Six Dead, No Change: Auburndale’s Streets Are Killing Us

Sep 26 - At Northern Boulevard and 202 Street, a driver in an SUV turned left and hit a motorcyclist going straight. The rider was hurt. Police recorded driver inattention.

On Northern Boulevard at 202 Street in Queens, a driver in an SUV made a left turn and hit a motorcyclist who was going straight. It was 8:55 p.m. The rider, 34, was injured and conscious, with an arm abrasion, and was partially ejected. According to the police report, the SUV was “Making Left Turn” and the motorcycle was “Going Straight Ahead.” The report lists “Driver Inattention/Distraction” as a contributing factor. The SUV driver, 19, held a permit, and a passenger rode with him. Police noted damage to the SUV’s right front bumper and the motorcycle’s front end. The crash fell to the 111th Precinct.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4845340 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

• Motorcyclist killed in multiple collisions on Long Island Expressway, NYPD says, Gothamist, Published 2025-09-26

• Woman killed after being pinned under car while crossing Queens intersection, ABC7, Published 2025-09-21

• Female construction worker killed on Queens job site, hit-and-run driver arrested, NY Daily News, Published 2025-09-20

Sep 19 - A northbound sedan driver turned left at 33 Ave and Francis Lewis Blvd in Queens and hit a 14-year-old on an e-bike. The boy was unconscious with a neck injury. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver and traffic control disregarded.

A driver in a 2025 Nissan sedan, traveling north and making a left turn, hit a 14-year-old on an e-bike who was heading south at 33 Ave and Francis Lewis Blvd in Queens. The crash happened at 11:15 p.m. The teen bicyclist was injured, ejected, and listed unconscious with a neck injury and minor bleeding. According to the police report, contributing factors were 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' Police recorded failure to yield by the driver and traffic control disregarded. The sedan showed impact to the right-side doors; the e-bike had front-end damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4844323 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

• Man struck and killed by two vehicles while trying to cross Belt Parkway in South Ozone Park: NYPD, amny, Published 2025-09-16

• Suspect in deadly DWI crash sexually harassed teen before intentionally striking her with SUV, Queens DA says, CBS New York, Published 2025-09-15

• 16-year-old girl struck and killed in Queens, CBS New York, Published 2025-09-13

Sep 11 - Southbound on Clearview Expressway, a sedan driver hit a box truck stopped in traffic. The 93-year-old driver bled badly. The truck driver suffered a head injury. Police recorded driver inattention and distraction.

A crash on Clearview Expressway involved a southbound sedan and a box truck stopped in traffic. The driver of the sedan went straight and hit the back of the truck. The sedan’s 93-year-old woman driver was injured with severe bleeding and leg trauma. The 38-year-old man driving the truck reported a head injury. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Driver Inattention/Distraction.” Police recorded driver inattention/distraction in the crash. The truck had center back-end damage. The sedan had center front-end damage. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4842053 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Sep 3 - A westbound driver hit a parked car at 203 St and 32 Ave in Queens. The woman driver suffered a neck bruise. Two others were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited “Illnes” as a factor.

At 11:50 a.m. at 203 St and 32 Ave in Queens, a driver in a 2016 Toyota sedan going west hit a parked 2022 Chevrolet sedan. The driver, a 66-year-old woman, was hurt with a neck contusion. Two additional people tied to the crash were listed with unspecified injuries. According to the police report, the moving vehicle was “Going Straight Ahead” and the other was “Parked.” The report lists “Illnes” as a contributing factor. Police recorded “Illnes” by the driver. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4839446 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Aug 23 - The driver of a northbound sedan ran traffic control and hit the right side of an eastbound SUV at Utopia Pkwy and 28 Ave. One driver suffered chest contusions and was listed injured. Police cited Traffic Control Disregarded.

The driver of a northbound sedan ran traffic control and struck the right side doors of an eastbound SUV at Utopia Parkway and 28 Avenue. A 28-year-old male driver suffered chest contusions and was recorded as injured. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Traffic Control Disregarded." The sedan’s center front end contacted the SUV’s right side, matching the recorded points of impact. Both vehicles had one occupant and were recorded as traveling straight ahead. Police listed no other contributing factors for the injured driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837400 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Aug 14 - Int 1362-2025 strips ‘protected’ bus and bicycle lane definitions and drops lane quotas from the Streets Master Plan. It tears out accountability. Transit priority and safe cycling face rollback. Pedestrians and riders lose clear targets.

