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

Mar 20 - A child passenger suffered whiplash and full-body injuries in a Brooklyn crash involving a sedan. The child was restrained and conscious, lying across a rear seat. The sedan was struck on its right rear bumper while parked, causing injury to the occupant.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Bay 43 Street in Brooklyn around 2:40 PM. A 2022 Nissan sedan, traveling west, was parked when it was struck on the center back end, specifically the right rear bumper. The injured party was a child passenger seated in the middle rear seat or lying across the seat, secured with a child restraint. The child sustained whiplash and injuries to the entire body but was conscious and not ejected. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of impacts to parked vehicles and the vulnerability of child passengers inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800512 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 16 - SUV swung a U-turn on Coney Island Avenue. E-scooter rider hit hard. Shoulder shattered, arm twisted. SUV left-side doors crushed. Police list no driver errors. Streets remain brutal for the unprotected.

According to the police report, a 2024 SUV making a U-turn struck a northbound e-scooter rider at 3154 Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn at 17:19. The 37-year-old male e-scooter driver suffered a fractured, dislocated shoulder and upper arm but stayed conscious and was not ejected. The SUV, registered in Pennsylvania and driven by a New Jersey-licensed man, sustained damage to its left side doors. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' with no driver errors identified. No victim actions or helmet use are cited as factors. The crash underscores the risk when large vehicles cross paths with vulnerable road users during sudden maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799272 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 11 - Two SUVs collided head-on on Belt Parkway. The driver of one vehicle suffered neck injuries and internal complaints. Police cited improper lane usage and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The injured driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway at 22:22 involving two SUVs traveling in opposite directions. One driver, a 30-year-old female, was injured with neck trauma and internal complaints but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt. The report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factors, indicating driver errors leading to the collision. The point of impact was the right front bumper of one vehicle and the left rear bumper of the other, consistent with improper lane usage during passing maneuvers. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The report highlights systemic danger from driver misjudgment and unsafe speed on a major roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798055 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 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 - Two sedans slammed together on Belt Parkway after midnight. Three men hurt—head wounds, bruises, whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and other vehicular factors. All stayed conscious. None ejected.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Belt Parkway at 12:21 a.m. The crash left three male occupants, ages 19 and 28, injured with head trauma, whiplash, and leg bruises. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. Impact struck the right front of one car and the left rear of the other. All victims were conscious and not ejected. Passengers wore lap belts and harnesses. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight before the crash. The report does not fault the injured occupants, focusing on driver inattention and vehicular issues.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795587 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 1 - A Kia slammed into a Toyota on Stockholm Street. Hayden Wallace, 29, died. Two friends survived with critical wounds. The driver fled. Police arrested Christopher Seabrook. The crash left a new life cut short, a city shaken.

According to the NY Daily News (published March 1, 2025), Christopher Seabrook, 28, was arrested for the hit-and-run crash that killed Hayden Wallace, 29, in Bushwick on January 8, 2024. Seabrook allegedly crashed a Kia Sportage into a Toyota Yaris carrying Wallace and friends, then fled the scene on foot. Wallace died; two others were critically injured. The Toyota’s driver was also charged with driving without a license. Seabrook faces charges including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene. The article quotes Wallace’s aunt: “He lived life to the fullest. He was only 29 years old and lit up every room he entered.” The case highlights the deadly consequences of reckless driving and fleeing crash scenes in New York City.

• Bushwick Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-01

Feb 28 - Two sedans crashed on Belt Parkway at 9:37 p.m. Both drivers were traveling eastbound when impact occurred. Unsafe speed by both drivers caused the collision. One occupant suffered injuries to the entire body and was in shock after the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway at 21:37. Two sedans collided while both were traveling straight ahead eastbound. The point of impact was the left rear quarter panel of one sedan and the center front end of the other. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. One driver, a 41-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The police report does not cite any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The collision resulted from driver errors involving unsafe speed, leading to significant bodily injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795582 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 - Two SUVs collided on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. The rear vehicle struck the front vehicle’s center back end. A front passenger suffered full-body injuries and incoherence. Police cited following too closely as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, at 16:20 in Brooklyn, two SUVs traveling south on Coney Island Avenue collided. The rear vehicle impacted the center back end of the front vehicle. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash. A 41-year-old male front passenger in one of the vehicles sustained injuries to his entire body, was incoherent, and complained of pain or nausea. The injured occupant was not ejected from the vehicle. Both vehicles were station wagons or SUVs, with the rear vehicle causing damage described as 'Center Back End.' The driver errors focused on tailgating, with no victim behaviors listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795612 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 27 - A sedan making a U-turn struck a 50-year-old woman crossing Brighton Beach Avenue outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered bruises and arm injuries. Driver inattention caused the collision, highlighting dangers of distracted driving in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Brighton Beach Avenue in Brooklyn at 14:15. A sedan traveling west was making a U-turn when it struck a 50-year-old female pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, with an injury severity rated as moderate. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was conscious and not at an intersection or crosswalk at the time of impact. The vehicle showed no damage despite the collision. This incident underscores the critical role of driver errors, specifically distraction during complex maneuvers like U-turns, in causing harm to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795278 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 27 - Two sedans collided on Belt Parkway. Rear driver, 24, suffered back injury and shock. Police blame driver distraction. Both cars moved east when the trailing sedan struck the lead car’s center rear.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling eastbound on Belt Parkway collided when the rear vehicle struck the center back end of the lead car. The 24-year-old male driver of the rear sedan suffered back injuries and shock, with complaints of pain and nausea. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary cause. Both drivers were licensed and driving straight ahead. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim actions were listed. The crash underscores the danger of driver distraction on high-speed city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796085 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 25 - Two sedans crashed head-on and rear-end on 27 Ave in Brooklyn. One driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the nighttime collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 27 Ave near Bath Ave in Brooklyn at 8:49 PM. Two sedans traveling east and southwest collided, with impact points at the center front end and right rear bumper. The driver of one sedan, a 38-year-old man, was injured with contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report attributes the crash to 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for the collision. Both drivers were licensed in New York. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the front ends, indicating a failure to maintain attention leading to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 18 - A BMW X5 veered off Belt Parkway near Exit 14. The SUV struck a tree. Marcus Joseph, 41, died at the scene. No passengers. No bystanders hurt. The crash left only silence and wreckage on the Brooklyn road.

