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

Jul 29 - Two sedans collided at Beach 69 Street and Thursby Avenue in Queens. Both drivers, women, were injured. Police listed glare and failure to yield right-of-way. Children were present in the vehicles. Morning light. Metal and pain.

"According to the police report," two drivers, both women, were injured when their sedans collided at Beach 69 Street and Thursby Avenue. One driver suffered shoulder and upper-arm injuries; the other suffered elbow and lower-arm injuries. Police listed "Glare" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as contributing factors. Both drivers were recorded as going straight ahead. Damage was recorded to the center front of one sedan and the right-side doors of the other. Children were reported to be present in the vehicles. The report does not list any pedestrians or cyclists as involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 28 - SUV driver turned left on Brookhaven Ave at Beach 20 St and hit a northbound cyclist. The rider, 18, suffered a head injury. Police recorded driver inattention.

In Queens, the driver of an SUV making a left turn on Brookhaven Ave at Beach 20 St hit a northbound cyclist who was making a right turn. The cyclist, 18, sustained a head injury and reported a bruise. He was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. Impact points were the SUV’s left front bumper and the bike’s front end. No other injuries were specified for vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832014 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 27 - A driver in a sedan turned left and hit a 64-year-old woman at Beach 54 Street and Beach Channel Drive in Queens. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. She suffered knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was in shock.

A driver in a sedan made a left turn at Beach 54 Street and Beach Channel Drive in Queens. The driver hit a 64-year-old woman in the intersection. "According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way." Police recorded "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor. The left front bumper was the point of impact. The woman suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot and was in shock at the scene. The driver was licensed and had no reported injuries. Another occupant was also uninjured. No other causes were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832019 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 25 - The driver of a sedan was hurt after rear-ending another sedan at Beach 69 Street and De Costa Avenue. He suffered elbow and arm injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and following too closely.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at Beach 69 Street and De Costa Avenue in Queens. The 21-year-old male driver of one sedan was injured, logged as elbow/lower arm/hand injuries and shock. A 58-year-old female driver in the other sedan was involved and not injured. Police recorded “Driver Inattention/Distraction” and “Following Too Closely” as contributing factors. The point of impact was center front end of the injured driver’s vehicle into the center back end of the other vehicle. The report notes air bag deployment and lap belt use. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832036 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 23 - A sedan making a right turn hit two pedestrians crossing with the signal on Seagirt Ave. A 34-year-old man was injured. A 6-year-old girl and two car occupants were also involved.

A sedan traveling south on Seagirt Ave made a right turn and struck two pedestrians, a 34-year-old man and a 6-year-old girl, who were crossing at the intersection with the signal. According to the police report, the man suffered an elbow and arm injury with abrasions. The girl’s injuries were unspecified. Two occupants in the sedan, including the driver, were also listed but not reported as injured. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield are noted in the data. Both pedestrians were crossing with the signal at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832789 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - Franklin Avenue shuts cars. Kids run. Cyclists glide. Merchants fill the street. Engines silenced. Brooklyn claims space for people. Safety rises. Streets pulse with life.

On July 11, 2025, Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights launched a new Open Streets program. No council bill number or committee was cited. The event, covered by BKReader, closed six blocks to cars two Saturdays each month through October. Organizers called it 'a commitment to strengthening neighborhoods through creative placemaking.' Local leaders like Gwen Woods and Tiara Robertson led the effort. The safety analyst notes: 'Open Streets programs reduce vehicle traffic, create safer environments for pedestrians and cyclists, and encourage mode shift by making streets more accessible and attractive for non-drivers.'

• New Brooklyn Open Streets Program Highlights Community And Commerce, BKReader, Published 2025-07-11

Jul 10 - The driver of a sedan on Beach Channel Drive took a center back end hit. Two occupants were injured. The 37-year-old driver suffered back pain and whiplash. A 25-year-old rear passenger suffered whole-body pain and whiplash. Police cited 'Other Vehicular' factors.

According to the police report, the sedan on Beach Channel Drive at Beach 95 Street sustained center back end damage. Two vehicle occupants were injured: a 37-year-old man in the driver seat with back injury and whiplash, and a 25-year-old woman in the right rear passenger position with whole‑body injury and whiplash. Police recorded 'Other Vehicular' contributing factors. The sedan was traveling west and was recorded as going straight ahead; the vehicle's center back end was the point of impact. The report lists no pedestrians or cyclists and notes no helmet or signal issues.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828067 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 9 - Two SUVs crashed on Beach Channel Drive. A driver and passenger suffered back injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Metal and glass. No pedestrians. No escape.

Two SUVs collided on Beach Channel Drive at Dix Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight when the crash occurred. A 28-year-old male driver and a 30-year-old female passenger were injured, both suffering whiplash and back injuries. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors, such as helmet or signal use, are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827301 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 8 - Hillside Avenue chokes on cars. Buses crawl at four miles per hour. New lanes promise relief for 215,000 riders. Space shifts from cars to buses. Streets change. Riders wait.

