Baisley Park Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Jun 11 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 10 - A sedan struck hard on Rockaway Boulevard. The driver fell asleep. Two people suffered head injuries. The crash left bruises and confusion. Metal twisted. Sirens cut the night. The road stayed open. The danger did not leave.

A sedan traveling north on Rockaway Boulevard crashed when the driver fell asleep. According to the police report, the vehicle's center front end took the impact. Two occupants, a 31-year-old male driver and a 33-year-old female front passenger, both suffered head injuries and were conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report does not mention any other contributing factors. Both injured occupants wore lap belts and harnesses. The crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by vehicle occupants on city streets when drivers lose control.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819273 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 10 - Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.

• File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-06-10

Jun 9 - Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Jun 6 - An FDNY truck and a BMW SUV collided at Linden Blvd and Inwood St. Three people, including two children, suffered injuries. Metal struck metal. The young cried out in pain. The police listed no driver errors. The street stayed dangerous.

Two vehicles, an FDNY truck and a BMW SUV, collided at Linden Blvd and Inwood St in Queens. According to the police report, three people were injured: a 4-year-old girl, a 9-year-old boy, and a 47-year-old man. All reported pain and shock, with injuries to their entire bodies. The crash involved the right front bumper of the FDNY truck and the left front quarter panel of the SUV. The police report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. Both injured children were passengers and wore lap belts and harnesses, as noted after the absence of driver errors. The report does not specify the cause, but the impact left several people hurt and the street marked by violence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818428 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 25 - A sedan struck hard on Van Wyck Expressway. Two men suffered head injuries. One passenger lost consciousness. Outside distraction played a role. Metal twisted. Pain lingered. The road stayed open. The danger stayed real.

A sedan traveling north on Van Wyck Expressway crashed, injuring two men. According to the police report, both the 21-year-old driver and a 26-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries, with the passenger found unconscious. The report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' as a contributing factor. The vehicle’s center front end took the brunt of the impact. Another occupant was involved but his injuries were unspecified. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported hurt. The data points to driver distraction as the key error. Both injured men wore lap belts and harnesses. The crash left pain and trauma inside the car, while the road outside remained unchanged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816763 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 22 - A sedan hit a young woman in the crosswalk on Rockaway Blvd. She crossed with the signal. The driver failed to yield. She suffered a head injury. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A 23-year-old woman was injured when a sedan struck her as she crossed Rockaway Blvd at 143 St in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the driver, heading north and making a right turn, failed to yield the right-of-way. The impact caused a head abrasion. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No other errors or factors are cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818310 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 19 - A dump truck flipped on Rockaway Boulevard. Two men hurt. One struck in the head, one in the back. Oversized vehicle. Unsafe speed. Metal and pain on the asphalt.

A dump truck overturned on Rockaway Boulevard near I 678 in Queens. Two men, aged 24 and 26, were injured. One suffered a head injury, the other a back injury. According to the police report, the crash involved an oversized vehicle and unsafe speed. The truck was making a right turn when it flipped, damaging the right front quarter panel. Both driver and passenger were in shock. The report lists 'Oversized Vehicle' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814156 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 7 - Two drivers hurt in a sharp Queens crash. Taxi turned right, sedan went straight. Speed and distraction cut through steel and bone. Bruises and whiplash. Streets do not forgive mistakes.

A taxi and a sedan collided at Van Wyck Expressway and 131 Ave in Queens. Two drivers, ages 31 and 21, suffered injuries—one with arm bruises, the other with whiplash. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' Both vehicles had drivers making errors, including 'Turning Improperly.' The force struck the right front of the taxi and the left front of the sedan. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists seat belts used, but driver mistakes led to harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 2 - A sedan hit a 78-year-old woman crossing Barron Street. She suffered a head injury. The crash left her in shock. The car showed no damage. The street stayed quiet after impact.

A sedan making a left turn on Barron Street at 116 Ave struck a 78-year-old woman who was crossing outside a crosswalk. She suffered a head injury and was in shock. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The driver, a 48-year-old woman, was licensed and uninjured. The sedan had no visible damage. No other driver errors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811064 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

May 1 - A man crossed Linden Boulevard. A black car hit him and fled. Another car ran over him. He died in the hospital. The first driver vanished. The second stayed. Police search. The street stayed open. Blood on the asphalt.

