Blood in the Crosswalk: No More Excuses, No More Deaths

Steel met flesh on 147th Avenue. An SUV turned left into a moped’s path. The rider’s leg was crushed. He stayed conscious. The SUV showed no damage. The street bore witness. Improper turn and failure to yield led to pain.

A crash at 147th Avenue and Springfield Boulevard in Queens left a 41-year-old moped rider with severe leg injuries. According to the police report, 'A moped rolled east. An SUV turned left. No helmet. Steel struck flesh. The rider’s leg crushed. He stayed awake. The SUV stood unmarked. The street held the pain.' The data lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The moped rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary errors were the SUV’s improper left turn and failure to yield. The SUV sustained no damage, but the moped rider suffered crush injuries to his lower leg.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653603 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A bus and a sedan collided on South Conduit Avenue at 7:27 a.m. Both vehicles were merging eastbound when impact occurred. The sedan driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. No ejections reported. Both drivers were licensed men.

According to the police report, a bus and a sedan collided on South Conduit Avenue while both were merging eastbound. The point of impact was the bus's left rear quarter panel and the sedan's right front bumper. The sedan driver, a 26-year-old man, was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved, and no ejections occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649103 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A sedan rear-ended a moped turning right on Rockaway Boulevard. The moped driver, 18, suffered a fractured, dislocated arm. Police cite following too closely and unsafe lane change by the sedan.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Rockaway Boulevard struck a moped as the moped driver, an 18-year-old male, made a right turn onto North Conduit Avenue. The moped driver suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm. The report lists "Following Too Closely" and "Unsafe Lane Changing" as contributing factors, both attributed to the sedan driver. The sedan’s right rear bumper hit the moped’s right side doors, causing visible damage. The moped driver was conscious, not ejected, and was wearing a helmet. No other contributing factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649186 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A 79-year-old man driving a sedan collided with parked vehicles on 230 Place in Queens. The driver suffered injuries and was incoherent at the scene. Physical disability and illness contributed to the crash. The sedan’s front end was damaged.

According to the police report, a 79-year-old male driver with physical disability and illness was involved in a crash on 230 Place, Queens. The driver was injured and incoherent but not ejected. The sedan, traveling east, struck parked vehicles, damaging its center front end and the rear bumpers of the parked cars. The report lists physical disability and illness as contributing factors. No other driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The driver was properly licensed and wearing a lap belt and harness. The crash involved multiple vehicles but only the driver was injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648899 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A 23-year-old woman driving a sedan suffered back injuries and whiplash after an SUV made a left turn into her path on 150 Street near North Conduit Avenue. The sedan’s right front bumper struck the SUV’s left side doors. Driver distraction played a role.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 150 Street near North Conduit Avenue in Queens when a 2023 Jeep SUV made a left turn and struck a 2013 Mercedes sedan traveling straight westbound. The sedan’s right front bumper impacted the SUV’s left side doors. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. The report lists contributing factors as "Other Vehicular" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction," indicating driver error on one or both vehicles. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and harness. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647177 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

Four people suffered whiplash and body injuries in a Queens crash on North Conduit Avenue. A sedan involved in a police pursuit collided with a taxi and other vehicles. Aggressive driving and unsafe speed contributed to the violent impact.

According to the police report, a crash occurred on North Conduit Avenue in Queens involving multiple vehicles, including a sedan, a taxi, and other cars. Four occupants were injured: three drivers and one front passenger. Injuries included whiplash and full-body pain. The report lists aggressive driving and unsafe speed as contributing factors for the sedan involved in a police pursuit. The sedan's driver was unlicensed. Other drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The collision points included left front bumpers and center front ends. No occupants were ejected, and all wore lap belts and harnesses. The crash caused significant vehicle damage and left four conscious but injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A sedan and a pickup truck collided on 147 Avenue in Queens. The pickup struck the sedan’s right rear bumper. The sedan’s driver, a 35-year-old man, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as a factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred between a 2015 sedan and a 2014 pickup truck on 147 Avenue in Queens. Both vehicles were traveling southeast when the pickup truck impacted the right rear bumper of the sedan. The sedan’s driver, a 35-year-old male occupant, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles going straight ahead. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645353 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A 22-year-old woman suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries in Queens. Her sedan struck another vehicle while changing lanes on North Conduit Avenue. The driver was conscious and restrained. Police cited unsafe lane changing as the cause.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on North Conduit Avenue in Queens involving multiple vehicles. The injured party was a 22-year-old female driver of a 2019 sedan. She was changing lanes when the crash happened, sustaining abrasions and upper arm and shoulder injuries. She was not ejected and was conscious at the scene, wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the primary contributing factor. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted. The crash caused damage to the left front quarter panel of her vehicle. The incident highlights the dangers of lane changes in busy traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645716 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

