Blood on the Crosswalk: South Jamaica Pays for City Hall’s Inaction

• Man struck and killed by two vehicles while trying to cross Belt Parkway in South Ozone Park: NYPD, amny, Published 2025-09-16

• Maniac NYC driver who mowed down teen girl after she rejected lewd advances had suspended license: docs, New York Post, Published 2025-09-14

• 16-year-old girl dies after being hit by SUV in Queens, CBS New York, Published 2025-09-13

Sep 4 - Drivers collided at Waltham St and 107 Ave in Queens. Police recorded traffic control disregarded. An 85-year-old front passenger and a 64-year-old driver were hurt. A parked sedan was damaged.

At Waltham St and 107 Ave in Queens, a driver in a westbound Ford van and the driver of a southbound Toyota sedan collided, with a parked Honda sedan also damaged. An 85-year-old front passenger was injured and reported pain across her body. A 64-year-old male driver suffered a neck injury and whiplash. According to the police report, “Traffic Control Disregarded” was the contributing factor. Police recorded traffic control disregarded by the drivers. Officers noted front-end damage to the van and left-side damage to the moving sedan; the parked sedan showed left-side damage as well. No pedestrians or cyclists were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4840208 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 20 - SUV south on 164th. Sedan east on 110th. Metal met at the right doors. Two drivers hurt. Shoulders and neck. Police cite speed and blind views. And failure to yield. Queens street, clear day, still brutal.

Two cars collided at 164 St and 110 Ave in Queens. An eastbound sedan struck the right side of a southbound SUV. Two drivers were injured; others were listed with unspecified injuries. According to the police report, contributing factors were “View Obstructed/Limited” and “Unsafe Speed.” The person records also list “Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.” These are driver errors that turn a simple crossing into an impact zone. The SUV’s right-side doors took the hit; the sedan’s front end crumpled. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported, but passengers still bore the force. The data points to speed, blocked sightlines, and a failure to yield as the causes named by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836480 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 20 - A driver hit a 62-year-old man crossing 157 St at 107 Ave in Queens. He fell hard. Knee and lower-leg injury and abrasions. Police list him conscious and injured. The report gives no driver details.

A driver hit a 62-year-old man at 157 Street and 107 Avenue in Queens. The man suffered knee and lower-leg injury and abrasions and was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the pedestrian was "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian at Intersection" and "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." Police recorded no driver contributing factors, vehicle details, or driver actions in the report. The report documents the pedestrian's location and injuries but does not list a driver error. The impact and injuries are clearly recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4838280 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 14 - Council moves to hit rogue vans hard. A checklist. Max fines for each breach. TLC, NYPD, DOT must act together. Crack down on illegal operators who imperil riders and people on the street. The bill sits in committee.

Int 1347-2025 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced and referred on August 14, 2025. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to enforcing violations against unlicensed commuter vans.” It orders TLC, with NYPD and DOT, to keep a compliance checklist. When officers stop an unlicensed van, they must check every rule and issue the maximum fine for each breach. Primary sponsor Nantasha M. Williams. Co-sponsors Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Mercedes Narcisse, and Chris Banks. Status: Committee. If enacted, it takes effect 120 days later. It targets illegal operators who put riders and bystanders at risk.

• File Int 1347-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Council introduces Int 1347-2025 to curb rogue commuter vans. TLC, NYPD, and DOT must keep a safety checklist. Officers who spot an unlicensed van stack every charge and levy max fines. A push to shield riders and people on the street.

Int 1347-2025 is in Committee. It sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction and referral on August 14, 2025. The bill’s title reads, “A Local Law … in relation to enforcing violations against unlicensed commuter vans.” It orders TLC, with NYPD and DOT, to maintain a checklist of laws on vehicle and driver licensure, service authorization, insurance, and inspections. When an officer stops an unlicensed van, they must review the list and issue the maximum penalty for each violation. Primary sponsor Nantasha M. Williams is joined by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Mercedes Narcisse, Chris Banks, and Farah N. Louis. The aim is to protect riders and bystanders from unlicensed operators who skip the rules.

• File Int 1347-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 13 - A driver struck a man crossing 155th Street near JFK. The car sped off. Medics rushed the victim to the hospital. He died. Police searched for footage. No arrests. The street stayed silent.

