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

May 26 - A northbound bus collided with multiple parked SUVs on Springfield Boulevard in Queens. Unsafe speed by the bus driver caused the crash. Five occupants in the bus suffered back, head, and neck injuries. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

According to the police report, at 6:05 AM on Springfield Boulevard in Queens, a northbound bus struck several parked SUVs. The bus was passing when the collision occurred, impacting the right front bumper and right front quarter panel. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error by the bus operator. Five bus occupants were injured, including the 30-year-old female driver who suffered a back injury and four passengers with head, neck, and back injuries. All occupants were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in the crash. The parked SUVs sustained damage primarily to their center back ends and left rear quarter panels. The report does not list any victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728816 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 25 - A moped rider suffered chest injuries and partial ejection after a sedan made a left turn and struck him. The crash happened on 73 Avenue in Queens, with driver inattention and distraction cited as contributing factors. The rider was conscious but injured.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 73 Avenue in Queens was making a left turn when it collided with a moped also traveling east. The moped driver, a 24-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained chest abrasions. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the crash. The sedan's point of impact was the left front quarter panel, while the moped's damage was centered on the front end. The moped rider was wearing a helmet, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The sedan driver was licensed and male. This collision highlights driver errors during turning maneuvers leading to serious injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727336 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 16 - Queens lawmakers demand more express buses before the $15 congestion toll hits. They say MTA left Queens behind. Riders in transit deserts face long, costly trips. Lawmakers call the exclusion unacceptable. They want fair service before new fees begin.

On May 16, 2024, ten Queens lawmakers, including Julia Salazar (District 18), urged the MTA to expand express bus service to Queens before the $15 Manhattan congestion toll starts. The group wrote to MTA chairman Janno Lieber, stating, "Express buses play a vital role in Queens’ public transit network and only stand to become even more pivotal in the near and distant future." They criticized the MTA for boosting express bus service in Brooklyn and Staten Island but not Queens, calling the exclusion "unacceptable." The lawmakers stressed that many southeast and northeast Queens residents lack subway access and rely on express buses to reach Midtown. They argued the 10 percent LIRR discount is no substitute for robust bus service. Salazar and her colleagues support congestion pricing but insist its success depends on expanded, equitable transit for all vulnerable riders.

• Queens lawmakers demand more MTA bus service to Manhattan before $15 congestion toll begins, nypost.com, Published 2024-05-16

Apr 27 - Two SUVs collided on Union Turnpike. The trailing driver followed too close and struck the lead SUV. A 50-year-old man suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited following too closely as the cause.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles were traveling west on Union Turnpike in Queens when the second SUV struck the first at the right rear bumper. The lead vehicle suffered center back-end damage, while the striking SUV had front-end damage. The 50-year-old male driver of the lead SUV was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash. He was conscious and wore a lap belt and harness. Police listed 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and headed straight. The crash shows the risk when drivers tailgate on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720378 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 15 - A chain collision on Union Turnpike in Queens left a 72-year-old driver injured with neck pain and shock. The crash involved three eastbound vehicles and was caused by a driver following too closely, striking the rear of another vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:51 on Union Turnpike in Queens involving three eastbound vehicles: a 2022 Ford SUV, a 2016 Honda sedan, and a 2012 Nissan sedan. The point of impact was the center back end of the vehicles, indicating a rear-end chain collision. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error in maintaining unsafe distance. The 72-year-old male driver of the Honda sedan was injured, suffering neck pain and shock, and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating and the severe consequences for vulnerable occupants in multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717560 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 27 - A northbound SUV making a left turn struck an eastbound sedan turning right on Union Turnpike in Queens. The sedan driver suffered head injuries and shock. Both vehicles showed front-end damage. Limited visibility contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 1:00 PM on Union Turnpike in Queens. A 2019 SUV traveling north was making a left turn when it collided with a 2008 sedan traveling east and making a right turn. The point of impact was the SUV's right front quarter panel and the sedan's center front end. The sedan driver, a 42-year-old woman from Texas, was injured with head trauma and experienced shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor for both drivers, indicating restricted visibility played a key role. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. No other contributing factors were noted. The crash highlights how limited sight lines at intersections can lead to collisions during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712981 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 27 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Mar 20 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Mar 15 - A tanker truck struck the rear of an SUV traveling westbound on the Long Island Expressway. The SUV driver, a 33-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and shock. Police cited the tanker driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.

