Five Dead in East Elmhurst—City Stalls, Families Grieve, Speed Kills

A sedan made an improper left turn on 87 Street in Queens. It struck a motorcycle traveling straight east. The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered a neck injury and bruises. Both vehicles sustained front and rear quarter damage.

According to the police report, a sedan was making a left turn on 87 Street when it collided with a motorcycle traveling straight ahead. The motorcyclist, a 38-year-old man wearing a helmet, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained a neck injury and contusions. The report lists "Turning Improperly" as the contributing factor for the crash. The sedan's right rear quarter panel and the motorcycle's center front end were damaged. The motorcyclist was conscious after the crash but injured. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling east, as was the motorcyclist. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662691 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two SUVs collided on Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The front passenger in the struck vehicle suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash happened as one driver followed too closely, causing a rear-end impact. Passenger distraction also contributed.

According to the police report, two SUVs traveling west on Astoria Boulevard collided when one vehicle rear-ended the other. The front passenger in the struck SUV, a 53-year-old man, was injured with back pain and whiplash. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Passenger Distraction' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the center front end of the striking vehicle and the center back end of the struck vehicle. Both drivers were licensed and driving straight ahead. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles' rear and front ends respectively.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657310 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council and advocates clash over mopeds, e-bikes, and delivery safety. Cars still kill most. Workers ride illegal mopeds for survival. Tech giants dodge blame. Council calls for more bike lanes, charging stations, and corporate accountability. Enforcement alone cannot fix broken streets.

"The solution here is for the delivery app companies, Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash, to actually overhaul them. It’s not fair that the deliveristas are underpaid, and then on top of that, have to buy their own whatever it is, an e-bike. I don’t blame them for making this switch." -- Jessica Ramos

On August 23, 2023, Council Member Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47) and others debated New York City’s so-called 'moped crisis.' The matter, titled 'The City Needs a Systemic Fix, Justice for Workers and Accountability by Tech Giants,' exposes how delivery workers, squeezed by low pay and unsafe roads, turn to illegal mopeds. Council Member Alexa Aviles demanded rapid expansion of e-bike charging stations and resources for workers. State Sen. Jessica Ramos blamed app companies for shifting costs onto underpaid deliveristas. Advocacy leaders like Carl Mahaney rejected crackdowns, calling for dedicated space instead. Jon Orcutt criticized City Hall’s blindspot on traffic rules. The debate centered on expanding bike lanes, building charging infrastructure, holding tech companies accountable, and buyback programs for unsafe batteries. No direct safety analyst assessment was provided, but the discussion highlights deep systemic failures endangering vulnerable road users.

• The Moped Crisis — An Analysis: The City Needs a Systemic Fix, Justice for Workers and Accountability by Tech Giants, streetsblog.org, Published 2023-08-23

Delivery workers ride mopeds on dangerous streets. Tech giants profit. City infrastructure lags. Cars and trucks kill most. Enforcement is scattershot. Officials call for safe lanes, charging stations, and real accountability. The crisis demands a fix beyond punishing workers.

This policy debate, published August 23, 2023, analyzes New York City’s 'moped crisis.' The article, reviewed by Streetsblog NYC, highlights systemic failures: unsafe streets, lack of charging infrastructure, and tech companies shifting risk onto underpaid delivery workers. Council Member Alexa Aviles urges rapid expansion of e-bike charging stations and blames corporate greed. State Senators Jessica Ramos and Brad Hoylman-Sigal call for industry accountability and a standardized, safe delivery vehicle. The matter summary states, 'The city needs a systemic fix, justice for workers and accountability by tech giants.' Advocacy groups reject punitive crackdowns on workers, pushing instead for expanded bike lanes and public infrastructure. The piece concludes that only a multi-pronged, structural approach—never just enforcement—will protect vulnerable road users and delivery workers alike.

• The Moped Crisis — An Analysis: The City Needs a Systemic Fix, Justice for Workers and Accountability by Tech Giants, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-23

A permit-holding SUV driver struck a sedan turning left on Astoria Boulevard. The impact hit the sedan’s right front quarter panel. A 16-year-old rear passenger suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Driver inexperience contributed to the collision.

