Crash Count for Fresh Meadows-Utopia
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 484
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 309
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 78
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 4
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Aug 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Fresh Meadows-Utopia?

No More Dead Ends: Demand Safe Streets Now

No More Dead Ends: Demand Safe Streets Now

Fresh Meadows-Utopia: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 17, 2025

The Toll on Our Streets

In Fresh Meadows-Utopia, the numbers pile up. One person killed. Four seriously hurt. Two hundred sixty-three injured since 2022. The dead do not speak. The injured carry scars you cannot see. A sixteen-year-old thrown from a moped, bleeding from the head. A woman, forty-eight, behind the wheel, awake one moment, then not. The crash report reads: “Fell asleep” (NYC Open Data).

The machines that do the harm are not rare. Cars and SUVs strike most often. Trucks, mopeds, and the rare bike follow. The sidewalk is no refuge. The curb is not safe. The numbers do not lie. The pain is spread across every age: children, teens, the old, the young.

The Crashes Keep Coming

Last August, a 21-year-old died in a tangle of moped and SUV on 184th Street. Last winter, a driver lost control and crushed her leg at 172nd and 67th. The stories repeat. A bus jumps the curb in Flushing, eight hurt. “I have a baby with me. That would be scary. I’ll be more cautious of my surroundings,” (said a mother at the scene). The city calls these accidents. They are not accidents. They are the price of inaction.

What Leaders Have Done—And Not Done

Senator John Liu and Assembly Member Nily Rozic have voted for safety. Liu backed the Stop Super Speeders Act, a bill to force repeat dangerous drivers to install speed limiters (Open States). Rozic co-sponsored the same bill in the Assembly (Open States). Both voted to extend school speed zones. But the street is still a gauntlet. The law moves slow. The cars do not.

The Next Step Is Yours

Call your council member. Call your senator. Call the mayor. Tell them the numbers are not enough. Tell them you want a street where a child can cross without fear. Tell them you want action, not words. Every day you wait is another day someone does not come home.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Nily Rozic
Assembly Member Nily Rozic
District 25
District Office:
159-16 Union Turnpike, Flushing, NY 11366
Legislative Office:
Room 941, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Linda Lee
Council Member Linda Lee
District 23
District Office:
73-03 Bell Boulevard, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364
718-468-0137
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1868, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6984
Twitter: CMLindaLee
John Liu
State Senator John Liu
District 16
District Office:
38-50 Bell Blvd. Suite C, Bayside, NY 11361
Legislative Office:
Room 915, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247

Traffic Safety Timeline for Fresh Meadows-Utopia

Hit-And-Run Kills Pedestrian Near JFK

A driver struck a man crossing 155th Street near JFK. The driver fled. The man died at Jamaica Hospital. Police search for answers. Seventeen killed in Queens South this year. The toll climbs.

Gothamist (2025-08-13) reports a 52-year-old man was killed crossing 155th Street and South Conduit Avenue near JFK Airport at 2:30 a.m. The driver fled. Police said, "the driver hit the 52-year-old man as he crossed" and left the scene. No vehicle description was released. NYPD data shows 17 traffic deaths in Queens South this year, up from 13 last year. The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers in the area.


Astoria Businesses Sue Over Bike Lane

Astoria shopkeepers fight a protected bike lane on 31st Street. They claim city plans threaten their business and public safety. The lawsuit lands in Queens Supreme Court. The city faces pushback, progress stalls.

NY1 reported on August 11, 2025, that over a dozen Astoria business owners filed suit to block a protected bike lane on 31st Street. The petition, lodged in Queens Supreme Court, claims the redesign from 36th Avenue to Newton Avenue would 'hurt their day-to-day operations and jeopardize public safety.' Owners accuse the city of acting in an 'arbitrary and capricious' way, moving forward despite objections. The case highlights ongoing tension between street safety projects and local business concerns. The outcome could shape future protected bike lane installations citywide.


Liu Criticizes Federal Funding Cut Undermining Flood Protection

Floods drowned Bay Terrace. Streets vanished. Leaders demand signs and real fixes. Pedestrians and cyclists still face danger. Signs warn, but water keeps coming.

"Just as Queens was about to get hundreds of millions of dollars in the federal infrastructure plan to address some of the severe flooding issues right here in Queens, the Trump administration yanked it, revoked that funding, and this is what we’re going to have to be faced with even more." -- John Liu

On August 8, 2025, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Council Member Vickie Paladino, joined by State Sen. John Liu and others, called for flood-related street signage and storm mitigation in Bay Terrace. They urged the Department of Transportation to act after flash floods submerged the Cross Island Parkway. The matter, described as a 'call for flood-related street signage and storm mitigation efforts,' saw Richards call signage a 'small step' and Paladino stress the need for warnings. The safety analyst notes these efforts may help general conditions but do not address the core safety needs of pedestrians and cyclists or shift burdens away from vulnerable users.


