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

A pickup truck hit a moped head-on near 3rd Avenue. The moped rider, thirty-two, lay torn and semiconscious. Blood pooled on the street. The truck’s front end crumpled. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. Flesh met steel in Brooklyn.

A pickup truck struck a moped head-on on 72nd Street near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. The 32-year-old moped rider suffered severe lacerations and was found semiconscious, according to the police report. The truck’s front end was crushed. According to the police report, 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' was a contributing factor in the crash. The moped rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data. No other injuries were reported. The scene left blood pooling on the asphalt, a stark mark of violence on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605829, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pickup truck and moped slammed head-on on Bay Ridge Parkway. The moped rider, a 44-year-old man, died from crush injuries. Aggressive driving and failure to yield paved the way. The street bore the weight of loss.

A deadly crash unfolded on Bay Ridge Parkway near 5th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, a pickup truck and a moped collided head-on while both vehicles traveled straight. The 44-year-old man driving the moped suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as a contributing factor, highlighting dangerous driver behavior. The narrative states, 'Aggression and failure to yield cleared the path.' The moped rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause remains the aggressive actions behind the wheel. No other injuries were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605745, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Eighteen Brooklyn officials demand state DOT address BQE’s full deadly stretch. They reject piecemeal fixes. They call out decades of harm. The state’s refusal leaves neighborhoods exposed. The city’s hands are tied. The highway’s danger remains. Vulnerable lives hang in the balance.

On February 10, 2023, eighteen Brooklyn lawmakers issued a joint letter demanding New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) participate in comprehensive planning for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The statement, prompted by a Streetsblog report, reads: "We ask that the NYS DOT remember the daily harms caused by the BQE in its current state—not just the crumbling cantilever section—and join us at the table in search of a solution." The group includes Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Dan Goldman, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, state Sens. Jabari Brisport, Julia Salazar, Kristen Gonzalez, Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Members Bobby Carroll, Maritza Davila, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Emily Gallagher, Jo Anne Simon, Marcela Mitaynes, and Council Members Alexa Avilés, Shahana Hanif, Crystal Hudson, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Lincoln Restler. Senator Gounardes called the state’s refusal to join the city’s visioning process “unacceptable and irresponsible.” The lawmakers stress that the BQE’s harms—crashes, pollution, division—stretch from Bay Ridge to Greenpoint. Without state action, only city-owned segments see attention. The city’s efforts are limited. The state’s inaction leaves systemic danger unaddressed.

• Brooklyn Pols Demand the State ‘Come to the Table’ on the BQE, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-10

Lawmakers and advocates climbed the city’s highest subway station. They demanded more from Governor Hochul’s MTA budget. They want six-minute off-peak trains. They reject fare hikes. They call for taxing the wealthy to fund better, faster service. Riders wait. Danger lingers.

On February 5, 2023, legislators and advocates rallied for increased MTA funding and more frequent subway service. The event, led by Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani and Robert Carroll, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Riders Alliance’s Betsy Plum, responded to Governor Hochul’s budget proposal. The matter: 'Advocates and legislators raced up the stairs...to press their case for Gov. Hochul to do more to fill the MTA's fiscal gap.' Hochul’s plan stabilizes finances but does not boost service or halt fare hikes. Mamdani and Gounardes called for six-minute off-peak trains and new taxes on the wealthy. Gounardes said, 'We all know that we need better service and we need more service.' The proposal remains under negotiation. No safety analyst has assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but frequent, reliable transit is vital for their safety.

• ON THEIR MARKS: Legislators Demand More from Hochul’s MTA Budget Proposal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-02-05

Mayor Adams pledged $375 million for public spaces and open streets. He promised to crack down on reckless drivers and electrify for-hire vehicles by 2030. But he skipped transit upgrades, parking reform, and deeper equity. Critics called the vision incomplete.

