Sunnyside Bleeds While City Sleeps: Drop the Speed, Save a Life

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.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Pedestrian Near JFK, Gothamist, Published 2025-08-13

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.

• Astoria Businesses Sue Over Bike Lane, NY1, Published 2025-08-11

Two SUVs crashed at Van Dam Street and Hunters Point Avenue. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. Metal twisted. Lives jarred.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at Van Dam Street and Hunters Point Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, one driver, a 46-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and whiplash. Three others, including a child, were involved but not seriously hurt. Police list driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained damage. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield and lose focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833695 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A motorcycle and sedan collided in Queens. One rider ejected, injured. Police cite unsafe speed and distraction. Metal and flesh met hard. The street did not forgive.

A motorcycle and a sedan crashed at 51-34 48th Street in Queens. One 22-year-old motorcycle rider was ejected and suffered leg and internal injuries. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The sedan driver and two others were listed as uninjured. The report notes the motorcycle rider wore a helmet, but only after citing driver errors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact was severe, with both vehicles damaged at the left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832872 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Gianaris backs Mamdani for mayor. Both pushed for subway funding and fare-free buses. Their alliance signals power in transit fights. No direct safety change yet for walkers or riders.

On August 4, 2025, State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris endorsed Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani for mayor. The two worked together on the 'Fix the MTA Act,' which invested in subways and piloted fare-free buses. Gianaris said Mamdani 'provides the energy and ideas' New Yorkers need. Mamdani thanked Gianaris for helping secure 'historic investments in subway and bus services.' This event, reported by City & State NY, shows political unity on transit. However, as no specific policy action or outcome is detailed, analysts find no direct safety impact for pedestrians or cyclists.

• Mike Gianaris backs Zohran Mamdani for mayor, City & State NY, Published 2025-08-04

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.

• Man Killed By Driver In Queens Street, New York Post, Published 2025-08-01

E-bike rider thrown from bike on Queens Blvd at 42nd Street. Sixty-five-year-old man injured, body struck, left in shock. No driver errors listed. Streets remain unforgiving.

A 65-year-old e-bike rider was ejected and injured while traveling east on Queens Boulevard at 42nd Street in Queens. According to the police report, the rider suffered injuries to his entire body and was left in shock. The report lists no contributing driver errors or factors. The crash involved the e-bike striking the left side doors and front quarter panel. No other injuries were specified. The data does not mention helmet use or signaling as a factor. The incident highlights the vulnerability of cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832685 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Sedans collided on Queens Blvd. One driver hurt, back injury, shock. Police cite following too closely. Center front slammed into center rear. System failed to protect those inside.

Two sedans crashed on Queens Blvd at 32 Place. One driver, a 35-year-old man, suffered a back injury and shock. According to the police report, the cause was 'Following Too Closely.' Both vehicles were going straight when the front of one sedan struck the rear of the other. The report lists no other contributing factors. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to keep safe distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832170 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A speeding sedan struck a bus at 43rd Street and 56th Road. Three people hurt, including a five-year-old girl. Police cite unsafe speed. Metal and bodies took the blow. The street stayed silent.

A sedan and a bus collided at 43rd Street and 56th Road in Queens. Three people were injured: a five-year-old girl riding as a passenger, a 50-year-old male driver, and a 23-year-old female driver. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Unsafe Speed.' The sedan hit the bus’s left rear quarter panel. The child and both drivers suffered injuries. No pedestrians were involved. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the main contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834310 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan, SUV, and moped collided on 39th Street. Two teenage moped riders were ejected and injured. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Metal, glass, and bodies scattered. System failed the young.

A crash on 39th Street at 47th Avenue in Queens involved a sedan, an SUV, and a moped. Two teenage moped riders, ages 16 and 17, were ejected and suffered leg fractures and dislocations. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as a contributing factor. The moped was demolished. Other occupants and drivers reported unspecified injuries. The data shows no helmet or signal violations listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830272 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two sedans collided on Borden Avenue. Four people hurt. Passengers and drivers suffered head, neck, arm, and abdominal injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Streets left bruised and bloodied.

Two sedans crashed on Borden Avenue at Van Dam Street in Queens. Four people were injured: a 59-year-old male driver with arm injuries, a 33-year-old female passenger with head wounds, a 25-year-old male driver with abdominal pain, and a 34-year-old male passenger with neck pain. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. No other contributing factors were listed. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left the street marked by pain and distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827403 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two bikes collided on Queens Blvd. One rider, 51, suffered arm abrasions. Unsafe lane changing triggered the crash. A 13-year-old cyclist was also involved. No vehicle damage reported.

Two bicyclists crashed on Queens Blvd at Skillman Ave in Queens. A 51-year-old man was injured, suffering abrasions to his arm. A 13-year-old boy was also involved but not reported injured. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' Both cyclists were riding without safety equipment. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. No motor vehicles were involved. No damage to the bikes was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827099 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan hit a standing scooter on Queens Blvd. The scooter driver, 37, was ejected and injured. No driver errors listed. Police cite unspecified factors.

A sedan collided with a standing scooter on Queens Boulevard near 40th Street in Queens. The 37-year-old scooter driver was ejected and suffered injuries to his lower leg and internal injuries. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factors and does not cite any specific driver errors. The scooter driver was wearing a helmet. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830465 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Sedans collided on Long Island Expressway. Three people hurt, including a child with a head wound. Police cite driver distraction. Steel and speed left bruises and blood.

On the Long Island Expressway in Queens, several sedans crashed. Three people were injured: a 45-year-old man suffered a shoulder contusion, a 6-year-old girl had a head abrasion, and a 28-year-old woman bled from the head. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The crash involved vehicles traveling west, with one merging. No other contributing factors were listed. The data shows that all injured parties were occupants or passengers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826416 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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.

• Teen Dies Falling From 7 Train, amny, Published 2025-07-08

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

Zohran Mamdani’s fare-free bus pilot drew more riders. Fewer cars. Streets safer. City weighs expansion. Vulnerable users stand to gain. The debate: cost, service, and public space.

Bill: Fare-free bus pilot, led by Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, reported July 2, 2025, by New York Magazine - Curbed. The pilot ran for one year, costing $15 million, with increased ridership and fewer assaults on drivers. Mamdani supports expanding bus lanes and meeting Streets Master Plan mandates. State Senator Michael Gianaris backed the pilot, calling the cost manageable. Experts warn of service tradeoffs. The safety analyst notes: increased ridership signals a shift from cars, boosting safety for pedestrians and cyclists through safety in numbers and less vehicle traffic. Expansion remains debated.

• What It Would Take to Make Buses Free, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-02

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

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

Queens rolled out its new bus network. Riders lined up at the Q12 stop on Northern Boulevard. No chaos. No crashes. Just buses and bodies in the heat. Fewer cars, safer streets for all.

On June 29, 2025, the Queens bus network redesign launched, marking the first major overhaul since the 1950s. The event, covered by AMNY, saw new routes and stops, including changes to the Q12 and Q13. Assembly Member Claire Valdez praised the redesign, calling buses a 'critical lifeline.' Transit advocates split: Riders Alliance applauded the move, while Passengers United warned of harm to vulnerable riders. A safety analyst noted, 'Bus network redesigns that improve transit access can encourage mode shift away from private vehicles, reducing traffic volumes and crash risk for pedestrians and cyclists while supporting street equity.' The redesign aims to shift trips from cars to buses, making streets less deadly for those outside vehicles.

• First day of massive Queens bus network redesign goes off mostly glitch-free in Flushing, AMNY, Published 2025-06-29