Three Dead, Hundreds Hurt—How Many More Before We Slow Our Streets?

A man crossing Targee Street was struck and killed by an e-bike moving at unsafe speed. The impact crushed his chest. The e-bike driver, ejected in the crash, suffered back injuries. Parked cars lined the block. The street stayed silent.

A 58-year-old man was killed while crossing Targee Street near Pierce Street in Staten Island. According to the police report, an e-bike traveling north at unsafe speed struck the pedestrian, causing fatal chest injuries. The e-bike driver, a 25-year-old man, was ejected and suffered back injuries. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. Parked vehicles, including a sedan and a pickup truck, were present but not involved in the movement. No driver errors other than unsafe speed are cited. The police report does not mention helmet use or signaling as contributing factors. The crash left one dead and another injured, underscoring the lethal consequences of speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813412, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man in a Nissan crashed into a police car on Staten Island. He fired a gun through his windshield. Officers dodged the bullet but landed in the hospital, cut by glass. Police found two guns. The driver was arrested.

According to the New York Post (May 12, 2025), a 31-year-old man fled a traffic stop on Staten Island, crashed his Nissan SUV into a police cruiser, and fired a gun through his own windshield, striking the vehicle but missing the officers. The article states, “The gunman smashed his Nissan into the police car and then opened fire on the vehicle, striking it but missing the officers inside.” Officers were hospitalized for injuries from shattered glass. Police recovered two guns from the vehicle. The suspect, on parole for a prior assault, was arrested at the scene. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed flight and armed confrontations during routine traffic enforcement.

• Driver Rams Police, Fires Through Windshield, New York Post, Published 2025-05-12

A sedan veered off Homestead Avenue. Metal screamed. The driver’s head bled. Three passengers hurt. Distraction behind the wheel. Parked cars crushed. Sirens wailed. The street marked by violence.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Homestead Avenue struck two parked vehicles—a station wagon and another sedan. The 28-year-old male driver suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. Three passengers in the sedan were also injured. The report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan hit the right front bumper, damaging the parked vehicles at the left rear quarter panel and center back end. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Distraction and inattention behind the wheel were the primary causes, as documented by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809771, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

City reopened Silver Lake Park Road to cars, stripping Staten Islanders of a safe path. Politicians claimed it would deter crime. Residents and advocates pushed back, citing lost space and crash risk. Lawsuit looms. The road’s safety for walkers and cyclists is gone.

On April 24, 2025, the city reopened Silver Lake Park Road in Staten Island to motor vehicles. The move followed an alleged attempted rape and was justified by District Attorney Mike McMahon and Borough President Vito Fossella as a crime deterrent. The Alliance to Save Silver Lake Park and residents opposed the decision, calling it a 'baseless theory of crime prevention' and highlighting the loss of a protected bike lane and accessible space for people with disabilities. Council Member Kamillah Hanks, who first supported the return of cars, later suggested a weekend car-free compromise, acknowledging the community’s need for open space. Advocates pointed to Staten Island’s high crash rates and demanded better lighting and police, not more cars. The process was rushed, with no data backing safety claims. A lawsuit is now under consideration.

• Staten Islanders May Sue Over ‘Risky’ Rushed Return of Cars in Park, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-01

Staten Island leaders push to reopen Silver Lake Park Road to cars. Locals and advocates resist. They say cars threaten walkers, cyclists, and children. Officials claim safety, but critics call it driver convenience. The park’s car-free peace hangs in the balance.

On April 18, 2025, Staten Island politicians, including District Attorney McMahon, Borough President Vito Fossella, and Council Member Kamillah Hanks, urged the city to reopen a narrow road in Silver Lake Park to cars. The road has been car-free since the pandemic, serving as a haven for walkers and cyclists. The Parks Department, once supportive of a car-free park, agreed to the reopening after political pressure. The matter centers on whether car access improves safety after a recent attempted rape. Advocates, including Transportation Alternatives, argue, 'Allowing cars in Silver Lake is not about public safety; it's about driver convenience.' Locals warn that reintroducing cars endangers children and vulnerable users, undermining the park’s safety and purpose. A petition and rally oppose the move, highlighting that traffic violence poses a greater threat than rare park crimes.

