Queens CB2’s broken hour: deaths on Queens Boulevard, trucks in the crosswalk

Apr 23 - A man crossed Roosevelt Avenue before dawn. A Ford SUV hit him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.

A 38-year-old man was killed while crossing Roosevelt Avenue near 70th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 a.m. when a 2011 Ford SUV, traveling east, struck the pedestrian in the chest with its center front end. The report states the man was crossing outside an intersection, with no signal or crosswalk present. The narrative notes, 'A man crossed alone before dawn. A 2011 Ford SUV struck him chest-first. The street was quiet. He died there, broken beneath the grille, his body still in the hush of morning.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further explanation for the fatal impact. The focus remains on the lethal consequences of vehicle movement through pedestrian space in the early morning hours.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719380 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 23 - A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan changed lanes unsafely, striking the taxi’s right front bumper. A front-seat passenger in the taxi suffered head injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the right front bumper of a westbound taxi. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the sedan driver. The taxi carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old female front passenger who was injured, sustaining head injuries and shock. She was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. The injury severity was rated level 3, with complaints of pain or nausea. The sedan had no occupants at the time of the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719303 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 21 - Albany killed the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. No more free rides. Lawmakers gave $12 million for better service, but not enough. Riders lose a lifeline. The city’s poorest feel the blow. Congestion pricing looms. Buses stay crowded, fares return.

On April 21, 2024, the New York State budget ended the MTA’s fare-free bus pilot. The pilot, which began in September 2023, made one bus in each borough free. Lawmakers, including Senator Michael Gianaris, pushed to expand it to 15 lines. The budget did not include this. Instead, $12.3 million was set aside to improve bus frequency, far short of the $45 million needed for expansion. The bill’s summary states, 'The MTA's experiment in fare-less city bus service will soon end after Albany lawmakers did not reauthorize it.' Gianaris pledged to keep fighting for affordable transit. Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the pilot 'crucial' for working-class New Yorkers. The MTA’s Janno Lieber criticized the program. No safety analyst reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users. The loss hits riders who depend on buses most.

• MTA’s free bus experiment will end after not being reauthorized in state budget, amny.com, Published 2024-04-21

Apr 19 - An SUV driver, distracted and failing to yield, struck a moped traveling east in Queens. The moped driver, a 32-year-old man, suffered head contusions but remained conscious. The collision damaged the front ends of both vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. in Queens near 45-35 39 Street. A 32-year-old male moped driver traveling east was hit by a southbound SUV. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors on the part of the SUV driver. The moped driver sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The SUV's right front bumper and the moped's center front end were damaged. The moped driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of his vehicle. The SUV driver was licensed, but the moped driver was unlicensed. The report focuses on the SUV driver's errors without attributing fault to the moped rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718371 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 13 - A 22-year-old woman suffered a fractured hip and upper leg after a pickup truck backed into her in Queens. The driver’s inattention and inexperience caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but seriously injured at the scene.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2003 Lincoln pickup truck backed up in Queens near 43-01 55 Street. The driver, a male, was traveling north but was backing at the time of impact. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to her hip and upper leg. She was conscious at the time of the incident. The vehicle showed no damage and the point of impact was noted as 'No Damage,' indicating the collision likely involved low-speed backing. This crash underscores the dangers posed by distracted and inexperienced drivers operating vehicles in pedestrian areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719302 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Apr 10 - A moped rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries when an SUV making a left turn struck him on Thomson Avenue in Queens. Both drivers were cited for following too closely, causing a violent collision at night.

According to the police report, at 10:10 p.m. on Thomson Avenue in Queens, an SUV was making a left turn when it collided with a moped traveling straight ahead. The moped driver, a 31-year-old man, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor for both drivers, indicating failure to maintain safe distance. The SUV's point of impact was the right front bumper, while the moped's left front bumper was damaged. The moped driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling southeast. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights dangerous driver errors in close-quarters vehicle interactions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716312 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 1 - A taxi rolled backward on Woodside Avenue. Its broken brakes failed. The rear bumper hit a man standing off the road. Blood pooled at his feet. He stayed conscious, leg torn open, as the street watched in silence.

According to the police report, a taxi with defective brakes rolled backward near 68-02 Woodside Avenue in Queens. The vehicle's rear bumper struck a 46-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. The primary contributing factor listed is 'Brakes Defective.' The taxi was backing up at the time of the crash. No driver errors beyond the mechanical failure are cited in the report. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and is not listed as contributing to the collision. The incident underscores the danger posed by vehicle equipment failures, especially in busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714116 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 29 - Cars choke the Queensbridge Baby Greenway. Police refuse to act. Residents plead for help. Council Member Julie Won calls for fencing and bollards. The Parks Department promises a barricade plan. No timeline. The greenway remains a parking lot. Pedestrians lose ground.

On March 29, 2024, Council Member Julie Won called for urgent action to stop illegal car parking on the Queensbridge Baby Greenway in Long Island City. The matter, described as 'lawlessness on the greenway,' has seen police ignore months of resident complaints. Won, through Chief of Staff Nick Gulotta, demanded the Parks Department install fencing and bollards to block cars. 'Council Member Won fully supports the call for the Parks Department to install fencing and bollards to prevent cars from illegally parking and driving through the Queensbridge Baby Park Greenway,' Gulotta said. The Parks Department claims to be working on a 'barricade plan' with NYCHA, but offers no timeline. The greenway, once a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, now serves as a parking lot. The NYPD and Parks Department pass blame. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. The system fails to protect them.

