Astoria Bleeds While Leaders Talk—Demand Safe Streets Now

A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man in Ozone Park. The driver fled, then turned himself in. Police say the crash followed a heated confrontation. The victim died at Jamaica Hospital.

ABC7 reported on August 1, 2025, that a 23-year-old man died after being hit by a car at 101st Avenue and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. Police said the incident followed a domestic dispute. The driver, who was the woman's current boyfriend, told police the victim approached his car "while flashing what appeared to be a gun" and was struck as the driver tried to leave. The driver later went to the police. No charges had been filed as of publication, with the district attorney still reviewing the case. The crash highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used during conflicts.

• Man Killed By Car In Queens Dispute, ABC7, Published 2025-08-01

Water rose fast. Cars stranded. People climbed roofs to escape. Rescue teams pulled them out. Rain hammered Queens. The road drowned, then cleared. Danger came quick. Relief came late.

ABC7 reported on July 31, 2025, that flash flooding trapped drivers on the Clearview Expressway in Queens. Video showed people perched atop cars, waiting for rescue. A witness described, "10 feet deep, people sitting on top of cars, 6 or 7." Mayor Eric Adams declared a localized State of Emergency. The flooding left vehicles stranded and forced emergency response. The article highlights the risk of sudden, severe weather overwhelming city infrastructure, stranding vulnerable road users in harm’s way.

• Flash Flood Traps Cars On Expressway, ABC7, Published 2025-07-31

SUV struck a stopped cyclist on Broadway. Rider suffered back injury. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely. Streets remain perilous for those outside steel shells.

A sport utility vehicle hit a stopped bicyclist on Broadway at 42nd Street in Queens. The 38-year-old cyclist suffered a back injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' contributed to the crash. Two SUV occupants, ages 38 and 80, were also listed in the report but had unspecified injuries. The SUV’s front end struck the back of the bicycle. The cyclist was not ejected. The report does not mention helmet use as a factor. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and follow too closely.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831513 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs slammed together on 45th Street. One driver, a 71-year-old woman, suffered back injuries. Police cite following too closely. Metal met metal. Pain followed.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed on 45th Street at 25th Avenue in Queens. A 71-year-old woman driving one SUV was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. According to the police report, the cause was 'Following Too Closely.' Both drivers and two other occupants were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The impact left one person hurt and underscores the danger when drivers tailgate.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831693 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped sped down the BQE. It crashed. Two men were ejected. One suffered fractures. Unsafe speed and bad lane use led to blood on the asphalt.

A moped crash on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway left two men injured, both ejected from the vehicle. According to the police report, the crash involved unsafe speed and improper lane usage. One passenger suffered fractures and dislocation, while the driver had minor bleeding. The driver wore a helmet, but the passenger did not. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact was severe enough to eject both occupants, underscoring the danger of reckless driving on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831242 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A left-turning SUV struck a sedan on 25 Ave at Steinway St. One driver suffered arm and internal injuries. Police cite failure to yield. The crash left shock and pain in its wake.

A crash at 25 Ave and Steinway St in Queens involved a left-turning SUV and a northbound sedan. According to the police report, a 35-year-old male driver was injured, suffering arm and internal injuries, and was in shock. Two other occupants, aged 41 and 85, had unspecified injuries. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The SUV was making a left turn when it collided with the sedan. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Adams stalled safety. Duggan calls for action. Streets wait for bus lanes, bike lanes, open space. The next mayor holds the key. Lives depend on leadership.

"The frontrunner correctly noted in the clip that making buses faster 'isn't complicated, it doesn't cost much, you don't need Albany. All the tools are in the power of City Hall.'" -- Zohran Mamdani

On July 21, 2025, Kevin Duggan published a policy analysis in Streetsblog NYC. The article, 'The Next Mayor Can Unlock Easy Transportation Wins … If He Wants,' criticizes Mayor Eric Adams for neglecting bus and bike projects, stalling open streets, and failing on pedestrian safety. Duggan urges the next mayor to revive stalled projects and expand busways, bike lanes, and public space. The piece features support from advocates and candidates. No council bill or vote is attached. As no specific policy is enacted, there is no direct safety impact to assess for pedestrians or cyclists.

• The Next Mayor Can Unlock Easy Transportation Wins … If He Wants, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-21

A sedan hit a man getting off a vehicle on 43rd Street. He suffered a bruised leg. The driver kept going straight. Police list the cause as unspecified.

A 34-year-old man was struck by a sedan while getting off a vehicle on 43rd Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a contusion to his lower leg and was conscious at the scene. The sedan, driven by a licensed male, was traveling north and struck the pedestrian with its left front quarter panel. Police list the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830009 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 64-year-old woman crossing 51st Street suffered a head injury. Bleeding, in shock, she was hit at the intersection. The police report lists no driver errors.

A 64-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing at the intersection of 51st Street and 31st Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, she suffered a head injury and minor bleeding, and was in shock after the crash. The report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the time of the incident. No information about the vehicle or driver actions was provided in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828501 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a moped from behind on 47th Street. The moped driver suffered a leg injury. Police cite cell phone use as a factor. Both vehicles were headed west. Streets stayed dangerous.

