Blood on 53rd: Lower the Speed, Save a Life

A sedan struck the rear of a tractor truck on the Gowanus Expressway shortly after midnight. Both sedan occupants suffered back injuries and concussions. The truck sustained left front bumper damage. Driver errors remain unspecified in the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:18 a.m. on the Gowanus Expressway involving a sedan and a tractor truck diesel. The sedan, traveling eastbound, collided with the center back end of the tractor truck, which was also traveling eastbound. The truck sustained damage to its left front bumper. The sedan had two male occupants, both injured with back injuries and concussions, described as conscious and wearing lap belts. The driver of the sedan was licensed in New York. The police report lists contributing factors for both occupants as unspecified, with no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding noted. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The focus remains on the collision dynamics between the vehicles and the resulting injuries to the sedan occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781854, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A distracted SUV driver collided with a stopped moped on 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. The moped driver, a 22-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a serious back injury. The crash exposed dangers of driver inattention in busy city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:30 AM on 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. A 22-year-old male moped driver was stopped in traffic when a northbound SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, struck the moped's right rear quarter panel with its center front end. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the SUV driver. The moped driver was ejected from his vehicle and sustained a serious back injury, classified as injury severity 3, and was in shock at the scene. The moped driver was wearing a helmet, but no other victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision highlights the systemic danger posed by distracted driving in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780206, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Chevy SUV struck a 47-year-old man riding an e-bike on 6th Avenue near 62nd Street. His face hit the pavement. Blood pooled. He stayed conscious, broken and bleeding, as dusk settled over Brooklyn’s streets.

According to the police report, a Chevy SUV collided with a 47-year-old man operating an e-bike on 6th Avenue near 62nd Street in Brooklyn. The report states, 'A Chevy SUV struck a 47-year-old man on an e-bike. His face hit first. Blood pooled on the pavement.' The victim suffered severe facial bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. Both vehicles were reported as 'going straight ahead' before the crash. The SUV's point of impact was the right front bumper, while the e-bike was struck on its left side. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' providing no detail on the exact driver error, but the narrative centers the violence of the impact and the vulnerability of the e-bike rider. Helmet use is noted only to state 'No helmet.' The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when a heavy vehicle meets a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777923, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan collided with an e-bike traveling north on 41st Street in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider suffered severe lower leg injuries. Police cited traffic control disregard and driver inattention as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, at 8:30 AM on 41st Street near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn, a sedan traveling west struck an e-bike going straight north. The point of impact was the sedan's left front quarter panel and the e-bike's center front end. The 25-year-old male e-bike rider sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at 3. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors by the sedan operator. The e-bike rider was conscious and not ejected. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights systemic dangers posed by driver failure to obey traffic controls and maintain attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776259, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 27-year-old male moped driver was ejected and suffered head injuries on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved no other vehicles but was caused by slippery pavement. The driver was conscious but injured, with whiplash and head trauma reported.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male moped driver was ejected from his vehicle on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn at 16:45. The report cites slippery pavement as the sole contributing factor, causing the driver to lose control. The driver sustained head injuries and whiplash, was conscious at the scene, and was not wearing any safety equipment. The moped was traveling north, going straight ahead, and no damage to the vehicle was recorded. The report highlights the hazardous road condition—pavement slippery—as the critical cause, with no other vehicles involved. No driver errors beyond the environmental condition were noted, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774988, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan struck a van from behind on Prospect Expressway East at 2:43 a.m. The sedan driver, a 36-year-old woman, suffered whole-body injuries and shock. Police cited accelerator defects and driver distraction as causes, highlighting vehicle control failures.

