Blood on 120th Street: Demand Action Before Another Name Is Added

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

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

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

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

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

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

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

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

Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

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

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

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

Two SUVs slammed together on 111 Street. Both drivers blew past traffic controls. A 68-year-old man took neck injuries and whiplash. Metal twisted. Danger rose from driver disregard.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided at 20:39 on 111 Street near 95 Avenue in Queens. Both drivers, a 68-year-old man from New York and a woman from Pennsylvania, went straight ahead and disregarded traffic controls. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. The male driver suffered neck pain and whiplash but remained conscious at the scene. The impact struck the left front bumper of his SUV and the center front end of the other. Both vehicles sustained damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784839 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

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

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

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

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

Van turned wrong, slammed into parked SUV. Woman in back seat thrown partway out. She suffered back injuries, shock, pain. Intersection danger, driver error, real harm.

According to the police report, a van making a right turn near 112-20 Atlantic Ave in Queens struck the left front bumper of a parked SUV at 13:55. The van driver committed the error of "Turning Improperly." A 47-year-old woman, seated in the right rear passenger seat of the SUV, was partially ejected and suffered back injuries. She was in shock and complained of pain or nausea. The report lists no contributing factors from the victim. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage. This crash shows the danger of improper turning, with serious injury to a passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A female driver suffered neck injuries in a Queens crash involving two sedans. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as causes. The impact damaged the left side doors of one vehicle and the front bumpers of the others. No ejections occurred.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:30 on 134 Street in Queens. A 52-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining a neck injury described as whiplash. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The collision involved two sedans and a Jeep SUV. The female driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Vehicle damage included left side doors on the Honda sedan and front-end damage on the other vehicles. The report highlights driver errors—unsafe speed and distraction—as primary causes, with no mention of victim fault or contributing pedestrian actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a left turn collided with an eastbound e-bike on 101 Ave in Queens. The 66-year-old male cyclist suffered head abrasions but remained conscious. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as a key factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:30 AM on 101 Ave in Queens. A 2018 Nissan sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, was making a left turn when it struck a westbound e-bike head-on. The e-bike rider, a 66-year-old male, sustained head abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The cyclist was not ejected and was not cited for any contributing behaviors. The collision’s point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the e-bike’s left front bumper, causing center front end damage to both vehicles. This crash highlights driver error in turning maneuvers and maintaining proper distance as critical causes of injury to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776116 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Councilmember Nily Rozic joined Republicans and business owners to denounce the $9 Manhattan congestion toll. Critics say the fee will batter neighborhoods already scarred by empty storefronts. The MTA board votes soon. The city’s most vulnerable remain at risk in traffic.

On November 17, 2024, Councilmember Nily Rozic (District 25) spoke out during a heated debate over New York’s new congestion pricing policy. The MTA board is set to vote on the $9 toll to enter Manhattan’s business district, effective January 5. The matter, described as 'NYC congestion toll would hit neighborhoods with some of worst vacancy rates in city,' has drawn fire from both Republicans and Democrats. Rozic said, 'Affordability is really the most important thing that voters, that constituents, that people on the street, talk to us about... keep the pause.' Opponents argue the toll will worsen economic pain in areas with high storefront vacancy. Despite the uproar, the policy’s impact on pedestrian and cyclist safety remains unaddressed in this debate. Vulnerable road users are left out of the political crossfire.

• NYC congestion toll would hit neighborhoods with some of worst vacancy rates in city — as GOP issues warning to Dems, nypost.com, Published 2024-11-17

Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

A sedan making a left turn collided with a bicyclist traveling east on 101 Avenue in Queens. The cyclist, a 29-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited glare as a contributing factor to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:50 in Queens near 123-12 101 Avenue. A sedan traveling west was making a left turn when it struck a bicyclist going straight east. The bicyclist, a 29-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises. The report notes glare as a contributing factor, which likely impaired the driver's visibility during the turn. The sedan's point of impact was the center front end, indicating the driver failed to yield to the cyclist traveling straight. The cyclist was not ejected and remained conscious. No driver license issues were reported for the sedan driver. Vehicle damage was minimal or not noted. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the cyclist's behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762407 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Queens lawmakers slammed e-scooters, calling them chaos. They claimed danger, but city data shows no deaths or serious injuries. Council Member Ung introduced a bill to ban the program. Gennaro and Schulman support it. DOT says the program is safe and popular.

On September 17, 2024, Council Member Sandra Ung announced a bill to ban the Queens e-scooter share program. The bill, co-sponsored by Council Members James Gennaro and Lynn Schulman, follows a press conference where lawmakers denounced the program as hazardous. Gennaro said, "The program, as designed, leads to chaos." Ung called her bill a last resort. Assembly Members Sam Berger and David Weprin, and Community Board 8 Chair Martha Taylor, joined the opposition, citing sidewalk clutter and lack of outreach. However, DOT data contradicts their claims: since the program's June launch, 37,000 riders have taken 290,000 trips with no reported serious injuries or deaths. DOT says it held 35 briefings and implemented parking corrals in dense areas. Despite high ridership and safety records, the bill seeks to end the program, centering political frustration over proven outcomes.

• Queens Pols Have Lots of Claims About the Evils of Scooter-Share, But Few Facts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-17

A 13-year-old boy riding a bike was ejected and injured in a collision with an SUV traveling southbound in Queens. The crash caused fractures and dislocations to the boy’s lower leg and foot. Unsafe speed by the driver contributed to the impact.

According to the police report, at 10:33 AM in Queens near 95-68 112 Street, an SUV traveling southbound collided head-on with a westbound bike driven by a 13-year-old boy. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor on the part of the SUV driver. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted as a contributing factor related to the bicyclist. Both vehicles suffered front-end damage. The report does not attribute fault to the bicyclist but highlights driver error and unsafe speed as primary causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756064 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A Tesla sedan backing unsafely struck another vehicle in Queens. A child occupant in one of the sedans suffered a facial contusion. The crash highlights the dangers of improper vehicle maneuvering in busy city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Queens near 127-05 102 Avenue at 18:34. A Tesla sedan was backing when it collided with a Hyundai sedan traveling westbound. The Tesla's driver was cited for 'Backing Unsafely,' a critical driver error leading to the collision. The impact occurred at the Tesla's center back end and the Hyundai's right front bumper. A child occupant seated in the middle rear seat of the Hyundai was injured, sustaining a facial contusion and classified with injury severity level 3. The child was restrained in a child safety seat and was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors were noted. The report emphasizes the Tesla driver's failure to safely back the vehicle as the primary cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732673 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04