No More Excuses: Slow Down or More Will Die

Jan 27 - A sedan making a left turn struck a convertible traveling straight on Rockaway Blvd in Queens. The impact hit the sedan’s right side doors, injuring a 61-year-old female passenger with head trauma and whiplash. Police cite traffic control disregard.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Rockaway Blvd in Queens at 17:17. A 2021 Toyota sedan was making a left turn when it collided with a 2015 Infiniti convertible traveling straight eastbound. The point of impact was the right side doors of the sedan, which sustained damage to the right rear quarter panel. The convertible’s left front bumper was damaged. The sedan carried two occupants, including a 61-year-old female passenger seated in the right rear, who suffered head injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report identifies the driver error as "Traffic Control Disregarded," indicating failure to obey traffic signals or signs. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers of left-turn maneuvers when traffic controls are ignored.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788742 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 22 - A Toyota RAV4 jumped the curb on 90th Avenue, slammed into a garage, and collapsed the structure. The driver, Mamadou Barry, was trapped. First responders pulled him out, but he died at the hospital. No other injuries reported.

According to NY Daily News (2025-01-22), Mamadou Barry, 63, was driving his Toyota RAV4 along 90th Ave. in Jamaica, Queens, around 5:20 a.m. when he lost control, hopped a curb at 143rd St., and crashed into a detached garage. The impact caused the garage to collapse onto both his SUV and a parked, unoccupied Prius. Police said Barry was trapped and later died at Jamaica Hospital. The article notes, 'he lost control of the SUV, which went crashing into a detached garage in Queens, police said.' Family members stated Barry had no known medical issues. The cause of the crash remains unclear. No other injuries were reported. The incident highlights the dangers faced by drivers and bystanders in residential areas where structures sit close to the street.

• Uber Driver Dies in Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-22

Jan 3 - Two sedans collided head-on on Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. Both drivers were male, one licensed in New York and the other on a permit from North Carolina. The crash caused moderate chest injuries to the 64-year-old New York driver, who wore a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:30 AM on Rockaway Boulevard near Baisley Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, one traveling south and the other west, collided frontally. The New York-licensed driver, a 64-year-old male, sustained moderate chest injuries and a burn but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The other driver, a male with a North Carolina permit, was also involved. The report cites driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor to the collision. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front ends, indicating a direct impact. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was noted as contributing. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and the risks posed by drivers operating with permits.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788453 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 22 - Two sedans collided head-on and side-on at 134 Ave in Queens. Both drivers suffered whiplash and head or chest injuries. Driver distraction caused the crash, leaving two conscious but injured occupants in damaged vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:43 on 134 Ave in Queens involving two sedans traveling north and east. The point of impact was the center front end of one vehicle and the right side doors of the other. Both drivers were licensed and driving straight ahead. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. Two occupants were injured: a 22-year-old male driver with head injuries and whiplash, and a 59-year-old female passenger with chest injuries and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. Vehicle damage was significant, with front-end and right rear quarter panel damage noted. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780783 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 21 - A 31-year-old man was struck on Baisley Blvd while crossing outside a crosswalk. The vehicle, traveling east, hit him with its front center. The pedestrian suffered a fractured knee and lower leg, left conscious but seriously hurt.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Baisley Blvd near Bedell St in Queens at 11:20 PM. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when an eastbound vehicle, traveling straight ahead, struck him at the center front end. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at 3. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights driver error in yielding to pedestrians outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781575 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 6 - A sedan making a right turn collided with an eastbound e-scooter on Bedell Street in Queens. The e-scooter driver suffered injuries to his elbow and lower arm, left in shock. The sedan’s right front bumper and the scooter’s left side doors were damaged.