According to the police report, at 2:43 a.m. on Prospect Expressway East, a 36-year-old female driver in a 2024 Jeep sedan collided with the rear of a van traveling in the same direction. The sedan's point of impact was the center back end, while the van was hit on its left front bumper. The sedan driver was injured with bodily trauma affecting her entire body and experienced shock. The report lists 'Accelerator Defective' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, indicating mechanical failure combined with driver error. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead, and no other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision underscores dangers from vehicle defects and driver distraction on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774828, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 17-year-old bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in Brooklyn when a taxi merging southbound hit him with its left front bumper. The crash caused knee and lower leg injuries, leaving the cyclist in shock and pain.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling southbound in Brooklyn was merging when it struck a 17-year-old male bicyclist also traveling southbound. The point of impact was the taxi's left front bumper. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in a complaint of pain or nausea and emotional shock. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. Additionally, 'Passenger Distraction' was noted as a contributing factor. The bicyclist was the driver of the bike and was injured, but no safety equipment or victim fault was listed as contributing factors. The taxi driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the merging maneuver that led to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773102, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 4-year-old girl crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan making a right turn in Brooklyn. The driver’s inattention caused impact to the child’s lower leg and foot, leaving her bruised but conscious at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 4-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection near 4601 5 Ave in Brooklyn at 8:15 AM. The child was crossing with the signal when a 2023 Toyota sedan, traveling east and making a right turn, struck her with its right front bumper. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were noted beyond the driver’s distraction. Vehicle damage was limited to the right front bumper, confirming the point of impact. This crash underscores the dangers posed by driver distraction at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773096, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A box truck rolled west on 60th Street. A 30-year-old man lay broken in its wake, head shattered, life ended. No skid marks. No damage to the truck. Only silence and the weight of steel on flesh.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling westbound on 60th Street near 4th Avenue in Brooklyn struck and killed a 30-year-old man. The pedestrian was found in the roadway with fatal head trauma and crush injuries. The report notes, 'No skid marks. No damage to the truck.' The police narrative describes the aftermath: 'Only silence where a life had been.' The vehicle, a 2020 INTL-TRUCK/BUS registered in Indiana, showed no visible damage. The driver was licensed in Pennsylvania. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian. The police report does not cite any pedestrian actions as contributing to the crash. The absence of skid marks and damage underscores the brutal efficiency of the impact. The systemic danger remains: a human body, no match for a truck rolling through city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771639, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An 18-year-old e-bike rider was injured and ejected after a collision with a southbound SUV making a left turn on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver’s inattention caused the crash, fracturing the rider’s lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn at 6:30 pm. The collision involved a southbound 2021 Tesla SUV making a left turn and a northbound e-bike traveling straight. The SUV driver was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' which directly contributed to the crash. The e-bike rider, an 18-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report notes the rider was conscious but injured. The point of impact was the SUV’s right rear bumper striking the e-bike’s center front end. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were listed. The data highlights the dangers posed by distracted vehicle operators turning across vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771243, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 39-year-old male driver lost consciousness and sustained injuries in a Brooklyn crash involving multiple parked vehicles. The impact damaged right front quarter panels of several sedans and a pickup truck. The driver remained inside the vehicle, unconscious after the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:18 in Brooklyn near 712 45th Street. The injured party was a 39-year-old male driver who lost consciousness during the incident. The report lists "Lost Consciousness" as a contributing factor, indicating a medical or physical failure on the driver's part. Multiple vehicles were involved, all parked sedans and a pickup truck, each sustaining damage primarily to their right front quarter panels. The driver was not ejected and his injury severity was classified as level 3. The police report does not specify additional driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the systemic danger posed when drivers lose control due to medical incapacitation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771576, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A forklift turning left struck an 18-year-old female pedestrian outside an intersection in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The forklift showed no damage. Police report lists unspecified contributing factors without clear driver fault.

