Three Dead, Hundreds Hurt—City Lets Blood Spill on Jackson Avenue

Aug 29 - A pickup swung right on Borden Avenue and struck a westbound motorcycle at 27th Street. The rider went down. He was injured. The truck kept its sheet metal; the man wore a helmet. Distraction was cited. Queens pavement took the blow.

A pickup truck turning right on Borden Avenue at 27th Street hit a westbound motorcycle. The motorcyclist was injured with a leg abrasion; the truck driver was unhurt. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Driver Inattention/Distraction.” That points to a driver who failed to see and yielded the lane to a through rider. The report lists the truck making a right turn and the motorcycle going straight. After the driver error, the report notes the motorcyclist wore a helmet. No pedestrians were struck. The scene sits in the 108th Precinct in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4838351 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 13 - A westbound sedan on the Long Island Expressway suffered a tire failure and crashed. A 33-year-old rear passenger suffered an abrasion and lower-leg pain. The driver was not reported injured.

The driver of a 2019 Cadillac sedan was traveling west on the Long Island Expressway when the vehicle experienced a tire failure and crashed. One left rear passenger, a 33-year-old man, was injured with an abrasion and knee/lower-leg pain; the driver was not reported injured. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Tire Failure/Inadequate." The report notes pre-crash travel as going straight ahead and lists point of impact and damage at the center front end. The driver held a valid NY license. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The passenger was reported wearing a lap belt and harness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835026 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 13 - A driver struck a man crossing 155th Street near JFK. The car sped off. Medics rushed the victim to the hospital. He died. Police searched for footage. No arrests. The street stayed silent.

NY Daily News (2025-08-13) reports a 52-year-old man was killed crossing 155th St. at South Conduit Ave. near JFK Airport around 2:30 a.m. The driver hit the man and fled. Police said, "The driver sped off without stopping. No arrests have been made." Officers searched for surveillance footage to identify the vehicle. The article notes 68 pedestrians have died in city crashes this year. The hit-and-run highlights ongoing dangers for those on foot and the challenge of holding drivers accountable.

• Queens Hit-And-Run Kills Pedestrian Near JFK, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-13

Aug 12 - A car tore through an Astoria intersection. It struck a food truck. Two men died on the sidewalk. The driver died too. Metal, flesh, coffee, blood. The street swallowed them. It happened fast. No one stood a chance.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-12), an 84-year-old driver sped through 42nd Street and 19th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, crashing into a food truck and killing two customers and himself. Surveillance showed the car "going about 60 miles an hour" before impact. The article quotes a witness: "Someone screamed really loudly, and I just had stepped back, like right up to the sidewalk." The force severed a victim's foot. The crash highlights the lethal risk when drivers lose control at high speed in pedestrian zones. No charges were filed; the driver died at the scene.

• Speeding Car Slams Food Truck, Kills Two, New York Post, Published 2025-08-12

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 8 - DOT sides with car-first politicians. Daylighting stalls. Corners stay blind. Pedestrians and cyclists lose. Safety takes a back seat. The city’s most vulnerable pay the price.

""It isn’t unreasonable to invest under $10k to save the lives of children and all pedestrians with daylighting?"" -- Julie Won

On August 8, 2025, Streetsblog NYC covered the clash over universal daylighting. No bill number or committee listed. DOT’s report claimed high costs and little safety gain, fueling opposition from Council Members Inna Vernikov, Bob Holden, and Vito Fossella. Council Member Julie Won and Mayor Ravi Bhalla called the report a scare tactic, urging citywide daylighting to save lives. DOT’s compromise with pro-car officials weakens protections. As safety analyst notes, this shift prioritizes cars over people, undermining vulnerable road user safety and citywide mode shift goals.

• We Told You So! DOT’s Anti-Daylighting ‘Scare Tactic’ Now Fuels Pro-Car Pols, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 5 - Driver going straight hit two people outside an intersection by 2 Court Sq. Both suffered leg injuries; the woman had a fracture. Police recorded driver inattention. A parked sedan was involved.

A driver going straight hit two pedestrians outside an intersection near 2 Court Sq in Queens. The victims were a 46-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man. Both were conscious. Both suffered leg injuries; the woman had a fracture. According to the police report, “Driver Inattention/Distraction” was listed as a contributing factor. The crash involved two sedans. One sedan was parked and showed rear damage. The moving sedan had no listed damage. Police recorded driver inattention. No injuries were reported to vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833055 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 3 - Council weighs a 20-foot parking ban at crosswalks. Supporters say it saves lives. Critics warn of lost parking and risk. Streets stand at a crossroads.

""Universal daylighting and hardening at intersections will keep all New Yorkers safe whether they are driving, walking or biking,"" -- Julie Won

Intro. 1138, now before the City Council as of August 3, 2025, targets cars parked within 20 feet of crosswalks. The transportation committee leads the review. The bill's summary: 'ban vehicles from parking within 20 feet of crosswalks to improve visibility and street safety.' Council Member Barbara Russo-Lennon supports the measure. Council Member Julie Won and advocates back it. DOT officials and some lawmakers oppose, citing cost and risk. The bill could cut 300,000 parking spots. Banning parking near intersections improves visibility for all road users, reducing collisions and making streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, even if it reduces parking.

• NYC to lose 300,000 parking spots in City Council bid to boost street safety, AMNY, Published 2025-08-03

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 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 30 - Council moves to ban parking near corners. Sightlines clear. Crashes drop. Pedestrians and cyclists breathe easier. DOT doubts linger. Advocates press on. Streets could change fast.

"Won criticized the report as "deeply flawed" at a Transportation Committee hearing in April." -- Julie Won

On July 30, 2025, the NYC Council Progressive Caucus made a major push for Intro 1138, a bill to ban parking within 20 feet of intersections. The measure sits with the Transportation Committee. Council Member Julie Won introduced it after deadly crashes in her district. Eighteen caucus members back the bill, aiming to force a vote this year. The matter: 'eliminate parking within 20 feet of an intersection.' Council Member Sandy Nurse called daylighting 'a proven, effective way to make our streets safer.' DOT raised doubts about non-hardened daylighting, but safety analysts say restricting parking near intersections improves visibility, reduces collisions, and protects people on foot and bike.

• NYC Council Progressive Caucus to make push for universal daylighting in 2025, City & State NY, Published 2025-07-30

Jul 25 - A BMW sedan hit a woman and child crossing Jackson Ave. Both suffered head injuries. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

A BMW sedan traveling west on Jackson Ave struck a 25-year-old woman and a 4-year-old girl as they crossed at the intersection with 49 Ave. Both pedestrians suffered head injuries; the woman had minor bleeding, the child abrasions. According to the police report, driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way contributed to the crash. The driver was licensed and wore a seatbelt. No injuries were reported among vehicle occupants. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830278 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 11 - A sedan and motorcycle collided on 29th Street at 47th Avenue. One motorcyclist suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver inattention as a factor. Streets failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan and a motorcycle crashed on 29th Street at 47th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the collision involved driver inattention or distraction. The 35-year-old male motorcyclist was injured, sustaining a contusion to his arm. The sedan driver was licensed; the motorcyclist was unlicensed. No other injuries were reported. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. Streets again left a vulnerable road user hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826738 - 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 - 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 - 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