Broken Bodies, Broken Promises: Blood on District 34’s Streets
AD 34: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025
The Deaths Keep Coming
Three dead. Four left with injuries so grave they may never walk the same. In the last twelve months, Assembly District 34 saw 871 crashes. Five hundred people were hurt. Two children died before they could grow up. A woman was killed crossing 37th Avenue. A 23-year-old man was thrown from a car on Northern Boulevard and did not get up again. The numbers do not bleed, but the streets do. NYC Open Data
The Machines That Kill
SUVs and sedans did most of the damage. In this district, SUVs killed three and injured twenty-five pedestrians. Sedans killed one and hurt twenty-eight more. Trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, and bikes added to the toll. The old story: heavy machines, soft bodies, and a city that moves too fast.
Leadership: Action and Injury
Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas knows the danger. She was struck by a driver while crossing 78th Street. She broke her arm. She called the intersection dangerous and said, “If we had universal daylighting—he could have seen me.” She pushed for Sammy’s Law to let New York City lower speed limits. She called for more protected bike lanes and daylighting at every corner.
González-Rojas co-sponsored bills to force speed-limiting tech on repeat offenders and to require safer street design. She backed fare-free buses and better bike access on bridges. She stood with advocates, but the deaths keep coming. Laws move slow. Cars move fast.
What Comes Next
No one should die for crossing the street. Call González-Rojas. Call the Mayor. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand daylighting at every corner. Demand protected bike lanes and enforcement that stops reckless drivers before they kill. Do not wait for another child’s name on a sign.
Citations
▸ Citations
- FDNY Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-26
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700221, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-04
- Queens Pol Recovering From Broken Arm, Bruises After Driver Strikes Her in Crosswalk, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-07
- This Year’s Mettle: The Push for Sammy’s Law Begins — With or Without Carl Heastie, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-23
- File A 7979, Open States, Published 2023-08-19
- The Albany Report Card: A Scoundrel’s ‘F’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-13
- Cyclists Will Finally Be Welcome on Cross Bay and Henry Hudson Bridges, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-10-26
▸ Other Geographies
AD 34 Assembly District 34 sits in Queens, Precinct 114, District 22.
It contains Astoria (North)-Ditmars-Steinway, St. Michael'S Cemetery, Jackson Heights.
▸ See also
Traffic Safety Timeline for Assembly District 34
Volkswagen Strikes Pedestrian on Northern Boulevard▸A Volkswagen hit a man crossing Northern Boulevard. Blood ran from his head. He stayed conscious. The street fell silent. The crash left the man injured and the city colder.
A westbound Volkswagen sedan struck a 43-year-old man crossing Northern Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, 'a man stepped into the dark road against the light. A westbound Volkswagen struck him head-on. Blood poured from his head. He stayed conscious.' The pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. No driver errors were listed in the data. The police report notes the pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but does not cite any contributing factors for the driver. No other injuries were reported among the vehicle occupants.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572743,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
SUV Turns Left, Strikes Woman at Queens Crosswalk▸A Mercedes SUV turned left at 45th Street and 30th Avenue. It hit a 64-year-old woman crossing the street. Blood ran from her head. She stayed conscious. The SUV was untouched. The street was not.
A 64-year-old woman was struck by a Mercedes SUV while crossing at the intersection of 45th Street and 30th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the SUV was making a left turn when it hit the pedestrian, causing severe bleeding from her head. She remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The SUV sustained no damage. The driver, a 35-year-old man, was licensed and uninjured. No other injuries were reported. The woman was in the crosswalk when the crash occurred. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian as a contributing factor.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4571005,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
Cyclist Thrown, Bleeding After Yield Failure▸A man on a bike hit the street hard. Blood pooled. He lay semiconscious. The bike flipped. The cause: failure to yield. Queens fell silent. The crash left pain and questions. The city moved on. The wound stayed.