On January 26, 2023, Mayor Adams delivered his State of the City address, outlining new transportation and public space plans. The speech promised a $375-million investment in public spaces, permanent open streets, and a push for zero-emission for-hire vehicles by 2030. Adams also highlighted bills targeting reckless drivers and announced a new Director of the Public Realm. The mayor said, 'We will require the 100,000-plus high-volume for-hire vehicles to be zero-emissions by 2030.' Council Member Andrew Gounardes praised the ROADS Act, saying it 'could save hundreds of lives each year.' But advocates like Open Plans and Betsy Plum criticized the lack of action on transit equity, parking reform, and access for low-income New Yorkers. The address left out bus lane expansion, Fair Fares growth, and city fleet reduction, drawing fire for missing bold, systemic change.

• ANALYSIS: The Mayor’s State of the City: Something For Everyone (But Not Enough), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-01-26

Norman Fruchter, education reformer, died after a driver reversed into him at a crosswalk-less Bay Ridge intersection. The driver stayed. No charges. A vigil drew family, officials, and anger. Fruchter’s wife was killed by a reckless driver in 1997. Grief, outrage, no justice.

On January 4, 2023, Norman Fruchter was struck and killed by a reversing driver at 68th Street and Bliss Terrace in Council District 47. The intersection lacked a pedestrian crosswalk. Council Member Justin Brannan attended the vigil and tweeted, 'Confronting traffic violence also means taking personal responsibility [and] safe driving habits. It will take all of us.' The driver remained at the scene but faced no charges. Fruchter’s son Lev condemned the New York Automobile Insurance Plan for letting dangerous drivers stay insured. Community leaders, including NYC Comptroller Brad Lander and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, joined in mourning and frustration. Fruchter’s wife Rachel was also killed by a reckless driver in 1997, a tragedy that helped spark Vision Zero. Nearly three decades later, traffic laws remain weak. No systemic change. Vulnerable road users still pay the price.

• Education reform leader remembered after being killed by traffic violence, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2023-01-20

A sedan veered left on Atlantic Avenue. An e-scooter kept straight. Steel struck flesh. The rider flew, hit pavement, knee torn wide. Blood pooled. He lay conscious, helmeted, leg split open. The car's bumper cracked.

A sedan and an e-scooter collided on Atlantic Avenue near Council District 33. The sedan veered left while the e-scooter continued straight. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor. The impact threw the 34-year-old e-scooter rider to the ground, causing severe lacerations and a torn knee. The rider was ejected and remained conscious, wearing a helmet. The sedan’s left front bumper was damaged. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver. The crash shows the danger when drivers lose focus and veer into the path of vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4599050, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pick-up truck hit a northbound e-bike on 29th Street near 3rd Avenue. The rider, 24, took the blow mid-lane change. Blood pooled from his head. The bike lay crushed. The truck’s front end caved. Unsafe lane changing led to harm.

A pick-up truck struck a 24-year-old e-bike rider during a lane change on 29th Street near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. The rider suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. According to the police report, 'A pick-up truck hit a northbound e-bike mid-lane change. The rider, 24, wore no helmet. He bled from the head. His bike lay crushed. The truck’s front end folded inward.' The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The e-bike rider was the only person injured. The absence of a helmet is noted in the report, but unsafe lane changing by the driver was a key factor in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596847, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

On 5th Avenue, an 83-year-old woman lost consciousness while driving. Her Chevy sedan struck hard, front first. She was alone. Belted. Cut deep. Bleeding, but awake. No other people hurt. The street took the blow.

An 83-year-old woman driving a 1999 Chevy sedan south on 5th Avenue lost consciousness and crashed. According to the police report, 'An 83-year-old woman lost consciousness behind the wheel of a '99 Chevy. The sedan struck hard, front first. She was alone. Belted. Cut deep. Bleeding. Awake.' The driver suffered severe lacerations to her entire body but remained conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' and 'Brakes Defective' as contributing factors. No pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicle occupants were injured. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness, as noted after the primary causes. No other driver errors are listed in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4596558, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A BMW cut through scattered debris on the Gowanus Expressway. A man, 32, was struck near parked taxis. His legs were torn. Blood pooled on the cold asphalt. He died there, under the humming lights and steel.

