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

Jun 20 - A sedan struck a 9-year-old boy riding a bike in Queens. The child was ejected and suffered back abrasions. Both vehicles traveled straight. Limited view contributed to the crash. The boy was conscious but injured.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south collided with a bicyclist traveling east near 8-09 115 Street in Queens. The bicyclist, a 9-year-old boy, was ejected from his bike and sustained back abrasions. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor for both the driver and the bicyclist. The sedan's point of impact was the center front end, while the bike was struck on the left side doors. The driver of the sedan was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash resulted in injury severity level 3 for the child, who remained conscious after the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4639407 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 9 - Two SUVs, southbound. One slams into the back of the other. Steel folds. A woman, 49, crushed in the front seat. Both drivers hurt. Alcohol involved. The Whitestone Expressway runs red with injury.

Two sport utility vehicles, both heading south on the Whitestone Expressway, collided when one struck the rear of the other. According to the police report, 'Alcohol was there.' Three people were injured: a 49-year-old woman in the front passenger seat suffered crush injuries to her entire body, a 24-year-old woman driver sustained arm injuries, and a 54-year-old male driver was hurt in the chest. The police report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. Both vehicles were damaged at their center ends, showing a forceful rear-end impact. No other contributing factors were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636368 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 1 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-06-01

May 31 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31

May 20 - A sedan traveling north struck the left rear quarter of a westbound tanker on 20 Avenue in Queens. The front passenger in the sedan suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash involved unsafe speed by the sedan driver.

According to the police report, a 2020 Ford sedan traveling north on 20 Avenue collided with the left rear quarter panel of a westbound 2019 tanker truck. The sedan's front passenger, a 48-year-old man, was injured with contusions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead before the collision. The impact damaged the sedan's center front end and the tanker's left rear quarter panel. No ejections or pedestrian involvement were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630393 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

May 13 - A Honda motorcycle hit a Jeep’s rear on Whitestone Expressway near midnight. The rider, 43, flew off. His helmet stayed on. Blood ran from his head. He stayed conscious. The SUV driver, 19, was not hurt. The road was dark and still.

A crash on Whitestone Expressway just before 1 a.m. left a 43-year-old motorcyclist injured. According to the police report, a Honda motorcycle slammed into the back of a Jeep SUV. The rider was ejected, suffered severe bleeding from the head, but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV, driven by a 19-year-old man, sustained damage to its left rear bumper. No injuries were reported for the SUV driver. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No driver errors or additional contributing factors were identified in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628354 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 6 - A 50-year-old woman driving an SUV suffered a concussion and facial injuries after colliding with a box truck. The crash occurred at 7:10 a.m. on 20 Avenue. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause. The driver was restrained and not ejected.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 20 Avenue involving a 2006 SUV and a 2013 box truck. The SUV driver, a 50-year-old woman, was injured with a concussion and facial trauma. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor for the crash. The SUV struck the truck's right rear quarter panel with its center front end. The truck was traveling south, and the SUV was traveling east. No other occupants were reported injured. The crash caused damage to both vehicles, with the SUV sustaining front-end damage and the truck damage to its rear quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626383 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 5 - A 46-year-old male motorcycle driver was partially ejected on 20 Avenue. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The rider was conscious and wearing a helmet. The motorcycle sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old male motorcycle driver traveling north on 20 Avenue was partially ejected from his vehicle. He sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The motorcycle, a 2013 HD-MCL, suffered damage to its center front end. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any specific driver errors. The rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4626380 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 29 - A 39-year-old man driving an SUV struck another vehicle on the Whitestone Expressway. Both the driver and a 20-year-old female passenger suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. The crash involved unsafe speed and following too closely.

According to the police report, a 2016 SUV traveling north on the Whitestone Expressway collided with another vehicle, impacting the left front quarter panel. The driver, a 39-year-old man, and his 20-year-old female passenger were both injured, suffering whiplash and injuries to their entire bodies. Both occupants were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead before the collision. The crash caused damage to the left front quarter panel of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4624374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 28 - A pick-up truck merged unsafely on Whitestone Expressway. It struck the left front bumper of a sedan traveling south. The sedan’s 63-year-old male driver suffered a back injury. Both vehicles bore damage to their left front sections.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling south on Whitestone Expressway merged unsafely and collided with a sedan going straight ahead in the same direction. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the left front quarter panel of the truck. The sedan’s 63-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained a back injury classified as severity level 3. The driver remained conscious and was not ejected. The contributing factor listed was Unsafe Lane Changing by the pick-up truck driver. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4617122 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - A multi-wheeled vehicle clipped a sedan on 8 Avenue in Queens. The ATV driver, unlicensed and entering a parked position, suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. The sedan was making a left turn. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 8 Avenue in Queens involving a multi-wheeled vehicle and a sedan. The ATV driver, a 35-year-old man, was injured with abrasions to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The ATV was entering a parked position when it passed too closely to the sedan, which was making a left turn. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as a contributing factor. The ATV driver was unlicensed. Neither vehicle sustained damage. The injured party was wearing a helmet, but no other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652189 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 21 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 18 - Two SUVs crashed on the Whitestone Expressway at night. One vehicle merged unsafely, striking the other’s right side. A 51-year-old female passenger suffered back injuries and shock. Both vehicles sustained damage to their sides and bumpers.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on the Whitestone Expressway at 9:10 p.m. The crash involved unsafe lane changing by one driver who was merging. The impact occurred on the right side doors of one SUV and the left front bumper of the other. A 51-year-old female front-seat passenger was injured, complaining of back pain and nausea, and was not ejected. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists the contributing factor as unsafe lane changing. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4613840 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 3 - A 67-year-old woman crossed 14th Avenue with the signal. A westbound SUV struck her head with its right front bumper. She bled, conscious, on the street. The driver failed to yield. The crash left the road stained and silent.

A 67-year-old woman was injured while crossing 14th Avenue at 127th Street. According to the police report, she was walking with the signal when a westbound 2021 Honda SUV hit her in the head with its right front bumper. She suffered severe lacerations but remained conscious at the scene. The report states, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver, a man alone in the vehicle, did not yield to the pedestrian. The woman was following the signal. No injuries were reported for the driver. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls and fail to yield to people crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611190 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 26 - A sedan traveling south struck another vehicle from behind on the Whitestone Expressway. The driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered a back injury and shock but was not ejected. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage. No clear driver errors were reported.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old male driver in a 2016 Toyota sedan was injured in a rear-end collision on the Whitestone Expressway. The sedan hit the center back end of an unspecified vehicle, which was impacted at its center front end. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected but suffered a back injury and shock. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no clear driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding noted. Both vehicles sustained damage at the points of impact. The report does not indicate any pedestrian or cyclist involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4608582 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 19 - A 34-year-old man was hit crossing 12 Avenue at College Place in Queens. The SUV struck him with its right front bumper. He suffered knee and lower leg fractures. Police cited driver failure to yield right-of-way at the marked crosswalk.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk at 12 Avenue and College Place in Queens. The driver of a 2015 Honda SUV, traveling east and going straight ahead, failed to yield right-of-way and struck the pedestrian with the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and suffered serious injuries. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4606924 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13