District 27: Blood on the Asphalt, Silence in City Hall

A man on an e-bike slammed into a Kia’s side at 202nd Street and 104th Avenue. He flew off, struck the pavement, and bled from the head. The street fell silent. Traffic control was ignored. The rider suffered crushing head injuries.

An e-bike rider collided with the side of a southbound Kia at the corner of 202nd Street and 104th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the man on the e-bike was ejected and landed hard, suffering crushing injuries to his head. The report states, “A man on an e-bike, unlicensed and bare-headed, struck the side of a southbound Kia. He flew, hit pavement, and lay crushed and bleeding from the head.” The contributing factor listed is 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The data notes the e-bike rider was unlicensed and wore no safety equipment, but the primary failure was ignoring traffic control. No injuries to the Kia driver were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643899, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan veered off Remington Street near Liberty Avenue. The driver, a 53-year-old man, lost consciousness at the wheel. He crashed alone. The front bumper shattered. He died, belted in. No one else was hurt. The street fell silent.

A 53-year-old man driving a 2001 Honda sedan on Remington Street near Liberty Avenue in Queens lost consciousness and crashed. According to the police report, 'Lost Consciousness' was the contributing factor. The car struck hard, damaging the right front bumper. The man was alone, belted in, and died at the scene. No other people were involved or injured. The report lists no other driver errors or contributing factors. The crash highlights the sudden danger when a driver loses control due to a medical episode. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637945, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Dealers clog streets with cars for sale and repair. Council bill Int 1097-2023 targets this. Fines and impoundment threaten violators. Owners get legal cover if ticketed while dealers hold their cars. The bill died at session’s end.

Bill Int 1097-2023 was introduced June 8, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill sought to make it unlawful for any dealer to park, store, or maintain vehicles on city streets for sale, repair, or while awaiting return to owners, except for emergencies. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to limiting the parking of motor vehicles by dealers.' Council Members Francisco P. Moya (primary sponsor), Sandra Ung, Lincoln Restler, Kevin C. Riley, Nantasha M. Williams, and Shahana K. Hanif sponsored the bill. The bill imposed fines of $250–$400 per day and allowed for vehicle impoundment. Owners could defend against tickets if their car was with a dealer. The bill was filed at the end of session and did not become law.

• File Int 1097-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-06-08

A Honda SUV left Francis Lewis Boulevard. Its brakes failed. The car hit a 16-year-old girl who was not in the road. She lay conscious, her back torn, blood soaking through deep cuts. The driver was also injured.

A 2023 Honda SUV with defective brakes veered off Francis Lewis Boulevard near 109-62 in Queens. The vehicle struck a 16-year-old girl who was not in the roadway. According to the police report, 'a 2023 Honda SUV with bad brakes veered off-course. It hit a 16-year-old girl. She was not in the road. She lay conscious, her back torn, blood soaking through deep cuts.' The girl suffered severe lacerations. The driver, a 46-year-old woman, reported back pain. The police report lists 'Brakes Defective' as a contributing factor. No actions by the pedestrian contributed to the crash. The impact highlights the danger posed by vehicle defects in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630137, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council bill Int 1030-2023 would force DOT to show its hand. Every traffic signal and speed bump request, tracked online. Status, reason, and timeline—no more black box. The bill died in committee, but the demand for sunlight remains.

Int 1030-2023 was introduced on April 27, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill required the Department of Transportation to post details of all traffic control device and speed reducer requests on a public website. The matter summary reads: 'The required website would include, but need not be limited to, the following information: case number, general topic, issue, status, resolution, reason for approval or denial of traffic control device, and if approved, the timeline for completion.' Council Member Farah N. Louis sponsored the bill, joined by 21 co-sponsors including Williams, Hanif, and Yeger. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023. No safety analyst note was provided, but the measure aimed to end secrecy around life-saving street changes. Public access to this data could expose delays and denials that keep streets deadly.

