Blood on Blake Avenue: City Inaction Keeps Killing Brooklyn’s Walkers and Riders

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 - A sedan tore down Van Sinderen Avenue, slammed a bus, then a parked truck. Metal screamed. The front passenger, a 26-year-old woman, died in her seat. Head wounds ended everything. She never saw it coming. The driver had no license.

A deadly crash unfolded on Van Sinderen Avenue near Blake Avenue in Brooklyn when, according to the police report, a sedan traveling at 'unsafe speed' collided with a bus and then struck a parked box truck. The report states the sedan's front passenger, a 26-year-old woman, suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. The sedan's driver was unlicensed, as documented in the official vehicle records. The police report attributes the primary contributing factor to 'Unsafe Speed.' The narrative describes the sedan as 'slammed into a bus, then a parked box truck,' underscoring the violent sequence. No contributing factors related to the victim's behavior are cited in the report. The focus remains on the unlicensed driver’s excessive speed and the systemic danger posed by unqualified motorists operating vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795300 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 27 - A distracted sedan driver struck a stopped SUV on Linden Boulevard in Brooklyn. The impact injured the sedan driver, causing back pain and shock. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage in the westbound lanes during morning traffic.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:45 AM on Linden Boulevard in Brooklyn. A sedan traveling westbound rear-ended a stopped SUV, also westbound, causing a collision with center front and center back end impacts. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and was in shock, reporting pain and nausea. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. Both vehicles were occupied by a single driver, and there is no indication of victim fault or other contributing factors. The SUV was stopped in traffic when struck from behind by the sedan, which was going straight ahead. This crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction in congested urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795678 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 20 - An e-scooter driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision with a vehicle making a left turn on Thomas S Boyland St. The driver was partially ejected and sustained abrasions, with police citing driver inattention as a key factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 5 p.m. on Thomas S Boyland St in Brooklyn. The e-scooter driver, a 31-year-old male wearing a helmet, was traveling north when a vehicle also traveling north made a left turn, resulting in a collision. The point of impact was the left side doors of the turning vehicle and the center front end of the e-scooter. The e-scooter driver was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, including abrasions. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793923 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 20 - A northbound sedan making a left turn collided with a southbound bicyclist going straight on Rockaway Ave in Brooklyn. The bicyclist suffered facial contusions and bruises but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male bicyclist traveling southbound on Rockaway Ave was struck on his left side doors by a northbound sedan making a left turn. The sedan's center front end was the point of impact, causing damage to the vehicle's front. The bicyclist sustained facial contusions and bruises and was conscious after the crash. The report lists the bicyclist's contributing factors as unspecified but does not attribute any specific fault or error to him. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the left turn maneuver. The collision highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles to bicyclists traveling straight through intersections. No helmet or other safety equipment was reported for the bicyclist, but no contributing factor was assigned to that. The report does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield, but the left turn by the sedan into the bicyclist's path was the critical event.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793805 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 18 - A westbound car hit a 42-year-old man near Eastern Parkway. He lay semiconscious, blood pooling from his head. No crosswalk, no warning, just the sudden violence of metal against flesh and the silence that followed.