A 40-year-old man riding a bike on 84th Street near 25th Avenue in Queens was ejected and severely injured. According to the police report, 'A 40-year-old man was thrown from his bike, bleeding and semiconscious. His body struck the pavement. The bike overturned. The cause: failure to yield.' The crash data lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The cyclist suffered injuries to his entire body and was left semiconscious with severe bleeding. No other vehicle damage was reported. The report does not specify helmet use or other safety equipment. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to grave harm.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4533435,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
González-Rojas Frames MTA Bridge Bike Access as Justice Issue▸MTA pledges better access for cyclists and walkers. The agency seeks public input. Sam Schwartz Engineering will draft the plan. New bike parking appears at Grand Central. Permit rules ease on commuter trains. Advocates push for more. History shows slow progress.
On May 27, 2022, the MTA announced a strategic action plan to improve bicycle, pedestrian, and micromobility access to its trains and facilities. This follows a state bill signed last year mandating better conditions for cyclists. The plan, still in development, aims to create 'equitable access to the transit system and support sustainable transportation modes.' MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said, 'We want to improve customer access to our environmentally friendly MTA services, however they get to their train or bus.' Queens Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas called bridge access 'a matter of environmental justice, public health, and labor justice.' The MTA has ended bike permits on LIRR and Metro-North and added bike parking at Grand Central, but its record on bike access remains mixed. The agency is now seeking public comment and has hired Sam Schwartz Engineering to help shape the plan.
-
MTA Promises to Do Better on Bike and Pedestrian Access — And Needs Your Help,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-05-27
SUV Turns Left, Strikes Elderly Pedestrian▸A Dodge SUV turned left at 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. Its bumper hit an 89-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She fell. Blood pooled. Her head struck the ground. She never woke up.
An 89-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. According to the police report, a Dodge SUV made a left turn and its bumper struck the woman as she crossed with the signal. The impact caused her to fall, resulting in head trauma and internal injuries. She was found unconscious and did not survive. The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' The data shows the pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No driver errors are specified in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use is listed as a factor.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521828,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
Broken Pavement Sends Cyclist Flying on 40 Drive▸A 77-year-old man biked west on 40 Drive. The pavement gave way. He was thrown, struck his head, and died. No cars. No warning. The road failed. Darkness and silence followed.
A 77-year-old man riding his bike westbound on 40 Drive died after the pavement beneath him broke apart. According to the police report, 'The pavement broke beneath him. He flew, struck his head, and died alone in the dark.' The only listed contributing factor is 'Pavement Defective.' No other vehicles were involved. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The report does not mention helmet use as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the lethal risk posed by defective road conditions to people on bikes.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4505687,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
A Volkswagen hit a man crossing Northern Boulevard. Blood ran from his head. He stayed conscious. The street fell silent. The crash left the man injured and the city colder.
A westbound Volkswagen sedan struck a 43-year-old man crossing Northern Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, 'a man stepped into the dark road against the light. A westbound Volkswagen struck him head-on. Blood poured from his head. He stayed conscious.' The pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. No driver errors were listed in the data. The police report notes the pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but does not cite any contributing factors for the driver. No other injuries were reported among the vehicle occupants.
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572743, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15
SUV Turns Left, Strikes Woman at Queens Crosswalk▸A Mercedes SUV turned left at 45th Street and 30th Avenue. It hit a 64-year-old woman crossing the street. Blood ran from her head. She stayed conscious. The SUV was untouched. The street was not.
A 64-year-old woman was struck by a Mercedes SUV while crossing at the intersection of 45th Street and 30th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the SUV was making a left turn when it hit the pedestrian, causing severe bleeding from her head. She remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The SUV sustained no damage. The driver, a 35-year-old man, was licensed and uninjured. No other injuries were reported. The woman was in the crosswalk when the crash occurred. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian as a contributing factor.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4571005,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
Cyclist Thrown, Bleeding After Yield Failure▸A man on a bike hit the street hard. Blood pooled. He lay semiconscious. The bike flipped. The cause: failure to yield. Queens fell silent. The crash left pain and questions. The city moved on. The wound stayed.
