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

State lawmakers Mamdani and Gianaris unveiled a four-year plan to fund free MTA buses. The proposal boosts bus service, freezes fares, and expands camera enforcement. They call it urgent. The plan aims to make transit faster, cheaper, and safer for all riders.

On December 14, 2022, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and State Senator Michael Gianaris introduced the Formula Three Act, a legislative proposal to overhaul MTA funding and fare policy. The plan, part of the larger Fix The MTA Package, would phase in free local and Select Bus Service, increase bus frequency by 20%, freeze fares, and expand permanent bus lane camera enforcement. Funding would rise from $200 million in 2023 to $638 million in 2026, with $488 million yearly for more buses and $300 million annually for frequent subways. Mamdani called the proposal 'urgent and necessary,' stressing that 'seniors, working class New Yorkers, people who use the bus the most are able to do so without fear of being priced out.' Gianaris said, 'incrementalism...is not working.' The lawmakers urge bold action to ensure public transit is accessible, affordable, and excellent.

• State Pols Reveal ‘Urgent And Necessary’ Plan To Fund Free MTA Buses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-12-14

Two sedans traveling east on 42 Road crashed head-on. Both drivers were men, licensed in New York. One driver suffered chest contusions but remained conscious. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. Driver distraction caused the collision.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 42 Road in Queens. Both drivers were traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of one vehicle and the right front bumper of the other. One driver, a 62-year-old man, was injured with chest contusions but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both drivers. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The crash caused damage to the front ends of both vehicles. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4585027 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Lawmakers and advocates rallied in Manhattan. They demanded more money for the MTA. They want six-minute bus and subway service. They warned against service cuts and fare hikes. They called for gas tax revenue to fund transit. Riders need safe, frequent service.

On November 17, 2022, state legislators and transit advocates pressed for increased MTA funding and six-minute off-peak service. The push comes ahead of the next budget cycle. Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani and Amanda Septimo, State Senator Andrew Gounardes, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher led the call. Mamdani said, 'If we implement six-minute service, the consequences would be felt for riders across all aspects of their life.' Septimo called transit an economic and racial justice issue. Gounardes urged the governor to include MTA funding in the initial budget. Gallagher criticized the gas tax holiday, urging funds go to transit. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber warned that cuts or fare hikes would devastate working- and middle-class New Yorkers. The group demanded action to protect and improve transit for all riders.

• Legislators and Advocates Press Case For MTA Rescue And Six-Minute Service, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-17

A 60-year-old man was hit by an SUV while crossing 11 Street with the signal in Queens. The driver was making a left turn and distracted. The pedestrian suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. The vehicle's front center was damaged.

According to the police report, a 60-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing 11 Street at an intersection in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2021 Audi SUV, driven by a licensed female driver making a left turn, struck him. The impact was to the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or pedestrian error were noted. The vehicle damage was centered on the front end, indicating a direct collision with the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4580151 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan plowed into a motorscooter on Thomson Avenue. The scooter driver flew off, hit the ground, and suffered leg wounds. Police blamed traffic control disregard. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Thomson Avenue struck a motorscooter heading north. The motorscooter driver, a 48-year-old man, was ejected and suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, along with abrasions. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor, pointing to a driver error involving ignored signals or signs. The sedan’s right front bumper hit the scooter’s left side. Both drivers were licensed. The scooter driver wore a helmet, but the crash stemmed from the sedan driver’s failure to obey traffic control.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4578592 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 25-year-old male e-bike rider was partially ejected and injured on Vernon Boulevard. The crash involved a reaction to an uninvolved vehicle. The rider suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The bike’s left front quarter panel was damaged.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male e-bike rider was injured after reacting to an uninvolved vehicle on Vernon Boulevard. The rider was partially ejected from the bike, sustaining abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The crash damaged the bike’s left front quarter panel. The contributing factor listed was "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle," indicating the rider’s response to another vehicle not directly involved in the collision. The rider was wearing a helmet at the time. No other driver errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575370 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 43-year-old male occupant suffered hip and upper leg injuries in a collision on the Long Island Expressway. The SUV struck the rear of a parked pickup truck. Glare and a defective tow hitch contributed to the crash. The injured occupant was in shock.

