Murray Hill’s kill zone: Northern Boulevard and the bodies we count

May 13 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-05-13

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 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 5 - A sedan making a U-turn hit a 69-year-old man crossing in a marked Queens crosswalk. The impact fractured his leg. Police cite failure to yield and improper turning. The driver was licensed in New Jersey.

A 69-year-old man was struck and injured by a sedan while crossing 164th Street in a marked crosswalk in Queens. According to the police report, the sedan was making a U-turn when it hit the pedestrian, causing a leg fracture and dislocation. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The driver, a 60-year-old man licensed in New Jersey, was not injured. No other injuries were reported. The crash underscores the danger faced by pedestrians at intersections when drivers fail to yield and turn improperly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810613 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 cyclist hit a 68-year-old woman on Union Street. She suffered arm abrasions. Police cite driver inattention. The crash happened off 26th Avenue in Queens.

A cyclist struck a 68-year-old pedestrian on Union Street near 26th Avenue in Queens. The woman, not in the roadway, suffered abrasions to her arm. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The cyclist's inattention led to the crash. No vehicle damage was reported. The victim remained conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811152 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

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

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Apr 29 - 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 2025-04-29

Apr 28 - A sedan hit a 10-year-old boy crossing Francis Lewis Blvd. The child suffered abrasions. Police cite failure to yield. The driver turned right and struck the pedestrian in a marked crosswalk.

A 10-year-old boy was injured when a sedan struck him as he crossed Francis Lewis Blvd at 166 St in Queens. According to the police report, the child was in a marked crosswalk with no signal when the driver, making a right turn, failed to yield. The boy suffered abrasions to his entire body but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No other injuries were reported. The driver was licensed and operating a 2020 Nissan sedan. The crash underscores the danger faced by pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808894 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 28 - A 66-year-old woman crossing 35th Avenue in Queens suffered a fractured arm. The crash left her conscious but injured. No driver errors listed. Streets remain harsh for walkers.

A 66-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 35th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, she suffered a fractured and dislocated arm but remained conscious after the crash. The incident did not occur at an intersection or with a signal or crosswalk. No contributing factors or driver errors were listed in the police report. The vehicle involved traveled east. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808892 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 25 - A Yamaha motorcycle hit Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard before dawn. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider stayed. The street stayed open. The city stayed dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 25, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was killed crossing Myrtle Avenue at Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens around 2:20 a.m. A 34-year-old man riding a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle northbound in the center lane struck her. Police said, "The motorcyclist remained at the scene." Henderson was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The crash highlights the persistent risk for pedestrians on wide, high-speed corridors like Woodhaven Boulevard. No information was provided about charges or contributing factors, but the fatal impact underscores the dangers faced by people crossing major city streets.

• Motorcycle Kills Pedestrian On Woodhaven Blvd, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-25

Apr 22 - A sedan turned into a cyclist on 41st Avenue. The rider, 28, suffered arm injuries. Police cite improper turning. The street saw impact. Metal met flesh. The system failed the vulnerable.

A sedan and a bike collided on 41st Avenue in Queens. The 28-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a contusion to his arm. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor. The sedan was making a left turn while the cyclist was going straight. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this is listed after the driver error. No injuries were reported for the sedan occupants. The crash highlights the danger when drivers turn improperly and vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807508 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 21 - Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.

• Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-21

Apr 20 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The driver struck a man on a bicycle. He died at the scene. Police closed the street. Another life ended in the crosswalk’s shadow. The city investigates. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The crash happened as the truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street. According to police, 'the truck was turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street in Middle Village when the collision occurred.' The cyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists at intersections and the dangers of large vehicles turning across paths. Policy questions remain about intersection design and vehicle operation in dense neighborhoods.

• FDNY Truck Turns, Cyclist Killed In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-20

Apr 19 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Blvd North. It struck a cyclist. The crash happened by the park. The man died at the scene. No arrests. The investigation continues. The street stayed quiet. The loss is final.

According to NY Daily News (April 19, 2025), an FDNY fire truck collided with a cyclist near 80th St. and Juniper Blvd North in Middle Village, Queens. The article states, "An FDNY fire truck fatally struck a cyclist Saturday afternoon in Queens, police said." The cyclist, an unidentified man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not made any arrests. It remains unclear if the fire truck was responding to an emergency call. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The crash highlights risks at intersections and the dangers faced by cyclists near large vehicles, especially in busy city corridors.

• Fire Truck Kills Cyclist Near Queens Park, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-19

Apr 16 - Two SUVs crashed on 33rd Avenue. One driver, age seventy-nine, suffered neck injuries. Police cite unsafe backing and speed. Metal bent. Lives shaken. System failed to protect.

Two station wagons collided at 160-16 33rd Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a seventy-nine-year-old woman driving one SUV was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash. Four others, including drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cite 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No other causes were listed. The crash highlights the danger when drivers reverse without care and speed is unchecked. No mention of helmet or signal use was made in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806485 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - A distracted driver struck a parked SUV on 172nd Street. Three rear passengers, including two toddlers, suffered whiplash. Impact hit the back end. Streets stayed silent. Metal and flesh bore the cost.

A crash on 172nd Street in Queens left three rear passengers injured, including a 30-year-old woman, a 2-year-old boy, and a 1-year-old girl. All suffered whiplash. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' caused the collision. The driver, a 75-year-old man, backed into a parked SUV, striking its center back end. The report lists no other contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact fell hardest on the most vulnerable: children and passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805661 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10