Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 9 - Seven lawmakers demand Mayor Adams open the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The project sits finished. Cyclists and walkers still cram into a narrow, crash-prone lane. Delays keep thousands at risk. City Hall stalls. Advocates plan protest. Danger lingers.

On April 9, 2025, seven elected officials—including Council Members Julie Won and Julie Menin—sent a public letter demanding Mayor Adams open the long-promised Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The Department of Transportation had planned to open the dedicated walkway on March 16, but the mayor's office intervened, citing the need for a briefing. The lawmakers wrote, 'The reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory, as all communications from the DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public.' They warned, 'Any further delays to this project that is otherwise ready to open will unnecessarily put at risk the thousands of New Yorkers who cycle and walk the current shared path every day.' The project, in the works since at least 2017, remains stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to share a cramped, hazardous lane. City Hall insists on more review, while advocates plan a protest ribbon-cutting.

• Pols Demand Adams Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 4 - A woman without a license lost control near a Queens school. Her car hit two girls and a man on the sidewalk. The crash broke bones and sent all three to the hospital. Police charged her. Residents demand safer streets.

CBS New York reported on April 4, 2025, that Salmata Bah, driving without a license, struck two girls and a man outside an Astoria elementary school. Police said Bah 'lost control of her Nissan Versa and drove onto the sidewalk,' injuring the pedestrians. The younger girl suffered a broken leg and head injury; the older girl and a 58-year-old man had leg injuries. Bah was charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and driving without a license. She has never held a valid New York driver's license. The Highway Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing how control was lost. Residents called for 'increased safety measures, like speed bumps.' The case highlights ongoing risks from unlicensed drivers and the need for stronger street protections.

• Unlicensed Driver Injures Three in Queens Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 2 - A sedan turned right on Queens Blvd. It struck a westbound e-scooter. The rider, 46, was ejected. He suffered a fractured leg. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield.

A sedan making a right turn on Queens Blvd collided with a westbound e-scooter. The 46-year-old male e-scooter rider was ejected and suffered a fractured leg. According to the police report, the crash resulted from 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The e-scooter was demolished in the impact. The police report does not mention any helmet use or other contributing factors beyond the listed driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803340 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Mar 29 - A young woman on a moped suffered knee and lower leg injuries after crashing at unsafe speed. The impact damaged the front center of the vehicle. Driver inexperience and excessive speed were cited as contributing factors in the police report.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old female moped driver was injured in a crash on 44 Street near 55 Avenue at 2:11 AM. The report states the driver was traveling south, going straight ahead when the collision occurred, impacting the center front end of the moped. The driver sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the crash. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The damage was concentrated on the center front end of the moped, highlighting the severity of the impact. The driver was not using any safety equipment at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Mar 29 - A speeding firefighter ran a red light on Northern Boulevard. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died. The driver was drunk, high, and off duty. He did not help. The city fired him. The family mourns and demands justice.

According to the New York Post (published March 29, 2025), probationary firefighter Michael Pena was fired after he drove drunk and high, ran a red light, and crashed into Justin Diaz’s car in Queens on February 26, 2025. Surveillance footage showed Pena’s Mercedes striking Diaz’s BMW at high speed, sending it skidding down the street. Diaz, 23, died. Pena admitted at the scene, 'I hit him. I ran the red light. And I'm a firefighter.' The FDNY cited conduct rules in his dismissal. The article highlights Pena’s failure to render aid and notes his attempt to invoke his firefighter status. The case raises questions about accountability for city employees and the dangers of impaired, reckless driving on city streets.

• Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Queens Motorist, New York Post, Published 2025-03-29

Mar 28 - A speeding Mercedes ran a red in Queens. The driver, high and drunk, struck a young airport worker headed to his job. The worker died. Two passengers survived. The driver, a probationary firefighter, now faces manslaughter charges.

NY Daily News reported on March 28, 2025, that Michael Pena, a probationary FDNY firefighter, was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter in a Queens crash. Prosecutors said Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and struck Justin Diaz, 23, who had the right-of-way. Pena's blood-alcohol content was 0.156%, nearly double the legal limit, and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. The article states, 'Pena was driving nearly 60 mph above the speed limit after a night of drinking at a bar.' Surveillance footage confirmed the sequence. Two passengers in Pena's car were hospitalized. The crash highlights ongoing risks from impaired and reckless driving, even among public servants.

• Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-28

Mar 19 - A sedan turned right and struck a cyclist riding straight on Queens Blvd. The rider was thrown, suffering knee and leg injuries. No victim error listed. The crash shows the threat turning cars pose to cyclists.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old male bicyclist traveling westbound on 33rd Street was hit by a 2009 Hyundai sedan making a right turn onto Queens Blvd. The sedan's right front bumper struck the bike's center front end. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including abrasions. He was conscious at the scene and wore a helmet. The sedan driver, a licensed New York woman, was executing the turn when the collision occurred. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but identifies the sedan's turning maneuver as the critical action. No cyclist error is cited. The crash highlights the danger turning vehicles pose to cyclists moving straight through intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799978 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Mar 15 - A minivan struck a 78-year-old woman crossing Northern Boulevard. The driver fled. She died at the hospital. Police have not released her name. No arrests. The street stayed open. The city moved on.

According to NY Daily News (published March 15, 2025), a 78-year-old woman was killed crossing Northern Blvd. near Parsons Blvd. in Flushing around 9:30 p.m. Friday. Police said, "A 78-year-old woman was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver as she crossed a Queens street." The dark-colored minivan was traveling west when it hit her mid-block. The driver did not stop. No arrests have been made. The victim was taken to New York Presbyterian-Queens Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her name has not been released. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for pedestrians on major city corridors and the persistent issue of drivers fleeing fatal scenes.