According to the police report, at 7:55 AM on the Long Island Expressway, a tanker truck traveling westbound collided with the center back end of a westbound SUV. The SUV driver, a 33-year-old woman, was injured, suffering back pain and shock, and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the tanker driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the SUV. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The tanker’s front end struck the SUV’s rear center, causing damage to both vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4710292 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 9 - Two vehicles collided on Cloverdale Boulevard in Queens. Both drivers, men aged 40, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved a Ford SUV and a Hyundai sedan. Driver inattention was cited as a contributing factor in the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:52 on Cloverdale Boulevard in Queens involving a 2017 Ford SUV traveling south and a 2013 Hyundai sedan traveling east. Both drivers, men aged 40, were injured with neck pain and whiplash, each conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the SUV and the left front bumper of the sedan. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. Both drivers were licensed in New York and were going straight ahead prior to the crash. No ejections occurred. The report does not list any contributing factors related to victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708176 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 7 - SUV slammed into sedan’s rear on Long Island Expressway. Young driver hurt in face, left in shock. Both cars westbound. No ejection. Police list no clear cause.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male sedan driver suffered facial injuries and shock when an SUV rear-ended his car on the Long Island Expressway at 19:55. Both vehicles were traveling westbound, straight ahead. The SUV struck the sedan’s center back end. The injured driver was restrained by lap belt and harness. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified. No ejection occurred. No visible complaints noted beyond the facial injury and shock. The report does not cite any error by the sedan driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707917 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 7 - Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Feb 23 - An SUV traveling east on the Long Island Expressway slowed or stopped and was struck from behind by a tractor truck also heading east. Two occupants in the SUV suffered moderate injuries including back contusions and whiplash. Both drivers were licensed.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway around 7:00 AM. The SUV, driven by a 40-year-old male, was slowing or stopping when it was hit in the center back end by a tractor truck traveling straight ahead. The impact point on the truck was its center front end. The SUV had two occupants: the driver and a 37-year-old female front passenger. Both occupants were injured with severity level 3 injuries; the driver sustained back contusions and the passenger suffered whiplash. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the SUV driver, indicating possible driver error related to the slowing or stopping maneuver. The tractor truck driver was licensed and traveling eastbound. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704651 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 20 - A tractor truck slammed into the back of a sedan traveling east on the Long Island Expressway. The front passenger in the sedan suffered a back injury and shock. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:37 AM on the Long Island Expressway. A tractor truck traveling east struck the center back end of a sedan also moving east. The impact injured the sedan’s front passenger, a 42-year-old man, who suffered a back injury and was in shock. The passenger was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The police report identifies the truck driver’s error as "Following Too Closely," indicating failure to maintain a safe distance behind the sedan. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision. No other contributing factors were specified. The focus remains on the truck driver’s responsibility for the rear-end collision that caused injury to the sedan occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703840 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 12 - A tractor truck struck a sedan from behind on the Long Island Expressway. Three men inside the sedan suffered neck injuries and shock. The truck driver’s inattention caused the crash, leaving occupants with whiplash and pain.

According to the police report, a tractor truck diesel traveling east on the Long Island Expressway collided with the center back end of a sedan also traveling east at 9:49 AM. The truck driver was cited for Driver Inattention/Distraction as the contributing factor. The sedan carried three male occupants, including the 23-year-old driver and two passengers aged 31 and 33. All three were injured, suffering neck injuries described as whiplash and complaints of pain or nausea. None were ejected and all wore lap belts. The report highlights the truck driver’s failure to maintain attention as the cause of the rear-end collision, which inflicted moderate injuries on the sedan’s occupants. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703175 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 4 - Eighteen lawmakers, including Joseph Borelli, sued to stop New York’s $15 congestion pricing. They claim the toll shifts pollution, burdens drivers, and fails communities with poor transit. The MTA defends the plan, saying it funds safer, less crowded streets.

