Eight Dead, Thousands Hurt—Who’s Letting Drivers Get Away With Murder?

A sedan hit an e-bike on Myrtle Avenue. The cyclist suffered a leg injury. Police cite unsafe speed. The crash exposes danger for riders on Brooklyn streets.

A sedan turning left on Myrtle Avenue collided with an e-bike traveling straight. The e-bike rider, a 30-year-old man, was injured in the knee and lower leg. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' was listed as a contributing factor. The sedan's left front bumper struck the e-bike's center front end. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the risks faced by cyclists in Brooklyn traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813876 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV hit a woman crossing Fulton Street at Washington Avenue. She died from crush injuries. The impact was on the right front bumper. No driver errors listed. Brooklyn night, life lost.

A woman, age 55, was killed when a Ford SUV struck her as she crossed Fulton Street at Washington Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the impact occurred at the right front bumper of the vehicle. The pedestrian suffered fatal crush injuries to her entire body. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction are noted in the data. The woman was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk when the crash occurred. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813415 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man crossed Fulton Street. A Ford Explorer hit him. The driver sped off. The man died at the hospital. The street stayed quiet. Police searched for the car. The city counted another lost life.

ABC7 reported on May 17, 2025, that a 55-year-old man was killed while crossing Fulton Street at Washington Avenue in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. According to police, 'a burgundy Ford Explorer with Pennsylvania license plates struck and killed the 55-year-old man.' The driver did not remain at the scene. The crash happened just before 12:30 a.m. The victim was taken to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The incident highlights the ongoing danger faced by pedestrians and the persistent problem of hit-and-run drivers in New York City.

• Driver Flees After Brooklyn Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-05-17

A car struck Larry Maxwell, 72, on Sutter Avenue. The driver had just crashed into another vehicle and fled. Maxwell died at Brookdale Hospital. The driver did not stop. Police are still searching. No arrests. The street stayed quiet.

NY Daily News reported on May 15, 2025, that Larry Maxwell, 72, was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Brownsville, Brooklyn. The article states, “An elderly man was mowed down and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Brooklyn on May 10, just seconds after the same driver smashed into a nearby vehicle.” The driver first collided with a 2023 Chevrolet Malibu, then continued on and struck Maxwell near Sutter Ave. and Osborn St. The Malibu’s occupants were uninjured and remained at the scene. The driver who killed Maxwell fled and remains unidentified. The NYPD Highway District collision investigation squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The case highlights the lethal risk of fleeing drivers and the ongoing challenge of enforcement.

• Hit-And-Run Driver Kills Brooklyn Elder, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-15

SUV turned wrong on Gates Avenue. Cyclist struck, arm gashed, helmet on. Police cite improper turn, close pass. System failed to protect the rider.

A cyclist, age 28, was injured when an SUV turned improperly on Gates Avenue in Brooklyn and struck him. According to the police report, the SUV driver was cited for 'Turning Improperly' and 'Passing Too Closely.' The cyclist suffered an arm injury and abrasion. The report notes the cyclist wore a helmet. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants, including a 10-year-old passenger. The crash highlights the danger when drivers turn without care and pass too close to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812810 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle slammed into a sedan’s rear on the BQE. The rider died. Police cite driver inattention and tailgating. Metal twisted. One life ended. Others walked away.

A deadly crash unfolded on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A motorcycle struck the rear of a sedan. The 27-year-old male motorcyclist was killed, suffering chest injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' contributed to the collision. The sedan’s driver, a 44-year-old woman, was unlicensed but survived, as did her passenger. The motorcycle was demolished. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one dead and several shaken, with police citing clear driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812048 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A diesel truck struck a sedan’s rear on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. One passenger suffered a head injury. Police cite driver distraction for both vehicles.

A diesel tractor truck hit the back of a sedan on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in Brooklyn. One passenger in the sedan, a 36-year-old man, suffered a head injury and abrasion. According to the police report, both drivers were going straight when the crash happened. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. The injured passenger was wearing a lap belt and harness. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811792 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV struck on Lafayette and Clinton. Three men inside hurt. Head, neck, and back injuries. Police cite other vehicular factors. Streets remain unforgiving.

