Jun 9 - Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Jun 3 - SUV turned left on Queens Blvd. E-bike rider struck. Rider’s leg gashed. SUV driver and passenger hurt. Police cite driver inattention. Danger at the intersection remains.

An SUV making a left turn on Queens Blvd collided with a southbound e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 37-year-old woman, suffered a leg injury. The SUV driver and a passenger also reported injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The SUV’s left front bumper struck the e-bike. No other contributing factors were listed. The crash highlights the risk faced by cyclists and passengers when drivers lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818267 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 3 - Warren Rollins turned himself in for killing Gary Charlotin. Rollins ran over Charlotin, dragged him three blocks, then fled. Bystanders begged him to stop. The victim died at the scene. This arrest does not change the danger for people on foot.

On June 3, 2025, Warren Rollins surrendered at the 105th Precinct in Queens Village. He faces charges of depraved indifference murder, manslaughter, leaving the scene, and criminally negligent homicide for the December 10, 2023, crash that killed Gary Charlotin. The incident summary states, 'Rollins dragged Charlotin three blocks before fleeing.' Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called it 'a horrific death' and cited 'a complete disregard for human life.' Reporters Emma Seiwell, Rocco Parascandola, and Thomas Tracy covered the arrest. No council bill or committee action is involved. According to safety analysts, this is a criminal justice event, not a policy change. It does not affect system-wide safety for pedestrians or cyclists.

• Queens hit-and-run driver arrested for murder for dragging victim 3 blocks, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-03

Jun 3 - A driver in Queens struck a man crossing Hempstead Avenue. The SUV stopped, idled, then sped off. The victim was dragged for three blocks. Bystanders screamed. The man died at the scene. The driver later surrendered to police.

NY Daily News reported on June 3, 2025, that Warren Rollins surrendered to police for a December 2023 hit-and-run in Queens. Rollins allegedly ran over Gary Charlotin, who was crossing Hempstead Ave., then stopped for two minutes before fleeing. According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Rollins 'proceeded to speed away from the scene while dragging the victim's body, while the victim was still alive.' Bystanders pleaded for the driver to stop. The incident highlights the lethal consequences of driver inattention and failure to yield, as well as the dangers posed by drivers who flee crash scenes. The NYPD Highway Patrol investigated the fatality.

• Queens Driver Drags Pedestrian Three Blocks, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-03

Jun 2 - A sedan struck a man crossing with the signal on 99th Street. The driver was distracted and inexperienced. The pedestrian suffered a bruised arm. Impact came at the intersection. System failed to protect him.

A sedan hit a 41-year-old man as he crossed 99th Street with the signal at 64th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and inexperienced. The pedestrian suffered a contusion to his arm. The crash occurred at the intersection, with the sedan's left front bumper striking the victim. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. No vehicle damage was noted. The driver was licensed and traveling north while making a left turn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818265 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 30 - A taxi struck a sedan’s rear on Grand Central Parkway. One driver suffered a back injury and shock. Three others were hurt. Both vehicles moved straight. The crash left metal twisted and lives shaken. No cause named in the police report.

A taxi and a sedan collided on Grand Central Parkway near 78th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling straight when the taxi hit the sedan from behind. The 64-year-old woman driving the sedan suffered a back injury and was in shock. Three other occupants, including both drivers, were also reported injured. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were documented in the data. The taxi’s front and the sedan’s rear took the brunt of the impact. The police report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817355 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 21 - A bus hit an 83-year-old woman crossing Austin Street. She suffered a head injury. The impact left her bruised and conscious. No driver errors listed. Streets remain dangerous.

An 83-year-old woman was struck and injured by a bus while crossing Austin Street near 69 Road in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The bus, driven by a 33-year-old man, impacted her with its left front bumper. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian was not at an intersection or crosswalk when the crash occurred. No helmet or signal issues were cited. The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by pedestrians on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815310 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 21 - A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.

According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.

• Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-21

May 20 - Bike and e-scooter collided on Queens Blvd. Cyclist suffered arm fracture. Police cite improper lane use. No vehicle damage. Evening crash left one hurt.

A cyclist and an e-scooter rider collided on Queens Blvd at Ascan Ave in Queens. The crash left the 42-year-old cyclist with a fractured arm. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' was the contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight before impact. No vehicle damage was reported. The cyclist was conscious after the crash. The data lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817343 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 17 - Two cars crashed on 71 Ave. Both drivers distracted. One man suffered neck injury. Metal and glass met. Streets stayed dangerous.

Two vehicles, a sedan and an SUV, crashed on 71 Ave near Harrow St in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers were distracted. One male driver, age 59, suffered a neck injury and whiplash. The other driver, a 50-year-old woman, was not injured. Two passengers were also involved but not seriously hurt. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one car damaged at the rear. The toll: pain, metal, and another mark on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814318 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 15 - A sedan hit a woman crossing Grand Central Parkway. She took the blow in her upper arm. Shock followed. Police cite driver distraction. The street stayed open. Pain lingered.

