Baisley Park Bleeds While Leaders Stall

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

SUV hit a 24-year-old man in the street. Driver was distracted. Pedestrian suffered leg injuries. No damage to the vehicle. The street stayed dangerous. The system failed to protect him.

A Jeep SUV traveling west struck a 24-year-old pedestrian outside an intersection on 119th Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. The SUV showed no damage. The driver and another occupant were unhurt. The crash left the pedestrian with abrasions and pain. The report did not list any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834025 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A van backed into an SUV on 161st Place. Five people suffered neck injuries. Police cite unsafe backing. Metal struck metal. Whiplash followed. The street stayed dangerous.

A van backed unsafely into a parked SUV at 122-38 161 Place in Queens. According to the police report, five occupants—drivers and passengers—sustained neck injuries, all reporting whiplash. The crash involved a GMC van and an Audi SUV. Police listed 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact left several people hurt, underscoring the risk when drivers fail to control their vehicles in tight city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833854 - 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 sedans collided on Foch Blvd. One driver suffered head injuries. Police cite improper lane use. Metal twisted. Streets stayed silent.

Two sedans crashed at 167-20 Foch Blvd in Queens. One driver, a 50-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The impact struck the left rear quarter panel of a parked sedan and the right front bumper of the moving car. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830957 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV and taxi crashed on 120 Ave. Two people hurt. One woman suffered arm injuries. A man in the back seat felt neck pain. Both vehicles took heavy front damage. Police list causes as unspecified.

An SUV and a taxi crashed on 120 Ave in Queens. A 24-year-old woman driving the SUV was injured in her arm. A 28-year-old man riding in the rear seat suffered neck pain. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead before the collision. The SUV was hit in the center front end, the taxi on the left front quarter panel. Police list contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830379 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Tow truck merged, struck moped. Woman on moped hurt, head abrasion. Police cite driver distraction. Metal met flesh. System failed again.

A tow truck and a moped collided while merging northbound on the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. The 37-year-old woman driving the moped suffered a head abrasion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The tow truck’s right front bumper hit the moped’s left rear quarter panel. No injuries were reported for the tow truck driver or other listed occupants. The report notes the moped rider wore a helmet, but only after citing driver distraction as the primary factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan and motorcycle crashed on 119 Drive. One man suffered a concussion. Both vehicles hit head-on. Streets in Queens saw another violent impact.

A sedan and a motorcycle collided on 119 Drive near Guy R Brewer Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, a 34-year-old man riding the motorcycle was injured and suffered a concussion. Both vehicles were traveling west and struck each other at the front. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The crash left the motorcycle driver hurt and the sedan driver uninjured. No helmet or signal use is mentioned in the report. The impact highlights the danger faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827646 - 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

Two SUVs crashed at Guy R Brewer and Foch. One driver suffered a bruised leg. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Lives jarred. Streets stay dangerous.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at the intersection of Guy R Brewer Boulevard and Foch Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, one driver was injured with a contusion to the knee and lower leg. The crash involved five women, including drivers and passengers. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes lap belts were used by some occupants. The impact left one driver hurt and others shaken. Systemic danger remains on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826057 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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 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

SUV hit cyclist on Linden Boulevard. Cyclist ejected, suffered head injury. Police cite driver inattention. Three SUV passengers unhurt. Bike destroyed. Streets remain hazardous.

A station wagon SUV collided with a cyclist on Linden Boulevard near I-678 in Queens. The cyclist, a 27-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a head injury and concussion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. Three SUV passengers, all in their twenties, were not seriously hurt. The bike was demolished in the crash. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but the primary cause listed was driver inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822413 - 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

White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.

• File S 5677, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-13