Baisley Park Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Aug 17 - The striking driver hit a parked 2015 Hyundai on 116 Ave at 157 St in Queens. The parked driver, 67, was injured and complained of whiplash. Police listed contributing factors as "Unspecified."

A northbound driver going straight struck the center back end of a parked 2015 Hyundai on 116 Avenue near 157 Street in Queens. One occupant — the 67-year-old driver of the parked sedan — was injured and complained of whiplash and whole-body injury. According to the police report, contributing factors were listed as "Unspecified." The report records the striking vehicle with center front-end damage and the parked Hyundai with center back-end damage. No specific driver errors are recorded beyond the unspecified factors in the police data. No helmet or signal issues are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 14 - The driver of a northbound sedan hit a 25-year-old man riding a bicycle on Rockaway Boulevard at 148th Street. The rider suffered a lower-leg contusion after impact to the bike's rear. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction.

The driver of a northbound sedan hit a 25-year-old male bicyclist on Rockaway Boulevard at 148 Street. The rider suffered a contusion to the knee/lower leg/foot after impact to the bike's center back end. According to the police report "Driver Inattention/Distraction." Police recorded that driver error as the contributing factor. A parked 2018 Toyota showed damage to its left-side doors. One other northbound sedan was listed with no damage. The bicyclist was conscious and recorded as injured; motor-vehicle occupants were not recorded as injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835617 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 7 - Westbound Jeep SUV driver hit a 24-year-old man on 119 Avenue in Queens, outside an intersection. Police recorded driver inattention. He suffered knee, lower-leg, and foot injuries. The driver was not reported injured. Police noted no damage to the SUV.

A driver in a 2022 Jeep SUV traveling west on 119 Avenue in Queens hit a 24-year-old pedestrian outside an intersection. The point of impact was the left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" was listed as the contributing factor. Police noted no damage to the SUV. The driver’s injuries were not reported. After documenting driver inattention, the report placed the pedestrian "not at intersection" and marked "other actions in roadway." No other contributing factors were recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834025 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 6 - A driver in a van backed into a parked SUV at 122-38 161 Place in Queens. Five occupants reported neck injuries. Police recorded Backing Unsafely.

A driver in a GMC van backed into a parked Audi SUV at 122-38 161 Place in Queens. According to the police report, five occupants—drivers and passengers—sustained neck injuries and reported whiplash. The report shows the van backing and the SUV parked at impact. Police recorded 'Backing Unsafely' by the driver as the contributing factor. The crash damaged the Audi’s front and the van’s rear. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833854 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 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 26 - A driver in a sedan struck a parked sedan on Foch Blvd in Queens. The 50-year-old woman at the wheel suffered a head injury and whiplash. Police recorded 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the cause.

Two sedans collided at 167-20 Foch Blvd in Queens. The driver of a moving sedan struck the left rear quarter panel of a parked sedan with her right front bumper. The driver, a 50-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and complained of whiplash. According to the police report, the crash was caused by "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." Police recorded passing or improper lane use by the driver. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The moving vehicle showed center front-end damage and the parked vehicle had left rear quarter-panel damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830957 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 25 - The driver of an SUV and a taxi crashed on 120 Ave in Queens. A 24-year-old woman driving the SUV suffered arm injuries. A rear-seat passenger reported neck pain. Police list contributing factors as "Unspecified."

According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead before the collision. The driver of an SUV on 120 Ave in Queens, a 24-year-old woman, suffered elbow and lower-arm injuries and was restrained with a lap belt and harness. A rear-seat passenger reported neck pain. Police list contributing factors as "Unspecified" and do not record specific driver errors. The SUV sustained center-front damage; the taxi took damage to its left front quarter panel. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved, per the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830379 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 17 - Council raised pay for grocery deliveristas. EMTs now earn less. Delivery workers face city streets daily. Council chose their risk. First responders left behind.

On July 17, 2025, the NYC Council passed a bill raising minimum pay for app-based grocery delivery workers to $21.44 per hour. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Sandy Nurse, matches earlier raises for restaurant deliveristas. The matter summary: 'the NYC Council approved on Monday a pay increase for app-based grocery-delivery workers.' Speaker Adrienne Adams and Justin Brannan backed higher EMT pay, but the bill leaves FDNY EMTs earning less than delivery workers. Safety analysts found no direct impact on pedestrians or cyclists: 'The pay increase for app-based delivery workers does not directly affect the safety of pedestrians or cyclists, nor does it impact street design, mode shift, or driver accountability.'

• FDNY EMT outrage: First responders now earn less than grocery delivery workers after NYC Council vote, AMNY, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 15 - Adams pushed a 15 mph e-bike cap. The hearing spiraled into calls for licensing. Riders and advocates warned: this won’t make streets safer. Focus drifted from real threats. Danger remains.

On July 15, 2025, City Hall held a public hearing on Mayor Adams’s proposed 15 mph e-bike speed limit. The session, covered by Kevin Duggan, quickly shifted to e-bike licensing and registration. The matter, described as 'a public hearing about the mayor's proposed speed limit devolved into a debate about e-bike licensing,' saw no council member take a clear stance. Advocates warned that focusing on licensing distracts from proven safety measures and burdens vulnerable users. The safety analyst noted this shift risks real harm, pulling attention from systemic fixes that protect walkers and riders.

• E-Bike Fans and Foes Agree: Adams’s 15 MPH Speed Limit Won’t Make Streets Safer, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 14 - City debates capping e-bike speeds at 15 mph and closing wage loopholes for delivery workers. No clear safety gain for cyclists or pedestrians. Lawmakers stall on holding app companies accountable.

On July 14, 2025, City Council and DOT held hearings on e-bike speed limits and delivery worker wages. The DOT proposed a 15 mph cap on e-bikes. Speaker Adrienne Adams led a council vote to expand minimum wage laws to grocery delivery apps. Streetsblog NYC reported, 'Monday is a big day for the future of e-bikes in the Big Apple.' Michael Replogle warned the speed cap would 'roll back decades of gains to grow cycling.' A draft bill for app company accountability remains stalled. The safety impact is unclear: 'No direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists can be determined.'

• Monday’s Headlines: E-Bike Regulations Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-14

Jul 11 - Tow truck merged, struck moped. Woman on moped hurt, head abrasion. Police cite driver distraction. Metal met flesh. System failed again.

A tow truck and a moped collided while merging northbound on the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. The 37-year-old woman driving the moped suffered a head abrasion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The tow truck’s right front bumper hit the moped’s left rear quarter panel. No injuries were reported for the tow truck driver or other listed occupants. The report notes the moped rider wore a helmet, but only after citing driver distraction as the primary factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 11 - A sedan and motorcycle crashed on 119 Drive. One man suffered a concussion. Both vehicles hit head-on. Streets in Queens saw another violent impact.

A sedan and a motorcycle collided on 119 Drive near Guy R Brewer Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, a 34-year-old man riding the motorcycle was injured and suffered a concussion. Both vehicles were traveling west and struck each other at the front. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The crash left the motorcycle driver hurt and the sedan driver uninjured. No helmet or signal use is mentioned in the report. The impact highlights the danger faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827646 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18