Ridgewood’s daily toll: bikes down, bodies up

Apr 9 - Seven lawmakers demand Mayor Adams open the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The project sits finished. Cyclists and walkers still cram into a narrow, crash-prone lane. Delays keep thousands at risk. City Hall stalls. Advocates plan protest. Danger lingers.

On April 9, 2025, seven elected officials—including Council Members Julie Won and Julie Menin—sent a public letter demanding Mayor Adams open the long-promised Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The Department of Transportation had planned to open the dedicated walkway on March 16, but the mayor's office intervened, citing the need for a briefing. The lawmakers wrote, 'The reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory, as all communications from the DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public.' They warned, 'Any further delays to this project that is otherwise ready to open will unnecessarily put at risk the thousands of New Yorkers who cycle and walk the current shared path every day.' The project, in the works since at least 2017, remains stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to share a cramped, hazardous lane. City Hall insists on more review, while advocates plan a protest ribbon-cutting.

• Pols Demand Adams Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 8 - A speeding SUV and sedan crashed on Forest Ave. A 14-year-old boy, not in the roadway, suffered a broken leg. A young driver’s shoulder torn. Blood on concrete. Sirens cut the air.

A sedan and an SUV collided at Forest Ave and Stephen St in Queens. According to the police report, a 14-year-old boy, not in the roadway, suffered a fractured leg. A 23-year-old driver was injured in the shoulder. The crash involved unsafe speed and steering failure as contributing factors. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a primary cause. No evidence blames the victims. The scene left blood on the concrete and sirens in the air.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805491 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 6 - Two SUVs crashed at Grove Street and 60 Place. One driver suffered a back contusion. Police cite traffic control disregard and failure to yield. Metal struck metal. Pain followed.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at the intersection of Grove Street and 60 Place in Queens. One driver, a 53-year-old woman, was injured with a back contusion. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The impact damaged the right front bumper of one SUV and the right rear bumper of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured driver was conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805326 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 5 - A BMW and motorcycle collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both vehicles burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The BMW driver survived. No arrests. Police are investigating. Another life lost on a wide, fast Queens road.

According to NY Daily News (April 5, 2025), a fatal crash occurred at 60th Drive and Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Queens. A BMW SUV and a motorcycle, both heading south, collided around 9:22 a.m. Both vehicles caught fire. Police said, 'only the car driver survived the collision.' EMS pronounced the motorcycle rider dead at the scene. The BMW driver was hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests have been made, and police continue to investigate. The crash highlights the persistent dangers on major Queens thoroughfares, where high speeds and heavy traffic put vulnerable road users at risk.

• Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Blaze, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-05

Apr 4 - Two cars left the street in Queens. One hit children and a man on a sidewalk. Another plowed into women waiting at a bus shelter. Broken bones, head wounds, fear. No one died. Streets turned dangerous in a blink.

CBS New York reported on April 4, 2025, that two separate crashes in Queens left multiple pedestrians injured. In Astoria, a 35-year-old driver 'lost control of her vehicle and went onto the sidewalk, running over two girls, ages 7 and 14.' Police charged her with reckless driving and driving without a license. Later, in South Ozone Park, a 79-year-old driver swerved, sideswiped a bus, then 'jumped the curb and struck four women who were standing at a bus shelter.' All victims survived, but injuries ranged from broken bones to head trauma. The incidents highlight ongoing dangers for pedestrians and raise questions about driver screening and street design.

• Queens Drivers Mount Sidewalks, Hit Pedestrians, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 3 - Two cars struck Jorman Esparza-Olivares at a busy Rego Park crossing. He suffered head and body trauma. Medics rushed him to Elmhurst. He died six days later. Both drivers stayed. No charges. The intersection remains dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 3, 2025, that Jorman Esparza-Olivares, 23, was killed after being struck by two drivers while riding his e-bike north on 63rd Drive at Queens Blvd. The crash occurred just before 5:30 p.m. on March 19. According to police, 'It wasn't clear if any of the men involved in the crash ran a red light.' Esparza-Olivares suffered severe injuries and died six days later at Elmhurst Medical Center. Both drivers, operating a Ford SUV and a Mercedes Benz, remained at the scene and were not immediately charged. The incident highlights persistent risks for cyclists at major intersections and raises questions about traffic controls and driver awareness on Queens Blvd.

