Linden Boulevard Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps

Sep 6 - At 183 Pl and 104 Ave, a left‑turning driver collided with a driver going straight. Queens. A 29‑year‑old driver reported neck pain. Police listed contributing factors as “Unspecified”.

Two drivers in sedans collided at 183 Pl and 104 Ave in Queens at 9:30 a.m. One driver was making a left turn while traveling east. The other was going straight while traveling southwest. A 29-year-old male driver reported whiplash and neck pain. He was listed as injured and conscious. According to the police report, one driver was “Making Left Turn” and the other was “Going Straight Ahead.” Police recorded contributing factors as “Unspecified” for both drivers. No other injuries were detailed in the report. Records list one Mercedes sedan and one Nissan sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4840213 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 27 - A westbound Jeep hit a northbound teen on a bike at Merrick Blvd and 115 Ave. The bumper took him down. He bled from the leg. He stayed conscious. Police cite driver distraction. The street failed the kid, not the other way.

A Jeep sedan traveling west struck a 15-year-old male bicyclist traveling north at Merrick Blvd and 115 Ave in Queens. The cyclist suffered a leg injury and remained conscious. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Driver Inattention/Distraction.” The sedan was going straight and hit with its right front bumper; the bike’s impact was noted at the left front. These details point to inattention behind the wheel. Only after that does the report note the cyclist’s listed equipment status as “None.” No blame is placed on the injured rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4838027 - 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 - 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 left-turning driver hit a northbound BMW on Merrick Blvd. The BMW driver, a 31-year-old woman, suffered back pain and whiplash. Police cited Driver Inattention/Distraction and Turning Improperly.

A left-turning sedan collided with a northbound BMW near 130-07 Merrick Blvd in Queens. The BMW’s driver, a 31-year-old woman, was injured and complained of back pain and whiplash. According to the police report, contributing factors were "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Turning Improperly." Police recorded that one car was making a left turn and struck a vehicle going straight ahead. The Toyota (MA registration) was making the left turn; the BMW (VA registration) was traveling north. The report lists driver inattention and an improper turn as the errors. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834469 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 9 - A Kia going east hit a southbound cyclist at 202 St and 115 Ave in Queens. The car’s front end crushed in. The rider took a chest hit and bled. He stayed conscious. Another man listed, injuries unclear. Impact speaks to the danger.

A Kia sedan traveling east hit a southbound bicyclist at 202 Street and 115 Avenue in Queens. The cyclist, a 62-year-old man, suffered chest injuries and abrasions and remained conscious. An additional male registrant was listed with unspecified injury. According to the police report, contributing factors were “Unspecified.” The sedan’s point of impact was the center front end; the bike showed damage at the right side, indicating a direct strike while both were going straight. The data lists no driver errors by name, but the crash mechanics show driver impact on the cyclist first. The cyclist had no safety equipment listed, noted only after driver actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835615 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 6 - A pickup truck backed into a parked sedan on Linden Boulevard in Queens. The driver of the sedan, a 23-year-old woman, suffered a back injury and whiplash. Police cited 'Backing Unsafely.' Three vehicles were involved.

A pickup truck starting from parking backed into two parked sedans on Linden Boulevard in Queens. Three vehicles were involved. The driver of a parked 2023 Honda sedan, a 23-year-old woman, suffered a back injury and complained of whiplash; she was conscious and not ejected. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Backing Unsafely.' Police recorded 'Backing Unsafely' by the driver of the pickup. The parked Honda shows damage to its right rear bumper and center back end; the pickup shows center back end damage. No other contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833852 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 - A parked sedan contacted a standing scooter on Hannibal Street in Queens. The 45-year-old scooter driver suffered a fractured and dislocated lower leg and foot. Both vehicles were parked. Police listed no specific driver errors in the report.

