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

Two male drivers collided on the Gowanus Expressway at dawn. Both suffered upper arm injuries and whiplash. Police cited improper passing and lane usage as the cause. Vehicles struck front ends during an eastbound lane change maneuver.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:25 AM on the Gowanus Expressway involving a 2020 Mazda SUV and a 2009 BMW sedan, both traveling eastbound. The SUV driver was changing lanes when the collision happened, impacting the left front bumper of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. Both drivers, males, sustained upper arm injuries and whiplash but were conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the primary contributing factor for both drivers. This indicates driver error in lane management led to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727503, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs collided on Vanderbilt Street in Brooklyn late at night. The rear vehicle struck the front vehicle’s back end. A 20-year-old passenger suffered a back injury and shock. Slippery pavement and other vehicular factors contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:58 PM on Vanderbilt Street in Brooklyn. Two station wagons/SUVs, both traveling east, collided with the rear vehicle impacting the center back end of the front vehicle. The rear SUV sustained damage to its left front quarter panel, while the front SUV was damaged on the left rear bumper. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors, indicating driver error and hazardous road conditions. A 20-year-old female passenger seated in the middle rear seat of one vehicle was injured, suffering back injuries and shock. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the passenger. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The collision highlights risks posed by driver errors and road conditions in Brooklyn’s nighttime traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727500, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford SUV traveling north collided with a westbound e-scooter on 3 Avenue in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver, a 29-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. The impact occurred at the SUV’s right front quarter panel and the scooter’s center back end.

According to the police report, a 2020 Ford SUV was traveling straight north on 3 Avenue when it struck an e-scooter moving west. The point of impact was the SUV's right front quarter panel and the e-scooter's center back end. The e-scooter driver, a 29-year-old male, was injured with abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected from his vehicle. The report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, providing no direct cause from the e-scooter driver. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The collision highlights the dangers posed by vehicle movements at intersections or crossing paths, with no mention of victim fault or protective equipment contributing to the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727496, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man on an e-scooter collided with a Honda SUV pulling from the curb on 5th Avenue. Metal struck flesh. His arm was crushed. He stayed conscious as the street fell silent, pain and shock hanging in the air.

According to the police report, a man riding an e-scooter was traveling straight northbound on 5th Avenue near 37th Street in Brooklyn when he struck the front of a Honda SUV that was pulling out from the curb. The report states the e-scooter rider suffered crush injuries to his arm but remained awake and conscious at the scene. The SUV, registered in New York and operated by a licensed driver from New Jersey, was described as 'starting from parking' at the time of the crash. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the center front end of the e-scooter. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The narrative underscores the moment of impact: 'metal met flesh and the silence held.' No driver errors are explicitly cited, but the sequence of events highlights the systemic danger when vehicles pull from the curb into active traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727490, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A dump truck struck a parked sedan’s left rear bumper on 20th Street in Brooklyn. The sedan’s female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as the crash cause, highlighting systemic risks in urban traffic.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:22 on 20th Street in Brooklyn. A dump truck traveling west struck the left rear bumper of a parked 2018 Toyota sedan. The sedan’s female driver, age 51, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report identifies "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor for the crash. Both vehicles were traveling west, with the dump truck moving straight ahead and the sedan parked. The impact was on the sedan’s left rear bumper and the dump truck’s right front bumper. The driver of the sedan was wearing a lap belt. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash underscores the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726963, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 66-year-old woman rode her moped west on 39th Street. The street gave way. She flew, struck her head, and died alone on the asphalt. No helmet. The city’s broken ground claimed her last breath.

A 66-year-old woman was killed while riding a moped westbound on 39th Street, near Council District 38, according to the police report. The report states, 'The pavement broke beneath her.' She was ejected from the moped, struck her head, and died at the scene. Police list 'Pavement Defective' as the primary contributing factor. The victim was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the systemic failure of the roadway. No other vehicles or persons were involved. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of neglected infrastructure, as the defective pavement directly led to the fatal ejection and head injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726907, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pickup truck turned left across 4th Avenue, striking a 49-year-old man on an e-bike. Thrown and crushed, he died in the street. The twisted bike and bloodied truck marked the violence of the city’s roads.