A 24-year-old woman walking outside the intersection on Grand Central Parkway was struck and injured in the upper arm by a sedan. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The pedestrian suffered pain and shock. No injuries were reported among vehicle occupants. The crash involved two sedans, one parked and one moving straight ahead. The report lists no contributing factors for the pedestrian. The impact fell on the center front of the moving car. The system failed to protect the most vulnerable.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814319 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 14 - Victims and advocates marched to Albany. They demanded action for safer streets. Lawmakers split on bills: some backed speed controls, others balked. The Senate killed an anti-congestion bill. The fight for vulnerable lives pressed on, urgent and raw.

On May 14, 2025, victims of road violence and Families for Safe Streets lobbied at the State Capitol for the SAFE Streets Package. This package includes the 'Idaho stop' bill and the 'Stop Super-Speeders' bill. The event saw support from several Assembly members and a senator for speed controls, while Sen. Anthony Palumbo and Assembly Member Michael Novakhov opposed the super speeder bill, citing government overreach. Sen. Leroy Comrie opposed the Idaho stop bill, citing concerns for seniors. Separately, Senate bill S533, which aimed to block congestion pricing, was defeated in the Senate Transportation Committee. Chair Jeremy Cooney stressed, 'You have to have a plan. If you don’t have a plan, what are [you] doing to get the $15 billion revenue?' The day highlighted the rift between safety demands and political resistance, with victims' voices at the center.

• Pain Points: Victims of Road Violence Make Annual Pilgrimage to Demand Safe Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-14

May 13 - Senate passes S 346. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. Pushes work zone safety. Sets up new enforcement fund. Lawmakers move to shield workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 346 cleared committee on May 13, 2025. The bill, titled 'Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker; promotes work zone safety awareness; establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement,' aims to crack down on drivers who threaten highway workers. Senator Jeremy Cooney led as primary sponsor, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, Christopher Ryan, and James Skoufis. The committee voted yes. The bill targets reckless driving in work zones, boosting penalties and funding enforcement. It marks a step to protect those most exposed to traffic danger.

• File S 346, Open States, Published 2025-05-13

May 7 - A cyclist, age 62, struck on Jewel Ave. Driver inattention blamed. The man suffered a bruised leg but stayed conscious. Impact hit the right side. Streets stay dangerous for those on two wheels.

A 62-year-old bicyclist was injured on Jewel Ave at 110 St in Queens. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The cyclist suffered a contusion to his lower leg but remained conscious. The impact struck the right side of the bike. No other vehicles are detailed. Driver inattention stands out as the key factor in this crash, as listed in the official data. No helmet or signaling issues are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813439 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - A sedan slammed into another on Queens Blvd. A 70-year-old woman in the front seat took the hit. Neck pain. Police blame following too closely. Metal and glass, sudden stop, whiplash.

Two sedans collided on Queens Boulevard at Ascan Avenue in Queens. A 70-year-old front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' The front of one sedan struck the rear of another as it slowed or stopped. No other injuries were specified. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the main driver error. The injured passenger wore a lap belt. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813441 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 2 - A driver ran a red. He sped through Queens. He hit Justin Diaz, heading to work. Diaz died. The driver, Michael Peña, faced jail, then release. The family mourns. The street remains dangerous. The system moves on.

NY Daily News reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former firefighter, was released from jail after being charged in a fatal crash. Police said Peña drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone and ran a red light, t-boning Justin Diaz near LaGuardia Airport. Peña had a history of 25 school-zone speeding tickets. The article quotes Diaz's brother: "We're sick, angry, disgusted." Peña was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusing a breath test. The release followed an appellate judge's decision, despite community outrage. The case highlights persistent dangers from high-speed driving and repeated violations, raising questions about enforcement and bail decisions.

• Red Light Crash Kills Airport Worker, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-02

May 1 - A man crossed Linden Boulevard. A black car hit him and fled. Another car ran over him. He died in the hospital. The first driver vanished. The second stayed. Police search. The street stayed open. Blood on the asphalt.

Patch reported on May 1, 2025, that Christopher Gayton, 62, was killed at Linden Boulevard and 166 Street in Queens. He was struck by an eastbound black vehicle whose driver fled, then run over by a 2024 Ford Edge. The Ford's driver remained at the scene. Police said, 'Police are still searching for the first driver who fled the scene.' No charges have been filed. The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The crash highlights the dangers of multi-lane arterial roads and the ongoing risks for pedestrians in Queens. No arrests have been made.

• Pedestrian Killed In Queens Double Collision, Patch, Published 2025-05-01