Blood on the Asphalt: Deadly Streets, Empty Promises

A motorcycle slammed into a Jeep’s rear on Jackie Robinson Parkway. The rider, 43, was thrown, leg torn, blood pooling on the asphalt. Engines roared past. According to police, following too closely led to carnage. The rider lay semiconscious, bleeding, motionless.

According to the police report, a motorcycle collided with the rear of a Jeep on Jackie Robinson Parkway. The crash occurred at 1:10 p.m. The report states, 'A motorcycle slammed into the rear of a Jeep. The rider, 43, was thrown hard. Semiconscious. Leg torn. Blood pooled on hot asphalt.' The rider, the only person injured, suffered severe bleeding and was ejected from the motorcycle, sustaining significant leg injuries. The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor in the crash. The Jeep was traveling straight ahead when the motorcycle, while passing, struck its left rear quarter panel. No other contributing factors are cited in the report. The focus remains on the systemic danger posed by close following at speed on city parkways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735419, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford SUV swung wide on Grand Street. A 26-year-old cyclist struck its side, thrown hard to the asphalt. Blood pooled from his head. The SUV’s doors crumpled. The bike stood untouched. The cyclist lay conscious, pain etched on his face.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV was making a U-turn near 850 Grand Street in Brooklyn when it turned improperly and collided with a 26-year-old male cyclist traveling straight ahead. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The cyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, struck the SUV’s right side doors and was ejected from his bike, suffering a severe head injury with significant bleeding. The narrative notes, 'A Ford SUV turned wide. A 26-year-old cyclist hit the side. No helmet. Ejected. Head bleeding on the asphalt.' The SUV’s doors were bent inward from the impact, while the bike remained upright and undamaged. The cyclist was found conscious but bleeding heavily. The police report does not cite any cyclist actions as contributing factors, keeping the focus on the SUV driver's errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734444, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorscooter struck a parked SUV on Harrison Avenue. The rider, 52, flew off, landing hard. Blood pooled as he lay conscious, torn open. The scooter’s front crumpled. The street held him in the evening heat.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old man riding a motorscooter southbound on Harrison Avenue near 83rd collided with the rear of a parked SUV. The report states, 'A motorscooter slammed into the back of a parked SUV. The rider, 52, flew off. He hit the ground hard. Conscious, torn open. Blood pooled.' The scooter’s front end was crushed, and the rider was ejected, suffering severe lacerations to his entire body. Both vehicles were traveling south, with the SUV entering a parked position at the time of impact. The police report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor for both vehicles, drawing attention to the circumstances of vehicle positioning and movement. No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash left the rider injured and the street marked by violence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735660, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council calls for five mile per hour speed cap on Open Streets. The move aims to slow cars where people walk, bike, and gather. Resolution passes. Streets may breathe easier. The city pushes Albany to let it set its own pace.

Resolution 0079-2024, adopted June 6, 2024 by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, urges the State Legislature and Governor to pass S.315/A.1416. The measure would let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets in the Open Streets program. The matter title reads: 'authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program.' Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The committee approved the resolution with strong support. The bill targets streets where pedestrians and cyclists mix with traffic. Lower speeds mean fewer crashes and less severe injuries. The council’s action puts pressure on Albany to give the city the power to protect people where they are most exposed.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-06-06

Senate Bill S 9718 passed. It pushes for complete street design. The aim: safer roads for everyone. Pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers stand to gain. The vote split. Some senators said no. But the bill moved forward. Streets may change.

Senate Bill S 9718, titled "Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles," advanced through the Senate with committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) and co-sponsored by Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, passed both votes despite opposition. The measure calls for redesigning streets to protect all users, not just drivers. The vote was not unanimous—several senators voted no, but the majority carried it through. The bill’s focus is clear: safer streets for people on foot, on bikes, and in vehicles. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is to cut danger at the curb and crosswalk.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

A Vespa and Ford SUV collided head-on on Morgan Avenue. The rider, helmet split, was thrown to the pavement, blood pooling beneath him. He remained conscious, bleeding from the head, while the SUV showed no damage.

According to the police report, a Vespa and a Ford SUV collided head-on during a right turn on Morgan Avenue near Meserole Street in Brooklyn. The report states the Vespa rider, age 31, was ejected from his motorcycle, his helmet split, and he suffered severe head bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The crash occurred at 14:44. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the collision. Both vehicles were making right turns when the impact occurred, with the Vespa striking the right front quarter panel of the SUV. The SUV sustained no damage, while the Vespa was damaged at the center front end. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor, focusing instead on driver inattention as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729324, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan and SUV collided head-on at Central and Gates. A 29-year-old woman, riding in the back seat, was thrown from the wreck and died of crush injuries. Traffic control was ignored. The street fell silent. Lives changed. Metal ruled.

