Another Body, Another Excuse: Who Pays for Senate District 26’s Deadly Streets?

Every day, 9,000 trucks thunder through Sunset Park and Red Hook. Warehouses choke streets. Black and Latino residents breathe the fumes and dodge danger. Lawmakers push the Clean Deliveries Act to curb the chaos. The burden falls hard. The fight is on.

The Clean Deliveries Act, now under consideration in Albany, aims to regulate last-mile warehouse traffic and emissions across New York State. The bill responds to a new report showing Sunset Park and Red Hook face the city's highest truck volumes—over 9,000 daily trips—linked to sprawling Amazon, FedEx, and UPS facilities. The report states, 'a quarter of residents across the Empire State live within half a mile of a distribution center that’s at least 50,000 square feet, disproportionately harming Black and Latino communities.' State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, representing the affected Brooklyn neighborhoods, calls for urgent action 'for the sake of our climate and the safety of our streets.' Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes, whose district sees the most daily truck traffic, urges colleagues to pass the Act. Advocates like Kevin Garcia say the bill is 'key legislation to protect frontline communities from increased vehicular traffic and tailpipe emissions.' The Act would require emissions reviews, pollution minimization, and studies of low-emission zones in hotspots.

• Poorer Brooklynites Bear the Brunt of Online Delivery Boom: Report, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-23

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 Jeep lost a tire on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Metal twisted as it slammed forward. Seven inside. In the right rear, a man’s leg was crushed. He wore a harness. He lay still. The road stayed quiet.

According to the police report, a Jeep sedan traveling west on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway lost a tire. The vehicle slammed forward. Metal folded. Seven people were inside. In the right rear seat, a 27-year-old man screamed as his leg was crushed. He wore a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Tire Failure/Inadequate' and 'Outside Car Distraction' as contributing factors. No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield were cited. The injured passenger suffered severe crush injuries to his lower leg and foot and was in shock. The crash shows the brutal cost of mechanical failure and distraction for those inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691871, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council Member Holden pushed a resolution to hike penalties for drivers who hide license plates. Obscured plates let reckless drivers dodge cameras and tickets. The bill targets scofflaws who endanger pedestrians and cyclists. The measure stalled at session’s end.

Res 0866-2023, filed by the Committee on Public Safety, called on Albany to pass S.2447/A.5234. The resolution, introduced December 20, 2023, and filed at session’s end, urged harsher penalties for purposefully obstructed license plates. The matter’s title: 'Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the New York State Governor to sign, S.2447/A.5234, which would increase the penalties for purposefully obstructed license plates.' Council Member Robert F. Holden sponsored the measure. The bill aimed to stop drivers from hiding plates to evade speed, red-light, and bus-lane cameras. Obstructed plates let dangerous drivers slip through enforcement, putting vulnerable road users at risk. The resolution supported stronger tools—confiscation, registration suspension, and blocking vehicle IDs—to crack down on this threat.

• File Res 0866-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-12-20

An SUV reversed on 76th Street. Its bumper struck an 83-year-old woman standing in the road. She fell. She died there. The driver did not see her. The street was empty. No crosswalk nearby. Silence followed.

An 83-year-old woman was killed near 1326 76th Street in Brooklyn when a 2007 Honda SUV backed west and struck her legs. According to the police report, 'The bumper struck her legs. She collapsed, silent. The driver did not see.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection or crosswalk. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The woman suffered fatal injuries to her lower body and died at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The SUV sustained no damage. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of driver inattention, especially when reversing in areas without marked crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687579, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Toyota SUV hit a 32-year-old man late at night on Flatbush Avenue Extension. His face split open. Blood ran. He stayed awake. The SUV’s bumper showed no damage. The street was silent. The man was left bleeding, conscious, and hurt.

