Precinct 84: Four dead, hundreds hurt, the same streets keep breaking people

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 12 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 12 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 31 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 31 - A diesel truck plowed into a sedan’s rear on Atlantic Avenue. Both sedan occupants suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite the truck driver for following too closely.

According to the police report, a diesel tractor truck rear-ended a sedan on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn at 8:42 AM. The truck’s front struck the sedan’s rear. Both sedan occupants—a 40-year-old male driver and a 25-year-old female passenger—sustained neck injuries and whiplash. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor, pointing to the truck driver’s failure to maintain distance. Both injured persons were conscious and restrained. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The collision underscores the risk when drivers fail to keep safe space on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789645 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 30 - Four cars slammed together on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway ramp. Drivers followed too close. Metal crumpled. A 43-year-old woman behind the wheel took the worst of it—neck pain, whiplash, still conscious.

According to the police report, four vehicles collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway ramp at 7:48 a.m. The crash unfolded as multiple drivers failed to keep safe distances, with 'Following Too Closely' listed several times as a contributing factor. One driver also reacted to an uninvolved vehicle, worsening the pileup. A 43-year-old female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. She was not ejected and remained conscious. The vehicles involved—sedans and SUVs—showed front and rear-end damage, matching the chain-reaction impact. The report highlights repeated driver errors in following distance. No contributing factors were attributed to the injured driver's actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789643 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 sport utility vehicle struck a sedan from behind on the Brooklyn Bridge. Three occupants in the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash was caused by the SUV driver following too closely, resulting in rear-end impact damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:15 on the Brooklyn Bridge involving a 2020 Toyota SUV and a 2025 Volkswagen sedan, both traveling eastbound. The SUV struck the sedan at the center back end, causing damage to both vehicles. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The sedan carried three occupants—a 28-year-old male driver and two passengers aged 39 and 22—each wearing lap belts and harnesses. All three sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash, with injury severity rated at level 3. None were ejected and all remained conscious. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the victims. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as tailgating on busy city bridges.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788213 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 24 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 17 - A 21-year-old man riding south on Court Street was thrown from his bike. He hit the ground. His arm and hand scraped raw. No driver errors listed. System failed to protect him.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old male bicyclist riding southbound on Court Street in Brooklyn was ejected from his bike and suffered abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists his injury as moderate. No other vehicles were damaged. The police report does not specify any driver errors or contributing factors, listing them as 'Unspecified.' No helmet use or crossing signal issues are mentioned. The absence of clear fault in the report highlights the dangers faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786474 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 9 - 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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 1 - A white Audi struck Michael Foster on Caton Avenue. The car dragged him for blocks. The driver never stopped. Foster died in the street. The Audi vanished into the night. No arrests. The city’s danger stays.

NY Daily News reported on January 1, 2025, that Michael Foster, 64, was killed after a white Audi hit him on Caton Ave. near Flatbush Ave. in Brooklyn. The driver, described as speeding, dragged Foster for half a mile before leaving him near Linden Blvd. and Nostrand Ave. The article quotes a witness: "I saw him at the stop light. He would go out to the cars and beg for change." The driver fled the scene and has not been caught. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the lethal risk for pedestrians in city streets and the ongoing issue of hit-and-run drivers evading responsibility.

• Audi Driver Drags Man Half Mile, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-01

Dec 24 - Two SUVs collided on Brooklyn Bridge. One driver failed to keep distance, rear-ending the other. Both men injured. Defective accelerator and tailgating named as causes. Airbags deployed. No victim fault listed.

According to the police report, two SUVs crashed eastbound on Brooklyn Bridge at 1:37 AM. The first SUV slowed or stopped. The second SUV, moving straight ahead, struck the rear of the first. Both drivers, men aged 36 and 51, suffered injuries—knee, leg, foot, and back trauma, including whiplash and abrasions. Both were conscious and restrained. Airbags deployed in one vehicle. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Accelerator Defective' as contributing factors, pointing to driver error and mechanical failure. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781079 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 23 - A moped carrying two young adults overturned on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Both driver and passenger were ejected and suffered fractures and dislocations. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash, causing serious lower limb and neck injuries.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male driver and a 23-year-old female passenger on a 2023 QIANX moped were traveling east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at 1:40 a.m. The vehicle overturned due to slippery pavement conditions. Both occupants were ejected from the moped. The driver sustained fractures and dislocations to the knee, lower leg, and foot, while the passenger suffered neck injuries with similar severity. Both were conscious after the crash and wore helmets. The report identifies 'Pavement Slippery' as a contributing factor, emphasizing the role of road conditions in the loss of vehicle control. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. The crash highlights the dangers posed by environmental factors on vulnerable road users operating mopeds.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782910 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - A 43-year-old woman crossing Flatbush Avenue with the signal was struck by a speeding e-bike. She suffered severe lacerations but remained conscious. The unlicensed rider fled. The e-bike showed no damage. The street held its silence.

