Hollis Bleeds While City Waits: Slow the Cars, Save a Life

May 31 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31

May 30 - Senate backs S 6802. Albany gets school speed cameras. One no vote. Cameras aim to slow drivers near kids. Program ends 2028. Lawmakers move to shield children from reckless speed.

Senate bill S 6802, introduced by Neil D. Breslin, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in Albany. The bill passed committee on May 30, 2023, with only one senator, Andrew J. Lanza, voting no. The official summary reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2028.' Breslin led sponsorship. Seventeen senators voted yes. The program targets driver speed near schools, aiming to protect children and other vulnerable road users. The law sunsets at the end of 2028.

• File S 6802, Open States, Published 2023-05-30

May 30 - A 36-year-old woman was struck by a sedan making a left turn on Jamaica Avenue. She was crossing with the signal when the driver failed to yield. The impact caused bruises and injuries to her entire body. The driver was inattentive.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Jamaica Avenue with the signal. The driver of a 2019 Honda sedan was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The vehicle struck her with its left front bumper, damaging the sedan's center front end. No other occupants were in the vehicle at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633710 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - A Honda SUV left Francis Lewis Boulevard. Its brakes failed. The car hit a 16-year-old girl who was not in the road. She lay conscious, her back torn, blood soaking through deep cuts. The driver was also injured.

A 2023 Honda SUV with defective brakes veered off Francis Lewis Boulevard near 109-62 in Queens. The vehicle struck a 16-year-old girl who was not in the roadway. According to the police report, 'a 2023 Honda SUV with bad brakes veered off-course. It hit a 16-year-old girl. She was not in the road. She lay conscious, her back torn, blood soaking through deep cuts.' The girl suffered severe lacerations. The driver, a 46-year-old woman, reported back pain. The police report lists 'Brakes Defective' as a contributing factor. No actions by the pedestrian contributed to the crash. The impact highlights the danger posed by vehicle defects in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4630137 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

May 16 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-05-16

Apr 12 - A 45-year-old woman was injured while getting on or off a vehicle on Hollis Avenue in Queens. The driver backed unsafely, striking her with the vehicle's rear bumper. She suffered abrasions and an elbow injury but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured on Hollis Avenue in Queens when a vehicle backed into her. The 45-year-old woman was getting on or off a vehicle outside an intersection when the crash occurred. The vehicle was traveling north and backing at the time of impact, striking her with the center back end, damaging the left rear bumper. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. No other vehicle occupants were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620351 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 8 - Rear SUV crashed into another on Hillside Avenue. Front passenger suffered head injury and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and tailgating. Both vehicles damaged. Passenger not at fault.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Hillside Avenue in Queens. The rear SUV struck the front SUV, injuring a 28-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat. She suffered head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious. Police listed driver inattention and following too closely as contributing factors. The rear driver's failure to keep distance caused the crash. Both vehicles showed center front and rear damage. The injured passenger wore a lap belt and harness. No ejections occurred. The passenger was not at fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4619287 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 21 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 21 - Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 21 - Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Mar 18 - An SUV changed lanes unsafely on 99 Avenue in Queens. It struck a sedan head-on on the left front bumper. The sedan’s female driver, 37, suffered bruises and arm injuries. Both vehicles traveled east. The SUV driver was passing at impact.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling east on 99 Avenue made an unsafe lane change and collided with a sedan also traveling east. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the right front bumper of the SUV. The sedan’s 37-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. The SUV driver was passing when the collision occurred. The report lists "Unsafe Lane Changing" as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4614155 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 13 - A 52-year-old woman was hit by an SUV making a left turn on Hillside Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle failed to yield right-of-way. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Hillside Avenue at an intersection in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2014 Mercedes SUV, traveling northwest and making a left turn, struck her at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The driver, a licensed female from New York, had no reported vehicle damage. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4612452 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 8 - Senator Comrie pushes a yellow alert for deadly hit-and-runs. Police would blast car details fast. The goal: catch fleeing drivers. The dead deserve justice. Streets remember.

Senate bill S 5588, sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie, was introduced on March 8, 2023. The bill sits at the sponsorship stage. It aims to 'establish a yellow alert system for law enforcement to publicize vehicle information in instances of hit-and-run accidents in which a person has been killed.' Comrie leads the charge. The alert would spread vehicle details after fatal hit-and-runs, aiming to help police track down drivers who flee. No safety analyst note is available. The bill targets the aftermath, not prevention. Vulnerable road users remain at risk until drivers are held to account.

• File S 5588, Open States, Published 2023-03-08

Mar 7 - A sedan hit a 75-year-old woman crossing Jamaica Avenue. She died on the asphalt, struck head-on. The driver was distracted. Her head and body took the force. The street became a killing ground. The system did not shield her.

A 75-year-old woman was killed while crossing Jamaica Avenue when a westbound sedan struck her head-on. According to the police report, 'The driver was distracted.' The woman suffered fatal head and internal injuries and died at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The sedan, registered in New York, was traveling straight ahead when it hit her with its center front end. No other contributing factors from the pedestrian are listed in the data. This crash underscores the deadly risk posed by driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4610955 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 6 - State pushes a $1.2-billion tax break for Penn Station towers. Critics slam the deal as a handout to Vornado. Hundreds of homes and businesses face displacement. Promised funding for transit falls apart. The public gets risk. Developers get power.

On March 6, 2023, the debate over Gov. Hochul’s Penn Station redevelopment plan intensified. The $1.2-billion tax break, meant to spur ten new towers and fund a $20-billion transit overhaul, is under fire. The plan, pitched as a lifeline for Penn Station, now faces doubts about its ability to deliver. State officials admit the project will not fully fund the station. Developer Steve Roth, head of Vornado, is not required to build, putting revenue in doubt. Senator Leroy Comrie called for a reset, saying, “the GPP that’s been presented is not longer working.” Critics, including attorney Chuck Weinstock and policy analyst Rachael Fauss, argue the deal benefits Vornado, not the public. Hundreds of businesses and homes could be lost. The project’s value and feasibility remain in question. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• Gov. Hochul’s Penn Station Tax Giveaway Makes Less Sense Than Ever, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-03-06

Feb 15 - A 28-year-old man was struck while crossing Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The vehicle hit his left front quarter panel. He suffered back contusions and bruises. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Carpenter Avenue in Queens. The 28-year-old man was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when a vehicle traveling south struck him on the left front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained back contusions and bruises but remained conscious. The report lists driver errors as Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The vehicle was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver failure to yield and distraction in pedestrian injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605794 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Feb 13 - Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13