According to the police report, a forklift traveling west in Brooklyn was making a left turn when it struck an 18-year-old female pedestrian who was not in the roadway and located outside an intersection. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The forklift, operated by a licensed male driver, showed no vehicle damage and impacted the pedestrian at the center front end. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not explicitly cite driver errors such as failure to yield or reckless operation. The pedestrian's actions or behaviors were not noted as contributing factors. This incident highlights the dangers posed by industrial vehicles operating in pedestrian areas, even when no clear driver fault is documented.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770990, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 19-year-old woman was injured crossing legally at a Brooklyn intersection. The sedan, traveling north on 60th Street, failed to yield right-of-way, striking her with its front center. She suffered knee and lower leg injuries, left in shock and bleeding.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 60th Street in Brooklyn struck a 19-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at an intersection near 5th Avenue. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in minor bleeding and shock. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" by the vehicle as a contributing factor. The sedan was going straight ahead and impacted the pedestrian with its center front end. There was no reported damage to the vehicle. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal was noted, but the primary cause was the driver’s failure to yield. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770993, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 43-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after an SUV made a U-turn and hit his e-bike on the left side. The crash unfolded in Brooklyn at 5:08 p.m., with driver inattention cited as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:08 in Brooklyn near 694 5 Ave. A 2024 Subaru SUV, traveling south and making a U-turn, collided with a southbound e-bike driven by a 43-year-old male bicyclist. The point of impact was the left side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the e-bike. The bicyclist sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the SUV driver. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the maneuver that led to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769424, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 20-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries after colliding with a parked SUV on 7 Ave in Brooklyn. The cyclist was unlicensed and improperly passing, striking the SUV’s right rear bumper with his bike’s front center.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:32 on 7 Ave in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 20-year-old male, was traveling north and was unlicensed. The report states the bicyclist's pre-crash action was 'Passing' and lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. The collision involved the bicyclist's bike impacting the right rear bumper of a parked 2022 Mercedes SUV. The bike sustained damage to its center front end, while the SUV showed no damage. The bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity 3. The report does not cite any contributing factors related to the victim beyond the improper passing maneuver. The SUV driver was licensed and parked at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769161, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 58-year-old woman suffered abrasions and elbow injuries when an SUV backing west on 5 Ave hit her outside a crosswalk. The vehicle showed no damage. According to police, the driver’s unsafe backing caused the collision.

At 7:07 p.m. in Brooklyn, a 58-year-old female pedestrian was injured by a 2021 Toyota SUV backing west on 5 Ave near 44 St. According to the police report, the driver was engaged in backing when the collision occurred, with the point of impact at the vehicle's center back end. The pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk and suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report explicitly cites 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor from the driver. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. There are no indications of pedestrian fault or contributing behaviors noted in the report. The collision highlights the dangers posed by unsafe vehicle backing maneuvers in pedestrian areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768914, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A tractor truck slammed into the back of a stopped SUV on the Gowanus Expressway. Three occupants in the SUV suffered concussions and back or shoulder injuries. Police cite other vehicular factors as causes. All victims were conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, at 22:38 on the Gowanus Expressway, a 2021 diesel tractor truck traveling east struck the center back end of a stopped 2010 SUV also heading east. The SUV had three occupants: a 63-year-old female driver and two passengers aged 33 and 40. All three sustained injuries including concussions and back or shoulder trauma. Each occupant was conscious and wearing lap belts. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors for both vehicles, indicating driver-related errors or conditions led to the collision. The truck's point of impact was its left front bumper, damaging its center front end. The SUV's damage was concentrated at its center back end. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of rear-end collisions involving heavy trucks and passenger vehicles on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766573, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered severe leg injuries after a collision caused by a vehicle failing to yield right-of-way. The impact struck the motorcycle’s left front bumper, throwing the rider onto 3 Avenue, leaving him fractured and dislocated.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 3 Avenue at 13:48. The motorcycle, traveling north and driven by a 40-year-old man, was struck on the left front bumper by another vehicle making a right turn. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The motorcycle driver was ejected from the vehicle during the collision and sustained serious injuries including fractures, distortions, and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver was conscious but severely injured. Vehicle damage was noted on the motorcycle's right rear quarter panel and the other vehicle's right front bumper. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765812, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 34-year-old male bicyclist suffered a head injury and lost consciousness after a collision on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash involved a distracted driver and left the cyclist bleeding with serious injuries but not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:40 AM on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old man, was traveling south and was struck at the center front end of his bike. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor twice, indicating the cyclist was impaired by the driver's failure to maintain attention. The bicyclist was not ejected but suffered a head injury, was unconscious, and had minor bleeding. The other vehicle involved was a skate board, also traveling south, which sustained no damage. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving to vulnerable road users like cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765807, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A distracted driver caused a rear-end collision on Prospect Expressway East. A dump truck struck an SUV from behind. The SUV driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles traveled eastbound. The crash highlights dangers of driver inattention on busy roadways.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Prospect Expressway East around noon. A dump truck traveling eastbound struck the center back end of a sport utility vehicle also moving eastbound. The report identifies "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor to the collision. The SUV driver, a 42-year-old male, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The dump truck driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. The impact point was the center front end of the SUV and the center back end of the dump truck. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash underscores the risks posed by driver distraction on high-speed urban expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765981, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15