Crash Count for SD 26
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 11,354
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 5,792
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 1,312
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 80
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 35
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 24, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in SD 26?

City Hall Stalls, Third Avenue Kills

City Hall Stalls, Third Avenue Kills

SD 26: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 28, 2025

Blood on Third Avenue

Just two weeks ago, at dawn, a BMW ran the red at Third Avenue and 52nd Street. Two men, Kex Un Chen, 80, and Faqiu Lin, 59, were crossing with the signal. The car did not brake. Both men died in the street. The driver fled. He was caught later, charged with manslaughter and homicide. They were on their way to a food pantry. The line there is always long. The dead do not eat.

Since 2018, drivers have killed or seriously injured 80 people on this two-mile stretch. The city’s answer: a sign that says “be careful.” “We should all be offended. Angry. Insulted. That the response from our city to two deaths blocks away from here is a sign that says: ‘be careful,’” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes.

The Toll Keeps Rising

In the last twelve months, SD 26 saw 11 deaths and 19 serious injuries. Most were pedestrians or cyclists. The old, the young, the ones just trying to get by. Cars and SUVs did most of the killing—8 deaths, 19 serious injuries—but trucks, buses, bikes, and mopeds all took their share. The numbers do not stop. They only climb.

Promises, Delays, and the Fight for Change

The city promised a redesign for Third Avenue. The plan is stalled. “We started talking about a plan in 2014 and it’s now 2025. What is going on?” asked Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes. Gounardes stood with families and called for action: “This is not meant to be a highway. This is where people walk. This is where people live. This is where kids go to school.”

Senator Gounardes has pushed for speed cameras and for the Stop Super Speeders Act. He votes for bills that target repeat offenders. He shows up at vigils. But the deaths keep coming. The street stays the same.

No more waiting. Call your council member. Call the mayor. Demand the city finish the job. Redesign Third Avenue. Lower the speed. Stop the killing.

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 passing laws and overseeing statewide policy. Senators represent districts and vote on bills that affect all New Yorkers.
Where does SD 26 sit politically?
It belongs to borough Brooklyn, city council district District 38 and assembly district AD 51.
Which areas are in SD 26?
What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in SD 26?
Most deaths and serious injuries came from Cars and SUVs (8 deaths, 19 serious injuries), with Trucks and Buses (3 deaths, 2 serious injuries), Motorcycles and Mopeds (0 deaths, 3 serious injuries), and Bikes (0 deaths, 3 serious injuries) also involved. Data source
Are these crashes just accidents, or are they preventable?
These deaths and injuries are preventable. Safer street design, lower speeds, and better enforcement can save lives.
What can local politicians do to stop traffic violence?
They can pass and fund street redesigns, lower speed limits, expand speed camera enforcement, and support laws that target repeat dangerous drivers.
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

Andrew Gounardes
State Senator Andrew Gounardes
District 26
District Office:
497 Carroll St. Suite 31, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Legislative Office:
Room 917, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247

Other Representatives

Marcela Mitaynes
Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes
District 51
District Office:
4907 4th Ave. Suite 1A, Brooklyn, NY 11220
Legislative Office:
Room 741, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Alexa Avilés
Council Member Alexa Avilés
District 38
District Office:
4417 4th Avenue, Ground Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11220
718-439-9012
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1746, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7387
Twitter: AlexaAviles
Other Geographies

SD 26 Senate District 26 sits in Brooklyn, Precinct 72, District 38, AD 51.

It contains Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn-Dumbo-Boerum Hill, Fort Greene, Carroll Gardens-Cobble Hill-Gowanus-Red Hook, Park Slope, Sunset Park (West), Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Dyker Beach Park, The Battery-Governors Island-Ellis Island-Liberty Island, Brooklyn CB10, Brooklyn CB2, Brooklyn CB7, Brooklyn CB6.

See also
Boroughs
State_assembly_districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Senate District 26

Gounardes Calls for Safety Boosting Third Avenue Street Fixes

Eighty dead or maimed on Third Avenue since 2018. Sunset Park stands up. Residents, officials, and advocates demand the city end delays. No fixes yet. Danger remains.

