Jamaica Hills Bleeds: Two Dead, Hundreds Hurt—When Will City Hall Wake Up?

Jun 6 - Governor Hochul scrapped congestion pricing. The MTA lost a billion a year. Lawmakers scrambled. Senator Liz Krueger rejected a payroll tax hike. The MTA faces a funding cliff. Subway upgrades, elevators, and clean buses now hang in the balance.

""The [payroll] mobility tax is one, we see that as a possibility,"" -- David Weprin

On June 6, 2024, Governor Hochul’s sudden reversal on Manhattan congestion pricing sparked chaos in Albany. The plan, set to start June 30, would have charged drivers $15 to enter below 60th Street, raising $1 billion yearly for transit. Hochul proposed a payroll tax hike instead, but State Senator Liz Krueger opposed it, saying, "I do not think we have an appetite for that in the Senate." The bill’s fate is uncertain as the legislative session ends. The MTA board, city officials, and business groups all voiced concern. Projects like the Second Avenue Subway, subway accessibility, and zero-emission buses now face cancellation. No alternative funding plan exists. Vulnerable riders—those who rely on transit—stand to lose the most.

• Gov. Hochul’s congestion toll flip-flop spurs mad scramble at NY Capitol, gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-06

Jun 6 - Council members slam Hochul’s last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion pricing. Transit funding hangs in limbo. Liz Krueger says the tax lacks support. Riders and workers face uncertainty as lawmakers reject new burdens and demand fairer solutions.

On June 6, 2024, State Sen. Liz Krueger (District 28) and other lawmakers responded to a proposed New York City tax hike meant to replace the indefinitely postponed $15 congestion pricing tolls. The measure, debated as Bill 28, has not advanced in committee and faces strong opposition. The matter, described as 'a last-minute funding move that drew fierce opposition,' has Krueger stating, 'I think it does not have support.' Assemblyman Brian Cunningham echoed, 'No new taxes.' The proposal would raise the payroll mobility tax, already increased last year, to fund the MTA. Rep. Jerry Nadler and business groups argue the tax unfairly targets NYC, while congestion pricing would have spread costs regionally. With the legislative session ending, MTA projects remain at risk. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Outrage mounts as Hochul pushes last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion tolls: ‘Insulting joke’, nypost.com, 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 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

May 30 - A pick-up truck struck a bicyclist from behind on Main Street. The cyclist was ejected, suffering bruises and injuries to the elbow and lower arm. The truck showed no damage. Following too closely caused the collision, according to the police report.

At approximately 3:45 PM, a pick-up truck traveling west on Main Street collided with a bicyclist also heading west, who was making a right turn, according to the police report. The truck struck the cyclist at the center back end, impacting with the truck's right front bumper. The bicyclist, a 31-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The police report cites 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash. The truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the bicyclist, leading to the rear-end collision. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. Vehicle damage was reported as none on both vehicles. The report highlights driver error as the primary cause of this injury crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728727 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 28 - A driver suffered whiplash and full-body injuries after an SUV made an unsafe lane change on Grand Central Parkway. The collision involved a bus and a sedan, both traveling east. The SUV’s right side doors and the sedan’s front quarter panel were damaged.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:10 on Grand Central Parkway involving a bus, a station wagon/SUV, and a sedan, all traveling east. The SUV driver committed an unsafe lane change, which led to a collision impacting the right front quarter panel of the sedan and the right side doors of the SUV. The bus was slowing or stopping and was hit on its left front quarter panel. The SUV driver, a 43-year-old male occupant, sustained injuries to his entire body including whiplash but was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The incident highlights the dangers of improper lane changes on busy roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728120 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 28 - 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 2024-05-28

May 19 - A Mercedes tore east on Grand Central Parkway, speed unchecked. The car flipped, metal shrieked, bodies struck. One young driver died, four others hurt. The road bore witness to reckless force and sudden, brutal silence.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old man was driving a Mercedes eastbound on Grand Central Parkway at 6:46 a.m. when the vehicle overturned. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The Mercedes, described as speeding and passing, flipped and was demolished. The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was partially ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. Four other occupants in the crash were injured. The police report details, 'The car flipped. His head struck. Four others hit. The metal folded. His body half-flung.' The violence of the crash left the Mercedes destroyed and the roadway scarred. Driver error—specifically unsafe speed and aggressive driving—are explicitly listed as causes in the official account. No victim behavior is cited as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725811 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - A 73-year-old woman suffered back injuries and whiplash after a sedan backing up hit her near Hillside Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian was conscious but injured. The vehicle showed no damage, highlighting the impact's force on the vulnerable pedestrian.

