Left Turning, Life Ending: Queens Streets Demand Action

Two sedans collided head-to-tail on Grand Central Parkway. A 21-year-old woman in the back seat suffered neck injuries. Both drivers were licensed. No vehicle damage reported. The passenger stayed conscious.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Grand Central Parkway collided at 11:36 a.m. The second car struck the center back end of the first. A 21-year-old female passenger in the right rear seat suffered neck injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. Both drivers were licensed men from New York, driving straight ahead. The report lists all contributing factors as unspecified and notes no vehicle damage. The crash shows how even low-speed rear-end impacts can leave passengers hurt, regardless of visible damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senator Comrie backs a yellow alert system. Police would blast car details after deadly hit-and-runs. The goal: catch drivers who kill and flee. The bill stands at sponsorship. No safety review yet.

Senate Bill S 4946, sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie, aims to create a 'yellow alert system' for law enforcement to publicize vehicle information after fatal hit-and-run crashes. The bill is at the sponsorship stage as of February 14, 2025. The official summary reads: 'Establishes 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.' No committee action or vote has occurred. No safety analyst has reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• File S 4946, Open States, Published 2025-02-14

A minivan left the road in Queens. It hit a tree. One woman died. Three others, all seniors, went to the hospital. The crash happened on Brookville Boulevard, near Sunrise Highway. Police are investigating. The road stayed quiet after.

According to the NY Daily News (published February 14, 2025), a minivan from Eunhae Adult Daycare crashed while leaving a senior residence in Queens. The 74-year-old driver 'lost control of the wheel at the Sunrise Highway.' The vehicle veered off Brookville Blvd and struck a tree. Four people were inside, all seniors. One woman in her 70s died after being found unconscious in the back seat. Three others, including the driver, were hospitalized but expected to survive. Police are investigating the cause. The article highlights the dangers faced by passengers in vehicles operated by older drivers and the risks at busy intersections like Brookville Boulevard and Sunrise Highway.

• Minivan Crash Kills Woman, Injures Three, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-14

A sedan turning right on Francis Lewis Blvd struck a 15-year-old girl walking outside an intersection. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock. Driver inattention caused the crash, with no visible damage to the vehicle.

According to the police report, at 8:45 AM on Francis Lewis Blvd in Queens, a 2020 sedan making a right turn struck a 15-year-old female pedestrian who was not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver's failure to maintain focus led to the collision. The vehicle showed no damage despite impact at the center front end. There is no mention of pedestrian fault or contributing behaviors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in areas where pedestrians are present.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794704 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

A southbound SUV collided with a parked SUV on 223 Street in Queens, overturning on impact. The driver sustained abrasions and injuries to the elbow and lower arm. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, at 5:50 AM on 223 Street in Queens, a southbound 2024 Toyota SUV struck the center back end of a parked 2020 Toyota SUV. The impact caused the moving SUV to overturn. The driver, a 27-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites slippery pavement as a contributing factor to the crash. The parked vehicle had no occupants at the time. There is no indication of driver impairment or license issues. The collision and subsequent overturning highlight the dangers posed by road conditions and driver control failures in vehicle-to-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791452 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

An SUV making an improper U-turn struck a sedan traveling east on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The collision injured a 21-year-old male passenger in the sedan, causing back pain and shock. The SUV’s driver error triggered the crash’s violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:26 on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The SUV was making an improper U-turn when it collided with the sedan traveling straight east. The point of impact was the SUV’s right rear quarter panel and the sedan’s left front bumper. The sedan carried a 21-year-old male passenger in the right rear seat, who was injured with back pain and shock, wearing a lap belt and harness. The police report cites "Turning Improperly" as the contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver’s error. No other contributing factors were noted. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight, indicating the crash was caused by the SUV’s dangerous maneuver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790347 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A box truck swung left at 212th and Hillside. The driver looked too late. A 29-year-old man, crossing with the light, was crushed beneath the bumper. He died in the street before dawn. Steel met flesh. The city kept moving.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling west on Hillside Avenue made a left turn at the corner of 212th Street and Hillside Avenue in Queens. The driver, licensed in New Jersey, was operating a 2018 FRHT-TRUCK/BUS with one occupant. The report states the driver was inattentive or distracted and failed to observe the pedestrian in time. The vehicle struck a 29-year-old man who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The point of impact was the truck’s left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Oversized Vehicle' as contributing factors. The victim’s behavior—crossing with the signal—is noted only after the driver’s errors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver inattention and large vehicles at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789587 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pickup truck turned right on Amboy Lane and struck a woman crossing. She suffered bruises and leg injuries. The driver was licensed. No driver errors were cited. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old woman was crossing Amboy Lane at an intersection in Queens when a southbound pickup truck made a right turn and struck her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. Injury severity was listed as level 3. The driver was licensed and the vehicle had no reported damage. The police report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The crash highlights the risk pedestrians face from turning vehicles at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789787 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

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

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

Two SUVs crashed on Murdock Ave in Queens. Both a driver and front passenger were injured. Police cite unsafe speed and ignored traffic control as causes. Impact was severe. Both victims remained conscious.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at the intersection of Murdock Ave and 209 St in Queens at 12:15. Both vehicles were traveling straight. The crash left a driver and a front passenger injured. Police list 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The Dodge SUV was hit on the left side doors; the Kia SUV struck with its center front end. Both injured persons suffered whiplash and neck injuries. No one was ejected. The report highlights driver errors—speeding and ignoring traffic control—as the causes of this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784933 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

A 51-year-old female driver lost consciousness while starting from parking, colliding frontally with another parked sedan in Queens. She suffered head contusions and shock. The crash caused significant damage to both vehicles’ front and side panels.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:58 in Queens near 207-12 Jamaica Ave. The 51-year-old female driver, wearing a lap belt and harness, lost consciousness while starting her 2020 Toyota sedan from parking. This loss of consciousness is cited twice as the contributing factor. Her vehicle’s center front end struck the left front quarter panel of a parked 2019 Subaru sedan, which sustained damage to its left side doors. The driver was not ejected but suffered head contusions and was in shock. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s loss of consciousness as the cause, with no other driver errors or victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782631 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding sedan struck the left rear of a parked vehicle on Queens’ 224th Street. The impact injured a 23-year-old passenger, causing head trauma and minor bleeding. The driver’s unsafe speed was a key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, a 2020 BMW sedan traveling southbound on 224th Street collided with a parked 2024 Honda sedan. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the moving vehicle striking the left rear bumper of the parked car. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. A 23-year-old male passenger in the BMW, seated in the middle front seat and secured by a harness, sustained head injuries and minor bleeding, and was reported to be in shock. The parked vehicle had no occupants at the time. The driver of the moving sedan was licensed and traveling straight ahead before the collision. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash highlights the dangers posed by excessive speed even in low-traffic conditions involving stationary vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782917 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04