Cambria Heights Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps

Council moves to hit rogue vans hard. A checklist. Max fines for each breach. TLC, NYPD, DOT must act together. Crack down on illegal operators who imperil riders and people on the street. The bill sits in committee.

Int 1347-2025 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced and referred on August 14, 2025. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to enforcing violations against unlicensed commuter vans.” It orders TLC, with NYPD and DOT, to keep a compliance checklist. When officers stop an unlicensed van, they must check every rule and issue the maximum fine for each breach. Primary sponsor Nantasha M. Williams. Co-sponsors Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Mercedes Narcisse, and Chris Banks. Status: Committee. If enacted, it takes effect 120 days later. It targets illegal operators who put riders and bystanders at risk.

• File Int 1347-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Council introduces Int 1347-2025 to curb rogue commuter vans. TLC, NYPD, and DOT must keep a safety checklist. Officers who spot an unlicensed van stack every charge and levy max fines. A push to shield riders and people on the street.

Int 1347-2025 is in Committee. It sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction and referral on August 14, 2025. The bill’s title reads, “A Local Law … in relation to enforcing violations against unlicensed commuter vans.” It orders TLC, with NYPD and DOT, to maintain a checklist of laws on vehicle and driver licensure, service authorization, insurance, and inspections. When an officer stops an unlicensed van, they must review the list and issue the maximum penalty for each violation. Primary sponsor Nantasha M. Williams is joined by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Mercedes Narcisse, Chris Banks, and Farah N. Louis. The aim is to protect riders and bystanders from unlicensed operators who skip the rules.

• File Int 1347-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

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 sedans crashed on Cross Island Parkway. One man suffered a leg injury. Others escaped with minor or no injuries. No driver errors listed. Police report gives few details.

Two sedans traveling south on Cross Island Parkway collided. According to the police report, a 41-year-old male passenger suffered a knee and foot injury. Other occupants, including drivers and passengers, had unspecified or minor injuries. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. Both vehicles sustained front-end and side damage. No mention of helmet or signal use. The police report provides no further narrative or explanation for the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833143 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV struck on left doors. Two women inside hurt. One bruised, one in pain. Both conscious. No clear cause named. Metal and flesh meet at speed.

A Nissan SUV traveling west on Springfield Boulevard at 120 Avenue was hit on its left side. Inside, an 18-year-old woman driving and a 57-year-old woman in the front seat suffered leg injuries. Both were conscious after the crash. According to the police report, the cause is listed as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. No mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash left the SUV damaged and its occupants hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832625 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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

Two SUVs crashed on Linden Boulevard. One driver hurt. Police cite alcohol and ignored signals. Metal twisted. Streets silent. System failed. Danger rides with the reckless.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at Linden Boulevard and 234th Street in Queens. One driver, age 39, suffered abdominal injuries. According to the police report, both drivers were involved in 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The crash left one vehicle with front-end damage and the other with damage to the left side doors. No pedestrians or cyclists were listed among the injured. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as contributing factors. Systemic danger persists when drivers ignore signals and drive impaired.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831804 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two sedans collided on 115 Ave in Queens. Unsafe lane changing sent metal into metal. One driver suffered neck injuries. The street bore the brunt. The system failed to protect.

Two sedans crashed on 115 Ave at Springfield Blvd in Queens. According to the police report, unsafe lane changing led to the collision. One driver, a 50-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash. Another occupant and a second driver were also involved. Both vehicles were traveling west. The police report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor. No other errors or factors were cited. The crash left one person hurt and exposed the danger of reckless maneuvers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830824 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV and sedan collided on 115 Ave. Improper lane use sent metal into flesh. One driver and a passenger hurt. Streets in Queens bear the scars.

A crash on 115 Ave in Queens involved a station wagon/SUV and a sedan. According to the police report, improper passing or lane usage led to the collision. One driver, a 27-year-old woman, suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries. A male passenger, age 59, was also hurt. Both vehicles were traveling west. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the main contributing factor. No other causes are cited. The impact left drivers and passengers injured, exposing the danger of reckless maneuvers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828653 - 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

SUV reversed unsafely on 116 Ave. Another SUV struck. One driver suffered back injury. Police cite unsafe backing. Streets remain hostile for those inside and outside cars.

Two SUVs collided at 116 Ave and 220 St in Queens. According to the police report, one SUV was backing unsafely when it struck another SUV traveling straight. A 59-year-old male driver was injured, suffering whiplash and a back injury. The police report lists 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the danger when drivers reverse without care.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825398 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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

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

A sedan hit a woman working in the roadway. She suffered a bruised leg. The driver started from parking. No driver error listed. The street saw pain, not justice.

A 25-year-old woman was injured when a sedan struck her as she worked in the roadway at 226-02 Francis Lewis Blvd in Queens. According to the police report, the sedan was starting from parking when it hit the pedestrian, causing a contusion to her knee and lower leg. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The driver was licensed and uninjured. The crash left the pedestrian hurt and the car undamaged. No helmet or signal issues were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823787 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A scooter rider died on 116 Ave. SUV and scooter collided. Both drivers unlicensed. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe speed. Head trauma. Streets failed the vulnerable again.

A 39-year-old man driving a scooter was killed in a crash with an SUV on 116 Ave in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers were unlicensed. The scooter driver suffered fatal head injuries and was ejected. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The SUV was making a left turn; the scooter was going straight. No pedestrians were involved. The system allowed unlicensed drivers to operate heavy vehicles. The crash left one dead and others shaken.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823380 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A cyclist died on Astoria Boulevard. A fleeing driver struck her. She flew from her bike, hit a parked car, and never got up. Police stopped the chase. The driver kept going. The street stayed deadly.

According to the New York Post (published June 24, 2025), Bekim Fiseku, 53, was charged after fatally striking cyclist Amanda Servedio, 36, while fleeing a burglary in Queens. Surveillance video showed Servedio "went flying off her bicycle and slammed into a parked BMW while Fiseku sped off." Police ended their pursuit to help Servedio, who died at Elmhurst Hospital. Fiseku was on supervised release for a prior federal conviction at the time. The article highlights that Fiseku had three passengers and was fleeing police, raising questions about police pursuit protocols and the risks to vulnerable road users. The crash underscores ongoing dangers for cyclists on city streets.

• Cyclist Killed In Queens Hit-And-Run, New York Post, Published 2025-06-24

A distracted driver slammed into another vehicle on 118 Ave. One person suffered back injuries. The crash left metal twisted and lives shaken.

A crash on 118 Ave at 230 St in Queens involved a sedan and another vehicle. One person, a 52-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The impact struck the left front bumper of the sedan. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data shows driver inattention as the primary cause. No helmet or signal use was listed as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826189 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV hit a man crossing Francis Lewis Blvd. He took a blow to the leg. Police cite driver distraction. The street stayed busy. The man stayed conscious. The system failed to protect him.

A 28-year-old man was hit by an SUV while crossing Francis Lewis Blvd in Queens. He suffered a contusion and injury to his lower leg but remained conscious. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The driver, a 32-year-old woman, was licensed and driving straight ahead. The pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk with no signal. The report lists no other contributing factors before noting the driver's distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822351 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17