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

Six mayoral hopefuls vow to fix New York’s crawling buses. They promise more bus lanes, tougher enforcement, and faster boarding. Each candidate slams City Hall’s slow pace. Riders wait. Cars clog the lanes. The city’s most vulnerable pay the price.

Mayoral Question 2, posed to 2025 candidates, asks how they will address New York City’s slow bus system. The candidates—Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, Whitney Tilson, Zellnor Myrie, and Zohran Mamdani—support more dedicated bus lanes, stronger enforcement, and faster boarding. Scott Stringer calls for 'dedicated bus lanes, more enforcement, more shelters, better curbs, more transit signal priority, all-door boarding, and more frequent off-peak services.' Ramos blasts DOT for building only 23 of 150 mandated bus miles. Myrie pledges to exceed the city’s 30-mile annual target. Lander wants immediate all-door boarding and new busways. Mamdani promises rapid expansion and free buses. Each candidate frames bus reform as urgent, with vulnerable riders suffering most from delays and car dominance. The city’s next mayor will shape the streets—and the safety of those who use them.

• Decision 2025: Mayoral Question 2 Seeks Answers on Slow Buses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-05

Candidates faced the facts. Buses crawl. Streets choke. Each hopeful promised faster rides, more lanes, tougher enforcement. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. No action yet. No relief for those on foot or bike. Words, not change.

On May 5, 2025, Streetsblog NYC hosted a mayoral forum focused on bus service. The event, titled 'Decision 2025: Mayoral Question 2 Seeks Answers on Slow Buses,' asked candidates how they would fix New York’s slowest-in-the-nation bus system. Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, Whitney Tilson, Zellnor Myrie, and Zohran Mamdani answered. They called for more bus lanes, stronger enforcement, and faster service. No council bill was introduced; this was a public policy test, not legislation. According to the safety analyst, the event discussed bus speeds but did not specify any policy action affecting pedestrians or cyclists, so no direct safety impact can be assessed. The debate showed urgency but left vulnerable road users waiting for real change.

• Decision 2025: Mayoral Question 2 Seeks Answers on Slow Buses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-05

A sedan hit a stopped e-bike on Astoria Blvd. The e-bike rider suffered a leg injury. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The crash left one person hurt.

A sedan traveling east on Astoria Blvd struck an e-bike that was stopped in traffic. The e-bike rider, a 39-year-old man, suffered a contusion to his lower leg. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' contributed to the crash. The sedan's front end hit the back of the e-bike. No other injuries were reported. The data lists no helmet or signal issues. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to pay attention and lack experience.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810089 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.

ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.

• Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-05-02

Mayoral hopefuls call for more bus lanes, protected bike lanes, and pedestrian space. They defend congestion pricing. They want fewer cars, more transit, and safer streets. Each promises to fight federal threats and push for citywide changes that put people first.

This is a candidate policy statement for the 2025 mayoral race, published May 2, 2025, by Streetsblog NYC. The questionnaire asks, 'Now that congestion pricing is operating in New York City, what should the city government do to build on its success in reducing Manhattan traffic?' Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, and Whitney Tilson all support congestion pricing, bus rapid transit, protected bike lanes, and pedestrianization. Stringer promises a full bus network overhaul and more protected lanes. Myrie vows to defend congestion pricing from federal attacks. Ramos pushes for Bus Rapid Transit in all boroughs. Lander calls for pedestrianizing Lower Manhattan. Tilson wants dynamic pricing and expansion citywide. The candidates agree: fewer cars, more transit, safer streets for all.

• Decision 2025: Our Mayoral Questionnaire Begins … With a Question on Traffic, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-02

Streetsblog grilled mayoral hopefuls on congestion pricing. The question was sharp. Congestion pricing cuts traffic. What comes after? Candidates must answer. Streets stay deadly. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action. The city’s future hangs in the balance.

On May 2, 2025, Streetsblog NYC launched a mayoral policy debate, pressing candidates on congestion pricing. The event was not a council bill, but a public challenge. Streetsblog asked: 'Now that congestion pricing is operating in New York City, what should the city government do to build on its success in reducing Manhattan traffic?' Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, and Whitney Tilson responded, each supporting congestion pricing and further transit investment. Streetsblog’s demand was clear—protect vulnerable road users. The safety analyst notes that congestion pricing reduces car traffic, lowers crash risk for pedestrians and cyclists, encourages mode shift, and opens the door for street redesigns that put vulnerable users first. The debate underscores urgency: congestion pricing helps, but more must be done to make streets safe for all.

• Decision 2025: Our Mayoral Questionnaire Begins … With a Question on Traffic, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-02

A motorcycle struck a sedan on Grand Central Parkway. Pavement was slick. One man suffered a leg injury. Both drivers licensed. No pedestrians involved. Danger came fast and hard.

A motorcycle and a sedan collided on Grand Central Parkway at 94th Street in Queens. According to the police report, pavement was slippery at the time of the crash. The 44-year-old motorcycle driver was injured, sustaining a contusion to his lower leg. The sedan driver, age 31, was not reported injured. Both vehicles were traveling east. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as the main contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The motorcycle driver wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash was driven by road conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809735 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Jessica Ramos wants the city to run its own subways. She says the mayor should pick the NYC Transit boss. The push follows years of state failures. Riders face delays, confusion, and a system that ignores their needs.

