Crash Count for SD 21
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 8,376
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 5,655
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 966
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 79
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 19
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 26, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in SD 21?

Brooklyn Bleeds While Politicians Stall

Brooklyn Bleeds While Politicians Stall

SD 21: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 19, 2025

The Death Toll Grows

In Senate District 21, the road takes its due. Eighteen people killed. Seventy-one left with serious injuries. More than 8,000 crashes since 2022. The numbers do not flinch. They do not care about age. Children, elders, mothers, sons. The street does not choose.

Just last week, two men died crossing a Brooklyn intersection. The driver fled. Neighbors spoke plain: “Drivers speed on that stretch of roadway” (CBS New York). A 90-year-old man was struck by a moped and left to die. Security video showed the moment. The driver kept going (CBS New York).

SUVs and sedans do the most harm. In this district, cars and SUVs killed eight, trucks and buses killed four, motorcycles and mopeds killed none, and bikes killed none. The dead do not get to ask why.

Leadership: Votes and Silence

State Senator Kevin Parker has voted for bills to curb repeat speeders and extend school speed zones. He said yes to the Stop Super Speeders Act, which would force the worst offenders to slow down (Open States). He voted to keep speed cameras near schools. These are steps. But the blood on the street says more is needed.

In 2022, safe streets groups called out Parker for ignoring their calls. They wanted more protected bike lanes, better bus routes, and a voice for the dead and injured (Streetsblog NYC). The record is mixed. The danger is not.

The Work Ahead

Every crash is preventable. The city has the power to lower speed limits to 20 mph. The state can force repeat speeders off the road. But laws mean nothing if leaders do not act, and if the public does not demand it.

Call your senator. Call your council member. Demand safer streets. Do not wait for another name on the list. The dead cannot speak. The living must.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the New York State Senate and how does it work?
The New York State Senate is the upper chamber of the state legislature, responsible for making laws and overseeing statewide policy. Senators represent districts and vote on bills that affect all New Yorkers.
Where does SD 21 sit politically?
It belongs to borough Brooklyn, city council district District 45 and assembly district AD 41. Crash data is available from NYC Open Data.
Which areas are in SD 21?
What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in SD 21?
Cars and SUVs killed 8 people and caused hundreds of injuries. Trucks and buses killed 4 people. Motorcycles and mopeds caused 0 deaths and 18 injuries. Bikes caused 0 deaths and 10 injuries. See NYC Open Data.
Are these crashes just accidents, or are they preventable?
Every crash is preventable. Lower speeds, better street design, and stronger enforcement can save lives.
What can local politicians do to make streets safer?
They can lower speed limits, support automated enforcement, redesign dangerous streets, and pass laws to get repeat dangerous drivers off the road.
What is CrashCount?
We’re a tool for helping hold local politicians and other actors accountable for their failure to protect you when you’re walking or cycling in NYC. We update our site constantly to provide you with up to date information on what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Citations

Citations

Fix the Problem

Kevin Parker
State Senator Kevin Parker
District 21
District Office:
3021 Tilden Ave. 1st Floor & Basement, Brooklyn, NY 11226
Legislative Office:
Room 504, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247

Other Representatives

Kalman Yeger
Assembly Member Kalman Yeger
District 41
District Office:
3520 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11229
Legislative Office:
Room 324, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Farah N. Louis
Council Member Farah N. Louis
District 45
District Office:
1434 Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11210
718-629-2900
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1831, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6859
Twitter: FarahNLouis
Other Geographies

SD 21 Senate District 21 sits in Brooklyn, Precinct 63, District 45, AD 41.

It contains Kensington, Flatbush, Flatbush (West)-Ditmas Park-Parkville, East Flatbush-Erasmus, East Flatbush-Farragut, East Flatbush-Rugby, Holy Cross Cemetery, Flatlands, Marine Park-Mill Basin-Bergen Beach, Brooklyn CB17, Brooklyn CB14, Brooklyn CB18.

See also
Boroughs
City Council Districts
State_assembly_districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Senate District 21

Head-On Collision Shatters Snyder Avenue Calm

Two sedans slammed head-on near Schenectady. Parked cars crumpled. A young man, half-ejected, crushed across the wheel. Airbag limp. Eyes open. The street silent, broken glass everywhere. Brooklyn’s night split by steel and pain.

