Broken Bodies, Broken Promises: Demand Action on NYC’s Deadly Streets

Metal scraped and glass scattered on Joralemon Street in Brooklyn. A 56-year-old male driver, conscious but hurt, suffered abrasions across his body after his sedan struck parked cars. Sirens echoed as first responders arrived at the scene.

According to the police report, a crash involving multiple sedans occurred on Joralemon Street near Clinton Street in Brooklyn. The incident left a 56-year-old male driver injured with abrasions to his entire body. The report lists the driver as 'conscious' at the scene. The collision involved a moving sedan striking parked vehicles, with damage concentrated at the center front of the moving car and the rear of the parked cars. The police report notes 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for the driver, providing no further detail on the cause. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved, and no helmet or signal issues were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804043, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A mother and two daughters died crossing a Brooklyn street. The driver had a suspended license and a record of violations. Lawmakers now press for speed limiters on repeat offenders. The city mourns. The system failed to stop the car.

Gothamist (2025-04-01) reports renewed calls for the 'Stop Super Speeders' bill after a Brooklyn crash killed a mother and two children. The driver, with a suspended license and 'dozens of speed and red light violations,' struck the family as they crossed the street. The bill would require speed-limiting technology for drivers with repeated offenses—those with 11 or more points in 24 months, or six camera tickets in a year. Assemblymember Emily Gallagher and Senator Andrew Gounardes, citing the crash, demand action: 'It’s no longer simply enough to shake our heads in despair... it’s time for us to act.' The incident highlights gaps in enforcement and the stalled progress of safety legislation meant to curb reckless driving.

• Brooklyn Crash Spurs Speed Limiter Push, Gothamist, Published 2025-04-01

A pedestrian crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV traveling west on Jay Street. The impact caused knee and lower leg injuries, leaving the man bruised but conscious. The driver failed to yield right-of-way at the intersection.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling westbound on Jay Street struck a 45-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection with Sands Street. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the collision. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor on the driver's part. The vehicle showed no damage despite the collision. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The driver’s failure to yield created the conditions for this injury-producing crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799948, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 20-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a bus struck her at a Brooklyn intersection. The bus was making a right turn when the collision occurred. Faulty traffic control devices contributed to the crash, according to police.

According to the police report, a bus traveling west on Boerum Place in Brooklyn struck a 20-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection near Atlantic Avenue. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the crash. The bus was making a right turn when the collision occurred, impacting the pedestrian at the bus's right rear quarter panel. The report cites a contributing factor of 'Traffic Control Device Improper/Non-Working,' indicating a failure in traffic signal operation that played a role in the crash. The bus driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted, but the primary contributing factor was the malfunctioning traffic control device.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799682, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs collided on Tillary Street in Brooklyn. The impact struck the center front and right side doors. The 27-year-old male driver suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious. Police cite traffic control disregard as the cause.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided at the intersection of Tillary Street and Adams Street in Brooklyn at 16:12. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead—one westbound, the other northbound—when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the center front end of the westbound SUV and the right side doors of the northbound SUV. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating a failure by at least one driver to obey traffic signals or signs. The 27-year-old male driver of the westbound SUV, who was wearing a lap belt, sustained a head abrasion but was conscious and not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798029, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two vehicles merging eastbound on Tillary Street collided at the left and right front quarters. A rear passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited improper passing and following too closely as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:35 on Tillary Street in Brooklyn. A 2023 SUV and a 2022 sedan, both traveling eastbound and merging, collided with impact on the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the right front quarter panel of the sedan. The report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors to the collision. A 50-year-old female occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of one vehicle sustained back injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The driver errors of improper lane merging and close following created the conditions for this crash, with no victim behaviors noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797263, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan struck a stopped SUV on Flatbush Avenue. A woman in the rear seat died, her chest crushed. Two vehicles, one still, one moving. The night’s silence broken by impact. No forgiveness, only loss.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Flatbush Avenue collided with the center rear of a stationary SUV near State Street in Brooklyn at 23:04. The SUV was stopped in traffic when the sedan, described as 'going straight ahead,' struck it. A 45-year-old woman, seated unbelted in the right rear passenger seat of the SUV, was killed. The report states her chest was crushed in the impact. The narrative reads: 'A woman, 45, unbelted in the rear seat, died when a sedan struck their stopped SUV. Her chest crushed. Two cars, one still, one moving.' No contributing factors are specified in the police data, but the sequence of events centers on the moving sedan striking a stopped vehicle. The report does not cite any passenger behavior as a contributing factor, listing only 'Unspecified' for contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795527, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

