Precinct 81: Four dead, hundreds hurt. Same streets, same story.

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

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 26-year-old man crossing Greene Ave with the signal was struck by an SUV turning left in Brooklyn. The pedestrian suffered bruises and hip injuries. Police cited the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, at 21:20 on Greene Ave near Malcolm X Blvd in Brooklyn, a 26-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal was struck by a 2022 Hyundai SUV traveling east and making a left turn. The vehicle hit the pedestrian at the center front end, causing contusions and injuries to his hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. While pedestrian confusion is noted, it is secondary to the driver’s error. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. This collision underscores the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797191 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 - Two SUVs slammed together on Howard Avenue in Brooklyn. A passenger in the back seat took a neck injury. Police blame driver inattention. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided head-on at 8:10 AM on Howard Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash injured a 35-year-old male passenger seated in the right rear of one SUV. He suffered a neck injury, described as whiplash, but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained heavy front-end damage. The crash highlights the risk posed by distracted drivers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797086 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 24 - A 33-year-old man crossing outside a crosswalk in Brooklyn was struck by a southbound sedan. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian with bruises and lower leg injuries. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 33-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and remained conscious after the collision. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle’s point of impact was the left front bumper, yet the sedan sustained no damage. The pedestrian was not at an intersection or crosswalk at the time, but the report does not list any contributing factors related to his actions. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving, which directly caused harm to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797298 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 23 - Two women suffered back injuries and shock in a multi-sedan collision on Fulton Street in Brooklyn. Both were restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The crash involved three sedans traveling westbound, with impact centered on rear and front ends.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Fulton Street in Brooklyn involving three sedans all traveling westbound. The vehicles collided with impacts centered on the center back end and center front end of the cars. Two female occupants were injured: a 52-year-old driver and a 66-year-old front passenger. Both suffered back injuries and were in shock, reporting pain or nausea. Both were restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report lists contributing factors for the injured driver as 'Unspecified,' with no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding noted. The collision appears to be a chain reaction or multi-vehicle impact, but no pedestrian or cyclist was involved or cited. The focus remains on the vehicle collision dynamics and occupant injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795536 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 21 - A sedan parked on a Brooklyn street struck a southbound e-bike, partially ejecting the bicyclist. The rider suffered upper arm injuries and bruises. Limited view and driver confusion contributed to the collision, exposing dangers in shared road spaces.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:11 near 920 Broadway in Brooklyn. A sedan, parked with its left side doors facing the street, was struck on that side by a southbound e-bike. The bicyclist, a 40-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his shoulder and upper arm, including contusions and bruises. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors, indicating the sedan driver’s limited visibility played a role. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted, but no helmet use or crossing signal issues were cited. The collision's impact on the bicyclist highlights the risks posed by obstructed views and driver errors in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794926 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 21 - A box truck rolled south on Broadway. A 59-year-old man stood in the road. The truck’s right front struck his head. He fell, unconscious, blood pooling. The truck did not stop. Driver inattention marked the scene.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling south near 1040 Broadway in Brooklyn struck a 59-year-old man who was standing in the roadway. The report states, 'A box truck moved south. A 59-year-old man stood in the road. The truck struck his head. He fell, unconscious. Blood spread on the street. The truck rolled on, untouched.' The pedestrian suffered severe head lacerations and lost consciousness at the scene. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. The truck’s right front quarter panel made contact, and the vehicle sustained no damage. The report does not list any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the driver’s inattention, which led to the severe injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794925 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 18 - A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a northbound e-bike on Broadway in Brooklyn. The e-bike rider was ejected and suffered a fractured hip and upper leg. Police cited failure to yield and unsafe speed as contributing factors.

