Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in South Richmond Hill?
Blood on 120th Street: Demand Action Before Another Name Is Added
South Richmond Hill: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025
The Toll in South Richmond Hill
A man steps into the crosswalk at 101st Avenue and 120th Street. A truck turns left. The man does not walk away. He is killed.
A woman, 31, is struck and killed on 120th Street. Another pedestrian is left with a broken back. The street does not forgive. The numbers do not lie: 3 dead, 175 injured, 3 seriously hurt in South Richmond Hill since 2022. In the last year alone, 56 people have been injured. One year ago, a single death. This year, none—so far. But the crashes keep coming. 112 in the last 12 months.
Who Pays the Price
Pedestrians cross with the light. They are struck by trucks and SUVs. Bicyclists are hit by SUVs ignoring traffic controls. Children are not spared. A 13-year-old on a bike, struck by an SUV. The street is a gauntlet. Cars and trucks do the killing.
What Has Been Done—And What Has Not
The city talks of Vision Zero. They count the dead. They add up the injured. They promise change. Sammy’s Law passed in Albany. The city can now lower speed limits to 20 mph. But the limit in South Richmond Hill is still higher. Speed cameras work—they cut speeding and injuries. But the law that keeps them running is always at risk of expiring. Each delay is a gamble with lives.
Local leaders have the power. They can lower the speed limit. They can demand more cameras. They can redesign streets so a child on a bike does not have to pray at every intersection. Every day they wait, the street takes another name.
The Next Step Is Yours
Call your council member. Call the mayor. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand more cameras. Demand streets where walking is not a risk.
Do not wait for another body in the road. Take action now.
Citations
Other Representatives
District 24
185-06 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366
Room 716, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
District 29
71-19 80th Street, Suite 8-303, Glendale, NY 11385
718-544-8800
250 Broadway, Suite 1840, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6981
District 15
66-85 73rd Place, Middle Village, NY 11379
Room 811, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
▸ Other Geographies
South Richmond Hill South Richmond Hill sits in Queens, Precinct 102, District 29, AD 24, SD 15, Queens CB9.
▸ See also
Traffic Safety Timeline for South Richmond Hill
S 915Addabbo votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.
Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.
-
File S 915,
Open States,
Published 2025-06-09
S 915Addabbo votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.
Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.
-
File S 915,
Open States,
Published 2025-06-09
Katz Supports Strong Hit-and-Run Prosecution and Enforcement▸Warren Rollins turned himself in for killing Gary Charlotin. Rollins ran over Charlotin, dragged him three blocks, then fled. Bystanders begged him to stop. The victim died at the scene. This arrest does not change the danger for people on foot.
On June 3, 2025, Warren Rollins surrendered at the 105th Precinct in Queens Village. He faces charges of depraved indifference murder, manslaughter, leaving the scene, and criminally negligent homicide for the December 10, 2023, crash that killed Gary Charlotin. The incident summary states, 'Rollins dragged Charlotin three blocks before fleeing.' Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called it 'a horrific death' and cited 'a complete disregard for human life.' Reporters Emma Seiwell, Rocco Parascandola, and Thomas Tracy covered the arrest. No council bill or committee action is involved. According to safety analysts, this is a criminal justice event, not a policy change. It does not affect system-wide safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
Queens hit-and-run driver arrested for murder for dragging victim 3 blocks,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-06-03
S 8117Addabbo misses committee vote on school speed zone camera bill, delaying safety gains.▸Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.
Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.
-
File S 8117,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-27
Alcohol-Involved Crash Injures Passenger in Queens▸Two sedans collided on 101st Avenue in Queens. Alcohol played a role. A 24-year-old woman in the front seat suffered back injuries. Metal twisted. The street fell silent. The system failed to protect those inside.