A Toyota SUV struck a 32-year-old man crossing Flatbush Avenue Extension near Willoughby Street at 11:55 p.m. in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered severe facial injuries and heavy bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV’s left front bumper made contact, yet the vehicle showed no damage. The police report lists the pedestrian’s action as 'Crossing Against Signal' and notes 'Unspecified' as contributing factors. No driver errors are recorded in the data. The crash left a man hurt and bleeding on the street, while the SUV continued on, undamaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4685846, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan hit a 72-year-old woman crossing Marine Avenue at dusk. Her head struck hard. She died in the street. Two sedans collided, one parked, one moving. The street grew quiet. The woman’s life ended where the light faded.

A 72-year-old woman was killed while crossing Marine Avenue near dusk. According to the police report, she was not at an intersection and crossed without a signal. A moving sedan struck her, causing fatal head injuries. The report states, 'Marine Avenue, near dusk — a 72-year-old woman crossed without a signal. A moving sedan struck her, head crushed.' Two sedans were involved: one parked, one in motion. The police list the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. The woman’s death marks another tragedy on New York City’s streets, where the vulnerable pay the price for everyday traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679990, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An SUV turned left on Navy Street. An e-bike rider went straight. Steel struck flesh. The man flew. His head hit pavement. Blood pooled. The driver looked too late. The street fell silent.

A 57-year-old man riding an e-bike was struck by an SUV making a left turn at Navy Street and Hudson Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the SUV driver failed to keep right and was inattentive or distracted. The e-bike rider was ejected and suffered a severe head injury with heavy bleeding. The report states, 'The driver looked too late. The street fell silent.' The crash left the cyclist in shock. The listed driver errors—Failure to Keep Right and Driver Inattention/Distraction—contributed to the impact. No helmet use or signaling is mentioned as a factor in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679631, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Jeep hit a parked Toyota on 39th Street. The Toyota lurched forward. The driver, a 47-year-old man, was found unconscious and crushed. Illness struck before the crash. Sirens wailed, but help came too late.

A Jeep traveling west on 39th Street near 2nd Avenue in Brooklyn struck a parked Toyota. The impact forced the Toyota forward, severely injuring its 47-year-old driver. According to the police report, 'Illness took hold before impact.' The driver was found unconscious, suffering crush injuries to his entire body. The police list 'Illnes' as the contributing factor in the crash. No other driver errors are noted in the report. The Toyota was parked at the time of the collision. The report does not mention any actions by the injured driver that contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676732, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A tractor-trailer turned onto Bush Street and crushed a parked Kia. The driver, trapped and bleeding, stayed conscious inside the wreck. The truck rolled on. Metal twisted. Blood pooled. The street bore the mark.

A tractor-trailer making a right turn onto Bush Street in Brooklyn struck a parked Kia sedan. According to the police report, the Kia was demolished beneath the trailer. The 36-year-old driver of the Kia was trapped inside, suffering severe lacerations to his arm but remained conscious. The truck continued forward after the impact, leaving its trailer damaged. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were specifically cited in the data. The incident highlights the danger heavy trucks pose to stationary vehicles and their occupants on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676177, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program died. No new law stands in its place. City Hall drags its feet. Reckless drivers keep rolling. State efforts stall. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain exposed. The streets stay dangerous. The clock runs out. Nothing changes.

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP) expired on October 25, 2023, with no replacement from the City Council or Mayor Adams. The bill targeted drivers with 15 camera-issued speeding tickets in a year, but few took the mandated safety course and almost no vehicles were seized. The matter summary: 'The program launched with a simple idea of getting reckless drivers' vehicles off our streets, so it's incredibly frustrating and disappointing that we're in this situation,' said Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Adams showed little urgency. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said, 'We will look to the advocacy world for support to go to the state and get better restrictions and better enforcement tools.' State Sen. Andrew Gounardes is pushing for speed governors and tougher laws, but state efforts have failed. The city’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No effective tools remain.

• A ‘Dangerous’ Sunset: What’s Next for Reining In Reckless Drivers?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-25

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program died on October 26, 2023. No new law replaced it. Repeat speeders now face only $50 fines. City leaders showed no urgency. State bills to curb reckless driving have stalled. Vulnerable road users remain exposed.

