Eastchester Bleeds—Leaders Sleep

Lawmakers face a $33 billion MTA budget gap. The new Manhattan congestion toll hits drivers, but it is not enough. Senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins objects to the unfunded plan. More taxes and fees loom. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous.

On January 6, 2025, the MTA’s $33 billion budget shortfall dominated debate. The matter, titled "MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!", landed in the spotlight after the new toll failed to close the gap. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, district 35, formally objected to the unfunded capital plan with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Their joint letter blocked the plan’s January 1 start, forcing negotiations. Governor Hochul, who backs the $68 billion plan, promised no income tax hikes but left other taxes and fees on the table. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger called for transparency. The MTA’s future—and the safety of those who rely on it—hangs in the balance. No direct safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-06

An SUV driver fell asleep and struck an e-scooter on Eastchester Road in the Bronx. The e-scooter rider was injured and ejected, suffering back injuries. The crash occurred during a right turn, with unsafe speed cited as a factor.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 18:29 on Eastchester Road near Givan Avenue in the Bronx. A 36-year-old male SUV driver, licensed in New York, was making a right turn when he fell asleep behind the wheel. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the collision. The SUV struck the right side doors of the e-scooter, which was traveling straight ahead. The e-scooter rider, also male, was ejected and sustained back injuries with an injury severity rated at 3. The e-scooter showed no damage, indicating the rider bore the brunt of the impact. The police report highlights driver error—specifically fatigue and unsafe speed—as the primary causes, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783150 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany leaders killed the MTA’s capital plan. Repairs and upgrades freeze. Janno Lieber warns of cascading failures. Riders face broken signals, crumbling tracks, and delays. The Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee urges reversal. Lawmakers argue over funding while the city waits.

On December 30, 2024, New York State legislative leaders rejected the MTA 2025-29 Capital Plan. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins blocked approval, citing incomplete funding. The plan, described as funding 'crucial state-of-good-repair track work,' now hangs in limbo. MTA CEO Janno Lieber called the move a 'Catch-22' that could cause cascading failures and delay urgent repairs. The Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA urged lawmakers to withdraw their objection, warning of long-term delays and higher costs. Stewart-Cousins’s spokesperson, Mike Murphy, dismissed the urgency, pointing to unfinished projects from the last plan. The standoff leaves essential transit upgrades—and the safety of millions—at risk.

• MTA to Albany Pols: Your 11th-Hour Rejection of the Capital Plan Will Cause an ‘Insurmountable’ Problem, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-30

Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Carl Heastie killed the MTA’s $65 billion capital plan. The move came as Gov. Hochul faced backlash over congestion pricing and fare hikes. Riders and walkers are left exposed. The system stays broken. Albany plays politics. Streets stay dangerous.

On December 26, 2024, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie abruptly blocked the MTA’s proposed $65 billion capital plan. The move followed public outrage over Gov. Hochul’s congestion pricing scheme and a planned 4% fare hike for transit riders. The editorial, titled 'Gov. Hochul is the face of the MTA’s congestion-toll madness: Don’t let her fool you,' blasted the $9 toll and warned that the agency’s legal power to raise prices remains. Stewart-Cousins and Heastie’s last-minute action signals deeper political games, not reform. The article quotes Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli: 'Consolidation, efficiency, and savings in this area was promised years ago, but has yet to be fully realized.' No safety analyst weighed in, but the capital plan’s collapse means no new investment in safer streets or transit. Vulnerable road users remain at risk. The system’s failures continue.

• Gov. Hochul is the face of the MTA’s congestion-toll madness: Don’t let her fool you, nypost.com, Published 2024-12-26

Two state leaders killed the MTA’s $68 billion upgrade plan a day before approval. The veto blocks critical repairs, new subway projects, and safety upgrades. Riders face more delays, broken stations, and uncertainty. The city’s lifeline hangs in limbo.

On December 26, 2024, state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie vetoed the MTA’s $68 billion capital plan. The MTA Board had approved the plan 10-0 on September 25 and submitted it to the Capital Plan Review Board (CPRB) on October 1. The matter, described as 'the MTA's $68 billion budget to fix mass transit,' was rejected by Stewart-Cousins and Heastie with a letter sent on Christmas Eve. Their action blocks dozens of projects, including subway accessibility, station repairs, and new transit lines like the Interborough Express. The veto leaves the future of these upgrades—and the safety of millions of riders—uncertain. The MTA warns this could threaten federal funding and delay critical improvements. The city’s transit system, already battered by delays and breakdowns, now faces more risk and instability.

• 2 NYS legislators reject MTA’s $68 billion capital plan, amny.com, Published 2024-12-26

Albany leaders stopped the MTA’s $68-billion plan. Their move halts new trains, station fixes, and power upgrades. Riders wait. Subways and buses age. Streets stay dangerous. No comment from Heastie or Stewart-Cousins. Advocates warn: delay means risk for millions.

