Queens Boulevard Bleeds—And City Hall Lets It Happen

A minivan left the road in Queens. It hit a tree. One woman died. Three others, all seniors, went to the hospital. The crash happened on Brookville Boulevard, near Sunrise Highway. Police are investigating. The road stayed quiet after.

According to the NY Daily News (published February 14, 2025), a minivan from Eunhae Adult Daycare crashed while leaving a senior residence in Queens. The 74-year-old driver 'lost control of the wheel at the Sunrise Highway.' The vehicle veered off Brookville Blvd and struck a tree. Four people were inside, all seniors. One woman in her 70s died after being found unconscious in the back seat. Three others, including the driver, were hospitalized but expected to survive. Police are investigating the cause. The article highlights the dangers faced by passengers in vehicles operated by older drivers and the risks at busy intersections like Brookville Boulevard and Sunrise Highway.

• Minivan Crash Kills Woman, Injures Three, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-14

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

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

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

Two vehicles making right turns collided on Eliot Avenue in Queens. The sedan driver suffered a back injury and shock. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors. Both vehicles sustained damage to their right front bumpers.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Eliot Avenue near Queens Boulevard involving a 2017 sedan and a box truck, both traveling northeast and making right turns. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with back trauma and experienced shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passenger Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. Both vehicles sustained damage to their right front bumpers, indicating impact at those points. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and held a valid Florida license, while the truck driver was licensed in New York. The report explicitly cites driver errors, particularly inattention and distraction, without attributing fault to any other party.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789574 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

Council wants helmets on every cyclist. No helmet, fifty-dollar fine. Law targets riders not covered by other rules. The bill sits in committee. Streets stay deadly. Blame stays off victims.

Bill Int 1173-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced January 23, 2025, by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Robert Holden, with co-sponsors Zhuang, Brannan, Hanks, Louis, Schulman, Moya, Narcisse, and Vernikov. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' It would fine any cyclist not wearing a helmet up to $50, unless already required by other laws. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The bill has not passed. No votes recorded.

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

Council wants helmets on every cyclist. No helmet, fifty-dollar fine. Law targets riders not covered by other rules. The bill sits in committee. Streets stay deadly. Blame stays off victims.

Bill Int 1173-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced January 23, 2025, by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Member Robert Holden, with co-sponsors Zhuang, Brannan, Hanks, Louis, Schulman, Moya, Narcisse, and Vernikov. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' It would fine any cyclist not wearing a helmet up to $50, unless already required by other laws. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The bill has not passed. No votes recorded.

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

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

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Assembly bill A 324 demands complete street design for state- and federally-funded projects. Sponsors push for public guidance. Streets built for people, not just cars. Safety for all hangs in the balance.

Assembly Bill A 324 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force planners to consider all users—pedestrians, cyclists, drivers—when building or upgrading roads. Didi Barrett leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Amy Paulin, and many others. The bill also directs the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note yet, but the measure’s intent is clear: streets should protect the most vulnerable, not just move traffic.

• File A 324, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Businesses in Manhattan’s toll zone pass new $9 congestion fee to customers. Councilman Holden calls it a scam tax. Residents pay even if they don’t drive. Gridlock grows near the border. Critics warn of rising costs and slower emergency response.

On January 5, 2025, New York City began enforcing congestion pricing below 60th Street, charging drivers $9 during peak hours. The measure, discussed in the article 'NYC residents slapped with congestion pricing ‘surcharge’ by fed-up companies paying new toll: ‘Hochul inflation’,' has sparked backlash. Queens Councilman Robert F. Holden, representing District 30, condemned the move, stating, 'It’s no surprise that businesses will pass the Congestion Scam Tax on to consumers.' Companies like CompuVoip and Dream Events & Decor now add surcharges for customers in the zone. Holden’s criticism joins that of Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato and others, who warn of higher costs and increased gridlock. Emergency unions claim response times will suffer. The bill’s impact on vulnerable road users was not assessed.

• NYC residents slapped with congestion pricing ‘surcharge’ by fed-up companies paying new toll: ‘Hochul inflation’, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-05

A 74-year-old woman crossing 63rd Drive was struck by a southbound convertible. She suffered leg injuries and bleeding. Police cite driver inattention. The car hit her with its center front end. She was left in shock.