A deadly crash unfolded on the Gowanus Expressway. According to the police report, a BMW changed lanes and struck a 32-year-old man near parked taxis and scattered debris. The pedestrian suffered severe leg injuries and died at the scene. Multiple occupants and drivers were also injured, including two drivers with head and back wounds. The police report lists 'Steering Failure' and 'Obstruction/Debris' as contributing factors. No driver was cited for failure to yield or speeding. The crash scene was marked by parked vehicles, debris, and chaos. The victim’s actions are not blamed. The report centers on the hazards and failures that led to this fatal impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595159, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Tesla turned left on Tillary. Its bumper hit a woman crossing Jay. She fell hard. Blood pooled. Lacerations marked her body. She stayed conscious. The street kept moving. The car showed no damage. The woman bore the cost.

A woman, age 50, was struck and injured by a Tesla sedan making a left turn at the corner of Tillary Street and Jay Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A woman crossed against the light. A Tesla turned left. The bumper struck her full. She dropped hard. Blood pooled. Lacerations tore her body. She stayed awake. The street did not blink.' The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to her entire body but remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The Tesla’s left front bumper made contact, but the vehicle sustained no damage. No other driver errors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4591105, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Drivers hide plates. Cameras miss them. Streets stay dangerous. Senator Gounardes pushes a bill to pay citizens for reporting illegal plates. Police claim action, but advocates see little change. The bill sits in committee. Ghost cars keep rolling.

State Senator Andrew Gounardes introduced a bill in 2022 to reward citizens who report illegal license plates. The bill remains in committee. The measure would give whistleblowers 25% of the ticket, up to $75. The matter targets drivers who obscure or remove plates to dodge automated enforcement. As city and state agencies rely more on cameras to catch speeders and red-light runners, more drivers hide their plates. The Department of Transportation says cameras failed to ticket over 4% of violators last fall, up from 1% in 2019. Advocates accuse police of lax enforcement and even breaking the law themselves. Gounardes’s bill, still stalled, aims to close this loophole and put power in the hands of citizens. Vulnerable road users remain at risk while enforcement lags.

• Guerilla activists fight back against NYC drivers who hide license plates to evade tolls and tickets, gothamist.com, Published 2022-12-14

Police arrested Adam White for removing plastic from a hidden plate. Charges dropped. Council Member Restler pushes Int. 501: fines for blocking lanes, rewards for civilian reporting. Politicians call for accountability. Defaced plates shield reckless drivers. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 1, 2022, Brooklyn Council Member Lincoln Restler renewed his push for Int. 501, a bill to fine drivers $175 for blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants near schools, and to reward civilians with 25% of the fine for reporting violations. The matter arose after attorney Adam White was arrested for removing plastic from an obscured license plate; charges were later dropped by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, citing 'insufficient evidence.' The bill, discussed at a press conference, aims to crack down on license plate defacement and illegal parking, which Restler says is rampant among city workers and police. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes introduced a similar bill at the state level. Both lawmakers stress the need for public accountability and tougher enforcement to protect vulnerable road users from drivers who evade responsibility.

• Attorney Arrested for ‘Criminal Mischief’ Charge Will Sue Driver for Wrongful Arrest, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-01

Lawmakers and advocates rallied in Manhattan. They demanded more money for the MTA. They want six-minute bus and subway service. They warned against service cuts and fare hikes. They called for gas tax revenue to fund transit. Riders need safe, frequent service.

On November 17, 2022, state legislators and transit advocates pressed for increased MTA funding and six-minute off-peak service. The push comes ahead of the next budget cycle. Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani and Amanda Septimo, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher led the call. Mamdani said, 'If we implement six-minute service, the consequences would be felt for riders across all aspects of their life.' Septimo called transit an economic and racial justice issue. Gounardes urged the governor to include MTA funding in the initial budget. Gallagher criticized the gas tax holiday, urging funds go to transit. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber warned that cuts or fare hikes would devastate working- and middle-class New Yorkers. The group demanded action to protect and improve transit for all riders.

