Red Lights, Dead Pedestrians—City Waits, People Die

Mar 21 - A 17-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured on 51st Street in Brooklyn. The crash involved limited visibility, leading to a center front end impact. The rider suffered abrasions and lower arm injuries, riding without a helmet or license.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a crash on 51st Street near 7th Avenue in Brooklyn at 1:55 PM. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating that limited visibility played a role in the crash. The bicyclist was operating the vehicle without a license, as noted by the 'Unlicensed' status of the driver. The point of impact was the center front end of the bike, which also sustained damage. No victim behaviors such as helmet use or crossing signals were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by limited sight lines and unlicensed operation on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802210 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 18 - A 78-year-old male driver suffered full-body injuries in a Belt Parkway crash. The SUV’s right front bumper struck an unknown object or vehicle. Police cite 'Other Vehicular' factors twice, highlighting driver error in a high-speed impact.

According to the police report, a 78-year-old male driver operating a 2024 Nissan SUV on Belt Parkway at 8:14 AM was injured in a collision. The vehicle was traveling east, going straight ahead, when the right front bumper struck an object or another vehicle. The driver sustained injuries to his entire body but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor twice, indicating driver-related errors or conditions involving other vehicles. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel, resulting in damage to that area. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash underscores systemic dangers on Belt Parkway involving vehicle interactions and driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799801 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 16 - Two sedans collided head-on on the Gowanus Expressway at 4 a.m. Unsafe speed caused the crash. A 29-year-old female front passenger suffered chest injuries and shock. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the westbound lanes.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling westbound on the Gowanus Expressway collided head-on at 4:00 a.m. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The report cites unsafe speed as the contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error. One vehicle, a 2019 Mercedes with two occupants, included a 29-year-old female front passenger who was injured with chest trauma and shock, complaining of pain and nausea. Both drivers were licensed in New York and were going straight ahead prior to the collision. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front ends, confirming the head-on nature of the impact. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799387 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 14 - A tractor truck struck a sedan from behind on the Gowanus Expressway. Both sedan occupants suffered moderate injuries including chest contusions and whiplash. Police cited following too closely and unsafe speed as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Gowanus Expressway around 12:30 AM. A 2024 tractor truck traveling east collided with the rear center of a 2016 sedan also traveling east. The sedan had two occupants: a 24-year-old male driver and a 27-year-old female front passenger. Both were injured with moderate severity—chest contusions for the driver and whiplash for the passenger. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report identifies the tractor truck driver’s errors as 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed,' which contributed to the rear-end collision. The sedan driver was also noted for 'Following Too Closely.' No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The impact damaged the center front end of the truck and the center back end of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798605 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 13 - A 24-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured in Brooklyn when a sedan entering a parked position collided with him. The impact to the bicyclist’s chest caused shock and pain. Driver distraction and bicyclist confusion contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist wearing a helmet was riding northbound on 43rd Street in Brooklyn when a 2015 Toyota sedan, also traveling north, was entering a parked position. The sedan’s right front quarter panel struck the bicyclist’s left front bumper, ejecting him and causing chest injuries and shock. The bicyclist complained of pain and nausea. The report cites driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor, alongside bicyclist confusion or error. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and the challenges bicyclists face when vehicles maneuver into parking spots.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800046 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 11 - An e-bike rider collided with a parked BMW on 61st Street in Brooklyn. The 57-year-old bicyclist was ejected, suffering internal injuries to the abdomen and pelvis. Police cited improper lane usage as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:37 PM on 61st Street in Brooklyn. A 57-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike traveling north struck the left rear quarter panel of a parked 2016 BMW sedan. The bicyclist was ejected from the vehicle and sustained internal injuries to the abdomen and pelvis, resulting in unconsciousness. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a driver error contributing to the collision. The BMW was stationary before impact. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' but does not specify this as a contributing factor to the injury. The focus remains on the improper lane use by the e-bike rider leading to the crash with the parked vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798546 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 10 - An ambulance making a right turn struck a 31-year-old male e-scooter rider in Brooklyn. The rider suffered facial abrasions and was conscious at the scene. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:09 AM near Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn. The ambulance was making a right turn when it collided with the e-scooter, which was traveling straight ahead. The e-scooter rider, a 31-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions to his face and was conscious after the impact. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the ambulance driver and 'Unsafe Speed' by the e-scooter rider as contributing factors. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted, indicating rider error but no fault was assigned to the victim. The ambulance sustained no damage, while the e-scooter showed damage to its center front end. The rider was not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797846 - 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 4 - A taxi driver distracted by inattention was struck by a southbound moped on 5th Avenue. The moped rider was ejected, left unconscious, and suffered severe hip and leg injuries.

