Blood on Their Hands: Slow Queens Streets or Count More Dead

Federal attack on congestion pricing draws fire in Queens. Rep. Velázquez vows court fight. Council Member Julie Won joins call for activism. Panel slams rollback of protections. The crowd demands action to defend New Yorkers from federal threats.

On February 20, 2025, Rep. Nydia Velázquez led a Queens town hall to rally opposition against Trump Administration policies, including the federal move to block New York City's congestion pricing plan. The event, held at Sunnyside Community Services, featured Council Member Julie Won (District 26) and other local officials. The panel condemned the rollback of protections for immigrants and the firing of NLRB board member Gwynne A. Wilcox. Velázquez declared, 'We’ll see him in court,' after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revoked federal approval for congestion pricing. She pledged to fight budget cuts targeting vulnerable communities and criticized tax breaks for the wealthy. Julie Won joined the call for grassroots activism. The town hall spotlighted the threat to New York’s sovereignty and the urgent need to defend city streets and programs from federal interference.

• Velázquez leads Queens town hall against Trump policies, calls for activism, amny.com, Published 2025-02-20

A 43-year-old woman suffered upper leg injuries after a sedan struck her at a marked crosswalk in Queens. The driver failed to yield while making a left turn on slippery pavement. The pedestrian was crossing without signal and went into shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:49 on 62 Street near 53 Drive in Queens. A 43-year-old female pedestrian was crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal when she was hit by a northwestern-bound 2017 Honda sedan making a left turn. The point of impact was the sedan's center front end. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg and was reported to be in shock. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor, compounded by slippery pavement conditions. The sedan showed no visible damage. The pedestrian's crossing without signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. This incident underscores the dangers posed by driver errors and road conditions at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793066 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A minivan left the road in Queens. It hit a tree. One woman died. Three others, all seniors, went to the hospital. The crash happened on Brookville Boulevard, near Sunrise Highway. Police are investigating. The road stayed quiet after.

According to the NY Daily News (published February 14, 2025), a minivan from Eunhae Adult Daycare crashed while leaving a senior residence in Queens. The 74-year-old driver 'lost control of the wheel at the Sunrise Highway.' The vehicle veered off Brookville Blvd and struck a tree. Four people were inside, all seniors. One woman in her 70s died after being found unconscious in the back seat. Three others, including the driver, were hospitalized but expected to survive. Police are investigating the cause. The article highlights the dangers faced by passengers in vehicles operated by older drivers and the risks at busy intersections like Brookville Boulevard and Sunrise Highway.

• Minivan Crash Kills Woman, Injures Three, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-14

An SUV hit a sedan’s side on Borden Avenue. The 73-year-old sedan driver suffered head and internal injuries. Police cited traffic control disregard as the cause. The driver was conscious and belted.

According to the police report, a southbound SUV struck a westbound sedan on Borden Avenue at 11:30. The SUV hit the sedan’s right side doors, injuring the sedan’s 73-year-old male driver. He suffered head injuries and internal complaints but stayed conscious and was restrained by a lap belt. Police listed 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor. The sedan driver was unlicensed, but no other driver errors were noted. The crash’s force and the listed driver error underline the risks when traffic controls are ignored and the harm that follows for those inside vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793055 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

A northbound SUV struck a parked pickup truck on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens. Two male occupants in the SUV suffered injuries including head and arm trauma. Both were restrained and experienced shock, reporting pain and nausea after the crash.