According to the police report, a sedan and an SUV crashed head-on at the corner of Central Avenue and Gates Avenue in Brooklyn at 6:28 a.m. The impact ejected a 29-year-old woman from the rear seat; she died from crush injuries affecting her entire body. The report states, 'Traffic control was ignored,' identifying 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when they collided. The police narrative makes clear that the drivers' failure to obey traffic controls directly led to the deadly collision. No information in the report attributes any contributing behavior to the victim. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers disregard basic traffic rules, leaving passengers and bystanders exposed to catastrophic harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727582, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A bus struck a 16-year-old cyclist head-on on Broadway. The boy flew from his bike, landing hard. His head split open, blood pooling on the street. The bus rolled away, untouched. The boy lay conscious, pain etched across his face.

According to the police report, a bus traveling west on Broadway struck a 16-year-old male cyclist head-on. The collision ejected the cyclist from his bike, resulting in severe head lacerations. The report states the bus driver was inattentive and failed to yield the right-of-way. The cyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, landed hard on the pavement and remained conscious with a torn-open head. The bus sustained no damage and continued on. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The narrative details the violence of the impact and the aftermath, emphasizing the unyielding force of the bus and the vulnerability of the young cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727033, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A northbound Mazda, driven by an unlicensed man, struck a 71-year-old woman crossing Eldert Street in a marked crosswalk. She suffered fatal crush injuries. The driver disregarded traffic control. She never regained consciousness. Brooklyn pavement claimed another life.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old woman was crossing Eldert Street near Knickerbocker Avenue in a marked crosswalk when she was struck head-on by a northbound Mazda sedan. The report states the driver was unlicensed and disregarded traffic control. The impact caused fatal crush wounds across her body, and she never regained consciousness. The crash occurred at 17:02 in Brooklyn. The police report explicitly cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The victim was crossing without a signal but within a marked crosswalk, as documented in the report. The focus remains on the unlicensed driver’s failure to yield and disregard for traffic control, underscoring the lethal consequences when drivers ignore basic rules and operate vehicles without a license.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723690, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Buick SUV turned left through a Brooklyn crosswalk, crushing a 10-year-old girl as she crossed with the signal. The driver failed to yield. Her body broke beneath the front end. She died at the scene. Systemic danger, unyielding metal.

According to the police report, a Buick SUV traveling south on Wallabout Street near Franklin Avenue struck and killed a 10-year-old girl at approximately 14:33. The vehicle was making a left turn through the crosswalk when it hit the child. The report states the girl was 'crossing with the signal' at the intersection. The driver failed to yield the right-of-way and was also cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The impact crushed the girl beneath the front end of the SUV, resulting in fatal injuries to her entire body. The police report highlights 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor, underscoring the lethal consequences of driver error and inattention. The victim’s lawful crossing is noted only after the driver’s failures.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717867, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans crashed head-on in Brooklyn. Metal tore. A 37-year-old man, driving straight, crushed his shoulder. He stayed conscious. The street fell silent, broken by pain. Failure to yield and a bad turn set the stage for injury.

Two sedans collided head-on at 267 Vandervoort Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, one sedan was making a left turn while the other went straight. The impact was severe. A 37-year-old male driver suffered a crushed shoulder but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The crash left the street quiet, marked by the sound of pain. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors. The data points to driver error as the cause of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680282, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A truck turned left on Morgan Avenue. A cyclist rode straight. Steel hit flesh. The rider, 23, flew and crashed. His leg split open. His knee burst. No helmet. Blood on blacktop. The truck kept rolling. The street stayed silent.

A truck making a left turn struck a cyclist traveling straight near 222 Morgan Avenue in Brooklyn. The 23-year-old cyclist was ejected and suffered severe injuries to his knee and lower leg, including a severe burn. According to the police report, 'A truck turned left. A bike came straight. Steel met skin. The cyclist, 23, flew. His leg tore open. His knee split.' The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but the report centers driver inattention and poor visibility as primary causes. The crash left the cyclist conscious but badly hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673366, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Jeep sped down Broadway. The woman stepped into the crosswalk, signal in her favor. Steel hit flesh. Her head struck the pavement. She died there, a life ended by a driver who failed to yield.

