No More Dead Ends: Demand Safe Streets Now

Feb 8 - A car struck an underpass on Belt Parkway. Metal twisted. A woman, 27, died at the hospital. A man survived. Police do not know who drove. The wreck left questions. The system failed to protect its passengers.

According to NY Daily News (published February 8, 2025), a single-car crash on Queens’ Belt Parkway killed a 27-year-old woman and injured a 30-year-old man. The white Toyota sedan hit an underpass near 225th Street around 3:50 a.m. Both occupants were found outside the wreck when police arrived. Investigators are unsure who was driving at the time of impact: 'Since both occupants were out of the car at the time of the crash, investigators haven't figured out who was driving, police said.' The woman died at Long Island Jewish Hospital-Valley Stream; the man was expected to survive. The article highlights ongoing uncertainty about driver identity and underscores the persistent risks on city highways, especially where loss of vehicle control leads to deadly outcomes. The investigation continues.

• Woman Killed In Queens Parkway Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-08

Feb 5 - A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

Feb 4 - Senate bill S 4421 seeks a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. Michael Gianaris leads. Robert Jackson, John Liu, Julia Salazar join. The move could shift riders from cars to buses. Status: sponsorship.

Senate bill S 4421, now at the sponsorship stage, proposes a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. The bill summary reads: 'Provides a fare-free bus pilot program in New York City for one year, subject to appropriations.' Michael Gianaris sponsors, with Robert Jackson, John Liu, and Julia Salazar as co-sponsors. Introduced on February 4, 2025, the bill awaits committee review. No safety analyst has assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The pilot could change how New Yorkers move, but its effect on street safety remains unstudied.

• File S 4421, Open States, Published 2025-02-04

Feb 2 - Trump’s push to kill congestion pricing would gut MTA funding. John Liu calls it basic maintenance, not luxury. The plan’s billion-dollar revenue keeps subways running and streets safer. Without it, transit crumbles. Riders and vulnerable road users pay the price.

On February 2, 2025, NYC officials responded to reports of a federal move to repeal congestion pricing, just weeks after its January 5 launch. At a press conference, Council Member John Liu warned, “This is not for fancy stuff. This is basic transit maintenance.” Liu said losing congestion pricing would erase a billion dollars in annual MTA revenue, threatening $15 billion in planned upgrades. The money funds new subway cars, buses, station repairs, and safety improvements. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Liu, stressing millions rely on transit daily. Both officials opposed the repeal, highlighting the risk to the city’s transit backbone. The bill is not numbered, but the threat is clear: without congestion pricing, the city’s streets and subways grow more dangerous for everyone outside a car.

• Trump repeal of congestion pricing would devastate NYC transit, city pols warn, amny.com, Published 2025-02-02

Jan 28 - A fatigued driver stopped in traffic was struck from behind by an SUV changing lanes on the Long Island Expressway. Both drivers suffered contusions and neck or back injuries. The crash exposed dangers of drowsy driving and lane changes on busy highways.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway at 5:58 AM. A 31-year-old male driver of a 2022 Tesla sedan was stopped in traffic when his vehicle was hit on the left rear bumper by a 2017 Ford SUV traveling east. The Ford driver, a 47-year-old male, was going straight ahead and impacted the Tesla's left rear quarter panel with his left front bumper. A third vehicle, a 2018 Toyota SUV, was changing lanes and struck the right front bumper of the Ford. The Tesla driver was identified as fatigued/drowsy, a contributing factor in the collision. The Ford driver was cited with 'Other Vehicular' contributing factors. Both drivers were conscious but injured, suffering contusions and neck or back injuries. Neither occupant was ejected. The report highlights driver errors including fatigue and unsafe lane changes as causes of this multi-vehicle crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788898 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 22 - A Toyota RAV4 jumped the curb on 90th Avenue, slammed into a garage, and collapsed the structure. The driver, Mamadou Barry, was trapped. First responders pulled him out, but he died at the hospital. No other injuries reported.

According to NY Daily News (2025-01-22), Mamadou Barry, 63, was driving his Toyota RAV4 along 90th Ave. in Jamaica, Queens, around 5:20 a.m. when he lost control, hopped a curb at 143rd St., and crashed into a detached garage. The impact caused the garage to collapse onto both his SUV and a parked, unoccupied Prius. Police said Barry was trapped and later died at Jamaica Hospital. The article notes, 'he lost control of the SUV, which went crashing into a detached garage in Queens, police said.' Family members stated Barry had no known medical issues. The cause of the crash remains unclear. No other injuries were reported. The incident highlights the dangers faced by drivers and bystanders in residential areas where structures sit close to the street.

• Uber Driver Dies in Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-22

Jan 18 - A southbound SUV struck the left rear bumper of a parked tractor truck on Francis Lewis Blvd. Two elderly occupants in the SUV suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. The crash resulted from driver distraction and other vehicular factors.

According to the police report, at 11:30 PM on Francis Lewis Blvd in Queens, a southbound SUV driven by a 79-year-old man collided with the left rear bumper of a parked tractor truck. The SUV had two occupants, both injured with whiplash and entire body injuries, and both conscious. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was properly licensed and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The collision point was the center back end of the SUV impacting the left rear bumper of the stationary truck. No ejections occurred. The injuries to the elderly driver and front passenger reflect the violent impact. The police data emphasize driver distraction as the primary cause, with no victim fault noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786805 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 16 - A sedan and a carry-all collided while both making left turns on the Long Island Expressway. The impact struck the right rear bumper of the carry-all and the left rear bumper of the sedan. A 4-year-old passenger suffered a concussion.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway near Utopia Parkway at 14:48. Both vehicles were traveling south and making left turns when the collision happened. The carry-all was struck on its right rear bumper, while the sedan sustained damage to its center back end and left rear bumper. The report identifies no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield. A 4-year-old female occupant in the sedan, seated in the middle rear seat and restrained by a lap belt, was injured and diagnosed with a concussion. The child was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injury but does not assign fault to the victim or indicate any pedestrian or cyclist involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786334 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 16 - Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Jan 10 - A 60-year-old male driver suffered a concussion and back injury in a Queens crash. Two SUVs collided head-on while traveling north on 185 Street. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield as key factors in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:24 AM on 185 Street in Queens. The injured party was a 60-year-old male driver of a 2022 Volvo SUV, who was conscious but suffered a concussion and back injury. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. Two SUVs traveling north collided, with impact points on the left front bumper of one vehicle and the right front bumper of the other. The Volvo driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report highlights driver errors as the cause, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 8 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08