Crash Count for Elmhurst
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 2,364
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,147
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 189
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 7
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 9
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Aug 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Elmhurst?

Eight Dead in Elmhurst—How Many More Before City Hall Acts?

Elmhurst: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025

The Death Count Grows

In Elmhurst, the numbers do not lie. Eight people killed. Over one thousand injured. These are not just numbers. They are neighbors, children, elders. In the last twelve months alone, one person died and 297 were hurt in 566 crashes. One was a child. One was someone’s parent. The street does not care who you are.

Pedestrians take the worst of it. Trucks, SUVs, bikes, mopeds—each has left bodies broken or dead. A 43-year-old woman, crossing with the light, was killed by a turning dump truck on 80th Street. A 75-year-old man died after a bike hit him at Broadway and Roosevelt. A 78-year-old woman was struck by a moped in a crosswalk. A man was crushed by an SUV on Broadway. The list goes on. See the data.

Promises and Delays

Local leaders talk about Vision Zero. They say one death is too many. But the deaths keep coming. The city has new powers under Sammy’s Law to lower speed limits to 20 mph. The law is on the books. The streets are not yet safer. Speed cameras work, but their future is always in doubt. Each delay is another risk, another family left to mourn.

Who Pays the Price?

The most vulnerable pay first. In Elmhurst, the old and the young are hit hardest. Cars and trucks killed and maimed. Bikes and mopeds, too. The street is a gauntlet. The city counts the bodies. The politicians count the votes.

What Comes Next

This is not fate. Every crash is preventable. Every death is a failure. Call your council member. Demand the 20 mph limit. Demand more cameras. Demand streets that put people first.

Do not wait for another name to be added to the list.

Take action now.

Citations

Citations
  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620869 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-04

Other Representatives

Steven Raga
Assembly Member Steven Raga
District 30
District Office:
55-19 69th St., Maspeth, NY 11378
Legislative Office:
Room 744, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Shekar Krishnan
Council Member Shekar Krishnan
District 25
District Office:
37-32 75th Street, 1st Floor, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
718-803-6373
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1816, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7066
Twitter: CMShekarK
Michael Gianaris
State Senator Michael Gianaris
District 12
District Office:
22-07 45th St. Suite 1008, Astoria, NY 11105
Legislative Office:
Albany, NY 12247

Traffic Safety Timeline for Elmhurst

Int 1358-2025
Holden Backs Safety‑Boosting Permit Revocation for Defaced Plates

Council bill targets obscured plates. It would yank city parking permits from holders caught parking, stopping, or driving with defaced tags. Misuse and unpaid fines already trigger revocation. Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure.

Int 1358-2025 was introduced on August 14, 2025 and sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure the same day. Status: in committee. Sponsor: Council Member Robert F. Holden. The bill amends Admin Code Section 19-166.1 to add revocation for obscured or defaced plates: "any violation relating to the parking, standing, stopping, or operating of a motor vehicle with an obscured or defaced license plate." Existing triggers remain: three permit misuse violations; any Section 19-166 violation; or more than $350 unpaid. Revocations follow NYPD procedures for Section 14-183 permits and DOT procedures for others. Matter title: "revocation of city-issued parking permits for violations related to obscured or defaced license plates."


Int 1358-2025
Holden Backs Safety‑Boosting Permit Revocation for Obscured Plates

Holden targets ghost plates. Int 1358-2025 would yank city-issued parking permits when drivers hide or deface tags. Referred to Transportation. Ghost plates dodge enforcement. People walking and biking feel the hit.

Int 1358-2025 is an Introduction now in Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced August 14, 2025, and referred the same day. Sponsor: Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30). The bill amends Administrative Code 19-166.1 to add plate-tampering to permit revocation triggers. It quotes its purpose plainly: “the revocation of city-issued parking permits for violations related to obscured or defaced license plates.” It would strip permits from individuals found guilty of parking, standing, stopping, or operating a vehicle with an obscured plate. No vote yet. The move targets a loophole that lets drivers mask identity and dodge accountability. When scofflaws skate, people outside cars pay.