Patch reported on May 1, 2025, that Christopher Gayton, 62, was killed at Linden Boulevard and 166 Street in Queens. He was struck by an eastbound black vehicle whose driver fled, then run over by a 2024 Ford Edge. The Ford's driver remained at the scene. Police said, 'Police are still searching for the first driver who fled the scene.' No charges have been filed. The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The crash highlights the dangers of multi-lane arterial roads and the ongoing risks for pedestrians in Queens. No arrests have been made.

• Pedestrian Killed In Queens Double Collision, Patch, Published 2025-05-01

Apr 27 - A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.

NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.

• Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-27

Apr 25 - A BMW driver rammed a motorcyclist on Woodhaven Boulevard. The bike burst into flames. The rider died at the scene. Helmet cam footage captured the deadly chase. The driver faces murder charges. Streets became a killing ground.

NY Daily News reported on April 25, 2025, that Jorden Rosen, 42, was charged with murder after striking and killing William McField, 55, in Queens. The incident began with a minor collision and escalated as both vehicles ran a red light. Helmet cam footage showed Rosen rear-ending the motorcycle, causing it to catch fire and kill McField instantly. Queens DA Melinda Katz stated, "As alleged, this defendant plowed his BMW SUV into a motorcyclist shortly after the two had a minor collision." The BMW also struck another car before stopping. Rosen had prior traffic summonses for speeding and driving the wrong way. The case highlights the lethal risk of aggressive driving and the deadly power imbalance between cars and vulnerable road users.

• BMW Driver Kills Motorcyclist In Queens, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-25

Apr 24 - Two SUVs hit a man crossing Linden Boulevard. He lay crushed, semiconscious. The drivers kept going. Police cite failure to yield and distraction. The street swallowed another life.

A 62-year-old man was killed when two SUVs struck him as he crossed Linden Boulevard near 166th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the man was not in a crosswalk. He suffered crush injuries and was left semiconscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. One driver wore a lap belt. The child mentioned in the narrative was not identified as injured in the data. The drivers continued straight ahead. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809253 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 22 - A sedan hit a 12-year-old boy at 147 St and Rockaway Blvd. The child suffered a fractured arm. The car struck him head-on while turning. No driver errors listed. Danger remains for those on foot.

A 12-year-old boy was struck by a sedan at the intersection of 147 St and Rockaway Blvd in Queens. According to the police report, the sedan was making a right turn when its center front end hit the child, who was in the intersection. The boy suffered a fractured arm and dislocation. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The driver, a 50-year-old woman, was licensed and uninjured. The crash highlights the persistent threat to pedestrians at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809415 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 21 - Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.

• Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-21

Apr 20 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The driver struck a man on a bicycle. He died at the scene. Police closed the street. Another life ended in the crosswalk’s shadow. The city investigates. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The crash happened as the truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street. According to police, 'the truck was turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street in Middle Village when the collision occurred.' The cyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists at intersections and the dangers of large vehicles turning across paths. Policy questions remain about intersection design and vehicle operation in dense neighborhoods.

• FDNY Truck Turns, Cyclist Killed In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-20

Apr 19 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Blvd North and struck a cyclist. The man died at the scene. No arrests. Police investigate. The street outside the park became a site of sudden, final impact.

According to NY Daily News (April 19, 2025), an FDNY fire truck fatally struck a cyclist at 80th St. and Juniper Blvd North in Middle Village, Queens. The article reports, "An FDNY fire truck was traveling north on 80th St. and was turning onto Juniper Blvd North just outside Juniper Valley Park when it collided with an unidentified man riding a bicycle." The cyclist died at the scene. Police have not made arrests. It is unclear if the truck was responding to an emergency. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. The crash highlights the risk at intersections where large vehicles turn across paths used by cyclists. No information on traffic signals or right-of-way was provided.

• Cyclist Killed By FDNY Truck In Queens, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-19