Corona Bleeds: Kids Hurt, Leaders Stall, Streets Kill

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

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

Two sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway. The rear car hit the front car’s back end. The rear driver suffered a concussion. No injuries in the front car. Impact was sudden, forceful, and avoidable.

According to the police report, at 9:40 PM on Grand Central Parkway, a 2022 Kia sedan rear-ended a 2021 Nissan sedan. The Kia driver, a 32-year-old man, struck the center back end of the Nissan. The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as driver errors. The Kia driver was injured with a concussion but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt. The Nissan carried two occupants; no injuries or contributing factors were reported for them. The crash highlights the dangers of distraction and tailgating on city parkways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727284 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 46-year-old man was injured crossing an intersection in Queens when a sedan making a left turn struck him. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, resulting in knee and lower leg injuries to the pedestrian, who remained conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old male pedestrian was crossing an intersection at 99 Street and 55 Avenue in Queens around 7 PM when he was struck by a northwestern-bound sedan making a left turn. The vehicle, a 2014 Honda sedan, impacted the pedestrian at the center front end with no reported vehicle damage. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or pedestrian behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in intersection environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728213 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 27-year-old man suffered upper leg injuries when an SUV making a left turn struck him at a Queens intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The crash exposed driver inexperience and distraction as critical factors in the collision.

According to the police report, at 8:31 AM in Queens on 98 Street near 41 Avenue, a 2017 Honda SUV making a left turn struck a 27-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper, with damage to the vehicle's center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The driver's errors in judgment and distraction directly led to the collision, underscoring systemic dangers posed by inexperienced drivers at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728214 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 65-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and abrasions after two sedans and an SUV collided on 108 Street in Queens. The crash involved a vehicle making an improper right turn, striking parked cars and causing significant front-end damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:55 AM on 108 Street in Queens. The collision involved three vehicles: a BMW sedan making a right turn improperly, a Ford sedan, and a GMC SUV, both initially parked. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the turning BMW striking the left front bumper of the Ford and the center front end of the SUV. The 65-year-old male driver of one vehicle sustained head injuries and abrasions, classified as injury severity 3. The report explicitly cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in executing turns on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719286 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan making a left turn collided with an eastbound e-scooter on Corona Avenue in Queens. The e-scooter rider was ejected and suffered serious lower leg injuries. Police cited unsafe speed as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Corona Avenue in Queens around 4:00 p.m. A sedan traveling southwest was making a left turn when it struck an eastbound e-scooter. The e-scooter rider, a 45-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the collision. The sedan's point of impact was the right front bumper, while the e-scooter was hit at its center front end. The e-scooter rider was not using any safety equipment and was riding or hanging on outside the vehicle. The driver of the sedan was licensed in New York. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing instead on driver error and speed as primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718411 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

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

A young man lies semiconscious on Roosevelt Avenue, blood pooling from his head. His e-bike’s back end is crushed. The street is silent, the damage plain. Alcohol is involved. No helmet. The city holds its breath.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old man was found semiconscious beside his e-bike near 97-06 Roosevelt Avenue in Queens at 4:30 a.m. The report describes blood pooling from his head and notes severe bleeding and head injury. The e-bike’s center back end was crushed. The police report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor, along with 'Unspecified' causes. No helmet was present, but the report does not cite helmet use as a contributing factor. The narrative paints a stark scene: the street is still, the silence heavy. The focus remains on the crash’s violence and the systemic dangers faced by vulnerable road users, especially in the early hours when streets are empty and oversight is thin.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716058 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A moped veered on Roosevelt Avenue, slamming into a sedan’s front. The 21-year-old rider, helmeted, was ejected, bleeding, and incoherent. Alcohol lingered in the air. Metal screamed. A parked car caught the wreck’s tail. Sirens came slow.

According to the police report, just after midnight on Roosevelt Avenue, a moped rider, age 21, collided with the front quarter panel of a sedan while changing lanes. The report cites 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. The moped rider was ejected, suffering severe facial bleeding and incoherence, despite wearing a helmet. The crash’s force spun the moped into a parked car, damaging its rear quarter panel. The sedan was traveling straight ahead when struck. The narrative states, 'Alcohol lingered. Steel screamed. A parked car caught the wreck’s tail.' The police report does not cite any contributing factors for the sedan driver or the parked vehicle. The focus remains on the danger created by alcohol involvement and the violent impact that followed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716068 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan traveling east collided with an e-bike heading north on Queens 102 Street. The bicyclist suffered severe lower leg injuries, including fractures and dislocations. The impact damaged the sedan’s right side doors and the e-bike’s rear quarter panel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:45 on Queens 102 Street involving a sedan and an e-bike. The sedan was traveling straight ahead eastbound when it struck the e-bike, which was moving straight northbound. The point of impact was the sedan’s right side doors and the e-bike’s right rear quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 38-year-old male, sustained serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any fault or error on the bicyclist’s part. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead. This collision highlights the dangers posed by vehicle movements intersecting with vulnerable road users, with the driver’s failure to avoid impact causing severe harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714969 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

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

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

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

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

A sedan traveling west collided with a northbound e-scooter on 111 Street in Queens. The e-scooter driver suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention and limited view as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, at 8:00 AM on 111 Street near 52 Avenue in Queens, a sedan traveling west struck an e-scooter heading north. The point of impact was the sedan's center front end and the e-scooter's right front quarter panel. The e-scooter driver, a 24-year-old male, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with a limited or obstructed view. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and impaired visibility in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716089 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

A sedan traveling east struck the rear of another vehicle on Grand Central Parkway. The impact injured a right rear passenger, causing contusions to the elbow and lower arm. The passenger remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, at 5:20 AM on Grand Central Parkway, a sedan traveling east struck the center back end of another vehicle also traveling east. The collision caused damage to the center front end of the striking vehicle and the center back end of the struck vehicle. A 31-year-old occupant seated as the right rear passenger sustained contusions and bruises to the elbow and lower arm, classified as injury severity 3. The passenger was conscious and not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any pedestrian or cyclist involvement or victim fault. The driver of the sedan was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The crash highlights driver error related to rear-end collision dynamics, though specific failure to yield or distraction is not explicitly cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707137 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 43-year-old woman crossing Roosevelt Avenue in Queens was struck by a pick-up truck driven by an unlicensed male driver. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock. The truck showed no visible damage after impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:20 on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. A 43-year-old female pedestrian was crossing the intersection when she was hit by a 2011 Ford pick-up truck traveling east. The driver, a male with a New York license status marked as unlicensed, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in a severity level 3 injury and was reported to be in shock. The vehicle sustained no visible damage despite striking the pedestrian at the center front end. The report lists the driver's unlicensed status as a critical factor. No contributing pedestrian errors were noted, and the pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication. This collision highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers operating vehicles in busy urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708159 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Council demands notice before city cuts lanes or parking. Moya’s bill forces DOT to warn and hear out locals. Streets change slower. Danger lingers for those on foot and bike.

Int 0322-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Member Francisco P. Moya, it requires the Department of Transportation to give notice and seek comments from council members, community boards, and business groups before removing a traffic lane or parking for 500 feet or three blocks for at least a week. The bill’s matter title: 'providing notice and an opportunity for comment before implementing a major traffic change.' Moya sponsored the measure. The bill slows street redesigns. It gives drivers and businesses more say, but leaves vulnerable road users waiting for safer streets.

• File Int 0322-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28