Two sedans collided head-on on Snyder Avenue near Schenectady Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, parked cars were struck and shattered. A 25-year-old male driver suffered crush injuries and was partially ejected from his vehicle. He was found conscious, his body broken across the wheel, with the airbag deployed. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for the crash. No specific driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield are noted in the data. The impact left the street littered with debris and silence. No blame is assigned to the injured driver.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643034 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Speeding Sedan Strikes Elderly Pedestrian on Utica

A sedan sped down Utica Avenue. It hit a 63-year-old man crossing the street. Blood pooled. Parked cars crumpled. The man suffered a head wound. The street fell silent. Unsafe speed left its mark.

A 63-year-old man was crossing Utica Avenue near 1656 when a speeding sedan struck him in the head. According to the police report, 'A 63-year-old man, crossing without a signal, struck in the head by a speeding sedan. Blood pooled on the street. Parked cars crumpled.' The crash left the pedestrian with severe lacerations and a serious head injury. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. Several parked vehicles were damaged in the impact. The data shows no other contributing factors from the pedestrian. The crash underscores the danger of speeding vehicles to people on foot.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4635124 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Bus Strikes Cyclist on Cortelyou Road

A bus hit a cyclist on Cortelyou Road. The rider flew, face-first, into the street. Blood pooled. His breath came ragged. Driver inattention and following too closely marked the crash. The cyclist, 27, suffered severe facial bleeding. No helmet listed.

A bus traveling west on Cortelyou Road near East 17th Street in Brooklyn struck a cyclist. The impact threw the 27-year-old rider to the pavement, causing severe facial bleeding and leaving him incoherent. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' contributed to the crash. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported among vehicle occupants. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists when large vehicles fail to pay attention or keep safe distance. The police report makes no mention of any error by the cyclist.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4623119 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Slams Into SUV on Avenue L

A sedan hit the back of an SUV on Avenue L. Metal bent. A 28-year-old man’s shoulder was crushed. Another passenger hurt his back. Both stayed conscious. No pedestrians. No cyclists. The street stayed open. The city moved on.

A sedan struck the rear quarter of an eastbound SUV near East 53rd Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a 28-year-old man in the front seat suffered crush injuries to his shoulder but remained conscious. Another passenger sustained back injuries. Both vehicles were traveling straight. The sedan’s right front bumper hit the SUV’s right rear quarter panel. The police report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. Both injured passengers wore lap belts. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left two men hurt and metal twisted, but the report gives no further detail on the cause.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610343 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Slams Pedestrian on Newkirk Avenue

A 68-year-old man bled from the head on Newkirk Avenue. An SUV’s front end crumpled. Unsafe speed shattered the calm. The man drifted, semiconscious, on the asphalt. The street stood still, marked by violence and silence.

A 68-year-old pedestrian was struck by a station wagon/SUV on Newkirk Avenue near East 21st Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the man suffered a severe head injury, was semiconscious, and bled onto the roadway. The SUV’s front end was caved in from the impact. Police list 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. No other driver errors were reported. Two vehicle occupants, a 62-year-old man and an infant, were uninjured. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash left a vulnerable road user gravely hurt, exposing the lethal risk of speed on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609583 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Kills Woman in Brooklyn Crosswalk

A Toyota SUV hit a 50-year-old woman in a Brooklyn crosswalk. Her head struck the bumper. She died on the street. Traffic moved on. The driver stayed. Another life lost to steel and speed.

A 50-year-old woman died after a northbound Toyota SUV struck her as she crossed East 21st Street near Ditmas Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A 50-year-old woman stepped into the crosswalk against the light. A northbound Toyota SUV struck her. Her head hit the bumper. She died there, on the pavement, as traffic rolled past.' The impact caused fatal head injuries. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'unspecified.' The SUV's right front bumper was damaged. The driver, a 58-year-old man, was licensed and remained at the scene. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606531 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Unlicensed Driver Plows BMW Into Ten Parked Cars

A young, unlicensed woman tore down Nostrand Avenue before dawn. She slammed a BMW into ten parked cars. Her head bled. A child in the front seat suffered chest pain. Metal screamed. The street woke to carnage and inexperience.

A BMW sedan, driven by an unlicensed woman, crashed into ten parked vehicles on Nostrand Avenue before sunrise. According to the police report, the driver was young, unlicensed, and wore no seatbelt. Her head was bleeding, but she remained conscious. A child passenger in the front seat, also unrestrained, suffered chest pain and nausea. The crash left a trail of damaged sedans, SUVs, and a van. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The absence of seatbelts for both driver and child is noted only after driver errors. No other violations or contributing factors are cited.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605851 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
2
Defective Brakes Send Car Into Stopped Sedans

A Toyota’s brakes failed on Coney Island Avenue. The car slammed into two stopped sedans. Metal twisted. A 51-year-old man’s face was crushed. Children and adults hurt. Sirens cut the night. The street echoed with pain and steel.

