No More Excuses: Slow Down or More Will Die

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

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

SUV turned left on Farmers Blvd. Driver failed to yield. Pedestrian in crosswalk hit. Arm fractured. Police cite inattention and failure to yield.

A pedestrian, age 48, was struck and injured by a station wagon/SUV making a left turn at Farmers Blvd and 144 Rd in Queens. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk with no signal and suffered a fractured arm. The driver, a 44-year-old woman, was licensed and uninjured. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831785 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV hit a woman crossing with the signal. She took the blow to her shoulder. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. The street stayed loud. The pain stayed with her.

A 54-year-old woman was injured when an SUV struck her as she crossed Guy R Brewer Blvd at Baisley Blvd in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the SUV, making a left turn, hit her in the upper arm. Police list driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The driver and two passengers were not seriously hurt. The report does not mention any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831326 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV turned, ignored traffic control. Motorized driver struck, leg bruised. Police cite traffic control disregarded. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A Station Wagon/SUV made a right turn at 157 St and 132 Ave in Queens, striking a motorized driver. The 31-year-old woman driving the smaller vehicle suffered a leg injury. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as a contributing factor. The SUV's left rear bumper was damaged, and the smaller vehicle was hit at the center front. No other contributing factors were listed. The system allowed danger to reach the vulnerable.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan turned right and hit a cyclist on Rockaway Blvd. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury. Police cite failure to yield. The street left the rider exposed.

A sedan making a right turn struck a cyclist traveling straight on Rockaway Blvd in Queens. The cyclist, a 51-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a head injury. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was the contributing factor. The sedan’s right front bumper hit the cyclist, who was left with a contusion. The report notes the cyclist was not using safety equipment, but only after citing the driver’s failure to yield. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s occupants. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830229 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan hit a man on an e-bike at Rockaway Boulevard. The cyclist suffered a hip injury. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The street left the cyclist exposed.

A sedan traveling south on 150th Street collided with a westbound e-bike at Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. The 35-year-old male cyclist was injured in the hip and left in shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' contributed to the crash. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but the report lists driver errors first. No injuries were reported for the sedan's driver. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831328 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A motorcycle hit a woman crossing Guy R Brewer Blvd. She was hurt in the leg. Police cite failure to yield. The street stayed loud. The crosswalk marked her pain.

A motorcycle struck a 29-year-old woman as she crossed Guy R Brewer Blvd at 137 Ave in Queens. She suffered a leg injury and abrasions. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The driver, a 35-year-old man, was licensed and wore a helmet. The pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk with no signal. The report lists failure to yield as the key factor, underscoring the danger faced by those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828505 - 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

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

Two sedans crashed at 140 Ave and 183 St. Both drivers, women, suffered injuries. Police cite failure to yield. Metal struck metal. Bodies bruised. The street stayed dangerous.

Two sedans crashed at the intersection of 140 Ave and 183 St in Queens. Both drivers, women aged 26 and 58, were injured—one with a hip contusion, the other with a chest abrasion. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' Both vehicles were traveling straight before impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The collision left both cars damaged and both drivers hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822561 - 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

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 2025-06-13