Jamaica Hills Bleeds: Two Dead, Hundreds Hurt—When Will City Hall Wake Up?

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 collided on Grand Central Parkway. One driver, unlicensed, turned left. Another went straight. One man suffered back injuries. Metal twisted. Shock followed. The road stayed hard.

Two sedans crashed at Grand Central Parkway and Main Street. One driver, unlicensed, turned left. The other drove straight. According to the police report, a 39-year-old man suffered back injuries and shock. The other driver was not reported injured. The report lists 'Unlicensed' as the license status for the turning driver. No other contributing factors were specified. Both vehicles took heavy front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833549 - 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 Gothic Drive. Both drivers, women in their forties, suffered whiplash. Head and arm injuries reported. No pedestrians involved. Police list causes as unspecified.

Two station wagons, both SUVs, collided on Gothic Drive near 168 Place in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers, women aged 46 and 47, were injured. One suffered a head injury, the other an upper arm injury. Both complained of whiplash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction are noted in the data. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831797 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Sedan and bus crashed on Grand Central Parkway at Union Turnpike. Young woman driver hurt, neck pain. Police list cause as unspecified. Metal and shock on the road. System failed to protect.

A sedan and a bus collided on Grand Central Parkway near Union Turnpike in Queens. According to the police report, a 23-year-old woman driving the sedan suffered neck pain and shock. The bus driver, a 40-year-old man, was not reported injured. Two other occupants had unspecified injuries. The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were noted in the data. The crash left the sedan damaged at the right front bumper. The bus showed no damage. The system left vulnerable road users exposed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833473 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two sedans slammed together on Van Wyck. Passengers took the hit. Neck injuries, bruises. Police say drivers followed too close. Metal crumpled. Safety failed. System let them down.

A rear-end collision involving two sedans on Van Wyck Expressway in Queens left multiple passengers injured. According to the police report, both drivers were 'Following Too Closely.' One passenger suffered neck injuries and a bruise, another reported whiplash. The crash involved adults and a child, all listed as occupants. The impact struck the center front and back ends of the vehicles. Driver error—following too closely—was the sole contributing factor cited in the report. No other causes were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828565 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A Jeep SUV hit a 67-year-old woman crossing with the signal on Highland Ave. She suffered a back injury and fractures. Police cite failure to yield. The street stayed open. Danger lingers.

A Jeep SUV making a left turn on Highland Ave struck a 67-year-old woman as she crossed at the intersection with the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a back injury and fractures. The driver and a passenger were not seriously hurt. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the main contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing legally. The report does not mention any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827850 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV hit cyclist at 148th Street and 84th Drive. Cyclist suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver inexperience. Metal met flesh. The street stayed busy.

A station wagon SUV collided with a cyclist at 148th Street and 84th Drive in Queens. The 21-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering abrasions and arm wounds. According to the police report, 'Driver Inexperience' was a contributing factor in the crash. The SUV’s right front quarter panel struck the cyclist, who was making a left turn. No other injuries were reported. The data lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826901 - 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

SUV turned left on 84th Road. Struck a motorized scooter. Young woman suffered head injury. Police cite driver distraction. Streets failed to protect.

A collision occurred at 161-34 84th Road in Queens. An SUV making a left turn struck a motorized scooter traveling straight. The 25-year-old woman driving the scooter suffered a head injury and was in shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. No other injuries were specified. The SUV’s left rear quarter panel was damaged. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to pay attention. Helmet use was not listed as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829277 - 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 sedan struck on Daniels Street. Two women in the back seat hurt, backs injured. Shock and pain followed. No driver errors listed. Police report gives no cause.

Two female passengers suffered back injuries and shock when a sedan was struck on Daniels Street in Queens. According to the police report, the crash involved a 2022 Toyota sedan traveling south, hit at the center back end. Two other occupants, including the driver, were not reported injured. No driver errors or contributing factors are listed in the report. The injured passengers complained of pain and nausea. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823799 - 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

Eleven city lawmakers voted no on speed cameras. Their votes keep streets exposed. Pedestrians and cyclists lose a shield. Reckless drivers win. The city’s most basic defense—rejected. The toll will be measured in blood, not words.

On June 13 and June 17, 2025, the New York State Senate and Assembly voted on reauthorizing New York City's school zone speed camera program. The Senate passed the measure 38-21; three city senators—Stephen Chan, Andrew Lanza, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton—voted no. The Assembly passed it 110-31, with nine city lawmakers—Alec Brook-Krasny, Lester Chang, Simcha Eichenstein, Michael Novakhov, Stacey Pheffer Amato, Sam Pirozzolo, Michael Reilly, David Weprin, Kalman Yeger—opposing. The Streetsblog NYC article, 'Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program,' quotes lawmakers dismissing speed cameras as revenue grabs or burdens. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text does not describe a specific policy or legislative action, so no direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be assessed.' Still, the votes signal disregard for proven tools that protect those outside cars.

• Ye Shall Know Their Names! Meet the Dirty Dozen City Pols Who Voted Against Speed Camera Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-23

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

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