"The definitions of protected bicycle lane and protected bus lane as set forth in subdivision a of section 19-199.1 of the administrative code of the city of New York are REPEALED." -- Vickie Paladino

Int 1362-2025 was introduced and sponsored by Council Member Vickie Paladino on August 14, 2025, and is in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The matter is titled, "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to removing benchmarks for bus lanes and bicycle lanes from the streets master plan and repealing certain definitions in relation thereto." Paladino is the sponsor. The bill repeals the definitions of "protected bicycle lane" and "protected bus lane" and removes lane benchmarks from the Streets Master Plan. Safety analysts say eliminating these definitions and quotas weakens commitments to high‑quality, traffic‑calming, mode‑shift infrastructure and is likely to reduce cycling uptake and bus priority, undermining safety‑in‑numbers and street equity. Status: in committee; no vote yet.

• File Int 1362-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Int 1362-2025 strips protected bus and bike lane definitions and benchmarks. It removes firm targets and accountability. Safety analysts warn this will likely slow mode shift and increase crash exposure for cyclists and pedestrians.

"The definitions of protected bicycle lane and protected bus lane ... are REPEALED." -- Vickie Paladino

Int 1362-2025, introduced August 14, 2025, was sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and reached the Council vote stage. The matter is described as "removing benchmarks for bus lanes and bicycle lanes from the streets master plan." Council Member Vickie Paladino pushed the change and backed removal of the definitions and quotas. The Council vote failed at the full body stage. Safety analysts note the bill "eliminates clear targets and accountability for building a connected, low-stress network and bus priority," and warn it will likely slow mode shift and raise crash exposure for cyclists and pedestrians despite retention of other upgrades.

• File Int 1362-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Int 1362-2025 strips protected bus and bicycle lane definitions and removes lane benchmarks from the Streets Master Plan. It rips out clear targets. Cyclists and pedestrians lose accountability as exposure and crash risk rise.

"The definitions of "protected bicycle lane" and "protected bus lane" ... are REPEALED." -- Vickie Paladino

Int 1362-2025 was introduced on August 14, 2025 and referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The matter is described as "removing benchmarks for bus lanes and bicycle lanes from the streets master plan and repealing certain definitions." Sponsored and advanced by Council Member Vickie Paladino, the bill repeals the definitions of "protected bicycle lane" and "protected bus lane" in Admin Code §19-199.1 and strips lane quotas from the master plan. Removing definitions and benchmarks eliminates clear targets and accountability for building a connected, low-stress network and bus priority. That likely slows mode shift and safety-in-numbers gains, increasing crash exposure for cyclists and pedestrians despite other upgrades.

• File Int 1362-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Int 1362-2025 strips ‘protected’ bus and bicycle lane definitions and drops lane quotas from the Streets Master Plan. It tears out accountability. Transit priority and safe cycling face rollback. Pedestrians and riders lose clear targets.

Int 1362-2025 was introduced and sponsored by Council Member Vickie Paladino on August 14, 2025, and is in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The matter is titled, "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to removing benchmarks for bus lanes and bicycle lanes from the streets master plan and repealing certain definitions in relation thereto." Paladino is the sponsor. The bill repeals the definitions of "protected bicycle lane" and "protected bus lane" and removes lane benchmarks from the Streets Master Plan. Safety analysts say eliminating these definitions and quotas weakens commitments to high‑quality, traffic‑calming, mode‑shift infrastructure and is likely to reduce cycling uptake and bus priority, undermining safety‑in‑numbers and street equity. Status: in committee; no vote yet.

• File Int 1362-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Int 1362 repeals the definitions of “protected bicycle lane” and “protected bus lane” and strips explicit benchmarks for protected lanes from the streets master plan. It preserves signal and pedestrian targets but weakens commitments to physical protection, threatening safety and equity.

