Bleeding Streets, Silent Leaders: Demand 20 MPH Now

• Man struck and killed by two vehicles while trying to cross Belt Parkway in South Ozone Park: NYPD, amny, Published 2025-09-16

• Maniac NYC driver who mowed down teen girl after she rejected lewd advances had suspended license: docs, New York Post, Published 2025-09-14

• 16-year-old girl dies after being hit by SUV in Queens, CBS New York, Published 2025-09-13

Aug 14 - Holden targets ghost plates. Int 1358-2025 would yank city-issued parking permits when drivers hide or deface tags. Referred to Transportation. Ghost plates dodge enforcement. People walking and biking feel the hit.

Int 1358-2025 is an Introduction now in Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced August 14, 2025, and referred the same day. Sponsor: Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30). The bill amends Administrative Code 19-166.1 to add plate-tampering to permit revocation triggers. It quotes its purpose plainly: “the revocation of city-issued parking permits for violations related to obscured or defaced license plates.” It would strip permits from individuals found guilty of parking, standing, stopping, or operating a vehicle with an obscured plate. No vote yet. The move targets a loophole that lets drivers mask identity and dodge accountability. When scofflaws skate, people outside cars pay.

• File Int 1358-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Holden targets ghost plates. Int 1358-2025 would yank city-issued parking permits when drivers hide or deface tags. Referred to Transportation. Ghost plates dodge enforcement. People walking and biking feel the hit.

Int 1358-2025 is an Introduction now in Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced August 14, 2025, and referred the same day. Sponsor: Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30). The bill amends Administrative Code 19-166.1 to add plate-tampering to permit revocation triggers. It quotes its purpose plainly: “the revocation of city-issued parking permits for violations related to obscured or defaced license plates.” It would strip permits from individuals found guilty of parking, standing, stopping, or operating a vehicle with an obscured plate. No vote yet. The move targets a loophole that lets drivers mask identity and dodge accountability. When scofflaws skate, people outside cars pay.

• File Int 1358-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Council bill targets obscured plates. It would yank city parking permits from holders caught parking, stopping, or driving with defaced tags. Misuse and unpaid fines already trigger revocation. Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure.

Int 1358-2025 was introduced on August 14, 2025 and sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure the same day. Status: in committee. Sponsor: Council Member Robert F. Holden. The bill amends Admin Code Section 19-166.1 to add revocation for obscured or defaced plates: "any violation relating to the parking, standing, stopping, or operating of a motor vehicle with an obscured or defaced license plate." Existing triggers remain: three permit misuse violations; any Section 19-166 violation; or more than $350 unpaid. Revocations follow NYPD procedures for Section 14-183 permits and DOT procedures for others. Matter title: "revocation of city-issued parking permits for violations related to obscured or defaced license plates."

• File Int 1358-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Council bill targets obscured plates. It would yank city parking permits from holders caught parking, stopping, or driving with defaced tags. Misuse and unpaid fines already trigger revocation. Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure.

Int 1358-2025 was introduced on August 14, 2025 and sent to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure the same day. Status: in committee. Sponsor: Council Member Robert F. Holden. The bill amends Admin Code Section 19-166.1 to add revocation for obscured or defaced plates: "any violation relating to the parking, standing, stopping, or operating of a motor vehicle with an obscured or defaced license plate." Existing triggers remain: three permit misuse violations; any Section 19-166 violation; or more than $350 unpaid. Revocations follow NYPD procedures for Section 14-183 permits and DOT procedures for others. Matter title: "revocation of city-issued parking permits for violations related to obscured or defaced license plates."

• File Int 1358-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Hidden plates beat the cameras. Pedestrians lose. Cyclists lose. Int 1358-2025 would yank city parking permits from plate cheats. It also targets permit misuse and big unpaid fines. A strike at impunity that puts people on foot and bike at risk.