A 49-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed at the intersection of 4th Avenue and 53rd Street in Brooklyn when a pickup truck turned left and struck him, according to the police report. The report states the e-bike rider was 'thrown' and 'crushed,' dying at the scene. Both the pickup truck and the e-bike were cited for 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pickup, a 2007 Chevrolet, was making a left turn when it collided with the e-bike, which was traveling straight. The police report describes the aftermath: 'The bike lay twisted. The truck bore blood and silence.' The e-bike rider was ejected and suffered crush injuries to the entire body. The data does not specify helmet use or other victim behaviors as contributing factors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726906, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 51-year-old man lost consciousness while driving westbound on the Gowanus Expressway. His SUV collided with seven vehicles, tearing metal and shattering glass. He died restrained in his seat as traffic crawled past the wreckage. Multiple occupants suffered neck injuries.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old man driving a station wagon/SUV westbound on the Gowanus Expressway lost consciousness behind the wheel. The report states, "His SUV struck seven cars. Metal tore. Glass scattered. Airbags bloomed." The driver died at the scene, "strapped in his seat, still and silent, as traffic crawled past the wreckage." The sole contributing factor cited is "Lost Consciousness." The collision involved multiple vehicles traveling straight ahead, with impacts to center back ends, side doors, and quarter panels. Several occupants suffered neck injuries consistent with whiplash. The report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors for the other drivers. The crash was caused by the initial driver's loss of consciousness, triggering a deadly chain reaction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725083, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan traveling west struck a parked SUV on Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 65-year-old man, was injured and rendered unconscious. Multiple parked vehicles were involved in the chain of impacts, highlighting driver failure to control vehicle speed and maintain safe distance.

According to the police report, at 15:08 on Prospect Avenue in Brooklyn, a westbound sedan collided with a parked SUV, impacting the SUV's center back end and causing injury to the SUV's 65-year-old male driver. The driver was unconscious with injury severity rated as serious (3). The sedan's pre-crash action was 'Going Straight Ahead,' while the SUV was 'Parked.' The report lists the SUV driver as injured and unconscious but does not specify contributing factors for the collision. The presence of multiple parked vehicles with damage suggests the sedan failed to maintain control or safe distance, resulting in a rear-end collision. The report notes unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver but does not attribute fault to the victim. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725325, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on a Brooklyn street late at night. A driver starting from parking hit a parked vehicle on its left side. The driver of the moving car was injured, unconscious, and suffered full-body trauma despite safety restraints.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:50 in Brooklyn near 4 Avenue. A sedan registered in New York, driven by a licensed female driver, was starting from parking when it struck a parked sedan registered in Texas on the left side doors. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles involved. The injured party was the driver of the moving sedan, a 23-year-old female occupant who was unconscious and sustained injuries to her entire body. She was not ejected and had an airbag deployed along with lap belt and harness restraints. The collision caused damage to the left side doors of both vehicles. The report highlights driver distraction as the critical cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the victim's behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723199, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan making a left turn struck a 26-year-old e-scooter driver traveling straight. The rider suffered a head injury and minor bleeding, left in shock. The crash exposed a failure to yield right-of-way by the sedan driver in Brooklyn.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:39 in Brooklyn on 5 Avenue near 49 Street. A 2023 Tesla sedan was making a left turn when it collided with a 26-year-old male e-scooter driver traveling straight southeast. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The e-scooter driver sustained a head injury with minor bleeding and was not ejected from the vehicle, but was in shock. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the sedan driver. No other contributing factors such as victim behavior or helmet use were noted. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle northwesterly. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding to vulnerable e-scooter riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723493, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 77-year-old man suffered a fractured hip and leg after an SUV backing westward hit him in Brooklyn. The driver’s unsafe backing and distraction caused the crash, leaving the pedestrian injured and conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 77-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2008 Ford SUV backed unsafely in Brooklyn near 142 44 Street at 2:51 AM. The vehicle was traveling west and struck the pedestrian with its center back end. The report cites 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained a fractured and dislocated upper leg and hip injury, classified as injury severity 3, and remained conscious. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The crash highlights the dangers of unsafe backing maneuvers combined with driver distraction, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720585, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A westbound SUV struck a northbound sedan on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver, a 22-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Both vehicles sustained front and side damage. Police cited other vehicular factors as contributing causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:38 AM on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn involving a westbound 2020 Toyota SUV and a northbound 2021 Audi sedan. The SUV driver, a 22-year-old male, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The point of impact was the SUV's center front end and the sedan's right side doors. Police identified 'Other Vehicular' factors twice as contributing causes, indicating driver errors related to vehicle operation. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report does not list any pedestrian or cyclist involvement or victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719594, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan making a right turn collided with a westbound e-bike on 55 Street. The male e-bike rider was partially ejected, suffering upper arm and shoulder injuries and whiplash. The crash left the cyclist in shock with serious trauma.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:18 on 55 Street when a sedan traveling north was making a right turn and struck an e-bike traveling west. The e-bike rider, a male, was partially ejected from his vehicle and suffered injuries to his shoulder and upper arm, along with whiplash. The cyclist was reported to be in shock and sustained injury severity level 3. The sedan's point of impact was listed as 'Other,' and the e-bike sustained damage to its left front bumper. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault or blame to the cyclist. No safety equipment was noted for the e-bike rider. The data highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles to vulnerable road users like cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720422, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 17-year-old bicyclist was ejected and suffered a head contusion after a sedan struck him on 55 Street. The driver’s improper lane usage caused the collision. The bicyclist was conscious but injured, with no helmet reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:50 on 55 Street involving a sedan traveling south and a westbound bicycle. The sedan driver, licensed in Florida, was going straight ahead but committed 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper,' which the report cites as the contributing factor. The 17-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained a head contusion, classified as injury severity 3. The bicyclist was conscious at the scene but was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan showed no damage, while the bike sustained center front end damage. The report highlights the driver’s lane misuse as the cause, focusing on systemic danger from vehicle operation errors without attributing fault to the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720421, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A bicyclist suffered abrasions and elbow injuries after a sedan struck him from behind on 39 Street in Brooklyn. Both vehicles were traveling westbound. The cyclist remained conscious but was injured in the collision’s center impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:37 on 39 Street near 7 Avenue in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling westbound went straight ahead and impacted the center front end of the vehicle. The bicyclist, also traveling westbound and going straight ahead, was struck at the center back end of his bike. The bicyclist, a 27-year-old male, sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and remained conscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the bicyclist. The collision’s point of impact and vehicle damage indicate the sedan rear-ended the bicyclist. No helmet use or crossing signal issues were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers cyclists face from motor vehicles failing to maintain safe following distances or attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717709, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 33-year-old female bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in a collision with a right-turning SUV on 57 Street in Brooklyn. The bicyclist suffered back contusions and bruises. The SUV driver was licensed; the bicyclist was unlicensed.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:40 AM on 57 Street in Brooklyn. A 33-year-old female bicyclist, traveling westbound and going straight ahead, collided with a Nissan SUV making a right turn westbound. The bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained back contusions and bruises, classified as injury severity level 3. The SUV driver was licensed and had two occupants. The bicyclist was unlicensed and was riding without safety equipment. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the bicyclist but does not cite any specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The impact was to the center front end of the bike and the right front quarter panel of the SUV. The data highlights the danger posed by turning vehicles to bicyclists, especially when the bicyclist is unlicensed and partially ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715835, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs collided on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn at 5:31 p.m. Both drivers were distracted, causing a crash that injured one man with neck whiplash. The impact damaged the right front quarter panel and left front bumper of the vehicles.

