East Elmhurst: The Corner Takes the Hit

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

Jun 1 - A northbound SUV slammed into parked vehicles on 92nd Street in Queens. The driver was bruised and injured his leg. Police blamed driver distraction. Parked SUVs took heavy damage. No bystanders were hurt.

According to the police report, a 60-year-old man driving a 2022 Hyundai SUV northbound on 92nd Street in Queens crashed into several parked SUVs at 15:52. The impact damaged multiple vehicles at their rear and front quarter panels. The driver suffered contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and remained conscious. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No pedestrians or other occupants were injured. The crash highlights the consequences of driver error as detailed in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729116 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 25 - A motorcycle passenger was thrown and injured after colliding with a taxi on 88 Street in Queens. The impact left the passenger with bruises and leg injuries. Both vehicles moved south when the crash struck.

According to the police report, a motorcycle and a taxi collided at 22:32 on 88 Street in Queens, both traveling south. The motorcycle, carrying two people, hit the taxi's left rear quarter panel with its front. The 22-year-old male motorcycle passenger was ejected and suffered knee, lower leg, and foot injuries, including contusions and bruises. His injury severity was rated level 3. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any driver errors. The passenger was not using safety equipment. The taxi driver was licensed; the motorcycle driver held a permit. Damage was noted on the motorcycle's right front and the taxi's left side doors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727879 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 24 - Two vehicles collided head-on on 31 Avenue in Queens. The SUV driver, a 68-year-old man, suffered a head contusion and was injured but conscious. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way and improper lane usage as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:45 on 31 Avenue, Queens, involving a 2017 SUV and a 2016 sedan. Both vehicles sustained center front end damage. The SUV driver, a 68-year-old male occupant, was injured with a head contusion but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factors to the collision. The SUV driver’s errors in yielding and lane usage directly led to the impact. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision underscores the dangers of driver errors in yielding and lane discipline on busy Queens streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727234 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 21 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-05-21

May 16 - Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

May 14 - A 13-year-old boy suffered abrasions and arm injuries after a taxi struck him at a Queens intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal, left shocked and injured.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on 94 Street in Queens struck a 13-year-old pedestrian at the intersection with 23 Avenue at 16:24. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report cites driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The victim sustained abrasions and injuries to the elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was not ejected from the scene but left in shock. The taxi's point of impact was the right front bumper, and no vehicle damage was reported. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. This crash highlights systemic danger from driver inattention and failure to yield, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724761 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - An inexperienced driver collided with a sedan on 92 Street in Queens. The impact struck the sedan’s left side doors, injuring the sedan’s driver with neck trauma. The crash exposed risks tied to driver inexperience and vehicle control errors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:25 AM on 92 Street in Queens involving a station wagon/SUV and a sedan. The SUV, driven by a female with a learner's permit, was traveling north and struck the sedan on its left side doors. The sedan’s male driver, age 53, suffered neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites "Driver Inexperience" as a contributing factor to the collision. The SUV’s center front end and the sedan’s left side doors sustained damage, indicating a side-impact collision. There is no mention of victim fault or contributing factors related to the sedan driver. The crash highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers operating vehicles in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721712 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 2 - A Toyota pickup veered west on Grand Central Parkway near midnight, smashing into parked cars and striking a 56-year-old man in the roadway. The truck’s bumper crushed his head. He lay conscious, battered, the dark pressing in.

According to the police report, a Toyota pickup truck traveling west on Grand Central Parkway near midnight veered off course and struck parked vehicles. The report states that a 56-year-old man was standing in the roadway when the truck’s right front bumper hit him, causing severe head and crush injuries. The man remained conscious at the scene. The narrative describes the impact as the truck 'veered west, struck parked cars,' and then hit the pedestrian, leaving him 'crushed but conscious.' The police report lists the driver's pre-crash action as 'Avoiding Object in Roadway,' but does not specify any contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified.' No victim actions are cited as contributing factors. The focus remains on the pickup’s movement and the resulting harm to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 27 - A sedan ran a traffic control on 94 Street and struck a 21-year-old cyclist. The rider suffered knee and leg abrasions. Police cite driver’s disregard for signals and confusion as factors.

According to the police report, a 2019 Nissan sedan driven by a licensed man from New Jersey was heading south on 94 Street near Jackson Mill Road just before midnight. The sedan collided with a 21-year-old male bicyclist traveling east. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his knee and lower leg but remained conscious and was not ejected. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a driver error, along with 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' No helmet use or crossing signal was cited as a factor. The crash underscores the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls, putting cyclists at risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720458 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 15 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2024-04-15

Mar 28 - Two men were injured in a collision involving a sedan and an SUV. The crash occurred as both vehicles traveled straight. Driver inattention and distraction contributed to the impact, causing contusions and bruises to the vehicle occupants.

