433 Hurt, Zero Dead—Complacency Is Killing Alley Pond Park

Apr 17 - A fatigued driver fell asleep behind the wheel on Cross Island Parkway, striking multiple stopped vehicles. Two drivers suffered neck injuries and concussions. The impact centered on rear ends, revealing a chain reaction from driver error and drowsiness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:40 AM on Cross Island Parkway. A 29-year-old male driver of a 2020 Dodge pick-up truck fell asleep and was fatigued, causing him to collide with several stopped vehicles traveling south. The report lists "Fell Asleep" and "Fatigued/Drowsy" as contributing factors for the pick-up truck driver. The impact points were primarily on the center front end of the pick-up and the center back ends of the other vehicles, indicating a rear-end chain collision. Two drivers were injured: the fatigued male pick-up driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash, while a 49-year-old female driver in one of the struck vehicles sustained a concussion and neck injury. Both drivers were conscious and restrained, with airbags deployed in the female driver's vehicle. The crash highlights the systemic danger of driver fatigue leading to multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718505 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 16 - A 61-year-old man driving a 2017 sedan on the Long Island Expressway suffered full-body injuries and shock after a left-side collision. The crash stemmed from a driver’s reaction to an uninvolved vehicle, causing significant trauma without ejection.

According to the police report, at 21:10 on the Long Island Expressway in Queens, a 61-year-old male driver was injured when his 2017 Honda sedan was struck on the left side doors. The report cites "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as the contributing factor, indicating the driver’s response to another vehicle not involved in the collision led to the crash. The driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body and experienced shock, with complaints of pain or nausea. The vehicle was traveling north, going straight ahead before impact. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of sudden driver reactions to external traffic conditions on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718147 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 11 - Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Apr 6 - A SUV collided into the rear of a tractor truck on the Long Island Expressway. Three SUV occupants suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited following too closely as the primary cause. All victims were conscious and restrained at the time.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:38 AM on the Long Island Expressway. A 2010 SUV traveling east struck the center back end of a 2016 tractor truck also traveling east. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the collision. The SUV sustained damage to its center back end, while the truck had no damage. Three occupants in the SUV—one driver and two passengers—were injured, all suffering neck injuries and complaints of whiplash. All three were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses during the crash. The truck driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead, as was the SUV driver. The police report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing solely on the SUV driver's failure to maintain a safe following distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715121 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 29 - Two SUVs collided on the Long Island Expressway at dawn. One vehicle overturned after impact to its left rear quarter panel. The driver, unconscious and injured, suffered serious harm. Improper lane usage by the driver caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:10 AM on the Long Island Expressway involving two SUVs traveling west. The 49-year-old male driver of a 2024 Chevrolet SUV was merging when his vehicle was struck on the left rear quarter panel by a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling straight ahead. The impact caused the Chevrolet SUV to overturn. The driver was unconscious and sustained serious injuries, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor for the collision, highlighting driver error in lane management. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713309 - 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 25 - A tractor truck merging on the Long Island Expressway struck an SUV from behind. The SUV driver suffered neck injuries and bruising. Obstruction or debris in the roadway forced the SUV to avoid an object, setting the stage for the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway around 6:00 AM. A tractor truck traveling southeast was merging when it impacted the center front end of the truck with the center back end of a sport utility vehicle traveling east. The SUV driver, a 60-year-old woman, was injured with neck contusions and bruising but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report cites 'Obstruction/Debris' as a contributing factor, noting the SUV was avoiding an object in the roadway before the collision. The truck driver’s merging maneuver directly led to the rear-end crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712321 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 22 - A sedan driver suffered head injuries and whiplash after losing control on a slippery Cross Island Parkway. The vehicle struck an object front-center while traveling south. The driver, restrained and conscious, was injured despite no ejection from the car.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male driver was injured in a crash on Cross Island Parkway at 6:34 a.m. The driver, traveling southbound in a 2013 Infiniti sedan, lost control due to slippery pavement conditions, a contributing factor cited in the report. The vehicle impacted an object with its center front end, causing damage and resulting in the driver sustaining head injuries and whiplash. The driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness and remained conscious throughout the incident. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The report highlights the hazardous road condition—slippery pavement—as a key factor in the crash, emphasizing the systemic danger posed by roadway maintenance and weather conditions rather than any fault of the driver or victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713693 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 10 - SUV rear-ends sedan on Cross Island Parkway. Passenger, 26, suffers facial bruises. Police cite following too closely. Impact shatters calm. Driver error leaves mark.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan on Cross Island Parkway at 1:45 AM. The sedan’s front passenger, a 26-year-old woman, was injured, sustaining facial contusions. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error by the SUV operator. The airbag deployed during the crash. The SUV, registered in New Jersey, and the sedan, registered in New York, were both traveling straight. The SUV suffered center back end damage; the sedan’s front end was crushed. No other contributing factors or victim actions are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708442 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 9 - Two sedans collided head-on on the Long Island Expressway at night. Both drivers were traveling west when impact occurred. One driver suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Police cited driver inattention and slippery pavement as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:45 on the Long Island Expressway involving two sedans traveling westbound. The point of impact was the right front bumper of a 2023 Tesla and the left front bumper of a 2007 Mercedes. The 69-year-old male driver of the Tesla was injured with a fractured elbow and dislocation but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with slippery pavement. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to the collision. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction and hazardous road conditions on this stretch of highway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708250 - 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