A 40-year-old man riding a bike on 84th Street near 25th Avenue in Queens was ejected and severely injured. According to the police report, 'A 40-year-old man was thrown from his bike, bleeding and semiconscious. His body struck the pavement. The bike overturned. The cause: failure to yield.' The crash data lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The cyclist suffered injuries to his entire body and was left semiconscious with severe bleeding. No other vehicle damage was reported. The report does not specify helmet use or other safety equipment. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to grave harm.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4533435,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
González-Rojas Frames MTA Bridge Bike Access as Justice Issue▸MTA pledges better access for cyclists and walkers. The agency seeks public input. Sam Schwartz Engineering will draft the plan. New bike parking appears at Grand Central. Permit rules ease on commuter trains. Advocates push for more. History shows slow progress.
On May 27, 2022, the MTA announced a strategic action plan to improve bicycle, pedestrian, and micromobility access to its trains and facilities. This follows a state bill signed last year mandating better conditions for cyclists. The plan, still in development, aims to create 'equitable access to the transit system and support sustainable transportation modes.' MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said, 'We want to improve customer access to our environmentally friendly MTA services, however they get to their train or bus.' Queens Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas called bridge access 'a matter of environmental justice, public health, and labor justice.' The MTA has ended bike permits on LIRR and Metro-North and added bike parking at Grand Central, but its record on bike access remains mixed. The agency is now seeking public comment and has hired Sam Schwartz Engineering to help shape the plan.
-
MTA Promises to Do Better on Bike and Pedestrian Access — And Needs Your Help,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-05-27
SUV Turns Left, Strikes Elderly Pedestrian▸A Dodge SUV turned left at 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. Its bumper hit an 89-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She fell. Blood pooled. Her head struck the ground. She never woke up.
An 89-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. According to the police report, a Dodge SUV made a left turn and its bumper struck the woman as she crossed with the signal. The impact caused her to fall, resulting in head trauma and internal injuries. She was found unconscious and did not survive. The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' The data shows the pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No driver errors are specified in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use is listed as a factor.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521828,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
Broken Pavement Sends Cyclist Flying on 40 Drive▸A 77-year-old man biked west on 40 Drive. The pavement gave way. He was thrown, struck his head, and died. No cars. No warning. The road failed. Darkness and silence followed.
A 77-year-old man riding his bike westbound on 40 Drive died after the pavement beneath him broke apart. According to the police report, 'The pavement broke beneath him. He flew, struck his head, and died alone in the dark.' The only listed contributing factor is 'Pavement Defective.' No other vehicles were involved. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The report does not mention helmet use as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the lethal risk posed by defective road conditions to people on bikes.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4505687,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
A Mercedes SUV turned left at 45th Street and 30th Avenue. It hit a 64-year-old woman crossing the street. Blood ran from her head. She stayed conscious. The SUV was untouched. The street was not.
A 64-year-old woman was struck by a Mercedes SUV while crossing at the intersection of 45th Street and 30th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the SUV was making a left turn when it hit the pedestrian, causing severe bleeding from her head. She remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The SUV sustained no damage. The driver, a 35-year-old man, was licensed and uninjured. No other injuries were reported. The woman was in the crosswalk when the crash occurred. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian as a contributing factor.
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4571005, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15
Cyclist Thrown, Bleeding After Yield Failure▸A man on a bike hit the street hard. Blood pooled. He lay semiconscious. The bike flipped. The cause: failure to yield. Queens fell silent. The crash left pain and questions. The city moved on. The wound stayed.
A 40-year-old man riding a bike on 84th Street near 25th Avenue in Queens was ejected and severely injured. According to the police report, 'A 40-year-old man was thrown from his bike, bleeding and semiconscious. His body struck the pavement. The bike overturned. The cause: failure to yield.' The crash data lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The cyclist suffered injuries to his entire body and was left semiconscious with severe bleeding. No other vehicle damage was reported. The report does not specify helmet use or other safety equipment. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to grave harm.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4533435,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
González-Rojas Frames MTA Bridge Bike Access as Justice Issue▸MTA pledges better access for cyclists and walkers. The agency seeks public input. Sam Schwartz Engineering will draft the plan. New bike parking appears at Grand Central. Permit rules ease on commuter trains. Advocates push for more. History shows slow progress.
