AD 23: Speed. Steel. Silence.

Nov 5 - A BMW SUV veered to change lanes on Belt Parkway. Steel screamed. The SUV slammed a sedan’s rear. The SUV driver, 25, died crushed inside. Airbag bloomed, useless. Speed and sudden movement left carnage and silence behind.

According to the police report, a BMW SUV traveling eastbound on Belt Parkway attempted a lane change at high speed. The SUV struck the rear of a sedan, causing catastrophic damage. The report details that the SUV's driver, a 25-year-old man, was killed in the crash, his body crushed inward despite the deployment of the airbag and use of a lap belt. The sedan, an Acura, was traveling straight ahead when it was hit. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, highlighting the systemic danger of excessive speed during lane changes. No contributing factors are attributed to the sedan’s driver. The violence of the impact underscores the lethal consequences when speed and abrupt maneuvers combine on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769296 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 6 - Two SUVs slammed together on Beach Channel Drive, glare burning through the windshield. A woman, 47, was pinned and crushed behind the wheel, her body shattered but her mind alert. Metal and sunlight conspired to trap her in agony.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 140th Street in Queens. The crash occurred in blinding sunlight, with 'glare' cited as a contributing factor. One SUV was making a left turn while the other traveled straight ahead. The report describes how a 47-year-old woman, driving one of the vehicles, was crushed behind the wheel, suffering injuries to her entire body. She remained conscious as she was trapped by the wreckage. The police report states that both drivers were licensed and that the blinding sun played a direct role in the collision. No specific driver error beyond the environmental condition of glare is listed in the official data. The narrative underscores the violence of the impact and the vulnerability of those inside the vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761743 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 10 - A sedan slammed into a parked car on Cross Bay Boulevard. Metal buckled. In the back seat, a 52-year-old woman’s spine folded under the force. She wore her belt. The street did not forgive. The city’s danger pressed in.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Cross Bay Boulevard near 135th Avenue struck a parked sedan from behind. The impact targeted the left rear quarter panel of the stationary vehicle. Inside, a 52-year-old woman, belted in the back seat, suffered severe crush injuries to her back. The report states the collision occurred at 14:38 in Queens. Police cite 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, placing the onus on the driver who failed to maintain a safe distance. No victim behavior is listed as a contributing factor. The narrative underscores the violence of the impact: 'Two tons of steel kissed too close. Her spine folded.' This crash highlights the persistent threat posed by driver inattention and systemic risk on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 3 - A Ford pickup slammed into a parked SUV on Beach 19th. The woman inside, forty-five, died in her seat. Police cite driver distraction. The truck showed no damage. The road stayed quiet, but the toll was final.

According to the police report, a Ford pickup truck struck a parked SUV near 233 Beach 19th Street in Queens at 3:45 p.m. The SUV's occupant, a 45-year-old woman, was killed in the crash. The report states, 'A Ford pickup struck a parked SUV. The woman inside, 45, wore no seatbelt. She died there, still in her seat.' Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor in the collision. The pickup truck showed no damage, while the SUV was struck on the left rear quarter panel. The woman was not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The deadly impact underscores the consequences of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753464 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 8 - A westbound SUV hit a 19-year-old woman crossing North Conduit Avenue with the light. Her head split. Blood pooled. She lay semiconscious. The driver, distracted, kept going. Flesh met steel. System failed her.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old woman was crossing North Conduit Avenue at 79th Street in Queens with the pedestrian signal when a westbound SUV struck her. She suffered a severe head injury and was left semiconscious, bleeding on the pavement. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The SUV continued straight, its driver failing to see the pedestrian. The victim was crossing with the light. The crash shows the deadly cost of driver inattention and failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731349 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 6 - Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing. Lawmakers balked at raising payroll taxes. The MTA’s $15 billion plan now hangs by a thread. Projects stall. Federal funds at risk. Riders, walkers, and cyclists face uncertainty. Albany remains split. Streets stay dangerous.

On June 6, 2024, Governor Hochul announced a pause on congestion pricing, sparking confusion in Albany. The state-level response included a rejected proposal to raise the payroll mobility tax (PMT) on NYC businesses to fill the $15 billion gap in the MTA’s capital plan. State Sen. Liz Krueger said, 'Payroll mobility taxes are actually taxes on workers... I do not think we have an appetite for that in the Senate.' Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, who once voted for congestion pricing, now supports the pause, calling the original vote 'political blackmail.' The MTA’s future projects, including the Second Avenue Subway, are threatened, as federal matching funds require local dollars. Lawmakers remain divided. No clear alternative has emerged. Vulnerable road users are left exposed as transit funding falters.