• File Int 1030-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

Council passed a law forcing DOT to daylight at least 100 intersections a year. No parking near corners. Physical barriers like planters or bike corrals will block cars. High-crash spots get priority. The city must report progress. Streets change. Lives depend on it.

Int 0854-2022, now enacted as Local Law 66 of 2023, passed the City Council on April 27, 2023, after review by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law requires the Department of Transportation to 'implement daylighting at a minimum of 100 intersections a year,' meaning no parking within 15 feet of corners. High-crash intersections must be prioritized unless deemed infeasible. DOT must also install physical daylighting features, such as planters or bike corrals, where possible. Council Member Farah N. Louis sponsored the bill, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hudson, Ossé, and others. The law took effect 90 days after enactment. DOT must report annually on locations and reasons for any exceptions. This measure targets the blind spots that kill and injure pedestrians and cyclists at intersections. The city’s streets will see more open corners and fewer hiding places for danger.

• File Int 0854-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

Council passed a law forcing DOT to study deadly and serious pedestrian crashes every three years. Reports must go to community boards, the mayor, and the public. The bill aims to expose patterns, speed up fixes, and keep pressure on city agencies.

Bill Int 0805-2022, now Local Law 65 of 2023, was enacted by the City Council and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law was introduced on October 27, 2022, passed on May 29, 2023, and returned unsigned by the mayor. The bill amends the administrative code to require the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study of all pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries every three years, instead of every five. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian safety reporting.' Sponsors include Alexa Avilés (primary), Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Tiffany Cabán, Lynn C. Schulman, Kalman Yeger, Farah N. Louis, Lincoln Restler, Darlene Mealy, Eric Dinowitz, Linda Lee, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Carlina Rivera, Mercedes Narcisse, and Rita C. Joseph. The law mandates that crash reports and recommendations be sent to council members, community boards, and made public. This change increases transparency and keeps the focus on the deadly toll of cars in New York City.

• File Int 0805-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

The Council passed a resolution urging Albany to fully fund the MTA. Lawmakers want more frequent, reliable, and affordable transit. They warn of a looming fiscal cliff. Without action, riders face service cuts. The vote backs millions who depend on buses and trains.

Resolution 0460-2023 was adopted by the City Council on April 27, 2023, after review by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The resolution calls on the New York State Legislature and Governor to 'fully fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in the State’s upcoming Fiscal Year 2024 Budget.' Council Member Farah N. Louis sponsored the measure, joined by over thirty co-sponsors. The committee vote was unanimous among present members. The resolution highlights the MTA’s critical role for millions of New Yorkers and warns of a 'looming fiscal cliff' as federal aid dries up. The Council insists that full funding is needed to prevent service cuts and keep transit affordable and frequent. The measure references the 'New York City in Six' plan, pushing for buses and trains every six minutes. The Council’s action centers the needs of riders—especially those with no other way to move safely through the city.

• File Res 0460-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

The council passed a law forcing DOT to install traffic calming devices near senior centers. At least fifty new devices each year. Streets where elders walk will see more barriers between them and speeding cars. The city must report every installation.

Bill Int 0679-2022, now Local Law 63 of 2023, was enacted on May 29, 2023, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The law states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of traffic calming devices in senior pedestrian zones.' Council Member Darlene Mealy sponsored the bill, joined by co-sponsors including Amanda Farías, Tiffany Cabán, and others. The council voted overwhelmingly in favor on April 27, 2023. The law requires the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the Department for the Aging, to annually install at least one traffic calming device in each designated senior pedestrian zone, with a minimum of fifty devices citywide per year. DOT must report installation locations to the council every year. The law aims to slow traffic and protect older pedestrians where they are most at risk.

• File Int 0679-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-04-27

A BMW motorcycle slammed head-on into an SUV on Dunkirk Drive. The rider flew from the bike, legs crushed. He wore a helmet. The road was straight. Speed killed the line. The night left the rider broken.

