Senator Sutton: Absent While Brooklyn Bleeds

Jul 23 - A Lexus SUV struck a 68-year-old woman crossing McDonald Avenue. The driver was distracted. The impact crushed her body. She died on the street. The avenue went quiet. Another life ended by inattention behind the wheel.

A 68-year-old woman was killed while crossing McDonald Avenue near Webster Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a southbound Lexus SUV hit her head-on. The report states, “The driver was distracted.” The pedestrian suffered fatal injuries to her entire body and died at the scene. The contributing factor listed is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' No other contributing factors are noted. The vehicle, a 2016 Lexus SUV registered in Pennsylvania, struck the woman with its center front end. The data does not mention any actions by the pedestrian as contributing factors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648149 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 9 - A young man rode west on his motorcycle. An SUV struck him at the corner. He wore a helmet. The crash crushed his chest. He lay unconscious in the dark. Sirens came. The street stayed silent.

A 23-year-old man riding a ZNEN motorcycle was struck by a Chevy SUV at the intersection of 14th Avenue and 39th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the crash occurred late at night. The motorcyclist, who wore a helmet, suffered severe chest injuries and was found unconscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight before the collision. The SUV's right front bumper hit the motorcycle, causing the rider to be crushed. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention any actions by the motorcyclist that contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644751 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 2 - A moped driver turned left on Bay Parkway, distracted. He lost control. The front crumpled. He flew from the seat, helmet on, bleeding from his arm. Shock set in. Blood pooled in the summer heat. Permit only. The street held him.

A 44-year-old man riding a TAIZH moped was injured while making a left turn on Bay Parkway near McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the driver was distracted and inattentive. The moped's front end crumpled. The man, wearing a helmet and holding only a permit, was ejected from the vehicle. He suffered severe bleeding to his arm and lay in shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No other vehicles or people were involved. The crash left the driver injured and bleeding on the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642190 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 27 - A Chevy sedan turned left on Avenue M. The driver struck a 77-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She bled from the head in the crosswalk. The car showed no damage. The street fell silent. The driver failed to yield.

A 77-year-old woman was crossing Avenue M with the signal when a Chevy sedan, making a left turn, struck her in the head. According to the police report, she suffered severe bleeding and remained conscious at the scene. The report states, 'A 77-year-old woman, crossing with the signal, was struck in the head by a turning Chevy sedan.' The car was undamaged. The driver held a valid license. Police listed 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The woman was in the crosswalk, following the signal. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641638 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - A Land Rover hit a northbound moped on Avenue U. The rider flew off, helmeted, head bleeding, left unconscious. Both drivers held permits. The SUV did not yield. The street fell silent after the crash.

A Land Rover SUV struck a northbound moped head-on near Avenue U and Hendrickson Street in Brooklyn. The 27-year-old moped rider was ejected, left unconscious, and suffered severe head bleeding. According to the police report, both drivers held permits. The SUV driver failed to yield the right-of-way and was inexperienced. The moped rider wore a helmet. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The moped rider also suffered due to 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The crash left the street quiet, marked by the violence of impact and the vulnerability of the injured rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638940 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - A Tesla hit a 76-year-old man near Avenue M. The car’s left front bumper tore away his leg. He died under the streetlights. Police cite driver inattention. The man was not in the roadway. The street claimed another life.

A 76-year-old man was killed on Ocean Parkway near Avenue M in Brooklyn when a Tesla sedan struck him with its left front bumper. According to the police report, 'A Tesla struck a 76-year-old man with its left front bumper. He was not in the roadway. His leg was torn away. He died there, on the pavement, under the streetlights.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time of the crash. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of driver distraction for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636076 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 26 - A 35-year-old e-bike rider hit the side of an SUV on Avenue R near Nostrand. He flew from his bike and died on the street. Four inside the SUV survived. The crash left the Brooklyn night cold and quiet.

A fatal crash unfolded on Avenue R near Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, an e-bike struck the side of a Nissan SUV. The 35-year-old male e-bike rider was ejected and killed. His body hit the street. Four people inside the SUV, including the driver and three passengers, survived. The report states, 'An e-bike struck the side of an SUV. The rider, 35, was thrown and killed. His body hit the street. Four inside the SUV lived.' No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the data. The e-bike rider was unlicensed, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The crash left one dead and four shaken, with no further details on fault or cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633095 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - A 16-year-old on a moped hit a parked SUV on Avenue M. He flew off, leg torn open. Blood pooled on the street. Police cite unsafe speed and distraction. No helmet. The SUV’s side crumpled under the force.