• Reporter’s Notebook: Where Were You The Day Congestion Pricing Died (Maybe)?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-06

Apr 4 - At 157th Avenue and 97th Street, an SUV’s left turn slams into a young e-bike rider. Steel tears flesh. Blood pools on Queens asphalt. The cyclist, helmeted but unlicensed, stays conscious as his leg splits open. Driver inattention rules the scene.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old e-bike rider was traveling north at the corner of 157th Avenue and 97th Street when an SUV made a left turn and struck him. The report states the SUV driver’s action was a 'left turn,' and lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The collision resulted in severe lacerations to the cyclist’s leg, described in the report as 'his leg splits open' and 'blood on asphalt.' The cyclist was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the crash. The report notes the cyclist was unlicensed, but does not cite this as a contributing factor. No evidence in the report suggests any error by the cyclist. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver inattention in left-turn scenarios.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714654 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 29 - A Ford sedan crashed head-on into a parked SUV on Dickens Street. The unlicensed driver, distracted by something outside, crushed both legs. Alone in the night, he was left conscious and injured. The street stayed silent after the impact.

According to the police report, a Ford sedan traveling south on Dickens Street near Beatrice Court struck a parked SUV head-on. The sedan's sole occupant, a 34-year-old unlicensed male driver, suffered severe crush injuries to both legs and was found conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver was distracted by something outside the vehicle before the crash. The sedan's driver did not possess a valid license at the time of the collision. The SUV was parked and unoccupied, with no injuries reported to others. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the danger posed by driver distraction and unlicensed operation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714550 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 18 - A Chevy sedan tore down Centreville Avenue and struck a 29-year-old man. The impact crushed his leg. He stayed conscious as the car sped away, leaving him broken in the street. The driver’s aggression marked the night.

A 2004 Chevy sedan traveling southwest on Centreville Avenue near Rockaway Boulevard struck a 29-year-old man, according to the police report. The pedestrian was not at an intersection when the collision occurred. The report states the man suffered crush injuries to his knee and lower leg but remained conscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' was cited as the primary contributing factor in the crash. The sedan’s left front bumper delivered the blow, and the vehicle sustained no damage. The report notes the driver continued on, leaving the injured man in the roadway. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were listed in the police report. The focus remains on the driver’s aggression and the systemic risk it poses to people on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703525 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 14 - A fleeing Honda reversed down 84th Street, crushing a man’s leg beneath steel. The driver had no license. Sirens echoed. The pedestrian stayed conscious, pain radiating in the dark as streetlights flickered over Dumont Avenue.

A 33-year-old man suffered crush injuries to his leg when a Honda sedan, driven by an unlicensed man, reversed into him on 84th Street near Dumont Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the crash occurred during a police pursuit. The report states the driver was 'Backing Unsafely' and did not possess a valid license. The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk at the time, but the report does not list any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The narrative describes the scene: 'A fleeing Honda reversed into a man, not at a crosswalk. His leg was crushed under steel. He stayed conscious. The driver had no license. The streetlights flickered. Sirens followed.' The focus remains on the driver’s unlawful actions—operating without a license and reversing unsafely while fleeing police—which directly led to the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705891 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 10 - A Toyota sedan tore down Cross Bay Boulevard. It hit hard, left side first. The driver, alone, was thrown from the car. Chest crushed. Unsafe speed and alcohol fueled the crash. He died on the street, harness strapped, darkness all around.

A 27-year-old man driving a 1993 Toyota sedan on Cross Bay Boulevard near East 1st Road in Queens was killed after his car struck left-side first and he was ejected from the vehicle. According to the police report, 'Speed and alcohol behind the wheel. Dead on the street.' The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The driver was alone and wearing a lap belt and harness. The impact crushed his chest. No other vehicles or people were involved. The crash highlights the deadly consequences of unsafe speed, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686524 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 10 - A bus turned left at dawn in Queens. A 73-year-old woman crossed in the marked crosswalk. The front of the bus hit her. She died on the street. The engine idled. The city stayed silent.

A 73-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 86th Street and 107th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a bus turned left at dawn and struck her as she crossed in the marked crosswalk. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The woman suffered fatal injuries to her entire body and died at the scene. The bus, a Ford, was making a left turn when its front end hit the pedestrian. No damage was reported to the bus. The police report does not mention any other contributing factors from the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677970 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 20 - A man on an e-bike crossed Pitkin Avenue at 95th Street. He ran the light. A Kia struck him head-on. He flew, landed hard. Blood pooled under the streetlamp. He died there, alone in the dark.