A 68-year-old woman was killed while crossing Broadway at Flushing Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, she was in the intersection, crossing with the signal, when a Jeep SUV traveling south did not stop. The vehicle struck her, causing fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The woman died at the scene. The data shows no mention of helmet use or signaling as factors. The crash highlights the deadly consequences when drivers do not yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4671690, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Toyota turned right on Highland Boulevard. The driver bled from his eye. The woman beside him gashed at the head. Both lived. Alcohol and speed drove the crash. Metal and flesh paid the price.

Two people were injured when a Toyota sedan crashed near Highland Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the car turned right and struck hard, leaving the driver with severe eye lacerations and the front passenger with a deep head wound. Both occupants were conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The narrative notes alcohol on their breath and speed in their wake. No other vehicles or road users were involved. The crash underscores the danger when drivers combine alcohol and speed behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668678, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Metal screamed on Atlantic Avenue. Two sedans crashed. Chaos spread. Eight vehicles tangled. A man on foot caught the storm. Blood spilled. His body cut deep. He stayed awake. The street fell silent around him.

A violent crash erupted on Atlantic Avenue near Essex Street. Two sedans collided, setting off a chain reaction that involved eight vehicles. A 35-year-old man, walking at the intersection, was struck and suffered severe lacerations across his body. According to the police report, 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' fueled the initial collision. One driver was unlicensed. The report lists no errors by the pedestrian. The force of the crash left the man conscious but badly hurt. The scene was chaos—metal, glass, and blood on the street. The police report details the carnage but does not blame the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663855, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 25-year-old cyclist lost his hand to a speeding SUV on Bleecker Street. Metal hit flesh. The crash tore bone and skin. The cyclist stayed conscious. The SUV’s front quarter struck hard. Blood marked the street. The night swallowed the sound.

A 25-year-old man riding a bike was struck by a speeding SUV on Bleecker Street near Wilson Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV’s right front quarter panel hit the cyclist, causing severe injuries: his arm was torn and his hand was amputated. The cyclist remained conscious at the scene. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report describes the SUV as a 2020 Dodge, registered in New York. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment, but the police report cites driver errors as the primary causes. The crash left the cyclist with life-changing injuries. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662790, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A garbage truck turned right on Morgan Avenue. A cyclist rode straight. The truck’s front caught him. His hand was severed. He stayed upright, awake. Blood marked the street. Helmet still on. The night was silent.

A garbage truck struck a cyclist on Morgan Avenue near Johnson Avenue. The truck turned right as the cyclist continued straight. The truck’s front quarter panel hit the cyclist, severing his hand. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The cyclist, a 50-year-old man, remained conscious and upright after the crash. He suffered an amputation to his lower arm or hand. The report notes he was wearing a helmet. No other injuries were reported. The crash left blood on the street. The truck was a 2013 Mack, registered in New York.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658658, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 21-year-old cyclist turned left on Union Avenue. An SUV slammed into him head-on. Blood pooled on the street. The bike stood still. The SUV’s front was crushed. The rider bled from the head. He survived, conscious but badly hurt.

A 21-year-old cyclist was seriously injured when a KIA SUV struck him head-on on Union Avenue near South 4th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the cyclist was making a left turn when the SUV, traveling straight, collided with him. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor. The cyclist suffered severe head lacerations and was conscious at the scene. The SUV’s front end was crushed. The police report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s error. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4659097, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man rode east on Broadway. He lost focus. The bike struck. He flew. His head hit the ground. Blood pooled. He lay conscious, bleeding in the dark. The street stayed silent. The city moved on.

A 29-year-old man riding a bike east on Broadway at Marcy Avenue crashed and was ejected from his bike. According to the police report, 'He lost focus. The bike struck. He flew. His head hit hard. Blood pooled on the pavement. He lay conscious in the dark, bleeding and alone.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The cyclist suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. The data notes he was unlicensed and wore no helmet, but these are mentioned only after the driver errors. No other vehicles or people were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657974, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A dump truck turned left on Kingsland Avenue. A woman crossed with the light. The truck did not stop. Its wheels crushed her. She died at the scene. The truck showed no damage. The street stayed silent.

A woman was killed at the corner of Kingsland Avenue and Richardson Street when a dump truck turned left and struck her as she crossed with the signal. According to the police report, the truck 'did not stop' and 'her body broke beneath its wheels.' The pedestrian died at the scene from crush injuries. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The dump truck, registered in New Jersey, showed no damage after the crash. The woman was crossing at the intersection with the light. No errors or actions by the pedestrian contributed to the crash, according to the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656161, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15