Brooklyn Bleeds: Elderly Killed, Promises Broken, Streets Still Deadly

A man on a bike slammed into a parked SUV’s door on Schenectady Avenue. He flew headfirst, blood pooling, skin scorched by the street. The SUV’s door buckled. He lay broken but conscious, the city’s danger etched in flesh.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old man riding a bike collided with the left side doors of a parked SUV near 296 Schenectady Avenue in Brooklyn at 10:09 a.m. The report describes the cyclist being ejected from his bike, landing headfirst, and suffering severe burns and a head injury. The SUV’s door was folded inward from the impact. The police report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors to the crash. The narrative details blood on the pavement and the cyclist lying conscious but broken. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is listed after the driver errors and contributing factors. The focus remains on the systemic dangers and driver actions that led to this violent collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736603, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Steel met flesh on Linden Boulevard before dawn. An SUV tore into a cyclist’s leg. Blood pooled. Bone split. The man stayed conscious, pain sharp and immediate. The SUV rolled on, untouched. The street bore the wound.

A cyclist traveling east on Linden Boulevard was struck by a northbound SUV just before 2 a.m., according to the police report. The report describes the impact in stark terms: 'Steel struck his leg. Flesh tore. Blood pooled on the street.' The 29-year-old man suffered severe lacerations and a split bone in his lower leg but did not lose consciousness. The SUV sustained no damage, and the driver’s actions are listed as 'Unspecified' in the police data. The report does not cite any contributing factors beyond the collision itself. No mention is made of cyclist behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the force of the SUV against the unprotected body of the cyclist, underscoring the systemic danger faced by vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731511, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Steel tore at Flatbush and Church. A truck turned left, a sedan turned right. Metal crumpled. A woman and a man trapped inside, necks twisted, pain sharp. The view was blocked. Both survived, but the wounds lingered.

At the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Church Avenue in Brooklyn, a collision between a truck and a sedan left two people injured, according to the police report. The crash occurred late in the morning as the truck was making a left turn and the sedan was making a right turn. The report states, 'Steel tore. A woman, 25, and a man, 41, crushed inside. Necks twisted. Conscious. Hurt.' Both vehicles suffered significant damage, with the trailer of the truck struck and the sedan's front crumpled. The police report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors, with driver inattention and distraction also noted. The report emphasizes that the drivers' improper lane usage and limited visibility directly contributed to the crash. No mention is made of any actions by the injured occupants that contributed to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729718, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

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 2023 Honda sedan turned right on East New York Avenue and struck a 29-year-old man head-on. His head absorbed the impact. He lay unconscious, the street silent, his injuries severe and the night unyielding.

According to the police report, a 2023 Honda sedan was making a right turn on East New York Avenue when it struck a 29-year-old pedestrian head-on. The report states the point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, with damage to the right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to the head and was found unconscious at the scene. The incident occurred at 3:29 a.m. The contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified' in the report, but the narrative confirms the driver turned and hit the pedestrian directly. The victim was not at an intersection at the time of the crash. No driver errors are explicitly named beyond the act of turning and striking a pedestrian head-on. The report does not attribute any contributing behaviors to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727610, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 39-year-old man died beneath the streetlights of Atlantic Avenue. First struck by a box truck, then an SUV, his head shattered, bones crushed. Alone, far from the crosswalk, he became another casualty of unchecked steel and speed.

A deadly crash unfolded midblock on Atlantic Avenue when a 39-year-old man stepped into the roadway and was struck by two vehicles, according to the police report. The report states, 'The box truck hit him first. The SUV followed. Head shattered. Bones crushed. He died there, beneath the streetlights, far from the crosswalk, alone on the asphalt.' Both vehicles—a box truck and a sport utility vehicle—were traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both drivers, offering no further detail on specific driver errors. The pedestrian was crossing the street at a location not marked by a signal or crosswalk, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the lethal impact of large vehicles moving unchecked through city streets, leaving a man dead and unanswered questions in their wake.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727579, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans met steel to steel at 8th Avenue and Union. Both drivers distracted. Metal folded. A 46-year-old man, unbelted, crushed at the knee. The street fell silent, bearing the cost of inattention.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on at the corner of 8th Avenue and Union Street in Brooklyn at 20:14. Both vehicles were traveling straight when the crash occurred. The report states, "Both drivers distracted." The impact left a 46-year-old male driver with severe crush injuries to his knee and lower leg. The police report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor for both drivers. The injured man was not wearing a seatbelt, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. Additionally, a 41-year-old female front passenger suffered chest injuries and a concussion. The narrative describes the aftermath: "Metal folded. A 46-year-old man, unbelted, crushed at the knee. Both drivers distracted. The street fell quiet, holding the weight of what could not be undone." The collision underscores the danger when drivers lose focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727274, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan turned right on East New York Avenue. A 57-year-old woman crossed with the signal. Steel caught her arm, bones crushed. She stayed awake. The car was clean. The pavement, not. The intersection marked another wound.