Int 1358-2025
Holden Backs Safety‑Boosting Permit Revocation for Obscured Plates

Holden targets ghost plates. Int 1358-2025 would yank city-issued parking permits when drivers hide or deface tags. Referred to Transportation. Ghost plates dodge enforcement. People walking and biking feel the hit.

Int 1358-2025 is an Introduction now in Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced August 14, 2025, and referred the same day. Sponsor: Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30). The bill amends Administrative Code 19-166.1 to add plate-tampering to permit revocation triggers. It quotes its purpose plainly: “the revocation of city-issued parking permits for violations related to obscured or defaced license plates.” It would strip permits from individuals found guilty of parking, standing, stopping, or operating a vehicle with an obscured plate. No vote yet. The move targets a loophole that lets drivers mask identity and dodge accountability. When scofflaws skate, people outside cars pay.


Int 1358-2025
Holden co-sponsors bill revoking city parking permits for obscured plates, improving safety.

Council bill targets obscured plates. It would yank city parking permits from holders caught parking, stopping, or driving with defaced tags. Misuse and unpaid fines already trigger revocation. Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure.

Int 1358-2025 was introduced on August 14, 2025 and sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure the same day. Status: in committee. Sponsor: Council Member Robert F. Holden. The bill amends Admin Code Section 19-166.1 to add revocation for obscured or defaced plates: "any violation relating to the parking, standing, stopping, or operating of a motor vehicle with an obscured or defaced license plate." Existing triggers remain: three permit misuse violations; any Section 19-166 violation; or more than $350 unpaid. Revocations follow NYPD procedures for Section 14-183 permits and DOT procedures for others. Matter title: "revocation of city-issued parking permits for violations related to obscured or defaced license plates."


Int 1358-2025
Holden co-sponsors permit revocation for placard abuse and obscured plates, improving safety.

Hidden plates beat the cameras. Pedestrians lose. Cyclists lose. Int 1358-2025 would yank city parking permits from plate cheats. It also targets permit misuse and big unpaid fines. A strike at impunity that puts people on foot and bike at risk.

Int 1358-2025 is in Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on August 14, 2025, with same‑day referral. Primary sponsor: Council Member Lincoln Restler. Co-sponsor: Robert F. Holden. The bill quotes its aim as the “revocation of city‑issued parking permits” for “obscured or defaced license plates.” It would also revoke permits for three misuse violations, any §19‑166 violation, or unpaid violations over $350. Status: Committee. Agenda date: August 14, 2025. Obscured plates block identification and undermine camera enforcement that protects people walking and cycling. This bill goes at that shield and the culture of permit misuse that lets drivers dodge accountability.


Res 1024-2025
Raga Backs Safety-Boosting Owner Liability Camera Bill

Council pushes Albany to pass A.5440. Owner liability when cars flout posted rules. Cameras to curb illegal parking that endangers people. Less chaos. More space for those on foot and bike.

Res 1024-2025 is a Council resolution now in Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced August 14, 2025 and referred the same day. It “calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.5440, which imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York.” Sponsor: Council Member Lincoln Restler. A.5440, sponsored by Assemblymember Steven Raga, would pilot camera enforcement (on city vehicles or along streets) for posted parking rules, with owner fines from $50 to $250 and a six-year term, plus a two-year public report. The aim: curb illegal parking that endangers people outside cars and clogs the street.


Res 1024-2025
Raga Backs Safety-Boosting Owner Liability Camera Bill

Council pushes Albany to pass A.5440. Owner liability when cars flout posted rules. Cameras to curb illegal parking that endangers people. Less chaos. More space for those on foot and bike.

