No One Walks Away: Four Dead on White Plains Road, City Still Sleeps

A sedan traveling east on Paulding Avenue struck another vehicle at high speed. The driver suffered upper arm injuries and bruising. Police cited unsafe speed as the key factor. The crash damaged the sedan’s left front bumper, revealing the violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Paulding Avenue in the Bronx at 2:02 a.m. A 42-year-old male driver in a 2011 Toyota sedan was injured, sustaining a shoulder and upper arm injury along with contusions. The vehicle’s left front bumper was damaged, indicating the point of impact. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor behind the collision. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The sedan was traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The data highlights the danger posed by excessive speed in this violent collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739627 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 19-year-old motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered severe whole-body injuries on East 224 Street in the Bronx. The rider was not wearing safety equipment and held only a learner's permit. The crash caused significant trauma and internal complaints.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male motorcycle driver was traveling northbound on East 224 Street in the Bronx around 11 p.m. The rider, operating a 2023 ZSTV motorcycle, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained severe injuries affecting his entire body, including internal complaints. He was conscious but injured and was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of the crash. The driver held only a learner's permit from Pennsylvania. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any other vehicles involved or specify collision details beyond the point of impact being 'Other.' The absence of a full license and lack of protective gear underscore systemic risks faced by vulnerable motorcyclists in the city.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748690 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany stalls. The MTA faces a $15 billion hole. Lawmakers argue over reviving congestion pricing with a lower toll. Transit hangs in the balance. Streets stay clogged. Riders and walkers wait for answers. No fix. No funding. Danger lingers.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), debated the future of congestion pricing and MTA funding. The matter, reported as 'MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls,' highlights confusion and division. Hoylman-Sigal supports lowering the toll, saying, 'The goal should be mend it don’t end it.' He urges keeping the program alive to save mass transit. Sen. Liz Krueger is open to tweaks if goals are met. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow opposes any revival. The MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall after the program’s pause. Policy experts warn that lowering the toll could weaken congestion relief and transit funding. No clear plan exists. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as gridlock and uncertainty persist.

• MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls: ‘I don’t know anything’, nypost.com, Published 2024-07-02

Two sedans collided on Duncan Street. One driver, age 49, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited traffic control disregard. Both drivers were licensed and moving straight ahead.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Duncan Street at 10:15 AM. The westbound Honda was struck on its left side doors by a northbound Toyota, which hit with its left front bumper. The 49-year-old male Honda driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error in obeying signals or signs. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736825 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Governor Hochul’s halt on congestion pricing slashes $15 billion from the MTA’s capital plan. State Comptroller DiNapoli warns of stalled upgrades, crumbling service, and years of pain for riders. Transit faces deep cuts. Streets stay clogged. Safety and air suffer.

On June 25, 2024, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli issued a report blasting Governor Hochul’s indefinite pause on congestion pricing. The program, set to charge drivers $15 to enter Manhattan’s core, was expected to raise $15 billion for the MTA’s $55-billion capital plan. DiNapoli’s report, titled 'Loss of Congestion Pricing Revenue Leaves MTA With No Good Options,' warns that the MTA 'will be forced to put off badly needed investment in expansion and improvements to the system.' He stressed, 'Those choices will directly affect riders ... for years to come.' NYC Comptroller Brad Lander echoed support for congestion pricing, urging the governor to reconsider price points if it means moving forward. Activists plan to pressure the MTA board to resist the governor’s decision, citing the need to avoid transit cuts and deliver 'major traffic safety, air quality, and cost of living improvements for all New Yorkers.' The loss of funding threatens basic maintenance, reliability, and frequency, with no clear replacement in sight.