• Staten Islanders Fight To Keep Park Car-free, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-18

A Chevy SUV veered too close on Davis Ave, smashing three parked cars. Metal shrieked. A 32-year-old man, belted in, struck his head and bled. He stayed conscious, sprawled on the pavement as sirens wailed through Staten Island.

According to the police report, a Chevy SUV traveling south on Davis Ave near Delafield Ave 'clipped too close,' striking three parked vehicles. The report states that the crash resulted in 'metal screamed' and left a 32-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt, with severe head lacerations. He remained conscious at the scene. The police report cites 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The SUV's right front quarter panel was damaged, and the impact involved the left side doors. No evidence in the report suggests any error or action by the parked vehicles or their occupants. The crash underscores the danger posed by improper passing and lane usage on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802335, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A police cruiser swerved from a U-turning car and crashed into a building. Two officers went to the hospital. The street bore the scars. Metal, glass, brick—shattered. Sirens cut the air. The city’s danger showed, again.

ABC7 reported on March 15, 2025, that two NYPD officers crashed their cruiser into a building at Victory Boulevard and Montgomery Street in Staten Island. The officers were responding to a call about a man with a gun. According to the article, 'another vehicle attempted to make a U-turn, causing the police cruiser to swerve to avoid a collision.' Both officers were hospitalized and are expected to recover. The crash highlights the risks of sudden maneuvers and U-turns on busy city streets. No bystanders were reported injured. The incident underscores the persistent dangers posed by unpredictable driver actions and the high stakes of emergency response in dense urban environments.

• Police Cruiser Slams Into Staten Island Building, ABC7, Published 2025-03-15

Two sedans collided head-on on Delafield Avenue, Staten Island. A 21-year-old woman suffered a deep head wound but remained conscious. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. Metal folded inward, showing the violent impact of the crash.

According to the police report, at 10:30 a.m. near Delafield Avenue and Raymond Place in Staten Island, two sedans collided head-on. The impact caused severe front-end damage to both vehicles. A 21-year-old female driver was injured with a deep head laceration but remained conscious and was wearing a seatbelt. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The narrative states, 'She had looked away. The street did not.' This highlights the critical role of driver distraction in causing the violent collision. No other contributing factors were noted for the victim. The crash left metal folded inward and a young driver injured, underscoring the dangers of inattention behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796024, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council bill Int 1173-2025 would force all city cyclists to wear helmets or face a $50 fine. The measure, now in committee, targets riders not already covered by helmet laws. The city’s car carnage continues. Lawmakers focus on headgear, not street danger.

Int 1173-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on January 23, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear,' would require every cyclist not already mandated by other laws to wear a helmet. Violators face civil penalties up to $50. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The bill does not address the root causes of cyclist injuries: reckless drivers, speeding cars, and deadly streets. Instead, it shifts responsibility onto those most at risk, leaving the city’s dangerous roads unchanged.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

A sedan tore down Goethals Road North, smashing into an SUV mid-turn. Steel twisted. A 30-year-old man took the impact headfirst, blood streaking the dash. He stayed conscious. The road stayed cold. Speed left its mark.

A violent crash unfolded on Goethals Road North near Western Avenue as a speeding sedan collided with a station wagon/SUV that was making a right turn, according to the police report. The report states, 'A speeding sedan slammed an SUV mid-turn. Steel crumpled.' The impact left a 30-year-old male occupant with severe head lacerations; he remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. The sedan was traveling straight ahead, while the SUV was turning, and the crash resulted in significant damage to both vehicles. The injured man was not wearing a seatbelt, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor to the crash itself. The focus remains on the excessive speed of the sedan, which led to the violent collision and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782462, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council moves to strip speed cameras from zones where schools have shut down. Annual studies will flag dead schools. Cameras come down. Streets lose a layer of watchfulness. The bill sits in committee. Vulnerable road users face more risk.