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

Two vehicles collided on Brooklyn’s Atlantic Avenue, injuring a driver and rear passenger. The crash involved aggressive driving and following too closely. Both victims suffered moderate injuries, including whiplash and leg contusions, while restrained by lap belts.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:05 on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The collision involved a 2022 Tesla sedan and a 2014 Audi SUV, both traveling westbound. The Tesla struck the rear of the Audi, causing damage to the Tesla's left front bumper and the Audi's center back end. The report cites 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The Tesla driver, a 38-year-old male, and a 24-year-old female rear passenger were injured. Both occupants were conscious and restrained by lap belts. The driver suffered whiplash, and the passenger sustained contusions to the knee and lower leg. The report highlights driver errors without attributing fault to the injured occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794216, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Three SUVs collided in a chain-reaction crash on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. One driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited following too closely as the primary cause, highlighting the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roads.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction collision occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway around 12:24 a.m. involving three SUVs traveling westbound. The first vehicle was slowing or stopping when the second SUV, driven by a 30-year-old man, struck it from behind. The third SUV then collided with the second vehicle. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash, emphasizing driver error in maintaining unsafe distances. The injured driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained back injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash underscores the systemic danger of tailgating on busy expressways and the severe consequences for vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794213, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two vehicles merging southwest on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided. Both drivers and a passenger suffered eye contusions. Police cited passing too closely and unsafe lane changing as key factors in the crash, causing serious bruising and vehicle damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway around 10:00 AM. A 2024 Honda sedan and a 2020 Nissan pickup truck, both traveling southwest and merging, collided. The sedan's left front bumper struck the truck's right rear bumper. The report identifies 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor for both drivers, with the sedan driver also cited for 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' The sedan carried two occupants: a 25-year-old female driver and a 25-year-old male passenger. Both were conscious but sustained eye contusions and bruises. Airbags deployed and lap belts were used. The pickup truck had one male driver, licensed in New York. The collision caused damage to the left front quarter panel of the sedan and the right rear quarter panel of the truck. The report highlights driver errors in close passing and lane changes as the primary causes, with no victim fault noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794218, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 27-year-old bicyclist suffered a shoulder injury when a vehicle disregarded traffic control on Hoyt Street in Brooklyn. The driver made a left turn, striking the cyclist who was traveling southeast. The impact caused bruising and upper arm injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Hoyt Street near Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn at 11:30 AM. The bicyclist, a 27-year-old male, was injured with a contusion and upper arm shoulder injury. The report states the contributing factor was 'Traffic Control Disregarded,' indicating the driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The vehicle involved was making a left turn and struck the bicyclist at the center front end, causing damage to the vehicle's left front bumper. The bicyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No safety equipment was reported on the bicyclist. The other vehicle involved showed no damage and was traveling straight ahead. Driver error in disregarding traffic control was the primary cause of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794237, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A driver rear-ended a car, then tried to run down the man who got out. The victim clung to the hood, thrown off after 330 feet. He hit the pavement, battered. The driver fled. Police seek him. The street stayed dangerous.

According to NY Daily News (published February 19, 2025), Jacob Angstadt, 27, rear-ended a 34-year-old man on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway near Tillary Street. When the victim exited to take a photo, Angstadt "became enraged, hit the gas pedal and sped toward him." The victim leapt onto the hood and was carried nearly 330 feet before being thrown onto the roadway, suffering serious injuries. Angstadt fled the scene. Police released his photo and asked for public help. The incident highlights the lethal risk of aggressive driving and the vulnerability of people outside vehicles. The case remains open as authorities search for the driver.

