride.

A 23-year-old motorcyclist died after striking the front of a vehicle on Belt Parkway, westbound. According to the police report, the rider was ejected from his 2008 Yamaha at high speed. He wore a helmet. His chest was crushed. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. No other injuries were reported. The crash left the rider dead on the roadway, the night cold and empty around him.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676886, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

A man on a GOTRAX e-scooter crashed on Givan Avenue. He struck something in the dark. Distraction listed. Ejected. Head and chest crushed. He died on the cold Bronx street. No helmet. The night swallowed him.

A 44-year-old man riding a GOTRAX e-scooter was killed late at night on Givan Avenue near Sexton Place in the Bronx. According to the police report, the rider 'struck something in the dark' and was ejected from the scooter. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The man suffered fatal head and chest injuries. No other vehicles or people were involved. The police report notes he was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the primary factor of distraction. The crash left him dead at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679918, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

Two hit-and-run drivers killed Yvonne Sandiford in a Bedford-Stuyvesant crosswalk. The intersection, marked for senior safety, remained unchanged. Councilmember Chi Oss called for urgent action. The city’s inaction leaves streets deadly. Vision Zero’s promise fades as deaths mount.

On November 3, 2023, Councilmember Chi Oss issued a statement after Yvonne Sandiford, a senior, was struck and killed by two hit-and-run drivers at New York Avenue and Herkimer Street. The matter, described as a call to treat traffic violence with the same urgency as all violent crimes, highlights the city’s failure to upgrade a Senior Pedestrian Zone. Oss demanded safe infrastructure and responsible policies, saying, "Traffic crashes and fatalities need to be handled with the same urgency and prevention as all violent crimes." Transportation Alternatives’ Danny Harris condemned the city’s lack of political will, noting, "The city of New York has the tools to stop traffic violence, especially for older New Yorkers, but lacks the political will to make our streets safe." Oss also criticized delays to a critical bike lane project. The intersection remains unchanged, despite repeated crashes and injuries. So far this year, 207 people have died on city streets, including 26 cyclists.

• Brooklyn Senior, The ‘Rock’ Of Her Family, Struck and Killed by TWO Hit-and-Run Drivers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-03

A 79-year-old woman died crossing New York Avenue. Two drivers hit her. Neither stopped. Councilmember Chi Ossé demanded the city treat traffic deaths as violence. Advocates say the city has tools but lacks will. The intersection remains dangerous. No arrests.

On November 3, 2023, Councilmember Chi Ossé (District 36) called for increased street safety after a fatal double hit-and-run in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The incident occurred at New York Avenue and Herkimer Street, where a 79-year-old woman was struck by two drivers who fled. Ossé stated, 'Traffic crashes and fatalities demand the same attention as other forms of violence in the city.' He urged the city to strengthen safe infrastructure and education. Advocacy group Transportation Alternatives noted the city has the tools to stop traffic violence, especially for older New Yorkers, but lacks political will. The NYC Streets Plan legally requires intersection upgrades and car-free pedestrian spaces, yet this intersection remains unchanged. No arrests have been made. The case highlights systemic failure to protect vulnerable road users.

• 79-year-old Brooklyn woman fatally struck by 2 drivers in double hit-and-run: NYPD, gothamist.com, Published 2023-11-03

Downtown Jamaica is a gauntlet for cyclists. Bus lanes cut through, but bikes get no safe path. The city’s plan dead-ends bike lanes at Hillside Avenue. Riders face danger or break the law. Paint is not protection. Cyclists demand real lanes.

This advocacy opinion, published November 3, 2023, calls out the Jamaica NOW: Urban Design Strategy and Streetscape Plan for failing cyclists. The piece states, 'There is no safe, legal, and easy way to ride through downtown Jamaica. It's time for that to change.' The author supports busways but opposes the current streetscape plan, legalizing cycling on bus lanes, and expanding bike parking without access. The plan leaves the Queens Boulevard bike lane ending at Hillside Avenue, with no safe north-south or east-west bike routes. The author urges protected bike lanes on Sutphin, Parsons, Merrick, and 168th, plus Archer Avenue. The absence of safe infrastructure has left 255 cyclists injured since 2016. The message is clear: red paint is not protection. Downtown Jamaica needs real, separated bike lanes to protect vulnerable road users.

• Opinion: It’s Past Time for Protected Bike Lanes in Downtown Jamaica, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-03

Two SUVs crashed at New York Avenue and Herkimer Street. A 79-year-old woman, crossing with the signal, was struck and killed. She lay broken in the crosswalk. The drivers failed to yield. The light was green. The right-of-way was hers.