A 16-year-old boy riding a moped crashed into a parked SUV on Avenue M. According to the police report, 'A 16-year-old boy on a moped slammed into a parked SUV. No helmet. He flew off, leg torn open. Blood pooled on the street. The SUV’s side folded under the blow.' The teen was ejected and suffered severe lacerations to his leg. Police list 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV, parked at the time, sustained damage to its left side doors. No injuries were reported for the SUV’s driver. The report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but only after citing driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4625802 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 16 - A 45-year-old man on an e-bike crashed into a stopped Ford SUV on McDonald Avenue. He flew off, struck his head, and died in the street. Alcohol and inattention marked the crash. The SUV driver was unhurt. Brooklyn lost another life.

A 45-year-old man riding an e-bike south on McDonald Avenue near Avenue I in Brooklyn struck the rear of a stopped Ford SUV. According to the police report, the cyclist was helmetless and under the influence of alcohol. He was ejected from the bike, hit his head on the pavement, and died at the scene. The police report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV driver, a 38-year-old woman, was not injured. Helmet use is mentioned only after these driver errors. The crash happened at night, ending in fatal injury for the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4621050 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 5 - A 23-year-old man crossed 13th Avenue at 50th Street. Two SUVs crashed. One struck him. His body broke under the weight. He died there, in the street, as dusk settled and headlights glared. No driver errors listed.

A 23-year-old man was killed at the intersection of 13th Avenue and 50th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A young man crossed. Two SUVs collided. One struck him. His body shattered under the weight. He died there, in the street, as headlights burned through the dusk.' The crash involved two SUVs, both traveling straight. The pedestrian was at the intersection when he was hit. The police report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. No mention of helmet or signal use. The data shows the pedestrian suffered fatal injuries, while vehicle occupants were unhurt. The report documents another fatal intersection for New York’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4618563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - A 91-year-old man rode his e-bike on Belt Parkway. He was thrown from the seat. His head struck the ground. Blood pooled. He spoke nonsense, then fell silent. The e-bike coasted on. The man did not rise.

A 91-year-old man riding an e-bike on Belt Parkway was killed after being ejected from his seat. According to the police report, 'A 91-year-old man on an e-bike was thrown from the seat. No helmet. His head struck. He bled. He spoke nonsense. The bike coasted on. The bumper was clean. The man did not get up.' The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Passenger Distraction' as contributing factors. The man suffered a fatal head injury and was described as incoherent before succumbing. No vehicle damage was reported. The absence of a helmet is noted in the report, but only after the contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610950 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 23 - An SUV hit a 66-year-old woman riding her bike in Brooklyn. She flew from her frame. Blood pooled. Her leg torn open. She stayed awake. The driver failed to yield. Metal struck flesh. The street turned violent.

A 66-year-old woman riding her bike was struck head-on by an SUV on Avenue W near East 24th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'She flew from the frame. Blood pooled. Her leg torn open. She stayed awake. The driver did not yield.' The cyclist suffered severe lacerations to her lower leg and was ejected from her bike. Data lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The SUV, driven by a man, hit the cyclist while both were going straight. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The crash left a vulnerable road user injured in a place where drivers failed to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4607948 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 12 - A garbage truck turned left at Kings Highway. A man stood at the corner. The truck rolled over him. He died under its weight. The truck was undamaged. The street stayed silent. The man did not go home.

A fatal crash occurred at the corner of Kings Highway and East 14th Street in Brooklyn. A garbage truck, making a left turn, struck and killed a 58-year-old man standing at the intersection. According to the police report, the truck rolled on and crushed the pedestrian beneath its side. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The vehicle involved was a large Mack garbage truck, classified as an oversized vehicle. No injuries were reported for the truck’s driver or other occupants. The pedestrian died at the scene, his body pinned under the truck. The truck itself sustained no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597512 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 11 - Two SUVs crashed at 17th Avenue and 59th Street. Metal buckled. Glass sliced. A young driver and his passenger bled in their seats. Both stayed conscious. The crash followed a driver ignoring traffic control. The street bore the scars.