On May 27, 2022, the MTA announced a strategic action plan to improve bicycle, pedestrian, and micromobility access to its trains and facilities. This follows a state bill signed last year mandating better conditions for cyclists. The plan, still in development, aims to create 'equitable access to the transit system and support sustainable transportation modes.' MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said, 'We want to improve customer access to our environmentally friendly MTA services, however they get to their train or bus.' Queens Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas called bridge access 'a matter of environmental justice, public health, and labor justice.' The MTA has ended bike permits on LIRR and Metro-North and added bike parking at Grand Central, but its record on bike access remains mixed. The agency is now seeking public comment and has hired Sam Schwartz Engineering to help shape the plan.
-
MTA Promises to Do Better on Bike and Pedestrian Access — And Needs Your Help,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-05-27
SUV Turns Left, Strikes Elderly Pedestrian▸A Dodge SUV turned left at 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. Its bumper hit an 89-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She fell. Blood pooled. Her head struck the ground. She never woke up.
An 89-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. According to the police report, a Dodge SUV made a left turn and its bumper struck the woman as she crossed with the signal. The impact caused her to fall, resulting in head trauma and internal injuries. She was found unconscious and did not survive. The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' The data shows the pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No driver errors are specified in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use is listed as a factor.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521828,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
Broken Pavement Sends Cyclist Flying on 40 Drive▸A 77-year-old man biked west on 40 Drive. The pavement gave way. He was thrown, struck his head, and died. No cars. No warning. The road failed. Darkness and silence followed.
A 77-year-old man riding his bike westbound on 40 Drive died after the pavement beneath him broke apart. According to the police report, 'The pavement broke beneath him. He flew, struck his head, and died alone in the dark.' The only listed contributing factor is 'Pavement Defective.' No other vehicles were involved. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The report does not mention helmet use as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the lethal risk posed by defective road conditions to people on bikes.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4505687,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
A man on a bike hit the street hard. Blood pooled. He lay semiconscious. The bike flipped. The cause: failure to yield. Queens fell silent. The crash left pain and questions. The city moved on. The wound stayed.
A 40-year-old man riding a bike on 84th Street near 25th Avenue in Queens was ejected and severely injured. According to the police report, 'A 40-year-old man was thrown from his bike, bleeding and semiconscious. His body struck the pavement. The bike overturned. The cause: failure to yield.' The crash data lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The cyclist suffered injuries to his entire body and was left semiconscious with severe bleeding. No other vehicle damage was reported. The report does not specify helmet use or other safety equipment. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to grave harm.
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4533435, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15
González-Rojas Frames MTA Bridge Bike Access as Justice Issue▸MTA pledges better access for cyclists and walkers. The agency seeks public input. Sam Schwartz Engineering will draft the plan. New bike parking appears at Grand Central. Permit rules ease on commuter trains. Advocates push for more. History shows slow progress.
On May 27, 2022, the MTA announced a strategic action plan to improve bicycle, pedestrian, and micromobility access to its trains and facilities. This follows a state bill signed last year mandating better conditions for cyclists. The plan, still in development, aims to create 'equitable access to the transit system and support sustainable transportation modes.' MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said, 'We want to improve customer access to our environmentally friendly MTA services, however they get to their train or bus.' Queens Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas called bridge access 'a matter of environmental justice, public health, and labor justice.' The MTA has ended bike permits on LIRR and Metro-North and added bike parking at Grand Central, but its record on bike access remains mixed. The agency is now seeking public comment and has hired Sam Schwartz Engineering to help shape the plan.
-
MTA Promises to Do Better on Bike and Pedestrian Access — And Needs Your Help,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2022-05-27
SUV Turns Left, Strikes Elderly Pedestrian▸A Dodge SUV turned left at 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. Its bumper hit an 89-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She fell. Blood pooled. Her head struck the ground. She never woke up.
An 89-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. According to the police report, a Dodge SUV made a left turn and its bumper struck the woman as she crossed with the signal. The impact caused her to fall, resulting in head trauma and internal injuries. She was found unconscious and did not survive. The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' The data shows the pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No driver errors are specified in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use is listed as a factor.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521828,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
Broken Pavement Sends Cyclist Flying on 40 Drive▸A 77-year-old man biked west on 40 Drive. The pavement gave way. He was thrown, struck his head, and died. No cars. No warning. The road failed. Darkness and silence followed.
