Five Dead, Hundreds Hurt—Who Will Stop the Killing on Our Streets?

Apr 23 - Taibel Brod crossed with the light. The SUV turned left, struck her. She fell. Two weeks later, she died. The driver had no license. Police charged him. The street stayed open. The city moved on.

NY Daily News reported on April 23, 2025, that Taibel Brod, 101, was killed after an SUV hit her while she crossed Montgomery St. in Crown Heights with the walk signal. The driver, Menachem Shagalow, turned left without a license and struck Brod. Police charged him with aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to exercise due care. The article quotes Brod’s son, who called the crash a "tragedy." Brod died from her injuries nearly two weeks later. The case highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians, especially from unlicensed drivers and left turns at intersections. No changes to the street were reported.

• Unlicensed SUV Driver Kills Brooklyn Elder, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-23

Apr 19 - A pickup truck backed into a parked sedan on West 20th Street. The sedan driver suffered a leg injury. Police cite unsafe backing. Metal struck metal. Pain followed.

A pickup truck, backing south on West 20th Street in Brooklyn, struck a parked sedan. The sedan’s driver, a 52-year-old man, suffered a knee and lower leg injury. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Backing Unsafely.' No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The impact damaged the sedan’s right front bumper and the truck’s rear. The data shows the injured driver wore a lap belt and harness. No further injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808332 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 16 - New research from Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets announced a report detailing NYC's top 10 super speeders.

• Road report: Here’s where lead-foot drivers repeatedly get speed-camera tickets in NYC, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-04-16

Apr 15 - Two sedans collided on Belt Parkway. Three children hurt. Impact struck front and rear. Shock and pain followed. No driver errors listed. System failed the young again.

Two sedans crashed on Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. Three children, ages 2 and 13, suffered injuries to the face, leg, and entire body. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight when the collision occurred, with one car's front end hitting the other's rear. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The injured children experienced shock and pain. The report notes lap belt use for one child but does not cite safety equipment as a cause. The crash left vulnerable passengers hurt, with no clear explanation for the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806164 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 10 - 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

Apr 9 - 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 in an Uber. Police caught him soon after. Streets remain unforgiving.

Gothamist (April 9, 2025) reports that Tyree Epps, 32, was indicted after allegedly running a stop sign and crashing into a school bus in East New York, Brooklyn. The February collision killed his 26-year-old passenger, Imani Vance, and injured the bus driver. According to the Brooklyn DA, Epps "ignored a stop sign and drove at excessive speeds," then left the scene by calling an Uber, abandoning his injured passenger. The impact pushed the bus into a third, empty vehicle. No children on the bus were harmed. Epps was apprehended after fleeing on foot. The case highlights persistent dangers at intersections and the lethal consequences of ignoring traffic controls.

• Brooklyn Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, Gothamist, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 7 - A sedan struck a 29-year-old woman walking along Ocean Parkway. She suffered arm injuries and shock. Driver inattention and inexperience caused the crash.

A sedan traveling south on Ocean Parkway struck a 29-year-old female pedestrian who was walking along the highway with traffic. She suffered injuries to her arm and reported pain and shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' contributed to the crash. The vehicle's right front quarter panel was damaged. The pedestrian was not at an intersection when hit. No other contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804300 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 5 - SUV hit a man on West Street. Pedestrian suffered leg injury. Police cite failure to yield. Impact was right front bumper. Danger for those on foot remains high.

A station wagon SUV traveling north struck a 25-year-old man on West Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and suffered a knee and lower leg injury. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The point of impact was the SUV's right front bumper. The report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor, but the primary error cited is failure to yield. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupants. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803702 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 4 - SUV cut across Mermaid Avenue. E-bike rider struck. Shoulder torn. Police cite improper turn and distraction. Streets stay ruthless.

