Introduction to the Incident
Surveillance video, obtained exclusively by the I-Team, shows a Brooklyn pedestrian violently knocked to the ground in July after an NYPD patrol car collided with a civilian SUV in Bedford-Stuyvesant.
The pedestrian, Amanda Edmond, was able to walk away from the chain-reaction crash, but her attorneys say she suffered a traumatic brain injury. The woman’s sibling said she came within inches of being killed and is now fearful of walking on city sidewalks.
Details of the Crash
The 24-second clip shows the police cruiser driving southbound through a traffic light on Saratoga Avenue and then hitting the back of the SUV as that vehicle crossed the intersection westbound on Prospect Place. The SUV then spun out onto the sidewalk, slamming into the pedestrian. “Out of nowhere, I was rammed and spun out,” said Darlene Johnson, the SUV driver. She insisted she had the green light and was issued no summons.
NYPD Policy on Vehicle Pursuits
A police accident report says the NYPD patrol car was responding to what’s known as a “10-85” radio code, which is a call for officer assistance, according to legal references. Citing pending litigation, the NYPD declined to answer questions about the video, which was provided by Edmond’s attorney. However, the department did confirm the police cruiser had its lights and siren on and was not involved in a vehicle pursuit.
Recent Changes to NYPD Policy
Back in January, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced a revision to the department’s policy on vehicle chases so that pursuits would be authorized for “only the most serious crimes.” Under the new protocols, officers are not allowed to initiate vehicle pursuits for traffic infractions, violations, or non-violent misdemeanors and “discretion will be guided by the location of the pursuit and whether it is in a residential community or near a school or playground.” After that policy change, city data showed police chases nosedive, with radio broadcasts for pursuits going from more than 2,000 in the first half of 2024 to fewer than 600 in the first half of 2025.
Reaction from Attorneys
Attorneys for both Edmond and Johnson say – if indeed there was no active pursuit – there would be less of a justification for the police officer to blow through a traffic light. “Even a higher level of care should have been followed,” said Michael Iakovou, the attorney for the SUV driver. “Something wasn’t followed here and rest assured we’re going to find out what it was.” Nicholas Liakas, who represents the pedestrian who was knocked over, is now calling for the New York City Council to pass legislation permanently tightening restrictions on police pursuits, and ensuring there are limits on other kinds of risky driving – including when there is a “10-85” call.
Call for Further Action
“The fact that Commissioner Tisch came in and made it a point to change, that is a step in the right direction,” Liakas said. “But it does cause confusion, because this policy has been flipped multiple times under the Adams administration.” The victim’s sister, Crystal Harris, also expressed concern about the incident, stating, “She told me to say that the police are here to protect us, not kill us and she really feels that they could have slowed down.”
Conclusion
The incident has raised questions about the NYPD’s policy on risky driving, particularly in situations where officers are responding to a call for assistance. The recent changes to the department’s policy on vehicle pursuits are a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to ensure that officers are prioritizing the safety of pedestrians and other road users. The call for legislation to permanently tighten restrictions on police pursuits and limit risky driving is a necessary step towards preventing similar incidents in the future.
FAQs
Q: What happened in the incident in Bedford-Stuyvesant?
A: A pedestrian was violently knocked to the ground after an NYPD patrol car collided with a civilian SUV.
Q: What was the NYPD patrol car responding to at the time of the incident?
A: The patrol car was responding to a “10-85” radio code, which is a call for officer assistance.
Q: Have there been any changes to the NYPD’s policy on vehicle pursuits?
A: Yes, the department revised its policy in January to only authorize pursuits for “only the most serious crimes.”
Q: What are attorneys calling for in response to the incident?
A: Attorneys are calling for the New York City Council to pass legislation permanently tightening restrictions on police pursuits and limiting risky driving.