Three men were injured when a 2023 Toyota SUV, traveling north on Lafayette Avenue, was struck while making a left turn at Clinton Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Other Vehicular' contributing factors. The driver and two rear passengers suffered whiplash, with injuries to the head, neck, and back. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report does not specify further details about the cause, but lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811683 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A principal drove down Lenox Road, lost control, hit parked cars, and flipped his vehicle. Police pulled him from the wreck. He refused a Breathalyzer. Charges followed. The street bore the scars. The system let him drive. The danger stayed.

According to NY Daily News (2025-05-06), Gregory Jackson, principal of Brownsville Collaborative Middle School, crashed on Lenox Road near Utica Ave. Police say he struck several parked cars and overturned his vehicle around 11:30 p.m. Jackson told police he had 'only one drink.' He refused a Breathalyzer test at the scene. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, and refusing the test. The Department of Education referred questions to the NYPD. The incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired drivers and the vulnerability of anyone near city streets, even when parked. Systemic gaps allow such danger to persist.

• Principal Overturns Car In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-06

A distracted driver slammed into a stopped sedan on Washington Ave. One woman suffered neck and internal injuries. Police cite inattention and traffic control disregard.

A crash on Washington Ave at Greene Ave in Brooklyn left a 58-year-old woman injured. According to the police report, a northbound sedan struck another sedan stopped in traffic. The driver suffered neck and internal injuries. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front and rear ends. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report highlights driver error as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810552 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A stolen Porsche sped through Brooklyn. Police set a trap. The driver tried to break through, nearly hitting an officer. A shot rang out. The car crashed. The driver died. The passenger survived. The street bore the cost.

According to the New York Post (April 30, 2025), police shot and killed the driver of a stolen Porsche after he "nearly struck an NYPD officer" while attempting to evade a roadblock near the Belt Parkway in Brooklyn. Officers first noticed the vehicle due to stolen plates and tried to pull it over on Cropsey Avenue. The driver fled, leading police to set up a blockade. As the car tried to pass, an officer fired one round, striking the driver. The wounded man crashed into a police car and was later pronounced dead at Brookdale Hospital. The passenger was unharmed and taken into custody. The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases and roadblocks in dense urban areas, where bystanders and officers face sudden danger.

• Police Shoot Driver At Brooklyn Roadblock, New York Post, Published 2025-04-30

Two sedans crashed on Tillary Street. Passengers suffered head and back injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and glass, pain and confusion, all in a Brooklyn instant.

Two sedans collided on Tillary Street near Park Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, driver inattention and distraction led to the crash. A 26-year-old male passenger suffered a head injury and whiplash. A 33-year-old male driver reported back pain and nausea. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front and back ends. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left passengers hurt and exposed the danger of distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809047 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 101-year-old woman crossed with the light. An SUV turned left. The driver was unlicensed. She died days later. Her family mourns. The street remains the same.

According to the New York Post (April 24, 2025), Taibel Brod, 101, was fatally struck by a 2023 GMC Yukon while crossing Brooklyn Avenue at Montgomery Street in Crown Heights. Police say Brod had the light. The driver, Menachem Shagalow, 65, was unlicensed and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation and failure to exercise due care. The article quotes Brod's grandson: "She was extremely independent till her last day." Brod died less than two weeks after the crash. The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians, especially from unlicensed drivers. Shagalow was released with a desk appearance ticket. The case underscores persistent gaps in enforcement and street design that leave vulnerable road users exposed.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Brooklyn Matriarch, New York Post, Published 2025-04-24

A moped and car collided on Washington Ave. The moped driver suffered hip and leg injuries. Police cite vehicular factors. The crash left the street scarred and the rider hurt.

A moped and a car crashed on Washington Ave near Park Ave in Brooklyn. The 33-year-old moped driver was injured in the hip and upper leg and reported whiplash. According to the police report, 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed to the crash. The moped was struck at the center back end, while the car was damaged at the front. The driver wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the main cause listed was vehicular error. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807248 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV struck a cyclist on DeKalb Ave. The rider suffered leg injuries. Police cite vehicular factors and confusion. No one else was hurt. The crash left the street scarred and silent.