""Here we are, once again gathering to mourn another preventable tragedy on our streets. But it doesn't have to be this way,"" -- Andrew Gounardes

On July 24, 2025, Sunset Park residents, Council Member Alexa Avilés, Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes, Senator Andrew Gounardes, and advocates rallied for urgent street safety fixes on Third Avenue. BKReader reports: 'Fatalities on Third Avenue...are preventable with safety upgrades.' The Department of Transportation's plan has stalled for two years. Avilés called the corridor 'persistently dangerous.' Gounardes said, 'We know how to fix it: safer street design.' No council bill or committee is listed. The event shows strong community demand, but no policy action has been taken. As of now, there is no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety.


Gounardes Condemns Delay of Safety Plan on Third Avenue

Two pedestrians killed. Advocates and local leaders demand action. City stalls. Third Avenue stays deadly. Anger and grief fill Sunset Park.

"This is not meant to be a highway. This is where people walk. This is where people live. This is where kids go to school." -- Andrew Gounardes

On July 23, 2025, local politicians and advocates rallied at 60th Street and Third Avenue, Sunset Park. They condemned the Adams administration's delay of a DOT safety plan, approved by Community Board 7 in 2023, after a hit-and-run killed two pedestrians. Council Member Alexa Avilés called for real investment. Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives called the delay 'unconscionable.' State Sen Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes demanded urgent redesign. The rally's matter: 'demanding the Adams administration implement traffic safety measures on Third Avenue.' Safety analysts note: public rallies like this can push systemic changes, making streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists.


Gounardes Advocates Safety Boosting Stop Super Speeder Bill

Six speeding tickets. School zones. Gersh Kuntzman calls out Andrew Cuomo. Reckless driving from leaders puts lives at risk. Streets stay dangerous. No answers from Cuomo.

"if the state legislature had passed Sen. Andrew Gounardes's "Stop Super Speeder" bill, would have required Cuomo to get a speed limiter installed into his beloved Dodge." -- Andrew Gounardes

On July 18, 2025, journalist Gersh Kuntzman of Streetsblog NYC criticized former Governor Andrew Cuomo for racking up six speed-camera tickets in city school zones between March and June. Kuntzman wrote, 'That's objectively a horrendous record of reckless driving through city school zones.' He noted that if Sen. Andrew Gounardes's 'Stop Super Speeder' bill had passed, Cuomo would face a mandatory speed limiter. No council bill or committee action is involved. The safety analyst notes this is an individual’s behavior, not a policy change, so there is no direct impact on pedestrian or cyclist safety.


Sedan Strikes Elderly Pedestrian at Atlantic Ave

A sedan hit a 67-year-old woman in a marked crosswalk on Atlantic Ave. She suffered severe head lacerations. Police cite failure to yield and driver distraction.

A 67-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Atlantic Ave in a marked crosswalk. She suffered severe lacerations to her head. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way and was inattentive or distracted. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred. No injuries were reported for the driver or other vehicle occupant. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828889 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31
SUV Strikes Motorcycle Turning on Fulton Street

SUV hit motorcycle at Fulton and Lafayette. Three on motorcycle burned and hurt. Police cite improper turn. System failed to protect riders.

An SUV struck a motorcycle at Fulton Street and Lafayette Avenue in Brooklyn. Three people on the motorcycle suffered burns and injuries to their legs and arms. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Turning Improperly.' The SUV was going straight while the motorcycle was making a left turn. The motorcycle driver was unlicensed. Helmets were used by the motorcycle occupants, as noted in the report. The system allowed a dangerous turn and left riders exposed.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830061 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31
2
Sedan Runs Light, Kills Two Pedestrians in Brooklyn

A sedan struck two men crossing with the signal on 3rd Ave and 52nd St. Both died. Police cite traffic control disregarded and unsafe speed. The car’s right front bumper hit. System failed the walkers.

Two male pedestrians, ages 80 and 59, were killed when a sedan struck them as they crossed 3rd Avenue at 52nd Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, both men were crossing with the signal at the intersection when the vehicle hit them with its right front bumper. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No injuries were reported for vehicle occupants. The data shows clear driver error: the driver failed to obey traffic controls and drove too fast. The pedestrians followed the signal. The system left them exposed.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826750 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31
Hit-And-Run Kills Two In Sunset Park

A car sped down Third Avenue. Two men, one with a cart, one with a cane, crossed. The driver did not brake. Both men died in the street. The car fled. Police arrested the driver hours later.

