Astoria (North)–Ditmars: Three Dead at Daybreak

Aug 11 - A car thief fled cops, leaping into the Atlantic. Officers dove in, fought him in the water, and dragged him to shore. The chase began with a stolen sedan, ended in cold surf, cuffs snapping shut.

NY Daily News (2025-08-11) reports a car thief jumped into the Atlantic off Far Rockaway after police caught him with a stolen Honda. The suspect, Matthew Swafford, used a stolen North Carolina plate. Officers pursued him into the water, as shown in NYPD video. Detective Demerest called, 'Take my belt!' before diving in. Swafford was charged with possession of stolen property and other offenses. The incident highlights risks when suspects flee in stolen vehicles, raising questions about pursuit protocols and the dangers posed by car theft in dense urban areas.

• Car Thief Jumps Far Rockaway Dock, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 8 - DOT stands firm on Astoria’s protected bike lanes. Businesses sue. Misinformation clouds facts. Cyclists and pedestrians face delay. Safety waits while lawsuits drag on.

On August 8, 2025, the Department of Transportation reaffirmed its commitment to protected bike lanes and traffic calming on 31st Street in Astoria, despite a lawsuit from local businesses. The project, not tied to a council bill or committee, aims to cut injuries on a deadly corridor. DOT spokesman Will Livingston said, “We stand firmly behind this project and will defend our work in court.” Council Member Tiffany Caban, Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, and Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas backed the redesign in June. The safety analyst warns: opposition and misinformation from businesses can stall proven safety measures, putting vulnerable road users at risk.

• DOT Stands By Astoria Safety Project Despite Foes’ Anti-Bike Lawsuit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 4 - Gianaris backs Mamdani for mayor. Both pushed for subway funding and fare-free buses. Their alliance signals power in transit fights. No direct safety change yet for walkers or riders.

On August 4, 2025, State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris endorsed Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani for mayor. The two worked together on the 'Fix the MTA Act,' which invested in subways and piloted fare-free buses. Gianaris said Mamdani 'provides the energy and ideas' New Yorkers need. Mamdani thanked Gianaris for helping secure 'historic investments in subway and bus services.' This event, reported by City & State NY, shows political unity on transit. However, as no specific policy action or outcome is detailed, analysts find no direct safety impact for pedestrians or cyclists.

• Mike Gianaris backs Zohran Mamdani for mayor, City & State NY, Published 2025-08-04

Aug 3 - A driver struck an e-bike rider in Queens. A scooter rider crashed in Brooklyn. Both died. Streets claimed them. Police investigate. Lives ended fast. Metal and speed left no room for error.

NY Daily News (2025-08-03) reports two fatal e-vehicle crashes. On July 31, a 62-year-old Nissan Rogue driver hit Zhao Feng Zhen, 55, on Hollis Court Blvd in Queens. The driver remained at the scene; police continue to investigate. On July 12, Eusebio Quinones, 60, lost control of his electric scooter on Union Ave in Brooklyn and died from his injuries days later. The article notes, 'police are still investigating the crash.' These deaths highlight ongoing risks for vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Two Killed In Separate E-Vehicle Crashes, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-03

Aug 1 - A driver in an SUV hit a motorcycle at 24 Ave and 27 St in Queens. The 32-year-old rider suffered elbow and lower-arm injuries and shock. Police listed "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper."

A driver in an SUV and a motorcycle collided at 24 Ave and 27 St in Queens. The motorcycle rider, a 32-year-old man, was injured — elbow and lower-arm trauma — and reported shock and pain. According to the police report, officers listed "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as contributing factors. The report records the motorcycle driver was making a left turn on red and the SUV driver was going straight ahead. Both drivers were licensed. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, as the report notes. Police flagged the listed driver errors in the crash record.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832133 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 1 - A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man on 101st Street. The driver sped off after an encounter at the window. Police found the victim with severe trauma. He died at Jamaica Hospital.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-01), a 23-year-old man died after being run over on 101st Street and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. The article reports, "Sonalall approached the driver's side window and flashed what appeared to be a gun, startling the motorist, who then drove off, striking Sonalall." The Queens District Attorney's Office did not charge the driver, citing fear for his life. The incident highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used in moments of conflict. No charges were filed, raising questions about how self-defense is interpreted in car-related deaths.

• Man Killed By Driver In Queens Street, New York Post, Published 2025-08-01

Jul 30 - A Nissan struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider fell, hit his head, and lay critical as the red light blinked. The unlicensed driver fled. Police arrested him two hours later.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver hit a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. near 14th St., leaving the rider with serious head trauma. The driver fled, but police arrested him two hours later, charging him with "leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license." The crash shut down Second Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The article highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and the consequences of fleeing crash scenes.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-30

Jul 25 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. Police investigate. No arrests. The road claimed another life.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-25) reports Matthew Goicochea, 31, was killed after falling from his motorcycle and being struck by a car near E. 25th St. on FDR Drive. The driver did not remain at the scene. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The article states, "He was then struck by an unknown vehicle shortly thereafter, which did not remain on the scene." No arrests have been made. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users on high-speed city highways and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers.

• Firefighter Killed in FDR Drive Collision, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-25

Jul 18 - The driver of an SUV struck a 36-year-old woman on a bicycle on 20 Ave. She suffered whole-body injury, pain and shock. Police recorded failure to yield and traffic control disregarded by the driver.

The driver of an SUV traveling north on 20 Ave struck a 36‑year‑old woman riding east on a bicycle. She was injured and reported pain and shock with whole‑body injury. According to the police report, the crash was caused by "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. Each vehicle had one occupant; the report lists the bicyclist as injured and does not specify injuries to the SUV driver. Point of impact on the SUV was the center front end; the bike showed right-front bumper damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828482 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 15 - Two SUVs collided at 21st Street and 21st Avenue. Both drivers suffered neck injuries. Police cite improper turning. Metal and glass, sudden pain, sirens in Queens.

