Queens Bleeds While Leaders Stall: End Street Deaths Now

A sedan driver distracted by a hand-held cell phone rear-ended an SUV on Van Wyck Expressway. The impact caused neck injuries and whiplash to the sedan driver, who was restrained and conscious. Both vehicles traveled southbound before the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Van Wyck Expressway at 16:45. A sedan traveling southbound struck the center back end of a southbound SUV, impacting the SUV's center front end. The sedan driver, a 45-year-old male occupant, suffered neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and specifically 'Cell Phone (hand-Held)' as contributing factors to the collision. Both vehicles were going straight ahead prior to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end impacts on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724855 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A northbound sedan struck the center back end of a parked vehicle on Vanwyck Expressway. The front passenger in the sedan suffered back injuries and bruising but was not ejected. The driver was licensed, and no contributing factors were cited.

According to the police report, at 9:46 a.m., a sedan traveling north on Vanwyck Expressway collided with the center back end of a parked vehicle. The sedan was registered in Georgia and driven by a licensed male driver. The impact injured the front passenger, a 49-year-old woman, who sustained back contusions and bruises but was not ejected from the vehicle. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and remained conscious. The report does not list any contributing factors such as driver errors or victim behaviors. The collision involved a failure to maintain control or awareness by the sedan driver, resulting in striking a stationary vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721443 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Three vehicles crashed on Metropolitan Avenue. A 47-year-old driver suffered leg injuries. Police cite drivers ignoring traffic controls. Metal twisted. One man hurt. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a sedan, a pick-up truck, and an SUV collided on Metropolitan Avenue near Brevoort Street in Queens at 21:50. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the cause, pointing to driver error. A 47-year-old male driver was injured, suffering contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He remained conscious at the scene. The crash left front and rear vehicle panels damaged, with the SUV's left front bumper and the sedan's right rear quarter panel struck. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The police report highlights driver failure to obey traffic controls as central to the incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720606 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two sedans collided on Jamaica Avenue. One driver backed unsafely, the other followed too closely. A 49-year-old female passenger suffered whiplash and back injuries. Metal crumpled. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Jamaica Avenue in Queens at 17:52. One driver backed unsafely while the other followed too closely. The collision left a 49-year-old female passenger injured with whiplash and back injuries. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The striking vehicle sustained center front-end damage. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Following Too Closely' as driver errors that led to the crash. No other victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719996 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Assembly Member Rajkumar pushes harsh e-bike rules. Her own car racks up 10 school-zone speeding tickets. She calls e-bikes a menace, but city data shows cars injure far more. Vulnerable road users face danger from both policy and reckless driving.

Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar introduced bills A9092 and A9114, aiming to require e-bike registration, insurance, and inspections. The bills are not yet law and have not advanced through committee. Rajkumar, a close ally of Mayor Adams, claims e-bikes are a 'singular threat' and a 'safety hazard,' citing injury numbers that city data does not support. She stated, 'We have to get rid of the e-bike problem.' Despite her focus on e-bikes, a car used by Rajkumar’s office received 10 school-zone speeding tickets in under a year. Her spokesperson denied she drives the car, later confirmed to belong to her chief of staff. Rajkumar declined further comment. The push for e-bike regulation comes as cars continue to inflict the greatest harm on New York’s streets.

• Reckless with Rajkumar! Queens Pol and Adams Ally Was Driven In Car Slapped with 10 Speeding Tix, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-11

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

Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.

This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.

• Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-04

Queens fights over a rail line. The mayor backs a park. Advocates demand transit. Poor residents lose out. Elected officials split. The city risks locking out thousands from jobs and care. The debate rages. No one asks the people.

This op-ed, published April 4, 2024, covers the battle over the unused Rockaway Beach Branch rail line in southeastern Queens. The city, led by Mayor Adams, pushes a park-only project, funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Rick Horan, QueensLink’s executive director, argues the plan blocks a vital north-south rail corridor, denying disadvantaged communities access to jobs, education, and healthcare. The op-ed states: 'It is simply irresponsible to build a park on a viable transit right-of-way in the biggest city in America.' State Senators James Sanders, Jr. and Joe Addabbo, Assembly Member Stacey Amato, and Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers, JoAnn Ariola, and Bob Holden support studies and funding for the rails-and-trails QueensLink alternative. The mayor’s plan faces criticism for ignoring public input and environmental justice. No safety impact assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.

• Op-Ed: Keeping Poor Residents in Transit Deserts is Getting Expensive, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-04

A 66-year-old man walking outside an intersection suffered knee and lower leg injuries when a vehicle struck him with its right front bumper. The driver’s failure to maintain safe distance caused the collision on Jamaica Avenue in Queens at night.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at 20:02 on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The 66-year-old male pedestrian was struck while performing other actions in the roadway, not at an intersection. The vehicle, traveling straight ahead, impacted the pedestrian with its right front bumper, causing contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report explicitly cites the driver’s error as "Following Too Closely," indicating a failure to maintain a safe distance from the pedestrian. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were noted. The collision resulted in injury severity level 3, with the pedestrian conscious after the crash. Vehicle damage was limited to the right front bumper. This incident highlights the dangers posed by drivers who do not keep adequate space in traffic, especially around vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715596 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Mayor Adams dodged questions on e-bike registration and battery swap rollout. City Hall offered no answers. Delivery workers wait. Council Member Powers grows impatient. Advocates warn registration could hurt cycling. The city stalls. Streets stay dangerous for riders and walkers.