A deadly crash unfolded at New York Avenue and Herkimer Street in Brooklyn. Two SUVs collided. According to the police report, a 79-year-old woman was crossing with the signal when the vehicles struck her. She suffered fatal crush injuries to her entire body. The report states, “The light was green. The right-of-way was hers.” Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The woman was in the crosswalk, following the signal. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The drivers’ errors led to a fatal outcome for a vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676203, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

A man on an e-scooter crashed near 64th Street. He flew from the scooter. His head struck hard. Blood pooled on the pavement. The scooter twisted at the bumper. He died there. The street stayed silent.

A 46-year-old man riding a 5th Wheel e-scooter was killed on Flushing Avenue near 64th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the rider was ejected from his scooter and suffered a fatal head injury. The report states, 'Driver Inexperience' contributed to the crash. The man was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data, but this is mentioned only after the driver error. The scooter was left crumpled at the scene. No other vehicles or people were reported injured. The crash highlights the deadly consequences when inexperience meets city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675713, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

A man on an e-scooter slammed into a parked pickup on Shakespeare Avenue. He flew from the scooter. His head hit the ground. Blood pooled on the street. He died there. The crash left a life ended and a city marked.

A 47-year-old man riding an e-scooter southbound on Shakespeare Avenue near Jerome Avenue struck a parked Dodge pickup truck. According to the police report, the scooter crumpled on impact and the rider was ejected, suffering fatal head injuries. The report notes the rider was unlicensed and wore no helmet. No driver errors by another party are listed in the data. The only contributing factors recorded are 'Unspecified.' The parked truck sustained no damage. The man died at the scene, leaving another mark on the Bronx’s dangerous streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675146, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

A Tesla smashed into a Ford’s rear on Rockaway Boulevard. The impact crushed a 54-year-old woman riding up front. She wore her belt. The road was slick. The driver was inexperienced. She died at the scene. The street stayed loud.

A deadly crash unfolded on Rockaway Boulevard near Brewer Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, a Tesla SUV slammed into the rear of a Ford sedan. Inside the Ford, a 54-year-old woman sat belted in the front passenger seat. She suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. The Tesla’s young driver failed to control the vehicle, leading to the fatal rear-end collision. The woman’s use of a lap belt and harness is noted, but the primary cause remains the driver’s inexperience. No other injuries were reported in the summary. The crash left a family shattered and a street marked by loss.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674776, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

A tow-truck driver killed Kamari Hughes, age seven, on a Brooklyn street. Nearly 4,000 parents demand Mayor Adams act. They want crossing guards back, blocked safety projects restored, and NYPD held to account. The street saw 53 crashes since 2020.

On October 29, 2023, nearly 4,000 Brooklyn parents signed an open letter after a tow-truck driver, NYPD Traffic Enforcement Agent Stephanie Sharp, killed seven-year-old Kamari Hughes on N. Portland Avenue. The letter, addressed to Mayor Adams and Brooklyn officials, calls for 'justice and accountability from the City of New York,' reinstatement of school crossing guards, unblocking of traffic calming projects on Ashland Place and Underhill Avenue, and support for street safety infrastructure like daylighting and shorter crosswalks. Parents also demand NYPD accountability for reckless driving. The Parent Teacher Students Association at Brooklyn Prospect Charter School plans a march for Kamari and all children killed by traffic violence. The block where Kamari died has seen 53 crashes since 2020. Council members are not named, but the letter targets City Hall and Mayor Adams, urging him to fulfill his promise to 'do whatever it takes to keep our streets safe.'

• Outraged Parents Call for Safe Streets After Death of Kamari Hughes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-29

A Lincoln sedan rolled from its spot on Jerome Avenue. A 59-year-old man stood close. The car’s undercarriage struck him. He was crushed beneath the weight. He died where he fell. The street stayed silent. The danger was real.

A 2013 Lincoln sedan rolled from parking on Jerome Avenue near McClellan Street. The car struck a 59-year-old man standing nearby. According to the police report, the undercarriage hit him, crushing his body. He died at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The sedan was starting from parking when the crash occurred. The victim was not in the roadway. The data also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' but the primary cause remains driver inattention. The crash left a man dead and a street marked by loss.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674774, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

A BMW motorcycle slammed into a slowing SUV on Bruckner Expressway near midnight. The rider, 38, flew from his bike. He wore a helmet. He struck the pavement headfirst. He died at the scene. The road did not stop.

A deadly crash unfolded on the Bruckner Expressway just before midnight. According to the police report, a BMW motorcycle struck the rear of a slowing Honda SUV. The 38-year-old motorcyclist, helmeted, was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The SUV driver was not reported injured. The victim was the sole occupant of the motorcycle. The crash left the rider with crush injuries and no pulse. Helmet use is noted, but the primary factor cited is unsafe speed. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674375, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

A man on a Honda motorcycle struck the rear of a Lexus SUV on Henry Hudson Parkway. He flew from the bike. Crush injuries ended his life. Speed left no time. The road was unforgiving. One life lost. Metal and flesh, broken.

