Recent severe crashes

1. Bus Driver Fatally Hits 9-Year-Old in Williamsburg 2026-05-01T08:16:00+00:00
   LEE AVE
   Joel or Yoel Jacobowitz, 9, was crossing on his way to school when he was killed in a Williamsburg crash with a bus driver making a left turn; official crash records list failure to yield.
   On the morning of May 1, 2026, a bus driver making a left turn at Lee Avenue and Lorimer Street in Williamsburg hit a 9-year-old boy who was crossing the street. The city crash record lists failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor and records one pedestrian death. Police accounts reported by multiple newsrooms said the 49-year-old school bus driver initially continued driving, then returned after being told what had happened. Reports identified the child as Joel Jacobowitz or Yoel Jacobowitz, and differed on whether he was pronounced dead at the scene or at a hospital. News accounts said no charges had been filed as investigators continued. Local officials and residents focused on the five-way intersection, which had recently been under construction and lacked clear crosswalk and street markings.
2. Driver Charged After Brooklyn Hit-Run Kills Joshua Germain 2026-02-15T00:16:00+00:00
   VANDERVOORT AVE
   Joshua Germain, 31, a gospel drummer and father, was fatally injured after a driver hit him near Vandervoort and Maspeth avenues in Brooklyn a little after midnight Feb. 15, 2026.
   Joshua Germain, 31, was fatally injured after a driver hit him near Vandervoort and Maspeth avenues in Brooklyn just after midnight on Feb. 15, 2026. The city crash record lists one pedestrian death and driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. The New York Post, citing police, reported that Gregory Ventura was driving a Nissan Murano, left the scene and surrendered in June, when he was charged with criminally negligent homicide. The Post also reported that Germain was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center and died on Feb. 20.
3. Distracted Driver Hits Cyclist in Brooklyn 2026-06-05T06:20:00+00:00
   340 METROPOLITAN AVE
   A distracted driver hit a 29-year-old cyclist near 340 Metropolitan Ave. Her elbow and lower arm were fractured and dislocated.
   According to the police report, a driver in a sedan hit a 29-year-old woman riding a bicycle near 340 Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn at 6:20 a.m. on June 5, 2026. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The cyclist suffered reported fracture, distortion and dislocation injuries to her elbow, lower arm and hand.
4. Motorcycle driver turned, hit cyclist 2026-06-02T09:50:00+00:00
   KENT AVE
   A motorcycle driver turned right at Kent Avenue and S 2nd Street and hit a 32-year-old cyclist going straight. Police recorded improper passing or lane use.
   According to the police report, a motorcycle driver making a right turn at Kent Avenue and S 2nd Street hit a 32-year-old bicyclist who was going straight. The bicyclist suffered severe lacerations to the elbow, lower arm, or hand and was listed as ejected and conscious. Police recorded improper passing or lane use and “Other Vehicular” as contributing factors.
5. Left-Turning Driver Hits Moped Rider 2026-05-28T20:45:00+00:00
   629 GRAND ST
   A driver making a left turn hit a 23-year-old moped rider near 629 Grand Street after dark. The rider reported crush injuries to his leg and foot.
   According to the police report, at 8:45 p.m. on May 28, 2026, a driver making a left turn and a 23-year-old moped rider going straight collided near 629 Grand Street in Brooklyn. The rider, a 23-year-old man, was listed as injured with crush injuries to the knee, lower leg and foot. Other occupants were listed; the report does not describe their injuries.