Four Dead in Queensbridge—How Many Numbers Before City Hall Wakes Up?

Federal attack on congestion pricing draws fire in Queens. Rep. Velázquez vows court fight. Council Member Julie Won joins call for activism. Panel slams rollback of protections. The crowd demands action to defend New Yorkers from federal threats.

On February 20, 2025, Rep. Nydia Velázquez led a Queens town hall to rally opposition against Trump Administration policies, including the federal move to block New York City's congestion pricing plan. The event, held at Sunnyside Community Services, featured Council Member Julie Won (District 26) and other local officials. The panel condemned the rollback of protections for immigrants and the firing of NLRB board member Gwynne A. Wilcox. Velázquez declared, 'We’ll see him in court,' after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revoked federal approval for congestion pricing. She pledged to fight budget cuts targeting vulnerable communities and criticized tax breaks for the wealthy. Julie Won joined the call for grassroots activism. The town hall spotlighted the threat to New York’s sovereignty and the urgent need to defend city streets and programs from federal interference.

• Velázquez leads Queens town hall against Trump policies, calls for activism, amny.com, Published 2025-02-20

Senators move to guard bike lanes. Cameras will catch drivers who block or invade. The city’s cyclists and walkers get a shot at safer streets. No more hiding behind the wheel.

Senate bill S 5008, now in sponsorship, aims to launch a bicycle lane safety program in New York City. The bill, introduced February 18, 2025, sits in committee. Its summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal leads, joined by Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, Liz Krueger, Jessica Ramos, and Julia Salazar. The bill targets drivers who block or misuse bike lanes, using cameras to enforce the rules. The move puts pressure on the city to protect cyclists and pedestrians from daily danger.

• File S 5008, Open States, Published 2025-02-18

A sedan making a left turn struck a 36-year-old pedestrian crossing Vernon Boulevard outside an intersection. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the victim injured and conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Vernon Boulevard was making a left turn when it struck a 36-year-old male pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk or signal. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision and did not contribute to the crash according to the report. The vehicle showed no damage despite the center front end impact. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793785 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A minivan left the road in Queens. It hit a tree. One woman died. Three others, all seniors, went to the hospital. The crash happened on Brookville Boulevard, near Sunrise Highway. Police are investigating. The road stayed quiet after.

According to the NY Daily News (published February 14, 2025), a minivan from Eunhae Adult Daycare crashed while leaving a senior residence in Queens. The 74-year-old driver 'lost control of the wheel at the Sunrise Highway.' The vehicle veered off Brookville Blvd and struck a tree. Four people were inside, all seniors. One woman in her 70s died after being found unconscious in the back seat. Three others, including the driver, were hospitalized but expected to survive. Police are investigating the cause. The article highlights the dangers faced by passengers in vehicles operated by older drivers and the risks at busy intersections like Brookville Boulevard and Sunrise Highway.

• Minivan Crash Kills Woman, Injures Three, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-14

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

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

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

A car struck an underpass on Belt Parkway. Metal twisted. A woman, 27, died at the hospital. A man survived. Police do not know who drove. The wreck left questions. The system failed to protect its passengers.

According to NY Daily News (published February 8, 2025), a single-car crash on Queens’ Belt Parkway killed a 27-year-old woman and injured a 30-year-old man. The white Toyota sedan hit an underpass near 225th Street around 3:50 a.m. Both occupants were found outside the wreck when police arrived. Investigators are unsure who was driving at the time of impact: 'Since both occupants were out of the car at the time of the crash, investigators haven't figured out who was driving, police said.' The woman died at Long Island Jewish Hospital-Valley Stream; the man was expected to survive. The article highlights ongoing uncertainty about driver identity and underscores the persistent risks on city highways, especially where loss of vehicle control leads to deadly outcomes. The investigation continues.

• Woman Killed In Queens Parkway Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-08

A garbage truck ran a control and struck an SUV in Queens. Two teenage passengers inside suffered severe internal injuries. The truck driver ignored traffic signals. The crash left both teens badly hurt.

According to the police report, a garbage truck traveling east on 35 Avenue struck the left side doors of a northbound SUV on 12 Street in Queens at 23:56. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, showing the truck driver failed to obey signals or signs. Two male passengers, aged 16 and 17, were injured inside the SUV. One was unconscious with head trauma; the other suffered injuries to his entire body but remained conscious. Both sustained severe internal injuries. No contributing factors are listed for the passengers. The crash was caused by the truck driver's failure to follow traffic control.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791837 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

Lawmakers wrangle over how to fund the MTA’s crumbling system. Assemblymember Robert Carroll pushes for a higher congestion toll, putting it above his own delivery fee plan. Albany stalls. Riders wait. Infrastructure ages. Danger grows for those outside cars.