The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP) expired on October 26, 2023. No replacement policy was enacted. The program, which targeted drivers with 15 or more speed camera violations in a year, was criticized for weak enforcement: only 885 took the mandated safety course, and just 12 vehicles were seized. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, District 31, was mentioned in coverage, but city officials, including Mayor Adams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, showed little urgency. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi said, "We need sharper tools." State Senator Andrew Gounardes has proposed new bills, including mandatory speed governors for repeat offenders. With DVAP gone, repeat speeders face only minor fines, leaving dangerous drivers unchecked. The city and state have failed to act, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• A 'Dangerous' Sunset: What's Next for Reining In Reckless Drivers?, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-10-25

Red Hook wants a direct bus to Manhattan. The MTA says no. Residents wait. Cars clog the tunnel. Advocates demand space for buses, not excuses. The city’s working class and disabled riders are left stranded. The fight for fair transit continues.

On October 23, 2023, Red Hook residents and advocates renewed calls for a direct bus route to Manhattan. The Red Hook Civic Association sent a letter urging the MTA to create a regular-fare bus through the Hugh Carey Tunnel. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes backed the push, saying, "The people of Red Hook really deserve this." The MTA rejected the idea, citing congestion in the tunnel and Lower Manhattan. Joana Flores, MTA spokesperson, said it is more efficient for riders to transfer to the subway. Critics, including Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance, countered, "Bad traffic is not an excuse for not improving bus service, it’s an impetus for decongesting the street." Past proposals to extend the M22 or restore the B71 with a Manhattan extension were dismissed over cost and logistics. Advocates argue that buses move more people than cars and that congestion pricing should clear the way for better transit. The proposal remains stalled, leaving vulnerable riders waiting.

• Red Hook Pushes for Direct Bus to Manhattan; MTA Says (Wait for It) There’s Too Much ‘Congestion’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-23

A man on a bike flew from his seat. His arm split open. Blood pooled on Sterling Place. An SUV stood still. A passenger turned, and the crash followed. The street fell silent. Metal did not bend, but flesh did.

A 31-year-old man riding a bike on Sterling Place near 5th Avenue in Brooklyn was ejected and suffered severe lacerations to his arm. According to the police report, the crash involved a bike and a stationary SUV. The report states, 'A passenger turned their head. The crash came from silence, not steel.' The listed contributing factor is 'Passenger Distraction.' The SUV showed no damage. The cyclist was conscious after the crash. No driver errors beyond passenger distraction were recorded. Helmet use was not specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672391, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Mayor Adams left Ashland Place unfinished. Cyclists lost a safe route. Advocates, officials, and residents rallied. They blamed City Hall for caving to a developer. The most dangerous block remains untouched. Eighty-eight crashes scar the street. Safety took a back seat.

On October 13, 2023, local officials and advocates criticized Mayor Adams for halting the Ashland Place redesign. The project, led by the Department of Transportation, aimed to create a protected bike lane from the Manhattan Bridge to Barclays Center. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, "New York City is regressing on meeting its Vision Zero goals ... and stalled street safety improvements, like those slated for Ashland Place, are a part of the reason why." State Sen. Andrew Gounardes and Council Member Crystal Hudson joined the outcry, with Hudson lamenting the incomplete corridor for cyclists. The DOT confirmed the southernmost block would not be converted, following objections from developer Two Trees Management. Advocates cited 88 crashes and multiple injuries in two years, with the most dangerous block excluded from improvements. Residents and advocates rallied, accusing the mayor of prioritizing business over public safety. City Hall deflected, blaming e-bikes for rising cyclist deaths.

• Pols, Advocates Slam Mayor Adams for Unfinished Ashland Place, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-13

A BMW SUV struck a 19-year-old riding an Arrow e-bike on 73rd Street near 13th Avenue. The teen was thrown, crushed, and left unconscious. The SUV’s front end bore the mark. The street fell silent around broken bones and twisted metal.

