Queens Streets: 25 Dead, 4,400 Hurt—Who's Next?

Mayor Adams missed legal targets for protected bike and bus lanes in 2023. Projects were delayed or canceled. The city cited staff shortages and budget cuts. Council members condemned the failures. Vulnerable road users remain exposed. Promises faded. Danger persists.

""Thirty-plus miles of completed new bike lane is of course better than none, but falls far short of Streets Plan requirements,"" -- Selvena N. Brooks-Powers

In 2023, Mayor Adams failed to meet the mandates of the 2019 Streets Master Plan, which required 50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of protected or enhanced bus lanes. The law, championed by then-Speaker Corey Johnson, aimed for safer, more equitable streets. Key projects, including bike lanes on McGuinness Boulevard and Ashland Place, and bus lanes on Fordham Road, were stalled or abandoned. The Department of Transportation blamed staff shortages and budget cuts. Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'Thirty-plus miles of completed new bike lane is of course better than none, but falls far short of Streets Plan requirements.' Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and other members voiced frustration but admitted limited power to enforce compliance. Council Member Chi Ossé was mentioned in coverage. Without mayoral commitment, the plan’s promise to protect vulnerable road users remains unfulfilled. The city’s vision for safer streets is at risk.

• In 2023, Mayor Adams Basically Erased the 'Streets Master Plan', streetsblog.org, Published 2024-01-02

Two sedans collided on Cross Island Parkway. Both drivers suffered head injuries and whiplash. Impact crushed bumpers. No pedestrians involved. Both drivers stayed conscious. Danger rides with every impact.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling southbound on Cross Island Parkway collided. The 2024 Dodge sedan from Georgia was hit on its left rear bumper. The 2016 Volkswagen sedan from New York struck with its left front bumper. Both drivers, a 31-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both remained conscious and were not ejected. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified for both drivers. No pedestrians were involved. The crash underscores the risk of vehicle collisions on this stretch of roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691947 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A passenger was injured in a crash involving two sedans. The driver failed to yield and disregarded traffic control. The impact was severe, causing an upper arm injury to a 35-year-old woman.

On December 30, 2023, a collision occurred in Queens involving two sedans. One passenger, a 35-year-old woman, sustained an upper arm injury and was in shock. According to the police report, the driver disregarded traffic control and was driving at an unsafe speed. The crash happened when one vehicle was making a left turn while the other was going straight ahead. Both drivers were licensed and traveling in opposite directions. The passenger was not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693212 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A hit-and-run truck killed an 82-year-old cyclist on Northern Boulevard. The driver fled. This marks the 29th cyclist death in 2023. Councilmember Brooks-Powers blasted DOT for missing legal bike lane targets. Streets remain deadly. Progress is slow. Accountability is lacking.

On December 28, 2023, Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers responded to the death of an 82-year-old cyclist killed by a hit-and-run truck on Northern Boulevard. This incident marked the 29th cyclist fatality in 2023, a grim milestone in a year of rising traffic violence. Brooks-Powers criticized the Adams administration and the Department of Transportation for failing to meet the Streets Plan's legal requirement of 50 miles of protected bike lanes, achieving only about 30 miles. She stated, 'Thirty-plus miles of completed new bike lane is of course better than none, but falls far short of Streets Plan requirements.' Brooks-Powers also condemned the missed bus lane targets and called out DOT's lack of transparency, pledging to hold the agency accountable and push for safer, more equitable streets. The city faces more cars, more crashes, and more injuries, while vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Another Cyclist Killed in One of the Deadliest Years on Record, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-28

A 24-year-old woman was injured while crossing at a marked crosswalk in Queens. She suffered a hip injury. The driver failed to yield.

A pedestrian was injured in a collision on 217 Street in Queens. The 24-year-old woman was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk when she was struck. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and sustained an abrasion and a hip injury, classified as severity level 3. No additional details about the driver or vehicle were provided in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690645 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 40-year-old woman was struck by a Ford SUV while crossing at an intersection. She suffered facial injuries. The driver was making a left turn with an obstructed view.

A 40-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing with a signal at an intersection. According to the police report, the driver of a 2017 Ford SUV was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The pedestrian sustained a contusion to her face, classified as a severity level 3 injury. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor to the crash. The driver, a licensed male, did not exhibit any vehicle damage. No other factors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691095 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Two sedans crashed on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The female driver suffered back injuries and shock. The collision involved improper lane usage. Both vehicles sustained front quarter panel damage. The driver was restrained and complained of pain and nausea.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The female driver, age 37, was injured with back pain and shock but was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. The male driver was in a parked vehicle before the crash. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front quarter panels. The injured driver complained of pain and nausea. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688728 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A pedestrian crossing 89 Avenue at Springfield Boulevard was struck by a northbound vehicle. The driver was inattentive and speeding. The woman suffered upper leg and hip injuries and was left in shock. The vehicle hit her with its right front bumper.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured while crossing 89 Avenue at Springfield Boulevard in Queens. The woman was crossing with the signal when a northbound vehicle struck her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her hip and upper leg and was in shock at the scene. The report lists driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The vehicle was traveling straight ahead before impact and sustained damage to its center front end. No other vehicle or pedestrian errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688943 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A Dodge truck, driver unlicensed, tore into a Chevy sedan on Brewer Boulevard. Metal twisted. A 71-year-old man died alone in the dark. Police cite traffic control ignored. The street swallowed another life.

