Ridgewood’s daily toll: bikes down, bodies up

Aug 11 - A BMW turned left on Cypress and struck a woman in the crosswalk. She crossed with the signal. The car’s nose took her down. She was hurt and conscious. Failure to yield in broad daylight on Palmetto’s corner.

A BMW sedan making a left at Cypress Ave and Palmetto St struck a pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The woman suffered a back injury and was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.” The vehicle’s point of impact was the center front end, consistent with a left-turn hit. The data also lists “Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,” but the pedestrian was in the crosswalk with the signal. Driver errors led. This was in Queens, within the 104th Precinct, at 12:50 p.m.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835176 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 11 - A car thief fled cops, leaping into the Atlantic. Officers dove in, fought him in the water, and dragged him to shore. The chase began with a stolen sedan, ended in cold surf, cuffs snapping shut.

NY Daily News (2025-08-11) reports a car thief jumped into the Atlantic off Far Rockaway after police caught him with a stolen Honda. The suspect, Matthew Swafford, used a stolen North Carolina plate. Officers pursued him into the water, as shown in NYPD video. Detective Demerest called, 'Take my belt!' before diving in. Swafford was charged with possession of stolen property and other offenses. The incident highlights risks when suspects flee in stolen vehicles, raising questions about pursuit protocols and the dangers posed by car theft in dense urban areas.

• Car Thief Jumps Far Rockaway Dock, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 8 - DOT sides with car-first politicians. Daylighting stalls. Corners stay blind. Pedestrians and cyclists lose. Safety takes a back seat. The city’s most vulnerable pay the price.

""This bill is so bad that even the inept DOT is against it, which tells you just how radical it is."" -- Robert F. Holden

On August 8, 2025, Streetsblog NYC covered the clash over universal daylighting. No bill number or committee listed. DOT’s report claimed high costs and little safety gain, fueling opposition from Council Members Inna Vernikov, Bob Holden, and Vito Fossella. Council Member Julie Won and Mayor Ravi Bhalla called the report a scare tactic, urging citywide daylighting to save lives. DOT’s compromise with pro-car officials weakens protections. As safety analyst notes, this shift prioritizes cars over people, undermining vulnerable road user safety and citywide mode shift goals.

• We Told You So! DOT’s Anti-Daylighting ‘Scare Tactic’ Now Fuels Pro-Car Pols, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 7 - Another pedestrian killed on Morgan Avenue. Three deaths in three years. Advocates rally. City stalls. No redesign. The street stays deadly. The call for change grows louder.

"At the meeting, Gutiérrez showed strong support for the redesign initiative. 'Every single death that we have experienced since I took office just two years ago, and before that, is 100 percentable preventable. We as a city are not moving fast enough to achieve Vision Zero. We are not moving with urgency.'" -- Jennifer Gutiérrez

On August 7, 2025, Sophia Lebowitz and street safety advocates renewed demands for a Morgan Avenue redesign after a third pedestrian death in three years. Streetsblog NYC reports: 'renewing calls from advocates for the city to redesign the dangerous street.' Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, State Sen. Julia Salazar, and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher back the push. Advocates want a protected bike lane, mid-block crossings, and safer loading zones. Despite meetings and official letters, the city has not acted. The safety analyst notes: advocacy alone brings no immediate safety change, but it could spark future improvements. The danger remains until the city moves.

• Three Years, Three Deaths: Advocates Want DOT To Make Morgan Avenue Safe, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 6 - A horse dies in Hell’s Kitchen. Photos spark outrage. The council stalls on banning horse-drawn carriages. Advocates warn: more crashes, more injuries, more deaths. Unions block change. Streets stay dangerous for all.

Bill 2025 to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City remains stalled as of August 6, 2025. Sponsored by Queens Councilman Robert Holden, the bill sits in the health committee, chaired by Lynn Schulman. Speaker Adrienne Adams has not stated her position. The bill, described as a push to end the city’s carriage industry, gained attention after the death of a horse named Lady. Animal rights groups rallied, warning, 'Without a ban there will be more crashes in traffic, there will be more injuries and possibly deaths.' TWU Local 100 opposes the ban. Safety analysts note that removing carriages would cut unpredictable, slow vehicles from streets, reducing crash risk and making roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Gruesome images unlikely to sway lawmakers to ban horse-drawn carriages, Crain's New York Business, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 5 - Three crashes. Two dead. A teen fights for life. Metal twisted. Bodies thrown. Streets stained. Drivers lost control. System failed to protect.

Gothamist (2025-08-05) reports three early-morning crashes in New York City. A driver lost control on the Belt Parkway, flipping his car and dying. In Staten Island, an MTA bus struck a 13-year-old on a scooter, leaving him in critical condition. In Brooklyn, a car hit a moped, killing the rider; the driver was taken into custody. Police said, 'Criminal charges for him were still pending.' Investigations continue. The incidents highlight ongoing risks for vulnerable road users and the deadly consequences of driver error and street design.