NY Daily News (2025-08-13) reports a 52-year-old man was killed crossing 155th St. at South Conduit Ave. near JFK Airport around 2:30 a.m. The driver hit the man and fled. Police said, "The driver sped off without stopping. No arrests have been made." Officers searched for surveillance footage to identify the vehicle. The article notes 68 pedestrians have died in city crashes this year. The hit-and-run highlights ongoing dangers for those on foot and the challenge of holding drivers accountable.

• Queens Hit-And-Run Kills Pedestrian Near JFK, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-13

Aug 12 - Mayor Adams moves to veto Intro 1135. Instacart boasts profits from squeezing workers. Delivery riders face low pay and harsh streets. Council backs workers, but veto blocks fair wages.

Intro 1135, a bill to mandate minimum wage for grocery delivery workers, faces a mayoral veto as of August 12, 2025. The City Council passed the bill with a veto-proof majority. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and others support it. Instacart lobbied hard against the bill, bragging to shareholders about boosting profits by cutting worker pay. The bill's matter: 'pay parity for grocery delivery workers.' Olivia Bensimon reported the story. The safety analyst notes this event concerns labor policy, not direct street safety or conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.

• As Mayor Adams Preps Veto of Minimum Wage Bill, Instacart Boasts ‘Squeezing’ Its Workers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-12

Aug 12 - A car tore through an Astoria intersection. It struck a food truck. Two men died on the sidewalk. The driver died too. Metal, flesh, coffee, blood. The street swallowed them. It happened fast. No one stood a chance.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-12), an 84-year-old driver sped through 42nd Street and 19th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, crashing into a food truck and killing two customers and himself. Surveillance showed the car "going about 60 miles an hour" before impact. The article quotes a witness: "Someone screamed really loudly, and I just had stepped back, like right up to the sidewalk." The force severed a victim's foot. The crash highlights the lethal risk when drivers lose control at high speed in pedestrian zones. No charges were filed; the driver died at the scene.

• Speeding Car Slams Food Truck, Kills Two, New York Post, Published 2025-08-12

Aug 11 - A car thief fled cops, leaping into the Atlantic. Officers dove in, fought him in the water, and dragged him to shore. The chase began with a stolen sedan, ended in cold surf, cuffs snapping shut.

NY Daily News (2025-08-11) reports a car thief jumped into the Atlantic off Far Rockaway after police caught him with a stolen Honda. The suspect, Matthew Swafford, used a stolen North Carolina plate. Officers pursued him into the water, as shown in NYPD video. Detective Demerest called, 'Take my belt!' before diving in. Swafford was charged with possession of stolen property and other offenses. The incident highlights risks when suspects flee in stolen vehicles, raising questions about pursuit protocols and the dangers posed by car theft in dense urban areas.

• Car Thief Jumps Far Rockaway Dock, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 6 - A horse dies in Hell’s Kitchen. Photos spark outrage. The council stalls on banning horse-drawn carriages. Advocates warn: more crashes, more injuries, more deaths. Unions block change. Streets stay dangerous for all.

Bill 2025 to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City remains stalled as of August 6, 2025. Sponsored by Queens Councilman Robert Holden, the bill sits in the health committee, chaired by Lynn Schulman. Speaker Adrienne Adams has not stated her position. The bill, described as a push to end the city’s carriage industry, gained attention after the death of a horse named Lady. Animal rights groups rallied, warning, 'Without a ban there will be more crashes in traffic, there will be more injuries and possibly deaths.' TWU Local 100 opposes the ban. Safety analysts note that removing carriages would cut unpredictable, slow vehicles from streets, reducing crash risk and making roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Gruesome images unlikely to sway lawmakers to ban horse-drawn carriages, Crain's New York Business, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 3 - Council weighs a 20-foot parking ban at crosswalks. Supporters say it saves lives. Critics warn of lost parking and risk. Streets stand at a crossroads.

""The safety of pedestrians and all street users remains a top priority for Speaker Adams and the council. Intro. 1138 is going through the council’s legislative process, which is deliberative and allows for thorough public engagement and input."" -- Adrienne Adams

Intro. 1138, now before the City Council as of August 3, 2025, targets cars parked within 20 feet of crosswalks. The transportation committee leads the review. The bill's summary: 'ban vehicles from parking within 20 feet of crosswalks to improve visibility and street safety.' Council Member Barbara Russo-Lennon supports the measure. Council Member Julie Won and advocates back it. DOT officials and some lawmakers oppose, citing cost and risk. The bill could cut 300,000 parking spots. Banning parking near intersections improves visibility for all road users, reducing collisions and making streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, even if it reduces parking.