Man Killed By Driver In Queens Street

A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man on 101st Street. The driver sped off after an encounter at the window. Police found the victim with severe trauma. He died at Jamaica Hospital.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-01), a 23-year-old man died after being run over on 101st Street and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. The article reports, "Sonalall approached the driver's side window and flashed what appeared to be a gun, startling the motorist, who then drove off, striking Sonalall." The Queens District Attorney's Office did not charge the driver, citing fear for his life. The incident highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used in moments of conflict. No charges were filed, raising questions about how self-defense is interpreted in car-related deaths.


John Liu Endorses Safety Boosting 14th Street Redesign Plan

City and business leaders back a $3 million study to overhaul 14th Street. The plan aims to carve out space for walkers, bikers, and buses. Cars lose ground. Streets grow safer. The city bets on change.

On July 29, 2025, Christopher Bonanos reported a sweeping proposal to remake 14th Street. No council bill number or committee is listed. The Adams administration, local BIDs, and the NYC Economic Development Corporation pledged $3 million for a 24-month study. The plan, described as 'transformative' and 'generational,' aims to create a 'complete street' for pedestrians, cyclists, delivery workers, and transit. Mayor Eric Adams and city officials support the move. According to safety analysts, such overhauls, especially when led by city and business groups, often yield safer, more equitable streets for vulnerable users.


Sedan Strikes Teen Cyclists at Queens Intersection

A speeding sedan hit two teen cyclists at 61-24 190 St. Both boys were hurt. Police cite unsafe speed and traffic control ignored. Metal met flesh. The street did not forgive.

Two teenage boys riding a bike were struck by a sedan at 61-24 190 St in Queens. Both cyclists, ages 14 and 15, suffered injuries. According to the police report, the crash involved unsafe speed and disregard for traffic control. The sedan, driven by a 39-year-old woman, hit the cyclists as both vehicles went straight. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. Neither cyclist wore safety equipment, but the primary causes remain driver error. The crash left bruises and pain. The street became a site of harm.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828474 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
3
Box Truck Slams Sedan on Expressway in Queens

Box truck struck sedan’s rear on Long Island Expressway. Three people injured. Impact hit hard. Metal twisted. Passengers shaken. No clear cause listed. System failed to protect.

A box truck crashed into the back of a sedan on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. Three people were injured: a 31-year-old male passenger with hip and leg injuries, an 18-year-old female passenger with injuries to her entire body, and a 37-year-old female driver with shoulder and arm injuries. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling east and going straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The impact crushed the sedan’s rear and the truck’s front. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828257 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
2
SUVs Collide on Francis Lewis Boulevard; Two Hurt

Two SUVs crashed on Francis Lewis Boulevard. A driver and a young passenger suffered neck and back injuries. The cause remains unclear. Metal struck metal. Pain followed.

Two station wagons, both SUVs, collided at Francis Lewis Boulevard and 73rd Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a 57-year-old female driver and an 18-year-old female rear passenger were injured, suffering neck and back injuries. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left two people hurt and others shaken, but the police report does not detail what led to the impact. No driver errors are listed in the data.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830426 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Int 1339-2025
Lee co-sponsors ambulette exemption bill, reducing street safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Council bill lets ambulettes use bus lanes and double-park to help passengers. More vehicles in bus lanes, more double-parking. Vulnerable road users face tighter, riskier streets.

Int 1339-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced July 14, 2025 by Council Member Linda Lee. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to exempting ambulettes from certain bus lane restrictions and allowing them to double park to assist passengers,' lets ambulettes drive, park, and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers. Lee sponsored the bill. If passed, more vehicles will block bus lanes and sidewalks, squeezing pedestrians and cyclists. The city’s most vulnerable will face more danger at the curb.


Int 1339-2025
Lee co-sponsors bill that decreases street safety by exempting ambulettes from bus lane rules.

Council bill lets ambulettes drive and park in bus lanes. Double-parking allowed to help passengers. Streets grow tighter. Danger for walkers and riders rises.

Bill Int 1339-2025 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced July 14, 2025, by Council Members Julie Menin and Linda Lee, it would 'exempt ambulettes from certain bus lane restrictions and allow them to double park to assist passengers.' The bill grants ambulettes the right to drive, stop, and double-park in bus lanes while helping passengers. Menin and Lee sponsor the measure, which was referred to committee on July 14. No safety analysis was provided. The change would squeeze vulnerable road users, making sidewalks and crossings riskier.


Int 1339-2025
Lee co-sponsors bill that reduces street safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Council bill lets ambulettes drive and double-park in bus lanes. More vehicles in bus lanes mean more risk for people walking, biking, and waiting at curbs. Danger grows where curb chaos reigns.

