Eastchester Bleeds—Leaders Sleep

Two SUVs scraped together on Conner Street. Both drivers passed too close. A 63-year-old man broke and dislocated his shoulder. Metal twisted. Quarter panels crushed. The street stayed silent after impact.

According to the police report, two SUVs traveling north on Conner Street in the Bronx collided side by side. Both drivers contributed to the crash by passing too closely. The impact struck the right side doors of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. A 63-year-old male driver suffered a fractured and dislocated shoulder. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as the contributing factor for both drivers. Both vehicles sustained damage to their quarter panels. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661891 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 17-year-old male moped driver suffered knee and lower leg abrasions in a Bronx collision. The moped, parked before impact, struck another vehicle head-on. The driver was conscious and not ejected, riding without safety equipment.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male moped driver was injured in a crash on Ely Avenue in the Bronx. The moped was parked before the collision, which impacted the center front end of the vehicle. The driver sustained abrasions to the knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report notes the driver was unlicensed and wore no safety equipment. No contributing driver errors were listed in the report. The crash involved a motorscooter and an unspecified vehicle traveling straight ahead. The moped driver was the sole occupant and suffered injury severity level 3.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672224 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Speed cameras now run all day, every day. Violations dropped 30 percent in one year. Streets once deadly saw sharp falls in speeding and injuries. Cameras outpaced cops, issuing millions of tickets. Still, cyclist injuries climb. The fight for safer streets continues.

This report details the outcome of New York City's 24/7 speed camera enforcement, launched August 1, 2022. The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a 30 percent drop in violations on enforced corridors. The matter summary states, 'Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called the expanded enforcement 'a highly effective tool to keep New Yorkers safe.' Key corridors saw dramatic reductions: 96 percent on Houston Street, 74 percent on North Conduit Boulevard, 68 percent on Bruckner Boulevard. Injuries fell at high-crash sites—45 percent on Tremont Avenue, 33 percent on Kings Highway, 16 percent on Queens Boulevard, 19 percent on Hylan Boulevard. Automated cameras issued over 3.7 million tickets, dwarfing police efforts. Despite progress, cyclist injuries are on pace for a record high, and advocates now push for city control over speed limits.

• Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-28

Speed cameras now run all day in New York. Violations dropped 30 percent in a year. Streets once deadly see fewer crashes. But injuries still rise for cyclists. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie stands against city control of speed limits. The fight continues.

This policy outcome report, published August 28, 2023, covers the first year of 24/7 speed camera enforcement in New York City. The Department of Transportation reports a 30 percent drop in violations since cameras began operating around the clock on August 1, 2022. The report states, 'Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras.' Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie is mentioned for opposing city control over speed limits, a move sought by Families for Safe Streets after continued traffic deaths and injuries. Key corridors saw sharp drops in speeding and injuries, but cyclist injuries remain high. The expanded camera program replaced limited weekday enforcement, shifting the burden from NYPD to automated systems. The data shows cameras work, but the fight for safer streets—especially for cyclists—remains unfinished.

• Success: Drivers are Slowing Down on Streets with 24/7 Speed Cameras, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-08-28

A motorcycle rider suffered a fractured hip and leg in a Bronx crash. The driver was turning improperly when the collision occurred. The bike’s right front bumper and the other vehicle’s right front quarter panel were damaged. The rider remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male motorcycle driver was injured in a crash on Boston Road near Dyre Avenue in the Bronx. The motorcycle was traveling north and was starting in traffic when the collision occurred. The other vehicle was making a right turn. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the motorcycle and the right front quarter panel of the other vehicle. The police listed 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor to the crash. The rider sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to the hip and upper leg but was not ejected and remained conscious. No safety equipment was reported on the rider. The report does not specify other contributing factors or blame the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655434 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

An SUV turning left struck a northbound e-bike on Laconia Avenue in the Bronx. The 54-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured, suffering abrasions and leg wounds. The driver failed to yield and drove at unsafe speed.

According to the police report, a 2016 BMW SUV was making a left turn on Laconia Avenue when it collided with a northbound e-bike. The bicyclist, a 54-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including abrasions. The report lists driver errors as Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Unsafe Speed. The SUV's left front bumper struck the center front end of the e-bike. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield and speeding during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649776 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 28-year-old woman suffered back injuries when her sedan was struck from behind in the Bronx. Police cited driver inattention and inexperience. The driver was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old woman driving a 2023 Nissan sedan was injured near East 222 Street in the Bronx. She was making a left turn when her car was hit in the center back end. The crash left her with contusions and bruising to her back. Police listed driver inattention and driver inexperience as contributing factors. The driver remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650632 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two sedans collided on Needham Avenue. The 63-year-old driver in the rear car suffered neck contusions. Both vehicles traveled east. The impact hit the front of the lead car and the rear of the trailing car. The injured driver remained conscious.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Needham Avenue collided in a rear-end crash. The 63-year-old male driver of the trailing vehicle was injured, sustaining neck contusions but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, indicating driver error by the trailing vehicle. The impact occurred at the center front end of the lead car and the center back end of the trailing car. No safety equipment was noted for the injured driver. The crash involved two vehicles, each with one occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650939 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

MTA will drop fares on five city bus lines for up to a year. Riders on Bx18, B60, M116, Q4, and S46/96 ride free. The move aims to boost access and equity. Lawmakers and advocates pushed for more. The pilot starts September 24.

