Utica, Church, Linden: a body count and a clock

Jun 12 - A sedan making a right turn on Schenectady Avenue struck an object or vehicle, injuring three men inside. All occupants suffered back injuries and whiplash. The driver was licensed and conscious. The crash caused front-end damage to the sedan.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:40 AM on Schenectady Avenue in Brooklyn. A 2014 Infiniti sedan, traveling north and making a right turn, sustained center front end damage from the collision. The vehicle carried three male occupants aged 28 to 30, all conscious but injured with back pain and whiplash. The driver was licensed in New York. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The injuries were limited to the vehicle occupants, with no pedestrians or cyclists involved. All occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The police report marks contributing factors as unspecified, leaving the exact cause of the collision unclear but confirming the impact and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733416 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - Steel met flesh on Linden Boulevard before dawn. An SUV tore into a cyclist’s leg. Blood pooled. Bone split. The man stayed conscious, pain sharp and immediate. The SUV rolled on, untouched. The street bore the wound.

A cyclist traveling east on Linden Boulevard was struck by a northbound SUV just before 2 a.m., according to the police report. The report describes the impact in stark terms: 'Steel struck his leg. Flesh tore. Blood pooled on the street.' The 29-year-old man suffered severe lacerations and a split bone in his lower leg but did not lose consciousness. The SUV sustained no damage, and the driver’s actions are listed as 'Unspecified' in the police data. The report does not cite any contributing factors beyond the collision itself. No mention is made of cyclist behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the force of the SUV against the unprotected body of the cyclist, underscoring the systemic danger faced by vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731511 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Albany scrambles. Hochul halts congestion pricing. Lawmakers, including Zellnor Myrie, reject quick fixes. The MTA’s future hangs on shaky ground. No new plan. No stable money. Riders and streets wait. Danger grows as funding stalls.

On June 7, 2024, state lawmakers debated MTA funding after Governor Hochul paused congestion pricing. The matter, titled 'Hochul, Albany lawmakers scramble to find new funding stream for MTA after pausing congestion pricing,' unfolded as the legislative session neared its end. State Sen. Zellnor Myrie voiced strong opposition, stating, 'I am opposed to the Governor’s last-minute plan to cancel congestion pricing. I will vote against any plan that will redirect funds from other priorities to cover the revenue lost from congestion pricing.' Hochul’s payroll tax proposal failed. An IOU from the general fund faces resistance. Critics argue only congestion pricing offers stable, legal funding. No alternative secures the MTA’s capital needs. Vulnerable riders face mounting risk as lawmakers stall.

• Hochul, Albany lawmakers scramble to find new funding stream for MTA after pausing congestion pricing, amny.com, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 6 - A sedan rear-ended another on Snyder Avenue. The lead driver took a hit to the neck. Police blame following too closely. One man hurt, both cars damaged. No sign of victim error.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Snyder Avenue in Brooklyn collided at 14:50. The trailing sedan struck the rear of the lead car, damaging its left rear bumper. The lead driver, a 38-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the sole contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and moving straight ahead. No other errors or factors are cited beyond the trailing driver's failure to maintain distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 6 - Council calls for five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. Streets slow. Danger drops. Pedestrians and cyclists get space. Resolution adopted. Albany must act.

Res 0079-2024, adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on June 6, 2024, urges Albany to let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets. The resolution states: "authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program." Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The measure passed committee and full council on June 6. The bill aims to cut speed and risk where people walk, bike, and gather. The council's push now waits for state lawmakers and the governor.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

May 28 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28

May 25 - A 50-year-old man suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation after being hit by a bus on Church Avenue in Brooklyn. The pedestrian was injured while in the roadway outside an intersection. The bus was slowing or stopping at the time of impact.

According to the police report, a bus traveling east on Church Avenue in Brooklyn struck a 50-year-old male pedestrian who was located in the roadway but not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The bus was slowing or stopping prior to the collision, but no specific driver errors such as failure to yield were explicitly cited in the report. The pedestrian's contributing factors were listed as unspecified. The report does not indicate any safety equipment or protective measures used by the pedestrian. This incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face when crossing or walking in roadways outside of intersections, especially involving large vehicles like buses.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4730243 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 19 - Two male bicyclists traveling straight collided head-on on East 42 Street in Brooklyn. One rider was partially ejected, suffering abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. Both bikes showed no damage. The crash caused serious injury to one cyclist.

According to the police report, the collision occurred at 15:34 on East 42 Street near Lenox Road in Brooklyn. Two male bicyclists, one riding a standard bike westbound and the other an e-bike southbound, collided head-on at the center front ends of their vehicles. The injured bicyclist, a 40-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity 3. Both vehicles showed no damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No safety equipment was used by the injured rider. The report focuses on the collision dynamics without attributing fault to the bicyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726188 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 19 - A 12-year-old boy riding a bike was partially ejected and injured when an SUV collided with the bike’s center back end on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. The SUV driver’s improper lane usage caused the crash, leaving the child with bruises and arm injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:13 AM on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn. A 12-year-old male bicyclist, riding south with one other occupant, was partially ejected after the center back end of the bike was struck by the left front bumper of a westbound 2022 Toyota SUV. The SUV was driven by a male with a New York permit license. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the SUV operator. The bicyclist suffered contusions and injuries to the elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity 3. The victim was conscious and not wearing safety equipment. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726185 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 19 - A 37-year-old man suffered neck injuries in a multi-vehicle crash on Lenox Road. The unlicensed driver, parked before the crash, caused impact to multiple sedans. Passenger distraction and other vehicular factors contributed to the chaotic collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Lenox Road at 2:30 AM involving multiple sedans. The unlicensed driver, a 37-year-old male occupant, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash. The report states the driver was parked before the crash and the point of impact was the center front end of his vehicle. Contributing factors include 'Other Vehicular' errors and 'Passenger Distraction,' indicating driver error played a significant role. The collision involved several sedans with damage to front and rear ends. The injured driver was restrained with a lap belt and airbag deployed. The report highlights failure related to driver licensing and distraction, with no fault attributed to other parties. This incident underscores systemic dangers posed by unlicensed operation and distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725791 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16