Queens Bleeds While Leaders Stall—How Many More Must Die?

Oct 4 - A 77-year-old bicyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm after a Hyundai SUV collided with his bike while making a left turn. The impact occurred at the bike’s left front quarter panel and the SUV’s right front bumper in Queens.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:42 on Beach 67 Street in Queens. A 77-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a Hyundai SUV traveling south struck him while making a left turn. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the bike and the right front bumper of the SUV. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm and was conscious at the scene. The report cites "Unsafe Speed" by the vehicle driver as a contributing factor, alongside "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion." The bicyclist was not ejected and was not reported to be using any safety equipment. The driver was licensed in New York. The collision highlights driver error in controlling speed and executing turns, contributing to the injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761738 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 3 - SUV driver lost focus. Struck a 53-year-old bicyclist. Cyclist ejected. Arm fractured. Night crash. Metal and bone broke on Beach 19 Street. System failed the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a crash occurred at 21:17 near Beach 19 Street in Queens. A 53-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured and dislocated lower arm and hand after being struck by a westbound Mercedes SUV. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV's left front bumper was damaged. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but the report lists no cyclist errors. The driver held only a permit license. The collision left the cyclist injured and exposed the danger faced by those outside steel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761600 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 1 - A sedan driver suffered head injuries and whiplash in a Queens crash. The collision involved multiple vehicles and was caused by failure to yield and unsafe speed. The driver was conscious and restrained at the time of impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Beach 68 Street in Queens at 3:29 PM. The injured party was a 40-year-old male sedan driver who sustained head injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the collision. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. Multiple vehicles were involved, including sedans and an SUV, with damage noted on front and rear bumpers. The data highlights driver errors as the primary cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760603 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 30 - A sedan making a left turn struck a westbound bicyclist on Plainview Avenue in Queens. The 74-year-old cyclist was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Driver inattention was cited as a contributing factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:46 on Plainview Avenue near Beach 19 Street in Queens. A sedan traveling north was making a left turn when it collided with a westbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 74-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor to the crash. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment and was the sole occupant of the bike. The sedan sustained damage to its center front end, while the bike was damaged on its left side doors. The driver errors, specifically the failure to maintain attention while making a left turn, directly contributed to the collision and the bicyclist’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759840 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 14 - Two SUVs collided on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. The driver making a left turn was injured, suffering hip and upper leg contusions. Police cited unsafe speed as a contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained left-side damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:04 AM on Beach Channel Drive in Queens. A 28-year-old female driver of a 2020 Nissan SUV was making a left turn when her vehicle's left front bumper struck the left side doors of a 2019 Honda SUV traveling straight south. The injured driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained contusions to her hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the collision. Both vehicles suffered damage primarily to their left sides. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing victim behavior in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755593 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 12 - A 43-year-old woman suffered full-body injuries when an SUV executing a U-turn on Rockaway Beach Boulevard hit her outside a crosswalk. Glare and limited visibility contributed to the collision, leaving the pedestrian conscious but severely hurt.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old female pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2017 Honda SUV making a U-turn on Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Queens at 6:25 p.m. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its right front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing outside a signal or crosswalk when the crash occurred. The report cites driver errors including glare and limited visibility obstructing the driver's view, contributing to the collision. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her entire body and remained conscious. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle westbound during the U-turn maneuver. No pedestrian fault or contributing factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755885 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 12 - City Council pulled the jaywalking bill before a vote. Advocates warned new language could blame pedestrians for crashes. The bill would have let people cross mid-block, but now demands they yield to drivers. Racial bias in enforcement remains unaddressed.

On September 12, 2024, the City Council delayed action on a bill to legalize jaywalking. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, passed the Transportation Committee but was withdrawn before a full Council vote. The bill’s summary stated it would 'legalize crossing outside crosswalks and require a pedestrian education campaign.' Advocates objected to last-minute changes that would force pedestrians to yield to drivers, fearing it could criminalize those struck by cars. Narcisse highlighted 'systemic bias in how these laws are enforced.' Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'There is little evidence to support the claim that criminal or civil offenses for jaywalking change pedestrian behavior or increase pedestrian safety,' and noted racial disparities in ticketing. The NYPD and DOT opposed the bill, citing safety concerns. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with advocates demanding stronger protections for pedestrians.

• Council Balks on Legalizing ‘Jaywalking’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

Sep 12 - City Council pulled the jaywalking bill before a vote. Advocates warned new language could blame pedestrians for crashes. The bill would have let people cross mid-block, but now demands they yield to drivers. Racial bias in enforcement remains unaddressed.

On September 12, 2024, the City Council delayed action on a bill to legalize jaywalking. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, passed the Transportation Committee but was withdrawn before a full Council vote. The bill’s summary stated it would 'legalize crossing outside crosswalks and require a pedestrian education campaign.' Advocates objected to last-minute changes that would force pedestrians to yield to drivers, fearing it could criminalize those struck by cars. Narcisse highlighted 'systemic bias in how these laws are enforced.' Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'There is little evidence to support the claim that criminal or civil offenses for jaywalking change pedestrian behavior or increase pedestrian safety,' and noted racial disparities in ticketing. The NYPD and DOT opposed the bill, citing safety concerns. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with advocates demanding stronger protections for pedestrians.