NY Daily News (2025-02-18) reports Marcus Joseph, 41, died after his BMW X5 spun out of control on the Belt Parkway near Exit 14 in Starrett City, Brooklyn. Police said the SUV 'skidded off the road and slammed into a tree.' Joseph was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The article does not mention weather or road conditions. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed corridors like the Belt Parkway, where loss of control can prove fatal. No charges were filed. The report underscores the persistent risks for all road users on New York City highways.

• BMW Skids, Slams Tree On Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 17 - A sedan struck the rear of an SUV on West 5 Street in Brooklyn. The crash injured a 16-year-old female passenger in the sedan, causing head trauma and whiplash. Driver distraction was cited as the primary cause of the collision.

According to the police report, at 8:42 PM on West 5 Street near Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn, a 2023 Tesla sedan traveling west rear-ended a 2018 Hino SUV also moving west. The point of impact was the center back end of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. The sedan driver, a licensed female from Pennsylvania, was cited for driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factor. The collision injured a 16-year-old female passenger seated in the left rear of the sedan. She sustained head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the passenger's behavior. The damage to both vehicles was centered on the impacted ends, confirming the rear-end collision dynamic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793367 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 17 - A 41-year-old man suffered whole-body injuries and minor bleeding after a collision on Brighton 5 St near Brighton Beach Ave. The pedestrian was left in shock. Details on driver actions or contributing factors remain unspecified in the police report.

According to the police report, a pedestrian, a 41-year-old male, was injured in a crash on Brighton 5 St near Brighton Beach Ave in Brooklyn at 4:00 AM. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his entire body and experienced minor bleeding, resulting in shock. The report does not specify the type of vehicle involved or any contributing factors such as driver errors or pedestrian actions. No details on driver license status, vehicle movement, or point of impact were provided. The absence of cited driver errors or contributing factors in the report limits the ability to identify systemic dangers or driver mistakes in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793146 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 17 - A 47-year-old man suffered a fractured dislocation while crossing 86th Street. The pedestrian was conscious but injured across his entire body. The driver was going straight westbound. Contributing factors remain unspecified in the police report.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 86th Street while crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation affecting his entire body and remained conscious after the collision. The vehicle involved was traveling westbound, going straight ahead, and struck the pedestrian at an unspecified point of impact. The report does not specify the vehicle type or driver details. No explicit driver errors such as Failure to Yield or speeding are listed, and contributing factors are marked as unspecified. The pedestrian's crossing action was noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The report focuses on the collision dynamics and injury severity without assigning blame to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793249 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 16 - Two sedans smashed head-on on Cropsey Avenue. Night. One driver, sixty-three, took chest injuries and shock. Police blamed broken traffic signals. System failed. Metal and bodies paid the price.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on on Cropsey Avenue near Shore Parkway at 8:55 p.m. The 63-year-old male driver of one sedan suffered chest injuries and shock. Both vehicles took center front end damage. Police cited 'Traffic Control Device Improper/Non-Working' as a contributing factor for both drivers. No other driver errors were listed. The injured driver wore a lap belt and was not ejected. Faulty traffic signals at the scene directly contributed to the crash, exposing a systemic hazard for all road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793133 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 16 - A taxi traveling south and an SUV making a right turn collided on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. A 73-year-old female passenger in the SUV suffered knee and lower leg injuries, experiencing shock and pain. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:23 AM on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. A 2024 Toyota taxi was traveling straight south when it collided with a 2024 Mazda SUV making a right turn. The point of impact was the taxi's right front bumper and the SUV's left front bumper. The SUV had one occupant, a 73-year-old female passenger seated in the left rear, who was injured with knee, lower leg, and foot trauma and experienced shock and complaints of pain or nausea. She was secured with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The taxi had two occupants, including the male licensed driver. The report does not specify contributing factors or driver errors, but the collision involved conflicting vehicle movements—straight travel versus a right turn—indicating potential failure to yield or right-of-way errors by one or both drivers. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19