On February 4, 2024, Council Member Joseph C. Borelli (District 51) joined seventeen other lawmakers in a federal lawsuit to block New York City’s $15 congestion pricing toll for Midtown Manhattan. The suit, supported by both Democrats and Republicans, argues the toll 'is a detriment to those that will be affected by this toll, environmentally and financially,' and claims it will shift traffic and pollution to other neighborhoods. Other plaintiffs include State Senators James Skoufis, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Iwen Chu, Monica Martinez, and Assemblymembers Aileen Gunther, Jamie Williams, and David Weprin. The MTA, backed by Governor Hochul, says the toll will raise $1 billion yearly for transit upgrades, promising safer, less congested streets and better transit for the majority who rely on public transportation. The case highlights the political and environmental battle over how to fund and shape New York’s streets.

• 18 NY lawmakers join suit to block $15 congestion toll, nypost.com, Published 2024-02-04

Jan 26 - A tractor truck struck a sedan from behind on the Long Island Expressway. Both male occupants of the sedan suffered contusions and injuries to back and lower leg. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, at 6:45 a.m., a 2018 diesel tractor truck traveling west on the Long Island Expressway collided with the rear center of a 2010 sedan also traveling west. The truck's front center end impacted the sedan's rear center end. The sedan carried two male occupants: a 40-year-old driver and a 43-year-old right rear passenger. Both were conscious but injured, suffering contusions and bruises to the back and lower leg areas. The driver of the tractor truck was licensed and reportedly inattentive or distracted at the time of the crash, as noted under contributing factors. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victims. Both sedan occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The collision highlights the dangers of driver inattention on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4697859 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 24 - A box truck struck the rear of a sedan traveling east on the Long Island Expressway. The sedan’s front passenger, a 27-year-old woman, suffered neck contusions. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain distance as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, at 7:09 a.m. on the Long Island Expressway, a box truck traveling east rear-ended a sedan also heading east. The point of impact was the center back end of the sedan and the center front end of the truck. The truck driver was cited for "Following Too Closely," indicating failure to maintain a safe distance. The sedan was slowing or stopping before the collision. The front passenger of the sedan, a 27-year-old female occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained neck contusions and was injured but conscious. The report lists no contributing factors related to the victim. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roadways and the serious injuries that can result from rear-end collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4698257 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 18 - A tanker slammed into a slowing pick-up on the Long Island Expressway. Two front-seat passengers took the hit. Faces bloodied. Both stayed conscious. Driver followed too close. Metal and flesh met at speed.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck was slowing or stopping eastbound on the Long Island Expressway when a tanker, also heading east, struck it from behind. The crash involved a box truck as well. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. Two male front-seat passengers in the pick-up, ages 20 and 25, suffered facial abrasions but remained conscious and were not ejected. Both wore lap belts, with one also using a harness. The primary cause was driver error in maintaining distance. No fault is attributed to the injured passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695988 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 18 - A third lawsuit strikes at the MTA’s congestion pricing plan. David Weprin and conservative lawmakers claim the review was weak. They want the toll halted. The MTA stands firm. Transit advocates call the suit a distraction. The fight delays safer, quieter streets.

On January 18, 2024, Assemblymember David Weprin and the City Council’s Common Sense Caucus filed a federal lawsuit against the MTA’s congestion pricing plan. The case, filed in Manhattan, challenges the environmental review process and seeks to block the $15 daily toll for cars entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The lawsuit claims, 'the city, state, and federal government did not do the proper review to protect citizens.' Council Member Bob Holden called the charge 'insane.' The MTA defends its review and says delays threaten $15 billion in transit upgrades. Transit advocates say the lawsuit is frivolous and congestion pricing’s benefits are clear. The case puts the program’s timeline—and safer streets for vulnerable road users—at risk.

• Congestion pricing | MTA hit with third lawsuit from conservative group seeking to stop Manhattan toll plan, amny.com, Published 2024-01-18