Bill Int 1339-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since July 14, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...exempting ambulettes from certain bus lane restrictions and allowing them to double park to assist passengers,' would let ambulettes drive, stop, and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers. Council Member Julie Menin sponsors, joined by Linda Lee, Frank Morano, Eric Dinowitz, Lynn C. Schulman, Kamillah Hanks, Carlina Rivera, and Chris Banks. Allowing more vehicles to double-park and block bus lanes increases risk for pedestrians and cyclists at the curb. The city’s most vulnerable will face more conflict and less safe space.


Int 1339-2025
Lee Opposes Bus Lane Restrictions Supports Ambulette Double Parking

Council bill lets ambulettes use bus lanes and double-park to help passengers. More vehicles in bus lanes, more double-parking. Vulnerable road users face tighter, riskier streets.

Int 1339-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced July 14, 2025 by Council Member Linda Lee. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to exempting ambulettes from certain bus lane restrictions and allowing them to double park to assist passengers,' lets ambulettes drive, park, and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers. Lee sponsored the bill. If passed, more vehicles will block bus lanes and sidewalks, squeezing pedestrians and cyclists. The city’s most vulnerable will face more danger at the curb.


Int 1339-2025
Lee Supports Harmful Ambulette Bus Lane Exemption Bill

Council bill lets ambulettes drive and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers. Streets narrow. Danger grows for walkers and riders. Vulnerable users pay the price.

Bill Int 1339-2025 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced July 14, 2025, by Council Member Linda Lee, it would 'exempt ambulettes from certain bus lane restrictions and allow them to double park to assist passengers.' Lee sponsored the measure, which was referred to committee the same day. The bill lets ambulettes drive, park, and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers board and deboard. No safety review was provided. The move risks more blocked lanes and sightlines, putting pedestrians and cyclists in harm’s way.


Int 1339-2025
Lee Supports Harmful Ambulette Bus Lane Exemption Bill

Council bill lets ambulettes drive and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers. Streets narrow. Danger grows for walkers and riders. Vulnerable users pay the price.

Bill Int 1339-2025 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced July 14, 2025, by Council Member Linda Lee, it would 'exempt ambulettes from certain bus lane restrictions and allow them to double park to assist passengers.' Lee sponsored the measure, which was referred to committee the same day. The bill lets ambulettes drive, park, and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers board and deboard. No safety review was provided. The move risks more blocked lanes and sightlines, putting pedestrians and cyclists in harm’s way.


Two Sedans Collide on 69th Avenue, Drivers Hurt

Two sedans crashed on 69th Avenue. Both drivers injured. Hip, leg, and neck pain. Four passengers shaken. No cause named. Metal twisted. Sirens cut the night.

Two sedans collided on 69th Avenue near 180th Street in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers—a 30-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man—were injured. The woman suffered hip and leg abrasions. The man reported neck pain and nausea. Four other occupants had unspecified injuries. The crash involved two sedans and two parked SUVs. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The police noted both injured drivers wore lap belts and harnesses. The cause remains unspecified in the official record.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827286 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
2
Truck Slams SUV on Long Island Expressway

Truck plowed into SUV’s rear. Two men hurt, legs battered. Police cite driver distraction. Metal twisted. Sirens wailed. Another day, another crash.

A tractor truck struck the back of an SUV on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. Two men, the SUV’s driver and front passenger, suffered leg injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling east. The truck’s front end hit the SUV’s rear. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left metal crumpled and two people in pain. The police report lists no other contributing factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830427 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
2
Failure to Yield Injures Three on 180 St

Pick-up and sedan collided at 180 St and 73 Ave. Three women hurt. Head and chest injuries. Police cite failure to yield. Metal, glass, shock. Queens street, another wound.

A pick-up truck and a sedan crashed at 180 St and 73 Ave in Queens. Three women were injured: a 77-year-old driver suffered a head injury, a 60-year-old driver had chest injuries, and a 16-year-old passenger was hurt. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' caused the collision. Both vehicles were going straight before impact. The report lists no other contributing factors before the crash. The toll: pain, confusion, and another mark on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826173 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Teen Dies Falling From 7 Train

A 15-year-old boy fell from a 7 train at Queensboro Plaza. He landed on the tracks. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The city mourns another young life lost to the subway’s hard edge.

According to amny (July 8, 2025), Carlos Oliver, 15, died after falling from atop a 7 train at Queensboro Plaza. Police found him on the tracks around 2:45 a.m. and he was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital. The article quotes NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow: “This was as avoidable as it is tragic.” The MTA has updated its “Ride Inside, Stay Alive” campaign, broadcasting warnings every 10 to 15 minutes along the 7 line. The incident highlights ongoing risks in the subway system and the need for effective deterrence and safety measures.


City Bike Lane Plan Sparks Queens Clash

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.


Int 0857-2024
Gennaro votes yes to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.

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.