Cambria Heights Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps

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

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 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 20-year-old woman suffered a fractured arm after a sedan backed into her near Linden Blvd in Queens. The driver’s unsafe backing and inattention caused the impact. The pedestrian was off the roadway and conscious after the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan backing on or near 216-07 Linden Blvd in Queens struck a 20-year-old female pedestrian who was not in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, resulting in an injury severity classified as moderate. The report identifies the driver’s errors as 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The vehicle impacted the pedestrian on the left side doors while backing. No vehicle damage was reported, and the pedestrian was conscious after the collision. The pedestrian’s location off the roadway was noted, but no contributing factors related to her behavior were cited. The crash occurred at 10:20 AM, highlighting the dangers posed by inattentive drivers performing unsafe backing maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Linden Blvd at night. Both vehicles sustained front and side damage. Two passengers suffered whiplash and upper arm injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way and following too closely as key driver errors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:55 on Linden Blvd near Cross Island Parkway. Two sedans were involved: one traveling west going straight ahead, the other making a left turn traveling south. The point of impact was the center front end of the westbound sedan and the left side doors of the southbound sedan. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. Two passengers were injured: a 36-year-old male in the right rear seat suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries with whiplash, and a 43-year-old female in the left rear seat sustained neck injuries and whiplash. Both passengers were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report does not list any contributing victim behaviors. The crash highlights driver errors related to yielding and spacing as central causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767405 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 42-year-old male motorcyclist suffered a severe arm fracture after a crash on Cross Island Parkway. The driver, unprotected by safety gear, was distracted and inexperienced, leading to a violent impact and serious injury.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male motorcycle driver was injured at 22:15 on Cross Island Parkway. The driver, who was not wearing any safety equipment, sustained a fracture and dislocation to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the crash. The motorcycle, traveling south and going straight ahead, collided with an object impacting the left front bumper, causing center front end damage. The driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. This incident highlights the dangers of distracted and inexperienced motorcycle operation without protective gear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761033 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

Two sedans collided in Queens. Both drivers suffered neck abrasions. A front passenger was partially ejected. Police cite traffic control disregard as the cause.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens at 5:00 PM. A Nissan sedan going straight struck a Ford sedan making a left turn. Both drivers were injured with neck abrasions. A 55-year-old female passenger in the Nissan was partially ejected and also injured. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor, showing driver error in obeying signals or signs. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Motorcycle hit SUV’s rear on Cross Island Parkway. Rider suffered back injury. Both vehicles moved straight. No driver errors listed. Impact left both machines damaged.

According to the police report, a motorcycle struck the center rear of an SUV on Cross Island Parkway. Both vehicles were heading north, moving straight ahead. The motorcycle driver, a 46-year-old man, was injured with back trauma but remained conscious and was not ejected. He wore a lap belt. The SUV driver was licensed and uninjured. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no driver errors identified. The crash caused damage to the center front of the motorcycle and the center back of the SUV. The data highlights the impact and injuries, with no blame assigned to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746057 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Lincoln sedan tore into a boy on a bike. Blood pooled on 229th Street. The child’s head split open. The car’s right front crumpled. The boy stayed conscious, pain sharp and bright. Queens pavement bore the mark.

A nine-year-old boy riding a bike was struck by a northbound Lincoln sedan near 116th Avenue and 229th Street in Queens, according to the police report. The report describes the scene: 'A 9-year-old boy on a bike, no helmet, struck by a northbound Lincoln. Head wound. Blood pooled on the pavement. The sedan’s right front crumpled. The child stayed conscious.' The crash left the child with a severe head injury and heavy bleeding. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The report notes the boy was not wearing a helmet, but places this detail after the collision and does not cite it as a cause. The sedan’s right front bumper bore the brunt of the impact. No driver errors are cited in the police report. The collision underscores the vulnerability of children on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan failed to yield on Springfield Boulevard. A motorcycle struck its front. The rider flew off, breaking bones. Blood on the street. System failed him.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling south on Springfield Boulevard collided with the left front quarter panel of an eastbound sedan at 17:35 in Queens. The motorcycle rider, a 44-year-old man, was ejected and suffered severe injuries to his entire body, including fractures and dislocations. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the cause of the crash. The motorcycle was damaged at the center front end; the sedan was hit on the left front. Both drivers were licensed. No other contributing factors or victim actions were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733688 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 10-year-old boy suffered neck abrasions after an SUV hit him at a marked crosswalk on Linden Boulevard. The vehicle struck with its left front bumper while traveling west. The child was conscious but injured in the collision.

According to the police report, a 10-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Linden Boulevard and 228 Street in Queens. The child was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal when a westbound 2018 Ford SUV struck him with the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained neck abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not cite any driver errors explicitly. The driver was a licensed female operating the SUV straight ahead. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumper. The collision highlights the dangers pedestrians face at intersections even when crossing in marked crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731239 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07