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 8 - A car struck an underpass on Belt Parkway. Metal twisted. A woman, 27, died at the hospital. A man survived. Police do not know who drove. The wreck left questions. The system failed to protect its passengers.

According to NY Daily News (published February 8, 2025), a single-car crash on Queens’ Belt Parkway killed a 27-year-old woman and injured a 30-year-old man. The white Toyota sedan hit an underpass near 225th Street around 3:50 a.m. Both occupants were found outside the wreck when police arrived. Investigators are unsure who was driving at the time of impact: 'Since both occupants were out of the car at the time of the crash, investigators haven't figured out who was driving, police said.' The woman died at Long Island Jewish Hospital-Valley Stream; the man was expected to survive. The article highlights ongoing uncertainty about driver identity and underscores the persistent risks on city highways, especially where loss of vehicle control leads to deadly outcomes. The investigation continues.

• Woman Killed In Queens Parkway Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-08

Feb 5 - A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

Feb 1 - A 64-year-old man crossing outside a crosswalk in Queens was struck by a motorscooter traveling east. The pedestrian suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the victim injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a motorscooter traveling east on 96-08 37 Avenue in Queens struck a 64-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing the street outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to his lower arm and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The motorscooter was going straight ahead at the time of impact, which occurred at the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian’s crossing outside a crosswalk is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers to vulnerable road users in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789629 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 30 - A 41-year-old woman suffered arm injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a right turn in Queens. The driver’s inexperience and failure to yield right-of-way caused the collision at an intersection where the pedestrian had the crossing signal.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 108 St and 37 Dr in Queens at 13:01. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2012 Chevrolet sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, made a right turn and struck her with the vehicle's right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, remaining conscious after the impact. Vehicle damage was limited to the right front bumper. The collision highlights critical driver errors, specifically the failure to yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing, underscoring systemic dangers at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789322 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 23 - Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Jan 22 - A Toyota RAV4 jumped the curb on 90th Avenue, slammed into a garage, and collapsed the structure. The driver, Mamadou Barry, was trapped. First responders pulled him out, but he died at the hospital. No other injuries reported.

According to NY Daily News (2025-01-22), Mamadou Barry, 63, was driving his Toyota RAV4 along 90th Ave. in Jamaica, Queens, around 5:20 a.m. when he lost control, hopped a curb at 143rd St., and crashed into a detached garage. The impact caused the garage to collapse onto both his SUV and a parked, unoccupied Prius. Police said Barry was trapped and later died at Jamaica Hospital. The article notes, 'he lost control of the SUV, which went crashing into a detached garage in Queens, police said.' Family members stated Barry had no known medical issues. The cause of the crash remains unclear. No other injuries were reported. The incident highlights the dangers faced by drivers and bystanders in residential areas where structures sit close to the street.

• Uber Driver Dies in Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-22

Jan 10 - A 24-year-old woman was hit by a pickup truck while crossing a marked crosswalk in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way during a left turn. The pedestrian suffered serious abdominal and pelvic injuries and was rendered unconscious.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 35 Ave and 97 St in Queens at 2:53 p.m. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a Ford pickup truck, traveling northwest and making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained internal injuries to her abdomen and pelvis and was unconscious at the scene. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to yield right-of-way directly led to the collision. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions or safety equipment were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785034 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 10 - A pick-up truck hit a 17-year-old girl in a Queens crosswalk. She suffered leg fractures. The unlicensed driver was distracted and failed to yield. Impact came during a right turn. The street saw blood, not brake lights.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old female pedestrian was crossing 100 Street at 35 Avenue in Queens in a marked crosswalk when a Ford pick-up truck struck her with its right front bumper. The driver was unlicensed and making a right turn. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The vehicle had no damage. Driver distraction and failure to yield led directly to the collision and the teen's injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785010 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 2 - A taxi struck a moped making a left turn on 34 Ave in Queens. The moped carried three occupants including an eight-year-old passenger injured with facial bruises. Police cited the taxi driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:00 PM on 34 Ave near 97 St in Queens. A taxi traveling west struck a moped traveling east that was making a left turn. The point of impact was the taxi's center front end and the moped's right front bumper. The moped carried three occupants, including an eight-year-old female passenger who suffered facial contusions and bruises but was conscious and not ejected. The police report identifies the taxi driver's failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The injured passenger was not using any safety equipment. No other contributing factors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783465 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 2 - A 54-year-old woman was injured crossing an intersection in Queens when an SUV making a left turn struck her. The driver’s view was obstructed, contributing to the collision. The pedestrian suffered lower leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 54-year-old female pedestrian was crossing an intersection at 35-02 108 Street in Queens around 7:06 PM when she was struck by a 2010 Honda SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s limited visibility played a role in the crash. The pedestrian was injured in the knee, lower leg, and foot area, sustaining internal complaints but remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and traveling southwest at the time. No pedestrian errors or contributing factors were noted beyond the obstructed view affecting the driver. This crash underscores the dangers posed by limited driver visibility during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04