According to the police report, at 21:20 on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens, a northbound 2018 Honda SUV collided with a parked 2019 Chevrolet pickup truck. The point of impact was the SUV's center front end against the truck's left front quarter panel. The SUV carried two male occupants: a 23-year-old driver and a 32-year-old front passenger. Both were injured, with the driver sustaining head injuries and the passenger suffering injuries to the elbow, lower arm, and hand. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. They experienced shock and complained of pain or nausea. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors, but the collision involved a moving vehicle striking a parked vehicle, indicating potential driver inattention or failure to maintain control. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792298 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Two sedans collided on 69 Place in Queens after one driver disregarded traffic control. Both male drivers suffered injuries, including chest and head trauma. The impact left both in shock, with airbags deployed and lap belts fastened.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:41 on 69 Place near Caldwell Avenue in Queens. Two sedans traveling southbound collided, with one vehicle impacting the left rear bumper of a parked SUV. The report cites "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor for the collision. Both drivers, males aged 18 and 66, were injured—one with head injuries and the other with chest injuries. The younger driver had an airbag deployed, and the older driver was restrained by a lap belt. Both drivers experienced shock and complained of pain or nausea. The report explicitly notes driver error in failing to obey traffic controls, with no contributing factors attributed to the victims themselves.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791853 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

SUV merged wrong. Slammed into sedan’s front. Two young men inside sedan bruised, shaken, but conscious. Impact tore metal. Night, speed, steel, pain.

According to the police report, an SUV merged improperly on the Long Island Expressway at 2:01 AM and struck a sedan traveling straight. The sedan’s front hit the SUV’s left side doors. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor, highlighting driver error in lane use. Two men, ages 20 and 19, inside the sedan suffered neck and shoulder contusions. The 20-year-old driver was ejected but conscious, restrained by a lap belt. The 19-year-old passenger, also belted, was not ejected. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791415 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A car struck an underpass on Belt Parkway. Metal twisted. A woman, 27, died at the hospital. A man survived. Police do not know who drove. The wreck left questions. The system failed to protect its passengers.

According to NY Daily News (published February 8, 2025), a single-car crash on Queens’ Belt Parkway killed a 27-year-old woman and injured a 30-year-old man. The white Toyota sedan hit an underpass near 225th Street around 3:50 a.m. Both occupants were found outside the wreck when police arrived. Investigators are unsure who was driving at the time of impact: 'Since both occupants were out of the car at the time of the crash, investigators haven't figured out who was driving, police said.' The woman died at Long Island Jewish Hospital-Valley Stream; the man was expected to survive. The article highlights ongoing uncertainty about driver identity and underscores the persistent risks on city highways, especially where loss of vehicle control leads to deadly outcomes. The investigation continues.

• Woman Killed In Queens Parkway Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-08

Two SUVs collided on Woodhaven Boulevard during left turns. One driver suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cite improper passing or lane use as the cause. Both vehicles took heavy damage.

According to the police report, two SUVs crashed at 18:30 on Woodhaven Boulevard near 81 Avenue in Queens. Both male drivers, licensed in New York, were making left turns when their vehicles collided. The 2012 Acura was hit on the right front bumper; the 2024 Honda was struck on the left rear quarter panel. The Acura driver suffered neck injuries, shock, and reported pain and nausea. The police report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor for both drivers, highlighting lane management errors. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791414 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Lawmakers and advocates clashed over how to fill the MTA’s $33 billion gap. No clear plan emerged. Councilmember Claire Valdez called for details. Riders face risk as funding stalls. Outside groups pitched taxes. The capital plan hangs in limbo.

"I think that would be helpful so we can all see the details and make sure that we're allocating resources most effectively. But these are all moving targets, and we need input from all sides." -- Claire Valdez

On February 6, 2025, Councilmember Claire Valdez of District 37 joined the heated debate over the MTA’s $33 billion budget shortfall. The matter, titled 'MTA honcho Janno Leiber quiet on plan to fill $33B budget hole — but outside group pitches longshot taxes, fees,' was discussed after the Capital Plan Review Board rejected the MTA’s $68 billion five-year capital plan due to a lack of funding. Valdez said, 'I think that would be helpful so we can all see the details and make sure that we're allocating resources most effectively.' She pressed for transparency and input from all sides. Outside groups proposed new taxes and fees, but lawmakers and the governor have not endorsed any. Rider advocates stressed the urgent need for full funding, warning that delay means a more unreliable system for New Yorkers. The council has yet to reach consensus or action.