A BMW motorcycle collided head-on with an SUV on Dunkirk Drive near Newburg Street in Queens. According to the police report, the motorcycle struck the SUV, launching the 35-year-old rider from his seat. He suffered crushed legs and was ejected, but remained conscious and wore a helmet. The SUV, carrying two men, was not reported to have injured occupants. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The road was straight, but speed proved deadly. The crash left the motorcyclist with severe injuries while the SUV occupants escaped harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4622943, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A van turned left on Farmers Boulevard. A motorcycle slammed into its rear. The rider flew from his seat. His helmet could not save him. His head struck hard. He died there, alone, beneath the streetlight’s shadow.

A deadly crash unfolded at Farmers Boulevard and 135th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a van made a left turn. A motorcycle, traveling straight, struck the van’s right rear quarter panel. The 38-year-old motorcyclist was ejected from his seat. He wore a helmet, but suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The impact crushed the rider’s head. No driver errors were specified in the data. The van driver was not reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610956, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council filed a bill to force a city study on truck and delivery traffic from last mile warehouses. The bill targets congestion, collisions, and harm to neighborhoods. It demands hard numbers on vehicle flow, street damage, and danger to people outside cars.

Int 0923-2023 was introduced on February 16, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Alexa Avilés, with over thirty co-sponsors, sought a city study on the impact of truck and delivery traffic from last mile facilities. The official summary reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to conducting a study of the impact that truck and delivery traffic generated by last mile facilities have on local communities and infrastructure.' The bill required the Department of Transportation to report on delivery vehicle volumes, parking, congestion, collisions, and pedestrian injuries near these hubs. It called for identifying the most affected streets and estimating the costs and possible fixes. The bill was filed at the end of session on December 31, 2023, without passage.

• File Int 0923-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-02-16

Council filed a bill to force DOT to study street design that blocks or deters trucks from residential streets. The bill called for a report on making streets less accessible to commercial vehicles. It died at session’s end. No action taken.

Int 0924-2023 was introduced on February 16, 2023, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill required the Department of Transportation to study and report on using street design to limit or reduce commercial vehicle use in residential neighborhoods. The matter’s title reads: 'A Local Law in relation to requiring the department of transportation to study street design as a means to limit or reduce the use by commercial vehicles of streets in residential neighborhoods.' Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez sponsored the bill, joined by Avilés, the Public Advocate, and others. The report was due by December 31, 2023. The bill was filed at the end of session with no report issued. The measure aimed to examine street redesign, traffic calming, and camera enforcement to keep trucks out of residential areas, but it stalled before any impact reached the street.

• File Int 0924-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-02-16

A sedan turned left on Merrick Boulevard. The driver failed to yield. The car hit a 64-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She bled from her whole body but stayed awake. The car was untouched. The street bore her pain.

A sedan making a left turn on Merrick Boulevard struck a 64-year-old woman as she crossed with the signal. According to the police report, 'A sedan turned left. A 64-year-old woman crossed with the signal. The front struck her full. She bled from everywhere but stayed awake.' The woman suffered severe bleeding and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The sedan showed no damage. The driver’s failure to yield led to the collision and the woman’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4597325, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan turned right on Farmers Boulevard. Its front end hit a 71-year-old woman in the crosswalk. Blood pooled on the street. She lay stunned, head bleeding. Glare and failure to yield marked the scene. Queens kept moving.