• Council Balks on Legalizing ‘Jaywalking’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

Sep 11 - A deadly seven-way tangle in the Rockaways will get $25 million in upgrades. Protected bike lanes. Bigger pedestrian islands. Raised crosswalks. City officials promise change after 112 crashes since 2019. Construction starts 2027. No more waiting for blood on the asphalt.

The planned overhaul targets the chaotic intersection of Beach 35th Street, Seagirt Boulevard, Rockaway Freeway, and Beach Channel Drive. Announced September 11, 2024, the $24.8 million project includes protected bike lanes, expanded sidewalks, and safer crossings. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards pledged $500,000, saying, "We're not waiting until someone loses their life to take action." Since 2019, 112 crashes have injured 54 people here—five of them pedestrians. The intersection currently favors cars, forcing pedestrians on long detours. The redesign will dead-end Beach 35th Street, add raised bike lanes, and expand pedestrian space. Final design is due next year, with construction set for 2027 and completion by 2029. The project includes a $2.6 million federal grant and is tied to Edgemere sewer upgrades.

• Chaotic Rockaways Intersection to Get Bike and Pedestrian Upgrades in 2027, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-11

Sep 10 - A motorcycle driver was ejected and injured after defective brakes caused a crash on Mott Avenue in Queens. The rider, wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions and abdominal-pelvic injuries. The vehicle's undercarriage was damaged in the impact.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male motorcycle driver was injured and ejected due to defective brakes while traveling northwest on Mott Avenue in Queens at 11:59. The report states the primary contributing factor was 'Brakes Defective,' which led to the crash. The driver, who was wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to the abdomen and pelvis. The motorcycle's undercarriage was damaged at the point of impact. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead before the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 10 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-10

Sep 10 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-10

Sep 3 - A Ford pickup slammed into a parked SUV on Beach 19th. The woman inside, forty-five, died in her seat. Police cite driver distraction. The truck showed no damage. The road stayed quiet, but the toll was final.

According to the police report, a Ford pickup truck struck a parked SUV near 233 Beach 19th Street in Queens at 3:45 p.m. The SUV's occupant, a 45-year-old woman, was killed in the crash. The report states, 'A Ford pickup struck a parked SUV. The woman inside, 45, wore no seatbelt. She died there, still in her seat.' Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor in the collision. The pickup truck showed no damage, while the SUV was struck on the left rear quarter panel. The woman was not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The deadly impact underscores the consequences of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753464 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 3 - Two SUVs slammed together on Beach Channel Drive. A six-year-old girl, strapped in back, took glass to the face. Blood marked the spot. Obstructed view left her wounded in daylight.

At Beach Channel Drive and Beach 45 Street in Queens, two SUVs collided at 12:05 PM. According to the police report, both vehicles were 'going straight ahead' when they crashed. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the contributing factor. A six-year-old girl, riding in the rear seat, suffered severe facial lacerations from shattered glass. She was restrained in a child seat. The drivers were licensed and no other driver errors were cited. The crash shows how blocked sightlines at intersections put vulnerable passengers at risk when heavy vehicles collide.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 3 - Parking mandates choke streets, raise rents, and trap New Yorkers in car dependence. Council Member Marmorato and Borough President Richards defend these rules, blocking safer, more vibrant neighborhoods. Ending mandates means more housing, cleaner air, and safer streets for people, not cars.

This opinion, published September 3, 2024, in Streetsblog NYC, calls out Council Member Kristy Marmorato and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for defending parking mandates. Richards opposes lifting mandates in Queens, citing poor transit. Marmorato lobbied to restore mandates in a Bronx rezoning near new Metro North stations, arguing, 'We live in a transit desert where cars are a necessity for daily activities.' The editorial rebukes this logic, stating, 'We should not cling to parking mandates when we know they encourage car ownership, make streets less vibrant, increase rents, and pollute our air.' The piece urges officials to break the cycle of car-first policy, invest in transit, and end mandates that block affordable housing and safer streets. No safety analyst assessment was provided, but the editorial centers the harm parking mandates inflict on vulnerable road users and the city’s livability.

• Opinion: It’s Time to Say ‘No’ to Car Drivers and ‘Yes’ to Ending Parking Mandates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-03

Sep 2 - A motorcycle fleeing police crashed into an SUV’s rear on Beach 45th Street. The unlicensed rider, helmetless, flew headfirst onto the asphalt. He bled from a torn scalp, conscious but alone. Aggressive driving and road rage tore through Queens.

According to the police report, a motorcycle operated by an unlicensed 27-year-old male was fleeing police on Beach 45th Street near Beach Channel Drive when it crashed into the rear of a Honda SUV. The report states the motorcycle was involved in 'aggressive driving/road rage' and was being pursued by police at the time of the collision. The rider, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected and suffered severe head lacerations, described as a torn scalp, but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV, driven by a licensed male, sustained damage to the right rear quarter panel. The police report highlights 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as a contributing factor, underscoring the systemic danger posed by reckless vehicle operation. The victim’s lack of helmet use is noted in the report, but the focus remains on the aggressive driving and police pursuit that led to this violent crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752675 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 1 - Two sedans collided on Beach 56 Street in Queens after one driver made a left turn. The impact injured a rear passenger, causing a head contusion. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:29 AM on Beach 56 Street in Queens. A sedan traveling west attempted a left turn and collided with an eastbound sedan going straight ahead. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the eastbound vehicle and the center front end of the left-turning vehicle. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. A 29-year-old female rear passenger in the eastbound sedan sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The drivers' license status was noted for the left-turning driver, who was licensed in New York. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752147 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19