A 45-year-old man riding a standing scooter was injured when a sedan made contact with the scooter on Hannibal Street in Queens. According to the police report, “a sedan and a standing scooter were both parked before the collision.” The scooter driver suffered a fracture and dislocation to his lower leg and foot. Police recorded no specific driver errors or contributing factors in the report. The sedan sustained left front bumper damage. The scooter’s center front end was damaged. The report does not specify further actions leading up to the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832025 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 25 - Two drivers turned left and collided on Sayres Avenue at 175 Place in Queens. The 26-year-old rider was partially ejected with a head injury. Police recorded unsafe speed.

A sedan driver and a motorcycle rider collided on Sayres Avenue at 175 Place in Queens at 8:00 p.m. The rider, 26, was partially ejected and suffered a head injury. The sedan’s 27-year-old driver was not reported injured. According to the police report, "Unsafe Speed" was a contributing factor. Records also show both drivers were making left turns before the crash. No other contributing factors were listed by police. The crash injured one person and left another unhurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831848 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 25 - The driver of a sedan hit a 17-year-old boy on 115 Drive in Queens. He suffered abrasions to his entire body and remained conscious. Police listed pedestrian confusion as a contributing factor.

The driver of a 2008 Hyundai sedan was traveling east on 115 Drive when the vehicle’s right front bumper hit a 17-year-old male pedestrian who was in the roadway and not at an intersection. According to the police report, the teen was in the roadway, not at an intersection, performing other actions when the crash happened, and the report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to his entire body and remained conscious. Police recorded no driver contributing factors. No other injuries were reported among vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830376 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 21 - A sedan hit a cyclist on Linden Boulevard. The rider was ejected and suffered a head injury. Both drivers were women, age eighteen. Police list no clear cause.

A sedan and a bicycle collided at Linden Boulevard and 195th Street in Queens. The cyclist, an eighteen-year-old woman, was ejected and suffered a head injury. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight. No specific driver errors are listed. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but only after stating all contributing factors are 'Unspecified.' No other injuries were reported among vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829479 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 19 - A driver in a sedan struck two girls, ages 7 and 12, on Farmers Blvd in Queens. Both were conscious and suffered abrasions and injuries to their lower legs and feet. Police listed no driver errors in the report.

Two children were struck and injured on Farmers Boulevard in Queens. A driver in a sedan hit a 7-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl while they were in the roadway away from an intersection. Both were conscious and suffered abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg and foot. "According to the police report, both children suffered abrasions and injuries to their lower legs and feet, and the crash occurred away from an intersection. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report." The striking vehicle is recorded as a sedan; driver details were not provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829064 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 15 - Two cars slammed together at 200 St and 118 Ave. Three women hurt, one with whiplash. Police cite 'Other Vehicular' factors. Unlicensed driver behind the SUV wheel.

A sedan and an SUV collided at 200 St and 118 Ave in Queens. Three women were injured, including a 61-year-old driver with whiplash and two passengers with neck and back pain. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight when the crash occurred. The SUV was driven by an unlicensed man. Police listed 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828552 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 15 - The driver of one sedan struck the rear of another on 120th Avenue in Queens. A 31-year-old rear-seat passenger suffered a head injury and whiplash. Police cited 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor.

Two sedans collided on 120th Avenue in Queens. The driver of one sedan struck the rear of the other while both were traveling north. According to the police report, a 31-year-old woman seated in the rear suffered a head injury and whiplash; three others, including both drivers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police identified 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The report describes a rear-end impact: the front of one sedan struck the center back end of the other. Both drivers were listed as licensed and both vehicles sustained front and rear center damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827956 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 9 - A battery exploded. Fire roared. Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, was trapped in smoke and flame inside a Queens pizzeria. She died from her burns. Lithium-ion danger struck again. Four others escaped.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-09), Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, died after an e-bike battery exploded inside Singas Famous Pizzeria in Flushing, Queens. The FDNY described a 'blowtorch effect' that trapped Cheung as she tried to escape the bathroom. The article notes, 'These fires are treacherous. They move very quickly.' This was the first fatal lithium-ion battery fire in NYC for 2025, with officials citing a rising trend in such incidents. The battery was stored outside the bathroom, highlighting risks of indoor storage and the need for stronger safety measures.

• E-Bike Battery Blast Kills Woman In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-09