Queens CB12: Nights of impact, days of grief

Jul 19 - A driver in a sedan hit a 35-year-old man on an e-bike at Rockaway Boulevard and 150th Street in Queens. The rider suffered hip and upper-leg injuries and was in shock. Police recorded driver inattention and driver inexperience.

The driver of a sedan traveling south on 150th Street struck a 35-year-old man riding an e-bike westbound on Rockaway Boulevard. The cyclist suffered hip and upper-leg injuries and was recorded in shock. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Driver Inexperience" contributed to the crash. Both parties were traveling straight ahead before impact. Police logged the point of impact at the sedan's left front bumper and the e-bike's right front. The report lists driver errors as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831328 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 19 - A sedan struck a 25-year-old bicyclist at 97th Avenue and Remington Street in Queens. He suffered abrasions and back pain. Police listed pedestrian/bicyclist confusion as a contributing factor.

A sedan traveling east on 97th Avenue collided with a northbound cyclist at Remington Street in Queens. The 25-year-old bicyclist was injured, with abrasions and back pain. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was listed as a contributing factor. Police recorded the sedan's pre-crash action as going straight ahead and the point of impact as the right front bumper. The report does not list any driver-specific errors. No helmet or signal factors are recorded. The sedan sustained right front bumper damage; the cyclist was conscious and not ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829071 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 18 - A 46-year-old man lay unconscious after a northbound SUV hit him on Union Hall Street in Queens. He suffered chest abrasions. Police listed contributing factors as 'Unspecified.'

According to the police report, a 46-year-old man walking outside an intersection on Union Hall Street in Queens was struck by a northbound 2023 Honda SUV. He was left unconscious with chest abrasions. Police list his location as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Not at Intersection' and action as 'Other Actions in Roadway.' The driver was going straight ahead. Impact point was undercarriage. The SUV showed no damage and had one occupant. No driver errors were specified in the report. Contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828620 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 17 - Council raised pay for grocery deliveristas. EMTs now earn less. Delivery workers face city streets daily. Council chose their risk. First responders left behind.

On July 17, 2025, the NYC Council passed a bill raising minimum pay for app-based grocery delivery workers to $21.44 per hour. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, matches earlier raises for restaurant deliveristas. The matter summary: 'the NYC Council approved on Monday a pay increase for app-based grocery-delivery workers.' Speaker Adrienne Adams and Justin Brannan backed higher EMT pay, but the bill leaves FDNY EMTs earning less than delivery workers. Safety analysts found no direct impact on pedestrians or cyclists: 'The pay increase for app-based delivery workers does not directly affect the safety of pedestrians or cyclists, nor does it impact street design, mode shift, or driver accountability.'

• FDNY EMT outrage: First responders now earn less than grocery delivery workers after NYC Council vote, AMNY, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 15 - Two cars slammed together at 200 St and 118 Ave. Three women hurt, one with whiplash. Police cite 'Other Vehicular' factors. Unlicensed driver behind the SUV wheel.

A sedan and an SUV collided at 200 St and 118 Ave in Queens. Three women were injured, including a 61-year-old driver with whiplash and two passengers with neck and back pain. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight when the crash occurred. The SUV was driven by an unlicensed man. Police listed 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828552 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 15 - The driver of one sedan struck the rear of another on 120th Avenue in Queens. A 31-year-old rear-seat passenger suffered a head injury and whiplash. Police cited 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor.

Two sedans collided on 120th Avenue in Queens. The driver of one sedan struck the rear of the other while both were traveling north. According to the police report, a 31-year-old woman seated in the rear suffered a head injury and whiplash; three others, including both drivers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police identified 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The report describes a rear-end impact: the front of one sedan struck the center back end of the other. Both drivers were listed as licensed and both vehicles sustained front and rear center damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827956 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 15 - Adams pushed a 15 mph e-bike cap. The hearing spiraled into calls for licensing. Riders and advocates warned: this won’t make streets safer. Focus drifted from real threats. Danger remains.