A 19-year-old riding an Arrow e-bike was hit by a BMW SUV on 73rd Street near 13th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the teen was thrown from his bike, crushed, and found unconscious with injuries across his entire body. The SUV’s center front end showed damage from the impact. The report lists the bicyclist as helmetless and ejected. No specific driver errors are named in the data. The crash left the street marked by silence and injury, with the vulnerable road user bearing the full force of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668780, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A repeat offender killed Xia Ying Chen, 66, in Bath Beach. Senator Gounardes called for tougher laws and real consequences for reckless drivers. He slammed weak enforcement. Streets remain deadly. Calls for redesign and accountability echo. The system failed again.

On September 19, 2023, after a deadly crash in Bath Beach, State Senator Andrew Gounardes demanded action. The driver, Faheem Shabazz, had a record of speeding violations. Gounardes, a safe streets advocate, said, 'That's really what this conversation should be about—how are we holding people accountable when they have violations to their record and zero consequences for it.' He supports lowering speed limits and tougher penalties but stressed that enforcement is lacking. Senator Iwen Chu urged the NYC DOT to study the area for safety upgrades, stating, 'We must recognize that our streets need to be designed with safety in mind.' The DOT is reviewing the intersection. The call is clear: repeat offenders face little consequence, and street design still puts pedestrians at risk.

• ‘A real damn shame’: After grandmother killed in Bath Beach crash, pol says reckless drivers must be held accountable, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-09-19

DOT stripped protected bike lanes from Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue. Cyclists now dodge cars and illegal parking. Elected officials and advocates demand action. DOT cites traffic, but danger grows. Pedestrians lose safe crossings. The agency stays silent. Streets stay deadly.

On September 18, 2023, a coalition of elected officials and advocates called out the Department of Transportation for removing protected bike lanes on Brooklyn’s Fourth Avenue during construction. The matter, described as 'DOT continues to ignore dangers it created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave,' centers on DOT’s decision to replace bike lanes with a second car lane, violating a city law that requires temporary bike lanes during such work. Council Members Lincoln Restler, Alexa Aviles, Shahana Hanif, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and groups like Bike New York and Transportation Alternatives sent a letter demanding the bike lane’s return and physical barriers to stop illegal parking on pedestrian islands. The letter urges DOT to 'ensure curb lanes be preserved for safe cyclist passage' and to 'deploy quick-build physical elements' for pedestrian safety. DOT has not responded. Cyclists and pedestrians remain at risk.

• DOT Continues to Ignore Dangers it Created on Brooklyn’s Fourth Ave, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

Council waits. DOT stalls. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program limps toward expiration. Thousands of reckless drivers dodge consequences. Few take the safety course. Council members call for answers, action, and stronger laws. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain exposed.

On September 18, 2023, the City Council reviewed the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program (DVAP), which is set to expire on October 26. The Transportation Committee, led by Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, pressed the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a final report on the program’s effectiveness. The bill required drivers with 15 speed-camera or five red-light tickets in a year to take a safety course or risk vehicle seizure. Council Member Shahana Hanif voiced disappointment, noting, 'We need to not only reauthorize this program, but strengthen it.' Despite over 34,000 drivers meeting the threshold in the last year, only about 1,200 took the course in three years. DOT has not explained the reporting delay or provided outcome data. The lack of enforcement leaves dangerous drivers on the road and vulnerable road users at risk.

• Council Needs Info from DOT So it Can Rescue (or Ignore) Fading ‘Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-18

A 19-year-old on an e-bike hit a turning diesel truck at 4th Avenue and 39th Street. Head trauma. Blood on the street. He died there, alone, under the lights. The crash was fast, brutal, final.

A 19-year-old e-bike rider died after colliding with a diesel truck making a right turn at the corner of 4th Avenue and 39th Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the e-bike struck the truck at 2:30 a.m. The rider suffered fatal head trauma and died at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary causes cited are driver errors. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662772, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15