Bodies Break, Leaders Stall—Pelham Bay Streets Still Bleed

Aug 4 - A 62-year-old male driver lost consciousness while driving northeast on Westchester Avenue. His SUV struck an object with its left front bumper, sustaining front-end damage. The driver was found unconscious and injured, wearing a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:44 AM on Westchester Avenue. The driver, a 62-year-old male operating a 2015 Honda SUV, was traveling straight ahead northeast when the collision happened. The point of impact was the left front bumper, and the vehicle sustained damage to the center front end. The driver was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' and 'Illness' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was found unconscious and injured with an injury severity level of 3. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The crash highlights the systemic danger posed when drivers suffer medical emergencies behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745238 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 27 - A tractor truck changed lanes unsafely on Bruckner Expressway, striking a southbound sedan. The sedan driver suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injury. The collision impacted the sedan’s left rear quarter panel and the truck’s right front bumper.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:45 on Bruckner Expressway involving a tractor truck and a sedan, both traveling south. The truck was changing lanes when it collided with the sedan, impacting the sedan’s left rear quarter panel and the truck’s right front bumper. The contributing factor cited was "Unsafe Lane Changing" by the truck driver. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old male, was injured with a fracture and dislocation to his knee and lower leg. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior. The collision highlights the danger posed by unsafe lane changes on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744166 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 17 - A 24-year-old bicyclist was ejected and burned on Bruckner Expressway. Defective pavement sent him down hard. He lay semiconscious, injured head to toe. No other vehicles involved.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured on Bruckner Expressway at 12:51 a.m. The rider suffered burns and full-body injuries. The report lists "Pavement Defective" as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was unlicensed in New York. No other vehicles or people were involved. The crash impact was at the center front end of the bike. The report notes the bicyclist wore a motorcycle helmet, but only after citing the defective pavement and unlicensed operation. This crash highlights the danger of hazardous road conditions and the risks faced by vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744950 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 10 - Two sport utility vehicles collided on City Island Avenue in the Bronx. The impact injured all occupants, including the drivers and passengers, who suffered whiplash and abrasions. Improper lane markings and alcohol involvement contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:23 on City Island Avenue in the Bronx involving two SUVs traveling northeast. One driver was making a U-turn while the other was making a right turn when the vehicles collided. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of one SUV and the right rear quarter panel of the other. The report cites improper or inadequate lane markings as a contributing factor for both vehicles. Additionally, alcohol involvement was noted for the driver and front passenger of one SUV. All occupants, including the drivers and passengers, were injured with complaints of whiplash, abrasions, and injuries to the entire body or lower limbs. All occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and none were ejected. The collision highlights systemic dangers related to lane marking deficiencies and impaired driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740521 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 10 - Council members and developers vow to build up to 200 parking spaces per project near new Bronx Metro-North stations. Despite no city parking mandates, car storage dominates debate. Transit access takes a back seat. Vulnerable road users face more cars, more risk.

On July 10, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on proposed rezonings around new Metro-North stations in the Bronx. The matter, titled 'Transit-Oriented Bronx Developments Will Have Ample Parking, Developers Tell Council,' focused on whether to require parking in new residential and commercial projects. Council Members Amanda Faris, Kevin C. Riley, Rafael Salamanca, and Kristy Marmorato all pressed for developers to include parking, despite the city's move to waive mandates. Riley called parking 'a huge issue.' Developers, including Baker Development, promised up to 200 spaces per project. Bronx City Planning Director Paul Philips said, 'We certainly expect developers to provide parking.' The debate ignored the danger more parking brings: more cars, more conflict, more risk for people walking and biking. No safety analyst weighed in, but the outcome is clear—transit-oriented in name, car-centric in practice.

• Transit-Oriented Bronx Developments Will Have Ample Parking, Developers Tell Council, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-10

Jun 25 - Southbound moped and sedan collide on Bruckner Expressway. Moped driver, unlicensed but helmeted, ejected and injured. Sedan’s right side doors smashed. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male moped driver, unlicensed but wearing a helmet, was ejected after a side collision with a sedan on the Bruckner Expressway at 2:15 a.m. Both vehicles traveled south when the crash occurred. The moped driver suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries, along with abrasions. The sedan, driven by a licensed male, sustained damage to its right side doors. The report lists the moped driver's unlicensed status as a critical driver error. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741439 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 21 - Sedan struck SUV on Bruckner Expressway. Driver hurt. Police cite improper lane use and other vehicular errors. SUV driver uninjured. Metal twisted. Traffic did not forgive.

