Bay Terrace–Clearview: Blood on the Parkways

Aug 3 - A Volkswagen SUV was struck from behind on Cross Island Parkway. The back end folded in. Inside, a 29-year-old man, belted and alone, suffered crush injuries. The road stayed open. His body bore the cost.

A 2013 Volkswagen SUV traveling north on Cross Island Parkway was struck from behind, according to the police report. The impact crumpled the center back end of the vehicle. Inside, a 29-year-old male driver, described as 'belted and alone,' was found conscious but with crush wounds across his entire body. The police report states the driver was not ejected and was using a lap belt and harness. The narrative details, 'The back end crumpled. Inside, a 29-year-old man, belted and alone, lay conscious with crush wounds across his body.' The report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified,' offering no further details about the actions of the striking driver or vehicle. The collision left the driver with severe injuries, underscoring the lethal consequences of rear-end impacts on New York City roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4745122 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 19 - A KIA sedan reversed near 26th Avenue. Its bumper struck a 78-year-old woman standing off the roadway. Her body crushed, pain unyielding. She stayed conscious. The car showed no damage. The street stayed indifferent.

According to the police report, a KIA sedan backed up near 208-11 26th Avenue in Queens at 14:53. The vehicle struck a 78-year-old woman who was standing off the roadway. The report states, 'A KIA sedan backed up. No damage to the car. A 78-year-old woman stood off the roadway. The bumper found her. Her whole body crushed. She stayed conscious. The pain did not let go.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her entire body and remained conscious at the scene. The police report identifies 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor for the crash. No vehicle damage was reported. The data makes clear: driver error—specifically unsafe backing—directly led to severe injury for a vulnerable pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742811 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 26 - An 80-year-old woman driving eastbound on Cross Island Parkway lost consciousness, crashing into a parked SUV. She sustained whole-body injuries and whiplash but was not ejected. The collision damaged the left front bumpers of both vehicles.

According to the police report, an 80-year-old female driver traveling eastbound on Cross Island Parkway lost consciousness while operating her 2022 SUV. This medical event caused her to collide with a parked 2017 SUV, impacting the left front bumper and quarter panel of the vehicles. The driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, suffered injuries to her entire body, including whiplash, but remained conscious after the crash and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as the primary contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The parked vehicle had no occupants at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736009 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 9 - Two SUVs collided on Cross Island Parkway. One struck the rear of the other. Three people hurt: head, neck, and shoulder injuries. Police blamed driver inattention. Shock and pain marked the scene.

According to the police report, two SUVs traveling east on Cross Island Parkway crashed when a 2021 BMW SUV struck the rear of a 2013 Lexus SUV. Driver inattention and distraction were cited as the primary causes. Three people were injured: the BMW driver suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries; the Lexus driver had head trauma; a Lexus front passenger sustained neck injuries. All wore lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. Each occupant experienced shock and moderate injury. The report lists no victim actions as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731072 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 - 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 - 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

Jun 6 - 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 2024-06-06

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

Jun 1 - A Hyundai sedan tore down Cross Island Parkway. Metal twisted, glass shattered. The driver, a 30-year-old woman, stayed conscious as crush injuries swept her body. The car’s right front quarter bore the brunt. The night air held the sound.

A Hyundai sedan traveling north on Cross Island Parkway crashed, inflicting severe crush injuries on its sole occupant, a 30-year-old woman. According to the police report, the vehicle's right front quarter panel sustained heavy damage. The driver remained conscious, restrained by a lap belt and harness, but suffered injuries described as spreading through her entire body. The report states the driver was licensed and alone in the car. Both contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified,' providing no further detail on the cause. The narrative notes, 'A Hyundai sedan slammed hard on its right front. The driver, a 30-year-old woman, stayed conscious. Her seatbelt held. Her bones did not. Crush injuries spread through her body like fire through dry grass.' No other vehicles or road users are named in the report, and no driver errors are specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729233 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 23 - Abandoned poles and wires block sidewalks, trap walkers, and threaten cyclists. This bill sets strict deadlines for removal and transfer. Delay ends. Streets clear. Danger cut.

Int 0921-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 23, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Justin L. Brannan with Holden, Vernikov, Marmorato, and Paladino, demands owners remove abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances within 60 days—or immediately if dangerous. Transfers to new poles must happen in 30 days. The matter title reads: 'timelines for the removal of abandoned or unsafe utility poles, wires, and appurtenances, and the transfer of appurtenances to newly erected poles.' Swift action means fewer sidewalk traps and less risk for those on foot or bike.

• File Int 0921-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-23

May 16 - Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.

On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.

• Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16

May 16 - Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.

On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.

• Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16

May 13 - Four SUVs and a sedan collided in a chain-reaction crash on Cross Island Parkway. Unsafe speed caused the pileup. A 31-year-old female driver suffered head injuries and whiplash, restrained by a lap belt and harness, remaining conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle collision occurred on Cross Island Parkway shortly after midnight involving four SUVs and one sedan all traveling south. The crash was triggered by unsafe speed, as cited in the contributing factors. Multiple vehicles were stopped or slowing in traffic when the collision happened. A 31-year-old female driver, occupant of one SUV, sustained head injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. She was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report notes the point of impact as center back end for some vehicles and center front end for others, indicating a rear-end chain reaction. Driver error in maintaining safe speed and distance in traffic was the primary cause, with no victim fault or pedestrian involvement reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724325 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - A Dodge SUV, moving too fast, struck a stopped Honda on Utopia Parkway. Metal screamed. A 73-year-old man, belted in, suffered crushing injuries. The afternoon stilled as bodies and steel absorbed the force. Speed left its mark.

According to the police report, a Dodge SUV traveling south on Utopia Parkway at an unsafe speed collided with the rear of a stopped Honda SUV. The crash occurred in the early afternoon. The report states, 'A Dodge SUV, speeding south, slammed into a stopped Honda. Metal groaned.' The 73-year-old male driver of the Honda, who was wearing his seatbelt, sustained crush injuries to his entire body but remained conscious at the scene. The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the collision. The impact was severe enough to cause significant damage to both vehicles, with the Dodge's left front bumper striking the Honda's center back end. No actions or errors are attributed to the injured driver in the report. The focus remains on the danger posed by excessive speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721899 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Apr 5 - A northbound SUV was struck from behind by a truck on Clearview Expressway. The impact injured the front passenger, causing knee and lower leg trauma and a concussion. Police cite the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:35 on Clearview Expressway when a northbound truck rear-ended a northbound SUV. The point of impact was the center back end of the SUV and the center front end of the truck. The SUV carried two occupants, including a 28-year-old male front passenger who sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, along with a concussion. The passenger was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the SUV. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715372 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - 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 2024-03-27

Mar 23 - A sedan traveling south on Cross Island Parkway overturned after striking the left front quarter panel. The 26-year-old male driver suffered fractures and dislocations to his abdomen and pelvis. Police cite unsafe speed and slippery pavement as causes.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male driver operating a 2009 Infiniti sedan was traveling southbound on Cross Island Parkway at 10:05 AM when the vehicle overturned. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel. The driver, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to the abdomen and pelvis. The report identifies "Unsafe Speed" and "Pavement Slippery" as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. The vehicle damage was severe, resulting in the car overturning. There is no indication of victim fault or pedestrian involvement; the crash was caused by driver errors and hazardous road conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4711980 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 20 - 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 2024-03-20