Twelve Dead, Hundreds Hurt—Who Pays for the Blood on Anderson’s Streets?

Dec 28 - Metal shrieked on Lefferts Boulevard. A taxi and sedan collided, crushing a woman and breaking a baby’s legs. Both were off the roadway. The drivers missed the signs. One woman dead. One child maimed. The city’s danger, laid bare.

A deadly crash unfolded on Lefferts Boulevard near 115th Avenue in Queens when a taxi and a sedan collided, according to the police report. The impact killed a 51-year-old woman and left a baby boy with broken legs. Both victims were pedestrians and, as the report states, 'not in the roadway' at the time of the crash. The police report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for both drivers. The narrative underscores that 'the drivers missed the signs,' highlighting systemic failures in driver compliance with traffic controls. The collision’s violence—'metal screamed'—left one woman dead from crush injuries and a child with severe leg trauma. The report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on driver error and the lethal consequences for those outside the vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782691 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 18 - A city bus swung left on Lefferts. Steel met flesh. A woman, sixty-four, crossing with the light, was struck and crushed. She stayed conscious as the signal blinked. The street swallowed her pain. The driver failed to yield.

At the corner of Lefferts Boulevard and 133rd Avenue in Queens, a bus making a left turn struck a 64-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. According to the police report, 'A bus turned left. A 64-year-old woman walked with the light. The bumper struck her full. Her body crushed. She stayed awake.' The crash occurred at 18:28. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The woman suffered crush injuries to her entire body but remained conscious at the scene. The impact point was the bus’s left front bumper. The pedestrian’s actions—crossing with the signal—are noted in the report, but the driver’s failure to yield is the primary factor cited by police. No contributing behaviors are attributed to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780180 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 23 - A sedan barreled west on North Conduit Avenue. Light failed. A woman, crossing at 150th Street, was struck head-on. She died there, crushed and alone. The street swallowed her in the dark, another life ended by steel and speed.

According to the police report, a woman was killed near 150th Street and North Conduit Avenue in Queens just after dawn. The report states that a westbound sedan struck her head-on as she crossed the intersection. The contributing factor listed is 'Other Lighting Defects,' highlighting poor lighting conditions at the scene. The report notes the sedan was traveling straight ahead and the impact occurred at the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene with crush injuries. The police report also notes the pedestrian was 'crossing against the signal,' but this is mentioned after the lighting defect cited as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the lethal consequences of inadequate street lighting and vehicle movement through dark intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773457 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 6 - A 25-year-old man died when his BMW tore apart on Nassau Expressway. The car sped east, too fast for the dark. Metal twisted, silence followed. No other lives touched, but the road bore witness to reckless velocity.

A deadly single-car crash on Nassau Expressway claimed the life of a 25-year-old man, according to the police report. The incident involved a 2023 BMW sedan traveling eastbound. The report states the vehicle was moving at an 'Unsafe Speed.' The driver was ejected from the car and suffered fatal injuries to his entire body. The police narrative describes the aftermath: 'A 2023 BMW sped east, too fast for the dark. The driver, 25, was thrown from the wreck. His body broke on impact. No sirens, no cries. Just twisted metal cooling under the silence.' The only contributing factor cited is excessive speed. No mention is made of other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclist involvement. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of unsafe speed on city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769290 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 31 - A 47-year-old man bent over a stalled car on 228th Street. An SUV, driver distracted, came south. The right front bumper hit flesh and bone. The man collapsed, bleeding, unconscious, broken on Queens pavement. The driver kept going straight.

According to the police report, near 145-27 228th Street in Queens, a 47-year-old man was leaning over a stalled car when a southbound SUV struck him with its right front bumper. The report states the driver was inattentive and distracted at the time of the crash. The pedestrian suffered severe bleeding and injuries to his entire body, and was found unconscious on the street. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor. The man was not at an intersection and was working on a car, but the report does not cite these as contributing factors. The impact left the victim collapsed and motionless, underscoring the danger posed by distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769400 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 23 - A pickup truck flipped on South Conduit Avenue. Metal screamed, glass shattered. A 73-year-old man bled from the head, belted in the front seat. The sedan’s front left crumpled. Blood on the belt. The road fell silent.