• Elderly Woman Killed In Queens Hit-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-15

Mar 13 - A car hit a man and a child in Flushing. The man lay trapped under the vehicle. Both went to the hospital. The man’s injuries were critical. The driver stayed at the scene. Police are still investigating.

ABC7 reported on March 13, 2025, that a car struck two pedestrians at 32nd Avenue and 138th Street in Queens. Police found an adult man pinned under the vehicle and a child, aged 8 to 10, also injured. Both were hospitalized, with the man in critical condition. The article states, 'Police responded...and found an adult man pinned under a vehicle.' The driver remained at the scene, and the investigation continues. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at city intersections. No charges or details on driver actions were released at the time of reporting.

• Man And Child Struck In Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-03-13

Mar 4 - A drunk, speeding firefighter ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died. He was 23. His family buried him with his new degree. The firefighter faces charges. The street remains unchanged.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-04), Justin Diaz, 23, was killed when an off-duty FDNY firefighter, Michael Pena, sped through a red light at 83 mph in a 25 mph zone and struck Diaz’s BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd. Diaz was heading to work at LaGuardia Airport. Prosecutors say Pena was drunk, high on cocaine and marijuana, and refused a breath test. His blood-alcohol content was 0.156 percent. Surveillance footage confirmed Diaz had the right-of-way. The article notes, 'The victim had the right-of-way, and Pena ran a steady red light, prosecutors say.' Pena was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI. His license was suspended. The case highlights ongoing dangers for New York City road users and questions about bail and accountability for reckless drivers.

• Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Airport Worker, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-04

Mar 1 - A distracted pick-up truck driver hit a pedestrian off the roadway in Queens. Both the pedestrian and the driver suffered serious injuries. The truck’s right side was damaged; the pedestrian was bruised but conscious after the impact.

According to the police report, just after midnight in Queens on 48 Street near Skillman Avenue, a 24-year-old licensed male driver traveling south in a 2022 Toyota pick-up truck struck a 45-year-old male pedestrian who was not in the roadway. The truck sustained damage to its right side doors. The driver was semiconscious with injuries to his entire body and complaints of pain or nausea. The pedestrian was conscious but suffered contusions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The driver was going straight ahead at the time. No contributing factors were listed for the pedestrian. The collision also involved a sedan, but primary impact and injuries centered on the truck and pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796151 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Feb 28 - A speeding Mercedes tore through a red light in Queens. The driver, off-duty FDNY, struck a BMW. The crash ripped off the roof. The 23-year-old inside died. The firefighter stayed at the scene, reeking of alcohol, unsteady, charged with manslaughter.

ABC7 reported on February 28, 2025, that off-duty firefighter Michael Pena was arraigned after a fatal crash in East Elmhurst, Queens. Prosecutors say Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and t-boned a BMW, killing 23-year-old Justin Diaz. The article quotes DA Melinda Katz: "An FDNY firefighter who was off duty is accused of driving under the influence, running a steady red light and slamming into a 23-year-old motorist, killing him, as he drove more than three times the posted speed limit." Pena's blood alcohol content was .156 percent, and he allegedly had drugs in his system. The BMW was sent flying into a parked car, its roof torn off. Pena faces manslaughter and related charges. The case highlights the lethal risk of extreme speeding and impaired driving on city streets.

• Firefighter Charged After Deadly Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-02-28

Feb 27 - A firefighter, drunk and high, sped through a red light at 83 mph. He smashed into Justin Diaz’s BMW. Diaz died. The crash tore a family apart. The driver walked free on bail. The street stayed deadly.

NY Daily News reported on February 27, 2025, that off-duty FDNY firefighter Michael Pena, 28, killed 23-year-old Justin Diaz in Queens. Prosecutors said Pena was drunk, high on cocaine and marijuana, and driving 83 mph in a 25 mph zone when he ran a red light and struck Diaz’s BMW. Surveillance footage showed the Mercedes 'barreled through an East Elmhurst intersection' at 4:15 a.m. Diaz, headed to work at LaGuardia, died at the scene. Pena refused a breath test; a blood draw later confirmed drug use. He was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to submit to testing, but posted $50,000 bail. The article highlights family grief and outrage at bail laws, quoting Diaz’s brother: 'Pena will walk the streets for a $50,000 bail... Justin will never walk the streets again.'

• Drunk Firefighter Kills Driver In Queens, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-27

Feb 26 - A firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. His Mercedes slammed into a BMW. The BMW driver died. The firefighter, drunk, refused a breath test. Passengers hurt. Bystanders rushed to help. The street stayed deadly, silent after.

According to NY Daily News (2025-02-26), FDNY firefighter Michael Pena, 28, faces charges after allegedly running a red light while intoxicated and T-boning a BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd., East Elmhurst. The crash killed 23-year-old Justin Diaz. Surveillance video showed Pena's Mercedes plowing into Diaz's BMW, which then struck a parked minivan. Pena refused a breath test and was uninjured. Two Mercedes passengers were hospitalized. The article notes, 'The FDNY stated Pena will be suspended without pay for 28 days during the investigation.' Video evidence indicated Diaz entered the intersection legally, with the pedestrian signal allowing crossing. The incident highlights the lethal risk of speeding and red-light running, even in early morning hours.

• FDNY Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-26

Feb 21 - A 29-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan backed into him on 30 Place in Queens. The driver’s inattention and unsafe backing caused the collision, striking the pedestrian emerging from behind a parked vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 30 Place in Queens around 11:00 AM. A 29-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2018 Toyota sedan traveling south backed into him. The pedestrian was emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle when the collision happened. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center back end of the sedan, which sustained damage in the same area. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The data highlights the driver's failure to maintain attention and safely back the vehicle, directly causing harm to the vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Feb 14 - 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

Feb 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

Feb 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