• Driver Rams, Drags Man On Expressway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-19

A sedan traveling west on Old Fulton Street struck the left rear bumper of another vehicle. The driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash was caused by driver inattention and distraction, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a 2023 Toyota sedan traveling west on Old Fulton Street collided with the left rear bumper of another vehicle also traveling west. The point of impact was the sedan's left rear bumper and the other vehicle's right front bumper. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old licensed female occupant, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision caused damage to the left rear bumper of the sedan and the right front bumper of the other vehicle, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving on Brooklyn streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792248, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 64-year-old man suffered neck injuries in a rear-end collision on Furman Street. According to the police report, driver inattention led to the crash. The impact caused whiplash but no ejection. Vehicle damage was limited to the sedan’s rear.

At 6:22 AM on Furman Street in Brooklyn, a rear-end collision occurred involving a sedan and a pickup truck, according to the police report. The sedan, stopped in traffic, was struck from behind by the pickup truck, which was slowing or stopping. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The 64-year-old male sedan driver, wearing a lap belt, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The sedan sustained center back end damage, while the pickup truck showed no damage. No ejections occurred. The police report explicitly cites the driver’s distraction as the cause, highlighting systemic risks from driver inattention in traffic conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792280, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A westbound SUV and bus collided on Tillary Street in Brooklyn. The SUV driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited improper lane usage by the SUV driver as a contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained front quarter panel damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Tillary Street near Flatbush Avenue Extension in Brooklyn at 14:50. The collision involved a westbound Ford SUV and a westbound New Flyer bus. The SUV driver, a 47-year-old female occupant, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor linked to the SUV driver. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front quarter panels—right front on the SUV and left front on the bus. The SUV driver’s improper lane usage directly contributed to the crash, highlighting a critical driver error in this collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789646, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A diesel tractor truck slammed into the back of a sedan traveling east on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. The impact injured both sedan occupants, causing neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.

According to the police report, at 8:42 AM on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, a 2020 diesel tractor truck traveling east rear-ended a 2025 sedan also traveling east. The collision point was the center front end of the truck striking the center back end of the sedan. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor, indicating the truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance. Both sedan occupants, a 40-year-old male driver and a 25-year-old female right rear passenger, sustained neck injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The truck driver was licensed in Pennsylvania, and the sedan driver was licensed in New York. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in maintaining safe following distances.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789645, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Four vehicles collided in a chain reaction on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway ramp. Multiple drivers failed to maintain safe distances, leading to rear-end impacts. A 43-year-old female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash, restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:48 on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway ramp involving four vehicles traveling eastbound. The primary contributing factor was repeated failure to maintain safe following distances, cited as 'Following Too Closely' multiple times. One driver also reacted to an uninvolved vehicle, compounding the chain reaction. A 43-year-old female driver, an occupant in one of the vehicles, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The vehicles involved included sedans and SUVs, all sustaining center front or center back-end damage consistent with rear-end collisions. The report highlights driver errors in maintaining safe distances as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789643, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two vehicles collided on Adams Street in Brooklyn during right turns. A 41-year-old female SUV driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved improper lane usage, causing damage to both vehicles’ side doors and serious occupant injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:35 AM on Adams Street in Brooklyn. A 41-year-old female driver of a 2020 SUV was injured, sustaining neck injuries and whiplash, and was conscious at the scene. Both vehicles, an SUV and a sedan, were making right turns when the collision happened. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the right side doors of the sedan. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error in lane management during the maneuver. The injured driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash caused significant damage to the left side doors of the SUV and the right rear quarter panel of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788178, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 55-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV failed to yield while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at a Brooklyn intersection when the impact occurred. The driver caused the collision.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 14:10 on Nevins Street near Schermerhorn Street in Brooklyn. A 55-year-old female pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when a 2021 Honda SUV, traveling south and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the driver as the contributing factor. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious and injured, with no contributing factors attributed to her actions. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver failure to yield at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785142, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15