• E-Bike Rider Killed At Queens Intersection, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Apr 3 - Brooklyn’s Ashland Place stays deadly. DOT delays a promised bike lane. Elected officials and residents demand action. Private interests block progress. Cyclists face crashes and fear. The city shrugs. The gap remains. Lives hang in the balance.

On April 3, 2025, a coalition of Brooklyn officials—including Council Members Crystal Hudson, Shahana Hanif, Lincoln Restler, Assembly Members Andrew Gounardes, Jo Anne Simon, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Borough President Antonio Reynoso—sent a letter urging DOT to finish the protected bike lane on Ashland Place. The letter called the block a 'missing link in Brooklyn’s protected bike lane network.' Brooklyn Community Board 2 backed the demand. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Borough Commissioner Keith Bray offered only vague replies. The block’s exclusion traces to a mayoral advisor’s intervention for developer Two Trees. Advocates like Kathy Park Price slammed the city: 'Private interests are able to redesign our streets, prioritizing vehicles over safety at a critical corridor.' Despite unanimous support, DOT keeps the street dangerous. The city’s inaction leaves cyclists exposed and the community frustrated.

• ‘Crashland’: As Demand Grows, DOT Still Won’t Finish Bike Lane on Dangerous Brooklyn Road, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-03

Apr 2 - A car plowed through families on Ocean Parkway. Three killed. Survivors hurt, shaken, haunted. The driver had a suspended license, dozens of violations, unpaid fines. The city’s streets failed to protect the most vulnerable. Pain lingers. Justice waits.

ABC7 reported on April 2, 2025, that a crash in Brooklyn killed a mother and her two daughters, leaving another family injured and traumatized. The article states, “Shakhzod described ongoing back pain and fears of another accident.” The driver, Miriam Yarimi, had 93 violations, $10,000 in unpaid fines, and a suspended license. She struck an Uber, then hit families crossing Ocean Parkway, flipping her vehicle. Yarimi faces charges including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The crash exposes systemic failure: a driver with a long record remained on the road. Survivors suffer lasting physical and emotional wounds. The city’s enforcement and oversight remain under scrutiny.

• Brooklyn Crash Leaves Family Scarred, Three Dead, ABC7, Published 2025-04-02

Apr 1 - A mother and two children died on Ocean Parkway. A driver with a suspended license and a record of violations struck them. The road has claimed many lives before. Residents see speeding daily. Calls for change echo. Danger remains.

The New York Post (April 1, 2025) reports that Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn has seen 20 deaths since 2014, with nearly 2,400 injuries since 2012. On March 30, Miriam Yarimi, driving with a suspended license and 93 prior traffic violations, crashed into an Uber and then into a family, killing Natasha Saada and two of her children. A third child remains in critical condition. The article quotes Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives: Ocean Parkway is 'one of Brooklyn's most dangerous roads.' Residents and advocates demand stronger safety measures, including speed-limiting technology for repeat offenders. Mayor Eric Adams is open to lowering the speed limit, but state approval is needed. Despite Vision Zero, Ocean Parkway remains hazardous for pedestrians.

• Ocean Parkway Crash Exposes Deadly Pattern, New York Post, Published 2025-04-01

Mar 31 - A speeding Audi tore through a Brooklyn crosswalk. A mother and her two daughters died. Her young son clings to life. The driver, with a record of 93 violations, faces manslaughter charges. The street became a killing ground.

According to the New York Post (March 31, 2025), Miriam Yarimi, 35, struck and killed Natasha Saada and her daughters, Diana, 7, and Debra, 5, as they crossed legally in a Brooklyn crosswalk. Saada’s 4-year-old son was critically injured. Police say Yarimi’s Audi was speeding. The article notes her car had over 93 prior traffic violations. Yarimi reportedly told first responders she was 'possessed' and referenced 'the devil in me.' She faces manslaughter and related charges. The case highlights the dangers of repeat traffic offenders and the deadly consequences when enforcement fails. Yarimi is undergoing psychiatric evaluation at Bellevue Hospital.