Two sedans crashed near 130-08 101st Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' was a contributing factor. A 24-year-old female passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Other occupants, including a 6-year-old child, were listed but not reported as injured. The crash involved a parked vehicle and a sedan going straight ahead. The report does not specify further details about the sequence of events. Driver errors noted in the data include alcohol involvement. No helmet or signal use was listed as a contributing factor. The collision left one person hurt and exposed the ongoing danger on city streets.
2Distracted Drivers Collide on 133rd Street in Queens▸Two sedans slammed together at 133rd Street and 97th Avenue. Both drivers injured. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Whiplash and hip pain. Streets do not forgive distraction. The crash left scars on bodies and steel.
Two sedans crashed at the intersection of 133rd Street and 97th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers—men aged 69 and 37—suffered injuries, including whiplash and hip trauma. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. The impact struck the center front end of one sedan and the left side doors of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data shows no helmet or signal issues. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented in the official report.
Sedan Turns Into Pedestrian Crossing With Signal▸A sedan struck a man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street. The pedestrian had the signal. The car turned improperly. The man suffered a bruised leg. Driver inattention played a role. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.
A man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street in Queens was hit by a sedan while he had the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian was at the intersection, crossing with the signal, when the sedan, making a left turn, struck him. The man suffered a contusion and injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan’s center front end hit the pedestrian. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention any helmet or signal violations by the pedestrian. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot at city intersections.
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality▸A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.
According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.
-
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-21
S 346Addabbo co-sponsors bill raising penalties for endangering highway workers.▸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
Weprin Expresses Hope for Resolution on Transportation Issue▸Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.
Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.
-
Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Addabbo co-sponsors bill lowering speed limits, improving first responder safety.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.
Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.
- File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09
S 915Addabbo votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.▸Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.
Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.
-
File S 915,
Open States,
Published 2025-06-09
Katz Supports Strong Hit-and-Run Prosecution and Enforcement▸Warren Rollins turned himself in for killing Gary Charlotin. Rollins ran over Charlotin, dragged him three blocks, then fled. Bystanders begged him to stop. The victim died at the scene. This arrest does not change the danger for people on foot.
On June 3, 2025, Warren Rollins surrendered at the 105th Precinct in Queens Village. He faces charges of depraved indifference murder, manslaughter, leaving the scene, and criminally negligent homicide for the December 10, 2023, crash that killed Gary Charlotin. The incident summary states, 'Rollins dragged Charlotin three blocks before fleeing.' Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called it 'a horrific death' and cited 'a complete disregard for human life.' Reporters Emma Seiwell, Rocco Parascandola, and Thomas Tracy covered the arrest. No council bill or committee action is involved. According to safety analysts, this is a criminal justice event, not a policy change. It does not affect system-wide safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
Queens hit-and-run driver arrested for murder for dragging victim 3 blocks,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-06-03
S 8117Addabbo misses committee vote on school speed zone camera bill, delaying safety gains.▸Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.
Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.
-
File S 8117,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-27
Alcohol-Involved Crash Injures Passenger in Queens▸Two sedans collided on 101st Avenue in Queens. Alcohol played a role. A 24-year-old woman in the front seat suffered back injuries. Metal twisted. The street fell silent. The system failed to protect those inside.
Two sedans crashed near 130-08 101st Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' was a contributing factor. A 24-year-old female passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Other occupants, including a 6-year-old child, were listed but not reported as injured. The crash involved a parked vehicle and a sedan going straight ahead. The report does not specify further details about the sequence of events. Driver errors noted in the data include alcohol involvement. No helmet or signal use was listed as a contributing factor. The collision left one person hurt and exposed the ongoing danger on city streets.
2Distracted Drivers Collide on 133rd Street in Queens▸Two sedans slammed together at 133rd Street and 97th Avenue. Both drivers injured. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Whiplash and hip pain. Streets do not forgive distraction. The crash left scars on bodies and steel.