• State Comptroller: Loss of Congestion Pricing Revenue Leaves MTA With ‘No Good Options’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-25

Schumer and Heastie back congestion pricing but refuse to fight Hochul’s pause. Both leaders sidestep direct action. The MTA’s lifeline hangs in limbo. Advocates slam their silence. Streets stay dangerous. Cars keep killing. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On June 25, 2024, Senator Chuck Schumer and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie made public statements regarding Governor Hochul’s indefinite pause of New York’s congestion pricing program. The matter, described as 'Power Outage: Schumer, Heastie Won’t Fight Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’,' highlights both leaders’ support for congestion pricing and MTA funding, but neither will challenge the Governor’s decision. Heastie said, 'If you want me to attack the Governor for making a call, I’m sorry I’m not going to do that. I want to get the MTA funded.' Schumer, pressed by a constituent, affirmed his support but refused to publicly pressure Hochul, claiming she 'doesn’t react well to public pressure.' With the MTA board’s plan stalled and federal action pending, the program’s future is uncertain. No safety analyst has assessed the impact, but the continued delay leaves vulnerable road users exposed to the daily threat of traffic violence.

• Power Outage: Schumer, Heastie Won’t Fight Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-25

An 11-year-old girl crossing Fish Avenue in the Bronx was struck by a sedan traveling east. The impact injured her face, causing abrasions. The driver hit the pedestrian with the vehicle’s right front bumper. The child was conscious after the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Fish Avenue in the Bronx struck an 11-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing outside of an intersection. The vehicle’s point of impact was the right front bumper, causing injuries to the pedestrian’s face, described as abrasions. The pedestrian was conscious and sustained injury severity level 3. The report lists no specific driver contributing factors such as failure to yield or speeding, but the collision occurred while the pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report does not indicate any contributing factors from the pedestrian beyond unspecified notes. The collision highlights the dangers posed by vehicle movements in areas where pedestrians cross outside designated signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735336 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding SUV crashed into parked vehicles on Cruger Avenue. The driver, a 25-year-old man, suffered neck bruises. Police blamed unsafe speed. No pedestrians or cyclists were hurt. Metal and glass scattered. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV struck the center back end of a parked vehicle on Cruger Avenue in the Bronx at 19:26. The 25-year-old male driver, wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained neck contusions and remained conscious. Police listed unsafe speed as the primary contributing factor. Multiple parked vehicles were damaged in the impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report highlights driver error—unsafe speed—as the cause of the crash. No victim actions or helmet use were cited as factors. The collision underscores the persistent threat posed by driver mistakes on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734385 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV and sedans collide on East 228. Driver distraction shatters night. A 57-year-old woman suffers hip and leg injuries. Metal twists. Pain and shock follow. Streets stay dangerous.

According to the police report, a crash involving a station wagon/SUV and two sedans struck East 228 Street at 22:20. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. A 57-year-old female driver was injured, suffering hip and upper leg trauma, shock, and pain. The injured driver used no safety equipment. Vehicle damage included center front and back end impacts. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The report highlights driver distraction as the key factor in this multi-vehicle collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733546 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

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

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

Albany lawmakers passed a bill to quadruple red light cameras in New York City. The cap jumps from 150 to 600 intersections. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie led the move. The street sweeper camera bill died. Streets stay dangerous. Enforcement rises.

On June 7, 2024, the New York State Assembly passed legislation to expand red light cameras from 150 to 600 intersections. The bill, steered by Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (District 83), marks a major shift in automated enforcement. The matter summary states: 'State legislators are expected to pass a dramatic expansion of red light cameras at New York City intersections.' Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz said, 'People shouldn’t run red lights... when they do that they endanger other people’s lives, and people have died.' Heastie controlled the vote. A separate bill to ticket cars blocking street sweepers failed to reach the floor. Advocates pushed for both measures, but only the camera expansion passed. The next legislative session is in January.

• More red light cameras coming to NYC intersections under newly passed legislation, gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-07

Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins opposed new congestion tolls and tax hikes. She backed a $1 billion state reserve for the MTA. The editorial called the toll plan a kludge. Riders lose promised upgrades. Streets stay clogged. No relief for those on foot or bike.