A 77-year-old man riding his bike westbound on 40 Drive died after the pavement beneath him broke apart. According to the police report, 'The pavement broke beneath him. He flew, struck his head, and died alone in the dark.' The only listed contributing factor is 'Pavement Defective.' No other vehicles were involved. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The report does not mention helmet use as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the lethal risk posed by defective road conditions to people on bikes.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4505687,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
MTA pledges better access for cyclists and walkers. The agency seeks public input. Sam Schwartz Engineering will draft the plan. New bike parking appears at Grand Central. Permit rules ease on commuter trains. Advocates push for more. History shows slow progress.
On May 27, 2022, the MTA announced a strategic action plan to improve bicycle, pedestrian, and micromobility access to its trains and facilities. This follows a state bill signed last year mandating better conditions for cyclists. The plan, still in development, aims to create 'equitable access to the transit system and support sustainable transportation modes.' MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber said, 'We want to improve customer access to our environmentally friendly MTA services, however they get to their train or bus.' Queens Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas called bridge access 'a matter of environmental justice, public health, and labor justice.' The MTA has ended bike permits on LIRR and Metro-North and added bike parking at Grand Central, but its record on bike access remains mixed. The agency is now seeking public comment and has hired Sam Schwartz Engineering to help shape the plan.
- MTA Promises to Do Better on Bike and Pedestrian Access — And Needs Your Help, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-05-27
SUV Turns Left, Strikes Elderly Pedestrian▸A Dodge SUV turned left at 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. Its bumper hit an 89-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She fell. Blood pooled. Her head struck the ground. She never woke up.
An 89-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. According to the police report, a Dodge SUV made a left turn and its bumper struck the woman as she crossed with the signal. The impact caused her to fall, resulting in head trauma and internal injuries. She was found unconscious and did not survive. The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' The data shows the pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No driver errors are specified in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use is listed as a factor.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521828,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
Broken Pavement Sends Cyclist Flying on 40 Drive▸A 77-year-old man biked west on 40 Drive. The pavement gave way. He was thrown, struck his head, and died. No cars. No warning. The road failed. Darkness and silence followed.
A 77-year-old man riding his bike westbound on 40 Drive died after the pavement beneath him broke apart. According to the police report, 'The pavement broke beneath him. He flew, struck his head, and died alone in the dark.' The only listed contributing factor is 'Pavement Defective.' No other vehicles were involved. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The report does not mention helmet use as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the lethal risk posed by defective road conditions to people on bikes.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4505687,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
A Dodge SUV turned left at 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. Its bumper hit an 89-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She fell. Blood pooled. Her head struck the ground. She never woke up.
An 89-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 48th Street and Northern Boulevard. According to the police report, a Dodge SUV made a left turn and its bumper struck the woman as she crossed with the signal. The impact caused her to fall, resulting in head trauma and internal injuries. She was found unconscious and did not survive. The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' The data shows the pedestrian was following the signal at the intersection. No driver errors are specified in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use is listed as a factor.
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4521828, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15
Broken Pavement Sends Cyclist Flying on 40 Drive▸A 77-year-old man biked west on 40 Drive. The pavement gave way. He was thrown, struck his head, and died. No cars. No warning. The road failed. Darkness and silence followed.
A 77-year-old man riding his bike westbound on 40 Drive died after the pavement beneath him broke apart. According to the police report, 'The pavement broke beneath him. He flew, struck his head, and died alone in the dark.' The only listed contributing factor is 'Pavement Defective.' No other vehicles were involved. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The report does not mention helmet use as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the lethal risk posed by defective road conditions to people on bikes.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4505687,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-15
A 77-year-old man biked west on 40 Drive. The pavement gave way. He was thrown, struck his head, and died. No cars. No warning. The road failed. Darkness and silence followed.
A 77-year-old man riding his bike westbound on 40 Drive died after the pavement beneath him broke apart. According to the police report, 'The pavement broke beneath him. He flew, struck his head, and died alone in the dark.' The only listed contributing factor is 'Pavement Defective.' No other vehicles were involved. The cyclist was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The report does not mention helmet use as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the lethal risk posed by defective road conditions to people on bikes.
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4505687, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15