A 42-year-old man was struck by a westbound car on St. Johns Place near Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The report describes the man lying semiconscious on the pavement, bleeding from the head after being hit by the vehicle's left front bumper. The incident occurred at 20:56. The police report notes, 'No crosswalk. No warning. Just blood on the road and silence.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection when struck. No contributing factors or vehicle types were listed in the police report, and no driver actions are specified. The report does not indicate any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the impact and the severe injury suffered by the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793922 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 14 - A pick-up truck struck a parked sedan on Livonia Avenue. The crash injured the sedan’s front passenger, leaving her with neck trauma and whiplash. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling north on Livonia Avenue collided with a parked sedan at Strauss Street in Brooklyn. The impact hit the center front of both vehicles. The sedan’s front passenger, a 40-year-old woman, suffered neck trauma and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors. The driver of the pick-up truck failed to maintain control, striking a stationary vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793279 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 14 - A sedan making a left turn collided with a westbound bicyclist on Mother Gaston Blvd in Brooklyn. The bicyclist was ejected, suffered injuries to the entire body, and was incoherent at the scene. The sedan sustained front-left damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Mother Gaston Blvd near Sutter Ave in Brooklyn at 3:20 PM. A sedan traveling north was making a left turn when it struck a bicyclist traveling westbound. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front bumper and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 29-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his entire body, resulting in incoherence and minor bleeding. The report lists no contributing factors from the bicyclist but notes unspecified factors overall. The sedan driver was licensed and operating a 2013 vehicle. The crash highlights the danger posed by turning vehicles failing to yield to bicyclists traveling straight through intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793008 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 11 - Two sedans collided on Hegeman Avenue in Brooklyn. Both drivers, aged 75 and 60, suffered back injuries and shock. Vehicles impacted at left front bumpers while parked. No explicit driver errors were cited in the police report.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Hegeman Avenue in Brooklyn at 18:49. Both vehicles were described as parked before the crash, and the point of impact was the left front bumper on each vehicle. The drivers, a 75-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman, were both injured with back injuries and experienced shock. Both occupants were not ejected and did not wear safety equipment. The report lists contributing factors for both occupants as 'Unspecified,' and no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The collision involved two licensed drivers from New York and New Jersey. The police report does not attribute fault to either driver or mention any victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792039 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 8 - A Nissan struck a 19-year-old man at Rockaway and Sutter. He suffered knee and leg injuries, shock, and minor bleeding. The car hit him head-on. No vehicle damage. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male pedestrian was hit by a Nissan traveling south at the intersection of Rockaway Avenue and Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn at 10:28 PM. The vehicle struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and shock. He was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not record any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No vehicle damage was noted. The incident underscores the risk pedestrians face at intersections, even when the car shows no visible damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793663 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 4 - A 61-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan making a right turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing facial abrasions. The pedestrian remained conscious despite the impact at a Brooklyn intersection.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Saratoga Avenue in Brooklyn failed to yield right-of-way while making a right turn. The vehicle's right front bumper struck a 61-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing the street with the signal at the intersection near Prospect Place. The pedestrian sustained facial abrasions and was injured but remained conscious. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The vehicle sustained no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating a 2011 Nissan sedan. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver failure to yield at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790376 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 31 - A 14-year-old boy suffered a head contusion after being struck while crossing with the signal at a Brooklyn intersection. The pedestrian was conscious but injured, highlighting dangers at this location despite lawful crossing behavior.

According to the police report, a 14-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Thomas S Boyland St and Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn at 5:40 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. He sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise and was conscious at the scene. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian or the vehicle driver, and the vehicle involved is unspecified. The absence of driver errors in the report does not diminish the fact that a lawful pedestrian crossing resulted in injury, underscoring systemic danger at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790210 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 29 - A concrete mixer reversed on Watkins Street. A woman crossed in the marked crosswalk. The truck struck her, crushing her hip and leg. She lay conscious, broken on the pavement. The truck kept moving. The street did not forgive.

According to the police report, a concrete mixer backed west on Watkins Street near Linden Boulevard without warning. A 40-year-old woman was crossing in the marked crosswalk when the truck struck her, crushing her hip and leg. The report states she was left conscious on the pavement, suffering from severe injuries. The vehicle's pre-crash action is listed as 'Backing,' and the point of impact was the 'Center Back End.' No contributing factors are cited for the pedestrian; the driver’s maneuver—reversing a large truck into a crosswalk—created the danger. The police report does not list any contributing pedestrian behaviors. The crash underscores the lethal risk posed when heavy vehicles back through pedestrian space.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792038 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 29 - A 47-year-old man was struck at an intersection in Brooklyn by a pickup truck backing up. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The truck showed no damage despite the impact.