On June 7, 2024, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins was mentioned in an editorial statement on congestion pricing policy. The editorial, titled 'Cleaning up after congestion pricing is messy — but worth it,' praised Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for rejecting both congestion tolls and a metro-area mobility tax hike. The piece argued, 'the congestion toll was a ridiculous kludge that Hochul was right to kill.' Instead, it supported a $1 billion one-year state reserve for the MTA. Stewart-Cousins' stance blocks new funding streams that could have paid for safer streets, electric buses, and accessible stations. The editorial criticized MTA spending but ignored the danger and delay this decision brings to vulnerable road users. No safety analyst reviewed the impact.

• Cleaning up after congestion pricing is messy — but worth it, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-07

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

Albany lawmakers left town. Hochul froze congestion pricing. The MTA lost $1 billion. Projects for safer, more accessible transit now hang in limbo. Riders, walkers, and cyclists face a bleaker future. No fix. No plan. Only confusion and risk.

On June 7, 2024, state leaders adjourned without resolving the MTA’s $1 billion funding gap. The crisis followed Governor Hochul’s abrupt halt of congestion pricing, a move that stripped the MTA of critical capital. The MTA warned, "Modernization and improvement projects like electric buses, accessible stations and new signals will likely need to be deprioritized." State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie both expressed uncertainty. The matter, titled "State of Confusion: Albany Pols Adjourn, Hochul Gets Delusional, MTA Plans Capital Cuts in Wild Final Day," leaves transit upgrades stalled. Stewart-Cousins was mentioned but took no direct action. With no new funding, the MTA’s ability to deliver safer, more reliable service for vulnerable New Yorkers is now in jeopardy.

• State of Confusion: Albany Pols Adjourn, Hochul Gets Delusional, MTA Plans Capital Cuts in Wild Final Day, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-06-07

Albany lawmakers ended session in chaos. Governor Hochul froze congestion pricing. The MTA faces a billion-dollar hole. Projects for safer, more accessible transit now hang in limbo. Vulnerable New Yorkers lose as leaders stall and blame each other.

On June 7, 2024, the New York State Legislature adjourned without addressing the $1 billion funding gap for the MTA, created by Governor Kathy Hochul’s abrupt pause of congestion pricing. The bill or action, discussed in committee and at press conferences by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, left the MTA warning of capital cuts. The matter summary states, 'Modernization and improvement projects like electric buses, accessible stations and new signals will likely need to be deprioritized.' Hochul defended her decision, claiming to protect working-class New Yorkers, but advocates and reporters questioned her reversal. With no new funding, critical upgrades for transit safety and accessibility are at risk, leaving vulnerable road users exposed as state leaders fail to act.

• State of Confusion: Albany Pols Adjourn, Hochul Gets Delusional, MTA Plans Capital Cuts in Wild Final Day, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-07

Albany lawmakers walked away. The MTA’s billion-dollar gap remains. No deal. No new funding. Subway upgrades, electric buses, and station fixes hang in the balance. Riders, not drivers, face the cost. Streets stay clogged. Danger lingers for all outside a car.

"If congestion pricing at this moment is not going to be what funds it, you have to raise revenue." -- Carl Heastie

On June 7, 2024, New York’s legislature ended its session without plugging the MTA’s multi-billion-dollar budget hole. The gap opened when Governor Hochul halted Manhattan’s congestion pricing. The bill, discussed but not passed, would have replaced lost revenue—$1 billion a year meant for transit upgrades. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, mentioned in the debate, said, 'Our conference is reticent to commit a billion dollars annually for the next 15 years without having some understanding in place as to how we're going to deal with congestion as well.' Lawmakers could not agree on new taxes or a legislative IOU. The inaction leaves critical MTA projects—like electric buses and accessible stations—at risk. Vulnerable road users lose most: less transit means more cars, more danger, and fewer safe options for those on foot, bike, or bus.

• NY lawmakers won’t tackle Hochul-created MTA budget hole, for now, gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-07

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