According to the police report, a 2019 SUV traveling east on the Long Island Expressway collided with a parked 2012 pickup truck. The point of impact was the SUV's right front bumper striking the center back end of the pickup. The injured party was a 43-year-old male occupant in the SUV, who sustained hip and upper leg injuries and was not ejected. Contributing factors included glare and a defective tow hitch. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The pickup was parked at the time of the crash. No victim fault or helmet use was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4575042 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 31-year-old man was hit crossing 42 Road in a marked crosswalk. The SUV struck him on the left side. He suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. The driver failed to yield and showed aggressive driving. The pedestrian was conscious.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing 42 Road at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The driver of a station wagon/SUV traveling west struck the pedestrian on the vehicle's left side doors. The pedestrian sustained a fractured and dislocated lower arm and elbow. The report lists driver errors including Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Aggressive Driving/Road Rage. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4567719 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

An e-scooter rider collided with an SUV on Vernon Boulevard in Queens. The rider suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The SUV showed no damage. Police cited driver inattention as a factor. The rider wore a helmet and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old male e-scooter driver traveling south on Vernon Boulevard collided with a southbound SUV. The e-scooter rider sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm, resulting in injury severity level 3 and shock. The SUV had no visible damage. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. The e-scooter rider was wearing a helmet and was not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors were specified. The collision occurred at the left side doors of the e-scooter and the right front quarter panel of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4566126 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

StreetsPAC called for voters to oust State Sen. Kevin Parker. They backed Kaegan Mays-Williams for her push on protected bike lanes and bus network redesign. Parker ignored safety questions. StreetsPAC praised other candidates who fight for safer streets and transit.

On August 9, 2022, StreetsPAC, New York City's safe streets political action committee, issued an endorsement urging Central Brooklyn voters to retire State Sen. Kevin Parker. The group backed Kaegan Mays-Williams, citing her support for redesigning Brooklyn's bus network and expanding protected bike lanes. StreetsPAC Executive Director Eric McClure said, 'She supports redesigning Brooklyn's bus network to simplify routes and speed commutes.' Parker did not respond to StreetsPAC's request for information and has a record of negative incidents. Mays-Williams stressed the need for dependable public transit and safer cycling. StreetsPAC also highlighted the safety records of Andrew Gounardes, Angel Vasquez, Jabori Brisport, Rajiv Gowda, Christian Amato, and Kristen Gonzalez, noting their support for speed cameras, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and transit improvements. The endorsement signals a clear push for candidates who prioritize vulnerable road users.

• StreetsPAC to Central Brooklyn Voters: Retire State Sen. Kevin Parker Now!, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-08-09

A Porsche SUV hit a man on a Ninebot scooter at Vernon Boulevard and 44th Drive. The rider, unlicensed and helmetless, was ejected. His skull shattered. He died at 30. The scooter lay wrecked. The street stayed silent.

A deadly crash unfolded at Vernon Boulevard and 44th Drive in Queens. According to the police report, a Porsche SUV collided with a Ninebot e-scooter. The scooter rider, a 30-year-old man, was unlicensed and wore no helmet. He was ejected on impact, suffered fatal head injuries, and died at the scene. The SUV’s right front bumper struck the scooter’s right side. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The scooter was demolished. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The police report offers no further details on driver actions or errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4549374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A motorcycle and a bike collided head-on on 11 Street in Queens. The motorcycle carried two men; the bike had one rider. The rear passenger on the motorcycle suffered a hip and upper leg injury. Driver distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, a motorcycle and a bike traveling south on 11 Street collided front to front. The motorcycle had two occupants; the bike had one rider. The rear passenger on the motorcycle, a 32-year-old man wearing a helmet, was injured with contusions to his hip and upper leg. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for the crash. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision caused center front-end damage to both vehicles. No ejections occurred. The injured passenger remained conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4537890 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-06-02

Assemblyman Mamdani and Senator Hoylman push for cameras in 50 protected bike lanes. Drivers who block lanes face $50 fines. DOT backs the plan. Lawmakers say enforcement is needed. Cyclists face danger daily. Cameras promise real consequences for reckless drivers.