According to the police report, at 2:30 PM on Bedell Street in Queens, a 2015 Honda sedan driven by a licensed female driver was making a right turn when it struck a 32-year-old male e-scooter rider traveling straight east. The point of impact was the sedan’s right front bumper and the e-scooter’s left side doors. The e-scooter driver sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was reported to be in shock. The report lists the e-scooter driver’s contributing factors as unspecified, with no explicit driver errors noted for the sedan. The collision caused damage to both vehicles. No pedestrian or cyclist behaviors were cited as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776783 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 27 - Two sedans collided at an intersection on Guy R Brewer Blvd in Queens. The driver of one vehicle suffered a neck injury and concussion. Police cited traffic control disregard as a key factor in the crash, highlighting driver error and systemic risk.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:25 on Guy R Brewer Blvd in Queens involving two sedans traveling east and north. The driver of one sedan, a 60-year-old man, was injured with neck trauma and a concussion. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead before impact. The collision damaged the right front bumper of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. The injured driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. This crash underscores the dangers posed by driver disregard for traffic controls, a systemic hazard in urban streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774681 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 4 - A sedan making a left turn collided with a parked SUV on 132 Ave in Queens. The sedan driver, a 37-year-old man, suffered a head injury and concussion. Obstruction or debris contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, at 7:28 AM on 132 Ave near Rockaway Blvd in Queens, a sedan traveling south was making a left turn when it struck a parked SUV. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel on both vehicles. The sedan driver, a 37-year-old male occupant, sustained a head injury and concussion but was conscious and restrained by a harness. The report cites obstruction or debris as a contributing factor to the crash. The parked SUV had no occupants at the time. No driver error such as failure to yield or speeding was explicitly noted, but the obstruction or debris likely impaired the sedan driver’s ability to navigate safely during the turn. The collision caused damage to the left front quarter panels of both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769500 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 30 - An SUV barreled west on 140th Avenue. An 87-year-old woman walked outside the crosswalk. The vehicle struck her. Her head split open. Blood pooled on the asphalt. The driver kept going. The old woman lay still, silent under the morning sky.

According to the police report, an 87-year-old woman was walking outside the crosswalk on 140th Avenue near Southgate Plaza when a westbound SUV struck her. The report states, 'Head split open. Blood pooled on the asphalt. The driver kept going. The old woman lay still.' The vehicle, a 2008 Toyota SUV, showed no reported damage and was traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The police narrative lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The report does not cite any specific driver errors or violations, but the driver failed to remain at the scene after the collision. The pedestrian suffered severe head lacerations and was conscious at the scene. The focus remains on the impact and the driver’s decision to leave, as detailed in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767656 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 28 - A sedan traveling west on 134 Ave struck another vehicle, impacting its left front quarter panel. The driver, a 31-year-old man, suffered a neck injury and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:04 on 134 Ave in Queens. A sedan driven by a 31-year-old male occupant traveling west struck another vehicle, with the point of impact on the left front quarter panel. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. He sustained a neck injury described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The damage was concentrated on the sedan's left front quarter panel, indicating the nature of the impact. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767986 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 23 - A sedan traveling east struck a parked sedan on Baisley Boulevard. The driver of the moving vehicle, a 76-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and contusions. Police cited improper lane usage as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, at 8:30 AM on Baisley Boulevard, a 2013 Chevrolet sedan traveling east collided with a parked 2015 Ford sedan. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the moving vehicle against the left rear quarter panel of the parked car. The driver of the moving sedan, a 76-year-old female occupant, was injured with head trauma and contusions but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor for the crash, indicating driver error in lane management. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision caused damage primarily to the right front bumper of the moving vehicle and the left rear quarter panel of the parked vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765821 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 22 - Two passengers suffered whiplash and back injuries in a rear-end crash on Bedell Street in Queens. Both were conscious and restrained. The collision involved two SUVs traveling westbound, with impact centered on the rear and front ends of the vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:47 on Bedell Street in Queens involving two station wagon/SUV vehicles traveling westbound. The first vehicle, a 2005 Ford SUV, was struck in the center back end by a 2021 Chevrolet SUV impacting its center front end. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of collision. The crash injured two occupants: a 9-year-old male passenger in the middle front seat suffered back injuries and whiplash, and a 46-year-old female front passenger also sustained neck injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors, only unspecified factors. The impact and injuries highlight the dangers of rear-end collisions even at moderate speeds.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765779 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 3 - A northbound SUV struck an eastbound e-bike at 140 Avenue in Queens. The e-bike rider suffered elbow and arm injuries and was left in shock. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and inexperience as key factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:50 on 140 Avenue in Queens. A 33-year-old male riding an e-bike traveling east was struck by a northbound SUV. The SUV driver, licensed and operating a 2010 Honda SUV, failed to yield right-of-way and was noted for driver inexperience. The point of impact was the SUV’s left front bumper and the e-bike’s center front end. The e-bike rider was injured with contusions and bruises to the elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly cites the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor, with no mention of any contributing factors related to the victim. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding and inexperienced vehicle operation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760750 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 1 - A 53-year-old man suffered head injuries and minor bleeding after a sedan struck him at a marked crosswalk. The driver, traveling north, impacted the pedestrian with the vehicle's left front bumper. Driver inattention caused the collision.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old male pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk on 167-02 Baisley Boulevard in Queens when a 2024 sedan traveling north struck him with the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and minor bleeding and was reported in shock. The driver, a licensed female from Georgia, was going straight ahead at the time. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian fault or contributing behaviors were noted. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumper. This collision highlights the critical role of driver distraction in pedestrian injuries at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753597 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 26 - A 22-year-old male driver was injured when an SUV making a right turn struck a sedan traveling straight. The impact damaged the front ends of both vehicles. Police cite failure to yield right-of-way and other vehicular errors as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Queens at 12:12 PM near 156-20 134 Avenue. A 22-year-old male driver in a sedan was injured and experienced shock. The report identifies the contributing factors as "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" and "Other Vehicular" errors. The SUV, traveling northwest and making a right turn, struck the sedan traveling east. Impact occurred at the left front bumper of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The collision highlights driver errors in yielding right-of-way and other vehicular mistakes as the primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752935 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 11 - A 25-year-old male driver suffered arm abrasions after a high-speed collision in Queens. The crash involved a BMW sedan engaged in a police pursuit striking a parked vehicle. Unsafe speed and passing too closely were cited as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Queens near 160 Street at 12:57 a.m. The driver, a 25-year-old male occupant of a 2020 BMW sedan, was injured with abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report states the driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was conscious after the crash. The BMW was involved in a police pursuit traveling north when it collided with a parked sedan, impacting the right front bumper of the BMW and the left rear quarter panel of the parked vehicle. The police report explicitly identifies "Unsafe Speed" and "Passing Too Closely" as contributing factors to the collision. The driver was licensed in New York. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors by the police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747687 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 6 - A bus turned left on Baisley Boulevard. A woman crossed with the light. The front of the bus hit her head-on. She crumpled. She did not move again. She was thirty-one. The street was quiet. The system failed her.

