Woodhaven Bleeds While Leaders Stall

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jan 17 - A moped traveling south on 91 Ave struck another vehicle’s center back end. The unlicensed driver and a 15-year-old passenger suffered whiplash and injuries to face and lower leg. Both remained conscious but were seriously hurt in the collision.

According to the police report, a 2023 ZHEN moped, driven by a 19-year-old unlicensed male, was traveling south on 91 Ave when it collided with the center back end of another vehicle. The moped's left front bumper sustained damage. The driver, wearing a helmet, suffered whiplash and facial injuries, classified as injury severity 3. A 15-year-old female passenger seated on the left rear of the moped also sustained whiplash and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity 3. Both occupants were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not list any contributing factors from the driver or victim, but the driver’s unlicensed status is a critical factor. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787259 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dec 26 - A 64-year-old man was struck by a northbound sedan on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian suffered contusions and lower leg injuries. The driver’s inattention caused the collision outside an intersection, leaving the victim bruised but conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling northbound on Jamaica Avenue in Queens struck a 64-year-old male pedestrian who was not at an intersection but engaged in other actions in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash, repeated twice for emphasis. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which was going straight ahead. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash occurred at 5:45 p.m., highlighting the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782714 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - Council bill Intro 103 forces DOT to notify members for every parking change. Critics say it slows life-saving street redesigns. Advocates warn it props up car culture and blocks safer bike lanes. The bill risks more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings.

Intro 103, now before the City Council, would require the Department of Transportation to notify Council members every time a single parking spot is repurposed—for car-share, bike corrals, or Citi Bike docks. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola, claims residents need notice before losing parking. But DOT and street safety advocates slam the measure as a bureaucratic drag on urgent safety fixes. Council Member Lincoln Restler calls it 'additional hoops and hurdles' for street safety. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso says, 'I don’t know why we entertain any effort to stop or slow-roll safe street design.' Open Plans and StreetsPAC argue the bill props up car dominance and blocks safer, more sustainable streets. The bill could make it harder to move bike infrastructure off sidewalks, risking more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings for pedestrians. Similar bills (Intro 606, Intro 104) face the same criticism.

• Council Members Want To Be Notified When City Repurposes ‘Their’ Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 4 - A female driver struck multiple parked vehicles on 75th Street in Queens. The impact caused neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the primary cause. The driver was conscious and restrained at the time of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 75th Street in Queens at 16:57. A female driver operating a 2015 Toyota SUV traveling south struck several parked vehicles, impacting the right front bumper of her vehicle. The collision involved multiple stationary vehicles, including SUVs and a sedan, with damage to their left rear bumpers and side doors. The driver, a 48-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly attributes the crash to 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' identifying this as the primary contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The driver was licensed in New York at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776303 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 14 - A 39-year-old male driver suffered severe injuries after a solo crash on Park Ln S in Queens. The SUV struck head-on, causing fractures and dislocations. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience as key factors in the accident.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:14 on Park Ln S, Queens, involving a 2022 SUV traveling north. The driver, a 39-year-old male occupant, was injured with fractures and dislocations affecting his entire body. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The vehicle sustained center front end damage upon impact. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected but was found semiconscious. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The police report explicitly attributes the crash to the driver's failure to maintain attention and lack of experience, highlighting systemic dangers posed by distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771423 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 13 - 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

