Astoria (North)–Ditmars: Three Dead at Daybreak

Nov 7 - A pick-up truck making a left turn struck a parked sedan on Ditmars Blvd in Queens. The truck driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cite traffic control disregard as the cause, highlighting driver error and resulting harm.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Ditmars Blvd in Queens at 4:00 AM. A pick-up truck traveling north was making a left turn when it collided with a parked sedan. The point of impact was the right rear quarter panel of the truck and the left rear bumper of the sedan. The truck driver, a 39-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. The police report explicitly identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error in failing to obey traffic signals or signs. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision caused significant vehicle damage and resulted in injury to the truck driver, underscoring the dangers posed by disregard for traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770008 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 28 - Police chases in Astoria’s 114 Precinct have surged. Cyclists and pedestrians pay the price. One cyclist is dead. NYPD ignores its own rules. Dangerous drivers face no real penalty. Officials and residents demand action. The city stalls. Streets stay deadly.

This report covers the sharp rise in high-speed police chases in the NYPD’s 114th Precinct, Astoria, Queens. The article, published October 28, 2024, details community outrage after a cyclist’s death and repeated injuries. NYPD policy says chases should end when risk outweighs reward, but enforcement fails. The Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program, which once forced repeat offenders into safety courses, has expired. Comptroller Brad Lander says, 'Drivers who are repeatedly caught by speed and red-light cameras currently face no consequences other than a fine in the mail. Repeat reckless drivers must be held to account.' State Senator Michael Gianaris calls for stronger penalties, including suspending registrations. The NYPD has not adopted reforms. Residents and advocates demand legislative action and transparency. Without it, vulnerable road users remain at risk.

• Reckless: The 114 Precinct is an Island of High-Speed Chases In Queens, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-28

Oct 25 - A 74-year-old man crossing a marked crosswalk on Shore Boulevard was struck by a sedan making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock. Driver distraction and failure to yield caused the crash.

According to the police report, at 5:44 AM in Queens, a 74-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Shore Boulevard at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The sedan, traveling east and making a left turn, struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed but sufficient to cause serious injury. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but failed to yield to the pedestrian, demonstrating critical errors leading to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766519 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 1 - Governor Hochul stalls congestion pricing, leaving MTA riders in limbo. The pause threatens subway and bus service. Advocates demand any replacement funds boost operations, not highways. Riders need frequent, affordable transit—not more gridlock and pollution.

This editorial, published October 1, 2024, addresses Governor Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing and seek alternative funding for the MTA’s $15-billion capital plan. The article states: “If the governor wants to do the MTA and riders a favor, she should use the money she finds to instead boost MTA operations.” Author Samuel Santaella criticizes Hochul’s move, arguing it jeopardizes service for working-class New Yorkers. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and State Senator Michael Gianaris are cited as proponents of fare-free buses, while Riders Alliance pushes for six-minute service. The piece urges Hochul to reject highway expansions and instead invest in frequent, affordable transit. The editorial frames this as a fight for clean air, equity, and safety for all New Yorkers who rely on public transportation.

• OPINION: Any Money Hochul Finds to ‘Replace’ Congestion Pricing Should Fund Fares and Frequency, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-01

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 25 - The Cross Bay Bridge’s deadly ramp is gone. In its place: a wide, gentle slope. Pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users now cross safely. The upgrade, forced by a 2021 law, marks progress. But other bridges still leave vulnerable users stranded. Advocates demand more.

On September 25, 2024, the MTA completed a major upgrade to the Cross Bay Bridge, replacing its hazardous Rockaway-side ramp with a wider, ADA-compliant path. This action fulfills a mandate from the 2021 MTA Bike Access bill. Assembly Member Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, who sponsored the law, said, "I'm excited about the ADA-accessible ramp on the Cross Bay Bridge and that cyclists and pedestrians can access this space... because we passed my legislation." The MTA also announced similar improvements for the Henry Hudson and Triboro Bridges. However, plans for the Verrazzano, Gil Hodges-Marine Parkway, Bronx-Whitestone, and Throgs Neck bridges remain uncertain. Cycling advocates praised the MTA’s progress but criticized its reluctance to consider lane conversions for safer, broader access. The new ramp removes a deadly barrier, but the fight for safe passage on all city bridges continues.

• The Cross Bay Bridge Pedestrian ‘Ramp of Death’ Has Been Replaced, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-25

Sep 23 - Council pulled the jaywalking decriminalization bill before a vote. Advocates warned it could shield drivers who hit pedestrians. NYPD tickets mostly Black and Hispanic New Yorkers. Councilmember Cabán says the law enables biased policing. Streets remain dangerous for those on foot.

