Blood in the Crosswalk: No More Excuses, No More Deaths

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

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835041 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834805 - 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 collided on Belt Parkway. One passenger suffered neck injury. Police cite following too closely. Metal struck metal. System failed to protect riders.

Two sedans crashed on Belt Parkway in Queens. According to the police report, one vehicle struck the other from behind. A 32-year-old front passenger suffered a neck injury and whiplash. Other occupants, including drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police identified 'Following Too Closely' as the main contributing factor. The crash involved a KIA making a right turn and a JEEP traveling straight. No other contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831327 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A truck and sedan collided on Van Wyck. One driver suffered back injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Metal and glass scattered. The road stayed open. The danger was distraction.

A pick-up truck and a sedan crashed on the Van Wyck Expressway at Belt Parkway in Queens. One driver, a 48-year-old woman, suffered back abrasions. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor for both vehicles. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one person injured and others shaken. The report does not mention helmet or signal use. The cause points to distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832167 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Two sedans collided on Van Wyck. Three people hurt. Back and shoulder bruises. Police cite improper lane use. Metal and bodies slammed. System failed to protect.

Two sedans crashed on the Van Wyck Expressway at Belt Parkway in Queens. Three people were injured: a 25-year-old driver with a shoulder bruise, and two male passengers, ages 63 and 43, with back injuries. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' Both vehicles were traveling south. The report lists no other contributing factors. The system allowed a dangerous maneuver. Metal struck metal. Passengers paid the price.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829163 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV and pickup slammed together on Rockaway Blvd. Brakes failed. One driver hurt, shoulder and arm. Metal twisted. Pain and shock followed. Streets in Queens saw another crash.

Two vehicles, a station wagon/SUV and a pickup truck, collided on Rockaway Blvd near S Conduit Ave in Queens. According to the police report, 'Brakes Defective' was listed as a contributing factor. One driver, a 48-year-old man, suffered injuries to his shoulder and upper arm and reported pain and shock. The other occupants were not reported injured. Both vehicles were traveling straight before impact. The crash highlights the danger when vehicle systems fail. No other contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830108 - 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 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

A sedan rolled on Belt Parkway. A teenage passenger suffered a concussion. The driver, a young woman, was hurt. Steering failure and other vehicular issues listed. Metal twisted. Pain followed.

A sedan overturned on Belt Parkway in Queens. A 19-year-old woman driving and a 15-year-old boy riding in the front seat were both injured. The boy suffered a concussion. According to the police report, 'Other Vehicular' and 'Steering Failure' were listed as contributing factors. The car’s front end took the impact. The vehicle overturned. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left both occupants conscious but hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824955 - 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

A sleeping SUV driver slammed into a bus on 147 Ave. Six people hurt. Faces bloodied, necks wrenched, bodies battered. The road stayed quiet. Metal and flesh took the blow.

An SUV struck a bus on 147 Ave in Queens. Six people were injured, including drivers and passengers. According to the police report, the crash was caused by the driver falling asleep and losing consciousness. Injuries ranged from severe bleeding to whiplash and chest trauma. The police report lists 'Fell Asleep' and 'Lost Consciousness' as contributing factors. No mention of helmet or signal use as a cause. The impact left bodies bruised and shaken, exposing the danger when drivers lose control.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824044 - 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