Oct 31 - SUV cut across Jamaica Avenue, struck a motorcycle. Rider took the hit—concussion, leg injuries. Police cite improper turn, tailgating by SUV. Rider wore helmet. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, an SUV made an improper U-turn on Jamaica Avenue and collided with a westbound motorcycle at 16:20. The SUV driver was cited for "Turning Improperly" and "Following Too Closely." The 25-year-old motorcycle rider, wearing a helmet but unlicensed, suffered a concussion and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The motorcycle's point of impact was listed as "Other," and both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The motorcyclist was conscious and not ejected. The report highlights driver errors by the SUV operator as the primary cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767893 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 27 - An e-bike traveling straight struck a pedestrian outside an intersection in Queens. The pedestrian suffered head abrasions and was conscious after the crash. Police cited aggressive driving and unsafe speed as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, an e-bike traveling straight ahead collided with a pedestrian who was not in the roadway but near 89-32 98 Street in Queens. The pedestrian, a male, sustained head abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies aggressive driving and unsafe speed by the e-bike operator as key contributing factors. The point of impact was the center front end of the e-bike, which also sustained damage in the same area. The pedestrian was injured but not ejected, with no mention of pedestrian fault or contributing behaviors. The crash occurred around noon, highlighting the dangers posed by aggressive e-bike operation in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759108 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - A taxi struck two teenage boys in Brooklyn. Both were crossing at the intersection. The driver sped. Both teens suffered limb injuries. Police cited unsafe speed as a cause.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on Jamaica Avenue in Brooklyn struck two male pedestrians, ages 15 and 17, as they crossed the intersection. Both teens suffered injuries—one with abrasions to the arm and hand, the other with contusions to the knee, leg, and foot. The report lists unsafe speed by the taxi driver as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and going straight. No vehicle damage was reported. The police report highlights unsafe speed as driver error in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 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

Sep 12 - City Council pulled the jaywalking bill before a vote. Advocates warned new language could blame pedestrians for crashes. The bill would have let people cross mid-block, but now demands they yield to drivers. Racial bias in enforcement remains unaddressed.

On September 12, 2024, the City Council delayed action on a bill to legalize jaywalking. The measure, sponsored by Council Member Mercedes Narcisse, passed the Transportation Committee but was withdrawn before a full Council vote. The bill’s summary stated it would 'legalize crossing outside crosswalks and require a pedestrian education campaign.' Advocates objected to last-minute changes that would force pedestrians to yield to drivers, fearing it could criminalize those struck by cars. Narcisse highlighted 'systemic bias in how these laws are enforced.' Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers said, 'There is little evidence to support the claim that criminal or civil offenses for jaywalking change pedestrian behavior or increase pedestrian safety,' and noted racial disparities in ticketing. The NYPD and DOT opposed the bill, citing safety concerns. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with advocates demanding stronger protections for pedestrians.

• Council Balks on Legalizing ‘Jaywalking’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-12

Sep 10 - 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 2024-09-10

Aug 15 - 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

Aug 15 - 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

Aug 10 - Councilwoman Joann Ariola called out Tiffany Cabán for racking up school-zone speeding tickets while pushing to cut car use. Cabán’s platform promised safer streets and fewer cars. Ariola and others say the tickets show a gap between words and actions.

On August 10, 2024, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (District 32) publicly criticized Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán after media reports revealed Cabán received four school-zone speeding tickets and three other violations since November 2022. The matter, covered by the New York Post, states: 'Cabán—who was elected to office on a platform advocating less car use and cracking down on dangerous driving—received four tickets in the past 13 months for speeding her vehicle in school zones.' Ariola, joined by Councilman Robert Holden, accused Cabán of hypocrisy, highlighting the disconnect between Cabán’s advocacy for street safety and her own driving record. Cabán’s policy platform includes converting 25% of city roadways for people, building 1,000 miles of car-free streets, and expanding bus and bike lanes. No formal council bill or committee action is attached to this event, but the public dispute underscores tensions in the city’s push for safer, less car-dominated streets.

• Socialist NYC Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán has amassed nearly $500 in traffic tickets despite pushing anti-car agenda: ‘Hypocrisy’, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-10

Jul 24 - A 15-year-old male driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision involving an SUV in Queens. The crash occurred at 88 Street and 85 Road, with unsafe speed cited as a contributing factor. The driver was not ejected but experienced shock.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 17:49 in Queens near 88 Street and 85 Road. A 15-year-old male driver of a stand-up vehicle was injured, sustaining contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the collision. The SUV involved was traveling west and struck the right rear bumper of the stand-up vehicle, which was traveling south. The injured driver was not ejected and was in shock at the scene. The police report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing on the driver's unsafe speed as the primary cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742880 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19