Bill to decriminalize jaywalking, sponsored by Councilmember Tiffany Cabán (District 22), was pulled for revision before a full City Council vote on September 23, 2024. The measure, under review in committee, aimed to end NYPD enforcement that disproportionately targets people of color. The bill’s summary states, 'NYPD issues hundreds of jaywalking tickets a year. Vast majority go to people of color.' Cabán, a key sponsor, argued police use jaywalking as a pretext for stop-and-frisk, calling the law archaic and motorist-centered. Advocates raised concerns that the bill’s language might let drivers escape liability for hitting pedestrians, prompting its withdrawal. The law’s enforcement remains unequal, leaving vulnerable road users exposed.

• NYPD issues hundreds of jaywalking tickets a year. Vast majority go to people of color., gothamist.com, Published 2024-09-23

Sep 21 - A 5-year-old boy suffered a head contusion after a Jeep traveling east on 23 Avenue struck him while he played in the roadway. The child was conscious but seriously injured, highlighting dangers for children near traffic outside intersections.

According to the police report, a Jeep traveling east on 23 Avenue in Queens struck a 5-year-old pedestrian playing in the roadway outside an intersection. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which sustained damage consistent with the collision. The child suffered a head contusion and was conscious at the scene, with injury severity rated as serious (3). The report does not list specific driver errors or contributing factors, but the pedestrian's presence in the roadway away from an intersection indicates exposure to moving traffic. No helmet or crossing signal use was noted as contributing factors. The incident underscores the risks posed by vehicles traveling straight ahead in areas where children may unexpectedly enter the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758556 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 14 - A westbound SUV and pickup truck collided head-on on Astoria Boulevard. Three occupants in the SUV suffered injuries including burns and shock. Police cite unsafe lane changing and driver distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:25 on Astoria Boulevard involving a 2017 SUV and a 2018 pickup truck, both traveling west. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The SUV sustained damage to its left side doors, while the pickup truck was damaged at its center front end. Three male occupants in the SUV, including the driver and two passengers, were injured with bodily injuries ranging from entire body trauma to knee and lower leg injuries. All occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the collision. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights driver errors leading to serious injuries among vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755734 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 16 - A sedan driver traveling west was struck on the left front bumper during a left turn. The driver suffered a fractured and dislocated lower arm injury. Police cited traffic control disregard as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male sedan driver was injured at 12:15 while traveling west on Hoyt Avenue North. The collision occurred when another vehicle made a left turn, impacting the sedan's left front bumper. The driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained a fracture and dislocation to his lower arm and hand. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs by one of the drivers. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash caused damage to the sedan's left front bumper, and the driver was conscious but seriously injured. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in traffic control compliance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748852 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 10 - Councilwoman Joann Ariola called out Tiffany Cabán for racking up school-zone speeding tickets while pushing to cut car use. Cabán’s platform promised safer streets and fewer cars. Ariola and others say the tickets show a gap between words and actions.

On August 10, 2024, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (District 32) publicly criticized Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán after media reports revealed Cabán received four school-zone speeding tickets and three other violations since November 2022. The matter, covered by the New York Post, states: 'Cabán—who was elected to office on a platform advocating less car use and cracking down on dangerous driving—received four tickets in the past 13 months for speeding her vehicle in school zones.' Ariola, joined by Councilman Robert Holden, accused Cabán of hypocrisy, highlighting the disconnect between Cabán’s advocacy for street safety and her own driving record. Cabán’s policy platform includes converting 25% of city roadways for people, building 1,000 miles of car-free streets, and expanding bus and bike lanes. No formal council bill or committee action is attached to this event, but the public dispute underscores tensions in the city’s push for safer, less car-dominated streets.

• Socialist NYC Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán has amassed nearly $500 in traffic tickets despite pushing anti-car agenda: ‘Hypocrisy’, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-10