According to the police report, a sedan collided with a station wagon/SUV on Bruckner Expressway at 18:20. The SUV was changing lanes when the sedan hit its right front quarter panel. The sedan's driver, a 33-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. She was not ejected and remained conscious. Police list 'Other Vehicular' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors in lane usage and vehicle operation. The SUV driver was not injured and the vehicle was undamaged. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 20 - A 44-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and injured in a collision on City Island Avenue in the Bronx. The crash involved a vehicle traveling south and the bicyclist making a left turn. The bicyclist suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:16 on City Island Avenue in the Bronx. The bicyclist, a 44-year-old woman wearing a helmet, was making a left turn when she was struck by a vehicle traveling straight south. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the vehicle and the right front quarter panel of the bicycle. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor, indicating bicyclist error or confusion played a role. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly noted in the report. The bicyclist was conscious at the scene but suffered injury severity level 3.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737088 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 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

May 30 - A sedan and tractor trailer collided on Bruckner Expressway. Two men in the sedan suffered arm and whiplash injuries. Both stayed conscious. No driver errors or causes listed by police.

According to the police report, a sedan and a tractor truck diesel collided at 23:11 on Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx. The sedan's left front bumper and quarter panel took the hit. Two men inside, aged 56 and 58, suffered whiplash and arm injuries. Both remained conscious and wore lap belts. The tractor truck had no occupants. The police report lists no driver errors or contributing factors for the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left both sedan occupants injured but alert.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731875 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 30 - Assembly Member Benedetto backed a campaign donor’s bid to dodge city idling fines. DJ Transportation owes $65,000 for idling. Advocates say fumes harm neighborhoods. The company refuses to electrify. Disabled riders are used as a shield. Health loses. Industry wins.

On May 30, 2024, Bronx Assembly Member Michael Benedetto testified in support of exempting DJ Transportation from New York City’s anti-idling law. The matter, heard by city officials, centered on whether companies serving students with disabilities should avoid fines for running engines. Benedetto argued, "I believe DJ Ambulette should be ... given a variance to let them have their buses idle to properly maintain their temperature on their buses." DJ Transportation, a campaign donor, owes over $65,000 in unpaid fines and has not committed to electrifying its fleet. Benedetto denied any influence from donations. The Department of Environmental Protection and advocates rejected claims that idling is needed for temperature control, citing community health risks. Critics condemned the use of disabled clients as justification for continued pollution. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Bronx Pol Wants City to Exempt Campaign Donor From Idling Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-05-30

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 23 - Abandoned poles and wires block sidewalks, trap walkers, and threaten cyclists. This bill sets strict deadlines for removal and transfer. Delay ends. Streets clear. Danger cut.

Int 0921-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 23, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Justin L. Brannan with Holden, Vernikov, Marmorato, and Paladino, demands owners remove abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances within 60 days—or immediately if dangerous. Transfers to new poles must happen in 30 days. The matter title reads: 'timelines for the removal of abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances, and the transfer of appurtenances to newly erected poles.' Swift action means fewer sidewalk traps and less risk for those on foot or bike.

• File Int 0921-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-23

May 21 - Box truck turned wrong on Bruckner Expressway. Smashed into SUV. Four-year-old passenger ejected, left semiconscious, hurt all over. Driver’s improper turn caused the crash.

According to the police report, a box truck made an improper left turn on Bruckner Expressway and struck a southbound SUV. The SUV’s only passenger, a 4-year-old boy, was ejected despite being secured with a lap belt and harness. He suffered severe injuries to his entire body and was left semiconscious, complaining of pain and nausea. The police report lists "Turning Improperly" and "Unsafe Lane Changing" as contributing factors by the box truck driver. No contributing factors are attributed to the victim. The crash underscores the risk posed by improper turning maneuvers by large vehicles on busy city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728106 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 21 - 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 2024-05-21