According to the police report, a bus making a left turn at Baisley Boulevard and Bedell Street struck a 31-year-old woman as she crossed the intersection with the signal. The report states, 'A bus turned left. A woman crossed with the light. The front of the bus struck her full on. Her body crumpled. She did not move again.' The pedestrian was killed, suffering injuries to her entire body. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, underscoring the bus driver's error. Additionally, 'View Obstructed/Limited' is listed as a contributing factor. The woman was crossing with the signal, as confirmed by the police report, placing the responsibility squarely on the driver and the conditions that allowed this collision. No evidence in the report suggests any contributing behavior by the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746187 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 24 - Governor Hochul’s halt on congestion pricing guts $12 billion in MTA contracts. Thousands of jobs vanish. Local companies lose out. Lawmakers in affected districts stay silent or cheer. Trains and buses face deep cuts. Riders, workers, and streets pay the price.

On July 24, 2024, Governor Hochul’s official pause on congestion pricing triggered a $12 billion loss in MTA contracts, according to a Reinvent Albany report. The move slashes funding for the 2020-24 MTA capital plan, which was to be partly paid by congestion pricing. The report highlights that many companies losing contracts are in districts represented by lawmakers who either support the pause or have stayed silent. Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick called congestion pricing 'simply another tax' and demanded repeal. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow praised the pause, saying it allows time to address 'communities' concerns.' Frank Russo, president of Ozone Park Lumber, warned, 'You can't just say, 'We're not going to buy supplies and equipment.'' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany said, 'Congestion pricing is an economic booster.' The pause means less money for transit, fewer jobs, and more risk for vulnerable road users who rely on safe, reliable public transportation.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Will Cost Area Companies Billions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24