The City Council’s Transportation Committee drags its feet. Only one minor bill—mile markers—moves forward. Thirteen key safety bills, with broad support, sit idle. Advocates fume as crashes and injuries mount. Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers stays silent. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

On July 12, 2023, the City Council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Councilmember Selvena Brooks-Powers, scheduled only one bill—Intro 853, requiring mile markers on select roads—for a vote. This bill has two sponsors and no opposition. Meanwhile, thirteen more significant bills, including measures to streamline bike lane installation, enable reporting of blocked bike and bus lanes, create e-bike charging stations for delivery workers, and improve truck route safety, remain unscheduled despite broad support. Only 19% of the committee’s 113 bills have had hearings; just 4% have passed. Advocates like Elizabeth Adams and Jon Orcutt decry the slow pace, especially as traffic crashes and injuries remain high. Brooks-Powers has not responded to requests for comment. Advocates demand urgent action to protect vulnerable road users and improve transit accessibility.

• Analysis: Council Transportation Committee Spinning Its Wheels, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-12

A sedan struck the rear of another vehicle on North Conduit Avenue. Two passengers suffered back injuries. The crash happened at 3:30 a.m. Driver errors included following too closely and unsafe speed. Both injured were conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a 2017 Honda sedan made a right turn and struck the center back end of a vehicle traveling west on North Conduit Avenue. Two passengers in the struck vehicle, a 33-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman, sustained back injuries classified as injury severity 3. Both were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists driver errors as following too closely and unsafe speed. The sedan driver was licensed in New York. The collision caused center front and back end damage to the involved vehicles. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no safety equipment or victim fault was noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644004 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

Two SUVs collided on 224 Street in Queens. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. A 49-year-old female driver and a 54-year-old male passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 224 Street in Queens. The 2019 Mercedes SUV, driven by a 49-year-old woman, was traveling south and struck the left side doors of the 2013 Ford SUV, which was traveling north. The Ford had three occupants, including a 54-year-old male passenger seated in the left rear. Both the driver and the passenger were injured, suffering back injuries and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641904 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A 2021 SUV made a left turn on Farmers Boulevard in Queens and struck a westbound 2009 sedan head-on. Three women inside were injured, suffering bruises and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2021 Honda SUV was making a left turn on Farmers Boulevard in Queens when it collided with a westbound 2009 Acura sedan. The impact occurred at the left front bumpers of both vehicles. Three female occupants were injured: the SUV driver, the sedan driver, and a front-seat passenger. Injuries included contusions and whiplash, with all victims conscious and wearing seat belts. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the SUV driver. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The crash caused moderate injuries but no ejections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641214 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

NYPD claims action on ghost cars. Numbers tell a different story. Arrests for fake plates drop. Summonses barely rise. DOT cameras miss over a million violations. Council weighs tougher fines. Riders and walkers pay the price for weak enforcement.

On June 27, 2023, the City Council held a hearing on NYPD enforcement against ghost cars—vehicles with fake, covered, or defaced plates. NYPD Transportation Bureau’s Michael Pilecki reported arrests for forged plates fell 11 percent from last year, while summonses rose just 0.6 percent. The hearing spotlighted two bills from Council Member Oswald Feliz to raise fines for using or selling fake plates, both widely supported, including by the NYPD. The matter summary: 'NYPD claims it has stepped up its efforts to summons and arrest car drivers who cover or deface their plate, or drive with a fake temporary tag, but its own statistics show that the effort has not continued into this year.' Council Members Selvena Brooks-Powers and Kamillah Hanks did not comment. Activists and officials noted DOT’s automated cameras failed to bill 1.2 million violations last year due to temp tags, leaving dangerous drivers unaccountable. The city’s weak enforcement leaves vulnerable road users exposed.

• NYPD’s Fight Against ‘Ghost Cars’ Lacks Serious Muscle, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-27

A Dodge sedan tore down Belt Parkway. It hit hard. The unlicensed driver and a woman in back were thrown from the car. Both died from head wounds. The wreckage sprawled across the asphalt. Speed killed. The night stayed silent.