On December 26, 2024, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins blocked the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan, worth $68 billion. The action came via a Christmas Eve letter to MTA CEO Janno Leiber, rejecting the plan and stalling critical transit improvements. The plan, as described, funds 'essential work'—new trains, accessibility, power, and station repairs. Riders Alliance called on Albany to 'fix the subway.' Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance warned, 'the least-visible projects are the most vulnerable to cuts – but also often the most essential, like new signals and upgrades to power systems and structures.' Neither Heastie nor Stewart-Cousins responded to requests for comment. The rejection delays contract awards for new electric rail cars and locomotives, leaving millions of riders—and vulnerable road users—at risk from crumbling infrastructure and unreliable transit.

• Christmas Sockings: Carl Heastie and Andrea Stewart-Cousins Say ‘No’ to Better Transit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-26

A sedan driver suffered a head contusion and shock after reacting to another vehicle on Hutchinson River Parkway. The crash left the Audi’s front end smashed. No other injuries reported.

A 52-year-old male driver was injured in a crash on Hutchinson River Parkway. According to the police report, the driver’s reaction to an uninvolved vehicle caused the collision. The Audi sedan, traveling north and going straight, sustained center front-end damage with impact on the left front bumper. The driver, restrained by a lap belt and harness, suffered a head contusion and was in shock. Injury severity was rated as moderate. The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as the contributing factor. No other persons were hurt. No other contributing factors or victim actions were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783830 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 69-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a pick-up truck failed to yield while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at a Bronx intersection. The driver caused the collision despite no vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Tillotson Avenue and Kingsland Avenue in the Bronx at 3:39 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a pick-up truck, traveling north and making a left turn, failed to yield the right-of-way. The collision caused injuries to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The report notes 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor attributed to the driver. The vehicle sustained no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. The driver was licensed and operating a 2005 Chevrolet pick-up truck. The pedestrian was not cited for any contributing behavior. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers not yielding to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780227 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a 12-year-old girl crossing Boston Road. The car’s view was blocked. She suffered head bruises but stayed conscious. The crash exposes the risk of obstructed sightlines on Bronx streets.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old pedestrian was hit by a southbound BMW sedan while crossing Boston Road near Conner Street. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, showing the driver’s sight was blocked. The car struck the girl with its center front end. She suffered head contusions and bruises but remained conscious. No pedestrian errors were cited. The crash underscores the danger of limited driver visibility for people crossing busy Bronx roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778492 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV struck 81-year-old woman in marked Bronx crosswalk. Driver failed to yield. Victim suffered facial injuries, stayed conscious, reported internal pain. Impact came from vehicle’s right front bumper.

According to the police report, an 81-year-old woman was crossing Wilson Ave at Givan Ave in the Bronx at 7:05 PM when a northbound SUV hit her in a marked crosswalk. The right front bumper struck the pedestrian. She suffered facial injuries and internal complaints but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the driver’s contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. The SUV had no reported damage. This crash shows the danger when drivers fail to yield to people in crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780005 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound vehicle struck an eastbound SUV at Arnow Ave in the Bronx. Three passengers suffered moderate injuries including head, face, and leg trauma. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 18:16 on Arnow Ave in the Bronx involving a northbound vehicle and an eastbound 2021 Toyota SUV. The SUV carried four occupants, including three injured female passengers aged 53, 60, and 85. Injuries ranged from head trauma and whiplash to contusions on the face and lower limbs. All injured passengers were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report explicitly identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated for emphasis. The northbound vehicle impacted the left front quarter panel of the SUV, which sustained damage to its right front bumper. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was cited as a factor. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to multi-passenger injuries inside vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776546 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Givan Ave in the Bronx when one driver made an improper U-turn. The impact struck the left side doors of the eastbound sedan. A 78-year-old driver suffered arm injuries and shock, highlighting driver error as the crash cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:17 on Givan Ave in the Bronx. One sedan was traveling east going straight ahead when it was struck on its left side doors by another sedan making an improper U-turn. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor. The 78-year-old male driver of the eastbound sedan was injured, sustaining injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was in shock. He was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. Both drivers were licensed and operating vehicles registered in New York. The collision's point of impact and vehicle damage was on the left side doors of the eastbound sedan and the left front bumper of the U-turning sedan. The crash underscores the dangers posed by improper turning maneuvers by drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776013 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW sedan, driven by a permit holder, tore through Eastchester Road in the Bronx. A 60-year-old man died beneath its wheels. Parked cars shuddered. The street was dark. The driver was distracted. The man’s body bore the crush.