ABC7 reported on July 11, 2025, that two men, aged 59 and 80, were killed by a hit-and-run driver at Third Avenue and 52nd Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Surveillance showed the car "speeding southbound" and not braking before impact. The driver, Juventino Anastacio Florentino, was arrested and charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and reckless driving. The victims, Kex Un Chen and Faqiu Lin, were likely headed to a local food pantry. The incident highlights the lethal risk posed by reckless driving and the vulnerability of pedestrians, especially near essential services.


Gounardes Celebrates Bay Ridge Accessibility Upgrade Safety Boost

Two new elevators rise at Bay Ridge-95th Street. Barriers fall. Riders once shut out now enter. Subway access grows. Streets outside still threaten, but inside, movement is free. Each upgrade shifts the city’s balance.

"This project has been a long time coming. When I first got into elected office, there was not a single accessible station anywhere in my district... Today we are celebrating the second station in Bay Ridge to have accessibility access." -- Andrew Gounardes

On July 8, 2025, the MTA opened two ADA-compliant elevators at Bay Ridge-95th Street station, Brooklyn. The project, backed by federal funds, finished under budget. Council Member Justin Brannan, State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis all praised the upgrade. Quemuel Arroyo, MTA’s chief accessibility officer, called it 'a crucial connection.' The new elevators mark the third Brooklyn station made accessible this year. Improved subway access encourages walking and cycling to transit, boosting safety for vulnerable users by increasing their numbers and visibility. The MTA must reach 95% accessibility by 2055.


Gounardes Supports Safety Boosting Speed Camera Program Renewal

Governor Hochul signed S.8344/A.8787, extending NYC’s school zone speed camera program to 2030. Cameras stay. Streets watch. Danger lingers for kids crossing. Fewer drivers speed. Fewer crashes. Lives spared.

On June 30, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed S.8344/A.8787, renewing New York City’s school zone speed camera program through July 1, 2030. The bill, described as 'an extra boost' for automated enforcement, updates home-rule provisions first enacted in 2013. State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Deborah Glick sponsored the measure. Both praised the program’s record in cutting speeds and saving lives. Council member Barbara Russo-Lennon supported the renewal. A safety analyst notes the extension is likely to reduce speeds and crashes, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists, especially children, without burdening vulnerable road users.


Gounardes Supports Safety Boosting Speed Camera Reauthorization

Governor Hochul signs speed camera law. Enforcement runs to 2030. Cameras slash speeding. Injuries drop. Streets still deadly. Lawmakers split. Pedestrians and cyclists get a fighting chance.

On June 30, 2025, Governor Hochul signed the reauthorization of New York City's speed camera program. The law, with no listed bill number or committee, extends automated enforcement through 2030. Hochul declared, 'Speed cameras save lives and keep New Yorkers safe.' Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill's sponsor, praised the renewal. City data shows a 30 percent drop in severe injuries and a 94 percent fall in speeding at camera sites. Safety analysts confirm: speed cameras cut dangerous driving and protect pedestrians and cyclists without burdening them. Lawmakers remain divided, but the program stands.


Gounardes Highlights Speed Cameras Safety Benefits Amid Albany Failures

Albany stalled. Lawmakers dragged their feet. No new laws for safer streets. Pedestrians and cyclists left exposed. The car stays king. The status quo kills. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

The 2025 Albany legislative session ended June 25, with lawmakers failing to pass key street safety bills. The Streetsblog NYC report reads: "Our elected officials in Albany have failed the livable streets movement again." Despite support for measures like speed camera reauthorization, most bills to protect pedestrians and cyclists died in committee or never reached the floor. Assembly Member Amy Sohn and others criticized the lack of action. The only major win was extending the city’s speed camera program. A safety analyst notes: 'Failure to advance livable streets policies likely maintains the status quo, which typically prioritizes car-centric infrastructure and neglects the safety and needs of pedestrians and cyclists.' The session’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No progress. No protection.


SUV Strikes Pedestrian at Flatbush and Lafayette

SUV hit a woman crossing at Flatbush and Lafayette. Head injury. Blood on the street. Police cite blocked view. Driver kept straight. Shock followed.

