Eastchester Bleeds—Leaders Sleep

A 20-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured in a collision with an SUV traveling east on Laconia Avenue. The impact hit the bike's left side doors and the SUV's center front end. Failure to yield right-of-way was cited.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:03 on Laconia Avenue in the Bronx. A 20-year-old male bicyclist, traveling north, was struck on the left side doors by a 2008 Ford SUV going straight east. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained a neck injury classified as severity 3. The SUV driver, a licensed female, had one occupant and the vehicle sustained damage to the center front end. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. No safety equipment was noted on the bicyclist, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The collision highlights driver error in yielding, leading to serious injury of the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802243 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle and sedan collided head-on on Boston Road in the Bronx. The motorcycle driver, a 40-year-old man, suffered a head contusion but was conscious. Both vehicles impacted on their left front bumpers, traveling southbound at the time.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:31 AM on Boston Road near De Reimer Avenue in the Bronx. A sedan and a 2023 motorcycle, both traveling southbound and going straight ahead, collided with impact on their left front bumpers. The motorcycle driver, a 40-year-old male occupant, sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise but remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the motorcycle driver but does not specify any driver errors or violations such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumpers of both vehicles. The report does not indicate any helmet use or other victim behaviors as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802237 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany has no plan. The MTA faces a $35-billion hole. City lawmakers reject a payroll tax hike unless suburbs pay too. Federal officials blast subway decay. Riders wait. The capital plan hangs in limbo. Danger grows with every delay.

""I haven't discussed all of the options with the members yet, but I'm fully confident that we'll figure out how we could fund the MTA... we will make sure that the MTA capital plan is funded. I didn't disclose with him how we plan to do it, because we don't have a solid plan yet. I just gave him assurance."" -- Carl Heastie

On March 26, 2025, state budget talks stalled over the MTA's 2025-29 capital plan. The $35-billion gap remains. The matter, described as a 'lack of a concrete plan from New York State leaders,' sits unresolved. Assembly Member Micah Lasher calls for regional funding, arguing suburbs benefit most. City lawmakers oppose a payroll tax hike limited to New York City. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie offers only vague assurances. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber warns the capital plan is as vital as Medicare. Federal officials, including U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, criticize subway neglect and demand improvements before aid. Gov. Hochul’s office claims progress and urges fair federal funding. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The system’s decay puts riders at risk. The clock ticks. Lawmakers stall.

• CAPITOL DISPATCH: Albany Has No Plan, the Feds are Fuming and Transit Riders Are Facing a True ‘Shithole’ If MTA Cash Isn’t Raised, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-26

Top New York lawmakers pressed Washington for billions to fix the MTA. They called the current funding unfair. The MTA moves millions, but federal dollars lag. Without repairs, riders face danger. The fight for transit cash grows urgent as deadlines loom.

On March 25, 2025, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins joined Gov. Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie in demanding increased federal funding for the MTA. Their letter to President Trump and congressional leaders argued, 'Mass transit must be federally funded at a level commensurate to its importance to our nation and New York must receive its fair share.' The officials seek $14 billion for the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan, citing a $30 billion gap and the system’s outsized national role. The request comes as federal transit money from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law nears expiration. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis opposed the request, citing MTA mismanagement. Federal Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatened to withhold funds over safety data and congestion pricing disputes. The bill is not a council measure but a coordinated state push, with Stewart-Cousins mentioned as a leading voice. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the lawmakers’ action highlights the stakes for millions of vulnerable transit riders.

• Gov. Hochul, top NY lawmakers demand 'fair share' from feds to pay for MTA repairs, gothamist.com, Published 2025-03-25

Trump’s transportation chief blasted New York’s plea for more MTA funds. He called the agency mismanaged and demanded a plan for safer, cleaner subways. Stewart-Cousins joined Hochul and Heastie, arguing the MTA carries the nation but gets shortchanged.