An SUV making a right turn on Mermaid Avenue collided with an e-bike traveling straight. The 25-year-old e-bike rider suffered a shoulder injury and reported pain. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The SUV's right front quarter panel took the impact. No injuries were specified for the SUV driver or other occupants. The data lists no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when drivers turn without care.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803693 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 2 - A six-year-old boy suffered a concussion after an SUV hit him while he played in the street. The driver and several passengers were unhurt. Police list all factors as unspecified.

A six-year-old boy was injured when a station wagon/SUV struck him as he played in the roadway near 2832 W 23 St in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the child suffered a concussion and injuries to his entire body. The driver, a 47-year-old woman, and several child passengers were not injured. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are cited in the data. The incident highlights the danger faced by children outside vehicles, even when no specific driver fault is recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805198 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 2 - A car plowed through families on Ocean Parkway. Three killed. Survivors hurt, shaken, haunted. The driver had a suspended license, dozens of violations, unpaid fines. The city’s streets failed to protect the most vulnerable. Pain lingers. Justice waits.

ABC7 reported on April 2, 2025, that a crash in Brooklyn killed a mother and her two daughters, leaving another family injured and traumatized. The article states, “Shakhzod described ongoing back pain and fears of another accident.” The driver, Miriam Yarimi, had 93 violations, $10,000 in unpaid fines, and a suspended license. She struck an Uber, then hit families crossing Ocean Parkway, flipping her vehicle. Yarimi faces charges including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The crash exposes systemic failure: a driver with a long record remained on the road. Survivors suffer lasting physical and emotional wounds. The city’s enforcement and oversight remain under scrutiny.

• Brooklyn Crash Leaves Family Scarred, Three Dead, ABC7, Published 2025-04-02

Apr 1 - Two SUVs slammed together on Neptune Avenue. Metal twisted. Four men injured. Police cite traffic control ignored and unsafe speed. Pain, blood, broken bones. Brooklyn night, sirens cut the dark.

Two SUVs crashed at Neptune Avenue and West 8th Street in Brooklyn. Four men were injured, including both drivers and two passengers. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed.' One driver was unlicensed. Injuries ranged from head wounds and neck pain to fractured arms and abrasions. The police report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804306 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 1 - A red-light runner tore through Ocean Parkway. The Audi slammed an Uber, then plowed into a family in the crosswalk. A mother and her two daughters died. Survivors watched, hurt and helpless, as medics tried to save the fallen.

According to the NY Daily News (April 1, 2025), a crash on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn left a mother and her two daughters dead after a speeding Audi, driven by Miriam Yarimi, struck an Uber and then pedestrians in a crosswalk. Police said Yarimi was driving about 50 mph in a 25 mph zone and ran a red light with a suspended license. She was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, reckless driving, and other offenses. The article quotes survivor Shakhzod Ahmedova: "After the car crash, we just saw the car flipped over and two kids on the ground. We were scared." The incident highlights the lethal consequences of unlicensed, reckless driving and raises questions about enforcement and street design on major corridors like Ocean Parkway.

• Speeding Audi Kills Mother, Two Children, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-01

Mar 31 - A speeding Audi struck a mother and her daughters in a Brooklyn crosswalk. The crash killed three. The youngest son was left fighting for life. The driver, with a long record of violations, now faces manslaughter charges.

According to the New York Post (March 31, 2025), Miriam Yarimi drove her Audi through a Brooklyn crosswalk, killing Natasha Saada and her daughters, Diana and Debra. Saada’s 4-year-old son was critically injured. Police said the victims were 'legally crossing the street in a crosswalk when the driver's speeding Audi struck them.' Yarimi’s car had over 93 traffic violations. She told first responders she was 'possessed' and is undergoing psychiatric evaluation. The article notes Yarimi’s history of paranoid social media posts and erratic behavior. She has been charged with manslaughter. The crash highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians and raises questions about enforcement against repeat traffic offenders.