On Coney Island Avenue near Avenue C in Brooklyn, a Toyota sedan’s brakes failed and it crashed into two sedans stopped in traffic. According to the police report, 'A Toyota’s brakes failed. It plowed into two stopped sedans. Metal crumpled. A 51-year-old man sat belted, his face crushed. Six others waited in silence, the night split by sirens and bent steel.' The report lists 'Brakes Defective' as the contributing factor. Injuries included a 51-year-old man with facial crush injuries, a 79-year-old woman with a fractured leg, and several children and adults with pain to the head, back, and legs. The crash left at least seven people injured. No driver or passenger actions contributed except for the mechanical failure noted.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606313 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Turns Right, Strikes Woman Crossing Avenue K

A northbound SUV turned right on Avenue K. It struck a 61-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered a head wound. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious. The SUV was undamaged. The bleeding would not stop.

A 61-year-old woman was crossing Avenue K with the signal when a northbound SUV turned right and struck her. According to the police report, she suffered a head wound and severe bleeding, but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV, driven by a 64-year-old woman, was undamaged. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was not at an intersection but was crossing with the signal. No helmet or signal violations were listed. The crash left the pedestrian injured and the vehicle unharmed.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591101 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
BMW Turns Left, Strikes Elderly Pedestrian

A BMW turned left on Flatbush Avenue. Its bumper hit a 70-year-old man in the head. He fell. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed conscious. The driver was distracted. The man bled on the pavement. The crash left him injured.

A BMW sedan, making a left turn at Flatbush Avenue and Avenue N in Brooklyn, struck a 70-year-old man walking through the intersection. According to the police report, 'The bumper strikes his head. He falls. Blood pools on the pavement. He is conscious. He bleeds. The driver was distracted.' The pedestrian suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The driver’s distraction led to the impact. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention any helmet or signal use as a factor.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4593249 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
2
Speeding Sedan Hits Children at School Bus Stop

A Mercedes sped down Avenue J. It struck five pedestrians—four children and a woman—near a stopped school bus. Blood pooled. A 5-year-old girl took the hit to her head. All stayed conscious. The car’s front end bore the mark.

Five pedestrians, including four children ages 1, 3, 5, and 8, and a 33-year-old woman, were struck and injured by a speeding Mercedes sedan on Avenue J near New York Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash happened as the victims were going to or from a stopped school bus. The 5-year-old girl suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. The 8-year-old girl reported abdominal pain. The 3-year-old and 1-year-old boys had visible injuries but remained conscious. The adult woman suffered fractures and dislocation. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The sedan’s front end was damaged in the impact. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4586889 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
BMW Slams Parked Toyota on Avenue L

A BMW tore into a parked Toyota on Avenue L. Metal twisted. The driver, thirty-one, felt the crush. The street fell silent. Pain lingered. Unsafe speed and inexperience left bodies hurt and cars broken in Brooklyn’s quiet midday.

A BMW sedan crashed into a parked Toyota on Avenue L at East 59th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the BMW driver, age 31, was alone and suffered crush injuries to his entire body. Several occupants were listed as injured or with unspecified injuries. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The BMW’s left front bumper struck the Toyota’s left rear bumper. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left the street quiet, with only the sound of pain remaining. The police report makes clear that driver inexperience and unsafe speed led to the violent impact.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4586227 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Diesel Truck Turns, Pedestrian Crushed on Caton Avenue

A diesel truck turned right on Caton Avenue. Its trailer caught a man, 47. His head was crushed. His body broke. He died in the streetlight’s shadow. The truck kept moving. Driver inattention marked the scene. The street stayed silent.

A 47-year-old man was killed on Caton Avenue near Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a diesel tractor truck turned right and its trailer struck the pedestrian, crushing his head and body. He died at the scene. The crash involved a truck and a sedan, both making right turns. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other injuries were reported. The data does not list any helmet or signal use as a factor. The deadly impact and driver inattention underline the danger faced by pedestrians on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580430 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Turns Left, Pedestrian Torn on Avenue K

A sedan turned left at Avenue K and East 59th. A woman crossed in the marked crosswalk. Steel struck flesh. Her body broke. Blood marked the street. She stayed awake. The car was untouched. She was not.

A woman, age 45, was struck and severely injured by a sedan while crossing Avenue K at East 59th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, she was in the marked crosswalk when the sedan turned left and hit her. The report states: 'Steel met flesh. Her body torn. Blood smeared the street. She stayed awake. The car was whole. She was not.' The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to her entire body. The crash data lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s occupants. The driver, age 62, was licensed and wore a seatbelt. The car sustained no damage.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580906 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Distracted SUV Crushes Pedestrian on Flatbush

A distracted SUV driver struck a man crossing Flatbush Avenue. The impact crushed the man’s leg. The driver did not stop. The SUV showed no damage. The man lay broken but conscious on the street. The crash left pain and silence.