On March 25, 2025, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins joined Governor Hochul and Assembly Speaker Heastie in a letter urging more federal funding for the MTA. The letter stated, 'While the MTA carries 43 percent of the nation's mass transit riders, its share of federal transit formula funding is only 17 percent.' In response, President Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, condemned the request, calling the MTA 'horribly run' and blaming New York’s financial mismanagement. Duffy insisted the federal government would not provide a 'blank check' and demanded a plan to make the subway 'reliable, secure, and clean' before any funding changes. The dispute highlights a deep divide over transit funding and safety, with Stewart-Cousins and colleagues pressing for fairer support while federal officials demand accountability.

• Trump’s transportation chief Sean Duffy blasts Hochul over ‘outrageous’ MTA funding plea to boost ‘horribly run’ agency, nypost.com, Published 2025-03-25

Andrea Stewart-Cousins joined Hochul and Heastie to demand more federal cash for the MTA. They say New York carries the nation’s riders but gets shortchanged. Without funds, transit projects stall. Riders—millions—hang in the balance. The plea is blunt. The stakes are high.

On March 25, 2025, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, with Governor Kathy Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, sent a letter to President Trump and federal officials. They called for increased federal funding for the MTA’s $68.4 billion capital plan, citing that New York’s transit system carries 43% of U.S. riders but receives only 17% of federal formula funds. The letter urges, 'Mass transit must be federally funded at a level commensurate to its importance.' Stewart-Cousins, mentioned as a key signatory, previously rejected the capital plan due to a $35 billion shortfall. The group asks for $14 billion in federal support, up from $13 billion in the last plan. The MTA warns that without this funding, critical infrastructure—power, signaling, accessibility—remains at risk. The request is urgent. The city’s transit future depends on it.

• Hochul pens letter Trump asking for more federal funding for the MTA amid ongoing congestion pricing lawsuit, amny.com, Published 2025-03-25

A Mercedes slammed into Darryl Mathis Jr.'s stalled car on the Major Deegan. Mathis called for help, then for an ambulance. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed Mathis to the hospital. He died. The killer behind the wheel vanished into the night.

NY Daily News reported on March 24, 2025, that Darryl Mathis Jr. was killed when a Mercedes-Benz rear-ended his disabled Ford on the Major Deegan Expressway. Mathis, stranded after his battery died, called friends for help. As one friend recounted, 'He called to get a jump, and after that, he got hit from behind, a hit-and-run.' The Mercedes driver fled the scene and has not been caught. Mathis was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. The crash highlights the dangers faced by stranded motorists on city highways and the deadly consequences when drivers flee. No policy changes or enforcement actions were detailed in the article.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Stranded Bronx Motorist, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-24

A black Mercedes slammed into a Ford on the Major Deegan. Both cars spun out. The Mercedes driver ran. The Ford driver died at St. Barnabas. Police closed the highway for hours. No arrests. The city’s roads stay deadly.

NY Daily News reported on March 22, 2025, that a 39-year-old driver was killed after a black Mercedes-Benz rear-ended his Ford Crown Victoria on the Major Deegan Expressway. The article states, “The hit-and-run driver responsible escaped on foot, police said.” Both vehicles lost control and crashed. Emergency services transported the victim to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. The Mercedes driver fled the scene, and no arrests have been made. Police closed the southbound lanes for several hours during the investigation. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of rear-end collisions and the persistent risk posed by hit-and-run drivers on New York City highways.

• Bronx Highway Hit-And-Run Kills Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-22

Albany faces a $33.4-billion MTA gap. The Citizens Budget Commission urges deep cuts, fare hikes, and more city and state cash. Expansion projects like the Interborough Express may die. Riders risk worse service if lawmakers stall. The clock ticks.

On March 21, 2025, the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) released a warning about the MTA’s $33.4-billion capital budget gap for 2025–2029. The CBC recommends slashing $17 billion, scrapping expansion plans like the Interborough Express, and boosting city and state contributions by $9 billion. The CBC calls for a 6 percent hike in fares, tolls, and vehicle fees—higher than the planned 4 percent. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said tax hikes are on the table. Governor Hochul’s office backs a payroll tax hike, but the CBC wants it regionalized. The CBC’s Andrew Rein said, “We have to prioritize state-of-good-repair, basic modernization, and delay some of the system expansions.” The report warns that failing to fund maintenance will gut service, repeating past crises. No direct safety analysis was provided, but cuts threaten transit reliability for millions.