A Ford SUV traveling north on Flatbush Avenue struck a 29-year-old woman crossing at Lafayette Avenue. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the contributing factor. The driver, a 71-year-old man, was licensed and going straight ahead. No other injuries were reported. The police report notes the pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but the primary factor remains the obstructed view.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822862 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31
Drunk Unlicensed Driver Kills Moped Rider

A moped slammed into a car’s door in Bay Ridge. The rider died. His passenger broke bones. The driver was drunk, unlicensed, and arrested. The street stayed quiet after the crash. Another life lost to reckless driving.

NY Daily News reported on June 22, 2025, that Joel Mota, 22, died after his moped struck the passenger-side door of a 2013 Acura TSX at Third Ave and 67th St in Brooklyn. The crash happened at 4:45 a.m. Police said the car’s driver, Leslie Moreno, was intoxicated and unlicensed. Mota’s passenger suffered multiple fractures. The article notes, 'Police arrested the Acura driver, 29-year-old Leslie Moreno, for driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired, and being unlicensed.' Moreno was arraigned and released without bail. The case highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired, unlicensed drivers on city streets.


2
Moped Rider Killed, Passenger Hurt on 3rd Avenue

A moped slammed into a sedan on 3rd Avenue. One rider died. Another was thrown and fractured his arm. Both drivers were unlicensed and inexperienced. Brooklyn streets claimed another life.

A deadly crash unfolded at 3rd Avenue and 67th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a moped and a sedan collided. The 22-year-old moped driver was killed. His 21-year-old passenger was ejected and suffered a fractured arm. The sedan driver, a 29-year-old woman, reported neck pain. Both drivers were unlicensed. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. No other factors were cited.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821960 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31
Gounardes Praises Safety Boosting Speed Camera Renewal

Albany keeps speed cameras rolling. Lawmakers extend the city’s program to 2030. Cameras catch speeders near schools. Streets get safer for walkers and riders. Fewer crashes, fewer deaths. A hard-won victory for the vulnerable. The fight against traffic violence continues.

""The verdict came in a long time ago: speed cameras save lives and make our streets safer for everyone... At the end of the day, this is about keeping New Yorkers safe. I'm proud to have fought for this program from the beginning, and to renew it now for five years."" -- Andrew Gounardes

On June 18, 2025, the New York State Legislature reauthorized the city’s speed camera program for five more years, extending it until July 1, 2030. The bill passed both the Senate and Assembly and awaits Governor Hochul’s signature. The measure, described as 'possibly the most important street safety law on the books,' covers 750 school zones. Sen. Andrew Gounardes praised the program, saying, 'speed cameras save lives and make our streets safer for everyone.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez credited advocates and lawmakers for the renewal. Amy Sohn supported the move. Safety analysts note that speed cameras reduce vehicle speeds and crashes, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists without burdening them. The reauthorization marks a rare, clear win for vulnerable road users in the city’s ongoing battle against traffic violence.


Gounardes Supports Safety Boosting Speed Limiting Devices

Senate passes bill forcing delivery apps to insure workers and crash victims. Lawmakers tout support for the injured. But insurance comes after the hit. Speeders keep driving. Danger stays on the street. Prevention takes a back seat.

On June 13, 2025, the New York State Senate passed a bill requiring food delivery apps to provide insurance for delivery workers, pedestrians, and cyclists. The bill, sponsored by Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger, mandates up to $50,000 per person for basic economic loss, regardless of citizenship or employment status. Assembly Member Robert Carroll authored the original Assembly version, stating, 'It is time we require delivery apps to take responsibility for keeping delivery workers and pedestrians safe.' Sen. Andrew Gounardes defended a related speed-limiting bill, but it was weakened. Safety analysts warn: 'Focusing on insurance rather than speed limits shifts responsibility away from prevention and system design, failing to reduce crash risk and potentially discouraging mode shift by not addressing the root causes of danger for pedestrians and cyclists.' Lawmakers back insurance, but leave the streets risky.


S 8344
Gounardes votes yes to extend school speed zones, improving child pedestrian safety.

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.


S 8344
Gounardes sponsors bill to extend school speed zones, boosting child pedestrian safety.

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.


S 4045
Gounardes votes yes in committee, boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.

Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.


S 8344
Gounardes votes yes to extend school speed zones, improving child pedestrian safety.

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.