"This pilot program will help thousands of New Yorkers who rely on buses to get to work, to school, to get to medical appoints and more. It was a priority for many of my Assembly Majority colleagues, and we look forward to seeing how it impacts our communities." -- Carl Heastie

On July 17, 2023, the MTA announced a fare-free bus pilot covering five routes: Bx18 (Bronx), B60 (Brooklyn), M116 (Manhattan), Q4 (Queens), and S46/96 (Staten Island). The program, part of the state budget, begins September 24 and will last six to twelve months. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, representing District 83, highlighted the benefit to thousands who rely on buses for work, school, and medical needs. The pilot waives fares to expand access and improve transit equity, as stated: 'By establishing these fare-free bus pilot routes, we are expanding access to public transportation across the city and improving transit equity to better serve all New Yorkers.' Advocates wanted all buses free, but the plan was scaled back in budget talks. The MTA will review impacts on ridership, service, and costs after six months.

• MTA announces five bus routes for fare-free pilot, amny.com, Published 2023-07-17

A sedan changing lanes struck a moped traveling north on Laconia Avenue in the Bronx. The moped’s left side was hit. A 38-year-old female passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver failed to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Laconia Avenue attempted to change lanes and collided with a moped also heading north. The point of impact was the left side doors of the moped. The moped carried two occupants, including a 38-year-old female passenger who sustained knee and lower leg injuries but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the lane change. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645192 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A car hit a woman standing off the road near East 221st Street. The front end struck her arm. Her skin split. Blood spilled. She stayed upright, conscious. The car showed no damage. She bore the wound.

A woman, age 49, was injured when a car struck her arm near 1178 East 221st Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, she was not in the roadway but standing off the road when the car, traveling straight ahead, hit her with its center front end. She suffered severe lacerations to her lower arm and hand but remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The car showed no visible damage. No driver errors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 22-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Boston Road in the Bronx. The crash involved a vehicle making a left turn and a bike traveling southwest. The bicyclist suffered chest contusions but was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a vehicle was making a left turn on Boston Road when it collided with a bicyclist traveling southwest. The bicyclist, a 22-year-old male, sustained chest injuries described as contusions and bruises. The report lists driver errors including Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the crash. Vehicle damage was noted on the left side doors of the bike, while the other vehicle showed no damage. The report does not mention any safety equipment used by the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643258 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two sedans crashed on East 225 Street. Three people hurt. Impact slammed front and side. Police cite driver distraction. All victims conscious. No ejections. Whiplash and body injuries reported.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on East 225 Street in the Bronx. Three people were injured: an 18-year-old male driver with neck injuries, a 30-year-old female driver, and a 39-year-old male front passenger, both with full-body injuries. All suffered whiplash and remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both drivers. The crash involved impacts to the center front end and left side doors. No one was ejected. No safety equipment was reported in use. The crash underscores the danger of driver distraction, as documented in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646705 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refused to bring Sammy's Law to a vote. The bill would let New York City lower speed limits. Advocates fasted. Lawmakers argued. The Senate passed it. The Assembly did not. Vulnerable New Yorkers remain at risk.

Sammy's Law, a bill to grant New York City 'home rule' over its speed limits, failed in the Assembly on June 29, 2023. The Senate passed it, but Speaker Carl Heastie did not bring it to a vote in the Assembly, despite 60 co-sponsors and strong support from city lawmakers, Governor Hochul, and Mayor Adams. The bill, named for 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a speeding driver, would have allowed the city to lower most speed limits from 25 to 20 mph. Heastie cited concerns over e-bikes and speed bumps, saying, 'I'm not a dictator.' Advocates, including Sammy's mother Amy Cohen, condemned the move as 'Albany backroom politics at its worst.' The Department of Transportation called the bill vital for targeted street safety. Vulnerable road users remain exposed as the Assembly stalls action.

• 'I'm not a dictator': Assembly speaker reveals why NYC speed limit bill failed, gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-29

Two vehicles crashed on Edenwald Avenue in the Bronx. Both drivers suffered neck injuries. The SUV struck the sedan’s left side. Police cited failure to yield and unsafe speed. Both drivers wore seat belts and were not ejected.

