Who Pays for Complacency? Bellerose Bleeds, Leaders Stall

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 8 - A car struck an underpass on Belt Parkway. Metal twisted. A woman, 27, died at the hospital. A man survived. Police do not know who drove. The wreck left questions. The system failed to protect its passengers.

According to NY Daily News (published February 8, 2025), a single-car crash on Queens’ Belt Parkway killed a 27-year-old woman and injured a 30-year-old man. The white Toyota sedan hit an underpass near 225th Street around 3:50 a.m. Both occupants were found outside the wreck when police arrived. Investigators are unsure who was driving at the time of impact: 'Since both occupants were out of the car at the time of the crash, investigators haven't figured out who was driving, police said.' The woman died at Long Island Jewish Hospital-Valley Stream; the man was expected to survive. The article highlights ongoing uncertainty about driver identity and underscores the persistent risks on city highways, especially where loss of vehicle control leads to deadly outcomes. The investigation continues.

• Woman Killed In Queens Parkway Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-08

Feb 5 - A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

Feb 3 - SUV lost grip on slick Union Turnpike. Four rear passengers, including three children, suffered face and eye abrasions. Impact crushed the left front bumper. Road surface failed. Passengers paid the price.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling north on Union Turnpike in Queens lost control at 7:30 AM. The vehicle struck an object or surface, damaging the left front bumper. Four rear passengers—a 40-year-old woman and children aged 5, 8, and 12—were injured, suffering abrasions to the face and eyes. All remained conscious and were not ejected. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as the sole contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. No victim actions contributed. The crash highlights the danger of hazardous road surfaces for vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790650 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 30 - A sedan traveling south on Commonwealth Blvd struck a parked vehicle from behind. Both occupants in the moving sedan suffered injuries, including head and shoulder trauma. Driver distraction by electronic device use contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, at 5:00 AM on Commonwealth Blvd in Queens, a southbound sedan collided with a parked sedan. The moving vehicle's right front bumper impacted the left rear bumper of the parked car. The sedan had two occupants: a 25-year-old male driver and a 31-year-old female front passenger. Both were injured; the driver sustained upper arm and internal injuries, while the passenger suffered head trauma and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report cites 'Other Electronic Device' use as a contributing factor, indicating driver distraction. The driver was licensed in New York. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision resulted from driver error related to distraction, not victim fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789140 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 19 - Two sedans crashed on Jericho Turnpike in Queens. Four occupants suffered injuries including head, neck, and leg trauma. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. All were restrained but endured shock and pain complaints.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:11 AM on Jericho Turnpike in Queens involving two sedans traveling westbound. One driver was making a U-turn while the other proceeded straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of one sedan and the right front quarter panel of the other. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes. Four occupants were injured: a 35-year-old male driver, a 24-year-old female rear passenger with head injury, a 31-year-old male front passenger with neck injury, and a 46-year-old male driver with lower leg injury. All occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. Injuries ranged from complaints of pain and nausea to whiplash. The report highlights driver errors without attributing fault to the victims.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786619 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 16 - Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Jan 15 - A 13-year-old boy suffered neck injuries and shock when an SUV struck the rear of a bus on Grand Central Parkway. The SUV driver’s inattention and following too closely caused the crash. The boy was restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected.

According to the police report, at 3:30 pm on Grand Central Parkway, a 2019 Jeep SUV traveling west struck the right rear bumper of a 2024 bus also traveling west. The SUV driver was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely,' which led to the collision. The impact injured a 13-year-old male passenger in the SUV, who suffered neck injuries and was in shock. He was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt at the time. The bus had nine occupants, and the SUV had two. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and tailgating on busy roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 13 - Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Jan 4 - A speeding sedan crashed on Grand Central Parkway. Both young men inside suffered bruises. Aggressive driving and unsafe speed drove the impact. The driver was unlicensed. Metal and flesh broke in the dark.

According to the police report, a 2013 Infiniti sedan crashed at 3:50 AM on Grand Central Parkway. The unlicensed 21-year-old male driver lost control at unsafe speed, striking an object with the car's center front end. Both the driver and front passenger, also 21, were injured. The driver suffered a head contusion; the passenger sustained bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. Both were conscious after the crash. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The passenger wore a lap belt and harness. Driver errors led to the crash and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783596 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 25 - A southbound sedan struck another vehicle on 243 Street, Queens. The driver was partially ejected and both occupants suffered chest injuries and abrasions. The crash caused significant front-end damage to both vehicles, highlighting a violent impact.

