Eight Dead, No Excuses: Precinct 88’s Streets Are Killing Us

Mar 10 - A sedan turned left on Washington Avenue and hit a woman on an e-scooter head-on. She crashed to the pavement, blood running from her scalp. She stayed conscious, 29, staring skyward in Brooklyn’s night.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Washington Avenue near Myrtle Avenue made a left turn and struck an eastbound e-scooter head-on. The report states, 'The car struck her head-on. She hit the pavement hard. No helmet. Blood ran from her scalp.' The e-scooter rider, a 29-year-old woman, suffered a severe head injury and remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The sedan’s driver’s actions—turning left across the path of the oncoming e-scooter—are central to the collision. The victim was not wearing a helmet, but this is noted only after the driver errors cited by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798536 - 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 5 - A 23-year-old woman crossing Vanderbilt Avenue with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn. The vehicle failed to yield right-of-way, causing knee and lower leg injuries. The pedestrian remained conscious despite contusions and bruises.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Vanderbilt Avenue near Fulton Street in Brooklyn around 7:00 PM. A 23-year-old female pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when she was struck by a northbound SUV making a right turn. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor on the driver's part. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious with contusions and bruises. The vehicle showed no damage despite impact at the right front bumper. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The incident highlights a critical driver error in yielding to pedestrians legally crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797043 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

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 - SUV struck a 32-year-old man at Waverly Avenue. Driver’s distraction left the pedestrian with knee and leg injuries. Impact was direct. Streets remain perilous for those on foot.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male pedestrian was hit by a southbound SUV at 143 Waverly Avenue in Brooklyn. The man suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. The SUV, a 2021 Mazda, struck the pedestrian with its left front quarter panel while going straight. The driver was licensed. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. No contributing factors are listed for the pedestrian. This crash highlights the risk posed by distracted drivers to people walking in New York City.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795689 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

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 motorcycle traveling south was struck by an SUV making a U-turn on Clermont Ave in Brooklyn. The motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cite unsafe lane changing as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:26 on Clermont Ave in Brooklyn. A 26-year-old male motorcycle driver, traveling southbound, was struck by a northbound SUV making a U-turn. The point of impact was the right front bumper of both vehicles. The motorcycle driver was ejected from the vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in a severity level 3 injury. The driver reported complaints of pain or nausea and was in shock. The police report identifies 'Unsafe Lane Changing' by the SUV driver as the contributing factor to the crash. The motorcycle driver was not cited with any contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed, while the motorcycle driver held a permit and was not using any safety equipment. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper lane changes and U-turn maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795704 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Feb 22 - A cyclist struck a 76-year-old man crossing Lafayette Avenue. The man suffered a severe head injury and was found unconscious. Police cite driver inattention as the cause.

According to the police report, a cyclist traveling east on Lafayette Avenue struck a 76-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing the street. The pedestrian suffered a severe head injury, was unconscious at the scene, and sustained fractures and dislocations. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor. The cyclist was going straight and hit the pedestrian with the center front end of the bike. No damage was reported to the bike. The incident highlights the danger posed by inattentive cyclists to vulnerable pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795351 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

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 15 - Two sedans collided on Myrtle Ave in Brooklyn. A distracted driver struck the rear of another slowing vehicle. Both drivers and a passenger suffered injuries, including head and shoulder trauma. The crash exposed dangers of inattention behind the wheel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:58 PM on Myrtle Ave in Brooklyn. Two sedans traveling west collided when one vehicle, driven by a licensed female driver, was going straight ahead and struck the left rear bumper of a slowing or stopping sedan driven by a licensed male driver. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The male driver and a 26-year-old female passenger in his vehicle were injured, suffering head and shoulder injuries respectively, and were reported to be in shock. The collision caused damage to the left rear bumper of the second sedan, while the first vehicle showed no damage. The report highlights driver distraction as the primary cause, with no other contributing factors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794226 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Feb 14 - Two sedans collided on Willoughby Street in Brooklyn. Both vehicles were parked before impact. The female driver of one sedan suffered a back injury and contusions. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans were involved in a collision on Willoughby Street, Brooklyn, at 17:35. Both vehicles were parked prior to the crash. The driver of one sedan, a 39-year-old woman, sustained a back injury and contusions but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, cited twice for the injured driver. Both vehicles sustained damage to their left rear bumpers. The female driver was wearing a lap belt at the time. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was noted as contributing. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792708 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Feb 14 - Two drivers collided on Lafayette Avenue. Both suffered head injuries and whiplash. Distraction behind the wheel caused the crash. The impact left both conscious but hurt.