On July 15, 2025, City Hall held a public hearing on Mayor Adams’s proposed 15 mph e-bike speed limit. The session, covered by Kevin Duggan, quickly shifted to e-bike licensing and registration. The matter, described as 'a public hearing about the mayor's proposed speed limit devolved into a debate about e-bike licensing,' saw no council member take a clear stance. Advocates warned that focusing on licensing distracts from proven safety measures and burdens vulnerable users. The safety analyst noted this shift risks real harm, pulling attention from systemic fixes that protect walkers and riders.

• E-Bike Fans and Foes Agree: Adams’s 15 MPH Speed Limit Won’t Make Streets Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 14 - A motorcycle hit a woman crossing Guy R Brewer Blvd. She was hurt in the leg. Police cite failure to yield. The street stayed loud. The crosswalk marked her pain.

A motorcycle struck a 29-year-old woman as she crossed Guy R Brewer Blvd at 137 Ave in Queens. She suffered a leg injury and abrasions. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The driver, a 35-year-old man, was licensed and wore a helmet. The pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk with no signal. The report lists failure to yield as the key factor, underscoring the danger faced by those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828505 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 14 - City debates capping e-bike speeds at 15 mph and closing wage loopholes for delivery workers. No clear safety gain for cyclists or pedestrians. Lawmakers stall on holding app companies accountable.

On July 14, 2025, City Council and DOT held hearings on e-bike speed limits and delivery worker wages. The DOT proposed a 15 mph cap on e-bikes. Speaker Adrienne Adams led a council vote to expand minimum wage laws to grocery delivery apps. Streetsblog NYC reported, 'Monday is a big day for the future of e-bikes in the Big Apple.' Michael Replogle warned the speed cap would 'roll back decades of gains to grow cycling.' A draft bill for app company accountability remains stalled. The safety impact is unclear: 'No direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be determined.'

• Monday’s Headlines: E-Bike Regulations Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-14

Jul 12 - A driver changing lanes struck a 22-year-old motorcyclist on Archer Ave at Guy R Brewer Blvd. The rider suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. Police cited 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.'

A 22-year-old man riding a 2023 motorcycle east on Archer Ave at Guy R Brewer Blvd was injured when another driver changed lanes and made contact. According to the police report, the collision involved 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The motorcyclist was the driver of the motorcycle, conscious and not ejected, and complained of abrasions to his elbow, lower arm and hand. Police records show the motorcycle’s point of impact was the left front bumper and the other vehicle’s point of impact was the right front bumper. The report lists improper passing or lane usage as the contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827410 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 11 - Tow truck merged, struck moped. Woman on moped hurt, head abrasion. Police cite driver distraction. Metal met flesh. System failed again.

A tow truck and a moped collided while merging northbound on the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. The 37-year-old woman driving the moped suffered a head abrasion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The tow truck’s right front bumper hit the moped’s left rear quarter panel. No injuries were reported for the tow truck driver or other listed occupants. The report notes the moped rider wore a helmet, but only after citing driver distraction as the primary factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 11 - An e-bike hit an 8-year-old boy on 150 St near Jamaica Ave. The child suffered a bruised arm. Police list the cause as unspecified. The crash left the boy conscious but hurt.

An e-bike traveling south on 150 St struck an 8-year-old pedestrian near Jamaica Ave in Queens. The child suffered a contusion to his arm and remained conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the contributing factors were listed as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed in the data. No helmet or signal use was cited as a factor. The crash highlights the risk faced by young pedestrians in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826802 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 11 - A sedan and motorcycle crashed on 119 Drive. One man suffered a concussion. Both vehicles hit head-on. Streets in Queens saw another violent impact.

A sedan and a motorcycle collided on 119 Drive near Guy R Brewer Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, a 34-year-old man riding the motorcycle was injured and suffered a concussion. Both vehicles were traveling west and struck each other at the front. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The crash left the motorcycle driver hurt and the sedan driver uninjured. No helmet or signal use is mentioned in the report. The impact highlights the danger faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827646 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 10 - A sedan hit a 67-year-old woman crossing Jamaica Avenue with the signal. She suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver inattention. The street stayed loud. The pain stayed quiet.