According to the police report, a 2020 Honda sedan traveling south on 243 Street in Queens collided with another vehicle. The driver, a 23-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained chest injuries and abrasions but remained conscious. The front-seat passenger, a 26-year-old female, also suffered chest injuries and abrasions. Both occupants were restrained by harnesses. The sedan's left front bumper and the other vehicle's right front bumper bore the points of impact, with damage extending to the right front bumper and center front end respectively. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The crash occurred at 4:30 AM. The focus remains on the violent collision and resulting injuries to the vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782908 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 19 - Council bill targets speed. Shared e-bikes and scooters must have speedometers. New riders get capped at 10 mph. Law aims to slow the city’s fastest wheels. Committee review underway.

Int 1145-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced December 19, 2024, the bill would require all shared electric bikes and scooters to have working speedometers. For new riders, electric assist cuts out at 10 mph. The matter title reads: 'requiring that electric bicycles and electric scooters that are part of share systems have speedometers and limit electric speed assistance to new riders.' Council Members Linda Lee (primary sponsor), Gale A. Brewer, and Chris Banks back the bill. Brewer referred it to committee. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill awaits further action.

• File Int 1145-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

Dec 16 - Two SUVs and a sedan crashed on 239 Street. Five passengers, ages 9 to 46, suffered head, knee, and body injuries. Unsafe speed and reckless driving fueled the violent impact. All victims remained conscious.

According to the police report, two SUVs and a sedan collided on 239 Street in Queens at 3 p.m. All vehicles were making left turns. Five occupants, including children and adults, were injured with head, knee, and full-body trauma. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors, pointing to reckless or improper vehicle operation. No contributing factors are attributed to the victims. All injured parties were conscious and not ejected. The crash highlights the danger when multiple vehicles attempt left turns at speed, resulting in serious injuries to vulnerable passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779537 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 19 - Two SUVs crashed on Winchester Boulevard in Queens when one driver made a U-turn and the other traveled straight. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. A 58-year-old driver suffered head abrasions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:40 AM on Winchester Boulevard near Union Turnpike in Queens. A 58-year-old male driver, licensed in New York and wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with head abrasions. The collision involved two SUVs: one making a U-turn traveling northeast, the other going straight south. The point of impact was the center front end of the turning vehicle and the left side doors of the other. The report cites driver errors including 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The injured driver was conscious and not ejected. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772547 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 14 - Two sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway in the afternoon. The crash involved unsafe lane changing. A 42-year-old male driver suffered a contusion to his elbow and lower arm. Both vehicles sustained damage to their side and front panels.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:12 on Grand Central Parkway involving two sedans traveling westbound. The collision resulted from unsafe lane changing by one of the drivers, as cited in the contributing factors. The Tesla sedan was struck on its right rear quarter panel, while the Jeep sedan sustained damage to its left front bumper. A 42-year-old male driver was injured with a contusion to his elbow and lower arm. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The report highlights driver error—specifically unsafe lane changing—as the cause of the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771471 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 1 - A Tesla sedan traveling north struck the right rear quarter panel of a Toyota sedan making a left turn on Hillside Avenue in Queens. A 13-year-old passenger in the Toyota suffered a head contusion but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, at 8:33 p.m. on Hillside Avenue in Queens, a 2023 Tesla sedan traveling straight ahead north collided with a 2007 Toyota sedan making a left turn. The Tesla impacted the Toyota’s right rear quarter panel, causing damage to both vehicles. The Toyota carried four occupants, including a 13-year-old male passenger seated in the right rear, who sustained a head contusion. He was conscious and secured with a lap belt and harness. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors, but the collision occurred during the Toyota’s left turn maneuver, indicating a failure to avoid impact. The Tesla driver was licensed and traveling straight, while the Toyota driver was also licensed. The crash highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles and the vulnerability of passengers inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 1 - SUV and sedan slammed front ends on 250 Street. Sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck bruises. Both drivers licensed. No pedestrians or cyclists. Metal and flesh met at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 2019 sedan and a 2021 SUV collided at 17:10 on 250 Street in Queens. Both vehicles were going straight—sedan northbound, SUV westbound—when their front ends struck. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck contusions and bruises. She was conscious and wore a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash shows the risk when vehicle paths cross, even with both drivers proceeding straight.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768011 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 22 - SUV turned left on Commonwealth. Sedan hit hard. Young driver crushed, unconscious, whole body hurt. Police blame driver distraction. Metal twisted. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male driving an SUV was making a left turn on Commonwealth Boulevard in Queens when a southbound sedan struck the SUV's right side. The impact left the SUV driver unconscious with injuries to his entire body. Police cited 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' for both drivers as the main contributing factor. The SUV's right rear quarter panel and the sedan's front end were heavily damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness. No victim actions were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765804 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26