A deadly crash unfolded on Brewer Boulevard near South Conduit Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a 71-year-old man driving a 2002 Chevy sedan was struck head-on by a Dodge truck. The Dodge driver was unlicensed. The impact crushed the Chevy and killed its driver at the scene. Police list 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The report also notes 'Unsafe Speed' as a factor for the deceased driver. The Dodge truck's unlicensed status and disregard for traffic control are central to the crash. The man in the Chevy wore no seatbelt, but this is mentioned only after the driver errors. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Conduit Avenue kills. Brooklyn and Queens borough presidents call it urgent. They want DOT to turn this deadly, crash-heavy road into a safe corridor. In less than two years, 1,321 crashes. Seventy pedestrians and 14 cyclists hurt. Five dead. DOT silent.

On December 14, 2023, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards pressed the Department of Transportation to overhaul Conduit Avenue. Their letter called for a transformation of the avenue, described as "one of the most dangerous and non-inclusive roadways in the entire city." The officials urged DOT to prioritize traffic safety, cycling and mass transit infrastructure, pedestrian walkability, and green space. Between January 2022 and December 2023, Conduit Avenue saw 1,321 crashes, injuring 880 people—including 70 pedestrians and 14 cyclists—and killing five. Three intersections are listed as DOT pedestrian safety priorities, but the corridor itself is not. Richards and Reynoso have formed a task force and are pushing for action. DOT has not commented.

• Boob Tube: Brooklyn, Queens Leaders Want DOT to Fix Dangerous Conduit Ave., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-14

MTA plans $30 million for Queens bus overhaul. Eight new routes. More frequent service for thousands. Stops spaced farther apart. Most riders keep their stops. Councilmember Brooks-Powers doubts gains for her district. Borough President Richards backs the plan. Rollout not before 2025.

The MTA’s Queens Bus Network Redesign, announced December 12, 2023, proposes $30 million in service upgrades and expands local routes from 83 to 91. The plan, under review since 2020, aims to boost 10-minute-or-better service for 200,000 more residents, raising coverage from 60.1% to 68.9%. The official summary states the redesign will 'streamline and speed up service.' Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers voiced 'serious concerns' about disadvantages for her district, especially with congestion pricing. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, once critical, now supports the draft after public outreach. State Senator Leroy Comrie noted Brooks-Powers wants clarity for her community, not outright rejection. The redesign awaits further input and is expected no sooner than 2025. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• MTA’s Queens Bus Redesign: $30M in Service, 8 More Routes, Skepticism from Brooks-Powers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-12

MTA revealed its final Queens bus overhaul. Routes shift. Stops thin out. Riders brace for longer walks. Council Member Brooks-Powers warns of harm to her district. The city lags on bus lanes. Public review looms. Vulnerable riders face uncertainty.

On December 12, 2023, the MTA released its final proposal for the Queens bus network redesign. The plan, shaped by two years of outreach, proposes 121 routes—eight more than before—but cuts and combines stops, aiming for straighter lines and faster trips. The matter summary states the redesign seeks 'improved travel speed and reliability.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, voiced 'serious concerns about the proposal’s impact on her constituents, especially with the looming arrival of congestion pricing.' She called for an 'equitable and balanced' approach. The plan faces backlash over wider stop spacing and fewer stops, which could force longer walks for riders—many of them elderly or disabled. The city has failed to meet its legal mandate for new bus lanes, building only 18 miles this year. The proposal enters public review ahead of a 2025 rollout.

• MTA unveils final proposal for Queens bus network redesign, amny.com, Published 2023-12-12

MTA plans $30 million for Queens bus overhaul. Eight new routes. More frequent service for thousands. Stops spaced farther apart. Most riders keep their stops. Councilmember Brooks-Powers doubts gains for her district. Borough President Richards backs the plan. Rollout not before 2025.

The MTA’s Queens Bus Network Redesign, announced December 12, 2023, proposes $30 million in service upgrades and expands local routes from 83 to 91. The plan, under review since 2020, aims to boost 10-minute-or-better service for 200,000 more residents, raising coverage from 60.1% to 68.9%. The official summary states the redesign will 'streamline and speed up service.' Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers voiced 'serious concerns' about disadvantages for her district, especially with congestion pricing. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, once critical, now supports the draft after public outreach. State Senator Leroy Comrie noted Brooks-Powers wants clarity for her community, not outright rejection. The redesign awaits further input and is expected no sooner than 2025. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• MTA’s Queens Bus Redesign: $30M in Service, 8 More Routes, Skepticism from Brooks-Powers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-12

An 8-year-old boy was struck while playing in the roadway in Queens. The sedan, traveling north, hit the child on the right rear quarter panel. The boy suffered abrasions and injuries to his entire body but remained conscious.

