No More Waiting for Blood: Make Oakland Gardens Streets Safe Now

A minivan left the road in Queens. It hit a tree. One woman died. Three others, all seniors, went to the hospital. The crash happened on Brookville Boulevard, near Sunrise Highway. Police are investigating. The road stayed quiet after.

According to the NY Daily News (published February 14, 2025), a minivan from Eunhae Adult Daycare crashed while leaving a senior residence in Queens. The 74-year-old driver 'lost control of the wheel at the Sunrise Highway.' The vehicle veered off Brookville Blvd and struck a tree. Four people were inside, all seniors. One woman in her 70s died after being found unconscious in the back seat. Three others, including the driver, were hospitalized but expected to survive. Police are investigating the cause. The article highlights the dangers faced by passengers in vehicles operated by older drivers and the risks at busy intersections like Brookville Boulevard and Sunrise Highway.

• Minivan Crash Kills Woman, Injures Three, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-14

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

Two sedans collided head-on on 210 St in Queens. The 19-year-old male driver suffered a fractured elbow and hand injuries. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:13 on 210 St in Queens involving two sedans traveling east and south. The 19-year-old male driver of one sedan was injured with a fractured elbow and hand dislocation, remaining conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. Both vehicles had front bumper damage, indicating a frontal impact. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing victim behaviors in the report. The crash highlights driver error—specifically inattention and distraction—as the primary cause of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790202 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

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

Council bill targets speed. Shared e-bikes and scooters must have speedometers. New riders get capped at 10 mph. Law aims to slow the city’s fastest wheels. Committee review underway.

Int 1145-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced December 19, 2024, the bill would require all shared electric bikes and scooters to have working speedometers. For new riders, electric assist cuts out at 10 mph. The matter title reads: 'requiring that electric bicycles and electric scooters that are part of share systems have speedometers and limit electric speed assistance to new riders.' Council Members Linda Lee (primary sponsor), Gale A. Brewer, and Chris Banks back the bill. Brewer referred it to committee. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill awaits further action.

• File Int 1145-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

A sedan driver on Horace Harding Expy hit a parked car. Chest injuries and shock followed. Police cite phone use and ignoring traffic control. Metal twisted. Night split open by impact.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old woman driving east on Horace Harding Expressway in Queens struck a parked sedan at 11:30 PM. She suffered chest injuries and shock. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Cell Phone (hand-Held)' as driver errors. The impact damaged the left rear quarter panel of the parked vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report highlights the driver's distraction by a handheld phone and failure to obey traffic control, leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778291 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 25-year-old woman driving south in Queens fell asleep behind the wheel. Her sedan struck the rear of a parked vehicle, causing center front-end damage. She suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was treated for contusions and shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:33 AM in Queens near 64-30 Cloverdale Blvd. The driver, a 25-year-old female occupant of a 2023 Acura sedan, was traveling straight ahead when she fell asleep, a key contributing factor cited in the report. Her vehicle impacted the center back end of a parked 2017 Subaru sedan, damaging the front center of her vehicle and the left rear bumper of the parked car. The driver was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. She sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises, and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly notes the driver’s failure to maintain alertness as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the parked vehicle or victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777803 - 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

A 12-year-old boy was struck by a sedan on Union Turnpike while crossing outside an intersection. The impact injured his lower leg and foot, leaving him conscious with bruises. The driver’s vehicle hit the pedestrian with its left front bumper.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Union Turnpike struck a 12-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing the street outside of an intersection. The vehicle's left front bumper was the point of impact, causing injuries to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot. The boy remained conscious but suffered contusions and bruises. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian's crossing action was noted as 'Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk,' but no contributing factors were specified. The collision occurred at 5:40 PM, and the pedestrian was not at an intersection when struck. The data highlights the danger posed by vehicles traveling straight ahead striking pedestrians outside designated crossing areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771849 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two men suffered head injuries in a violent crash on the Long Island Expressway. The pick-up truck struck the sedan’s front center, causing concussions and whiplash. Both drivers were conscious but seriously hurt, restrained by seat belts.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway around 4:30 AM. A 2013 Ford pick-up truck traveling east collided with a 2020 Honda sedan also heading east. The point of impact was the roof of the pick-up truck and the center front end of the sedan. Both vehicles had two occupants. The sedan’s driver, a 25-year-old male, suffered a concussion and head injury while the front passenger, a 23-year-old male, sustained whiplash and head injury. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for both injured occupants but does not identify specific driver errors. The collision’s force and impact points indicate a severe crash dynamic, with serious injuries to vehicle occupants despite safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771263 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An Audi SUV sped down 86 Avenue, struck a parked Nissan, and flipped. Both men inside were hurt and in shock. Unsafe speed drove the crash. Metal twisted. The street bore the scars.

According to the police report, an Audi SUV traveling eastbound on 86 Avenue in Queens overturned after colliding with a parked Nissan SUV at 8:10 p.m. The driver, a 39-year-old man, and his 32-year-old front passenger were both injured and in shock. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor, showing the driver lost control before impact. Both occupants wore lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The parked Nissan suffered damage to its left side doors and front quarter panel. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766486 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 19-year-old man was struck while crossing Springfield Boulevard outside a crosswalk. The sedan’s front center collided with the pedestrian, causing knee and lower leg injuries. The driver’s inattention was cited as the sole contributing factor.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male pedestrian was injured crossing Springfield Boulevard outside a crosswalk when a 2023 Kia sedan traveling south struck him with its center front end. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and complained of whiplash. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver failed to maintain proper attention. The vehicle was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving to vulnerable pedestrians outside designated crossing areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761509 - 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

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