Queens CB4: Bodies on the Asphalt, Promises in the Air

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

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

An SUV struck a 16-year-old e-scooter rider traveling west on 94 Street. The collision caused upper arm injuries and abrasions. Unsafe speed by one vehicle contributed to the crash. The e-scooter driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:50 on 94 Street involving a southbound SUV and a westbound e-scooter engaged in a police pursuit. The SUV's left front bumper struck the center front end of the e-scooter. The 16-year-old e-scooter driver suffered an upper arm injury and abrasions but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error related to excessive speed. The e-scooter driver had no listed contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. Vehicle damage was noted on the SUV's left front bumper and the e-scooter's front end. This crash highlights the dangers posed by high-speed vehicle operation during police pursuits.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714158 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 26-year-old male bicyclist suffered facial abrasions after a collision with a westbound sedan making a right turn on Queens Boulevard. The impact occurred front-center on both vehicles. The cyclist remained conscious and was not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:15 AM on Queens Boulevard in Queens. A westbound sedan, licensed and operated by a male driver, was making a right turn when it collided with an eastbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 26-year-old male, was riding straight ahead and was struck at the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist sustained facial abrasions and was injured but remained conscious and was not ejected from his bike. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as Failure to Yield, but the collision happened during the sedan's turning maneuver, indicating a critical driver action leading to the crash. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711808 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

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

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

A pickup driver with a record killed an 8-year-old in Queens. He pleaded not guilty. The court let him keep his license. He still drives. The boy’s family mourns. Politicians and advocates demand action. Streets stay deadly. Children pay the price.

On March 18, 2024, Jose Barcia, a pickup truck owner with a long history of unlicensed driving, pleaded not guilty to criminally negligent homicide after fatally striking 8-year-old Bayron Palomino Arroyo and injuring his brother in Queens. At arraignment, Barcia was released without surrendering his license. The Queens District Attorney’s office did not seek revocation. State Sen. Jessica Ramos led a rally, citing 'reckless drivers who refuse to yield to pedestrians' and called for stronger pedestrian safety, saying, 'driving is a privilege that can, and should be, taken away.' Adam White, a lawyer for crash victims, said the DA should have insisted Barcia not drive. The rally highlighted rising road deaths—48 killed citywide in early 2024—and called out the city’s failure to protect its most vulnerable. Vision Zero’s mission, Ramos argued, has been 'desecrated.'

• Driver Who Cops Say Killed Queens Boy is Still on the Road After Not Guilty Plea, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-18

A pickup driver killed an 8-year-old and injured his brother on 100th Street. The driver rushed a left turn, trying to beat traffic. Charges followed. State Sen. Ramos called for speed limits, fewer cars, and safer streets. The avenue is a known danger.

On March 13, 2024, in East Elmhurst, Queens, a pickup truck driver killed 8-year-old Bayron Palomino Arroyo and injured his 10-year-old brother as they crossed 100th Street. The driver, Jose Barcia, rushed a left turn from 31st Avenue and struck the children, according to NYPD Chief of Transportation Philip Rivera. Barcia faces charges of criminally negligent homicide, failure to yield, failure to exercise due care, and speeding. State Senator Jessica Ramos responded, calling for passage of 'Sammy's Law' to let the city set its own speed limits. Ramos said, 'I fight so hard for improved public transit because there are too many cars on the road, particularly SUVs and pickup trucks that do not allow for full visibility in city streets.' She urged fewer cars, especially large vehicles, and stressed the need for pedestrian safety in the budget. 31st Avenue, where the crash happened, saw 74 crashes and 47 injuries last year, far more than nearby, mostly car-free 34th Avenue.

• HORROR IN QUEENS: Child Killed, Another Injured by Reckless Driver, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-13

A dump truck, turning right at 57th Avenue and 80th Street, struck a 43-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She died there, morning light on the asphalt. The truck showed no damage. The driver failed to yield. The city grieves.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old woman was killed at the corner of 57th Avenue and 80th Street in Queens. She was crossing with the signal when a southbound dump truck, making a right turn, struck her. The report states the truck showed no damage. The woman died at the scene. The police report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, underscoring the driver's responsibility in the collision. The vehicle involved was a large Ford dump truck, classified as an oversized vehicle, which the report also lists as a contributing factor. The victim's behavior—crossing with the signal—is noted in the report, but only after the driver's errors. The impact, the loss, and the systemic risk posed by oversized vehicles remain clear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709152 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

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

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

Two men in a sedan suffered neck injuries on 86 Street near Roosevelt Avenue. A van struck the car. Police cite driver inattention and improper lane use. Both passengers were conscious. Metal and glass did not yield.