• Three NYC Crashes Leave Two Dead, Gothamist, Published 2025-08-05

Aug 4 - Gianaris backs Mamdani for mayor. Both pushed for subway funding and fare-free buses. Their alliance signals power in transit fights. No direct safety change yet for walkers or riders.

On August 4, 2025, State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris endorsed Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani for mayor. The two worked together on the 'Fix the MTA Act,' which invested in subways and piloted fare-free buses. Gianaris said Mamdani 'provides the energy and ideas' New Yorkers need. Mamdani thanked Gianaris for helping secure 'historic investments in subway and bus services.' This event, reported by City & State NY, shows political unity on transit. However, as no specific policy action or outcome is detailed, analysts find no direct safety impact for pedestrians or cyclists.

• Mike Gianaris backs Zohran Mamdani for mayor, City & State NY, Published 2025-08-04

Aug 3 - Driver swung a U-turn across Fresh Pond Road at Linden. Hit a moped going straight. Rider, 30, bled from a leg and was partly ejected. Police recorded Turning Improperly and Failure to Yield.

A driver in an SUV made a U-turn on Fresh Pond Road at Linden Street in Queens and hit a southbound moped going straight. The moped driver, a 30-year-old man, suffered a serious leg injury with severe bleeding and was partially ejected. "According to the police report, the SUV driver was making a U-turn when he hit the moped." Police recorded Turning Improperly and Failure to Yield Right-of-Way by the driver. Impact was to the SUV’s front and the rear of the moped. Records show the SUV driver held a permit. The rider wore a helmet, as noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833584 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 3 - A driver struck an e-bike rider in Queens. A scooter rider crashed in Brooklyn. Both died. Streets claimed them. Police investigate. Lives ended fast. Metal and speed left no room for error.

NY Daily News (2025-08-03) reports two fatal e-vehicle crashes. On July 31, a 62-year-old Nissan Rogue driver hit Zhao Feng Zhen, 55, on Hollis Court Blvd in Queens. The driver remained at the scene; police continue to investigate. On July 12, Eusebio Quinones, 60, lost control of his electric scooter on Union Ave in Brooklyn and died from his injuries days later. The article notes, 'police are still investigating the crash.' These deaths highlight ongoing risks for vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Two Killed In Separate E-Vehicle Crashes, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-03

Aug 2 - Two drivers crashed at Putnam and Fresh Pond at midnight. A 41-year-old front passenger was hurt. Neck pain. Whiplash. Shock. Police listed the cause as unspecified.

Two drivers in sedans crashed at Putnam Ave and Fresh Pond Rd in Queens at midnight. A 41-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat was injured. She reported neck pain and whiplash and showed signs of shock. According to the police report, the contributing factor was recorded as "Unspecified," and no specific driver errors were listed. One vehicle was listed as parked before impact. The report does not cite helmet or signal use. The 104th Precinct took the case. The record offers no account of how the crash began.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833179 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 1 - A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man on 101st Street. The driver sped off after an encounter at the window. Police found the victim with severe trauma. He died at Jamaica Hospital.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-01), a 23-year-old man died after being run over on 101st Street and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. The article reports, "Sonalall approached the driver's side window and flashed what appeared to be a gun, startling the motorist, who then drove off, striking Sonalall." The Queens District Attorney's Office did not charge the driver, citing fear for his life. The incident highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used in moments of conflict. No charges were filed, raising questions about how self-defense is interpreted in car-related deaths.

• Man Killed By Driver In Queens Street, New York Post, Published 2025-08-01

Jul 23 - Dozens rallied at City Hall. They demanded Ryder's Law. Council Member Holden led. NYCLASS joined. The call was sharp: end horse carriages. The industry faces fierce opposition. The council stalls. The danger remains.

"The fact that a visibly sick horse like Ryder was allowed to work at all is unbelievable and inexcusable. This case proves that current regulations don't protect the horses, and it's time for the City Council to act." -- Robert F. Holden

On July 23, 2025, Council Member Robert Holden and animal advocates rallied at City Hall, demanding passage of Ryder's Law to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City. The bill, sponsored by Holden, has not yet reached a council vote or hearing. The rally followed a 'not guilty' verdict in a high-profile horse abuse case. The matter, described as a push 'to end the horse carriage industry in NYC,' drew support from NYCLASS and others. Holden blasted city oversight as 'inexcusable.' Despite the outcry, a safety analyst notes: ending horse carriages will not significantly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists, since carriages are a small part of street traffic and their removal does not fix systemic road dangers.

• Horse carriages: Animal advocates rally at City Hall to end industry after ‘not guilty’ verdict in horse abuse case, AMNY, Published 2025-07-23

Jul 20 - A moped and sedan collided on Rene Ct near Metropolitan Ave. The moped driver suffered crush injuries. Both vehicles showed front-end damage. Streets in Queens again prove unforgiving.