A 36-year-old man was crossing Flatbush Avenue when a southbound SUV hit him head-on. According to the police report, 'A man crossed without a signal. A southbound SUV struck him head-on. His leg was crushed. The driver, distracted, kept going.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV, a 2021 model, showed no damage. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The driver’s actions and lack of attention led directly to the severe injury. No other injuries were reported among vehicle occupants or witnesses.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575155 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Bus Turns, Kills Elderly Woman Crossing Flatbush

A bus turned left on Flatbush Avenue. Its front end struck a 79-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She died under the weight. The street bore witness. The machine rolled on. The city swallowed another life.

A 79-year-old woman was killed while crossing Flatbush Avenue at Glenwood Road. According to the police report, a bus making a left turn struck her with its front end as she crossed with the signal. The report lists 'Oversized Vehicle' as a contributing factor. The woman suffered fatal injuries to her entire body and died at the scene. The bus driver, a 46-year-old man, was not injured. No other injuries were reported. The data highlights the danger posed by large vehicles in city streets. The victim was following the signal when struck.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4573615 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Cyclist Killed After Driver Ignores Signs in Brooklyn

A woman rode south on New York Avenue. A driver failed to yield. Traffic signs meant nothing. She was struck, thrown from her bike. Her head hit the pavement. She died under the streetlights. The city lost another cyclist.

A 53-year-old woman riding a bike southbound on New York Avenue at Cortelyou Road was killed. According to the police report, she was struck and ejected from her bike, suffering fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver ignored traffic signs and did not yield, leading to the deadly impact. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary causes were driver errors. No other injuries were reported. The crash marks another fatal toll for Brooklyn’s streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4566835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
2
Head-On Sedan Collision Pins Two Drivers

Steel screamed on Pearson Street. Two sedans crashed head-on. Both drivers, women, trapped and bleeding, arms shattered. Distraction ruled the wheel. A teenage passenger sat stunned. Sirens cut the silence. The street held its breath.

Two sedans collided head-on near Avenue U in Brooklyn. According to the police report, both vehicles were driven by women—one 55, the other 31. Both drivers suffered crush injuries to their arms and were pinned in their seats, conscious but badly hurt. A 17-year-old female passenger was also involved. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. No other causes are cited. The crash left steel twisted and lives changed. The data shows both drivers wore lap belts and harnesses. The impact was direct, center front to center front, with both cars traveling west. The street fell silent after the crash.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4563340 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Cadillac Permit Driver Hits Cyclist on Ohio Walk

A Cadillac sedan struck a 53-year-old cyclist on Ohio Walk. The cyclist flew from his bike, helmeted, head bleeding. Shock froze his face. The car’s right bumper cracked. Both moved straight. The driver held only a permit.

A 17-year-old permit driver in a Cadillac sedan struck a 53-year-old cyclist on Ohio Walk near East 66th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, both the car and the cyclist were traveling straight when the sedan’s right front bumper hit the cyclist. The impact ejected the cyclist from his bike. He suffered a severe head injury and was in shock. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash left him bleeding from the head. The driver had only a learner’s permit at the time of the collision.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4558418 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Parker Faces Criticism for Ignoring Safety Concerns

StreetsPAC called for voters to oust State Sen. Kevin Parker. They backed Kaegan Mays-Williams for her push on protected bike lanes and bus network redesign. Parker ignored safety questions. StreetsPAC praised other candidates who fight for safer streets and transit.

On August 9, 2022, StreetsPAC, New York City's safe streets political action committee, issued an endorsement urging Central Brooklyn voters to retire State Sen. Kevin Parker. The group backed Kaegan Mays-Williams, citing her support for redesigning Brooklyn's bus network and expanding protected bike lanes. StreetsPAC Executive Director Eric McClure said, 'She supports redesigning Brooklyn's bus network to simplify routes and speed commutes.' Parker did not respond to StreetsPAC's request for information and has a record of negative incidents. Mays-Williams stressed the need for dependable public transit and safer cycling. StreetsPAC also highlighted the safety records of Andrew Gounardes, Angel Vasquez, Jabori Brisport, Rajiv Gowda, Christian Amato, and Kristen Gonzalez, noting their support for speed cameras, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and transit improvements. The endorsement signals a clear push for candidates who prioritize vulnerable road users.