According to the police report, a sedan and a van collided on 86 Street near Roosevelt Avenue in Queens at 13:49. The sedan was entering a parked position when the van, traveling east, struck it. The impact hit the sedan's left front and the van's right front. Two male passengers in the sedan, ages 32 and 39, suffered neck injuries described as whiplash. Both were conscious and wore lap belts and harnesses. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as contributing factors. These driver errors led to the crash and the injuries sustained by the passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710341 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A sedan traveling west collided with a northbound e-scooter on 111 Street in Queens. The e-scooter driver suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention and limited view as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, at 8:00 AM on 111 Street near 52 Avenue in Queens, a sedan traveling west struck an e-scooter heading north. The point of impact was the sedan's center front end and the e-scooter's right front quarter panel. The e-scooter driver, a 24-year-old male, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with a limited or obstructed view. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and impaired visibility in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716089 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

An SUV making a left turn struck a bicyclist traveling east on Roosevelt Avenue. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries, sustaining contusions. Police cited improper lane usage by the SUV driver as a contributing factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Roosevelt Avenue at 14:30. A 2023 SUV, traveling northwest and making a left turn, collided with a bicyclist traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the SUV's left front quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 56-year-old male, was injured with contusions and trauma to the knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was not ejected. The police report identifies the SUV driver's error as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper," indicating a failure to yield or misjudgment during the turn. There were no contributing factors listed for the bicyclist. Vehicle damage was limited to the SUV's left front quarter panel, and the bike showed no damage. The report focuses on the driver's improper lane use as the cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A sedan struck a merging SUV on the Long Island Expressway at 3:42 a.m. Tire failure and driver distraction caused the crash. A 34-year-old man suffered severe leg bleeding and shock. Steel crumpled. Sirens arrived after the silence broke.

According to the police report, at 3:42 a.m. on the Long Island Expressway, a sedan collided with a merging SUV. The report identifies 'Tire Failure/Inadequate' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan, traveling west, impacted the left rear bumper of the SUV during its merge. The crash caused significant vehicle damage and severe injury to a 34-year-old man, who suffered heavy bleeding from his leg and was in shock. He was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report does not list any victim behavior as contributing factors. Driver distraction and mechanical failure were central to this crash, highlighting ongoing systemic dangers on New York highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707759 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

An SUV traveling north struck an eastbound e-bike making a left turn on Junction Boulevard. The e-bike rider suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Impact occurred on the bike’s right side and the SUV’s left front bumper, causing bruising and contusions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:15 on Junction Boulevard. The e-bike rider, a 40-year-old male, was making a left turn traveling east when the SUV, moving straight ahead northbound, collided with the right side doors of the e-bike. The SUV sustained damage to its left front bumper. The bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists no specific contributing factors but highlights the collision occurred during the e-bike’s left turn and the SUV’s straight travel, indicating a failure to yield or improper turn by the SUV driver as the likely cause. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707215 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Lawmakers push to triple fare-free bus lines. Fifteen routes, more buses, faster rides. Focus on low-income neighborhoods. The move aims to shift New Yorkers from cars to transit. Congestion pricing looms. Riders want speed, reliability, and access.

Senator Michael Gianaris introduced the 'Congestion Pricing Done Right' bill on March 4, 2024. The bill, now before the legislature, seeks to expand New York City's fare-free bus pilot from five to fifteen lines, with three in each borough. The measure promises $45 million for better bus reliability and frequency, targeting low-income and disadvantaged communities. The bill summary states: 'expand and extend New York City's fare-free bus pilot program.' Gianaris, as sponsor, aims to boost mass transit before congestion pricing takes effect. Supporters, including Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, Riders Alliance, and the Transport Workers Union, stress that affordable, frequent buses are vital for safety and equity. MTA Chair Janno Lieber backs more service but warns that bus lanes lag behind. The bill focuses on routes that can handle more buses without new infrastructure, aiming to make public transit a real alternative to cars.

• More free rides? State lawmakers look to triple size of NYC fare-free bus pilot, increase frequency ahead of congestion pricing, amny.com, Published 2024-03-04

A sedan traveling east struck the rear of another vehicle on Grand Central Parkway. The impact injured a right rear passenger, causing contusions to the elbow and lower arm. The passenger remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, at 5:20 AM on Grand Central Parkway, a sedan traveling east struck the center back end of another vehicle also traveling east. The collision caused damage to the center front end of the striking vehicle and the center back end of the struck vehicle. A 31-year-old occupant seated as the right rear passenger sustained contusions and bruises to the elbow and lower arm, classified as injury severity 3. The passenger was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any pedestrian or cyclist involvement or victim fault. The driver of the sedan was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The crash highlights driver error related to rear-end collision dynamics, though specific failure to yield or distraction is not explicitly cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707137 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 43-year-old woman crossing Roosevelt Avenue in Queens was struck by a pick-up truck driven by an unlicensed male driver. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock. The truck showed no visible damage after impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:20 on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. A 43-year-old female pedestrian was crossing the intersection when she was hit by a 2011 Ford pick-up truck traveling east. The driver, a male with a New York license status marked as unlicensed, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in a severity level 3 injury and was reported to be in shock. The vehicle sustained no visible damage despite striking the pedestrian at the center front end. The report lists the driver's unlicensed status as a critical factor. No contributing pedestrian errors were noted, and the pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication. This collision highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers operating vehicles in busy urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708159 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13