According to the police report, a 74-year-old female pedestrian was crossing 63rd Drive near Wetherole Street in Queens when a southbound 2015 Chevrolet convertible struck her at 5:37 p.m. The impact was to the vehicle’s center front end. The woman suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and shock reported. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. No pedestrian actions were cited as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778839 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council Member Holden’s e-bike registration bill faces fierce pushback. Advocates warn it targets immigrants and delivery workers. Business groups fear new costs. Supporters say it brings accountability. Streets remain deadly. Cars still kill most. Debate rages. No easy answers.

Intro. 606, known as Priscilla’s Law, was introduced by Council Member Robert F. Holden of District 30. The bill, debated on December 12, 2024, sits before the City Council. It would require all e-mobility devices not covered by the state DMV to register with the city’s Department of Transportation. The bill’s summary states it aims to increase accountability for e-bike riders after fatal crashes. Holden, the sponsor, cited dangers from unregulated e-vehicles and hit-and-runs. Advocacy groups, including Los Deliveristas Unidos and Open Plans, argue the bill would unfairly criminalize immigrants and delivery workers, and increase police stops for people of color. The NYC Hospitality Alliance warns of new financial and administrative burdens for small businesses. Both sides agree cars cause far more deaths, but the bill’s critics say better street design, not registration, would protect vulnerable road users.

• Immigrant, hospitality advocacy groups push back on NYC e-bike licensing bill, amny.com, Published 2024-12-12

A tractor truck slammed into the rear of an SUV traveling westbound on the Long Island Expressway. The SUV driver and passenger suffered injuries including shoulder and head trauma. Police cite following too closely as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on the Long Island Expressway at 3:58 AM involving a tractor truck and a sport utility vehicle (SUV), both traveling westbound. The truck struck the center back end of the SUV, damaging the SUV’s right rear bumper and the truck’s left front bumper. The SUV carried two occupants: a 36-year-old female driver and a 29-year-old male passenger. Both were injured, with the driver sustaining upper arm and shoulder injuries and the passenger suffering head trauma. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report identifies the truck driver’s error as "Following Too Closely," directly contributing to the crash. No other contributing factors were specified for the SUV occupants. The crash left both occupants in shock, highlighting the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777971 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council Member Holden wants license plates on e-bikes. Lawyers say it’s illegal. The bill could block riders, clash with state law, and open doors to police stops. Critics warn it hurts city goals. The law department stays silent.

Intro 606, a City Council bill introduced by Council Member Bob Holden, would force the Department of Transportation to register e-bikes and issue license plates for a fee. The bill is named after Priscilla Loke, killed by an electric Citi Bike rider. Legal experts Daniel Flanzig, Peter Beadle, and Brandon Chamberlin argue the bill violates state law, which bars cities from imposing fees that restrict the 'free use' of bicycles. They warn it would create barriers to e-bike use and could lead to inconsistent rules across cities. Holden defends the bill as a push for 'accountability and safety.' Critics say it discourages e-bike use and risks police harassment, especially for immigrants. The city Law Department declined comment. The bill’s legal standing and impact on vulnerable road users remain sharply contested.

• Intro 606 Alert: E-Bike Licensing Bill Is Not Even Legal, Lawyers Say, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-11

A 37-year-old woman suffered upper arm injuries after a sedan struck her while she crossed a marked crosswalk on Horace Harding Expressway. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive, hitting the pedestrian with the vehicle’s right front bumper.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old female pedestrian was injured at 17:13 on Horace Harding Expressway in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2023 Nissan sedan, traveling north and making a right turn, struck her with its right front bumper. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and an upper arm injury but remained conscious. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle without occupants. This collision underscores the critical role of driver errors, specifically failure to yield and distraction, in pedestrian injuries on busy expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773930 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck an 82-year-old woman at 62 Drive and Alderton Street. She suffered bruises and leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. The woman was conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a sedan hit an 82-year-old female pedestrian at 7:51 AM on 62 Drive near Alderton Street in Queens. The woman sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The sedan's right front bumper struck her, but the vehicle showed no damage. The driver was licensed and alone in the car. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions or safety equipment are listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772652 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04