Skip to content

SEE IT: Morning Carnage on Vanderbilt Avenue

A driver mowed down a lamppost at a busy Brooklyn corner Tuesday morning, shearing it off, an indication that someone was driving far too fast.
SEE IT: Morning Carnage on Vanderbilt Avenue
The corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and Sterling Place was littered with debris after Tuesday morning's crash. Photo: David Weiner

A driver mowed down a lamppost at a busy Brooklyn corner Tuesday morning, shearing it — and a massive part of his car — clean off, an indication that someone was driving far too fast.

Cops did not release details of the crash, but the debris trail suggested that the driver was at the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and Sterling Place when he either lost control of his car and slammed into the light post, or was struck by another driver.

The front end of the car was tangled in the debris of the lamppost. As a Streetsblog reporter took pictures, a person who identified herself as the owner of car’s wife, sifted through the wreckage to retrieve the car’s license plate. She did not offer her name, but said her husband was in the hospital. She did not answer questions about his involvement in the crash.

According to @howsmydrivingny, the car associated with that plate has two serious offenses: speeding and running a red light — both of which were caught on camera. The car was also slapped with tickets for 10 parking offenses.

In all, the driver has paid just $350 on a total of 13 tickets. It costs tens of thousands of dollars to replace a knocked-down lamppost, a cost that is borne by city taxpayers.

Comments Are Temporarily Disabled

Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.

Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Opinion: Sean Duffy’s ‘Golden Age’ of Dangerous Streets

Ethan Andersen
December 15, 2025

‘I’m Always on the Bus’: How Transit Advocacy Helped Katie Wilson Become Seattle’s Next Mayor

December 12, 2025

Watchdog Wants Hochul To Nix Bus Lane Enforcement Freebies for MTA Drivers

December 11, 2025

More Truck Routes Are Coming To A Street Near You

December 11, 2025

Upstate County’s New Bus Service Will Turn A Transit Desert Into A Rural Network

December 11, 2025
See all posts