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 28 - Council targets repair shops and rentals clogging city streets with business vehicles. Fines hit hard. Streets clear for people, not profit. Committee weighs next move.

Bill Int 0227-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after its introduction on February 28, 2024. The measure, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...prohibiting certain commercial establishments from parking vehicles on city streets,' cracks down on auto shops, rental businesses, and gas stations using public streets for business parking. Council Members Nantasha M. Williams (primary sponsor), Vickie Paladino, Erik D. Bottcher, and Robert F. Holden back the bill. Violators face $250–$400 daily fines and possible impoundment. The law aims to reclaim curb space for the public, not private fleets. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0227-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council wants DOT to check 100 speed camera spots a year for raised speed bumps. If possible, bumps go in within a year. DOT must track and report on driver behavior changes. No delay. No loopholes.

Int 0161-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, by Council Members Louis (primary), Carr, Ung, Holden, Ariola, Paladino, and Morano. The bill orders DOT to assess at least 100 speed camera locations each year for raised speed reducer feasibility. If feasible, DOT must install the bump within a year. The law demands annual reports on these checks and on shifts in dangerous driving at treated sites. The bill summary reads: 'requiring a raised speed reducer feasibility assessment at speed camera locations.' Council aims to force physical changes where cameras alone fail.

• File Int 0161-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council bill orders speed humps on roads beside parks over one acre. DOT can skip spots if safety or rules demand. Law aims to slow cars where families walk, run, and play.

Int 0262-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: “requiring the installation of speed humps on roadways adjacent to any park equal or greater than one acre.” Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by eighteen co-sponsors. The Department of Transportation must install speed humps unless the commissioner finds a risk to safety or a conflict with DOT guidelines. The law would take effect 180 days after passage. The measure targets streets where parks meet traffic, aiming to slow cars and shield people outside vehicles.

• File Int 0262-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 24 - A distracted driver merged on Cross Island Parkway. Metal slammed metal. A 22-year-old woman in the back seat took a blow to the head. She left with a concussion. Driver inattention and unsafe lane change caused the crash.

According to the police report, a crash erupted at 9:30 PM on Cross Island Parkway in Queens. Multiple vehicles collided when a driver merged, striking the left front of a sedan and the right side of another. A 22-year-old female passenger in the right rear seat suffered a head injury and concussion. She was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the causes. No actions by the injured passenger contributed to the crash. The incident exposes the danger of distracted driving and reckless lane changes on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705350 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 18 - Two SUVs collided on the Long Island Expressway. One overturned. A 44-year-old driver suffered leg injuries. Police cite unsafe speed and aggressive driving. The crash left metal twisted and a driver bruised.

According to the police report, two SUVs crashed on the Long Island Expressway at 9:55. One driver changed lanes and struck the left rear bumper of another SUV. The lane-changing SUV overturned. Its 44-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Police list unsafe speed and aggressive driving as contributing factors. The crash shows the danger of high-speed lane changes. No other contributing factors are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703331 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 2 - Three sedans slammed together on Cross Island Parkway. Driver distraction sparked a rear-end hit. A 52-year-old man took chest injuries and whiplash. Metal crumpled. No one walked away untouched.

According to the police report, three sedans collided southbound on Cross Island Parkway at 18:50. Driver inattention and distraction caused a rear-end impact, striking the center back end of one car and the center front of another. A 52-year-old male driver suffered chest injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention and outside car distraction as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left damage to front and rear bumpers, marking the violence of a chain-reaction collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692403 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 22 - Two vehicles collided head-on on Cross Island Parkway. Three occupants suffered injuries to chest, shoulder, and back. All were restrained and none ejected. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash. Drivers and passengers were left in shock.

According to the police report, a 2014 SUV and a 2018 sedan collided on Cross Island Parkway while both were traveling north. The impact occurred at the right front bumper of the SUV and the left front bumper of the sedan. Three occupants were injured: a 50-year-old male driver with shoulder and upper arm injuries, a 49-year-old female front passenger with chest injuries, and a 10-year-old rear passenger with back injuries. All were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report lists slippery pavement as the contributing factor for both vehicles. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The crash left all occupants in shock.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4689271 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18