According to the police report, a 2016 Nissan SUV driven by a permit-holding male driver traveling east collided with a 2010 Mercedes sedan making a left turn westbound on Astoria Boulevard. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the sedan and the left front bumper of the SUV. The sedan carried three occupants; a 16-year-old male rear passenger was injured with contusions to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor. The SUV driver’s permit status and the sedan driver’s left turn maneuver were key elements in the crash. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655679 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two sedans smashed on Junction Boulevard. One driver suffered head wounds and bled. Alcohol played a role. The injured man was incoherent, unprotected. Metal twisted on both cars’ left sides.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Junction Boulevard in Queens. A 47-year-old male driver was injured, suffering head trauma and minor bleeding. He was incoherent and wore no safety equipment. Alcohol involvement was listed as a contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained damage to their left sides, pointing to a side impact. The report notes unspecified contributing factors but does not assign blame to the injured driver. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653986 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 57-year-old man crossing Ditmars Boulevard was hit by an SUV traveling west. The impact struck the pedestrian’s abdomen and pelvis, causing internal injuries. The man remained conscious but seriously hurt at the scene.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Ditmars Boulevard at an intersection when he was struck by a westbound 2020 Honda SUV. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian at the center front end, causing injuries to his abdomen and pelvis. The pedestrian suffered internal injuries and was conscious after the crash. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication. No safety equipment or helmet was noted. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654116 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two sedans crashed at 92 Street and 24 Avenue in Queens. Both drivers were male and licensed. One driver suffered a head contusion but was conscious and restrained. The crash involved disregard of traffic control. Damage hit front bumpers on both vehicles.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 92 Street near 24 Avenue in Queens. Both drivers were male, licensed, and traveling straight ahead. The impact occurred at the right front bumper of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. One 23-year-old driver was injured, sustaining a head contusion but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652964 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two sedans collided on 94 Street in Queens. Five occupants suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved a left-turning sedan and a straight-moving sedan. Driver inattention was a cited factor. All occupants were conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 94 Street in Queens at 7:49 p.m. One vehicle was making a left turn while the other was going straight ahead. Five occupants were injured, all suffering neck injuries and whiplash. The injured included the drivers and passengers of both vehicles. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. The left-turning sedan sustained damage to its right side doors, and the other sedan had front-end damage. All occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction in multi-occupant vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649019 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan struck a parked sedan on Grand Central Parkway. The moving driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited following too closely as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage. The driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Grand Central Parkway rear-ended a parked sedan. The driver of the moving vehicle, a male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the primary contributing factor. The collision caused center front end damage to the moving sedan and center back end damage to the parked vehicle. The driver was conscious and not ejected. No other persons were reported injured. The crash occurred during a merging maneuver. No victim fault or helmet use is mentioned in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652932 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A motorcycle struck a taxi making a left turn on Astoria Boulevard. The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries. The rider was unlicensed and unhelmeted. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way and other vehicular errors by the taxi driver.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling west on Astoria Boulevard collided with a northbound taxi making a left turn. The motorcycle driver, a 32-year-old male, was ejected and sustained head injuries. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way and other vehicular factors as contributing causes. The taxi driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The motorcyclist was unlicensed and not wearing safety equipment. The point of impact was the taxi's right front bumper and the motorcycle's center front end. The crash occurred near 94th Street in Queens. The motorcyclist was the sole occupant of his vehicle and was injured internally. The taxi had one occupant, the driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648068 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 49-year-old man was struck at the intersection of 88 Street and Astoria Boulevard in Queens. He suffered a head injury and was semiconscious with minor bleeding. The vehicle involved was unspecified. No driver errors were reported.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 88 Street and Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The victim, a 49-year-old male, sustained a head injury and was semiconscious with minor bleeding. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle type are provided. The pedestrian's actions are unknown, and no safety equipment or helmet use is mentioned. The report focuses solely on the injury and location without assigning fault or cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641921 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

A motorcycle and sedan crashed at 102 Street and Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The sedan driver, 65, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited traffic control disregard as a factor. Both vehicles struck front center, damaging the sedan’s left doors.

According to the police report, a collision occurred between a motorcycle and a sedan in Queens at 102 Street and Astoria Boulevard. The sedan driver, a 65-year-old man, was injured with back pain and whiplash. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating a driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. The sedan was traveling south, and the motorcycle east, both going straight ahead before impact. The sedan sustained damage to its left side doors, while the motorcycle was damaged at its center front end. The driver of the sedan was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4635073 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-06-01

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-05-22

A sedan struck the rear of a stopped vehicle on 88 Street near Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The driver, a 33-year-old man, suffered bruises and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The crash occurred at 2:20 a.m. following too closely.

According to the police report, a 2016 Honda sedan traveling east on 88 Street rear-ended a stopped vehicle near Astoria Boulevard in Queens. The driver, a 33-year-old man, was injured with contusions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The point of impact was the center back end of the sedan. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633421 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16