• Albany Running Out of Options to Close MTA Funding Gap: Watchdog, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-21

Albany weighs a payroll tax hike for big NYC employers to plug the MTA’s $35 billion gap. Steve Chan slams the move as a blow to city businesses. Closed-door talks continue. Transit riders wait. Streets stay dangerous. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.

State budget negotiations on March 20, 2025, centered on funding for the MTA. Lawmakers discussed raising the payroll mobility tax on large New York City employers. The measure aims to close a $35 billion hole in the MTA’s five-year capital plan, which covers subway and bus upgrades. The bill has no number yet and remains under negotiation. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, 'The discussion on revenue raisers is definitely going to have to be a part of the MTA.' Senator Steve Chan, District 17, criticized the tax hike, calling it 'a slap on the Brooklyn businesses struggling for survival in my district.' The talks also floated surcharges on for-hire vehicles and online deliveries. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The budget deadline looms. Riders and pedestrians see no promised relief.

• Gov. Hochul eyes NYC tax hike to fund MTA in closed-door talks, sources say, gothamist.com, Published 2025-03-20

A pickup truck struck a parked SUV from behind on East 233rd Street in the Bronx. Two passengers suffered whiplash and upper body injuries. Police cited driver inattention and following too closely as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2011 Ford pickup truck traveling east on East 233rd Street rear-ended a parked 2005 Nissan SUV. The impact occurred at the SUV's left rear bumper, causing damage to that area. Two occupants in the SUV, a 34-year-old male front passenger and a 26-year-old female left rear passenger, were injured with whiplash and upper body trauma. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The pickup truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the stationary SUV, leading to the collision. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights driver errors in attention and spacing as central causes of injury to vulnerable vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797421 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 54-year-old man suffered a serious back injury after an SUV struck him while crossing Bartow Avenue in the Bronx. The driver, making a left turn, was inattentive and distracted. The pedestrian was conscious but injured at the intersection.

According to the police report, at 7:54 AM on Bartow Avenue in the Bronx, a 54-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2024 Ford SUV struck him. The vehicle was traveling east and making a left turn when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV. The pedestrian was crossing at an intersection without a signal or crosswalk. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained a back injury and was conscious at the scene. The driver was licensed in New York and had three other occupants in the vehicle. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors, placing full emphasis on the driver's failure to maintain attention during the turn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796975 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A tractor truck slammed into the rear of a sedan traveling north on Boston Road in the Bronx. The sedan driver, a 52-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cite following too closely as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, at 7:56 AM on Boston Road in the Bronx, a tractor truck diesel traveling north rear-ended a northbound sedan. The point of impact was the center front end of the truck striking the center back end of the sedan. The sedan was driven by a 52-year-old licensed female driver who was conscious and wearing a lap belt. She sustained back injuries and complained of whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. The report identifies the tractor truck driver's error as "Following Too Closely," which directly contributed to the collision. There are no contributing factors listed for the sedan driver. The crash caused damage to the right rear bumper of the sedan and the center front end of the truck.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796528 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Lawmakers push for cameras to ticket double parkers. Streets choke with blocked bike lanes and chaos. Manual enforcement fails. DOT backs automation. Some lawmakers resist, call for cops. Vulnerable road users left dodging danger as debate drags.

On March 3, 2025, a legislative proposal surfaced to deploy automated parking enforcement cameras across New York City. Assemblymember Steven Raga leads the push for a $35 million pilot, aiming to install 150 cameras targeting double parking and illegal stops. The bill, not yet assigned a committee or number, seeks to automate enforcement where manual efforts fall short. Raga writes, 'manual enforcement has not been able to meet the demand to combat double parking and illegal parking.' State Senator Simcha Felder of District 44 opposes the measure, arguing for traditional police summonses instead. The Department of Transportation supports the expansion, stating, 'Automated enforcement has proven to change driver behavior and make our streets safer for everyone.' The debate centers on whether automation or police presence best protects pedestrians and cyclists from blocked lanes and traffic hazards.