According to the police report, two SUVs traveling south on 5 Avenue in Brooklyn collided at 5:31 p.m. Both drivers were cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. One driver was merging while the other was going straight ahead. The point of impact was the right front bumper of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. The crash caused damage to the right front quarter panel and left front bumper. A 47-year-old male driver, wearing a lap belt and harness, suffered a neck injury described as whiplash and was conscious after the crash. The report explicitly identifies driver distraction as the cause, with no other contributing factors noted. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714596, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 58-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a right-turning SUV in Brooklyn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and turned improperly, causing head injuries and bruising to the pedestrian. The vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Brooklyn at 25 Street and 4 Avenue around 3:34 PM. A 58-year-old female pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when she was hit by a 2018 Ford SUV making a right turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front quarter panel. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and improper turning as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and contusions but remained conscious. The SUV sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle eastbound. The report focuses on driver errors, specifically failure to yield and improper turning, as the cause of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714572, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 38-year-old male moped driver suffered a bruised elbow and lower arm injury in a Brooklyn crash. The collision occurred on 4 Avenue at 8:35 a.m., leaving the driver conscious but injured. The report notes no helmet or safety equipment used.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old male moped driver was injured in a crash on 4 Avenue in Brooklyn at 8:35 a.m. The driver, operating a 2023 moped traveling north and going straight ahead, sustained contusions and bruises to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report states the driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The moped's point of impact and damage was the center back end. The driver was not wearing any safety equipment at the time. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured or involved. The data highlights the vulnerability of the moped driver who suffered injury despite no noted violations or external factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714840, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15