Blood on the Asphalt: Hold Precinct 78 Accountable Now

Apr 24 - A 101-year-old woman crossed with the signal. An unlicensed driver turned left and struck her. She died days later. The driver was arrested at the scene. Another deadly crash by an unlicensed driver happened nearby just a week before.

The Brooklyn Paper (April 24, 2025) reports that Taibel Brod, age 101, was hit by a 2023 GMC Yukon while crossing Brooklyn Avenue at Montgomery Street with the walk signal. Police say the driver, Menachem Shagalow, was unlicensed and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to exercise due care, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Brod died from her injuries at Maimonides Medical Center on April 20. The article notes, 'Menachem was arrested at 8:37 p.m. on April 8 shortly after the incident.' This crash follows another fatal collision involving a suspended driver in Brooklyn the previous week. The incidents highlight ongoing dangers from unlicensed drivers and raise questions about enforcement and systemic safety failures.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Pedestrian in Brooklyn, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-04-24

Apr 17 - A sedan making a U-turn hit a southbound cyclist on Fifth Avenue. The cyclist suffered leg injuries. Police cite failure to yield. The driver was unlicensed. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan making a U-turn collided with a 19-year-old cyclist traveling straight on Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn. The cyclist was injured, suffering trauma to his lower leg and foot. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was the contributing factor. The sedan’s driver was unlicensed. Three car occupants were listed with unspecified injuries. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore right-of-way and operate without a license. The cyclist had no safety equipment listed. The system left a vulnerable road user exposed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806751 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Apr 16 - A sedan hit a woman crossing with the signal on Flatbush Ave. She suffered a head injury. The driver failed to yield and followed too closely. The street stayed loud. The danger stayed real.

A woman, age 40, was struck by a sedan while crossing Flatbush Ave at 6th Ave in Brooklyn. She was crossing with the signal and suffered a head contusion. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield right-of-way and followed too closely. The driver was making a right turn when the crash happened. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The driver was not injured. The pedestrian was left injured at the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806748 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Apr 16 - New research from Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets announced a report detailing NYC's top 10 super speeders.

• Road report: Here’s where lead-foot drivers repeatedly get speed-camera tickets in NYC, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-04-16

Apr 12 - A left-turning sedan struck an SUV head-on at 3rd Avenue. Ten people inside. A 58-year-old woman, belted in front, suffered pain and shock. Two infants among the silent. Failure to yield and traffic control ignored.

A sedan making a left turn collided head-on with an SUV near 557 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. Ten people were inside the vehicles. According to the police report, a 58-year-old woman in the front passenger seat was injured, feeling pain throughout her body and experiencing shock. Two infants were also present. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The crash involved both a sedan and an SUV, with both drivers licensed in New York. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805157 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Apr 9 - A school bus tore through a fence in Ditmas Park. An eight-year-old boy and his mother took the brunt. Broken arm. Head and neck wounds. The bus mounted the sidewalk, iron twisted, cinderblock shattered. The driver stayed. The street stayed dangerous.

CBS New York reported on April 9, 2025, that a school bus crashed into a fence at Bedford Avenue and Farragut Road in Brooklyn, injuring an 8-year-old boy and his 43-year-old mother. The article quotes Councilmember Farrah Louis: "It appeared the driver was driving and hit the gas instead of the brakes, trying to avoid another car, and that's how he crashed." No students were on the bus at the time. The victims were hospitalized with serious injuries. Witnesses described the bus waiting for a pedestrian before suddenly jumping the curb and smashing through the fence. The incident highlights ongoing traffic dangers in the area and raises questions about driver error and the need for improved street safety.

• School Bus Slams Fence In Brooklyn, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 6 - SUV pulls out on 5th Avenue. Cyclist rides south. Metal slams flesh. Rider thrown, arm bloodied. Child in back seat wails. Sirens slice the night. Unsafe lane change leaves pain behind.