According to the police report, a sedan making a right turn at East New York Avenue and East 95th Street struck a 57-year-old woman as she crossed the intersection with the signal. The report states, 'A sedan turned right. A woman, 57, crossed with the signal. Steel caught her arm. Bones crushed.' The woman suffered crush injuries to her lower arm and remained conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage, but the impact left the pavement marked. The police report lists the driver’s pre-crash action as 'Making Right Turn,' and contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The victim’s behavior—crossing with the signal—is noted only to clarify she followed the law. The crash underscores the lethal risk posed to pedestrians by turning vehicles at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727402, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Toyota sedan reversed on Rutland Road. Its rear bumper struck a 73-year-old woman. Her leg split open. Blood stained the pavement. The car sat untouched. Flesh did not.

According to the police report, a 2014 Toyota sedan was backing up near 463 Rutland Road in Brooklyn when its rear bumper struck a 73-year-old woman. The collision caused severe lacerations to her knee and lower leg, leaving her conscious but badly injured as blood pooled on the street. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The vehicle itself sustained no damage. The pedestrian’s actions are not cited as contributing to the crash. The incident underscores the lethal consequences when drivers reverse without proper attention, especially in areas where pedestrians are present.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726196, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Steel front met soft flesh on Coney Island Avenue. A 17-year-old cyclist thrown, body broken, shock in his eyes. The SUV did not stop. Pavement held him. Blood pooled. Sirens followed. The city’s danger pressed down, hard and cold.

A 17-year-old boy riding a bike was struck by a station wagon/SUV at Park Circle and Coney Island Avenue, according to the police report. The crash occurred as both vehicles were 'going straight ahead.' The cyclist was ejected and suffered severe lacerations and injuries to his entire body. The police report describes the impact as 'steel front met soft flesh,' with the teen thrown hard and left in shock. The SUV's center front end struck the cyclist, causing the bike to overturn. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, but does not cite any specific driver error. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the details of the crash and the SUV's involvement. The focus remains on the violent collision and the systemic dangers faced by vulnerable road users at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720231, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An SUV swung right on Rutland Road, cutting across an e-scooter’s path. The rider, twenty-four, struck headfirst, thrown and torn open. Blood pooled on the pavement while the SUV sat untouched. The street bore the mark of impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred near 617 Rutland Road in Brooklyn at 15:30. An SUV made a right turn while an e-scooter, operated by a 24-year-old man, continued straight. The report states the e-scooter rider 'struck headfirst,' was 'ejected,' and suffered 'severe lacerations' to the head, bleeding on the pavement but remaining conscious. The SUV sustained no damage and its driver was uninjured. The police report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, drawing attention to the systemic danger of limited sightlines at this location. The SUV driver’s action—turning across the path of a straight-traveling e-scooter—created a deadly conflict. No victim behavior is cited as a contributing factor in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716119, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 52-year-old man lay bleeding on Eastern Parkway, head struck by a Nissan sedan. The driver, unlicensed and inattentive, left the street empty but for silence and blood. Metal crumpled. The man did not move.

A 52-year-old pedestrian suffered a severe head injury and lay unconscious on Eastern Parkway after being struck head-on by a 2012 Nissan sedan, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 3:18 a.m. The report states the driver was unlicensed and operating a vehicle registered in Pennsylvania. The car's left front quarter panel was crushed from the impact. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The narrative describes the victim bleeding in the road, unmoving, after the collision. No contributing factors are attributed to the pedestrian. The police report makes clear the driver's lack of a valid license and inattention were central to this crash, underscoring the systemic danger posed by unlicensed, inattentive drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713356, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 46-year-old man riding east on Atlantic Avenue struck an object head-on. His skull bore the force. He died at the scene. Police cite driver inattention. The night swallowed another life on Brooklyn’s streets.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old man was operating a Fly Wing moped eastbound on Atlantic Avenue at Kingston Avenue in Brooklyn when he collided head-on with an object. The report states the impact was to the center front end of the moped, causing fatal head injuries to the driver, who died at the scene. The police explicitly list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. The narrative underscores that the victim’s skull took the brunt of the blow. No other vehicles or persons are reported involved. The report does not specify the use of any safety equipment by the victim, nor does it list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the systemic danger posed by driver distraction, as detailed in the official police account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710249, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi driver’s distraction at Utica Avenue and East New York Avenue sent a 31-year-old motorcyclist flying, face torn and bleeding, helmetless on the pavement. The street stood silent as the crash’s violence echoed in the winter air.