""The question is whether we have the political will to collect that [tax] and ensure that it's used to transform the lives of working-class New Yorkers,"" -- Zohran Mamdani

On January 31, 2025, the New York City Council debated MTA funding options. Assemblymember Robert Carroll (District 44) voiced support for increasing the congestion toll, stating it should come before his earlier $3 delivery fee proposal. The debate, covered in the article '5 ways the MTA could get the money it needs to fix aging infrastructure,' highlights the lack of consensus among lawmakers. Governor Hochul’s budget falls short. Senate and Assembly leaders have not chosen a revenue source. Carroll’s stance: 'increasing the congestion toll should come first.' Other options—taxing the rich, payroll tax hikes, vice taxes—face resistance. MTA Chair Janno Lieber urges focus on repairs, not expansion. No direct safety analysis was provided, but the delay in funding leaves vulnerable road users exposed to the risks of failing infrastructure.

• 5 ways the MTA could get the money it needs to fix aging infrastructure, gothamist.com, Published 2025-01-31

Senate bill S 3832 orders advanced safety tech in all New York vehicles. DMV must set rules. Sponsors push for stricter standards. No direct safety impact analysis for pedestrians or cyclists yet.

Senate bill S 3832, now in sponsorship, demands advanced safety technology in all vehicles statewide. The bill instructs the DMV commissioner to create new rules. Filed January 30, 2025. The matter: 'Mandates the use of advanced safety technology in vehicles in the state.' Sponsors are Brad Hoylman-Sigal (primary), Michael Gianaris, and Kristen Gonzalez. No safety analyst has reviewed the bill's impact on vulnerable road users. The measure aims to raise standards but leaves details to future regulations.

• File S 3832, Open States, Published 2025-01-30

A sedan turning right struck a 49-year-old woman crossing Crescent Street outside a crosswalk. She suffered hip and upper leg injuries and shock. The driver’s inattention caused the crash. No vehicle damage was reported despite the impact.

According to the police report, a 2019 Acura sedan driven by a licensed male driver from New Jersey was making a right turn on Crescent Street in Queens at 2:25 p.m. when the collision occurred. The pedestrian, a 49-year-old woman, was crossing the street outside a crosswalk or signal. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg and was in shock, with a minor burn also noted. The vehicle sustained no damage and the point of impact was recorded as 'No Damage.' The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s actions. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in areas with vulnerable pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788836 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Toyota RAV4 jumped the curb on 90th Avenue, slammed into a garage, and collapsed the structure. The driver, Mamadou Barry, was trapped. First responders pulled him out, but he died at the hospital. No other injuries reported.

According to NY Daily News (2025-01-22), Mamadou Barry, 63, was driving his Toyota RAV4 along 90th Ave. in Jamaica, Queens, around 5:20 a.m. when he lost control, hopped a curb at 143rd St., and crashed into a detached garage. The impact caused the garage to collapse onto both his SUV and a parked, unoccupied Prius. Police said Barry was trapped and later died at Jamaica Hospital. The article notes, 'he lost control of the SUV, which went crashing into a detached garage in Queens, police said.' Family members stated Barry had no known medical issues. The cause of the crash remains unclear. No other injuries were reported. The incident highlights the dangers faced by drivers and bystanders in residential areas where structures sit close to the street.

• Uber Driver Dies in Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-22

A 59-year-old woman suffered a head contusion after a sedan hit her at a Queens intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive, striking the pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The victim remained conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling westbound on Northern Blvd in Queens struck a 59-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection while she was crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The sedan's point of impact was the center front end, and despite the collision, the vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. The pedestrian was not at fault; the crash resulted from the driver's errors, highlighting systemic dangers at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787550 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound sedan struck a parked vehicle on its right side doors in Queens. The driver of the parked car, a 45-year-old man, was injured and found semiconscious. Police report illness as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2025 Honda sedan was parked when it was struck on the right side doors by a northbound 2022 Chevrolet sedan traveling straight ahead. The driver of the parked vehicle, a 45-year-old male occupant, was injured and found semiconscious with unknown bodily injuries. The report lists 'Illness' as a contributing factor, indicating a possible medical condition affecting the driver involved. The collision caused damage to the right side doors of the parked car and the left front quarter panel of the moving vehicle. No other contributing factors such as failure to yield or reckless driving were cited. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788834 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped driver suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after a collision in Queens. The crash involved a sedan and occurred during right turns. Police cited improper passing or lane usage as the primary cause, highlighting driver error and systemic risk.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 12 Street near 40 Avenue in Queens at 14:50. The collision involved a sedan and a moped, both traveling east and making right turns. The moped driver, a 30-year-old male, was injured with abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly identifies "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating driver error in lane management. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. There was no vehicle damage reported, and no other contributing factors such as victim behavior were noted. The incident underscores the dangers posed by improper lane use in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786755 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08