A sedan hit a moped from behind on 47th Street at 34th Avenue in Queens. The crash left the 23-year-old moped driver injured, with abrasions and a leg wound. According to the police report, 'Cell Phone (hand-Held)' was a contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling west. The moped driver wore a helmet, as noted in the report. The sedan's front end and the moped's back end took the impact. No other injuries were reported. The data shows distraction behind the wheel, with vulnerable road users paying the price.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827104 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Candles flickered in Queens. Workers mourned the dead. Portraits lined the park. Grief and anger mixed. Demands for safety echoed. Fatigue and risk shadow every shift. The toll grows. The city listens.

amny reported on July 11, 2025, that rideshare and delivery workers gathered in Little Bay Park to honor colleagues killed on the job. The Justice for App Workers coalition demanded safety reforms, including panic buttons and limits on shift lengths. 'These deaths were not inevitable; they happened because billion-dollar companies chose profit over safety,' said Adaligisa Payero. Speakers highlighted long hours and fatigue as key dangers. The coalition called for tech companies and lawmakers to act, noting that app-based workers face higher injury and death rates than many traditional employees.

• Memorial Honors Fallen App-Based Workers, amny, Published 2025-07-11

SUV turned left on Steinway. Motorcycle struck front. Rider ejected, unconscious, fractured arm. SUV driver bled from head. Police cite unsafe lane change.

A crash on Steinway Street at 35th Avenue in Queens involved an SUV making a left turn and a motorcycle going straight. The motorcycle rider, a 24-year-old man, was ejected and left unconscious with a fractured arm. The SUV driver, a 65-year-old man, suffered head injuries and minor bleeding. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Lane Changing' was a contributing factor. The data shows the motorcycle rider was not using safety equipment, but this is noted only after the driver error. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826496 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City halts 34th Street busway. Mayor Adams caves to loud minority. Streets stay ruled by cars. Pedestrians and cyclists left exposed. No relief. No progress. Danger lingers. Lives at risk.

On July 7, 2025, David Meyer of Streetsblog NYC condemned the city’s decision to stall the 34th Street busway. The article, titled 'The 34th Street busway is the latest casualty of the mayor's lack of a spine on transportation issues,' highlights how Mayor Adams ignored broad support and bowed to a vocal few. Meyer supports the busway and criticizes the mayor’s retreat. No council bill number or committee is tied to this action. The delay blocks safer, more equitable streets. As the safety analyst notes, canceling or delaying the busway keeps car dominance and denies protection to pedestrians and cyclists.

• Monday’s Headlines: Run This Town Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-07

A sedan turned left on 31 Ave, striking a 16-year-old cyclist. The teen suffered a hip bruise. Police cite failure to yield. The driver was unhurt. The cyclist wore a helmet.

A sedan making a left turn on 31 Ave at 46 St in Queens struck a 16-year-old bicyclist traveling straight. The teen suffered a contusion to the hip and upper leg. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was the contributing factor. The sedan driver, a 67-year-old man, was not injured. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupants. The crash highlights the danger left-turning drivers pose to people on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827315 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV slammed parked cars on 56th Street. Driver lost consciousness. One man hurt, arm bruised. Metal twisted. Sirens wailed. Streets stayed dangerous.

A Jeep SUV traveling north on 56th Street in Queens struck two parked sedans. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Lost Consciousness.' One male occupant, age 59, suffered a contusion to his arm. The driver was conscious after the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as the contributing factor. No other driver errors or helmet or signal issues were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825710 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW flew over a Belt Parkway barrier at dawn. Metal twisted. Six hurt. Two critical. Flames rose. Police say speed may have played a role. The crash left wreckage and questions in its wake.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-05), a BMW traveling east on the Belt Parkway in Queens struck a concrete median, vaulted over it, and hit two oncoming vehicles. The article states, "Six people were injured—two critically—in a fiery crash." Police noted, "speed may have been an issue." The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The incident highlights the dangers of high speeds and highway design where barriers failed to contain a vehicle, putting multiple road users at risk.

• BMW Vaults Median, Six Injured In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-05

Zohran Mamdani pledges bold action for safer streets. He backs protected lanes, busways, and Vision Zero. His words promise change, but this is talk, not law.

On July 4, 2025, Streetsblog NYC published mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s answers to its survey. The event, titled 'Beach Reading: Zohran Mamdani’s Answers to Streetsblog’s Mayoral Candidate Survey,' features Mamdani’s support for pedestrianization, protected bike lanes, bus lanes, and Vision Zero. He calls for moving traffic enforcement from NYPD to DOT and ending parking mandates. Mamdani’s stance is clear: prioritize vulnerable road users. This is an informational statement, not a policy change. As noted by safety analysts, this event does not directly affect conditions for pedestrian or cyclist safety.

• Beach Reading: Zohran Mamdani’s Answers to Streetsblog’s Mayoral Candidate Survey, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-04

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

Mamdani fights for fast, free buses. He builds coalitions. He wins a pilot. More buses, fewer cars. Streets clear. Danger drops for those on foot and bike.

This review, published July 2, 2025 by Streetsblog NYC, examines Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani’s record on MTA policy. There is no formal bill number or committee, but the focus is his push for 'fast and free buses,' fare freezes, and bus lane enforcement. Mamdani led efforts in Albany for a fare-free bus pilot and more frequent service. Sen. Mike Gianaris credits Mamdani for getting free buses done. Safety analysts note: 'Policies promoting fast and free buses encourage mode shift from private vehicles to public transit, reducing traffic volumes and improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists through lower exposure to motor vehicle risk.'

• How Will Mamdani Govern? His Earlier MTA Advocacy Gives Some Hints, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-02

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