College Point’s numbers don’t lie: four dead, nearly 500 hurt

Nov 26 - A sedan stopped in traffic was struck on its left rear bumper. The impact injured a 17-year-old male passenger in the rear seat, causing abrasions and lower leg trauma. The driver was licensed and traveling northbound in Queens.

According to the police report, a 2013 Honda sedan was stopped in traffic on 138-11 20 Ave in Queens when it was struck on the left rear bumper. The vehicle was traveling northbound. The collision injured a 17-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear passenger position. The injured teen suffered abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The driver of the sedan was licensed in New York and alone in the vehicle. The report does not specify contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No victim behaviors or safety equipment usage were noted as contributing factors. The impact and resulting injuries highlight the dangers occupants face even when vehicles are stopped in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774875 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 24 - A sedan making a right turn struck a bicyclist traveling west on 23 Ave in Queens. The 21-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected. Driver license status was unlicensed.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 23 Ave in Queens at 19:57. A sedan was making a right turn when it collided with a bicyclist traveling straight westbound. The point of impact was the right side doors of both vehicles. The bicyclist, a 21-year-old male, sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm and was conscious after the crash. The report notes the bicyclist was not ejected and was riding without safety equipment. The sedan driver was unlicensed, indicating a critical driver error contributing to the crash. No other contributing factors were specified in the report. The collision highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers executing turns into the path of vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 15 - A 53-year-old woman suffered a head injury while crossing 132 Street at 20 Avenue in Queens. She was conscious but injured. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when struck.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 132 Street and 20 Avenue in Queens around 12:30 PM. She was crossing with the signal when an unspecified vehicle struck her, causing a head injury classified as severity level 3. The pedestrian was conscious and complained of internal injuries. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the driver or the pedestrian. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited in the data. The vehicle involved was unoccupied at the time of the crash and is described only as unspecified. The absence of cited driver errors leaves the circumstances of the impact unclear, but the pedestrian was legally crossing with the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772414 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 2 - Two sedans crashed on College Point Boulevard. One driver was ejected, suffering facial bruises. Both men were hurt. Police cite driver distraction. The street turned violent in an instant.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at 1:58 a.m. on College Point Boulevard. One driver, making a left turn, was struck in the rear by another sedan traveling straight. The impact ejected the turning driver, who suffered facial contusions. The other driver sustained back and internal injuries. Both men were conscious and licensed, wearing lap belts. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The collision shows the danger of distraction behind the wheel on this Queens road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768233 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 29 - Two sedans collided on Whitestone Expressway. One driver, a 43-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both cars took heavy damage. No cause listed. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed at 8:15 a.m. on Whitestone Expressway. One driver, a 43-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and whiplash. She was conscious and not ejected. The first sedan was going straight and hit the center front end. The second sedan was merging and struck in the center back end. Both drivers were women. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured driver’s safety equipment status is unknown.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767369 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 10 - A motorcycle making a right turn collided with a sedan traveling straight south on College Point Boulevard. The motorcycle driver suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:00 on College Point Boulevard involving a motorcycle and a sedan. The motorcycle was making a right turn while the sedan was traveling straight south. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The motorcycle driver, a 31-year-old male, sustained abrasions to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. Both drivers were licensed. The motorcycle driver was not wearing safety equipment. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision caused damage to the center front ends of both vehicles and the left side doors of a parked sedan nearby.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766215 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 17 - Queens lawmakers slammed e-scooters, calling them chaos. They claimed danger, but city data shows no deaths or serious injuries. Council Member Ung introduced a bill to ban the program. Gennaro and Schulman support it. DOT says the program is safe and popular.

On September 17, 2024, Council Member Sandra Ung announced a bill to ban the Queens e-scooter share program. The bill, co-sponsored by Council Members James Gennaro and Lynn Schulman, follows a press conference where lawmakers denounced the program as hazardous. Gennaro said, "The program, as designed, leads to chaos." Ung called her bill a last resort. Assembly Members Sam Berger and David Weprin, and Community Board 8 Chair Martha Taylor, joined the opposition, citing sidewalk clutter and lack of outreach. However, DOT data contradicts their claims: since the program's June launch, 37,000 riders have taken 290,000 trips with no reported serious injuries or deaths. DOT says it held 35 briefings and implemented parking corrals in dense areas. Despite high ridership and safety records, the bill seeks to end the program, centering political frustration over proven outcomes.

• Queens Pols Have Lots of Claims About the Evils of Scooter-Share, But Few Facts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-17

Sep 5 - A tractor truck rear-ended a parked sedan on Whitestone Expressway. Three sedan occupants suffered neck and back injuries. Police cite the truck driver for following too closely. All victims were conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a tractor truck traveling south on Whitestone Expressway struck the rear of a parked sedan at 21:37. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, pointing to the truck driver's failure to maintain distance. Three people in the sedan—a 53-year-old male driver, a 45-year-old male front passenger, and a 46-year-old female rear passenger—sustained neck and back injuries, including whiplash. All were conscious and restrained at the scene. The sedan was damaged at the center back end, while the truck showed no damage. The report attributes the crash to driver error by the truck operator, with no contributing factors assigned to the sedan occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755435 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 29 - New York will close 71 streets to cars outside schools this fall. The city adds more car-free zones for kids. Streets once deadly will now be safer for walking, play, and learning. The move targets neighborhoods hit hardest by crashes.

