Thirteen Dead. Thousands Hurt. Queens Streets Still Bleed.

Governor Hochul’s halt on congestion pricing guts $12 billion in MTA contracts. Thousands of jobs vanish. Local companies lose out. Lawmakers in affected districts stay silent or cheer. Trains and buses face deep cuts. Riders, workers, and streets pay the price.

On July 24, 2024, Governor Hochul’s official pause on congestion pricing triggered a $12 billion loss in MTA contracts, according to a Reinvent Albany report. The move slashes funding for the 2020-24 MTA capital plan, which was to be partly paid by congestion pricing. The report highlights that many companies losing contracts are in districts represented by lawmakers who either support the pause or have stayed silent. Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick called congestion pricing 'simply another tax' and demanded repeal. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow praised the pause, saying it allows time to address 'communities' concerns.' Frank Russo, president of Ozone Park Lumber, warned, 'You can't just say, 'We're not going to buy supplies and equipment.'' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany said, 'Congestion pricing is an economic booster.' The pause means less money for transit, fewer jobs, and more risk for vulnerable road users who rely on safe, reliable public transportation.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Will Cost Area Companies Billions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24

Low-density districts block City of Yes. Most community boards vote no. High-density areas back the plan. The fight centers on housing, parking, and who bears the city’s growth. Vulnerable New Yorkers wait as politics stall change.

Bill: City of Yes housing proposal. Status: Community board votes and public testimony as of July 22, 2024. Of 57 boards, 38 opposed the plan, 20 supported it, mostly in denser neighborhoods. The proposal, described as aiming to build 'a little more housing in every neighborhood,' faces resistance in low-density areas. Council Member Joann Ariola (R-Woodhaven) opposed more housing in her district, calling it 'suburbs.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso criticized neighborhoods that refuse new housing, saying it increases pressure on poorer areas. Arlene Schlesinger, a Queens resident, voiced strong opposition, especially to lifting parking mandates and adding accessory dwelling units. Community boards, often older and whiter, resist change, leaving the city’s most vulnerable to bear the brunt of housing and transportation inequity.

• Map: How Did Community Boards Vote on ‘City of Yes’ Housing Plan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-22

Unlicensed moped driver rear-ended a stopped SUV on Cross Bay Boulevard. Rider was partially ejected, injured across his body. Unsafe speed and tailgating led to the crash, police report states.

According to the police report, a moped traveling south on Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens struck the rear of a stopped SUV at midnight. The moped driver, unlicensed, was partially ejected and suffered abrasions to his entire body. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors for the moped driver. The SUV driver was licensed and stopped in traffic. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The moped operator wore no safety equipment. The crash highlights driver errors by the moped operator, specifically unsafe speed and failure to maintain distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741978 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Two young women suffered chest and head contusions in a Queens crash. Both drivers were restrained but shocked. The collision involved two sedans traveling east and south, with driver inattention and failure to yield cited as causes.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 10:44 AM in Queens involving two sedans. Both drivers, women aged 22 and 23, were injured with contusions to the chest and head, respectively, and experienced shock. Both were wearing lap belts and were not ejected. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors, specifically for the 22-year-old driver. The vehicles collided with impact points at the left front bumper and center front end, indicating a failure to yield right-of-way by one driver. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights driver errors as the primary cause of injury in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741935 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A truck backed unsafely on 127 Street in Queens, slamming into a stopped sedan. The sedan driver suffered back contusions and shock. Unsafe backing by the truck driver caused the crash.

According to the police report, a tractor truck was backing on 127 Street in Queens when it struck a sedan that was stopped in traffic. The sedan's 36-year-old male driver was injured, suffering back contusions and shock. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' as the sole contributing factor, directly implicating the truck driver. The sedan sustained center front-end damage, while the truck was damaged at the center back end. No errors or contributing factors are attributed to the sedan driver. This crash highlights the danger of improper backing maneuvers by large vehicles in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739483 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Queens council members slammed the City of Yes plan. They called new housing near transit a threat. They fought against ending parking mandates. Most public testimony backed the reforms. But Queens officials stood firm, defending car-centric streets and single-family homes.

On July 11, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on the City of Yes zoning reforms. The proposal aims to increase housing near transit, allow mixed-use zoning, and eliminate parking mandates. Council Members Joann Ariola and Vicki Paladino led opposition, calling the plan an 'unmitigated disaster' and disputing housing data. Ariola argued, 'That's what they bought in the suburbs for.' Other Queens officials and residents echoed fears for single-family homeowners and suburban 'character.' In contrast, Borough President Donovan Richards's spokesperson and some residents supported the reforms, citing the city's affordability crisis. The majority of public testimony favored the proposal, but entrenched opposition from Queens officials remains strong. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• ‘Suburban’ Queens Stalwarts Take Hard Line Against Housing — To Rest of City’s Detriment, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-11

An SUV merged into Rockaway Boulevard, failing to yield. It hit a sedan moving straight. The sedan driver suffered leg and foot injuries. Both vehicles took front-end damage. The crash exposed the cost of driver inexperience.