A 58-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed at Pitkin Avenue and 95th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the e-bike rider 'ran the light.' A Kia SUV, traveling south, struck him head-on. The impact ejected the rider, causing fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The man was not wearing a helmet, but the primary error cited is the disregard for traffic control. No other injuries were reported. The crash left the rider dead at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 11 - A Nissan sedan hit a 77-year-old man on Liberty Avenue. He crossed mid-block. The car’s right front bumper split his face. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed conscious. The driver moved too fast. The car failed to stop in time.

A 77-year-old man was struck by a westbound Nissan sedan while crossing Liberty Avenue near 104th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the car’s right front bumper hit the pedestrian mid-block, causing severe facial lacerations and leaving blood on the pavement. The man remained conscious after the impact. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver did not stop in time to avoid the collision. The data does not mention any helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash highlights the danger posed by speeding vehicles to people crossing city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661486 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 5 - A Hyundai sedan crashed into a parked Volkswagen SUV on Cross Bay Boulevard. The driver, a 31-year-old woman, was crushed in her seat. She stayed conscious. Her whole body hurt. Unsafe speed and improper turning led to pain and chaos.

A Hyundai sedan struck the back of a parked Volkswagen SUV near 160th Avenue on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens. The 31-year-old driver of the Hyundai was crushed in her seat and suffered injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Turning Improperly' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The Volkswagen SUV was parked at the time of the collision. The impact damaged the right front of the Hyundai and the left rear of the SUV. The report does not list any helmet or signal issues. The crash left one person hurt and highlighted driver errors as key causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4659832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 11 - A drunk, unlicensed motorcyclist struck a 68-year-old man on the Boardwalk. The impact was head-on. The man fell, bleeding from the head, motionless. The night was silent. The rider failed to yield. The man did not get up.

A 68-year-old pedestrian suffered severe head injuries after a motorcycle hit him head-on on the Boardwalk. According to the police report, the rider was drunk and unlicensed. The report states, 'The rider was drunk. Unlicensed.' The crash left the man unconscious and bleeding. Police listed 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The motorcycle’s front end took the impact. The man’s injuries were grave. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656731 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 24 - A sedan veered onto the sidewalk on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. The driver had fallen asleep. The car struck a 19-year-old woman head-on. She died at the scene. The street stayed quiet. The danger was sudden and final.

A 2021 Hyundai sedan traveling west on Rockaway Beach Boulevard near Beach 108th Street left the roadway and mounted the sidewalk. According to the police report, the driver 'fell asleep.' The sedan struck a 19-year-old woman who was standing on the sidewalk. She suffered fatal head injuries and died where she stood. The police report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor. The victim was not in the roadway and played no role in the crash. The impact came from the center front end of the sedan. No other contributing factors are listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640443 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 19 - A man lost control of his Yamaha on North Conduit Avenue. The bike slammed down. He flew from the seat. His helmet stayed on. He struck the pavement and died. No other vehicles or people were involved. The street stayed silent.

A 54-year-old man riding a Yamaha motorcycle westbound on North Conduit Avenue lost control and was ejected from his bike. According to the police report, "A 54-year-old man lost control of his Yamaha. The bike struck hard. He flew. The helmet stayed on. His body hit pavement. No one else was there. He died alone, under the noon sun." The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The rider was wearing a helmet, as noted in the data. No other vehicles or people were involved in the crash. The man died at the scene from injuries to his entire body.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630447 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 14 - A sedan hit a 73-year-old man on North Conduit Avenue. The driver was distracted. The man died on the street. Metal crushed flesh. The city moved on. The car kept west. Another life lost to inattention.

A 73-year-old man was killed while crossing North Conduit Avenue near Cohancy Street in Queens. According to the police report, 'A 73-year-old man stepped into the road without a signal. A westbound Honda struck him head-on. He died on the pavement. The driver was distracted.' The contributing factor listed is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The sedan hit the pedestrian with its center front end. No injuries were reported among the vehicle occupants. The crash shows the fatal risk that distracted driving poses to people on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620609 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 12 - A man on an e-scooter fell hard on 101st Avenue. His head struck the street. Blood pooled. He lay semiconscious as morning traffic rolled past. No car hit him. Confusion ruled the quiet road. The city kept moving.

A 45-year-old man riding an e-scooter on 101st Avenue near 93rd Street in Queens was thrown from his vehicle. According to the police report, 'A 45-year-old man thrown from his e-scooter. No helmet. Head struck pavement. Blood pooled on the asphalt. Semiconscious.' The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as the contributing factor. No other vehicles were involved. The rider suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Helmet use was noted as absent, but only after confusion was cited as the primary cause. The street stayed quiet. The man remained on the ground, injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620090 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18