A 67-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Jamaica Avenue with the signal. She suffered injuries to her arm and was left in shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. The sedan, traveling west and making a left turn, hit her with its left front bumper. No other contributing factors were noted in the report. The driver and another occupant were not reported injured. The crash highlights the danger posed by inattentive driving at intersections, especially to pedestrians following the rules.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827406 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 10 - Council ends Instacart loophole. All app delivery workers get minimum wage. Bills target pay, tips, and safety. Workers risk streets for every order. Law brings fairer pay, not safer roads.

On July 10, 2025, the City Council advanced Intro 1133 and 1135 to close the Instacart loophole and regulate app-based delivery. The bills, led by Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Sandy Nurse, and Shaun Abreu, require all apps to pay minimum wage and restore upfront tipping. The matter summary: 'regulate the app-based delivery industry.' Sophia Lebowitz supported the action. Advocates say the package strengthens 2023's pay law. A safety analyst notes: mandating minimum wage improves labor conditions but does not directly affect safety, mode shift, or street equity for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Council To Close Instacart Loophole, Pass Delivery Industry Regulation Bills, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-10

Jul 9 - A pick-up truck hit the back of a stopped bus on Jamaica Ave in Queens. The truck driver suffered a back contusion and remained conscious. Police cited driver inattention/distraction as the contributing factor.

A pick-up truck struck the center back end of a stopped bus on Jamaica Avenue near 168 St in Queens. The driver of the truck, a 38-year-old man, suffered a back contusion and was conscious at the scene. The bus driver and two other occupants reported no injuries. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" was listed as the contributing factor. Police recorded driver inattention by the truck driver. Both vehicles were traveling east. The truck's center front end hit the bus's center back end while the bus was stopped in traffic. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826797 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 9 - Council backs daylighting. Speaker Adams stalls. Cars block corners. Sightlines stay blind. Pedestrians risk death. Safety waits. Power plays out. Danger wins.

On July 9, 2025, the City Council considered Introduction 1138 in committee. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won, bans parking within 20 feet of intersections and orders DOT to install barriers at 1,000 corners yearly. The measure, described as a way to 'improve pedestrian safety by increasing visibility at intersections,' has majority support. Speaker Adrienne Adams refuses to bring it to a vote. Advocates and two dozen Community Boards demand action. Safety analysts say daylighting removes visual obstructions, proven to cut crashes and protect walkers and cyclists citywide. The bill sits. Streets stay deadly.

• Universal Daylighting Has Majority Support on the City Council — Will Speaker Adams Give It a Vote?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 9 - A battery exploded. Fire roared. Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, was trapped in smoke and flame inside a Queens pizzeria. She died from her burns. Lithium-ion danger struck again. Four others escaped.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-09), Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, died after an e-bike battery exploded inside Singas Famous Pizzeria in Flushing, Queens. The FDNY described a 'blowtorch effect' that trapped Cheung as she tried to escape the bathroom. The article notes, 'These fires are treacherous. They move very quickly.' This was the first fatal lithium-ion battery fire in NYC for 2025, with officials citing a rising trend in such incidents. The battery was stored outside the bathroom, highlighting risks of indoor storage and the need for stronger safety measures.

• E-Bike Battery Blast Kills Woman In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 8 - A Ford truck turned right on 148th Street and hit a woman in the crosswalk. Her leg broke. She stayed conscious. The driver failed to yield. The street did not protect her.

A 36-year-old woman crossing 148th Street at 95th Avenue in Queens was struck by a Ford truck making a right turn. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered a fractured and dislocated lower leg but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The woman was in a marked crosswalk with no signal. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826794 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 7 - Two SUVs crashed at 184th Street and 90th Avenue. One passenger suffered arm injuries. Police cite failure to yield. Children and adults were inside both vehicles.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at the intersection of 184th Street and 90th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the crash involved multiple occupants, including children. One front passenger, a 38-year-old woman, sustained a contusion to her arm. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight before impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured passenger was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826791 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18