Bill Int 1362-2025. Status: Sponsorship, introduced Aug 14, 2025. Referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The measure, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to removing benchmarks for bus lanes and bicycle lanes from the streets master plan and repealing certain definitions in relation thereto," repeals the definitions of "protected bicycle lane" and "protected bus lane" and removes related benchmarks in the master plan (master plan dates referenced include Dec. 1, 2021 and Dec. 1, 2026). Primary sponsor: Robert F. Holden. Co-sponsors: Inna Vernikov, Joann Ariola, Chris Banks, Vickie Paladino. Safety analysts warn: "Removing explicit benchmarks and definitions for protected bus and bicycle lanes weakens commitments to physically protected infrastructure... likely reducing mode shift to walking and cycling and worsening equity and safety-in-numbers; the retained measures focus on signals and pedestrian amenities but do not replace the protective effect of designated protected lanes."

• File Int 1362-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Int 1362 strips definitions for protected bus and bike lanes and removes benchmarks from the streets master plan. It guts measurable targets. Safe space for pedestrians and cyclists is at risk. The city could slow needed separated infrastructure.

Bill: Int. No. 1362 (Int 1362-2025). Status: SPONSORSHIP. Committee: Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Event date: 2025-08-14. The matter reads: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to removing benchmarks for bus lanes and bicycle lanes from the streets master plan and repealing certain definitions in relation thereto." Council Member Robert F. Holden is the primary sponsor. Joann Ariola and Vickie Paladino are co-sponsors. The draft repeals the definitions of "protected bicycle lane" and "protected bus lane" and removes explicit benchmarks tied to transit signal priority, bus stop upgrades, accessible pedestrian signals and intersection redesigns. Removing those benchmarks weakens commitments to high‑quality separated infrastructure and measurable mode‑shift targets, likely slowing deployment of safe space for pedestrians and cyclists and undermining equitable street redesigns.

• File Int 1362-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Int. No. 1362 strips city definitions and benchmarks for protected bicycle lanes and protected bus lanes. It removes targets and accountability. The change will slow deployment of separated bike and bus infrastructure and erode safety and equity for pedestrians and cyclists.

Int. No. 1362 (filed Aug. 14, 2025; stage: SPONSORSHIP) was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The matter is titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to removing benchmarks for bus lanes and bicycle lanes and repealing certain definitions in relation thereto." Council Member Robert F. Holden is the primary sponsor. Co-sponsors are Vickie Paladino, Joann Ariola, and Inna Vernikov. The bill repeals the definitions of "protected bicycle lane" and "protected bus lane" and removes benchmark requirements from the streets master plan. Safety analysts note that removing explicit benchmarks and definitions weakens accountability for building separated cycling and bus infrastructure, likely decreasing street equity and safety-in-numbers for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 1362-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 12 - A car tore through an Astoria intersection. It struck a food truck. Two men died on the sidewalk. The driver died too. Metal, flesh, coffee, blood. The street swallowed them. It happened fast. No one stood a chance.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-12), an 84-year-old driver sped through 42nd Street and 19th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, crashing into a food truck and killing two customers and himself. Surveillance showed the car "going about 60 miles an hour" before impact. The article quotes a witness: "Someone screamed really loudly, and I just had stepped back, like right up to the sidewalk." The force severed a victim's foot. The crash highlights the lethal risk when drivers lose control at high speed in pedestrian zones. No charges were filed; the driver died at the scene.

• Speeding Car Slams Food Truck, Kills Two, New York Post, Published 2025-08-12

Aug 11 - A driver of an SUV hit a 12-year-old riding an e-bike at 195 Street and 56 Avenue in Queens. The boy was ejected and suffered whole-body injuries. Police recorded Failure to Yield by the driver.

An adult female driver of an SUV traveling east on 56 Avenue struck a 12-year-old male riding an e-bike southbound on 195 Street. The boy was ejected and suffered injuries to his entire body; police logged contusion/bruise complaints. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The SUV's center front is listed as the point of impact and damage. The e-bike operator is recorded as unlicensed. Both vehicles are listed as going straight before the crash. Police list the rider as injured and ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834296 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02