A 21-year-old cyclist was injured after a collision with an SUV on DeKalb Ave at S Elliott Pl in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No other occupants or drivers reported injuries. The crash involved a bike, an SUV, and a sedan. Police cited vehicular factors and confusion as causes. No blame is placed on the injured cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807394 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans crashed on Park Ave in Brooklyn. Three men injured, arms and shoulders hit. Police say one driver fell asleep. Shock followed. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

Two sedans collided on Park Ave near Classon Ave in Brooklyn. Three men, ages 33, 50, and 59, suffered arm and shoulder injuries. According to the police report, one driver 'fell asleep,' causing the crash. The impact left all three injured men in shock. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the primary contributing factor. No other driver errors are noted. The crash highlights the risk when drivers lose control at the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806574 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding driver tore through a Brooklyn crosswalk. Three lives ended. One child clings to life. The car never slowed. The street became a grave. Metal and flesh collided. The city mourns. Justice waits in a courtroom.

According to NY Daily News (April 16, 2025), Miriam Yarimi drove 68 mph—nearly triple the speed limit—through a Brooklyn crosswalk, striking Natasha Saada and her three children. Prosecutors say Yarimi never braked, ran a red light, and crashed into another car before hitting the family. Saada and two daughters died; her son remains in a coma. Yarimi had a suspended license and $11,000 in unpaid violations, including 21 speed camera and five red light tickets. Brooklyn D.A. Eric Gonzalez called it 'one of the worst collisions I've ever seen on a New York City street.' Yarimi faces manslaughter and assault charges. The case highlights persistent enforcement gaps and the deadly consequences of unchecked reckless driving.

• Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Children, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-16

A driver ran a stop sign in East New York. He slammed into a school bus. His passenger died. The bus driver was hurt. The driver fled but police caught him. The street stayed stained. The system failed to protect.

According to amNY (April 10, 2025), Tyree Epps faces charges after a deadly crash at Van Sinderen and Blake avenues. Epps, unlicensed, "blew a stop sign" and struck a school bus, killing his passenger, Imani Vance, and injuring the bus driver. The article quotes Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez: "The tragic loss of Imani Vance was allegedly caused by the defendant's reckless decision to ignore a stop sign and drive at excessive speeds." Epps left the scene, tried to escape in an Uber, and was arrested after fleeing on foot. The crash was one of three fatal Brooklyn incidents that weekend. City data cited in the article shows ongoing danger: at least 15 killed in Kings County so far this year, with thousands injured, often due to driver inattention and failure to yield. The charges and details highlight persistent risks and enforcement gaps on city streets.

• Brooklyn Hit-And-Run Kills Passenger, amny, Published 2025-04-10

A school bus veered off course in Flatbush. Metal crumpled. A woman and boy fell. The boy’s arm broke. The woman’s neck and hip throbbed. The bus smashed a fence. Sirens wailed. Both survived. The driver stayed. The city’s danger remained.

ABC7 reported on April 9, 2025, that a 66-year-old school bus driver struck a 43-year-old woman and an 8-year-old boy at Bedford Avenue and Farragut Road, Brooklyn. The driver told police he 'hit the gas instead of the brakes, jumped the curb and struck the pedestrians before smashing into a fence.' The woman suffered neck and hip pain; the boy’s arm broke. Both were hospitalized and are expected to survive. No charges were immediately filed. The bus remained at the scene. The article notes the investigation is ongoing. The incident highlights risks at intersections and the consequences of driver error, especially when large vehicles enter pedestrian space.

• School Bus Jumps Curb, Hits Two Pedestrians, ABC7, Published 2025-04-09

A speeding driver with a suspended license ran a red light in Brooklyn. Her car struck a mother and two young children. All three died. The driver faced manslaughter charges. The street bore the weight of loss and metal.

NY Daily News (April 6, 2025) reports that Miriam Yarimi, driving with a suspended license for lapsed insurance, sped through a red light in Brooklyn on March 29. Her Audi struck a family, killing a mother and two small children. Police said Yarimi was 'reportedly speeding, ran a red light, and struck the family.' Prosecutors allege she told first responders she was possessed at the time. The article details Yarimi’s history as a victim of sexual abuse by a former NYPD officer, but the crash itself highlights systemic failures: a suspended license, unchecked speed, and a fatal intersection. The incident underscores persistent dangers for pedestrians and families on New York City streets.

• Brooklyn Crash Kills Mother, Two Children, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-06