Two people died in a violent crash on Belt Parkway. According to the police report, a Dodge sedan, driven by an unlicensed 35-year-old man, was speeding west when it crashed. The impact ejected both the driver and a 29-year-old woman riding in the back seat. Both suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The sedan was demolished. No driver errors are listed for the other vehicle involved. The woman was not using any safety equipment, but this is noted only after the primary cause: unsafe speed by the unlicensed driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640445 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A sedan cut across South Conduit Avenue. Metal slammed metal. Eight people hurt. Six children, two drivers. Whiplash, trauma. Police cite inattention and reckless lane change. All wore belts. Streets stayed loud.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on South Conduit Avenue changed lanes and struck the right front quarter panel of another vehicle. The crash injured eight people—six children riding in the rear and both drivers. All suffered whiplash and full-body trauma. The children, ages 6 to 9, wore lap belts. The drivers, a 50-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man, were also restrained. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Unsafe Lane Changing" as contributing factors. The impact damaged the right side doors of one car and the center back end of the sedan. No one was ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642850 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

City will push e-scooter share into eastern Queens. Bronx pilot saw two million trips, few injuries. DOT touts safety features, speed limits, and training. Council backs move for transit deserts. Rollout covers 600,000 residents. Launch set for next year.

On June 15, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced a major expansion of its e-scooter share program into eastern Queens. The program, which began as a pilot in The Bronx in 2021, will now cover roughly 20 square miles and serve about 600,000 residents. DOT Commissioner Rodriguez said, 'E-scooters and other forms of micromobility will help us build a cleaner and greener transportation system that connects residents to commercial and transit hubs.' Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers celebrated the move, highlighting its impact on transit deserts in Southeast Queens. The Bronx pilot logged over two million trips with very low injury rates. Safety features—speed limits, in-app training, 'Beginner Mode,' and no overnight use for new riders—will continue. Discounted rates remain for NYCHA and assistance program residents. Service in Queens begins in 2024.

• City to Expand Scooter Share to Eastern Queens, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-15

A truck driver hit a man on Hook Creek Boulevard in Laurelton, Queens. The victim died weeks later. The road is wide, fast, and unprotected. No charges filed. Council District 31 leads the city in road deaths. Danger is routine here.

On May 19, 2023, a 41-year-old pedestrian was struck by a 61-year-old truck driver at Hook Creek Boulevard near 135th Road in Queens. The victim died on June 11. The crash happened in Council District 31, represented by Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers. The intersection lacks stop signs or a traffic light. A speed camera there issued over 600 tickets in 2021. Transportation Alternatives calls the district the city’s deadliest: six road deaths in early 2023, more than 10 percent of city fatalities, and the highest fatality rate per resident. The driver stayed at the scene. Police gave no details. No charges were filed. The street’s design and lack of enforcement leave pedestrians exposed and unprotected.

• Pedestrian Struck by Truck Driver in Queens Dies of His Injuries: Cops, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-14

Mayor Adams expands Summer Streets to every borough. Five Saturdays. Seventeen miles. Cars banned from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Brooklyn and Queens get major corridors. Advocates want longer hours and connected routes. City cites costs and safety. Streets open, but only for a while.

On June 12, 2023, Mayor Adams announced the expansion of New York City’s Summer Streets program to all five boroughs. The program, managed by the Department of Transportation, will run on five Saturdays in July and August, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., covering 17 miles. Borough presidents Antonio Reynoso (Brooklyn) and Donovan Richards (Queens) pushed for this expansion, with Reynoso praising the use of major corridors like Eastern Parkway. Mayor Adams said, “This is a five-borough city and we are now saying the Summer Streets program is going be a five-borough initiative. Everyone deserves to enjoy that.” Adams expressed interest in longer hours but cited public safety and NYPD staffing costs as barriers. Advocates want more hours and connected car-free routes. The city will spend $1.5 million, not including staffing. The expansion marks a step forward, but the early end time leaves advocates wanting more.

• Summer Streets Expands to All Boroughs; Still Ends Early, Though, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-12

A 34-year-old man was struck on Farmers Boulevard in Queens. The vehicle hit him head-on while traveling west. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as causes.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured on Farmers Boulevard near North Conduit Avenue in Queens. The 34-year-old man sustained abrasions and injuries to his entire body after being struck by a vehicle traveling west. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its center front end. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The pedestrian's location and actions at the time of the crash are unknown. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The driver was going straight ahead before the collision. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash but suffered injury severity level 3.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637783 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10

A Nissan sedan tore east on South Conduit Avenue. It hit hard. Metal screamed. The car crumpled. The driver, forty-four, bled from his head but stayed awake. The night air filled with the sound of wreckage and pain.

A 2022 Nissan sedan, traveling east on South Conduit Avenue in Queens, crashed front-first and was demolished. According to the police report, the lone driver, a 44-year-old man, suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious inside the wreck. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The vehicle was crushed in the impact. No other people were involved or injured in this crash. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The collision underscores the danger of high speed and aggressive driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636310 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-10