• Brooklyn Driver Kills Mother, Two Daughters, New York Post, Published 2025-03-31

Mar 31 - After a deadly Brooklyn crash, lawmakers push a bill to force speed limiters on cars of repeat reckless drivers. The devices would cap speed, targeting those with long records of violations. The aim: stop killers behind the wheel.

Bill to mandate speed limiters for repeat reckless drivers was introduced after a fatal Brooklyn crash. The measure, announced March 31, 2025, would require drivers with 11+ license points in two years or six camera tickets in a year to install speed-control devices for one year. The bill is sponsored by State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Emily Gallagher. Gounardes said, 'My legislation would require repeat reckless drivers to install speed limiters, so they can no longer use their vehicles as a deadly weapon.' Gallagher added, 'We have the tools and the knowledge to prevent these tragedies from happening.' Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Families for Safe Streets support the bill, calling it a powerful tool to protect everyone from super speeders. The bill awaits committee action.

• After deadly Brooklyn crash, pols push for ‘speed limiters’ on vehicles owned by notoriously reckless drivers to force safe travel, amny.com, Published 2025-03-31

Mar 30 - An unlicensed driver sped through a red light on Ocean Parkway. She struck a mother and her three children in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died. The son remains in critical condition. The street filled with chaos and grief.

According to NY Daily News (published March 30, 2025), Miriam Yarimi drove with a suspended license and ran a red light on Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, striking a mother and her three children as they crossed legally. Yarimi's Audi, with a history of 21 speed camera and five red light tickets, collided with another car before careening into the family. She was charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed operation. The crash killed Natasha Saada and her daughters, Deborah and Diana; Saada's son remains in critical condition. The article quotes a relative: 'It's a very sensitive time for us, for our community and for our family.' The case highlights repeated driver violations and the dangers of unlicensed, reckless driving on city streets.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Brooklyn Family, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-30

Mar 29 - A mother and two daughters died in a Brooklyn crosswalk. A third child clings to life. Ten hurt. The Audi driver, license suspended, rear-ended a car, then plowed into pedestrians. Ocean Parkway’s speed and lawlessness left a family shattered.

ABC7 reported on March 29, 2025, that a mother and her two children were killed while crossing Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the crash was "caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road." The Audi driver, Mariam Yarimi, 32, had a suspended license. She rear-ended a Toyota Camry, sending her car airborne into a family in the crosswalk. The mother and two daughters died at the scene; a four-year-old boy was critically injured. Ten people were hospitalized. Residents cited chronic speeding and red-light running on Ocean Parkway. Authorities are investigating speed, possible red-light running, and impairment. No arrests have been made. The crash highlights persistent dangers for pedestrians and systemic failures in traffic enforcement.

• Brooklyn Crosswalk Crash Kills Family, ABC7, Published 2025-03-29

Mar 28 - A speeding Mercedes ran a red in Queens. The driver, high and drunk, struck a young airport worker headed to his job. The worker died. Two passengers survived. The driver, a probationary firefighter, now faces manslaughter charges.

NY Daily News reported on March 28, 2025, that Michael Pena, a probationary FDNY firefighter, was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter in a Queens crash. Prosecutors said Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and struck Justin Diaz, 23, who had the right-of-way. Pena's blood-alcohol content was 0.156%, nearly double the legal limit, and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. The article states, 'Pena was driving nearly 60 mph above the speed limit after a night of drinking at a bar.' Surveillance footage confirmed the sequence. Two passengers in Pena's car were hospitalized. The crash highlights ongoing risks from impaired and reckless driving, even among public servants.

• Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-28

Mar 28 - DOT refuses to promise safer streets on Atlantic Avenue. Council Members Hudson and Ossé demand a redesign before rezoning. Four dead, 473 hurt since 2021. DOT offers only studies and minor fixes. Advocates want protected lanes. The city delays. Danger remains.