A violent collision unfolded on South Conduit Avenue near 153-70 in Queens when a pickup truck overturned after a lane change, according to the police report. The crash involved a pickup and a sedan, both traveling east. The report states, 'A pickup flipped after a lane change. A 73-year-old man, belted in the front seat, bled from the head.' The sedan’s front left quarter panel was crushed. Police cite 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The 73-year-old male passenger in the pickup, restrained by a lap belt and harness, suffered severe head bleeding but remained conscious. The report details blood on the belt and silence on the road. Driver error—specifically unsafe lane changing—stands at the center of this crash’s violence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766064 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 19 - A 37-year-old man, helmeted but unlicensed, changed lanes on Nassau Expressway. He was thrown from his moped, struck headfirst, crushed on impact. The road claimed him. No other vehicles. No second chance.

A single-vehicle crash on Nassau Expressway left a 37-year-old man dead, according to the police report. The victim, operating a 2024 Taizhou moped, was unlicensed and was changing lanes when he was ejected from the vehicle. The report states he was helmeted, but suffered fatal head and crush injuries after being thrown and striking the roadway. The police report notes, 'He was thrown, struck headfirst, helmeted. The road took him. Crushed on impact. Ejected.' No other vehicles or people were involved. The driver's unlicensed status is documented in the police report. No additional contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764561 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 28 - A Jeep with faulty brakes slammed into a Cadillac’s rear on Belt Parkway. The front passenger, 45, suffered a crushed neck. He stayed conscious. The Jeep showed no damage. The man did. Systemic failure left flesh broken and steel untouched.

According to the police report, a 1997 Jeep traveling westbound on Belt Parkway struck the rear of a Cadillac sedan. The collision occurred when the Jeep, identified as having 'Brakes Defective' as a contributing factor, crashed into the Cadillac’s center back end. The front passenger in the Cadillac, a 45-year-old man, was injured with severe neck crush injuries and remained conscious at the scene. The report notes that the passenger wore only a lap belt. The Jeep showed no damage, while the Cadillac sustained damage to the right rear bumper. The police report explicitly cites 'Brakes Defective' as the primary cause, highlighting a clear driver-related mechanical failure. No victim behaviors are listed as contributing factors. The crash underscores the lethal risk posed by defective vehicle systems and the systemic dangers present on New York City roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759323 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 21 - A Ford SUV crashed into a slowing taxi on Belt Parkway. In the back seat, a woman’s head bled as red taillights flickered past. She stayed conscious, wounded and waiting, while traffic crawled through the aftermath.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV struck the rear of a taxi that was slowing or stopping westbound on Belt Parkway at 22:15. The SUV, described as 'going straight ahead,' collided with the taxi's center back end. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, highlighting driver error as the cause of the crash. Inside the taxi, a 50-year-old woman riding in the right rear seat suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious. The narrative notes, 'A Ford SUV slammed into a slowing taxi. In the back seat, a 50-year-old woman bled from the head.' No evidence in the report suggests any passenger behavior contributed to the crash. The focus remains on the SUV driver's failure to maintain safe distance, resulting in direct harm to a vulnerable passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758456 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 9 - A woman stepped down from a car on 147th Road. An SUV tore into her right leg. Flesh ripped. She stayed conscious. The driver sped off, leaving blood and silence behind.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old woman was injured on 147th Road near 235th Street in Queens when she exited a vehicle and was struck by a 2023 Toyota SUV. The report states the SUV hit her right leg, causing severe lacerations, but she remained conscious at the scene. The driver did not stop after the impact. The police report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The vehicle sustained no damage and continued eastbound, according to the report. The victim was not at an intersection and was getting on or off a vehicle at the time. The focus remains on the driver's failure to yield, as cited by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 3 - Two SUVs slammed together on Beach Channel Drive. A six-year-old girl, strapped in back, took glass to the face. Blood marked the spot. Obstructed view left her wounded in daylight.

