Blood on the Asphalt, Blame on Their Hands

A rear-end collision on the Belt Parkway ramp injured a 33-year-old female driver. According to the police report, defective brakes and following too closely led to the crash. The driver suffered back injuries but remained conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:01 on the Belt Parkway ramp involving two vehicles traveling west. The driver of a 2016 Nissan SUV, a 33-year-old female occupant, was injured with back trauma and remained conscious, restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Brakes Defective' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors, indicating driver error related to vehicle maintenance and unsafe distance. The SUV's center front end struck the rear center of a 2018 BMW sedan, which was also slowing or stopping. Both drivers were licensed. The collision caused damage to both vehicles' center front and back ends. The report does not list any victim behaviors contributing to the crash, focusing on the defective brakes and following distance as primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803258 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 37-year-old woman suffered severe injuries after an SUV made a left turn and struck her while she crossed Rockaway Parkway outside a crosswalk. The impact caused fractures and dislocations, leaving the pedestrian conscious but seriously hurt.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old female pedestrian was crossing Rockaway Parkway at a location not marked by a signal or crosswalk when she was struck by a 2023 Kia SUV traveling south. The SUV was making a left turn at the time of impact, hitting the pedestrian with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her entire body, including fractures and dislocations, and was conscious after the collision. The report lists the pedestrian's contributing factors as unspecified, but no driver errors such as Failure to Yield or other violations were explicitly cited. The vehicle sustained no damage despite the serious injuries to the pedestrian. This incident highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles to pedestrians crossing outside designated areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801876 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker flew through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection is known for danger. Delivery speed and city policy collide.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after being struck by an e-bike delivery worker who "sped through a stop sign" at Franklin and India streets 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 as the investigation continued. The article notes that the intersection is a known trouble spot, with Collins stating, "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The report highlights systemic issues: delivery app pressures, lack of regulation, and a street design that encourages risky moves. City data shows e-bikes account for a small share of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues.

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

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

A dump truck turned right on Withers Street. The driver hit a man crouched for food. The man died at Elmhurst Hospital. The driver fled. Police are still searching. Brooklyn’s streets remain deadly for those on foot.

Gothamist reported on March 3, 2025, that a dump truck driver fatally struck a man in his 20s on Withers Street near Woodpoint Road, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The man was kneeling in the street to pick up food when the truck, turning right, hit him. According to police, 'the driver, a 49-year-old man, left the scene.' The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The article notes this was one of several fatal crashes in Brooklyn that week, highlighting persistent dangers for pedestrians. NYPD data shows at least 10 traffic deaths in Brooklyn so far this year, matching last year’s pace. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene underscores ongoing issues with hit-and-runs and enforcement.

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

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

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

Four vehicles collided near Avenue L in Brooklyn. Three were parked; one was moving east. Damage focused on left rear bumpers and front bumpers. A 51-year-old female occupant riding outside suffered shock with unspecified injuries.

According to the police report, the crash involved four vehicles near 8904 Avenue L, Brooklyn, at 5:23 AM. Three vehicles were parked, and one vehicle was traveling east going straight ahead. The point of impact was primarily on the left rear bumpers and left front bumpers of the parked vehicles. A 51-year-old female occupant riding or hanging on the outside of one vehicle experienced shock and unspecified injuries. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The occupant was not ejected and was in shock, but no bodily injury was specified. The lack of driver license information for some vehicles and the presence of multiple parked vehicles suggest a complex collision scenario, but no explicit driver fault was recorded in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795321 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW SUV struck a Nissan sedan from behind on Belt Parkway. The sedan’s front passenger suffered a head injury and concussion. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles traveled eastbound at impact, damaging rear and front bumpers.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Belt Parkway involving a 2024 BMW SUV and a 2025 Nissan sedan, both traveling eastbound. The BMW SUV impacted the left rear bumper of the Nissan sedan, which was struck from behind. The front passenger of the sedan, a 35-year-old woman, sustained a head injury and concussion. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The BMW SUV driver, licensed in New York, failed to maintain attention, resulting in the rear-end collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. Vehicle damage was reported on the left rear bumper of the sedan and the center front end of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795626 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Stanley Avenue. One driver suffered full-body trauma and shock. Police cited following too closely and passing too closely. Impact crushed doors and front end.

