Cunningham Park Bleeds While Leaders Stand Still

May 6 - A man on a Suzuki swerved on the Long Island Expressway. He tried to dodge a ghost car. The bike crashed. His left leg broke. Blood pooled in the dark. He waited, helmeted, awake, pain sharp and real.

A 54-year-old man riding a 2018 Suzuki motorcycle suffered severe leg injuries on the Long Island Expressway at 2:15 a.m. According to the police report, the rider 'swerved to dodge a phantom car.' The motorcycle crashed, shattering his left leg. The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as a contributing factor. The man was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. No other injuries were reported. The data does not indicate any driver error beyond the reaction to another vehicle. The crash left the rider conscious and bleeding, waiting for help in the night.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4525078 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 13 - A 69-year-old woman driving a 2018 SUV rear-ended a stopped 2021 SUV on Clearview Expressway. The impact injured her elbow and lower arm. Airbags deployed. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles suffered front and rear damage.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old female driver in a 2018 SUV struck the rear of a stopped 2021 SUV on Clearview Expressway. The driver was injured, sustaining abrasions to her elbow and lower arm. The airbags deployed, and she was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor. The collision caused damage to the front end of the striking vehicle and the rear end of the struck vehicle. No occupants were ejected, and the injured driver remained conscious. The crash involved two SUVs traveling southbound, with the lead vehicle stopped in traffic and the following vehicle going straight ahead before impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4510173 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 2 - Senate passed S 3897. More state cash flows to cities that build complete streets. Lawmakers push for safer roads. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at survival.

Bill S 3897 cleared the Senate committee on March 2, 2022, with a final vote on May 25, 2022. The bill, titled 'Relates to complete street design features and funding of construction and improvements at a municipalities' expense,' boosts state funding for transportation projects when cities add complete street features. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Senators including Cooney, Gallivan, Kaminsky, Kaplan, Liu, and others voted yes. The measure aims to tie state money to safer street design, pushing municipalities to build roads that protect people outside cars.

• File S 3897, Open States, Published 2022-03-02

Mar 2 - Senate passed S 5130. The bill pushes complete street design. It aims for safe access for all. Pedestrians and cyclists get a shot at safer roads. The vote was split, but the bill moved forward.

Senate bill S 5130, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on March 2 and May 16, 2022. Senator Kennedy sponsored the bill. Support came from members like Jeremy Cooney, Anna Kaplan, and John Liu. Dissent came from Patrick Gallivan and Susan Serino. The bill pushes cities to design roads for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. It marks a shift from car-first planning. The measure aims to cut risk for people outside cars. Full vote details and text are at the New York Senate website.

• File S 5130, Open States, Published 2022-03-02

Feb 14 - A sport utility vehicle struck the right side doors on the Long Island Expressway. Two male passengers suffered injuries to neck and arm. The driver fell asleep at the wheel. Both passengers reported pain and shock after the crash.

According to the police report, a sport utility vehicle traveling west on the Long Island Expressway crashed, impacting the right front quarter panel and damaging the right side doors. The driver, a licensed male, fell asleep while driving, causing the collision. Two male occupants were injured: a 25-year-old in the middle rear seat with neck injuries and a 54-year-old front passenger with injuries to the elbow and lower arm. Both passengers experienced shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The driver’s fatigue and falling asleep were cited as contributing factors. Neither occupant was ejected. The front passenger wore a lap belt and harness; the rear passenger had no safety equipment listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4505532 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 1 - Senate and Assembly passed S 1078. New drivers must now learn how to avoid hitting people on foot or bike. Law aims to cut crashes at the root—before drivers get the keys.

Bill S 1078, introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2021, requires pedestrian and bicyclist safety instruction in the drivers pre-licensing course. The bill moved through committee and passed the Senate and Assembly, with key votes on May 20, 2021, February 1, 2022, May 16, 2022, and May 23, 2022. The matter summary reads: 'Requires instruction in pedestrian and bicyclist safety as part of the drivers pre-licensing course.' Primary sponsor: Senator Gounardes, joined by Bailey, Biaggi, Brisport, Cleare, Comrie, and others. The measure targets driver ignorance, a root cause of deadly crashes, by putting vulnerable road users at the center of driver education.

• File S 1078, Open States, Published 2022-02-01

Jan 16 - A woman died after being shoved onto Times Square subway tracks. The train struck her. Police arrested the suspect. Council Member Julie Won joined officials at the scene. Leaders promised action. The system failed a vulnerable New Yorker. Riders remain exposed.

On January 16, 2022, Council Member Julie Won (District 26) joined city and state officials in response to a fatal subway incident. The matter, titled "Suspect Charged With Murder In 'Unprovoked' Fatal Shoving Of Woman Onto Times Square Subway Tracks," details the killing of Michelle Go, who was pushed onto the tracks and struck by a train. Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul pledged to improve subway safety and address mental health and homelessness in transit. Won stood with other lawmakers, highlighting the impact on Asian-American communities. The council has not advanced specific legislation, but the event underscores the urgent need for systemic protections for vulnerable riders. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Suspect Charged With Murder In "Unprovoked" Fatal Shoving Of Woman Onto Times Square Subway Tracks, gothamist.com, Published 2022-01-16