At Beach Channel Drive and Beach 45 Street in Queens, two SUVs collided at 12:05 PM. According to the police report, both vehicles were 'going straight ahead' when they crashed. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the contributing factor. A six-year-old girl, riding in the rear seat, suffered severe facial lacerations from shattered glass. She was restrained in a child seat. The drivers were licensed and no other driver errors were cited. The crash shows how blocked sightlines at intersections put vulnerable passengers at risk when heavy vehicles collide.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 2 - A motorcycle fleeing police crashed into an SUV’s rear on Beach 45th Street. The unlicensed rider, helmetless, flew headfirst onto the asphalt. He bled from a torn scalp, conscious but alone. Aggressive driving and road rage tore through Queens.

According to the police report, a motorcycle operated by an unlicensed 27-year-old male was fleeing police on Beach 45th Street near Beach Channel Drive when it crashed into the rear of a Honda SUV. The report states the motorcycle was involved in 'aggressive driving/road rage' and was being pursued by police at the time of the collision. The rider, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected and suffered severe head lacerations, described as a torn scalp, but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV, driven by a licensed male, sustained damage to the right rear quarter panel. The police report highlights 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as a contributing factor, underscoring the systemic danger posed by reckless vehicle operation. The victim’s lack of helmet use is noted in the report, but the focus remains on the aggressive driving and police pursuit that led to this violent crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752675 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 30 - Steel clashed on North Conduit Avenue. Two sedans, one turning, one charging ahead. A man, belted in, felt his body break. The street bore witness. Improper lane use carved pain into the morning.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at North Conduit Avenue and 122nd Street in Queens. One vehicle was making a right turn while the other continued straight. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. The impact left a 30-year-old male driver with crush injuries to his entire body; he remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The narrative states, 'Steel met steel. A 30-year-old man, belted in, stayed conscious as his body broke.' No evidence in the report suggests any error or contributing behavior by the injured driver beyond the cited improper lane usage by both drivers. The crash underscores the persistent danger when drivers fail to maintain proper lane discipline.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751715 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 22 - A moped tore down Rockaway Boulevard. The driver, helmetless, lost control. He flew headfirst onto the street. Blood pooled in the dark. His body lay twisted, semiconscious, bleeding from the head. No other vehicles or people nearby.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old moped driver traveling eastbound on Rockaway Boulevard near 135th Place crashed late at night. The report states the moped was operated at 'Unsafe Speed.' The driver, who wore no helmet, was ejected from the vehicle and landed headfirst on the street. He was found semiconscious, suffering severe head bleeding, with his body twisted on the pavement. The police narrative describes the scene as solitary, with no other vehicles or people present. The only contributing factor cited in the report is 'Unsafe Speed.' The absence of helmet use is noted after the primary driver error. The data does not mention any other contributing factors or victim actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750558 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 29 - A turning car’s door caught a 15-year-old riding an e-bike. The boy slammed, flew, landed hard. Crush injuries racked his body. He stayed conscious, pain burning through him. Driver inattention and an improper turn paved the way.

A 15-year-old boy riding an e-bike was severely injured near 127th Street and 109th Avenue when he collided with the side of a car making a left turn. According to the police report, the e-bike struck the turning vehicle’s left side doors, sending the boy flying and causing crush injuries to his entire body. The report states the boy was not wearing a helmet, but emphasizes that 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' were the primary contributing factors. The car was making a left turn while the e-bike was going straight ahead. The boy remained conscious after the crash, despite significant pain. The police report centers the driver’s lack of attention and improper maneuver as key causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 15 - A man drove straight on South Conduit Avenue and crashed into two parked SUVs. Metal twisted. His head struck hard. The night air held the smell of alcohol. He wore a belt, but the impact did not spare him.