Aug 8 - A flatbed truck struck the left rear bumper of a sedan making a right turn on 37 Street in Queens. Both sedan occupants suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Driver inexperience and following too closely caused the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:30 AM on 37 Street near 20 Avenue in Queens. A flatbed truck traveling west rear-ended a 2016 sedan traveling northwest that was making a right turn. The point of impact was the sedan's left rear bumper. The sedan had two occupants: a 49-year-old female driver and a 62-year-old male passenger. Both were conscious but suffered whiplash and injuries to their entire bodies. The report cites driver inexperience and following too closely as contributing factors. The sedan driver was licensed and wearing a lap belt and harness. The flatbed truck driver was also licensed. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers and close following distances in Queens traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 6 - Two sedans traveling east collided on Grand Central Parkway. The driver of one vehicle suffered an upper arm injury and lost consciousness. Police cited unsafe speed and alcohol involvement as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling east on Grand Central Parkway when they collided. The point of impact was the center back end of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. The driver of one sedan, a 52-year-old male, was injured with an upper arm injury and was unconscious at the scene. The report lists unsafe speed and alcohol involvement as contributing factors to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The injured driver was not ejected but complained of pain or nausea. Vehicle damage was noted on the left rear quarter panel of one sedan and the center front end of the other. The crash highlights the dangers of speeding and impaired driving on city roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748509 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 25 - A sedan struck the right rear bumper of a flatbed truck on Grand Central Parkway. The sedan driver, a 55-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and minor burns, experiencing shock. Police cited driver inattention as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, at 8:42 AM on Grand Central Parkway, a 2024 BMW sedan traveling west collided with the right rear bumper of a 2007 flatbed truck also traveling west. The sedan driver, a 55-year-old female occupant, sustained neck injuries and minor burns and was reported to be in shock. The flatbed truck driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead with no damage reported to his vehicle. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor in the crash. There were no indications of victim fault or other contributing factors listed. The impact occurred at the sedan's right rear bumper, highlighting the sedan driver's failure to maintain attention and avoid collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743258 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 12 - Two sedans collided on Steinway Street when one vehicle followed too closely and struck the rear of the other. A 63-year-old front passenger suffered injuries and shock. The crash exposed driver errors including unsafe speed and tailgating.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling west on Steinway Street collided at 2 p.m. The driver of a 2024 Hyundai sedan, licensed in New Jersey, struck the center back end of a 2004 Toyota sedan. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. A 63-year-old female front passenger in the Toyota was injured and experienced shock, secured by a lap belt and not ejected. The Toyota driver was not present in the vehicle at the time. The collision's point of impact and vehicle damage confirm the rear-end nature of the crash. Driver errors in maintaining safe distance and speed directly led to the impact, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740700 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - Five vehicles slammed together on Astoria Boulevard. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. A 42-year-old driver suffered neck whiplash and shock. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle crash erupted at 1:05 AM on Astoria Boulevard near 32 Street in Queens. Five vehicles, including taxis, sedans, and SUVs, were involved. The report cites 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as the main contributing factor. A 42-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck whiplash and shock. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. Damage struck left rear quarter panels, front ends, and bumpers, showing the force of the impacts. The police report lists no contributing victim behaviors. Aggressive driving remains a systemic threat on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 10 - A distracted driver making a right turn collided with a northbound SUV going straight on 31 Street in Queens. Both vehicles suffered front-end damage. A 38-year-old woman and a 10-year-old passenger were injured, suffering shock and minor burns.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 31 Street near 24 Avenue in Queens at 2 p.m. Two SUVs traveling north collided: one making a right turn, the other going straight ahead. The driver of the turning SUV, a 38-year-old woman, was injured with whole-body trauma and minor burns. A 10-year-old passenger in the same vehicle also suffered back injuries and minor burns. Both occupants experienced shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors for both injured occupants. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front end of the turning SUV and the right front quarter panel of the straight-moving SUV. The drivers were licensed and female. The collision highlights driver errors in attention and traffic control compliance as primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739360 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 1 - A 15-year-old boy, unlicensed and bareheaded, collided with a bus at 19th Avenue and 43rd Street. He flew from his motorscooter, struck the pavement, and died from head injuries. The street fell silent. No helmet. No chance.

A 15-year-old boy driving a motorscooter was killed in a violent crash with a bus at the corner of 19th Avenue and 43rd Street in Queens, according to the police report. The report states the teen was 'unlicensed and bareheaded' when he struck the bus and was ejected from his motorscooter, suffering fatal head injuries. The bus, registered in New Jersey, was traveling west and was struck on its right front bumper. The police report lists the boy as unlicensed and not wearing any safety equipment. Contributing factors are marked as 'Unspecified' in the report. The narrative emphasizes the severity of the impact and the absence of a helmet, but does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor before listing the lack of helmet use. The focus remains on the systemic dangers present when young, unlicensed individuals operate motor vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737138 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - Two sedans slammed together on Grand Central Parkway near midnight. Unsafe speed and bad lane moves. Two passengers hurt—one with head trauma, one with a shattered shoulder.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 23:57 on Grand Central Parkway in Queens. Both vehicles were heading west. The report lists unsafe speed and improper lane usage as contributing factors. Two passengers were injured: a 22-year-old woman suffered head injuries and whiplash, and a 21-year-old man sustained a fractured, dislocated shoulder. Both were conscious and wore lap belts. The crash impact hit the right rear of one sedan and the left front of the other. Police cite unsafe speed and improper lane use by drivers as causes. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738782 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19