Two sedans crashed at the intersection of 133rd Street and 97th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers—men aged 69 and 37—suffered injuries, including whiplash and hip trauma. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. The impact struck the center front end of one sedan and the left side doors of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data shows no helmet or signal issues. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented in the official report.
Sedan Turns Into Pedestrian Crossing With Signal▸A sedan struck a man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street. The pedestrian had the signal. The car turned improperly. The man suffered a bruised leg. Driver inattention played a role. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.
A man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street in Queens was hit by a sedan while he had the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian was at the intersection, crossing with the signal, when the sedan, making a left turn, struck him. The man suffered a contusion and injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan’s center front end hit the pedestrian. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention any helmet or signal violations by the pedestrian. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot at city intersections.
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality▸A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.
According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.
-
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-21
S 346Addabbo co-sponsors bill raising penalties for endangering highway workers.▸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
Weprin Expresses Hope for Resolution on Transportation Issue▸Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.
Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.
-
Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Addabbo co-sponsors bill lowering speed limits, improving first responder safety.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.
Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.
- File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09
Katz Supports Strong Hit-and-Run Prosecution and Enforcement▸Warren Rollins turned himself in for killing Gary Charlotin. Rollins ran over Charlotin, dragged him three blocks, then fled. Bystanders begged him to stop. The victim died at the scene. This arrest does not change the danger for people on foot.
On June 3, 2025, Warren Rollins surrendered at the 105th Precinct in Queens Village. He faces charges of depraved indifference murder, manslaughter, leaving the scene, and criminally negligent homicide for the December 10, 2023, crash that killed Gary Charlotin. The incident summary states, 'Rollins dragged Charlotin three blocks before fleeing.' Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called it 'a horrific death' and cited 'a complete disregard for human life.' Reporters Emma Seiwell, Rocco Parascandola, and Thomas Tracy covered the arrest. No council bill or committee action is involved. According to safety analysts, this is a criminal justice event, not a policy change. It does not affect system-wide safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
Queens hit-and-run driver arrested for murder for dragging victim 3 blocks,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-06-03
S 8117Addabbo misses committee vote on school speed zone camera bill, delaying safety gains.▸Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.
Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.
-
File S 8117,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-27
Alcohol-Involved Crash Injures Passenger in Queens▸Two sedans collided on 101st Avenue in Queens. Alcohol played a role. A 24-year-old woman in the front seat suffered back injuries. Metal twisted. The street fell silent. The system failed to protect those inside.
Two sedans crashed near 130-08 101st Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' was a contributing factor. A 24-year-old female passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Other occupants, including a 6-year-old child, were listed but not reported as injured. The crash involved a parked vehicle and a sedan going straight ahead. The report does not specify further details about the sequence of events. Driver errors noted in the data include alcohol involvement. No helmet or signal use was listed as a contributing factor. The collision left one person hurt and exposed the ongoing danger on city streets.
2Distracted Drivers Collide on 133rd Street in Queens▸Two sedans slammed together at 133rd Street and 97th Avenue. Both drivers injured. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Whiplash and hip pain. Streets do not forgive distraction. The crash left scars on bodies and steel.
Two sedans crashed at the intersection of 133rd Street and 97th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers—men aged 69 and 37—suffered injuries, including whiplash and hip trauma. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. The impact struck the center front end of one sedan and the left side doors of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data shows no helmet or signal issues. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented in the official report.
Sedan Turns Into Pedestrian Crossing With Signal▸A sedan struck a man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street. The pedestrian had the signal. The car turned improperly. The man suffered a bruised leg. Driver inattention played a role. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.
A man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street in Queens was hit by a sedan while he had the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian was at the intersection, crossing with the signal, when the sedan, making a left turn, struck him. The man suffered a contusion and injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan’s center front end hit the pedestrian. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention any helmet or signal violations by the pedestrian. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot at city intersections.
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality▸A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.
According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.