Int 1358-2025 is in Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on August 14, 2025, with same‑day referral. Primary sponsor: Council Member Lincoln Restler. Co-sponsor: Robert F. Holden. The bill quotes its aim as the “revocation of city‑issued parking permits” for “obscured or defaced license plates.” It would also revoke permits for three misuse violations, any §19‑166 violation, or unpaid violations over $350. Status: Committee. Agenda date: August 14, 2025. Obscured plates block identification and undermine camera enforcement that protects people walking and cycling. This bill goes at that shield and the culture of permit misuse that lets drivers dodge accountability.

• File Int 1358-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 13 - A driver struck a man crossing 155th Street near JFK. The car sped off. Medics rushed the victim to the hospital. He died. Police searched for footage. No arrests. The street stayed silent.

NY Daily News (2025-08-13) reports a 52-year-old man was killed crossing 155th St. at South Conduit Ave. near JFK Airport around 2:30 a.m. The driver hit the man and fled. Police said, "The driver sped off without stopping. No arrests have been made." Officers searched for surveillance footage to identify the vehicle. The article notes 68 pedestrians have died in city crashes this year. The hit-and-run highlights ongoing dangers for those on foot and the challenge of holding drivers accountable.

• Queens Hit-And-Run Kills Pedestrian Near JFK, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-13

Aug 12 - A car tore through an Astoria intersection. It struck a food truck. Two men died on the sidewalk. The driver died too. Metal, flesh, coffee, blood. The street swallowed them. It happened fast. No one stood a chance.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-12), an 84-year-old driver sped through 42nd Street and 19th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, crashing into a food truck and killing two customers and himself. Surveillance showed the car "going about 60 miles an hour" before impact. The article quotes a witness: "Someone screamed really loudly, and I just had stepped back, like right up to the sidewalk." The force severed a victim's foot. The crash highlights the lethal risk when drivers lose control at high speed in pedestrian zones. No charges were filed; the driver died at the scene.

• Speeding Car Slams Food Truck, Kills Two, New York Post, Published 2025-08-12

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 9 - Two northbound sedans slammed together on Woodhaven Boulevard at 66th Avenue. Front to back. Hard stop. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite distraction. The street did what it always does: punish the smallest mistake.

Two sedans, both heading north on Woodhaven Boulevard at 66 Avenue, collided front to back. The BMW struck the Toyota’s center back end, injuring the Toyota’s 26-year-old driver, who reported neck pain. According to the police report, the listed contributing factor was “Driver Inattention/Distraction.” That points to a preventable lapse behind the wheel. No pedestrian or cyclist injuries were recorded in the file. Vehicle damage aligns with a rear impact: center front end to center back end. No other contributing factors were specified in the person records. The report lists one injured occupant and another with unspecified status.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834899 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 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 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 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 9 - A battery exploded. Fire roared. Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, was trapped in smoke and flame inside a Queens pizzeria. She died from her burns. Lithium-ion danger struck again. Four others escaped.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-09), Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, died after an e-bike battery exploded inside Singas Famous Pizzeria in Flushing, Queens. The FDNY described a 'blowtorch effect' that trapped Cheung as she tried to escape the bathroom. The article notes, 'These fires are treacherous. They move very quickly.' This was the first fatal lithium-ion battery fire in NYC for 2025, with officials citing a rising trend in such incidents. The battery was stored outside the bathroom, highlighting risks of indoor storage and the need for stronger safety measures.

• E-Bike Battery Blast Kills Woman In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 7 - BMW hit divider, flew across highway, struck two cars. Fire followed. Two young lives ended. Others hurt. Concrete, speed, and steel left scars in Queens dawn.

NY Daily News (2025-07-07) reports a BMW crashed into a concrete divider on Queens' Belt Parkway, then vaulted over the highway, hitting two vehicles. The BMW caught fire. Driver Noah Thompson, 24, and passenger Jewel Perez, 22, died after hospital transport. Three other BMW passengers and two other drivers survived with minor or stable injuries. Police noted, "No one in the BMW was wearing a seat belt." Authorities sought a warrant to test the driver's blood for alcohol. The crash highlights high-speed risks and the dangers of divided highways.

• BMW Crash Kills Two on Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-07

• Fatally Injured Teenager Is Discovered on Top of a N.Y.C. Subway Car, The New York Times, Published 2025-07-04