According to the police report, two vehicles collided at 14:31 on Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2015 Nissan sedan struck the rear of a 2012 Honda SUV, both traveling eastbound. Both drivers, a 50-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman, sustained head injuries and whiplash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No other contributing factors are cited. Both drivers remained conscious and were not ejected. The crash highlights the danger of distraction at the wheel, resulting in injuries to both drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792709 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Feb 8 - A sedan traveling north on Washington Avenue collided with a bicyclist heading east at Willoughby Avenue. The cyclist was ejected and suffered upper arm injuries, left in shock and pain. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Washington Avenue struck a bicyclist traveling east near Willoughby Avenue in Brooklyn at 4:31 a.m. The point of impact was the sedan's left front quarter panel and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his shoulder and upper arm, resulting in complaints of pain and nausea and emotional shock. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in interactions with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791847 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Feb 7 - A 63-year-old woman was injured crossing Cumberland Street with the signal when a sedan making a left turn failed to yield right-of-way. The impact caused abrasions and lower leg injuries, highlighting driver failure as the critical factor.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Cumberland Street made a left turn and struck a 63-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. The report lists no pedestrian errors contributing to the crash. This collision underscores the danger posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791039 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Feb 5 - A taxi struck a bicycle from behind on Fulton Street in Brooklyn. The bike passenger suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. The crash occurred as the bike was stopped in traffic and the taxi was moving straight ahead, causing severe impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:53 on Fulton Street in Brooklyn. A taxi traveling eastbound struck a bicycle from behind. The bike was stopped in traffic, while the taxi was going straight ahead. The impact was to the center front end of the taxi and the center back end of the bike. The bike passenger, a 48-year-old female, was injured with fractures and dislocations to her knee and lower leg. The police report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor but does not specify victim fault. The report highlights the taxi driver's failure to maintain safe distance or control, leading to the rear-end collision. No other driver errors or victim behaviors are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791037 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

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 18 - A tractor truck struck the left side of an SUV traveling west on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The SUV driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cite failure to yield right-of-way and other vehicular factors as causes of the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:50 on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway involving a tractor truck and an SUV, both traveling west. The tractor truck impacted the right rear bumper of the SUV, striking the SUV's left side doors and causing damage there. The SUV driver, a 45-year-old male, was injured with back trauma and whiplash but was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. The driver was using a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes, highlighting driver error on the part of the SUV operator. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The tractor truck showed no damage, indicating the impact was primarily to the SUV's side.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787174 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jan 18 - A tractor truck struck the left side doors of an SUV traveling westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The SUV driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead when the collision occurred at night.

According to the police report, a tractor truck diesel and a station wagon/SUV collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at 21:50. The tractor truck, traveling westbound, impacted the left side doors of the SUV, which was also traveling westbound. The SUV driver, a 45-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained back injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors for both the driver and occupant, indicating driver errors related to vehicle operation. The tractor truck showed no damage, while the SUV sustained damage to its left side doors. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790583 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jan 16 - A northbound SUV struck an e-bike on Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn. The bicyclist suffered bruises and arm injuries but remained conscious. Both vehicles were traveling straight when impact occurred on their right and left front quarters, respectively.

According to the police report, a 2020 Honda SUV and an e-bike were both traveling northbound on Vanderbilt Avenue near 331 Vanderbilt Ave in Brooklyn at 12:45. The SUV's right front quarter panel collided with the e-bike's left side doors. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists the bicyclist's contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of impact, indicating a collision without clear driver fault noted in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09