• Legislators and Advocates Press Case For MTA Rescue And Six-Minute Service, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-17

A Honda SUV crashed into a stopped Kia on Union Street. Metal twisted. A 70-year-old woman in the front seat suffered a broken back and amputation. Four others hurt. Both drivers looked away. Distraction ruled the moment. Pain followed.

A Honda SUV struck a stopped Kia sedan near 620 Union Street in Brooklyn. The impact left a 70-year-old woman in the front passenger seat with a broken back and amputation. Three other passengers and both drivers were injured, all reporting pain or back injuries. According to the police report, 'Both drivers had looked away.' The listed contributing factor for both vehicles was 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The SUV was moving straight ahead, while the sedan was stopped in traffic. The crash shows the danger when drivers lose focus, as distraction led directly to severe harm for vulnerable passengers. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4581818, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan tore down Saint Marks Place. It hit parked cars. Metal screamed. The driver, a 22-year-old man, crushed his arm. Passengers were shaken. The street was left scarred, the echo of speed and steel hanging in the air.

A sedan, moving at unsafe speed, crashed into a line of parked vehicles on Saint Marks Place near 3rd Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, 'A speeding sedan plowed through parked cars. Metal crumpled. A 22-year-old man, unbelted, crushed his arm.' The crash left the driver with serious crush injuries to his arm. Several passengers, including adults and children, were also involved but did not report specific injuries. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The driver was not using any safety equipment. No evidence in the report blames the victims or notes any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580944, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man, 38, died behind the wheel of a parked Lexus on Hicks Street. Head wound. No seatbelt. Only a child restraint. The car silent. The street colder. No other injuries reported. No contributing factors listed by police.

A 38-year-old man was found dead in the driver’s seat of a parked 2022 Lexus sedan near 509 Hicks Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the man suffered a head wound and was not wearing a seatbelt; only a child restraint was present. The report states, 'A man, 38, slumped dead behind the wheel of a parked 2022 Lexus. Head wound. No seatbelt. Only a child restraint.' No other people were injured. Police did not list any contributing factors or driver errors in the data. The vehicle’s left front bumper was damaged, but the cause is not specified. No helmet or signal issues were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580866, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An 86-year-old woman crossed Bay Ridge Parkway with the signal. A sedan turned left and hit her. Blood pooled on the street. She stayed conscious, head bleeding. The driver was distracted. The car showed no damage. The street bore the mark.

An 86-year-old woman was struck while crossing Bay Ridge Parkway at 12th Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when a sedan, making a left turn, hit her. She suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The report states, 'The driver was distracted.' Contributing factors listed include 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The sedan sustained no damage. The data shows the pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The crash left blood on the street, marking another day of danger for those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575754, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan moved south on 4th Avenue. The driver was distracted. He struck a 66-year-old man in the street. The car’s front caved. The man died there, away from any crosswalk. The street fell silent. Another life ended by inattention.

A southbound sedan hit and killed a 66-year-old man on 4th Avenue, near 64th Street. According to the police report, the driver was distracted and struck the pedestrian in the roadway, away from any intersection or crosswalk. The car’s front end was crushed by the impact. The pedestrian died at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. This crash shows the lethal risk posed by driver distraction. No other contributing factors related to helmet use or signaling were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4576161, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Volvo turned right on Tillary Street. The driver looked away. A woman crossed with the light. The car struck her. Her leg broke under the bumper. The street stayed quiet. The driver failed to yield. She lay hurt on the pavement.

A Volvo sedan struck a 27-year-old woman as she crossed Tillary Street at Cadman Plaza West in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the woman walked with the signal when the car turned right and hit her, shattering her leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver, a 56-year-old man, did not report injuries. The car showed no visible damage. The woman suffered crush injuries to her lower leg and foot. She was conscious at the scene. The crash highlights the danger when drivers turn and fail to see people in the crosswalk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575251, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15