According to the police report, an SUV merged onto Rockaway Boulevard in Queens and struck a sedan traveling straight at 19:09. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors for the SUV driver. The sedan driver, a 41-year-old man, was injured in the knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and not ejected. The SUV's left front bumper and the sedan's right front bumper were damaged. No contributing factors are attributed to the sedan driver. The crash underscores the danger when merging drivers fail to yield and lack experience.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739129 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 14-year-old boy pedaled west on 103rd Avenue. An eastbound sedan struck him head-on. Crush injuries tore through his body. He was conscious when found. Police cite improper lane usage by the driver. The street swallowed another child.

According to the police report, a 14-year-old boy riding a bicycle was struck head-on by an eastbound Acura sedan at the corner of 103rd Avenue and 130th Street in Queens at 10:46 p.m. The report states the boy suffered crush injuries to his entire body but remained conscious when first responders arrived. The sedan's center front end bore the brunt of the impact. Police list 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, placing responsibility on the vehicle driver for failing to maintain proper lane discipline. The report makes no mention of any cyclist actions contributing to the crash, but notes the boy was not wearing a helmet. The collision underscores the lethal consequences of driver error on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738843 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 2024 Acura sedan traveling east on Belt Parkway struck an object with its left front bumper. Two passengers, including a 7-year-old child, suffered full-body injuries. Police cite alcohol involvement and aggressive driving as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2024 Acura sedan was traveling eastbound on Belt Parkway around 8:30 p.m. The vehicle sustained damage to its center front end with the point of impact at the left front bumper. The driver, a licensed male from New York, was involved in aggressive driving and alcohol use, both listed as contributing factors. Two passengers were injured: a 7-year-old child in a child restraint in the middle rear seat and a 34-year-old adult in the front passenger seat wearing a lap belt and harness. Both passengers suffered injuries to their entire bodies, including contusions and abrasions, but were conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly notes alcohol involvement and aggressive driving/road rage as driver errors leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738556 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A 32-year-old man suffered a neck injury and concussion after being hit by a vehicle while crossing 96 Street near 159 Avenue in Queens. The driver, traveling north, struck the pedestrian at the center front end, leaving him unconscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male pedestrian was injured at an intersection on 96 Street near 159 Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when a vehicle traveling north went straight ahead and struck him at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained a neck injury and was unconscious, suffering a concussion. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error was involved. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior or safety equipment were noted. The vehicle had no occupants other than the driver, and the crash occurred at 16:15. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver actions at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738204 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

SUV backed east, struck woman crossing with signal. Impact hit her arm and hand. Driver’s unsafe backing caused injuries. Intersection became a danger zone.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old woman was crossing Liberty Avenue in Queens with the signal when an SUV, backing east, struck her at 16:10. She suffered injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and reported internal complaints. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor, highlighting clear driver error. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. The data shows the collision resulted from the driver’s unsafe backing maneuver, not any action by the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737211 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A sedan starting from parking hit a westbound e-bike on 112 Street in Queens. The 27-year-old bicyclist suffered abrasions and whole-body injuries. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2019 BMW sedan was starting from parking on 112 Street in Queens around 17:19 when it collided with a westbound e-bike. The bicyclist, a 27-year-old man, sustained abrasions and injuries to his entire body but was conscious and not ejected. The point of impact was the sedan's left front quarter panel and the e-bike's center front end. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors to the crash. The bicyclist was not cited for any contributing factors, and no safety equipment was noted. The collision highlights driver errors in yielding and attention as central causes of harm to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737212 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A Queens crash at 135 Avenue left a 21-year-old sedan driver injured. Police report cites alcohol involvement and failure to yield right-of-way by an SUV making a U-turn. Impact damaged multiple vehicles, highlighting driver errors and systemic risk.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Queens near 135 Avenue around 12:17 a.m. The collision involved three vehicles: a sedan traveling east, an SUV making a U-turn eastbound, and a parked SUV. The SUV making the U-turn failed to yield right-of-way, a critical driver error cited in the report. Alcohol involvement was also noted as a contributing factor. The sedan driver, a 21-year-old male, suffered injuries to his entire body and was conscious after the crash. The impact points included the left front quarter panel of the U-turning SUV and the right front bumper of the sedan, which sustained center front-end damage. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior, focusing instead on the SUV driver's failure to yield and alcohol involvement as causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733402 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

A westbound SUV hit a 19-year-old woman crossing North Conduit Avenue with the light. Her head split. Blood pooled. She lay semiconscious. The driver, distracted, kept going. Flesh met steel. System failed her.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old woman was crossing North Conduit Avenue at 79th Street in Queens with the pedestrian signal when a westbound SUV struck her. She suffered a severe head injury and was left semiconscious, bleeding on the pavement. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The SUV continued straight, its driver failing to see the pedestrian. The victim was crossing with the light. The crash shows the deadly cost of driver inattention and failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731349 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-09

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07