According to the police report, a 73-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2015 Lexus sedan traveling south on Hillside Avenue backed into her. The point of impact was the center back end of the vehicle. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and was conscious after the collision but suffered back injuries and whiplash, with an injury severity level of 3. The sedan driver, a licensed male from New York, was the sole occupant. The report lists no specific contributing factors for the driver or pedestrian, but the vehicle's backing maneuver directly caused the collision. The vehicle sustained no damage, underscoring the vulnerability of the pedestrian in such incidents. The crash occurred near 139-07 Hillside Avenue in Queens at 10:00 AM.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 15 - A sedan traveling south on 168 Street struck an 11-year-old boy crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The child suffered upper arm contusions. The driver’s inattention and disregard for traffic control caused the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan driven southbound on 168 Street in Queens collided with an 11-year-old pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The child sustained a contusion and bruising to the shoulder and upper arm, classified as a moderate injury. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The vehicle sustained no damage, indicating the collision impact was likely moderate but sufficient to injure the pedestrian. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The driver’s failure to maintain attention and disregard for traffic controls directly led to the injury of a vulnerable pedestrian at an intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724916 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 13 - A sedan traveling south struck the center back end of a stopped vehicle on 148 Street in Queens. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 42-year-old man, suffered a back injury and shock. No contributing driver errors were reported.

According to the police report, at 14:39 on 148 Street in Queens, a 2013 sedan traveling south rear-ended another vehicle that was stopped in traffic. The point of impact was the center back end of the stopped vehicle. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 42-year-old male occupant, was injured with a back injury and experienced shock. The report notes no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver of the sedan was licensed in New York and had two occupants in the vehicle. The injured driver was not ejected and had no visible complaints beyond the back injury. The crash highlights the dangers of rear-end collisions in traffic but does not specify any driver fault or victim behavior contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724294 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 13 - A 16-year-old girl suffered upper leg and hip injuries after a collision at a Queens intersection. She was conscious and complained of whiplash. The crash occurred near 168 Street and Gothic Drive, with no reported driver errors or contributing factors.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old female pedestrian was injured at an intersection near 168 Street and Gothic Drive in Queens at approximately 6:30. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg and was conscious at the scene, complaining of whiplash. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle type were provided. The pedestrian's actions are unknown, and no helmet or crossing signal use was noted as a factor. The report focuses on the injury severity and location but does not attribute fault to the pedestrian or driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724248 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 23 - A distracted driver changed lanes and struck an SUV on Grand Central Parkway. The impact left the 29-year-old driver with leg injuries and shock. Unsafe lane change and inattention fueled the crash.

According to the police report, a crash unfolded just after midnight on Grand Central Parkway. A 29-year-old male driver, wearing a lap belt, suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. One vehicle changed lanes westbound and collided with a 2023 Lexus SUV traveling straight in the same direction. The impact hit the left front bumper of the lane-changing vehicle and the right front quarter panel of the SUV. No ejections occurred. The report lists only driver errors as causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719509 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - Council moves to hike fines for illegal ATVs and dirt bikes. First offense: $375–$750. Repeat: $750–$1,500. Law aims at reckless riders who menace city streets and endanger lives.

Bill Int 0856-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced April 18, 2024, it seeks to amend city code to raise fines for unlawful ATV and dirt bike use. The bill states: 'The first offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 375 dollars and up to 750 dollars. Any subsequent offense would be punishable by a fine and/or a civil penalty of at least 750 dollars and up to 1500 dollars.' Council Member Carmen N. De La Rosa leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, and Farías. The bill was referred to committee the same day. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 18 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 15 - A 33-year-old female driver suffered back injuries after her sedan struck the rear of another vehicle on Grand Central Parkway in Queens. The impact caused contusions and bruising, with the driver restrained by a lap belt and harness. No ejection occurred.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old female driver in a 2021 Lexus sedan was traveling east on Grand Central Parkway in Queens when her vehicle impacted the center back end of another vehicle. The collision caused damage to the center back end of the sedan and the center front end of the other vehicle. The driver, who was the sole occupant, sustained back injuries described as contusions and bruises. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any pedestrian or cyclist involvement. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718003 - 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 9 - A 70-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after being struck by an SUV traveling southeast on Hillside Avenue. The driver’s inattention or distraction caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian with abrasions and serious leg trauma.

According to the police report, a 70-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2011 SUV, traveling southeast on Hillside Avenue in Queens, struck her with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash, highlighting the driver's failure to maintain focus. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and no other contributing factors were noted. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision caused damage to the SUV's center front end. This incident underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716051 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19