Int 1106-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on November 13, 2024. The bill orders the Commissioner of Transportation, with the Chancellor of New York City Public Schools, to conduct yearly studies to find non-operational schools. The matter title reads: 'Annual study to identify non-operational schools and the subsequent removal of speed cameras from eliminated school speed zones.' Council Members Chris Banks (District 42, primary sponsor) and Kamillah Hanks (District 49, co-sponsor) back the measure. If passed, speed cameras must be removed from zones tied to closed schools. The bill’s plain language summary confirms cameras will be pulled from these areas. No safety analyst has weighed in, but the removal of cameras means less oversight where children and families once crossed. The bill awaits further action.

• File Int 1106-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Council bill Int 1069-2024 slashes legal parking time for tractor-trailers and similar trucks to 90 minutes. Commercial vehicles clogging curbs will face tighter limits. The measure targets streets where hulking rigs linger, blocking sightlines and endangering walkers and riders.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." It limits parking for tractor-trailer combinations, tractors, truck trailers, and semi-trailers to 90 minutes, down from three hours. Council Member Kevin C. Riley leads as primary sponsor, joined by Nantasha M. Williams, Darlene Mealy, Sandy Nurse, and others. The bill was referred to committee the day it was introduced. No safety analyst has yet assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but the measure aims to keep large trucks from blocking curbs and crosswalks, where they threaten pedestrians and cyclists.

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

Council passed a law letting pedestrians cross streets anywhere, at any time. Jaywalking is now legal. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks or against signals. The law shifts blame from walkers to drivers. Streets belong to people again.

Int 0346-2024, now Local Law 98 of 2024, was enacted by the City Council on October 26, 2024, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way," lets pedestrians cross roadways at any point, even against traffic signals. It erases penalties for so-called jaywalking. Sponsors include Tiffany Cabán (primary), Lincoln Restler, Crystal Hudson, Shahana K. Hanif, Julie Won, Mercedes Narcisse, Darlene Mealy, Erik D. Bottcher, and Farah N. Louis. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor. The law requires the Department of Transportation to educate all road users about these new rights. By ending jaywalking enforcement, the city removes a tool often used to blame victims and target the vulnerable. The law marks a shift: streets are for people, not just cars.

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

A school bus turned left on Slosson Avenue. Its blocked view met a 61-year-old man crossing with the light. The bus hit him head-on. Blood pooled on broken pavement. He stayed conscious, injured and bleeding, as the street bore witness.

According to the police report, a school bus traveling north on Slosson Avenue near Reon Avenue made a left turn and struck a 61-year-old man head-on. The pedestrian was crossing at the intersection with the signal when the collision occurred. The report states the driver’s view was obstructed or limited, and the pavement was defective. The pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The police report explicitly lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, highlighting the danger created by impaired visibility during the bus’s left turn. The pedestrian’s action—crossing with the signal—is noted only after the driver’s error, underscoring the systemic hazards faced by those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759155, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A parked KIA sedan on Saint Pauls Avenue was struck head-on. Inside, a 58-year-old woman sat belted and unmoving. No skid marks, no warning. The crash left silence and death on Grant Street.

According to the police report, a parked KIA sedan was struck head-on near Saint Pauls Avenue and Grant Street in Staten Island. Inside the vehicle, a 58-year-old woman, who was wearing a lap belt, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene. The report notes, 'No skid marks, no second chance.' The point of impact was the center front end of the parked sedan. The contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified' in the police report, and no driver errors are explicitly cited. The narrative emphasizes the suddenness and severity of the crash, with the vehicle at rest before being struck. No mention is made of any actions by the victim contributing to the collision. The focus remains on the impact and the fatal outcome for the woman inside the parked car.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756590, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 28-year-old cyclist crashed into the rear of a parked Toyota on Forest Avenue. Ejected, his head struck pavement. Blood pooled as he lay conscious, staring skyward. The police report cites driver inexperience. No helmet was worn.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old man riding a bike on Forest Avenue near Brighton Avenue collided with the rear of a parked Toyota sedan. The cyclist was ejected from his bike, suffering a severe head injury with heavy bleeding. The report states the cyclist was conscious at the scene. 'Driver Inexperience' is listed as the primary contributing factor in the crash. The narrative details, 'Head split open on the pavement. Blood pooled. He lay conscious, staring up at the sky.' The report also notes that the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned after the driver error. The sedan was parked and unoccupied at the time of the collision. The incident underscores the dangers present when inexperience meets the unforgiving city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734245, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle tore down Morningstar Road, colliding with a turning SUV. The rider, helmeted, was thrown and crushed. Five inside the SUV survived. Speed and failure to yield left one young man dead, silence settling over the street.