Two station wagons collided at the intersection of 21st Street and 21st Avenue in Queens. Both male drivers, aged 48 and 54, were injured with neck trauma. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Turning Improperly.' Both vehicles suffered front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. Helmet use or signaling is not mentioned.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828532 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 13 - Two SUVs collided on Grand Central Parkway after repeated unsafe lane changes. Three women passengers were hurt with back, neck, and head injuries; one was in shock. Metal buckled as doors and bumpers were damaged.

Two SUVs collided on the Grand Central Parkway in Queens. Three passengers, all women, were injured with reported back, neck and head injuries; one was in shock. According to the police report, "Unsafe Lane Changing" was the main contributing factor. Police recorded unsafe lane changing by the drivers. Vehicle records show two SUVs changing lanes westbound; impacts logged at the center back end, right front quarter panel and left front bumper. Drivers were licensed in New York. Reported vehicle damage included right rear bumper and right side doors. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827113 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 11 - A pick-up and a motorcycle collided on Crescent Street in Queens. The 39-year-old motorcyclist was partially ejected and suffered a fractured arm. Police recorded improper lane use by both drivers.

Two drivers traveling south on Crescent Street at Hoyt Avenue North in Queens collided. The driver of a pick-up truck struck the center-front of a motorcycle with the pick-up’s left front quarter panel. The 39-year-old male motorcyclist was partially ejected and suffered a fracture to the elbow/lower arm/hand. According to the police report, both drivers engaged in "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." Police noted the motorcyclist wore a helmet. No other injuries were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827096 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 9 - A battery exploded. Fire roared. Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, was trapped in smoke and flame inside a Queens pizzeria. She died from her burns. Lithium-ion danger struck again. Four others escaped.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-09), Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, died after an e-bike battery exploded inside Singas Famous Pizzeria in Flushing, Queens. The FDNY described a 'blowtorch effect' that trapped Cheung as she tried to escape the bathroom. The article notes, 'These fires are treacherous. They move very quickly.' This was the first fatal lithium-ion battery fire in NYC for 2025, with officials citing a rising trend in such incidents. The battery was stored outside the bathroom, highlighting risks of indoor storage and the need for stronger safety measures.

• E-Bike Battery Blast Kills Woman In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 7 - The driver of an SUV ran traffic control and struck a moped on 37 St at 23 Ave in Queens. The 39-year-old moped driver was ejected and killed, suffering fatal head injuries. Police cite driver inattention and traffic-control disregard.

A driver in an SUV collided with a moped on 37 St at 23 Ave in Queens. The moped driver, 39, was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. According to the police report, the crash involved a station wagon/SUV and a moped. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as contributing factors. The moped’s record shows the rider was unlicensed and was riding east when struck. Police recorded the point of impact on both vehicles as left front quarter panels. The crash ended with the moped driver killed. No pedestrians were reported involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825812 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 7 - BMW hit divider, flew across highway, struck two cars. Fire followed. Two young lives ended. Others hurt. Concrete, speed, and steel left scars in Queens dawn.

NY Daily News (2025-07-07) reports a BMW crashed into a concrete divider on Queens' Belt Parkway, then vaulted over the highway, hitting two vehicles. The BMW caught fire. Driver Noah Thompson, 24, and passenger Jewel Perez, 22, died after hospital transport. Three other BMW passengers and two other drivers survived with minor or stable injuries. Police noted, "No one in the BMW was wearing a seat belt." Authorities sought a warrant to test the driver's blood for alcohol. The crash highlights high-speed risks and the dangers of divided highways.

• BMW Crash Kills Two on Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-07

• Fatally Injured Teenager Is Discovered on Top of a N.Y.C. Subway Car, The New York Times, Published 2025-07-04

Jul 2 - Zohran Mamdani’s fare-free bus pilot drew more riders. Fewer cars. Streets safer. City weighs expansion. Vulnerable users stand to gain. The debate: cost, service, and public space.

Bill: Fare-free bus pilot, led by Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, reported July 2, 2025, by New York Magazine - Curbed. The pilot ran for one year, costing $15 million, with increased ridership and fewer assaults on drivers. Mamdani supports expanding bus lanes and meeting Streets Master Plan mandates. State Senator Michael Gianaris backed the pilot, calling the cost manageable. Experts warn of service tradeoffs. The safety analyst notes: increased ridership signals a shift from cars, boosting safety for pedestrians and cyclists through safety in numbers and less vehicle traffic. Expansion remains debated.

• What It Would Take to Make Buses Free, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-02

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 29 - SUV hit cyclist in Queens. Rider ejected. Suffered leg injury. Police cite confusion. Streets left another body bruised.

A station wagon SUV hit a 41-year-old cyclist at 24th Avenue and 32nd Street in Queens. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a contusion to the lower leg. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' No injuries were reported for the SUV occupant. The SUV struck the cyclist's bike at the center back end with its front. No driver errors were listed in the data. The police report did not mention helmet use or signaling.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825085 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 28 - A sedan hit a young woman on Ditmars Boulevard. She suffered a leg injury. The driver and passenger were unhurt. Police list no clear cause. The street remains dangerous.

A 23-year-old woman walking on Ditmars Boulevard at 38th Street in Queens was struck by a sedan. She suffered a contusion and injury to her lower leg and foot. According to the police report, the driver and a passenger, both 47-year-old men, were not injured. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are cited. The impact was to the right rear bumper of the sedan. The crash highlights the ongoing risks pedestrians face on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824007 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18