-
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-21
S 346Addabbo co-sponsors bill raising penalties for endangering highway workers.▸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
Weprin Expresses Hope for Resolution on Transportation Issue▸Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.
Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.
-
Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Addabbo co-sponsors bill lowering speed limits, improving first responder safety.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
Warren Rollins turned himself in for killing Gary Charlotin. Rollins ran over Charlotin, dragged him three blocks, then fled. Bystanders begged him to stop. The victim died at the scene. This arrest does not change the danger for people on foot.
On June 3, 2025, Warren Rollins surrendered at the 105th Precinct in Queens Village. He faces charges of depraved indifference murder, manslaughter, leaving the scene, and criminally negligent homicide for the December 10, 2023, crash that killed Gary Charlotin. The incident summary states, 'Rollins dragged Charlotin three blocks before fleeing.' Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called it 'a horrific death' and cited 'a complete disregard for human life.' Reporters Emma Seiwell, Rocco Parascandola, and Thomas Tracy covered the arrest. No council bill or committee action is involved. According to safety analysts, this is a criminal justice event, not a policy change. It does not affect system-wide safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
- Queens hit-and-run driver arrested for murder for dragging victim 3 blocks, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-03
S 8117Addabbo misses committee vote on school speed zone camera bill, delaying safety gains.▸Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.
Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.
-
File S 8117,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-27
Alcohol-Involved Crash Injures Passenger in Queens▸Two sedans collided on 101st Avenue in Queens. Alcohol played a role. A 24-year-old woman in the front seat suffered back injuries. Metal twisted. The street fell silent. The system failed to protect those inside.
Two sedans crashed near 130-08 101st Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' was a contributing factor. A 24-year-old female passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Other occupants, including a 6-year-old child, were listed but not reported as injured. The crash involved a parked vehicle and a sedan going straight ahead. The report does not specify further details about the sequence of events. Driver errors noted in the data include alcohol involvement. No helmet or signal use was listed as a contributing factor. The collision left one person hurt and exposed the ongoing danger on city streets.
2Distracted Drivers Collide on 133rd Street in Queens▸Two sedans slammed together at 133rd Street and 97th Avenue. Both drivers injured. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Whiplash and hip pain. Streets do not forgive distraction. The crash left scars on bodies and steel.
Two sedans crashed at the intersection of 133rd Street and 97th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers—men aged 69 and 37—suffered injuries, including whiplash and hip trauma. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. The impact struck the center front end of one sedan and the left side doors of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data shows no helmet or signal issues. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented in the official report.
Sedan Turns Into Pedestrian Crossing With Signal▸A sedan struck a man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street. The pedestrian had the signal. The car turned improperly. The man suffered a bruised leg. Driver inattention played a role. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.
A man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street in Queens was hit by a sedan while he had the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian was at the intersection, crossing with the signal, when the sedan, making a left turn, struck him. The man suffered a contusion and injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan’s center front end hit the pedestrian. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention any helmet or signal violations by the pedestrian. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot at city intersections.
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality▸A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.
According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.
-
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-21
S 346Addabbo co-sponsors bill raising penalties for endangering highway workers.▸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
Weprin Expresses Hope for Resolution on Transportation Issue▸Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.
Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.
-
Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Addabbo co-sponsors bill lowering speed limits, improving first responder safety.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.
Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.
- File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-05-27
Alcohol-Involved Crash Injures Passenger in Queens▸Two sedans collided on 101st Avenue in Queens. Alcohol played a role. A 24-year-old woman in the front seat suffered back injuries. Metal twisted. The street fell silent. The system failed to protect those inside.
Two sedans crashed near 130-08 101st Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' was a contributing factor. A 24-year-old female passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Other occupants, including a 6-year-old child, were listed but not reported as injured. The crash involved a parked vehicle and a sedan going straight ahead. The report does not specify further details about the sequence of events. Driver errors noted in the data include alcohol involvement. No helmet or signal use was listed as a contributing factor. The collision left one person hurt and exposed the ongoing danger on city streets.