Res 1024-2025 is a Council resolution now in Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced August 14, 2025 and referred the same day. It “calls on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.5440, which imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York.” Sponsor: Council Member Lincoln Restler. A.5440, sponsored by Assemblymember Steven Raga, would pilot camera enforcement (on city vehicles or along streets) for posted parking rules, with owner fines from $50 to $250 and a six-year term, plus a two-year public report. The aim: curb illegal parking that endangers people outside cars and clogs the street.


Res 1024-2025
Raga Backs Safety‑Boosting Owner‑Liability Parking Camera Bill

Illegally parked cars endanger people on foot and bike. Res 1024-2025 urges Albany to pass A.5440. Cameras ticket owners who flout posted rules. Fines escalate. Goal: clear lanes and crosswalks. Make streets less hostile to people, not cars.

Res 1024-2025 sits in Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced and referred August 14, 2025. The resolution urges passage of State bill A.5440, which, in the Council’s words, "imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York." Sponsor: Council Member Lincoln Restler. A.5440, by Assemblymember Steven Raga, authorizes a six-year camera pilot to ticket owners for posted parking-rule violations caught by street or vehicle-mounted cameras. Fines start at $50 and rise to $250 for repeaters, with a $25 late penalty. DOT must publish a two-year report. The aim: fewer illegal blockers, safer space for people outside cars.


Hit-And-Run Kills Pedestrian Near JFK

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.


Astoria Businesses Sue Over Bike Lane

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.



  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834847 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Sedan Strikes Pedestrian Crossing With Signal

A Ford sedan hit a 63-year-old man crossing Justice Ave. The car’s left front bumper struck his leg. Driver failed to yield. Police cite inattention. Pedestrian injured, conscious at scene.

A Ford sedan making a left turn on Justice Ave struck a 63-year-old man who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive or distracted. The pedestrian suffered a knee and lower leg injury and was conscious at the scene. Both the driver and a passenger were listed as uninjured. The report highlights 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834174 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Gianaris Backs Safety Boosting Fix the MTA Act

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.


Sedan Hits Pedestrian in Queens Crosswalk

A sedan struck a man crossing Whitney Ave. He suffered a head injury and lost consciousness. The crash broke bones. The driver turned right. No cause listed. The street stayed silent.

A 49-year-old man was crossing Whitney Ave in a marked crosswalk when a sedan, turning right, struck him. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head injury, lost consciousness, and sustained fractures. The report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan. No driver errors were cited in the data. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal. No helmet or signal use was listed as a contributing factor.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833348 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Man Killed By Driver In Queens Street

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.


Distracted Driver Rear-Ends Sedan on 92nd Street

A sedan slammed into another stopped car on 92nd Street. One passenger suffered back injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and bodies took the hit.

Two sedans collided on 92nd Street near Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a sedan going straight struck another sedan stopped in traffic. A 38-year-old front passenger was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact hit the stopped car’s rear, injuring those inside. The report notes lap belts for the injured passenger but cites no helmet or signal issues. The crash highlights the danger of distraction behind the wheel.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832494 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Teen Dies Falling From 7 Train

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.


2
Rear-End Crash on 94th Street Injures Passengers

Two sedans collided on 94th Street. Rear-end impact. Elderly woman and another passenger hurt. Police cite following too closely. Metal and flesh meet. System failed to protect.

Two sedans crashed on 94th Street at Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. A 79-year-old woman and a 58-year-old woman, both passengers, suffered neck injuries. According to the police report, the cause was 'Following Too Closely.' Both drivers were licensed and traveling east. The impact struck the right rear and left front bumpers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825979 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Sedan Strikes Pedestrian on 78th Street

A sedan hit a 27-year-old pedestrian on 78th Street in Queens. The impact injured the pedestrian’s lower leg and foot. Police list all factors as unspecified.

A sedan traveling north struck a 27-year-old pedestrian near 40-12 78th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, and was conscious at the scene. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are identified in the data. No helmet or signaling issues are mentioned. The vehicle’s point of impact was the center front end.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826980 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
City Bike Lane Plan Sparks Queens Clash

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.