On May 2, 2025, State Senator Jessica Ramos, representing District 13, announced her support for New York City taking control of its subway system. The current system is run by the state through the MTA. Ramos, a mayoral candidate, said, "I would love for the mayor of the City of New York to be able to appoint the New York City Transit president or to have a greater say in what happens in the system." The announcement came as part of a broader mayoral campaign debate, with other candidates like Brad Lander proposing a city-run authority called 'Big Apple Transit.' The push for city control follows years of service failures and frustration among riders. Ramos’s stance signals a demand for local accountability and a transit system that answers to the people who use it every day. No formal bill number or committee action is attached to this policy announcement.

• Mayoral candidates renew calls for NYC to take control of its subway system, gothamist.com, Published 2025-05-02

Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-04-29

A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.

NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.

• Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-27

A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.

The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.

• Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-04-23

Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.

• Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-21

Two sedans slammed together on Grand Central Parkway. Speed killed control. Five passengers hurt. Bodies jolted. Metal crushed. Police cite unsafe speed. The road showed no mercy.

Two sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway in Queens. According to the police report, the crash involved unsafe speed. Five passengers, including a baby, a teenager, and three adults, suffered injuries ranging from whiplash to shock and pain. Both vehicles were heavily damaged. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data. The toll fell on those inside, their bodies thrown by force, while the system failed to slow the cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807179 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. It hit a man on a bike. He died there, on the street. Police are investigating. The crash happened in Middle Village, Queens. Metal met flesh. The city keeps moving.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The collision happened as the truck was 'turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street.' The victim, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating the incident. The article notes the truck's turning movement but does not detail further driver actions. This fatal crash highlights the risks at intersections where large vehicles and cyclists cross paths. No information was provided about charges or policy changes.

• FDNY Truck Strikes Cyclist In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-20

A firetruck struck a cyclist on Juniper Boulevard. The truck turned with lights and sirens. The cyclist was crushed under the rear wheels. Sheets covered the scene. Firefighters stood by, shaken. The victim died instantly. The investigation continues.

According to the New York Post (April 19, 2025), an FDNY Rescue Company 4 firetruck fatally struck a cyclist near Juniper Valley Park in Queens while responding to a call. The article states, "The truck was making a turn onto Juniper Boulevard...when the fatal accident occurred." Police reported the truck had lights and sirens activated. The cyclist ended up beneath the rear wheels and was pronounced dead at the scene. Photos showed emergency sheets covering the area. Witness Miguel Vega described firefighters as "shaken, like shocked." The incident highlights the dangers at intersections, especially when emergency vehicles turn. The crash is under investigation, with no details yet on policy or procedural changes.

• FDNY Firetruck Kills Cyclist Near Park, New York Post, Published 2025-04-19

A former firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. He struck Justin Diaz’s car at 83 mph. Diaz died a block from home. The driver was drunk, high, and unregistered. The court revoked his bail. Diaz’s family mourns.

ABC7 reported on April 17, 2025, that ex-FDNY firefighter Michael Peña faces manslaughter and DWI charges after a deadly crash in Queens. Prosecutors allege Peña was drunk, high, and speeding at 83 mph—three times the limit—when he ran a red light and T-boned 23-year-old Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance and body camera footage show Peña admitting to running the light. Five hours after the crash, tests confirmed intoxication by alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Peña’s record includes prior arrests and 25 school zone speeding tickets. He also drove an unregistered vehicle with an obstructed plate and tinted windshield. The victim, Diaz, was headed to work and had just graduated college. The case highlights repeated driver violations and systemic failures in enforcement.

• Ex-Firefighter Charged In Queens Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-17

A Siena poll shows most New Yorkers fear for their lives on city streets. Women, seniors, Bronx residents feel it most. Candidates split: some push for safer street design, others target e-bikes. Cars and trucks remain the deadliest threat. Voters want action.

On April 15, 2025, a Siena College poll revealed that 77% of New York City voters rank pedestrian safety as a top concern. The poll, highlighted in Streetsblog NYC, found deep worry among women, seniors, and Bronx residents. The matter summary reads: '77% of NYC voters consider pedestrian safety a serious issue.' Mayoral candidates responded. Ben Furnas (Transportation Alternatives) called for universal daylighting and laws against super speeders, urging street redesign and enforcement. Zellnor Myrie backed robust street designs to separate bikers, pedestrians, and drivers. Jessica Ramos supported protected bike lanes for both analog and e-bikes, calling e-bikes 'a vital tool for reducing car dependency.' Whitney Tilson demanded speed caps and insurance for e-bike riders. Despite some focus on e-bikes, advocates and data point to car and truck drivers as the main source of injury and death. The poll signals a mandate: fix the streets, protect the vulnerable.

• Voters to Pols: Don’t Forget Street Safety (Um, But How Do You Define It?), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-15

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

A sedan struck a cyclist on 94th Street in Queens. The cyclist, 36, suffered an arm injury. Police cite failure to yield. The driver was unhurt. The street stayed open. The crash left the cyclist in shock.

A sedan traveling south on 94th Street collided with a cyclist heading east at 31st Avenue in Queens. The 36-year-old cyclist was injured in the upper arm and reported shock. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The sedan driver, age 52, was not injured. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary factor was the driver's failure to yield. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04