On April 2, 2024, Mayor Adams faced questions about Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar's bill to require e-bike registration and the city’s delay in launching a mandated battery swap program. The mayor called both topics 'off topic' at a press conference. City Hall later said it is reviewing the Rajkumar bill and that the Department of Transportation would oversee the battery swap program, but provided no timeline. The bill, based on disputed injury statistics, has drawn criticism from street safety advocates who argue registration would suppress cycling and sustainable transit. Local Law 131, sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers, requires the battery swap program, but the city has not acted. Powers voiced frustration, noting the Council plans to allocate $3 million for the program. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as city action stalls.

• Mayor Mum on E-Bike Registration Bill, Battery Swap Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-02

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

A taxi traveling east struck a parked SUV on Queens Boulevard, injuring an 89-year-old rear passenger with neck whiplash. The crash exposed driver inexperience and distraction, causing serious impact and vehicle damage along the left side doors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:00 PM on Queens Boulevard in Queens. A taxi, driven by a licensed male driver, was starting from parking when it collided with a parked SUV. The point of impact was the left side doors of both vehicles, with damage to the taxi's left front quarter panel and the SUV's left rear quarter panel. The taxi carried one passenger, an 89-year-old female in the right rear seat, who sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious after the crash. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the collision. The driver of the taxi also suffered upper arm whiplash but no ejection occurred. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in vehicle maneuvering near parked cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712417 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two SUVs collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. An unlicensed driver’s blocked view led to impact. A front passenger suffered chest injuries. Both vehicles were damaged. Systemic danger from obstructed sightlines and unlicensed driving.

According to the police report, two SUVs crashed on Woodhaven Boulevard near Jamaica Avenue in Queens at 9:00 a.m. The unlicensed driver’s SUV, traveling east, struck the right side doors of another SUV heading north. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. A 44-year-old front passenger in the unlicensed driver’s SUV suffered chest injuries but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both vehicles sustained significant damage. The unlicensed status of the driver and limited visibility were key factors in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712253 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

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

Frank Cavalluzzi, wielding a bladed glove, tried to mow down nine protesters in Queens. He shouted slurs, swung blades, then drove onto the sidewalk. The judge gave him 14 years. The court called it justice. The victims scattered. No one died.

On March 19, 2024, Supreme Court Justice Michelle Johnson sentenced Frank Cavalluzzi to 14 years in prison for nine counts of attempted murder. The case stemmed from a June 2020 incident, when Cavalluzzi, wearing a 'Wolverine' glove with blades, threatened and then drove at Black Lives Matter protesters on a Whitestone overpass above the Cross Island Parkway. The matter summary states Cavalluzzi 'taunted, then attempted to run over nine Black Lives Matter protesters.' Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called the sentence 'justice,' emphasizing Cavalluzzi's use of racial slurs and his attack on peaceful demonstrators. Cavalluzzi's lawyer, Jason Russo, argued the case was overcharged, but the court rejected this. The sentence holds a dangerous driver accountable for targeting vulnerable people using the street to protest.

• SEE IT! ‘Racist’ Wolverine Man Hit With 14-Year Sentence, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-19

Councilmember Rajkumar pushes for e-bike insurance and registration. Delivery workers push back. City launches campaign after fatal crashes spike. The fight over who pays for safety lands on the street. Riders, not corporations, face new penalties.

On March 19, 2024, Councilmember Jenifer Rajkumar announced new legislation requiring e-bikes to be insured and registered with the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The bill follows a surge in deadly e-bike crashes—23 deaths last year, up from nine in 2022. The city’s new campaign, 'get smart before you start,' aims to educate riders on safe operation. Rajkumar’s bill drew immediate opposition from delivery workers. Gustavo Ajche of Los Deliveristas Unidos said, 'We're deeply disappointed to see local and state leaders introduce legislation that would put the burden of penalty on delivery workers rather than trying to regulate the app companies.' The campaign and bill highlight a growing rift: who shoulders the cost of safety—workers or the corporations that profit from their labor?

• New campaign aims to stop deadly e-bike crashes in NYC, gothamist.com, Published 2024-03-19

Council bill orders DOT to repair broken curbs during street resurfacing. Hazardous curbs trip, trap, and injure. The fix is overdue. Pedestrians need solid ground. Council moves to force action.

Int 0724-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 19, 2024, the bill commands DOT to repair broken curbs that pose safety hazards during any resurfacing project. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... requiring that the department of transportation repair broken curbs as part of resurfacing projects.' Council Members Schulman, Gennaro (primary), Gutiérrez, Louis, Brewer, and Avilés sponsor the measure. The bill targets a simple danger: shattered curbs that trip and injure. If passed, DOT must fix these hazards as routine, not afterthought. The law would take effect 120 days after enactment.

• File Int 0724-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

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

Jose Barcia killed Bayron Palomino Arroyo in East Elmhurst. Barcia had four prior arrests for unlicensed driving. His truck racked up eight speeding tickets and $350 in unpaid fines. The city failed to tow his vehicle. Now, a child is dead.

On March 14, 2024, Jose Barcia struck and killed 8-year-old Bayron Palomino Arroyo in East Elmhurst. Barcia had been arrested four times for unlicensed driving in 2009 and 2010, with two fines from guilty pleas. His North Carolina-plated pickup had eight camera-issued speeding tickets since June and over $350 in unpaid fines. Despite this, the Sheriff's department did not tow the vehicle. Barcia now faces criminally negligent homicide charges. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, "Driving carries with it a huge responsibility... The rules of the road exist to safeguard everyone." Advocacy groups and officials called for traffic calming and stronger enforcement. The system failed to keep a dangerous driver off the street. A child paid the price.

• Driver Who Killed 8-Year-Old Had Four Prior Arrests for Unlicensed Driving: Cops, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-14