A woman, age 43, was injured while crossing Flatbush Avenue near Nevins Street in Brooklyn, according to the police report. The report states she was 'crossing with the light' when a speeding e-bike struck her, causing 'severe lacerations' to her entire body. She remained conscious after the impact. The e-bike operator, described as unlicensed, did not stop at the scene. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The e-bike showed no visible damage. The victim’s action—crossing with the signal—is noted in the report, but the primary focus remains on the rider’s speed, improper lane usage, and lack of a valid license. The crash underscores the dangers posed by reckless operation and systemic failures to control unlicensed riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780866 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - Metal groaned on Nostrand Avenue. Two cars trapped, one stacked atop the other. A bus driver, a woman, a girl—hurt but alive. Emergency crews worked fast. The street bore the scars. The cause stayed hidden in the wreckage.

NY Daily News reported on December 18, 2024, that a multi-vehicle crash at Nostrand Ave. and Park Ave. in Brooklyn left three people injured. The article states, 'Three people were injured, including an MTA bus driver and a young girl, in a collision that pinned two cars between a box truck and a city bus.' Footage showed two vehicles sandwiched between the bus and truck, with one car stacked atop another. The injured included a 59-year-old MTA driver, a 33-year-old woman, and a 9-year-old girl. All were hospitalized in stable condition. The cause of the crash was not determined at the time of reporting. The incident highlights the risks at busy intersections and the dangers posed by large vehicles in dense urban traffic.

• Cars Crushed Between Bus And Truck, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 16 - A female driver suffered neck injuries and shock after her SUV rear-ended a sedan stopped in traffic on Atlantic Avenue. The collision caused bruising and left the driver shaken. Police cited following too closely as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:45 on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. A 59-year-old female driver, restrained by a lap belt and harness, was injured with a neck contusion and experienced shock. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The SUV, traveling east, struck the center back end of a sedan that was stopped in traffic. Both vehicles sustained damage at the center back end. The injured driver was not ejected and was wearing proper safety equipment. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision highlights the dangers of tailgating and failure to maintain safe distance in traffic, as documented by the police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780092 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 12 - A 10-year-old girl suffered knee and leg injuries after an SUV failed to yield and struck her at an intersection. The driver’s inattention and failure to yield caused the collision despite the pedestrian crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on MetroTech Roadway in Brooklyn at 11:35 AM. A Station Wagon/SUV traveling east struck a 10-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and complained of whiplash. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s failure to yield and distraction as the causes, with no contributing fault attributed to the pedestrian. The driver was alone in the vehicle, which was damaged but details are limited to 'other.' This crash highlights the deadly consequences of driver errors in yielding and attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 9 - A chain-reaction collision on Adams Street in Brooklyn left a 48-year-old male driver with a concussion and head injury. The crash involved multiple vehicles stopped in traffic. Following too closely caused the impact, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:30 on Adams Street in Brooklyn. Multiple vehicles traveling south were stopped in traffic when the collision happened. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor leading to the crash. A 48-year-old male driver, restrained by a lap belt and conscious after the incident, suffered a head injury and concussion. The vehicles involved included a 2024 BMW sedan, a 2012 Nissan sedan, and a 2022 Toyota SUV. The point of impact was primarily at the center back end and rear bumpers, indicating a rear-end collision sequence. The driver errors cited focus on the failure to maintain safe distance, which triggered the chain-reaction crash. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777565 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 7 - Two sedans collided violently on Adams Street near Fulton. One made a U-turn, the other drove straight. A 55-year-old woman passenger struck her head, bleeding but conscious. Unsafe speed and ignored signals fueled the crash and injuries.

According to the police report, at 19:10 on Adams Street near Fulton in Brooklyn, two sedans collided. One sedan was making a U-turn while the other was traveling straight north. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors to the crash. A 55-year-old female passenger suffered a head injury with significant bleeding but remained conscious. Additional occupants, including a 31-year-old female driver and two passengers aged 9 and 15, sustained neck injuries consistent with whiplash. The report emphasizes that driver errors—specifically unsafe speed and failure to obey traffic controls—were central to the collision and resulting injuries. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780689 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19