• NYC to lose 300,000 parking spots in City Council bid to boost street safety, AMNY, Published 2025-08-03

Aug 3 - A driver struck an e-bike rider in Queens. A scooter rider crashed in Brooklyn. Both died. Streets claimed them. Police investigate. Lives ended fast. Metal and speed left no room for error.

NY Daily News (2025-08-03) reports two fatal e-vehicle crashes. On July 31, a 62-year-old Nissan Rogue driver hit Zhao Feng Zhen, 55, on Hollis Court Blvd in Queens. The driver remained at the scene; police continue to investigate. On July 12, Eusebio Quinones, 60, lost control of his electric scooter on Union Ave in Brooklyn and died from his injuries days later. The article notes, 'police are still investigating the crash.' These deaths highlight ongoing risks for vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Two Killed In Separate E-Vehicle Crashes, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-03

Aug 2 - On Tuskegee Airmen Way at 156 St in Queens, the driver of an ambulance going straight hit a sedan turning left. Two drivers hurt. Police recorded improper lane use and failure to yield.

Two vehicles collided on Tuskegee Airmen Way at 156 St in Queens. According to the police report, an ambulance driver going straight hit a sedan whose driver was making a left turn. The 20-year-old driver in the ambulance suffered an arm abrasion. The 17-year-old sedan driver reported knee and lower-leg pain. Police recorded Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Passing or Lane Usage Improper by the drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Both injured drivers wore lap belts and harnesses.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832612 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 1 - A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man on 101st Street. The driver sped off after an encounter at the window. Police found the victim with severe trauma. He died at Jamaica Hospital.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-01), a 23-year-old man died after being run over on 101st Street and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. The article reports, "Sonalall approached the driver's side window and flashed what appeared to be a gun, startling the motorist, who then drove off, striking Sonalall." The Queens District Attorney's Office did not charge the driver, citing fear for his life. The incident highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used in moments of conflict. No charges were filed, raising questions about how self-defense is interpreted in car-related deaths.

• Man Killed By Driver In Queens Street, New York Post, Published 2025-08-01

Jul 30 - Council moves to ban parking near corners. Sightlines clear. Crashes drop. Pedestrians and cyclists breathe easier. DOT doubts linger. Advocates press on. Streets could change fast.

On July 30, 2025, the NYC Council Progressive Caucus made a major push for Intro 1138, a bill to ban parking within 20 feet of intersections. The measure sits with the Transportation Committee. Council Member Julie Won introduced it after deadly crashes in her district. Eighteen caucus members back the bill, aiming to force a vote this year. The matter: 'eliminate parking within 20 feet of an intersection.' Council Member Sandy Nurse called daylighting 'a proven, effective way to make our streets safer.' DOT raised doubts about non-hardened daylighting, but safety analysts say restricting parking near intersections improves visibility, reduces collisions, and protects people on foot and bike.

• NYC Council Progressive Caucus to make push for universal daylighting in 2025, City & State NY, Published 2025-07-30

Jul 28 - A driver making a left turn hit a 54-year-old woman in a marked crosswalk on Liberty Ave at 177 St. She suffered a head contusion. Police recorded failure to yield right-of-way. The driver was the lone occupant.

"According to the police report …" a 54-year-old woman was struck by a sedan as she crossed Liberty Ave at 177 St in Queens. The report says the driver was making a left turn. Police recorded "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal and suffered a head injury listed as a contusion. The driver was the sole occupant, identified as a licensed male operator of a 2014 Nissan sedan. Vehicle damage was reported as none. No other contributing factors or equipment issues are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831541 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 27 - Two SUVs collided on Inwood Street at Ferndale Avenue. Three occupants — a 13-year-old girl, a 20-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman — suffered head and arm injuries. Police recorded traffic control disregarded by a driver.

Two SUVs collided on Inwood Street at Ferndale Avenue. The vehicle data show one SUV with center-front damage and the other with left-rear quarter-panel damage. Three occupants were injured: a 13-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man with head injuries, and a 29-year-old woman with elbow/lower-arm injuries. According to the police report, "Traffic Control Disregarded" was listed as the contributing factor. Police records note both drivers were going straight ahead. The report assigns the traffic-control disregard to the driver listed in the crash data. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830816 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18