According to the police report, an 8-year-old pedestrian was injured while playing in the roadway near 92-38 213 Street in Queens. The child was hit by a northbound sedan, which made contact on the vehicle's right rear quarter panel. The boy sustained abrasions and injuries to his entire body but was conscious at the scene. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The child was not at an intersection and was engaged in playing in the road at the time of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684761 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 17-year-old girl was struck on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. The sedan hit her with its front center while making a left turn. She suffered a head contusion but remained conscious. Glare impaired visibility at the time.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old female pedestrian was injured on South Conduit Avenue in Queens when a 2015 Kia sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, made a left turn and struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion and was conscious after the crash. The report lists glare as a contributing factor, indicating impaired visibility. The driver’s action of making a left turn led to the collision. No other driver errors or victim actions are noted. The pedestrian was not at an intersection, and no safety equipment or signals are mentioned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Two sedans crashed on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. Both drivers were injured, including a 40-year-old woman and a 77-year-old female passenger. The collision involved improper lane usage and turning. Injuries ranged from head trauma to full body shock.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on South Conduit Avenue in Queens. The crash involved a 40-year-old female driver and a 77-year-old female front-seat passenger, both injured with serious trauma. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The 40-year-old driver suffered injuries to her entire body, while the 77-year-old passenger sustained head injuries. Both occupants experienced shock but were not ejected from the vehicles. The collision caused damage to the center front ends and left side doors of the vehicles. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693216 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Mayor Adams will ban parking near 1,000 intersections each year. The city aims to clear corners, boost sightlines, and protect people on foot. Advocates pushed for this. The plan outpaces current law but leaves thousands of corners untouched for decades.

On December 1, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new executive policy: New York City will remove car parking near 1,000 intersections annually, far exceeding the 100 intersections required by recent Council law. The effort, known as daylighting, aims to improve visibility and pedestrian safety. Adams said, 'Protecting New Yorkers is my most sacred responsibility as mayor.' Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers praised daylighting as 'a proven safety measure.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez stressed that daylighting must include physical infrastructure to prevent reckless turns. The Department of Transportation will also add raised crosswalks, extended sidewalks, and leading pedestrian signals at 1,000 intersections next year. The city will expand speed restriction technology in its fleet and increase data transparency. Advocates and community boards have long called for these changes. With nearly 47,000 intersections citywide, the plan will take decades to reach every corner.

• Adams Says He’ll Ban Parking Near 1,000 Intersections Every Year To Make Corners Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-01

Mayor Adams wavers on congestion pricing. He questions the $15 toll, stirring opposition. Experts slam his stance. Councilmember Brooks-Powers voices concern for drivers, but data shows most benefit. The mayor’s shift weakens support for safer, saner streets.

On December 1, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams publicly questioned New York City’s incoming congestion pricing plan, specifically the proposed $15 peak toll. The matter, covered by Streetsblog NYC, quotes Adams: the fee is 'the beginning of the conversation' and exemptions must be considered. Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, echoed concerns, saying the toll 'is going to put definitely a hardship on many of my constituents.' Experts Bruce Schaller and Danny Pearlstein criticized Adams, urging him to champion the program’s benefits for transit riders and the environment. The mayor’s office later clarified his comments focused on city workers in city vehicles. The article notes that while a small fraction of Brooks-Powers’s constituents drive into Manhattan, all would benefit from improved transit. Adams’s wavering undermines momentum for a policy proven to reduce traffic and protect vulnerable road users.

• Cycle of Rage: Mayor is Failing the Leadership Test on Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-12-01

Box truck slammed into SUV’s right front in Queens. Passenger inside SUV suffered whiplash and full-body trauma. Both vehicles moved straight. Driver errors: improper lane use.

According to the police report, a box truck and an SUV collided on North Conduit Avenue in Queens. The box truck struck the right front quarter panel of the SUV. The SUV’s front passenger, a 43-year-old woman, was injured with whiplash and injuries to her entire body. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver errors as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" for both vehicles. The SUV’s right side doors were damaged. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4682878 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Two SUVs crashed on Belt Parkway. Both drivers hurt, bodies battered, shocked. Police cite tailgating and unsafe moves. Metal twisted. Airbags burst. No one thrown from the wreck.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Belt Parkway when one struck the other from behind. Both drivers, a 51-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man, suffered injuries to their entire bodies and were in shock. The report lists 'Following Too Closely,' 'Unsafe Lane Changing,' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The lead SUV was demolished, while the striking vehicle had front-end damage. Both drivers wore lap belts and harnesses, and airbags deployed. No ejections occurred. The crash underscores the danger of driver error and close following on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4682376 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13