According to the police report, a 2023 SUV traveling east on Edenwald Avenue collided with a 2013 sedan traveling north. The SUV impacted the sedan’s left side doors, damaging its right front bumper and left front quarter panel. Both drivers, a 79-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash. Both were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed. Additionally, driver inattention and distraction contributed to the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision caused moderate injuries to both vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645597 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two buses collided on Laconia Avenue in the Bronx. The moving bus struck the stopped bus from behind. Eleven passengers and drivers suffered whiplash and injuries to head, back, neck, and limbs. The crash caused center front and back end damage.

According to the police report, a bus traveling west on Laconia Avenue rear-ended a stopped bus. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the moving bus and the right rear bumper of the stopped bus. Eleven occupants, including drivers and passengers, were injured with complaints of whiplash and injuries to the head, back, neck, and lower limbs. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor for the crash. Both drivers were licensed and the moving bus was going straight ahead before impact. The collision caused center front end damage to the moving bus and center back end damage to the stopped bus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640365 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie refused to let lawmakers vote on Sammy’s Law. He dodged questions, blamed the city DOT, and ignored calls for lower speed limits. Neighbors and activists demanded action. Children remain at risk. The bill never reached the floor.

On June 23, 2023, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie blocked a vote on Sammy’s Law, a bill that would let New York City set its own speed limits. The bill, named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a reckless driver in 2013, had majority support but stalled in the Assembly. Heastie’s office declined interviews and blamed the city Department of Transportation, claiming some members wanted more collaboration. The official statement read, 'Every community is different, and some members have significant concerns with moving forward with Sammy's Law at this time.' DOT countered that the law would give the city tools to protect lives. Neighbors and activists criticized Heastie’s inaction, warning that lives remain at risk while the city is denied the power to lower deadly speed limits.

• Heastie Retreat: Assembly Speaker Blows Off Reporter Seeking Comment on ‘Sammy’s Law’ — Then Blames DOT, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-23

Albany keeps the keys. The Assembly refused to vote on Sammy’s Law. The city stays locked out of lowering its own speed limits. Advocates rage. Another year, another failure. Streets remain fast. Vulnerable New Yorkers stay exposed.

Sammy’s Law, blocked again. The bill—named for Sammy Cohen Eckstein, killed by a van at age 12—would let New York City set its own speed limits, dropping the default to 20 mph and some streets to 10 mph. The Senate passed it 55-7, but the Assembly ended its June 22, 2023 session without a vote. Assembly sponsor Linda Rosenthal said, 'We just can't be deterred.' Senate sponsor Brad Hoylman-Sigal called the failure 'heartbreaking.' Speaker Carl Heastie refused to bring it to the floor. Advocates say the city’s hands are tied while deaths and injuries mount. The Council and Mayor Adams support the bill. For the third year, Albany blocks local control. Streets stay dangerous. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Sammy’s Law advocates angry after push to give NYC power over its speed limit fails in Assembly, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-06-22

Albany killed Sammy’s Law. Speaker Carl Heastie refused a vote. Advocates starved outside. The Senate passed it. The Assembly did nothing. Streets stay fast. Pedestrians and cyclists stay exposed. Politics won. Vulnerable New Yorkers lost.

Sammy’s Law, a bill to let New York City set its own speed limits, died in the Assembly on June 22, 2023. The Senate passed it 55–7. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, District 83, ended the session without a floor vote. The bill’s summary: 'allowing New York City to set its speed limits.' Amy Cohen, mother of a crash victim, led a hunger strike. She called the process 'Albany backroom politics at its worst.' Heastie told her, 'I am only one vote.' Despite broad support, Heastie’s inaction blocked the bill. No change. Streets remain deadly for those outside a car.

• Mother of crash victim on failure of NYC speed limit bill: 'Albany backroom politics at its worst', gothamist.com, Published 2023-06-22

The Assembly stalls. The Senate moved. New York City waits. Carl Heastie once backed lower speed limits. Now, his chamber blocks the bill. Streets stay deadly. Pedestrians and cyclists pay the price. The call is clear: let the city slow cars. Save lives.

On June 20, 2023, an editorial called on the New York State Assembly to pass legislation allowing New York City to lower its speed limit—a measure known as Sammy’s Law. The bill, referenced in the editorial as 'allowing the five boroughs to reduce the speed limit,' has already passed the Senate but remains stalled in the Assembly. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (District 83, Bronx) is mentioned as an early sponsor of bills to lower the city’s speed limit to 25 mph and expand red light cameras. Despite his past support, the Assembly has not brought the bill to a vote. The editorial urges Heastie and the Assembly to match the Senate’s action. No formal safety analyst note is present, but the editorial centers the deadly impact of inaction on vulnerable road users, citing the story of Sammy Eckstein, killed by a driver. The message: delay costs lives.

• The state Assembly must match the Senate and let NYC lower its speed limit, nydailynews.com, Published 2023-06-20