Rockaway Bleeds While City 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

SUV and motorcycle collided on Beach 67. Both drivers turned improperly. One man hurt, arm scraped. Police cite improper turning by both vehicles. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A crash on Beach 67 Street at Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Queens involved a motorcycle and an SUV. One man riding the motorcycle was injured, suffering an arm abrasion. According to the police report, both vehicles were 'Turning Improperly' before the collision. The SUV and motorcycle drivers were both licensed. The injured motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. No other injuries were specified. The report highlights improper turning as the main cause, exposing the danger for those outside steel frames.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Floods drowned Bay Terrace. Streets vanished. Leaders demand signs and real fixes. Pedestrians and cyclists still face danger. Signs warn, but water keeps coming.

"The signs that we’re asking for would warn drivers about flood-prone roads and encourage people not to park or drive in the event of heavy rain at this intersection and on the highway." -- Donovan J. Richards

On August 8, 2025, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Council Member Vickie Paladino, joined by State Sen. John Liu and others, called for flood-related street signage and storm mitigation in Bay Terrace. They urged the Department of Transportation to act after flash floods submerged the Cross Island Parkway. The matter, described as a 'call for flood-related street signage and storm mitigation efforts,' saw Richards call signage a 'small step' and Paladino stress the need for warnings. The safety analyst notes these efforts may help general conditions but do not address the core safety needs of pedestrians and cyclists or shift burdens away from vulnerable users.

• Queens leaders call for flood signage and infrastructure in Bay Terrace, AMNY, Published 2025-08-08

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 crashed at Beach 69 Street and Thursby Avenue. Both drivers, women, suffered arm injuries. Glare and failure to yield listed as causes. Children in cars. Queens street, morning light, metal and pain.

Two sedans collided at Beach 69 Street and Thursby Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers, women aged 36 and 54, were injured—one to the shoulder and upper arm, the other to the lower arm. Children were present in the vehicles. The report lists 'Glare' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash happened as both vehicles went straight. The data does not mention helmet or signal use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan hit a 64-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered leg injuries. The driver failed to yield. The street fell silent. Shock lingered in the air.

A 64-year-old pedestrian was struck and injured by a sedan while crossing Beach 54 Street with the signal in Queens. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way while making a left turn. The woman suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock at the scene. The sedan’s left front bumper hit her. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. No other causes were cited. The driver and another occupant were not reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832019 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two sedans crashed on Beach 69 Street. One driver, 21, suffered arm injuries and shock. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely. Metal and glass scattered. Streets stayed dangerous.

A crash involving two sedans unfolded on Beach 69 Street at De Costa Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a 21-year-old male driver was injured, suffering pain and arm injuries, while a 58-year-old female driver was involved but not hurt. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The impact struck the center front and back ends of the vehicles. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report details airbag deployment and seatbelt use, but these are noted after the driver errors. The crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by road users in New York City.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832036 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Franklin Avenue shuts cars. Kids run. Cyclists glide. Merchants fill the street. Engines silenced. Brooklyn claims space for people. Safety rises. Streets pulse with life.

On July 11, 2025, Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights launched a new Open Streets program. No council bill number or committee was cited. The event, covered by BKReader, closed six blocks to cars two Saturdays each month through October. Organizers called it 'a commitment to strengthening neighborhoods through creative placemaking.' Local leaders like Gwen Woods and Tiara Robertson led the effort. The safety analyst notes: 'Open Streets programs reduce vehicle traffic, create safer environments for pedestrians and cyclists, and encourage mode shift by making streets more accessible and attractive for non-drivers.'

• New Brooklyn Open Streets Program Highlights Community And Commerce, BKReader, Published 2025-07-11

A sedan slammed on Beach Channel Drive. Two people hurt. Whiplash. Back pain. Center back end crushed. Police cite other vehicular factors. Metal and bodies took the blow.

A sedan crashed on Beach Channel Drive at Beach 95 Street in Queens. Two occupants, a 25-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man, suffered injuries including whiplash and back pain. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Other Vehicular' contributing factors. The center back end of the sedan was damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no helmet or signal issues. The impact left two people hurt in the car’s rear and driver seats.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828067 - 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

A motorcycle hit a man on Beach 97th. The impact tore his leg. Police cite improper lane use. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.

A motorcycle traveling west on Beach 97th Street struck a 49-year-old male pedestrian. The man suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Other Vehicular' were listed as contributing factors. The crash involved the motorcycle's center front end. No helmet or pedestrian signal issues were cited. The driver’s actions, as detailed in the report, created danger for the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV hit a man crossing at Beach 66th. Pedestrian suffered leg injuries. Police cite reaction to another vehicle. Impact was front and center. Streets failed to protect the walker.

A 55-year-old man was injured when a Nissan SUV struck him as he crossed at the intersection of Beach 66th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg and foot. The SUV's front end hit the man. Police list 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as the contributing factor. The driver was licensed and headed south. The report does not mention any errors by the pedestrian. The crash left the pedestrian in shock, underscoring the danger at this crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825818 - 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

SUV struck cyclist on Beach Front Road. Driver distracted. Cyclist suffered leg injury. Impact left bruises. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A cyclist was injured when an SUV, starting from parking, struck him on Beach Front Road in Queens. According to the police report, both the SUV driver and the cyclist were affected by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The cyclist, a 37-year-old man, suffered a contusion and injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV’s right front quarter panel made contact. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause listed was driver distraction. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825554 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two sedans collided on Beach 54th Street. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. One driver suffered leg injuries. Shock and pain followed. The street stayed silent. Metal and bodies bore the cost.

Two sedans crashed at Beach 54th Street in Queens just before midnight. According to the police report, aggressive driving and road rage led to the collision. One driver, a 25-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock. Three other occupants, including a 55-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, were listed with unspecified injuries. Both vehicles showed damage to the left side and front bumper. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as the main contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827097 - 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

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