On March 28, 2025, the City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises held a hearing on the future of Atlantic Avenue. The Department of Transportation (DOT) declined to commit to a full redesign of a deadly 13-block stretch, despite pressure from Council Members Crystal Hudson and Chi Ossé. Both made redesign a condition for supporting a major rezoning. The official matter: 'The administration must commit to a fully-funded redesign of Atlantic Avenue from Flatbush Avenue in the west to Nostrand Avenue in the east.' DOT’s Brooklyn Borough Planner, Dash Henley, promised only an 18-month traffic study and minor intersection tweaks, projecting a seven-to-ten-year wait for real change. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso joined calls for traffic calming and lane reallocation. From 2021 to 2024, four people died and 473 were injured here. Advocates and council members want protected bike lanes and road diets. DOT has not committed.

• City Won’t Commit to Safer Walking and Biking on Atlantic Avenue Despite Upcoming Rezoning, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-28

Mar 25 - Two SUVs collided on Forest Avenue in Queens when one driver made a U-turn and failed to yield right-of-way. The female driver with a permit was injured, suffering pain and shock. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:40 AM on Forest Avenue in Queens. A male driver in a 2018 Toyota SUV was making a U-turn when he failed to yield right-of-way, colliding with a northbound 2019 Alfa SUV driven by a female with a learner's permit. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the Toyota and the right front bumper of the Alfa. The female driver was injured, reporting pain and nausea and experiencing shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. Both vehicles had a single occupant and sustained front-end damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 24 - SUV driver blacked out on Forest Ave. His vehicle struck parked and moving cars. He was injured, found incoherent. Police cite loss of consciousness and other vehicular factors. System failed to protect all on the street.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old man driving a Chevrolet SUV north on Forest Ave lost consciousness and crashed. His SUV hit a parked Ford SUV and collided with a moving Audi SUV and a Mercedes sedan. The driver was injured and incoherent at the scene. Police list 'Lost Consciousness' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The crash damaged the left side doors of the parked SUV and the right front bumpers of the other vehicles. No victim actions contributed, per the report. The primary driver error was incapacitation behind the wheel, which triggered the multi-vehicle collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801218 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 23 - Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker sped through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection has seen this before. The system pushes speed. The danger remains.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after an e-bike delivery worker "sped through a stop sign" and struck him as he exited his double-parked car in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Witness Jack Collins said, "He died basically on the spot." The e-bike rider remained at the scene. No arrests were made. The article notes this intersection is known for frequent stop sign violations: "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The piece highlights systemic issues, including delivery app pressures and gaps in e-bike regulation. City data shows e-bikes account for less than 2% of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues. Lawmakers have called for tighter rules, as delivery workers face incentives to rush.

• E-Bike Rider Runs Stop, Kills Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-23

Mar 20 - An 18-year-old female pedestrian suffered upper arm injuries after an SUV struck her at a Queens intersection. The vehicle's front center hit the victim, who was conscious and bruised. Driver inattention and failure to yield caused the collision.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and Palmetto Street in Queens. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and upper arm injury but remained conscious. The collision involved a 2015 SUV traveling northeast, which struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian was located at the intersection at the time of impact. No helmet or crossing signal usage was noted as contributing factors. The driver’s errors in attention and yielding directly led to the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800135 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 19 - Dumbo’s speed limit drops to 20 mph. Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone targets crowded streets. Ten severe injuries and one death in five years haunt the area. Council Member Restler and DOT push for slower traffic. Lives hang in the balance.

On March 19, 2025, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced the lowering of Dumbo’s speed limit to 20 mph, making it Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone. The measure follows the passage of Sammy’s Law, which lets the city set its own speed limits. The Department of Transportation cited ten severe injuries and one death in Dumbo over five years. The new zone covers streets packed with pedestrians, from Furman to Navy and Hudson, and John to Sands and the BQE. Restler said, 'Data has shown that a one mile per hour increase in speed results in a nearly three percent increase in mortality.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez added, 'Lowering vehicle speed limits by even a few miles per hour could be the difference between life or death in a traffic crash.' The change will take effect after a public comment period. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called for more slow zones in high-crash neighborhoods. The city plans to expand 20 mph limits to over 250 locations by the end of 2025.

• Speed limit in Dumbo to be lowered to 20 mph as nabe becomes Brooklyn’s first ‘Regional Slow Zone’, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-19