A moped and a sedan crashed on Rene Ct off Metropolitan Ave in Queens. According to the police report, the moped was traveling east and the sedan was making a left turn westbound. The 25-year-old moped driver was partially ejected and suffered crush injuries to his lower leg and foot. He was wearing a helmet. The sedan driver, age 85, was not ejected and reported no injuries. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front ends.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829720 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 18 - Cargo van struck Mayya Gil, 95, as she crossed Cropsey Avenue. She died. Her aide survived. Driver charged with failure to yield and due care. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

Gothamist (2025-07-18) reports a 95-year-old woman, Mayya Gil, died after a cargo van hit her and her home health aide while they crossed Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn. The driver, Thimothe Andre, was charged with two counts of failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. Police said Andre struck both victims while turning. Gil died at the hospital; her aide survived. The article notes, 'NYPD data shows 100 people have died in city traffic crashes so far this year.' The case highlights persistent risks for pedestrians and the consequences of driver inattention at city intersections.

• Brooklyn Pedestrian Killed Crossing Cropsey Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-18

Jul 17 - A distracted SUV driver struck a child on Myrtle Ave in Queens. The child suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver inattention as the cause.

A station wagon/SUV traveling east on Myrtle Ave in Queens struck a child who was walking or riding along the highway with traffic. The child, a male infant, sustained injuries to his arm, including a contusion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. The driver, a 71-year-old man, was licensed and uninjured. No other vehicle damage was reported. The report does not mention any errors by the child. The crash highlights the danger posed by driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830775 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 13 - Council moves to shield delivery workers. Wage floors, tipping rules, and safety gear on the line. Workers face street danger daily. New rules aim to cut risk and boost dignity.

On July 14, 2025, the NYC Council will vote on bills to protect delivery workers. The agenda includes wage floors, tipping requirements, and safety measures. Council Members Shaun Abreu, Jennifer Gutierrez, and Sandy Nurse sponsor key bills. Barbara Russo-Lennon supports the package. The matter summary states: 'Council members will vote on a list of legislative items that would benefit delivery app workers.' These protections can improve worker well-being and bargaining power, reducing pressure to take unsafe risks. The council’s action targets the daily hazards faced by delivery workers on city streets.

• NYC Council expected to vote Monday on wage and workplace protections for delivery workers, AMNY, Published 2025-07-13

Jul 12 - A speeding car struck two men at dawn in Sunset Park. One pulled a cart. One walked with a cane. The driver did not brake. Both men died in the street. The car fled. Police tracked the suspect to Staten Island.

ABC7 reported on July 12, 2025, that Juventino Anastacio Florentino, 23, was arraigned after a hit-and-run killed Faqiu Lin, 59, and Kex Un Chen, 80, at Third Avenue and 52nd Street. Surveillance showed the car "speeding southbound" and not braking before impact. Florentino faces charges including manslaughter and reckless driving. Police used video and car debris to find the suspect. City Harvest said the victims "may have been on their way to our Mobile Market simply trying to access food." The crash highlights the danger for pedestrians near busy food distribution sites.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Two Near Food Pantry, ABC7, Published 2025-07-12

Jul 11 - A speeding driver killed two men in a crosswalk on Third Avenue. The corridor’s safety redesign was shelved. The city knew the danger. The deaths came fast, brutal, and preventable.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-11) reports a driver struck and killed Kex Un Chen and Faqui Lin on Third Avenue, Brooklyn. The driver, charged with manslaughter and fleeing, sped through a red light. The crash happened on a corridor where Mayor Adams paused a safety redesign after business opposition. Streetsblog notes, 'Every death is preventable.' Since the redesign was halted, 96 crashes have injured 80 people. The Department of Transportation’s plan would have reduced lanes and added protections. Community Board 7 supported it, but the project stalled. The corridor remains deadly.

• Hit-and-Run Kills Two on Third Avenue, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-11

Jul 10 - Council ends Instacart loophole. All app delivery workers get minimum wage. Bills target pay, tips, and safety. Workers risk streets for every order. Law brings fairer pay, not safer roads.

On July 10, 2025, the City Council advanced Intro 1133 and 1135 to close the Instacart loophole and regulate app-based delivery. The bills, led by Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Sandy Nurse, and Shaun Abreu, require all apps to pay minimum wage and restore upfront tipping. The matter summary: 'regulate the app-based delivery industry.' Sophia Lebowitz supported the action. Advocates say the package strengthens 2023's pay law. A safety analyst notes: mandating minimum wage improves labor conditions but does not directly affect safety, mode shift, or street equity for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Council To Close Instacart Loophole, Pass Delivery Industry Regulation Bills, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-10

Jul 9 - A driver in an SUV rear-ended a 38-year-old bicyclist on Metropolitan Ave at Woodward Ave. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a neck contusion. Police cited 'Following Too Closely.'

A driver in an SUV rear-ended a bicyclist on Metropolitan Avenue at Woodward Avenue in Queens. The cyclist, a 38-year-old man, was ejected and sustained a neck contusion. According to the police report, the contributing factors included 'Following Too Closely, Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion'. Police recorded following too closely and driver inexperience by the driver. The SUV struck the bicycle at the SUV's right front bumper; the bicycle sustained center back end damage. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The police report lists the bicyclist's injury as a contusion and notes the ejection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828579 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18