According to the police report, two SUVs crashed on Stanley Avenue in Brooklyn at 8:00 a.m. One SUV was going straight, the other making a left turn. The crash struck the right side doors of the first SUV and demolished the front end of the second. The 55-year-old male driver of the first SUV was injured, suffering trauma to his entire body and shock. Police listed 'Following Too Closely' and 'Passing Too Closely' as driver errors. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794765 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two women were injured in a rear-end crash on Farragut Road in Brooklyn. Both occupants of the lead sedan suffered neck and back injuries. Police cited following too closely as the cause. The impact struck the right rear quarter panel of the lead vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:05 AM on Farragut Road near Remsen Avenue in Brooklyn. Two sedans traveling south collided when the trailing vehicle struck the right rear quarter panel of the lead sedan. The lead vehicle carried two female occupants, a 44-year-old driver and a 47-year-old right rear passenger. Both were injured, suffering neck and back injuries respectively, and were reported in shock. The driver complained of whiplash, and both occupants were restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The contributing factor cited by police was 'Following Too Closely,' indicating driver error by the trailing vehicle. No other contributing factors were specified. The trailing vehicle had no occupants at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794771 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Ford SUV making a left turn struck a southbound motorbike on Glenwood Rd. The motorbike driver suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. The crash caused front-end damage to both vehicles. The motorbike driver was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Glenwood Rd in Brooklyn at 7:20 PM. A 2004 Ford SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a southbound motorbike traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV and the left front quarter panel of the motorbike. The motorbike driver, a 29-year-old male with a learner's permit, sustained a fractured knee and lower leg injuries, classified as injury severity 3. The motorbike driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the SUV driver's left turn maneuver as the critical action preceding the collision. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795263 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

SUV swung a bad U-turn on Farragut. Smashed into a sedan. Three inside the SUV hurt—head and chest injuries. Police cite improper turn, ignored traffic control. Pain, shock, no escape.

According to the police report, an SUV making a U-turn on Farragut Rd in Brooklyn struck a sedan traveling straight at 22:22. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as key factors. Three SUV occupants were injured: a 34-year-old male passenger with head trauma, a 32-year-old female driver with chest injuries, and a 25-year-old female passenger with head injuries. All wore lap belts and harnesses, none were ejected. Each reported pain, nausea, and shock. The police report highlights driver errors—improper turning and ignoring traffic control—as causes. No contributing factors are attributed to the victims.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793267 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound SUV and southbound sedan collided at E 80 St in Brooklyn. The sedan driver failed to yield and turned improperly. Both drivers suffered injuries and shock, with damage to front ends. The crash exposed critical driver errors at an intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on E 80 St in Brooklyn at 19:20. A 57-year-old female sedan driver was making a left turn when she failed to yield right-of-way and turned improperly, causing a collision with a northbound SUV. The sedan's front right bumper and the SUV's front left bumper were damaged at the center front end. The sedan driver sustained chest injuries and was in shock, wearing a lap belt and harness. The SUV carried two occupants; the front passenger, a 63-year-old male, also suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot and was in shock. Both occupants complained of pain or nausea. The police report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors as central to the crash. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793646 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 59-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan making an improper left turn. The pedestrian suffered a bruised elbow and lower arm injury. The driver’s inattention and improper turning caused the collision at a Brooklyn intersection.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Glenwood Rd in Brooklyn was making a left turn when it struck a 59-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruise to his elbow and lower arm, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites the driver’s contributing factors as inattention and distraction, along with turning improperly. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. This crash highlights driver errors—specifically failure to maintain attention and execute a proper turn—as the primary causes of the collision, without any contributing fault attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792703 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling west on Belt Parkway was struck on its left side by a dump truck making a right turn. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited tinted windows and improper lane usage as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, at 10:45 PM on Belt Parkway, a sedan traveling west was hit on its left side doors by a dump truck making a right turn. The sedan driver, a 47-year-old male, sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report identifies driver errors including 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and notes 'Tinted Windows' as contributing factors. The dump truck showed no damage and was also traveling west. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper lane changes and limited visibility due to tinted windows. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792704 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 24-year-old woman was hit while crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal. She suffered a concussion and upper leg injuries. The vehicle impacted her center front end. The crash exposed critical driver errors and systemic dangers at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of E 94 St and Glenwood Rd in Brooklyn around 7 PM. She was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a crossing signal when a Ford car struck her at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained a concussion and upper leg injuries, remaining conscious after the impact. The report does not list any contributing factors from the pedestrian's behavior, placing focus on the vehicle driver's failure to prevent the collision. The absence of driver contributing factors in the data suggests systemic danger at this intersection, where marked crosswalks without signals expose pedestrians to harm from vehicles. The vehicle damage to the center front end confirms direct impact with the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790886 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man, 32, was hit while crossing Flatlands Avenue outside an intersection. He suffered bruises and leg injuries. No driver errors listed. The street remains dangerous for those on foot.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male pedestrian was injured at 14:45 while crossing Flatlands Avenue in Brooklyn, outside an intersection and without a signal or crosswalk. He sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was conscious after the crash. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The vehicle type is unspecified. No driver actions such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. The absence of listed driver error underscores the persistent risks pedestrians face on city streets, even when no explicit fault is assigned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790908 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs slammed together on Avenue J. A rear passenger took a back injury. Obstructed sight lines fueled the impact. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Avenue J at E 91st Street in Brooklyn at 16:39. Both drivers, licensed women, were traveling straight—one westbound, one southbound. The crash happened when the front of one SUV struck the right rear bumper of the other. 'View Obstructed/Limited' was listed as a contributing factor, showing visibility issues played a key role. A 26-year-old man riding in the left rear seat suffered a back injury, classified as severity level 3. He was conscious and not ejected. No other contributing factors, such as helmet or signal use, were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789294 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04