In the wake of a fatal collision in Dyker Heights, Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) is calling for stepped-up enforcement of dangerous driving infractions, and urging motorists to protect their own lives and the lives of others by following the rules of the road.

“There seems to be an epidemic of dangerous driving, these days,” noted Assemblyman Colton. “Drivers need to slow down, obey traffic signals and signs, and pay attention to all those with whom they share the road – pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists. And our police officers need to be more vigilant about stopping motorists who flout driving laws and common sense – those who drive through red lights and stop signs, make illegal U-turns, speed down our neighborhood thoroughfares and turn quickly without paying attention to what’s going on around them. These dangerous behaviors must be curtailed, and one effective way of doing that is by increasing enforcement.”

Xiaohong Chen, 52, was struck and killed at 13^th Avenue and 69^th Street on Tuesday evening, January 16.

“While we wait for the NYPD to conclude its investigation into how the collision occurred, we mourn Ms. Chen,” Assemblyman Colton said, “and send our condolences to her family and friends. No one’s life should be cut short in this way.”

Chen was the fourth pedestrian killed in New York City since the beginning of 2024, according to CrashMapper.org. In 2023, according to CrashMapper, there were 102 pedestrian deaths in New York City; 26 of those occurred in Brooklyn.