• MTA honcho Janno Leiber quiet on plan to fill $33B budget hole — but outside group pitches longshot taxes, fees, nypost.com, Published 2025-02-06

Five vehicles collided on 55th Street in Queens. A 32-year-old woman suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cite unsafe speed and following too closely. Impact was sudden, brutal, and avoidable.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle crash unfolded on 55th Street near Metropolitan Avenue in Queens. Five vehicles, all traveling west, collided in a chain reaction. A 32-year-old female driver was injured, suffering neck trauma and shock, with complaints of pain and nausea. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Following Too Closely' as the main contributing factors, both driver errors. The injured woman was not ejected and was an occupant in one of the sedans. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The sequence of rear-end impacts highlights the danger of excessive speed and poor vehicle spacing on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790878 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

Senate bill S 4421 seeks a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. Michael Gianaris leads. Robert Jackson, John Liu, Julia Salazar join. The move could shift riders from cars to buses. Status: sponsorship.

Senate bill S 4421, now at the sponsorship stage, proposes a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. The bill summary reads: 'Provides a fare-free bus pilot program in New York City for one year, subject to appropriations.' Michael Gianaris sponsors, with Robert Jackson, John Liu, and Julia Salazar as co-sponsors. Introduced on February 4, 2025, the bill awaits committee review. No safety analyst has assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The pilot could change how New Yorkers move, but its effect on street safety remains unstudied.

• File S 4421, Open States, Published 2025-02-04

Three drivers suffered neck and back injuries in a Queens collision on Metropolitan Avenue. The crash involved multiple vehicles and was caused by improper lane usage. All victims were in shock and complained of pain or nausea after impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Metropolitan Avenue in Queens at 18:49. The collision involved multiple vehicles, including sedans and SUVs. The contributing factor cited was 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper,' indicating driver error in lane management. Three drivers were injured: a 17-year-old male with back injuries, a 32-year-old female with neck injuries, and a 35-year-old male also with neck injuries. All were reported to be in shock and complained of pain or nausea. The report notes that none of the injured occupants were ejected from their vehicles. The vehicles sustained center front end damage, consistent with a multi-vehicle impact. Driver errors related to improper lane usage were the primary cause of the crash, with no contributing victim behaviors listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790220 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Senate bill S 3832 orders advanced safety tech in all New York vehicles. DMV must set rules. Sponsors push for stricter standards. No direct safety impact analysis for pedestrians or cyclists yet.

Senate bill S 3832, now in sponsorship, demands advanced safety technology in all vehicles statewide. The bill instructs the DMV commissioner to create new rules. Filed January 30, 2025. The matter: 'Mandates the use of advanced safety technology in vehicles in the state.' Sponsors are Brad Hoylman-Sigal (primary), Michael Gianaris, and Kristen Gonzalez. No safety analyst has reviewed the bill's impact on vulnerable road users. The measure aims to raise standards but leaves details to future regulations.

• File S 3832, Open States, Published 2025-01-30

A 23-year-old woman on an e-scooter suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision with an SUV on 74th Street in Queens. The rider was partially ejected, sustaining abrasions. The crash involved improper lane usage by the e-scooter driver.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:15 on 74th Street near Eliot Avenue in Queens. A 23-year-old female e-scooter driver was partially ejected and injured, suffering abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the primary contributing factor, attributed to the e-scooter driver. The SUV involved was traveling north and struck the e-scooter on its right front bumper, while the e-scooter sustained damage to its center front end. The e-scooter driver was operating with a permit and wearing a helmet. No damage was reported on the SUV, which had no occupants. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper lane usage in mixed traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788731 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 47-year-old man driving a sedan suffered neck injuries after an SUV struck the rear of his vehicle on Cypress Hills Street in Queens. The crash involved unsafe lane changing and following too closely, according to the police report.

At 3:59 a.m. on Cypress Hills Street in Queens, a collision occurred involving a 2020 SUV and a 2017 sedan, both traveling east. According to the police report, the SUV driver committed 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Following Too Closely,' leading to the SUV impacting the center back end of the sedan. The sedan's driver, a 47-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and reported symptoms of shock and nausea. He was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Both vehicles were engaged in passing maneuvers before the crash. The police report explicitly cites the SUV driver's errors as contributing factors, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787887 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23