• Can We Just Keep Cars Off the Queensbridge Baby Greenway?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-29

Mar 27 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Mar 24 - A 49-year-old man on an e-scooter suffered severe leg injuries after a crash on Review Avenue in Queens. The impact struck the scooter’s left front bumper and the other vehicle’s right front quarter panel. Driver inattention caused the collision.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Review Avenue in Queens involving an e-scooter and another unspecified vehicle. The e-scooter driver, a 49-year-old man, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash happened around 2 p.m. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the e-scooter and the right front quarter panel of the other vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The injured driver was not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in Queens streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712276 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 22 - A 44-year-old woman suffered head injuries after a pickup truck turning left hit her in a marked crosswalk. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but bruised, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving in Queens.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 58 Street and 44 Avenue in Queens at 8:25 PM. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2022 pickup truck, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to maintain attention led directly to the pedestrian’s injury. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711705 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - An SUV making a right turn struck a westbound e-bike on Queens Boulevard. The e-bike rider, a 56-year-old man, suffered severe leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention and improper turning as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:15 AM on Queens Boulevard in Queens. A 2002 Ford SUV was making a right turn when it collided with a westbound e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 56-year-old man, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors on the SUV driver's part. The point of impact was the SUV's right front bumper and the e-bike's left front quarter panel. The e-bike rider was conscious and wearing a helmet at the time. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper turning maneuvers and distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711341 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 20 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Mar 19 - Council wants bold signs at every school entrance. Paint on pavement. Metal overhead. The aim: warn drivers, shield kids. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait. Danger does not.

Bill Int 0714-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 19, 2024. The bill reads: 'installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, Riley, and Feliz. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to paint and hang school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The goal: alert drivers to children and pedestrians. The bill awaits further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Mar 18 - Two people on an e-bike suffered abrasions after a right-side impact on Queens Boulevard. The driver’s distraction and following too closely contributed to the crash. Both victims were conscious and treated for elbow and arm injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Queens Boulevard near 58 Street at 18:20. The e-bike, traveling southeast with two occupants, was struck on the right side doors. The 24-year-old male driver and 27-year-old female passenger both sustained abrasions to their elbows and lower arms. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors, indicating driver error. Both victims were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The passenger’s injury severity was rated 3, and both wore helmets, though helmet use was not listed as a contributing factor. The collision involved an unspecified vehicle making a left turn with no damage reported. The focus remains on driver errors that led to the impact and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710744 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 17 - SUV hit sedan turning left. Both drivers hurt. Chest injuries. Shock. Police blame driver distraction. Metal twisted. Night air thick with sirens.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV struck a southbound sedan making a left turn on Greenpoint Avenue at 12:30 AM. Both drivers suffered chest injuries and shock, with complaints of pain or nausea. Police identified driver inattention and distraction as the primary contributing factors for both drivers. The SUV’s front end hit the sedan’s right side doors, causing significant damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The crash left both vehicles battered and both drivers shaken.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710427 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 16 - A distracted SUV rear-ended a westbound e-bike on Northern Boulevard. The cyclist was ejected, suffering arm and hand injuries. The SUV driver’s inattention led to a violent, preventable crash.

According to the police report, a 2006 Toyota SUV struck the rear of a westbound e-bike on Northern Boulevard at 20:20. Both vehicles were traveling straight. The SUV driver was cited for Driver Inattention/Distraction and Following Too Closely. The impact ejected the 33-year-old male bicyclist, causing abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The bicyclist was conscious but hurt. No contributing factors were attributed to the bicyclist. The report highlights the SUV driver's distraction and close following as the causes of the crash and the cyclist’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710443 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 12 - Lawmakers push $90 million for faster, freer buses. The plan boosts service and expands free routes. Riders win more access. The bill also funds rail links and fare breaks for low-income, seniors, and disabled. Enforcement on tolls gets softer. Streets shift for people.

On March 12, 2024, state lawmakers released a budget proposal targeting New York City transit. The bill, led by Andrea Stewart-Cousins and mentioned in the Assembly and Senate one-house budgets, calls for $90 million to increase bus frequency and expand the MTA's free bus pilot. The matter summary states: 'State lawmakers proposed spending $90 million this year to improve bus service frequency and expand the scope of the MTA's free bus pilot.' The proposal, supported by Sen. Michael Gianaris and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, also adopts the FARES Act, extending half-price MetroCards to commuter rail, and funds new discounts for seniors and people with disabilities. Lawmakers back the QueensLink rail project and recommend subway improvements. They reject tougher toll enforcement, instead supporting the Toll Payer Protection Act. The plan aims to make transit faster, cheaper, and more accessible for millions of riders.

• State lawmakers propose $90 million for more frequent buses, fare-free pilot in budget response, amny.com, Published 2024-03-12

Mar 12 - Albany lawmakers want more buses and cheaper fares. They propose $90 million for frequent service and 15 new free routes. The plan targets gridlock and aims to boost ridership before congestion pricing hits. Riders in every borough stand to gain.

Bill proposals in the New York State Assembly and Senate, introduced in February 2024 by State Sen. Michael Gianaris and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, seek $90 million for increased bus service and 15 more free bus routes. These measures, part of the 'Get Congestion Pricing Right' package, appear in both houses’ 'one-house' budgets as of March 12, 2024. The matter summary states: 'City buses would run more frequently under new proposals from state legislators in Albany, who included increased bus services and new fare discounts in budget proposals.' Mamdani and Gianaris led the push, citing the need for better transit before congestion pricing launches this summer. Their plan includes expanded Fair Fares, new discounts for seniors and disabled riders, and a weekly CityTicket for unlimited intracity rail travel. Advocates and lawmakers argue these steps are critical for equity and access, especially as the city prepares to charge drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The proposals now enter negotiations with Governor Hochul.

• Legislators Propose More Bus Service, Transit Discounts In State Budget Negotiations, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-12