A 71-year-old woman was crossing Farmers Boulevard at Jordan Avenue in a marked crosswalk when a southbound Honda sedan turned right and struck her with its front end. According to the police report, 'A 71-year-old woman, crossing in the crosswalk, vanished in glare. A southbound Honda turned right. Its front crushed her head.' The woman suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was left in shock. The report lists 'Glare' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver, a 20-year-old woman, was licensed and uninjured. No other factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4586609, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Night. Two SUVs crash at 209th and Murdock. Metal rips. A 28-year-old man, belted in, takes the blow. Blood runs from his face. Shock holds him silent. Glass glints under the streetlight. The city keeps moving.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at the corner of 209th Street and Murdock Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the crash happened at night. Metal tore. A 28-year-old male driver suffered severe facial lacerations and was in shock. He wore a lap belt and harness. Two other occupants, a 61-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman, were involved but their injuries were unspecified. Both vehicles were going straight before impact. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data. The crash left one man bleeding and silent, the glass humming beneath the streetlight.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4584586, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

City made Jamaica and Archer Avenue busways permanent. Jamaica Avenue hours slashed. Archer stays 24/7. Northern Boulevard bus lanes started after months of delay. Local politicians fought restrictions. Bus riders still face slow trips. City bows to business pressure.

On November 15, 2022, the Adams administration made busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues permanent after a one-year pilot. The Department of Transportation cut Jamaica Avenue’s busway hours from 24/7 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, while Archer Avenue remains round-the-clock. The Northern Boulevard bus lane project, stalled for months after Council Member Francisco Moya lobbied against it, finally began installation. Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the busways, calling for their elimination and citing business concerns. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and other local officials pushed for even shorter hours. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez defended the busways, saying, 'strong bus infrastructure is a necessity.' Despite opposition, the city kept some busway hours intact, but caved to business interests, reducing protection for bus riders and vulnerable road users.

• City Makes Jamaica Busways Permanent But With Shorter Hours; Begins Northern Blvd. Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-15

The Council passed Int 0291-2022, forcing city agencies to map, plan, and report on greenways. The law demands annual updates and public engagement. It aims to carve out safe, car-free corridors for walkers and cyclists. The mayor returned it unsigned.

Int 0291-2022, now Local Law 115 of 2022, was enacted by the City Council on November 27, 2022. The bill came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, first introduced April 28, 2022. The law's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a citywide greenway plan.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers sponsored the bill, joined by dozens of co-sponsors including Rivera, Hudson, and others. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor on October 27, 2022. The law orders the Department of Transportation and Parks to identify, map, and report on greenways, and to consult with community boards. Proposals for new greenway segments or repairs must be presented to affected communities within 60 days. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it became law. The measure compels the city to plan and maintain safe routes for non-drivers, with regular public reporting and accountability.

• File Int 0291-2022, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2022-10-27

Two Queens council members want the city to scrap Jamaica’s busways. They say bus lanes hurt drivers and businesses. Riders say commutes barely improved. DOT stands firm. The fight pits car convenience against safer, faster transit for thousands.

On July 18, 2022, Council Members Nantasha Williams and Selvena Brooks-Powers opposed the city’s pilot busways on Archer and Jamaica avenues. The Department of Transportation (DOT) launched the one-year, 24/7 busway pilot to speed up commutes for over 250,000 daily bus riders. Williams called her district a 'car community' and argued, 'there's only one metric of success for the bus lane and not looking comprehensively at how it's actually impacting the community.' Brooks-Powers claimed, 'People cannot access our local businesses.' Both members urged the city to end or shorten the pilot, citing business and driver complaints. DOT and transit advocates countered that bus speeds improved. The DOT plans to continue the pilot and survey businesses and riders at its end. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Two Queens Pols Want City to Eliminate the Jamaica Busways, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-07-18

A man stepped off a vehicle on 118th Avenue. A car sped west, did not yield, and hit him head-on. His face split open. He stayed conscious, bleeding in the street. The driver failed to yield. The night was silent.

A 48-year-old man was struck by a car while stepping off a vehicle on 118th Avenue. According to the police report, 'A man stepped off a vehicle. A car came west, fast and straight. It hit him head-on. His face split. He stayed conscious, bleeding in the street. The driver did not yield.' The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The pedestrian suffered severe facial lacerations but remained conscious at the scene. The driver’s failure to yield and excessive speed are cited as direct causes of the crash. No other injuries were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4546949, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15