Gothamist (2025-07-08) reports new bus lanes are coming to Hillside Avenue, Queens. Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the corridor suffers from 'an inconsistent, patchwork design' and blocked lanes. Buses crawl at four miles per hour due to congestion. Only a third of road space serves buses, though 83% of transit users ride them. The project adds camera-enforced bus lanes, parking, and loading zones. Policy shifts road space from private cars to public transit, aiming to speed up service for 215,000 daily riders.

• Bus Lanes Target Congestion On Hillside Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-08

Jul 5 - A motorcycle hit a man on Beach 97th. The impact tore his leg. Police cite improper lane use. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.

A motorcycle traveling west on Beach 97th Street struck a 49-year-old male pedestrian. The man suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Other Vehicular' were listed as contributing factors. The crash involved the motorcycle's center front end. No helmet or pedestrian signal issues were cited. The driver’s actions, as detailed in the report, created danger for the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - SUV hit a man crossing at Beach 66th. Pedestrian suffered leg injuries. Police cite reaction to another vehicle. Impact was front and center. Streets failed to protect the walker.

A 55-year-old man was injured when a Nissan SUV struck him as he crossed at the intersection of Beach 66th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg and foot. The SUV's front end hit the man. Police list 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as the contributing factor. The driver was licensed and headed south. The report does not mention any errors by the pedestrian. The crash left the pedestrian in shock, underscoring the danger at this crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825818 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - City aims to carve bike lanes into 31st Street. Merchants fear lost access. Residents cite danger. DOT points to dozens hurt, two killed. The street stays deadly. The fight over space continues.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-05), the NYC Department of Transportation plans to narrow lanes and add bike paths on 31st Street in Astoria, Queens. The DOT cites 126 injured vehicle occupants, 33 injured pedestrians, 24 injured cyclists, and two deaths from 2020 to 2024, calling it 'one of the most dangerous streets in Queens.' Business owners warn the changes will block deliveries and threaten livelihoods. Residents worry about access and safety, especially for the elderly and students. The plan highlights the tension between street redesigns and the needs of vulnerable road users.

• City Bike Lane Plan Sparks Queens Clash, New York Post, Published 2025-07-05

Jul 4 - Two SUVs crashed at Rockaway Freeway and Cornaga Avenue. One driver and one passenger suffered injuries. Both vehicles failed to yield. Metal struck metal. The system failed the people inside.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at Rockaway Freeway and Cornaga Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles failed to yield the right-of-way. A 44-year-old female driver suffered a head injury and whiplash. A 37-year-old female passenger sustained a back injury. Other occupants reported unspecified injuries. Both vehicles were traveling east; one was making a left turn, the other going straight. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No other factors are cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827056 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - SUV struck cyclist on Beach Front Road. Driver distracted. Cyclist suffered leg injury. Impact left bruises. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A cyclist was injured when an SUV, starting from parking, struck him on Beach Front Road in Queens. According to the police report, both the SUV driver and the cyclist were affected by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The cyclist, a 37-year-old man, suffered a contusion and injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV’s right front quarter panel made contact. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause listed was driver distraction. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825554 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - A boy, 15, fell from a No. 7 train at Queensboro Plaza. He landed on the tracks. Medics rushed him to the hospital. He died. The NYPD is investigating. Two other subway incidents happened that morning.

ABC7 reported on July 4, 2025, that a 15-year-old boy died after falling from the top of a No. 7 train at Queensboro Plaza station. The article states, "Police say the 15-year-old boy was riding on top of a No. 7 train around 2:45 a.m." and "He fell onto the tracks as it pulled into the Queensboro Plaza station." The NYPD is investigating this and two other incidents: a person struck by a J train and another killed while walking between cars on a No. 2 train. The events highlight ongoing dangers in the subway system and raise questions about platform and train safety.

• Teen Dies Falling From No. 7 Train, ABC7, Published 2025-07-04

Jul 3 - A sedan hit an 82-year-old woman crossing Beach 123 St. She suffered a shoulder injury. Police cite failure to yield. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

An 82-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Beach 123 Street at Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Queens. She was in a marked crosswalk with no signal and suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The driver, an 84-year-old man, was making a left turn at the time. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupants. The crash underscores the persistent risk pedestrians face at crossings, even in marked crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826314 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 30 - Two sedans collided on Beach 54th Street. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. One driver suffered leg injuries. Shock and pain followed. The street stayed silent. Metal and bodies bore the cost.

Two sedans crashed at Beach 54th Street in Queens just before midnight. According to the police report, aggressive driving and road rage led to the collision. One driver, a 25-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock. Three other occupants, including a 55-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, were listed with unspecified injuries. Both vehicles showed damage to the left side and front bumper. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as the main contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827097 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30