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

Mar 30 - A driver sped down Ocean Parkway, slammed into a Camry, then struck a mother and her three children in the crosswalk. Three died. The youngest clings to life. The Audi’s driver had a suspended license. The street ran red with grief.

ABC7 reported on March 30, 2025, that a multi-vehicle crash on Ocean Parkway in Midwood killed Natasha Saada and her daughters, ages 5 and 8, and critically injured her 4-year-old son. The article states, "A driver has been charged after a multi-vehicle crash in Brooklyn killed a mother and her two young daughters and critically injured her son." Police say Miriam Yarimi, driving an Audi with a suspended license, rear-ended a Toyota Camry and then struck the family in the crosswalk. Yarimi faces charges including manslaughter, reckless driving, and failing to yield. The Camry was an Uber with children inside, who were also hurt. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called it "a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road." The crash highlights the lethal risk posed by unlicensed, reckless drivers and the vulnerability of families crossing city streets.

• Mother And Daughters Killed On Ocean Parkway, ABC7, Published 2025-03-30

Mar 29 - A car struck a mother and her two daughters in a Brooklyn crosswalk. All three died. A young boy fights for life. The driver’s license was suspended. The Audi hit another car, then pedestrians. Ocean Parkway’s danger is no secret.

According to ABC7 (published March 29, 2025), a 34-year-old woman and her two daughters, ages six and eight, were killed when an Audi, driven by Mariam Yarimi on a suspended license, rear-ended a Toyota Camry and then struck the family in a crosswalk on Ocean Parkway. A four-year-old boy remains in critical condition. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called it 'a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road.' The Audi went airborne after the collision. Residents described chronic speeding and red-light running on Ocean Parkway. Authorities are investigating whether speed or a red light violation contributed. No arrests have been made. The crash highlights persistent systemic dangers for pedestrians on city streets.

• Mother And Children Killed On Ocean Parkway, ABC7, Published 2025-03-29

Mar 28 - Two sedans smashed head-on on Neptune Avenue. A 53-year-old woman in the back seat took a blow to the head. She was left in shock, hurt, and nauseous. Both cars crumpled at the front. The street bore the mark of violence.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling in opposite directions collided head-on on Neptune Avenue at 8:35 PM. The impact struck both vehicles at the center front ends, causing heavy damage. A 53-year-old female passenger in the rear seat suffered a head injury and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. She wore a lap belt. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both drivers were licensed and driving straight ahead. The force of the crash left one passenger hurt and both cars battered, exposing the brutal risk of head-on collisions on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802441 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 28 - Two SUVs crashed at Neptune Avenue near West 8th Street in Brooklyn. A 24-year-old driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The collision involved failure to yield and driver inexperience. The impact left vehicles damaged and occupants injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Neptune Avenue near West 8th Street in Brooklyn at 15:40. Two SUVs collided when one driver failed to yield right-of-way, contributing to the crash alongside driver inexperience. The 24-year-old male driver, who was licensed and traveling north in a 2020 Jeep SUV, sustained neck injuries and whiplash. The police report states he was conscious and restrained with an airbag deployed and lap belt. The collision involved the right front bumper of the Jeep and the center front end of a southbound 2015 Subaru SUV, which was stopped in traffic. The report highlights failure to yield right-of-way as a primary driver error. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801986 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 23 - Two drivers collided on Neptune Avenue. Defective brakes and distraction struck hard. Both suffered bruises. Metal twisted. Systemic danger, not chance, shaped the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan and an SUV crashed at 809 Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn. The sedan driver, a 32-year-old man, was injured with bruises to his arm and hand. The SUV driver, a 20-year-old woman, suffered a back contusion. Police list defective brakes and driver inattention as the main causes. The sedan’s left front and the SUV’s right front took the impact. Both drivers were conscious and restrained. The report highlights driver distraction and faulty brakes as key factors, exposing the persistent risks of neglected vehicles and lapses in driver focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801453 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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