Two SUVs collided at the corner of 17th Avenue and 59th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, one driver disregarded traffic control, causing the crash. A 28-year-old man driving and his 29-year-old male passenger suffered severe lacerations but remained conscious, held by lap belts as glass cut their bodies. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the harm when drivers ignore signals and collide at speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4598382 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 28 - A motorcycle slammed into a turning Audi on Ocean Parkway. The rider, helmeted, flew from his bike. He hit hard. He died there. The SUV’s right side buckled. The Parkway thundered on. One man gone. Metal twisted. Silence followed.

A northbound motorcycle collided with an Audi SUV making a left turn at Ocean Parkway and Avenue N in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the motorcycle struck the Audi’s right side. The 49-year-old rider, wearing a helmet, was ejected and killed by crush injuries. The Audi’s right side doors were crumpled. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor for both drivers. No other injuries were specified for the SUV driver or other occupants. The crash left one man dead, the road scarred, and the city unchanged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4593623 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 12 - A sedan hit a 66-year-old woman on her bike. Her arm split open. Blood pooled on East 15th Street. She stayed conscious. Pain surged from elbow to hand. The street stood still. The system failed to protect her.

A 66-year-old woman riding her bike north on East 15th Street near Avenue P was struck by a sedan. According to the police report, 'Her arm split open. Blood on the pavement. She stayed awake. Pain blooming from elbow to hand.' The cyclist suffered severe lacerations to her lower arm and hand. The data lists no specific driver errors, but both contributing factors are marked as 'Unspecified.' No injuries were reported for the sedan's occupants. The crash highlights the vulnerability of cyclists on city streets and the ongoing systemic dangers they face.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4589660 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 6 - A Cadillac SUV turned left on Ocean Avenue. Its bumper hit a 64-year-old man outside the crosswalk. He fell. Blood pooled from his head. He stayed conscious. The driver looked away. Distraction and inexperience steered the crash.

A Cadillac SUV making a left turn on Ocean Avenue near 1777 struck a 64-year-old man who was outside the crosswalk. According to the police report, 'The driver had looked away.' The pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious. The crash data lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The SUV’s left front bumper hit the man, causing him to fall. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupants. The report highlights driver distraction and inexperience as key failures in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4588690 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 7 - A Honda SUV turns left at Avenue P and East 18th. Sun glare blinds the driver. The bumper hits a woman’s face as she crosses with the signal. Blood pours. She stays upright. The SUV shows no mark. The street stays dangerous.

A 32-year-old woman was struck and injured by a 2009 Honda SUV while crossing Avenue P at East 18th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, she was in the crosswalk with the signal when the SUV made a left turn and hit her in the face with its right front bumper. The report states, 'Sun glare blinds. The bumper hits her face. Blood pours.' The woman suffered severe bleeding but remained conscious and upright. The driver, a 63-year-old man, was listed as licensed and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The only contributing factor cited in the report was 'Glare.' No other vehicle damage or injuries were reported. The SUV showed no visible damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579735 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 7 - A sedan struck a 23-year-old man riding an e-bike on Fort Hamilton Parkway. The crash threw him from his bike. His head split open. Blood pooled on the street. He died before sunrise. Traffic control was ignored. Distraction played a role.

A 23-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed when a sedan struck him on Fort Hamilton Parkway near 54th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the e-bike rider was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries, dying at the scene. The report states: 'Traffic control ignored.' Both 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' are listed as contributing factors for the crash. The e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, but this is noted only after the driver errors. The sedan's right front quarter panel hit the e-bike. The crash highlights the lethal consequences when drivers disregard signals and lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579733 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 31 - A Jeep turned left at East 18th and Avenue U. The bumper hit a 73-year-old woman crossing with the light. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious. The cut ran deep. Sirens came. The street did not forget.

A Jeep SUV struck a 73-year-old woman at the corner of East 18th Street and Avenue U in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the Jeep turned left while the woman crossed with the signal. The left front bumper hit her head, causing severe lacerations. She remained conscious at the scene. The report lists the driver’s actions as 'Unspecified' and does not cite any specific contributing factor. No injuries were reported for the driver or other occupants. The impact left blood on the street and a deep wound. The crash underscores the danger faced by pedestrians, even when following the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4577790 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19