According to the police report, a 2019 Nissan SUV was making a left turn on Broadway in Brooklyn at 9:00 AM when it collided with a northbound e-bike traveling straight ahead. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factors from the SUV driver. The 27-year-old male e-bike rider was ejected from his vehicle and sustained a fracture and dislocation to his hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The e-bike rider was not using any safety equipment at the time. The SUV sustained damage to its right front quarter panel, and the e-bike was damaged at the left rear bumper. The collision underscores the dangers posed by driver errors such as failure to yield and excessive speed in interactions with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793743 - 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 4 - A sedan struck a pedestrian in a Brooklyn crosswalk. The driver was distracted. The man suffered a serious head injury. He was semiconscious at the scene. Impact fell hard. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Broadway in Brooklyn hit a male pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk near Myrtle Avenue around 5 p.m. The pedestrian suffered a serious head injury and was semiconscious when emergency crews arrived. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor. The vehicle was going straight ahead at the time of the crash. No information was given about the driver’s license status or the presence of other occupants. The police report cites driver distraction as the cause. No pedestrian fault or other contributing behaviors are mentioned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790766 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 3 - Two sedans collided on Broadway in Brooklyn at 10 p.m. Both drivers suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved a left turn and a straight travel path. Driver distraction and ignoring traffic controls were cited as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Broadway near Jefferson Street in Brooklyn at 10 p.m. Two sedans collided: one making a left turn traveling south, the other going straight north. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the turning vehicle and the left side doors of the other. Both drivers, licensed men from New York, were injured with neck pain and whiplash, remaining conscious and restrained by seat belts. The front passenger in the northbound sedan also suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors for both drivers. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision highlights driver errors in attention and failure to obey traffic controls as the primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790336 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 1 - A sedan driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries in a Brooklyn collision. The SUV, making a right turn, struck the sedan’s front. Police cite unsafe speed and driver distraction as key factors in the crash on Patchen Avenue.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Patchen Avenue in Brooklyn at 9:54 AM. A 55-year-old female sedan driver was injured, sustaining contusions to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The collision involved a 2024 Toyota SUV traveling north and making a right turn, which impacted the left front bumper of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. The police report lists unsafe speed and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors to the crash. No contributing factors were attributed to the sedan driver. The incident highlights driver errors—specifically unsafe speed and distraction—leading to a serious injury in a multi-vehicle collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790087 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 30 - E-bike slammed sedan on Fulton. Passenger thrown, leg torn up. Driver’s bad lane move did it. Sedan untouched. Brooklyn street, night, pain left behind.

According to the police report, an e-bike collided with a sedan on Fulton Street near Schenectady Avenue in Brooklyn at 7:30 p.m. The crash left a 49-year-old female e-bike passenger injured, with abrasions and trauma to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She was partially ejected but remained conscious. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the main contributing factor, attributed to the e-bike operator. The sedan, driven by a licensed woman, showed no damage. No other errors are cited. The passenger wore no safety equipment, but the report does not list this as a cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789800 - 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 - A 29-year-old man crossing Malcolm X Blvd with the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn. The impact caused contusions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, according to police.

At approximately 4:00 PM on Malcolm X Blvd in Brooklyn, a 29-year-old male pedestrian was injured when an SUV making a left turn struck him. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the collision occurred. The vehicle, a 2010 Lexus SUV traveling southwest, impacted the pedestrian with its right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor attributed to the driver. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. No damage was reported to the vehicle. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions beyond the driver’s failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789144 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 20 - A distracted driver collided with two sedans on Gates Avenue, injuring three occupants. The impact caused head and neck injuries, including whiplash. All victims were conscious and restrained. Driver inattention was cited as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Gates Avenue in Brooklyn at 10:30 AM. The collision involved three sedans. The driver of one sedan was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' which was listed twice as a contributing factor. The crash injured three occupants: a 53-year-old female driver, a 49-year-old male driver, and a 72-year-old female front passenger. All were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. Injuries included head trauma and whiplash, with injury severity rated at level 3. The report notes the impact points on the vehicles, including left side doors and front bumpers, indicating a multi-vehicle collision. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787280 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04