2Distracted Drivers Collide on 133rd Street in Queens▸Two sedans slammed together at 133rd Street and 97th Avenue. Both drivers injured. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Whiplash and hip pain. Streets do not forgive distraction. The crash left scars on bodies and steel.
Two sedans crashed at the intersection of 133rd Street and 97th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers—men aged 69 and 37—suffered injuries, including whiplash and hip trauma. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. The impact struck the center front end of one sedan and the left side doors of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data shows no helmet or signal issues. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented in the official report.
Sedan Turns Into Pedestrian Crossing With Signal▸A sedan struck a man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street. The pedestrian had the signal. The car turned improperly. The man suffered a bruised leg. Driver inattention played a role. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.
A man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street in Queens was hit by a sedan while he had the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian was at the intersection, crossing with the signal, when the sedan, making a left turn, struck him. The man suffered a contusion and injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan’s center front end hit the pedestrian. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention any helmet or signal violations by the pedestrian. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot at city intersections.
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality▸A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.
According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.
-
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-21
S 346Addabbo co-sponsors bill raising penalties for endangering highway workers.▸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
Weprin Expresses Hope for Resolution on Transportation Issue▸Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.
Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.
-
Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Addabbo co-sponsors bill lowering speed limits, improving first responder safety.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
Two sedans collided on 101st Avenue in Queens. Alcohol played a role. A 24-year-old woman in the front seat suffered back injuries. Metal twisted. The street fell silent. The system failed to protect those inside.
Two sedans crashed near 130-08 101st Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' was a contributing factor. A 24-year-old female passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Other occupants, including a 6-year-old child, were listed but not reported as injured. The crash involved a parked vehicle and a sedan going straight ahead. The report does not specify further details about the sequence of events. Driver errors noted in the data include alcohol involvement. No helmet or signal use was listed as a contributing factor. The collision left one person hurt and exposed the ongoing danger on city streets.
2Distracted Drivers Collide on 133rd Street in Queens▸Two sedans slammed together at 133rd Street and 97th Avenue. Both drivers injured. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Whiplash and hip pain. Streets do not forgive distraction. The crash left scars on bodies and steel.
Two sedans crashed at the intersection of 133rd Street and 97th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers—men aged 69 and 37—suffered injuries, including whiplash and hip trauma. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. The impact struck the center front end of one sedan and the left side doors of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data shows no helmet or signal issues. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented in the official report.
Sedan Turns Into Pedestrian Crossing With Signal▸A sedan struck a man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street. The pedestrian had the signal. The car turned improperly. The man suffered a bruised leg. Driver inattention played a role. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.
A man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street in Queens was hit by a sedan while he had the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian was at the intersection, crossing with the signal, when the sedan, making a left turn, struck him. The man suffered a contusion and injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan’s center front end hit the pedestrian. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention any helmet or signal violations by the pedestrian. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot at city intersections.
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality▸A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.
According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.
-
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-21
S 346Addabbo co-sponsors bill raising penalties for endangering highway workers.▸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
Weprin Expresses Hope for Resolution on Transportation Issue▸Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.
Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.
-
Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Addabbo co-sponsors bill lowering speed limits, improving first responder safety.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
Two sedans slammed together at 133rd Street and 97th Avenue. Both drivers injured. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Whiplash and hip pain. Streets do not forgive distraction. The crash left scars on bodies and steel.
Two sedans crashed at the intersection of 133rd Street and 97th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers—men aged 69 and 37—suffered injuries, including whiplash and hip trauma. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. The impact struck the center front end of one sedan and the left side doors of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The data shows no helmet or signal issues. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented in the official report.
Sedan Turns Into Pedestrian Crossing With Signal▸A sedan struck a man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street. The pedestrian had the signal. The car turned improperly. The man suffered a bruised leg. Driver inattention played a role. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.