According to the police report, a pickup truck was backing up when it struck a 47-year-old male pedestrian crossing an intersection on Thomas S Boyland Street in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was injured, sustaining abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report notes the pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication. The vehicle's point of impact was the left side doors, yet the truck sustained no damage. The report does not specify driver contributing factors, but the pre-crash action of backing implicates driver error in failing to ensure the path was clear. The pedestrian’s contributing factors are listed as unspecified, with no mention of helmet use or crossing signals as causal. This crash highlights the dangers posed by vehicle backing maneuvers in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791026 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 26 - A cargo van turned left on Cropsey Avenue. It struck Mayya Gil, 95, and her aide. Gil died. The aide survived. No charges for the driver. Another senior lost to city traffic. The street remains dangerous for the old and frail.

Gothamist (2025-01-26) reports that Mayya Gil, 95, was killed while crossing Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn with her home health aide. According to the NYPD, 'a man driving a cargo van struck both of them while making a left turn.' Gil died from her injuries; her aide was hospitalized. Police did not arrest or charge the driver. The article notes that Gil was the second elderly pedestrian killed in Brooklyn this year, and cites Transportation Alternatives: '46 senior pedestrians were killed in car crashes across the city last year.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk seniors face on city streets, especially at intersections where turning vehicles endanger those crossing on foot.

• Elderly Woman Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-01-26

Jan 24 - An ambulance traveling north collided with a box truck passing southbound on Rockaway Ave in Brooklyn. Both ambulance occupants suffered upper body injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and passing too closely as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Rockaway Ave near Linden Blvd in Brooklyn at 17:33. The ambulance, traveling north, was struck on its left rear bumper by a box truck passing southbound. The ambulance driver and front passenger were injured, suffering shoulder and hip-upper leg injuries respectively, both experiencing shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The report explicitly identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors. The ambulance driver was licensed and wearing a lap belt, as was the passenger. The box truck showed no damage, while the ambulance sustained damage to its left rear quarter panel. The collision highlights critical driver errors involving distraction and unsafe passing maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788842 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 24 - A sedan struck a 60-year-old man crossing at Atlantic Avenue. The impact left him with head wounds and abrasions. He stayed conscious but hurt. The car’s right front bumper took damage.

According to the police report, a 2016 Infiniti sedan traveled north on Atlantic Avenue near Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn just after midnight. The sedan hit a 60-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection. The man was crossing against the signal. He suffered head injuries and abrasions but remained conscious. The car’s right front bumper was damaged. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. The only noted factor was the pedestrian crossing against the signal. No other causes were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788318 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 21 - A 52-year-old woman suffered abrasions and elbow injuries while crossing Sutter Avenue with the signal. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. The pedestrian was conscious and injured outside an intersection in Brooklyn’s 11212 zip code.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old female pedestrian was injured on Sutter Avenue in Brooklyn while crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle with no details on driver actions or contributing factors listed in the report. The pedestrian was located outside an intersection at the time of the collision. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited in the data. The report does not indicate any contributing factors from the pedestrian. The incident occurred in the 11212 zip code area, with no additional narrative or vehicle details provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787621 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 16 - A sedan making a left turn collided with a bicyclist traveling straight on Hegeman Avenue in Brooklyn. The 19-year-old cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries, experiencing shock and pain. The sedan’s right front bumper was damaged in the impact.

According to the police report, a 2004 Nissan sedan was making a left turn on Hegeman Avenue in Brooklyn when it struck a 19-year-old male bicyclist traveling straight east. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front bumper, which sustained damage. The bicyclist, who was not wearing safety equipment, was injured with knee, lower leg, and foot trauma and was reported to be in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the sedan’s left turn maneuver as the critical action preceding the collision. No driver errors such as failure to yield are explicitly cited, but the turning vehicle’s movement directly caused the crash. The bicyclist was not ejected and sustained moderate injuries. This crash underscores the dangers posed by turning vehicles to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786308 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04