Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.
Recent Posts
Eyes on the Street: Progress on Pulaski Bridge Bikeway
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Last week DOT posted photos of construction work on the Pulaski Bridge bikeway on the project’s Facebook page. DOT is adding a protected lane that will create more room for people who bike and walk the bridge, which connects Greenpoint and Long Island City over Newtown Creek. The project has been on New Yorkers’ wish list for […]
Trucker Who Killed Cyclist Anna Rodriguez Charged With Manslaughter
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The truck driver who killed a cyclist in Queens yesterday was charged with homicide after he tested positive for cocaine. NYPD said Dennis Forceri, 57, drove a tractor-trailer into 34-year-old Anna Rodriguez while making a right turn at 56th Road and 48th Street at around 8:45 a.m. Rodriguez suffered trauma to her head and body and died at […]
Allegedly Unlicensed Truck Driver Kills Cyclist in Sunnyside
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An allegedly unlicensed tractor-trailer driver killed a cyclist in Queens this morning. The victim, a 34-year-old woman, was riding west on 56th Road in Sunnyside when the driver hit her while turning right onto 48th Street, according to NYPD and Gothamist. The crash happened at around 8:45. NYPD had not released the victim’s identity as of this afternoon […]
NYPD: “No Criminality” as Truck Driver Kills Woman in Brooklyn Crosswalk
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Update: NYPD told the Daily News the truck driver “had the right of way” when he drove over Latiesha Ramsey. The driver of a box truck fatally struck a woman in a crosswalk in Bedford-Stuyvesant this morning. NYPD filed no charges. Latiesha Ramsey, 37, was crossing Lafayette Avenue at around 10:20 when the driver ran her over while making […]
NYPD: “No Criminality” When Drivers Collide, Kill Woman on Bronx Sidewalk
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For the second time in less than a week, colliding motorists killed a person standing on a New York City sidewalk and NYPD filed no charges. On Monday afternoon the driver of a Coca-Cola truck struck a passenger car before hitting a group of people who were waiting for a bus in Port Morris, killing 37-year-old Sheniqua Silva and injuring […]
DiNapoli: Most New York DWI Offenders Ditching Ignition Interlocks
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Ignition interlock devices, intended to prevent cars from starting if alcohol is detected in a driver’s breath, can be an effective tool to curb drunk driving. Governor Andrew Cuomo’s DMV rule reforms include an interlock requirement for drivers who are issued restricted licenses after multiple DWI convictions. In 2009 the state legislature passed Leandra’s Law, which among other things mandates six […]
NYPD Conspicuously Absent From City Council Vision Zero Hearing
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How seriously does Police Commissioner Bill Bratton take Vision Zero? The City Council transportation committee held a hearing today to gauge the city’s progress in reducing traffic injuries and deaths, and NYPD didn’t send a single person to provide testimony or answer questions. In NYPD’s absence, Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg — as she often does — had to field council […]
Two More Killed on Hylan Boulevard — Who Will Act to Stop the Carnage?
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Update: Mayor de Blasio tweeted that he has instructed NYPD to increase enforcement on Hylan Boulevard and has directed DOT to “pursue safety fixes.” We’ve asked the mayor’s office for details. Motorists killed two people last night in separate crashes on Hylan Boulevard — the third and fourth fatalities on the street this year. Steven Turetsky was […]
NYPD Should Open Data on All Traffic Summonses, Not Just on Truck Routes
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Legislation introduced by City Council members this week would require NYPD to publish data on crashes and summonses along NYC truck routes. The bill is intended to improve safety on truck routes, but a better approach would be to have NYPD post all traffic summons data. Intro 919, introduced by council members Margaret Chin, Jimmy Van Bramer, and transportation chair Ydanis […]
Cab Driver Who Ran Over Kids on Bronx Sidewalk Blames Car
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The livery cab driver who ran over four children and a woman on a Bronx sidewalk Wednesday blamed the car he was driving. The driver, identified as Bialo Daillo, spoke with WNBC yesterday. … Daillo … said he was heartbroken by the accident. The driver said he stepped on the break [sic] and the car wouldn’t […]
Mayor de Blasio Busy Pandering to Motorists Hours After Kids Hit by Driver
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.@NYCMayorsOffice is officially part of @NYC_DOT paving crew! #StatenIsland #millandpave pic.twitter.com/4UAlRXEjlP — NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) October 1, 2015 Update: De Blasio spokesperson Wiley Norvell sent the following statement: “It’s painful and heartbreaking. Preventing crashes like this is precisely why Mayor de Blasio launched Vision Zero immediately after taking office. A full investigation is underway and the […]
TLC: Driver Who Hit Children on Bronx Sidewalk Works for Uber [Updated]
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Warning: Graphic video Updates below The livery cab driver who sped onto a sidewalk and injured a woman and several children this morning in the Bronx was driving a vehicle affiliated with an Uber base, according to the Taxi and Limousine Commission. TLC spokesperson Allan Fromberg said the cab operates from Uber’s Schmecken hub. Fromberg said […]