A 60-year-old pedestrian was killed when a BMW sedan, operated by a driver holding only a permit, struck him on Eastchester Road near Givan Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, the crash occurred just after midnight, and the street was dark. The report states the driver was inattentive or distracted at the time of the collision. The impact was so forceful that parked cars were damaged. The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk when struck, but the police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The driver’s permit status is noted in the narrative, underscoring a lack of full licensure. The report does not cite any pedestrian actions as contributing factors. The focus remains on the driver’s distraction and permit status, which led to fatal consequences for the man in the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775743 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 31-year-old man was injured by an SUV in the Bronx. The driver, holding a permit, struck the pedestrian outside an intersection. Limited visibility and driver inexperience contributed to the collision, leaving the man bruised and hurt in his lower leg.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in the Bronx at 17:25 when a 2022 Ford SUV, driven by a male with a learner's permit, traveling east, struck a 31-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and was hit near 1160 229 Dr S. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity rated as moderate (3). The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. The pedestrian was conscious and not ejected. The driver’s lack of experience and limited visibility were key factors in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775258 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 2013 Infiniti SUV surged off course on Schieffelin Avenue, its front end folding in a head-on crash. The 69-year-old driver, conscious but battered, suffered head trauma and crushing injuries. The street swallowed the sound. Metal and silence remained.

A violent collision unfolded on Schieffelin Avenue near Baychester Avenue when a 2013 Infiniti SUV veered off course and struck head-on, according to the police report. The report states the vehicle's front end folded inward from the impact. The 69-year-old male driver, the sole injured party, was found conscious at the scene but suffered head trauma and crush injuries. According to the police report, the driver 'did not keep right,' with 'Failure to Keep Right' listed as the contributing factor. The narrative describes the moment: 'A 2013 Infiniti SUV veered off course, striking head-on. The 69-year-old driver, conscious, suffered head trauma and crush injuries. The front end folded inward. He did not keep right.' No other vehicle occupants or road users were reported injured. The crash underscores the consequences when a driver fails to maintain proper lane discipline.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774671 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped traveling north collided with a sedan making a right turn on Laconia Avenue in the Bronx. The moped driver was ejected and suffered elbow and lower arm injuries. Police cited unsafe speed and failure to yield as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:04 on Laconia Avenue in the Bronx. A sedan was making a right turn when it was struck by a northbound moped. The moped driver, a 46-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, along with whiplash. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factors. Additionally, the moped driver was cited for 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The sedan's point of impact was the right front bumper, while the moped's center front end was damaged. The moped driver wore a helmet, but the report does not list victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash highlights driver errors involving right-of-way violations and excessive speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774606 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 27-year-old rider on Monticello Avenue crashed into a BMW’s side. Thrown from his Honda, his head struck the pavement. He died under the streetlights. The motorcycle lay wrecked, the street marked by violence and loss.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old man riding a Honda motorcycle northbound on Monticello Avenue near Strang Avenue collided with the left side doors of a BMW sedan. The crash occurred at 18:43 in the Bronx. The motorcyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and suffered fatal head injuries, dying at the scene. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, highlighting a critical driver error. The narrative describes the motorcycle as demolished and the rider as dying alone under the streetlights. The report notes the victim’s lack of helmet use, but only after citing the disregard for traffic control as a key factor in the deadly crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769894 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Honda sedan turned left on Laconia Ave. The front end crumpled on impact. A rear passenger suffered back injuries, left in shock. The driver’s inattention and inexperience caused the crash. The street remained silent, the damage clear.

At 1:58 a.m. on Laconia Ave near E 233rd in the Bronx, a 2024 Honda sedan made a left turn when it crashed. According to the police report, the vehicle’s center front end was the point of impact and sustained damage. The driver, a licensed female, was distracted and inexperienced, cited explicitly as contributing factors in the crash. A male rear passenger, 18 years old, was injured with back pain and nausea, remaining inside the vehicle and not ejected. The report notes his injury severity as moderate and his emotional state as shock. There is no mention of any contributing behavior by the passenger. The crash narrative centers on driver error—distraction and inexperience—as the cause of the collision and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound SUV collided with an eastbound sedan on Rombouts Ave in the Bronx. The sedan driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cite failure to yield right-of-way as the primary cause. Both vehicles sustained front and side damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:00 PM on Rombouts Ave in the Bronx. A 34-year-old male sedan driver, wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with back pain and whiplash. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. The SUV, traveling north, struck the sedan, which was traveling east, impacting the sedan's center front end and the SUV's left side doors. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles going straight ahead before the collision. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing instead on the SUV driver's failure to yield. The sedan driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770012 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a left turn collided with an oncoming SUV in the Bronx. The sedan’s driver suffered chest injuries and lost consciousness. Police cited traffic control disregard and unsafe speed as contributing factors in the 7:45 AM crash on Bartow Avenue.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:45 AM near 1945 Bartow Avenue in the Bronx. A 43-year-old male sedan driver was making a left turn westbound when his vehicle’s left side doors were struck by an eastbound station wagon/SUV. The sedan driver was injured, sustaining chest trauma and losing consciousness. The report notes the deployment of airbags and use of a lap belt/harness by the driver. Police identified 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the collision. The SUV was traveling straight ahead and impacted the sedan’s left side with its center front end. The driver’s failure to yield while turning left and excessive speed created a hazardous situation, resulting in serious injury. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767855 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04