According to the police report, a crash occurred at 3:43 AM on 5th Avenue in Brooklyn. A taxi, parked and facing south, was struck on its left rear bumper by a southbound moped. The moped rider, a male wearing a helmet, was ejected and rendered unconscious with fractures and dislocations to his hip and upper leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The collision left the moped's center front end and the taxi's left rear bumper damaged. No blame is assigned to the injured rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796742 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 45-year-old woman suffered a concussion and head injury after being struck at a Brooklyn intersection. The pedestrian was conscious but seriously hurt. The crash details remain unclear, with no identified driver errors or contributing factors reported.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 5 Ave and 53 St in Brooklyn around 10:50 p.m. She sustained a head injury and concussion and was conscious at the scene. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle actions are provided. The pedestrian's actions are unknown, and no victim behaviors are cited as contributing factors. The lack of identified driver errors in the report leaves the circumstances of the crash unclear, but the serious injury to the pedestrian highlights the dangers present at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796257 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 - 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 - 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 26 - A 42-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash occurred on Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was conscious but seriously injured, with no safety equipment worn.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn was ejected from his bike and suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash but sustained serious injuries classified as severity level 3. The report notes no damage to the bike and does not list any other vehicles involved. No driver errors or contributing factors were specified in the report. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the crash. The absence of listed driver errors or other contributing factors highlights the systemic danger faced by bicyclists even when no other vehicles are involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795106 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 23 - A taxi traveling east struck a parked sedan on southbound 4 Ave in Brooklyn. The impact injured the taxi driver and front passenger, both in shock with severe injuries. The parked vehicle sustained left-side damage. No driver errors were cited.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:45 on 4 Ave in Brooklyn. A taxi, traveling eastbound, collided with a sedan that was parked and facing southbound. The point of impact was the taxi's center front end striking the sedan's center back end, causing damage to the sedan's left side doors. The taxi driver, a 40-year-old male, and a 59-year-old female front passenger were both injured with bodily injuries described as affecting the entire body and chest, respectively. Both occupants were in shock and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The collision involved no ejections or pedestrian victims, focusing on vehicle-to-vehicle impact and occupant injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796424 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 20 - A sedan making a left turn struck a northbound bicyclist on 42nd Street in Brooklyn. The cyclist was ejected and suffered severe leg fractures. Police cite defective brakes on the sedan as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2023 Ford sedan was making a left turn on 42nd Street in Brooklyn at 9:23 AM when it collided with a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 23-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies the sedan driver's defective brakes as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The point of impact was the right side doors of the sedan and the center front end of the bike. The sedan had two occupants, and the driver held a permit license. The bicyclist was conscious but seriously injured. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795245 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 18 - A distracted driver set off a chain collision on the Gowanus Expressway. An SUV driver suffered back injuries and a concussion. Metal crumpled. Traffic snarled. The danger of inattention cut through the morning rush.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle crash unfolded at 7:34 AM on the Gowanus Expressway in Brooklyn. The collision involved a tractor truck, two SUVs, and a pick-up truck, all traveling east. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. A 33-year-old male SUV driver was injured, sustaining back trauma and a concussion. He was not ejected and wore a lap belt. Impact points show a chain reaction: the tractor truck struck on its left front, other vehicles hit front and rear. All drivers were licensed. No victim actions contributed. The crash exposes the persistent threat of driver distraction on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795620 - 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 15 - A 62-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan made a left turn and struck him at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The vehicle showed no damage, highlighting the force of impact on the vulnerable victim.

According to the police report, a 62-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing an intersection on 7 Avenue in Brooklyn at 6:30 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2017 Honda sedan, traveling northeast and making a left turn, struck him with its left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report does not list specific driver errors but notes the vehicle’s pre-crash action as making a left turn, a maneuver requiring heightened caution. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. This collision underscores the dangers pedestrians face from turning vehicles in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794450 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19