A violent crash unfolded on Morningstar Road near Dixon Avenue when a 25-year-old motorcyclist collided with a turning SUV, according to the police report. The report states the motorcyclist was traveling at an unsafe speed before slamming into the SUV, which was carrying five occupants. The impact ejected the motorcyclist from his bike, crushing his chest. He was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. The narrative details that 'speed and failure to yield left silence in the street.' The police report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor in the crash. No actions or behaviors by the SUV occupants are cited as contributing factors. The collision left the motorcyclist dead at the scene, while the five SUV occupants survived. The crash underscores the deadly consequences when speed and failure to yield intersect on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733879, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council bill targets repeat pedal-assist bike violators. Three strikes, and riders must take a DOT safety course. Ignore the rule, lose your bike. The pilot runs three years. DOT must track completions, impounds, and results. Law aims to curb reckless riding.

Int 0874-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on May 16, 2024. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing a pilot abatement program for unsafe operators of pedal-assist bicycles,' orders the Department of Transportation to launch a three-year pilot. Riders with three or more moving violations must complete a DOT-run safety course. Fail, and their pedal-assist bike can be seized until proof of course completion. The bill requires DOT to report on course completions, impounds, and program effectiveness. Council Member Joann Ariola leads as primary sponsor, joined by Crystal Hudson, Farah N. Louis, Darlene Mealy, Chris Banks, and Kamillah Hanks. The measure seeks to hold repeat offenders accountable and reduce harm to pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0874-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

Council wants lights on city step streets. The bill orders the DOT to brighten at least 25 stairways a year. Dark stairs mean danger. Light means fewer falls, fewer hidden threats. The push comes from a broad coalition. The goal is simple: safer steps.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, it commands the Department of Transportation to install pedestrian lighting on at least 25 step streets each year. The bill’s matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola leads, joined by Council Members Hanks, Ayala, Salaam, Brooks-Powers, Banks, Restler, Brannan, Ung, Gutiérrez, Louis, Hudson, Schulman, Ossé, Krishnan, Nurse, Moya, and Marmorato. Step streets are public staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to ensure these stairs are well-lit, reducing risk for walkers. Once all step streets are lit, the mandate ends. The measure targets a clear hazard: darkness on city stairs.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

Albany sends $12 million to expand city bus service. The free bus pilot dies. Riders get more buses but lose free rides. Councilmember Hanks pushes for more OMNY machines. The city moves, but not all riders win.

On April 26, 2024, New York State lawmakers approved over $12 million to increase bus service across New York City. The decision ended funding for the MTA's pilot program that made one bus route in each borough free. The matter, titled 'NYC to get a boost in bus service, but pilot program for free routes ends,' highlights the trade-off: more buses, but no more free rides. Councilmember Kamillah Hanks of District 49 introduced a resolution urging the MTA to install at least 30 OMNY card vending machines in every borough, noting not all riders can pay by smartphone. The bill is not tied to a specific council committee or number. Hanks is mentioned for her advocacy on OMNY access. The move increases bus frequency but leaves low-income and cash riders behind. No direct safety impact for vulnerable road users was assessed.

• NYC to get a boost in bus service, but pilot program for free routes ends, gothamist.com, Published 2024-04-26