According to the police report, the crash happened on Jackson Mill Road at 17:49. The collision involved a sedan traveling east and a 2015 Toyota SUV traveling north, both going straight ahead. The SUV sustained damage to its center front end, while the sedan's left front bumper was impacted. Two male occupants in the sedan were injured: the 41-year-old driver suffered contusions and bruises to his hip and upper leg, and the 22-year-old front passenger sustained contusions and bruises to his elbow and lower arm. Both occupants were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with driver inexperience for the passenger's injury. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713201 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - 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 2024-03-27

Mar 22 - A sedan making a left turn struck a motorcycle traveling east on Astoria Boulevard. The motorcycle driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, at 9:04 AM on Astoria Boulevard in Queens, a sedan traveling west attempted a left turn and collided with a motorcycle traveling east. The motorcycle driver, a 31-year-old male with a permit license, was injured in the crash, sustaining knee and lower leg injuries. The report highlights 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for both vehicles. The sedan's point of impact was the right front quarter panel, while the motorcycle sustained damage to its center front end. The motorcycle driver was conscious and not ejected but suffered internal complaints related to his injuries. No other contributing factors such as victim behavior were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711661 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 22 - Two SUVs collided on Astoria Boulevard in Queens. One driver reacted late to an uninvolved vehicle and followed too closely, striking the other from behind. The rear driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash but was not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, at 6:35 AM on Astoria Boulevard in Queens, two SUVs traveling westbound collided. The driver of the rear vehicle, a 40-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma and complained of whiplash. The report cites her reaction to an uninvolved vehicle and following too closely as contributing factors. The impact occurred at the center back end of the front SUV and the center front end of the rear SUV. Both drivers were licensed and the rear driver was conscious and not ejected. The crash highlights driver errors related to vehicle spacing and delayed reactions, with no indication of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 20 - 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 2024-03-20

Mar 18 - A pickup driver with a record killed an 8-year-old in Queens. He pleaded not guilty. The court let him keep his license. He still drives. The boy’s family mourns. Politicians and advocates demand action. Streets stay deadly. Children pay the price.

On March 18, 2024, Jose Barcia, a pickup truck owner with a long history of unlicensed driving, pleaded not guilty to criminally negligent homicide after fatally striking 8-year-old Bayron Palomino Arroyo and injuring his brother in Queens. At arraignment, Barcia was released without surrendering his license. The Queens District Attorney’s office did not seek revocation. State Sen. Jessica Ramos led a rally, citing 'reckless drivers who refuse to yield to pedestrians' and called for stronger pedestrian safety, saying, 'driving is a privilege that can, and should be, taken away.' Adam White, a lawyer for crash victims, said the DA should have insisted Barcia not drive. The rally highlighted rising road deaths—48 killed citywide in early 2024—and called out the city’s failure to protect its most vulnerable. Vision Zero’s mission, Ramos argued, has been 'desecrated.'

• Driver Who Cops Say Killed Queens Boy is Still on the Road After Not Guilty Plea, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-18

Mar 13 - A pickup truck turned left at 31st Avenue and 100th Street. An eight-year-old boy crossed with the signal. The truck’s bumper struck him. He died at the scene. Failure to yield. A child’s life ended in the crosswalk.

According to the police report, a pickup truck made a left turn at the intersection of 31st Avenue and 100th Street in Queens at 16:15. An eight-year-old boy was crossing at the intersection with the pedestrian signal when the truck’s right front bumper struck him. The report states the child suffered crush injuries to his entire body and died at the scene. The police report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The boy was crossing with the signal, as documented in the report. The driver’s failure to yield during a left turn directly led to the fatal collision. The report centers the driver’s actions as the primary cause of this deadly crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709403 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 13 - A pickup driver killed an 8-year-old and injured his brother on 100th Street. The driver rushed a left turn, trying to beat traffic. Charges followed. State Sen. Ramos called for speed limits, fewer cars, and safer streets. The avenue is a known danger.

On March 13, 2024, in East Elmhurst, Queens, a pickup truck driver killed 8-year-old Bayron Palomino Arroyo and injured his 10-year-old brother as they crossed 100th Street. The driver, Jose Barcia, rushed a left turn from 31st Avenue and struck the children, according to NYPD Chief of Transportation Philip Rivera. Barcia faces charges of criminally negligent homicide, failure to yield, failure to exercise due care, and speeding. State Senator Jessica Ramos responded, calling for passage of 'Sammy's Law' to let the city set its own speed limits. Ramos said, 'I fight so hard for improved public transit because there are too many cars on the road, particularly SUVs and pickup trucks that do not allow for full visibility in city streets.' She urged fewer cars, especially large vehicles, and stressed the need for pedestrian safety in the budget. 31st Avenue, where the crash happened, saw 74 crashes and 47 injuries last year, far more than nearby, mostly car-free 34th Avenue.

• HORROR IN QUEENS: Child Killed, Another Injured by Reckless Driver, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-03-13

Mar 12 - A taxi struck the rear of a stopped sedan on Grand Central Parkway. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The collision was caused by the taxi following too closely, resulting in a violent impact to the sedan’s center back end.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:18 on Grand Central Parkway. A taxi traveling east rear-ended a stopped sedan also traveling east. The point of impact was the center front end of the taxi and the center back end of the sedan. The sedan driver, a 42-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and complained of whiplash. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report identifies the taxi driver’s failure to maintain a safe distance—cited as "Following Too Closely"—as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. There is no mention of any contributing factors related to the sedan driver. The collision highlights the dangers of tailgating on busy roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709636 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19