According to the police report, a male driver with a permit was traveling straight on South Conduit Avenue near 230th Street in Queens when he crashed his SUV into two parked SUVs at 23:40. The report states, 'A man drove straight into two parked SUVs. His front end crumpled. His head bore the hit.' The driver suffered head injuries and crush injuries, despite wearing a lap belt and harness. The police report explicitly lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor in the crash. The parked vehicles were unoccupied, and no actions by other road users contributed to the incident. The focus remains on the systemic danger posed by impaired driving, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733612 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 31 - A box truck, barreling at unsafe speed, struck a sedan on Nassau Expressway. The unlicensed truck driver killed a 68-year-old man. The impact left the victim’s body shattered. The parked Honda beside them never moved. The road stayed silent.

According to the police report, a 68-year-old man driving a sedan was killed when a box truck struck his vehicle on Nassau Expressway near Kennedy. The crash occurred at 5:39 a.m. The report states the truck driver was unlicensed and traveling at unsafe speed, both listed as contributing factors. The narrative describes the victim’s body as 'shattered' by the impact. The truck’s right front quarter panel struck the sedan, while a parked Honda SUV nearby remained untouched. The police report highlights 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors, with no mention of any actions by the victim contributing to the crash. The focus remains on the unlicensed status of the truck driver and the excessive speed, underscoring systemic danger on city expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719034 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 16 - A Porsche SUV tore down South Conduit Avenue. It split apart. Three men, unbelted, were thrown from the wreck. Blood pooled on the quiet Queens road. Speed killed the silence. Metal and bodies lay broken.

According to the police report, a Porsche SUV was speeding east on South Conduit Avenue near 219th Street in Queens when it crashed and split apart. Three men inside, including the 43-year-old driver and two passengers, were not wearing seatbelts. All were ejected, found semiconscious and bleeding, with severe injuries. The report lists "Unsafe Speed" and "Unsafe Lane Changing" as contributing factors. The SUV was demolished. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The scene showed the brutal cost of driver error and unchecked speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710031 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 11 - An SUV hit a baby boy walking against traffic near 184th Street. The front end slammed his head. He lay semiconscious, bleeding, as the vehicle continued east. Dusk fell silent. Blood marked the road. No names, just pain and metal.

A baby boy was struck and severely injured by a station wagon/SUV on South Conduit Avenue near 184th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 18:25. The report states, 'An SUV struck a baby boy walking against traffic. The front end hit his head. He lay semiconscious, bleeding. The car kept east.' The child suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, with his emotional status described as semiconscious. The police report lists 'Vehicle Vandalism' as a contributing factor. The SUV was traveling straight ahead when its center front end impacted the child. The collision happened outside an intersection. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the vehicle’s movement and the systemic dangers present on South Conduit Avenue.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701969 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 22 - Small cities like Clarkston, Georgia, are landing million-dollar federal grants to fight deadly streets. With help from Bloomberg-backed advisors, they outpace larger rivals. Grants target pedestrian danger. Local leaders credit technical aid and strong stories. More small towns now chase life-saving funds.

""The Cities signing up are smaller and often less well-resourced, and they’re drawing down bigger-than-average grants as a result of the technical assistance they’re getting. We’re really proud to be converting ambitions and dreams into winning applications and real safety on the ground."" -- Khaleel Anderson

On January 22, 2024, Streetsblog NYC reported that small cities are securing major federal grants for street safety. Clarkston, Georgia, with high traffic-fatality rates, won $1 million from the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to craft a safety plan. The Local Infrastructure Hub, co-led by Bloomberg Philanthropies, provides technical help, boosting applications. Mayor Beverley Burks of Clarkston said, "You have to be willing to invest in yourself as a city... Having someone who had the skillset to be able to help write the narrative – that’s very crucial for the reviewers to understand the needs in your community." James Anderson, also quoted, highlighted how technical assistance turns ambition into real safety. Other small cities, like Globe, Arizona, and Gladewater, Texas, have also won grants for pedestrian safety. These wins show federal money can reach vulnerable road users in overlooked places.

• How Small Cities Are Winning Big Money for Street Safety, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-22