A Toyota SUV pulled from the curb on 5th Avenue in Brooklyn and struck a southbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 26-year-old man, was ejected and suffered injuries to his arm. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' A four-year-old child in the SUV was present and uninjured but cried after the crash. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary causes were driver errors. No vehicle damage was reported. The night ended with sirens and blood on the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803843 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Apr 2 - A car plowed through families on Ocean Parkway. Three killed. Survivors hurt, shaken, haunted. The driver had a suspended license, dozens of violations, unpaid fines. The city’s streets failed to protect the most vulnerable. Pain lingers. Justice waits.

ABC7 reported on April 2, 2025, that a crash in Brooklyn killed a mother and her two daughters, leaving another family injured and traumatized. The article states, “Shakhzod described ongoing back pain and fears of another accident.” The driver, Miriam Yarimi, had 93 violations, $10,000 in unpaid fines, and a suspended license. She struck an Uber, then hit families crossing Ocean Parkway, flipping her vehicle. Yarimi faces charges including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The crash exposes systemic failure: a driver with a long record remained on the road. Survivors suffer lasting physical and emotional wounds. The city’s enforcement and oversight remain under scrutiny.

• Brooklyn Crash Leaves Family Scarred, Three Dead, ABC7, Published 2025-04-02

Apr 1 - A mother and two children died on Ocean Parkway. A driver with a suspended license and a record of violations struck them. The road has claimed many lives before. Residents see speeding daily. Calls for change echo. Danger remains.

The New York Post (April 1, 2025) reports that Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn has seen 20 deaths since 2014, with nearly 2,400 injuries since 2012. On March 30, Miriam Yarimi, driving with a suspended license and 93 prior traffic violations, crashed into an Uber and then into a family, killing Natasha Saada and two of her children. A third child remains in critical condition. The article quotes Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives: Ocean Parkway is 'one of Brooklyn's most dangerous roads.' Residents and advocates demand stronger safety measures, including speed-limiting technology for repeat offenders. Mayor Eric Adams is open to lowering the speed limit, but state approval is needed. Despite Vision Zero, Ocean Parkway remains hazardous for pedestrians.

• Ocean Parkway Crash Exposes Deadly Pattern, New York Post, Published 2025-04-01

Mar 31 - A speeding Audi struck a mother and her daughters in a Brooklyn crosswalk. The crash killed three. The youngest son was left fighting for life. The driver, with a long record of violations, now faces manslaughter charges.

According to the New York Post (March 31, 2025), Miriam Yarimi drove her Audi through a Brooklyn crosswalk, killing Natasha Saada and her daughters, Diana and Debra. Saada’s 4-year-old son was critically injured. Police said the victims were 'legally crossing the street in a crosswalk when the driver's speeding Audi struck them.' Yarimi’s car had over 93 traffic violations. She told first responders she was 'possessed' and is undergoing psychiatric evaluation. The article notes Yarimi’s history of paranoid social media posts and erratic behavior. She has been charged with manslaughter. The crash highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians and raises questions about enforcement against repeat traffic offenders.

• Brooklyn Driver Kills Mother, Two Daughters, New York Post, Published 2025-03-31

Mar 30 - A car struck a family in a Brooklyn crosswalk. A mother and two daughters died. Her young son was left in critical condition. The driver faced charges. The street showed the scars. Mourners filled the night.

The New York Times (March 30, 2025) reported a deadly crash at Ocean Parkway and Quentin Road, Brooklyn. Miriam Yarimi, driving with a suspended license, "barreled into a silver Toyota Camry" before veering into a crosswalk and hitting Natasha Saada and her children. Yarimi was charged with manslaughter, reckless driving, and other offenses. The Audi she drove had a record of 99 violations, including red-light and school-zone speeding tickets. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, "This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road." The crash highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians and ongoing issues with enforcement and accountability for repeat traffic offenders.

• Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Children, The New York Times, Published 2025-03-30

Mar 29 - A 25-year-old man suffered full-body injuries after an SUV making a right turn hit him outside an intersection on 6 Ave in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was conscious but fractured and dislocated limbs. Police cited driver inexperience as a key factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:16 on 6 Ave in Brooklyn. A 25-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2021 Mazda SUV, traveling northeast and making a right turn, struck him at the left rear quarter panel. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and was conscious but suffered injuries to his entire body, including fractures and dislocations. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was not cited with any contributing factors. The collision involved multiple vehicles, including a sedan with front-end damage, but the primary impact was from the SUV’s turn. This incident highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers executing turns in areas with pedestrian presence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802191 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Mar 29 - A car slammed through a Brooklyn crosswalk. A mother and two daughters died. Her young son clings to life. Metal and glass scattered. Sirens wailed. The driver, unlicensed, faces manslaughter. Ocean Parkway became a scene of sudden loss.

CBS New York reported on March 29, 2025, that a crash on Ocean Parkway killed a mother and her two daughters, ages 5 and 8, while her 4-year-old son was left in critical condition. Police say a Toyota Camry, turning right, was rear-ended by an Audi sedan. The impact pushed the Camry aside, and the Audi continued forward, striking the family in a crosswalk before overturning. The Audi's driver, Miriam Yarimi, 32, was arrested and charged with manslaughter. Police said she was driving on a suspended license. Investigators are examining whether she ran a red light or was speeding. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, 'This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road.' The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians and questions about enforcement of license suspensions.

• Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Children, CBS New York, Published 2025-03-29

Mar 24 - A 40-year-old woman crossing with signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn on 7 Ave in Brooklyn. The driver’s limited view contributed to the collision. The pedestrian suffered a concussion and arm injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:23 AM on 7 Ave near Union St in Brooklyn. A Ford SUV, traveling east and making a right turn, struck a 40-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver failed to see the pedestrian in time. The pedestrian sustained a concussion and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, but remained conscious. The vehicle showed no damage, suggesting a low-speed impact. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No pedestrian errors were noted as contributing factors. This collision underscores the dangers posed by limited driver visibility during turning maneuvers in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801284 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Mar 23 - A 30-year-old woman riding as an e-bike passenger was bruised when a distracted driver struck from behind on Flatbush Avenue. She stayed conscious. The crash left her with back injuries. Systemic danger persists for vulnerable riders.

According to the police report, a crash occurred near Flatbush Avenue and Dean Street in Brooklyn at 11:50 PM. An e-bike stopped in traffic was rear-ended at its center back end. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. A 30-year-old female passenger on the e-bike suffered back contusions and bruises but was not ejected and remained conscious. The e-bike driver was licensed and headed north. No other vehicle damage was reported. The report does not cite any passenger actions or safety equipment as contributing factors. This crash highlights the risk distracted drivers pose to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800887 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Mar 23 - Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker sped through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection has seen this before. The system pushes speed. The danger remains.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after an e-bike delivery worker "sped through a stop sign" and struck him as he exited his double-parked car 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. The article notes this intersection is known for frequent stop sign violations: "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The piece highlights systemic issues, including delivery app pressures and gaps in e-bike regulation. City data shows e-bikes account for less than 2% of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues. Lawmakers have called for tighter rules, as delivery workers face incentives to rush.

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

Mar 20 - SUV and sedan crashed head-on at 18th Avenue. Driver in SUV suffered arm injuries and shock. Police cite improper lane usage and obstructed view as causes. Urban streets, steel, and error collided.

According to the police report, an SUV and a sedan collided head-on near 18th Avenue in Brooklyn at 8:56 AM. The SUV driver, a 36-year-old man, was injured with abrasions and arm injuries and was reported in shock. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "View Obstructed/Limited" as contributing factors, pointing to driver error in lane management and visibility. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The incident highlights the dangers of improper lane use and limited visibility on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800698 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Mar 14 - An e-bike rider suffered facial abrasions and shock after a collision caused by following too closely. The crash occurred on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider was helmeted but still sustained injuries from the impact.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 11:45 AM on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. The injured party was a 46-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike southbound. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor, indicating driver error. The bicyclist was helmeted but still suffered abrasions to the face and was in shock. The e-bike driver held a permit license from New York. There was no vehicle damage reported, and the point of impact was the right front quarter panel of an unspecified vehicle also traveling southbound. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. This crash highlights the dangers posed by close following distances in mixed traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799556 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

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 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