A violent collision unfolded at the corner of Utica Avenue and East New York Avenue when a ZHILONG motorcycle slammed into the front of a taxi, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 13:46. The 31-year-old motorcycle rider was ejected, landing on the street with severe facial lacerations and bleeding, but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, pointing directly to the actions of the taxi driver. The report does not cite any contributing behaviors by the motorcyclist beyond noting that he was not wearing a helmet. The impact and aftermath left the street in stunned silence, underscoring the consequences of driver distraction in New York City’s dense traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697033, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Seven Brooklyn officials urge DOT to clear cars from corners. They want boulders, planters, and bike corrals—not just paint. Their call follows deadly crashes. They press the city to use state law and federal funds. DOT promises review. Advocates back the push.

On January 17, 2024, seven Brooklyn elected officials—including Council Member Shahana Hanif, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Members Marcela Mitaynes, Jo Anne Simon, Robert Carroll, and State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Andrew Gounardes—issued a joint letter to the NYC Department of Transportation. They called for 'universal daylighting with hardened materials such as boulders, planters, and bike corrals' at intersections. The officials cited recent fatal crashes and urged the city to opt into a state law banning parking within 20 feet of corners. They want federal funds used for these changes. The group opposes DOT’s slow pace and reliance on paint, demanding physical barriers. Community board leaders and advocates support the move. DOT says it will review the letter and remains committed to evidence-based daylighting.

• Seven Brooklyn Electeds Join Growing Calls For Universal Daylighting, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-17

A sedan slammed into a 56-year-old man on Flatbush Avenue at Lincoln Road. He crossed with the signal. The car’s front end struck him. He lay unconscious, body crushed. The driver failed to yield. The street bore the mark of impact.

A sedan struck a 56-year-old man as he crossed Flatbush Avenue at Lincoln Road with the signal. According to the police report, 'A sedan struck a 56-year-old man crossing with the signal. He lay unconscious, his body crushed. The car’s front end bore the mark. The driver did not yield.' The crash left the pedestrian unconscious with crush injuries to his entire body. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The man was in the crosswalk, following the signal, when the southbound sedan hit him head-on. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686988, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man rode north on Rogers Avenue. The pavement broke beneath him. He flew from his e-bike. His head struck the street. Blood pooled on the asphalt. He died there, alone, in the morning light.

A 37-year-old man riding an e-bike north on Rogers Avenue was killed after hitting defective pavement. According to the police report, the rider was ejected from his bike, struck his head, and died from severe bleeding. The report lists 'Pavement Defective' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash caused fatal head injuries. The police note the rider was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the systemic hazard of broken pavement. No other vehicles or people were involved. The street failed him. The city failed him.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692318, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan turned on Ocean Avenue. It hit a 90-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She fell. Blood streaked her face. The car kept moving. She lay there, conscious, head cut and wounded, the street cold and hard beneath her.

A 90-year-old woman was struck head-on by a sedan while crossing Ocean Avenue at Parkside Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when the sedan, making a right turn, hit her. She suffered severe lacerations and a head injury but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan. The woman was not at fault; she was following the signal. The crash left her bleeding and wounded in the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687736, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pickup truck moved east on Atlantic Avenue. The driver lost focus. The truck struck. In the back seat, a four-year-old boy bled out. Belt fastened. Airbag deployed. Nothing stopped the dying. Brooklyn lost another child to the street.

A pickup truck driven by a permit holder struck with its front on Atlantic Avenue near Brooklyn Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive or distracted. In the back seat, a four-year-old boy suffered severe bleeding and died. He was wearing a seatbelt and the airbag deployed. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The child, a rear passenger, was not ejected. The crash left the boy dead and exposed the deadly risk faced by passengers, even when safety equipment is used. The system failed to protect him.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678116, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs crashed at New York Avenue and Herkimer Street. A 79-year-old woman, crossing with the signal, was struck and killed. She lay broken in the crosswalk. The drivers failed to yield. The light was green. The right-of-way was hers.

A deadly crash unfolded at New York Avenue and Herkimer Street in Brooklyn. Two SUVs collided. According to the police report, a 79-year-old woman was crossing with the signal when the vehicles struck her. She suffered fatal crush injuries to her entire body. The report states, “The light was green. The right-of-way was hers.” Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The woman was in the crosswalk, following the signal. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The drivers’ errors led to a fatal outcome for a vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676203, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15