A man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street in Queens was hit by a sedan while he had the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian was at the intersection, crossing with the signal, when the sedan, making a left turn, struck him. The man suffered a contusion and injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan’s center front end hit the pedestrian. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention any helmet or signal violations by the pedestrian. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot at city intersections.
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality▸A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.
According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.
-
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-21
S 346Addabbo co-sponsors bill raising penalties for endangering highway workers.▸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
Weprin Expresses Hope for Resolution on Transportation Issue▸Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.
Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.
-
Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Addabbo co-sponsors bill lowering speed limits, improving first responder safety.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
A sedan struck a man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street. The pedestrian had the signal. The car turned improperly. The man suffered a bruised leg. Driver inattention played a role. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.
A man crossing 101 Avenue at 112 Street in Queens was hit by a sedan while he had the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian was at the intersection, crossing with the signal, when the sedan, making a left turn, struck him. The man suffered a contusion and injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan’s center front end hit the pedestrian. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention any helmet or signal violations by the pedestrian. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot at city intersections.
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality▸A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.
According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.
-
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-21
S 346Addabbo co-sponsors bill raising penalties for endangering highway workers.▸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
Weprin Expresses Hope for Resolution on Transportation Issue▸Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.
Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.
-
Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Addabbo co-sponsors bill lowering speed limits, improving first responder safety.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.
According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.
- Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-21
S 346Addabbo co-sponsors bill raising penalties for endangering highway workers.▸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
Weprin Expresses Hope for Resolution on Transportation Issue▸Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.
Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.
-
Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Addabbo co-sponsors bill lowering speed limits, improving first responder safety.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
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
Weprin Expresses Hope for Resolution on Transportation Issue▸Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.
Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.
-
Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Addabbo co-sponsors bill lowering speed limits, improving first responder safety.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
Albany lawmakers push Assembly Bill 590 to force 16- and 17-year-olds on Citi Bike e-bikes to wear helmets. Critics warn helmet laws slash ridership and invite biased policing. The bill moves forward despite evidence of harm to vulnerable road users.
Assembly Bill 590, sponsored by Amy Paulin (D-Westchester), advanced in a Transportation Committee hearing on May 7, 2025. The bill would require 16- and 17-year-olds riding Class 1 or 2 e-bikes, including Citi Bikes, to wear helmets. Committee Chair William Magnarelli (D-Syracuse) defended the bill, stating, "My only concern is the safety of the people riding the bike." The bill summary notes, 'studies have shown [helmet mandates] can dramatically reduce ridership of the city’s bike share system.' Experts warn such laws lead to fewer cyclists and open the door to discriminatory enforcement, especially against youth of color. Seattle dropped its helmet law in 2022 for these reasons. Despite evidence that helmet laws hurt vulnerable road users, the committee advanced the bill without addressing these harms.
- Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Addabbo co-sponsors bill lowering speed limits, improving first responder safety.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
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
S 4804Addabbo votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
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
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash▸A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
-
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash,
ABC7,
Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.
ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.
- Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-05-02
Int 0193-2024Schulman votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
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
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard▸A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
-
Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.
NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.
- Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-27
Melinda Katz Supports Criminal Prosecution in Queens Road Rage Case▸A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
-
BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD,
Gothamist,
Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.
On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.
- BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD, Gothamist, Published 2025-04-25
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Lefferts Boulevard▸An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
An SUV hit a man crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a bruised shoulder. The driver was not reported injured. Police listed no clear cause.
A 36-year-old man was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Lefferts Boulevard at 95th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. He suffered a contusion and upper arm injury. The SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged. The 70-year-old male driver was not reported injured. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report.
Res 0854-2025Schulman co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.▸Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
-
File Res 0854-2025,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.
Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.
- File Res 0854-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-24
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash▸A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
-
Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash,
The Brooklyn Paper,
Published 2025-04-23
A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.
The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.
- Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-04-23