Forest Hills Bleeds: Speed Kills, Leaders Stall

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 driver backed unsafely on 102 Street. An 82-year-old man crossing at the intersection was struck. His arm fractured. Police cite backing unsafely and driver distraction.

An 82-year-old man was injured while crossing at the intersection of 102 Street and 67 Road in Queens. According to the police report, the driver was backing unsafely and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered a fractured arm. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No information is provided about the vehicle type or the driver's identity. The victim was conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834177 - 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 sedans slammed together on Union Turnpike. Three women injured. Bruises, neck and shoulder pain. Police cite driver distraction and other vehicular factors. Metal twisted. Streets unforgiving.

Two sedans crashed at 89-89 Union Turnpike in Queens. Three women, ages 47, 66, and 68, suffered injuries—neck, shoulder, and bruises. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed to the collision. Both vehicles were traveling straight. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no helmet or signal violations. The crash left metal bent and people hurt. Systemic danger remains.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A cyclist struck a taxi’s side. Passenger distraction played a role. The rider suffered arm bruises. Traffic stopped, danger did not. Metal and flesh met on Queens pavement.

A cyclist traveling south on 71 Ave collided with the right side doors of a stopped taxi. According to the police report, 'Passenger Distraction' was a contributing factor in the crash. The 33-year-old cyclist suffered a contusion to the arm. The taxi was stopped in traffic when the impact occurred. No injuries were reported for the taxi occupants. The report lists no other contributing factors before the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829045 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

Council bill lets ambulettes drive and double-park in bus lanes. More vehicles in bus lanes mean more risk for people walking, biking, and waiting at curbs. Danger grows where curb chaos reigns.

Bill Int 1339-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since July 14, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...exempting ambulettes from certain bus lane restrictions and allowing them to double park to assist passengers,' would let ambulettes drive, stop, and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers. Council Member Julie Menin sponsors, joined by Linda Lee, Frank Morano, Eric Dinowitz, Lynn C. Schulman, Kamillah Hanks, Carlina Rivera, and Chris Banks. Allowing more vehicles to double-park and block bus lanes increases risk for pedestrians and cyclists at the curb. The city’s most vulnerable will face more conflict and less safe space.

• File Int 1339-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-07-14

Two sedans crashed on Queens Blvd. Driver distraction listed for both. A woman and an infant suffered injuries. Metal and glass scattered. The system failed to protect its most vulnerable.

Two sedans collided on Queens Boulevard near 77th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive or distracted. A 27-year-old woman in the front passenger seat and an infant in the rear seat were injured, suffering neck and facial injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left vulnerable passengers hurt while drivers escaped with minor or unspecified injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829319 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A 17-year-old moped driver was ejected and injured on 69 Road near 108 Street. Two vehicles collided. Police cite driver inexperience and other vehicular factors. No pedestrians were struck.

A crash on 69 Road near 108 Street in Queens involved a moped and a sedan. The 17-year-old moped driver was ejected and suffered arm injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed to the collision. The moped driver had no safety equipment. The sedan driver was licensed; the moped driver held a permit. No pedestrians were struck or injured. Police list no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826682 - 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

A sedan turning left hit a woman crossing 108th Street with the signal. She fell. Her leg bled. The driver failed to yield. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

A 42-year-old woman crossing 108th Street with the signal was struck by a southbound sedan making a left turn at 63rd Drive in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her lower leg and foot. The driver, a 43-year-old woman, remained at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No other injuries were reported. The vehicle showed no damage. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at intersections when drivers fail to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825697 - 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 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

A 77-year-old man suffered a head injury when an SUV hit him on Burns Street. The driver turned left. The pedestrian emerged from behind a parked car. Police list causes as unspecified.

A 77-year-old pedestrian was struck and injured by a station wagon/SUV while emerging from behind a parked vehicle on Burns Street in Queens. According to the police report, the SUV was making a left turn when its left front bumper hit the pedestrian, causing a head contusion. The driver was licensed and uninjured. Police list contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors or specific violations are noted in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822463 - 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

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

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