A 55-year-old man riding a Honda motorcycle died after crashing into the rear of a Lexus SUV on Henry Hudson Parkway. According to the police report, the motorcyclist 'slammed into the rear' of the SUV and was ejected from his bike, suffering fatal crush injuries to his entire body. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor in the crash. No other injuries were reported. The SUV sustained damage to its left rear bumper. The police report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The crash left one man dead, his body broken by impact and speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674374, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

A Cadillac SUV reversed into a parked Ford bus on 33rd Road. The driver, alone, died at the scene. No skid marks. Midday light. Quiet street. Impact was final. No one else hurt. Metal and silence after.

A Cadillac SUV backed into a parked Ford bus near 214th Street and 33rd Road in Queens. The crash happened in broad daylight. According to the police report, the 51-year-old driver of the SUV was alone and died at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The bus was empty and parked. The police report lists 'Other Vehicular' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No mention of helmet or signal use. The street was quiet. The impact left no skid marks. The crash ended one life. The bus stood still.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674240, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

A Cadillac taxi hit an 89-year-old man in a marked crosswalk on Riverside Boulevard. The impact shattered his hip and leg. He died where he fell. The driver failed to yield. The street stayed silent after the crash.

An 89-year-old man was killed while crossing Riverside Boulevard at West 70th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, he was in a marked crosswalk when a southbound Cadillac taxi struck him head-on. The report states, 'An 89-year-old man, crossing in a marked crosswalk, was struck head-on by a southbound Cadillac taxi. His hip and leg shattered. He died there, in the crosswalk, where he had the right to walk.' The listed contributing factor is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The man suffered fatal injuries to his hip and upper leg. The data shows no contributing factors related to the pedestrian. The crash highlights the deadly consequences when drivers fail to yield to people in crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674080, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

A tow truck turned right on Myrtle Avenue. A seven-year-old boy crossed with the signal. The truck struck him. He died beneath its wheels. His shoes pointed toward school. The street stayed silent. The driver failed to yield.

A seven-year-old boy was killed at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and North Portland Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the boy was crossing with the signal when a tow truck made a right turn and struck him with its front quarter. The child suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating a Ford tow truck. No vehicle damage was reported. The boy was in the crosswalk, following the signal, when the truck failed to yield and ended his life.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673988, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

Brad Lander slammed the city for botching his Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program. Few reckless drivers faced real consequences. The law expired. Lander demands reauthorization, tougher penalties, and better enforcement. The Council reviews his call. Vulnerable road users remain exposed.

On October 26, 2023, Comptroller Brad Lander, author of the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), criticized the city’s failed rollout of the law. The program, aimed at curbing reckless driving by mandating safety courses and allowing car seizures, expired without replacement. Lander’s report urges the City Council to reauthorize and expand DVAP, improve the safety course, and escalate consequences for repeat offenders. He states, “Without the [program]... the city’s DOT and traffic courts have no tools at their disposal to hold the most dangerous drivers accountable outside of a fine that is currently less than a parking ticket.” Lander supports pending Council and state bills for stricter penalties, including speed governors and registration suspensions. The Council acknowledged the program’s failures and is reviewing Lander’s recommendations, but has not committed to action. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while the city stalls.

• Lander: City Failed Implementation of My ‘Reckless Driver’ Law, So Let’s Fix It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-26

An SUV hit an 82-year-old woman in a Forest Avenue crosswalk. She suffered head wounds. The driver did not stop. The woman died. Blood marked the street. The Nissan’s front end bore the impact. The city lost another pedestrian.

An 82-year-old woman was killed while crossing Forest Avenue near Bard Avenue. According to the police report, the SUV struck her head-on in the crosswalk, causing fatal head injuries and internal bleeding. The driver did not stop after the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The Nissan SUV’s center front end showed damage from the impact. The woman never regained consciousness. No other contributing factors were cited in the report. The crash marks another deadly toll for pedestrians on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673459, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21

A Jeep tore into a bus at 3rd Avenue and East 147th Street. The SUV’s front crumpled. The driver, a 69-year-old woman, died strapped in her seat. The airbag burst. Metal and glass scattered. The street held the silence after impact.

A 2004 Jeep SUV crashed into the side of a Nova Bus at the corner of 3rd Avenue and East 147th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, 'A 2004 Jeep slammed into the side of a bus. The SUV’s front folded in. The driver, a 69-year-old woman, died belted in her seat. The airbag burst. Her body did not hold.' The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The SUV driver was killed in the crash. She was wearing a seatbelt and the airbag deployed. No injuries to bus occupants were reported. The collision left the intersection scarred, another mark in the city’s toll.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672557, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-21