Assembly Bill, proposed June 2, 2022, by Zohran Mamdani (District 36) and co-sponsored by Brad Hoylman, seeks to deploy automated enforcement cameras at 50 protected bike lanes. The bill aims to fine drivers $50 for each infraction, targeting those who block or drive in bike lanes. The matter summary states: 'NYC pols propose traffic cameras to deter drivers from using bike lanes.' Mamdani and Hoylman argue that enforcement is critical, with Mamdani stating, 'You consistently see cars driving in the bike lane. We know that these cameras work to deter drivers from breaking the law.' DOT supports the measure, calling it 'life-saving automated enforcement technology.' The bill awaits City Council approval, with Mamdani pledging to advance it through the summer and fall.

• NYC pols propose traffic cameras to deter drivers from using bike lanes, nypost.com, Published 2022-06-02

Senate passed S 5602 to keep school zone speed cameras running longer. More eyes on reckless drivers. Lawmakers push back against speeding near kids. The vote was clear. The danger remains.

Bill S 5602, titled 'Relates to the hours of operation of a school zone speed camera demonstration program,' passed the Senate on May 25, 2022, and the Assembly on June 2, 2022. The bill extends the hours that speed cameras operate in New York City school zones. Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, with co-sponsors Biaggi, Cleare, Gianaris, Hoylman, Jackson, Kavanagh, Krueger, Myrie, Persaud, Ramos, Rivera, and Sepulveda. The measure saw strong support in both chambers, despite some opposition. The bill aims to keep cameras watching when children are at risk. More enforcement, more accountability. The fight for safer streets continues.

• File S 5602, Open States, Published 2022-05-25

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

Albany passed A 8936. Cities get more state cash if they build complete streets. Lawmakers want safer roads. The bill sailed through both chambers. Money now follows safety.

Bill A 8936, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' passed the Assembly on May 23, 2022, and the Senate on June 1, 2022. The bill boosts state funding for transportation projects when municipalities add complete street features. Assemblymember Fahy led as primary sponsor, joined by Hunter, Seawright, Woerner, and others. The Assembly and Senate both voted yes, with broad support. The law aims to push cities to design streets for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers—by tying state dollars to safety upgrades.

• File A 8936, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-05-23

A 35-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Jackson Avenue in Queens. The SUV driver made a U-turn and struck the cyclist’s front end. The bicyclist suffered bruises and arm injuries but remained conscious. Driver distraction was a key factor.

According to the police report, a 2019 Volvo SUV was making a U-turn on Jackson Avenue in Queens when it collided with a bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The bicyclist, a 35-year-old man wearing a helmet, sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. The SUV’s left front quarter panel struck the center front end of the bicycle. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the impact. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4524032 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Albany slashed the gas tax. Critics say it boosts driving, cuts transit funds, and worsens air. Councilmember Mamdani voted no. Advocates slam the move as reckless. Congestion pricing still waits. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On April 8, 2022, Governor Hochul signed a budget bill eliminating New York State’s gas tax. The measure passed quickly, bypassing lengthy review. The bill’s summary: relief from rising fuel prices. Councilmember Zohran Kwame Mamdani voted against it, citing environmental and equity harms: “This subsidizes the fossil fuel industry by $585M... I voted no.” Advocates like Danny Pearlstein (Riders Alliance) and Eric McClure (StreetsPAC) condemned the holiday as bad policy, warning it undercuts transit funding and encourages driving. Kate Slevin (Regional Plan Association) questioned future road repair funding. Meanwhile, congestion pricing—meant to cut traffic and fund transit—remains stalled. The swift gas tax cut, critics say, leaves vulnerable road users exposed to more cars, more danger, and less support.

• Outrage Builds Over ‘Magic Wand’ Gas Tax Holiday as State Studies Congestion Pricing for Years, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-04-08