On August 29, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a record 71 school streets will close to cars this fall. The expansion, not tied to a specific council bill, builds on the Open Streets program, made permanent in 2021. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez said, 'We have created a new framework to give this space back to our school children.' Councilwoman Vickie Paladino celebrated the new open street at PS 129, calling it a win for safe pick-up, drop-off, and play. Funding comes from the Public Space Equity Program, with $30 million focused on under-resourced areas. Street Lab will provide programming and street furniture. The program responds to past investigations showing higher crash and injury rates outside schools, especially in poorer neighborhoods. The city will directly fund management and operations starting in 2025, aiming to make these safety gains permanent.

• More Safe School Streets Coming To NYC This Fall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-29

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 12 - Two sedans collided on 125 Street in Queens. Both drivers were male and licensed. The crash caused contusions and neck and leg injuries to occupants. Driver inattention and distraction were cited as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling straight ahead collided on 125 Street in Queens at 3:00 PM. The first vehicle, a 2017 Toyota sedan traveling north, was impacted on the left front bumper. The second vehicle, a 2011 Hyundai sedan traveling east, sustained damage to the center front end. Both drivers were licensed males from New York. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor to the crash. An 18-year-old male rear passenger in the Hyundai was injured with neck contusions and bruises, wearing a lap belt and not ejected. The 35-year-old male driver of the Hyundai also suffered contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748563 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 4 - Two SUVs collided on the Whitestone Expressway. The rear vehicle struck the left rear bumper of the lead SUV. Three passengers suffered neck injuries with whiplash. Police cited following too closely as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Whitestone Expressway at 1:25 AM. Two station wagons/SUVs traveling south collided when the trailing vehicle impacted the left rear bumper of the lead vehicle. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the collision. Three occupants in the lead vehicle, including an 11-year-old boy and two adult women, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash. All injured passengers were conscious and not ejected from the vehicles. The lead vehicle occupants used lap belts and harnesses except the youngest passenger, who had no safety equipment. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victims’ actions. The crash highlights driver error in maintaining unsafe following distance on a busy expressway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747525 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 24 - Two teenagers suffered bruises and neck and back injuries in a Queens crash. A sedan driven by a distracted 17-year-old collided with another vehicle disregarding traffic control. Both occupants were conscious and restrained at impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 120 Street near 15 Avenue in Queens at 18:50. The collision involved two sedans traveling east and north, respectively. The 17-year-old female driver of the eastbound Honda sedan was cited for driver inattention and distraction. The other vehicle's driver disregarded traffic control, contributing to the crash. The 17-year-old driver sustained back contusions and bruises, while a 14-year-old female passenger in the same vehicle suffered neck contusions. Both occupants were conscious, properly restrained with lap belts and harnesses, and not ejected from the vehicle. The point of impact was the left front bumper on both vehicles, causing center front end damage. The report highlights driver errors—distraction and failure to obey traffic controls—as key factors in this collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742825 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 20 - Two sedans collided at 7 PM on 128 Street. The front of one struck the left side of the other. An 8-year-old passenger and a 33-year-old driver suffered contusions and neck and shoulder injuries. The crash involved traffic control disregard.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:00 on 128 Street involving two sedans traveling north and east. The Lexus sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, struck the left side doors of a Honda sedan driven by a male with a learner's permit. The point of impact was the center front end of the Lexus and the left side doors of the Honda. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor to the collision. An 8-year-old female passenger in the Honda, seated in the middle rear seat and restrained with a lap belt, sustained neck contusions and bruises. The 33-year-old male driver of the Honda, also wearing a lap belt, suffered shoulder and upper arm contusions. Both occupants were conscious and not ejected. The report highlights driver errors related to traffic control disregard as the cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742045 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 14 - A 43-year-old male driver suffered facial injuries and shock in a Queens crash. Two vehicles traveling straight collided, impacting the SUV’s front and the sedan’s rear quarter. The driver was restrained but reported pain and nausea after the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:54 on 127 Street in Queens involving a 2016 Honda SUV traveling south and a 2017 Nissan sedan traveling east. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the sedan's left rear quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 43-year-old male occupant, was injured with facial trauma and shock, complaining of pain and nausea. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report does not list specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The collision between two vehicles traveling straight ahead highlights a dangerous interaction at this intersection. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved or cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740068 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 13 - A BMW sped west on 12th Avenue. A sedan turned south. Steel met steel. The BMW’s right side crumpled. A 47-year-old man inside, belted, conscious, broken. The crash left him with crush injuries. The street bore witness. The system failed.

According to the police report, a BMW convertible traveling west on 12th Avenue collided with a southbound sedan as it turned. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The BMW’s right side was crushed in the impact. The 47-year-old male driver of the BMW, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained crush injuries to his entire body and was conscious at the scene. The crash occurred at 15:45. The report does not cite any victim actions as contributing factors. The documented driver errors—failure to yield and unsafe speed—stand at the center of this violent collision, underscoring the systemic dangers that persist on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732927 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07