• New push for automated ticketing of drivers who double park in NYC, gothamist.com, Published 2025-03-03

A moped slammed into a minivan in Soundview. Two teens thrown. One died. The other survived. The driver stayed. Police probe who had the right of way. Another young life lost on Bronx streets.

Gothamist (2025-02-25) reports a fatal crash at Metcalf Avenue and East 172nd Street in the Bronx. A 17-year-old, Juan Alexander Quizhpi Naranjo, drove a moped with a 14-year-old passenger when they collided with a Honda Odyssey. Both were thrown from the moped. Quizhpi Naranjo died at Jacobi Hospital; the girl survived. The minivan driver, 42, remained at the scene and faced no charges. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is still determining 'who had the right of way and whether a traffic violation played a role.' This marks the second traffic death this year in the 43rd Precinct, highlighting ongoing dangers for young road users.

• Bronx Teen Killed In Moped-Minivan Crash, Gothamist, Published 2025-02-25

A sedan slammed into the back of a slowing car on Boston Road in the Bronx. The rear driver suffered full-body injuries but remained conscious. Police cited following too closely as the cause, highlighting dangerous driver behavior on city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:01 on Boston Road in the Bronx. Two sedans traveling northeast were involved. The first vehicle was slowing or stopping when the second sedan collided with its center back end. The driver of the rear vehicle, a 45-year-old man, sustained injuries to his entire body but was conscious and not ejected. The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error in maintaining unsafe distance. Both drivers were licensed and driving sedans registered in New York and Connecticut. The rear vehicle showed damage to its center back end, while the front vehicle had no damage. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. This crash underscores the persistent danger posed by tailgating on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794314 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two vehicles collided at Hammersley Avenue in the Bronx. The SUV and sedan both failed to yield right-of-way, crashing front quarter panels. A 37-year-old female SUV driver suffered shoulder and arm injuries, conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:00 on Hammersley Avenue in the Bronx. The collision involved a 2018 Jeep SUV traveling west and a 2021 Nissan sedan traveling south. Both drivers failed to yield right-of-way, contributing to the crash. The SUV driver, a 37-year-old female, was injured with contusions and upper arm and shoulder injuries. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the SUV and the left front quarter panel of the sedan. Both vehicles were going straight ahead before the collision. The report explicitly cites failure to yield right-of-way as the primary driver error. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793975 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Trump killed congestion pricing. Subway riders fumed. The city lost billions for transit. Streets will clog again. Danger rises for those on foot and bike. Riders called the move insane. Politicians slammed the decision. The city’s lifeline is at risk.

On February 19, 2025, President Trump ended New York City’s congestion pricing program, just weeks after it began. The federal action canceled the $9 toll meant to fund the MTA’s capital plan, threatening $16 billion for transit upgrades. The matter drew sharp words: Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, 'The president and the Republican members of New York's congressional delegation ... just blew a $16-billion hole in the most important transit system in the nation.' Subway riders at Canal Street called the move 'insane' and accused Trump of ignoring New Yorkers. Advocates and everyday riders warned that ending congestion pricing would slow commutes, worsen traffic, and put vulnerable road users at greater risk. The city’s future now hangs in the balance, with transit funding gutted and streets set to fill with cars again.

• NYC Subway Riders to Trump: Drop Dead, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-19

Two SUV drivers collided on Laconia Avenue in the Bronx, both suffering contusions and leg and head injuries. The crash involved a failure to obey traffic controls and driver distraction, resulting in significant vehicle damage and injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:25 AM on Laconia Avenue in the Bronx involving two SUVs traveling northbound. The male driver disregarded traffic controls and was inattentive, causing a collision with the female driver. Both drivers were injured: the female driver sustained contusions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, while the male driver suffered a head contusion. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. The impact occurred with the male driver's right front bumper striking the female driver's left rear bumper, causing damage to both vehicles. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors as the primary cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794309 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13