Blood on the Asphalt: Springfield Gardens Pays for City Hall’s Delay

Council bill orders trees and plants on new medians between bike lanes and car traffic. Concrete gets green. Barriers grow roots. The city must build for life, not speed.

Int 1233-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 10, 2025, it demands new medians between bicycle lanes and motor vehicles be built for trees and vegetation, pending feasibility. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to the planting of vegetation on new medians separating bicycle lanes from motorized vehicle traffic.” Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Bottcher, Ossé, Brannan, Hanif, and Brooks-Powers. They push the city to plant, or allow planting, in every new median. The law would take effect 120 days after passage. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 1233-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Metal twisted on Belt Parkway. An SUV struck a stopped sedan from behind. Two drivers hurt, arms and head. A baby among the shaken. Police cite tailgating and bad lane use.

On Belt Parkway in Queens, an SUV crashed into a stopped sedan, pushing metal and bodies. According to the police report, 'A flatbed parked. A sedan stopped in traffic. An SUV struck from behind. Metal crumpled. Two drivers, a woman and a man, hurt in the arms and head. A baby listed among the occupants.' Police list 'Following Too Closely' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. Both drivers suffered injuries. The impact left a baby and other occupants at risk. Systemic danger persists on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804987 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Four cars slam westbound. Metal buckles. Three people hurt—head, arm, whiplash. Blood stains the shoulder. Distraction rules. Silence after the crash.

Four vehicles collided on Belt Parkway in Queens. Three people suffered injuries: a 26-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman with head trauma and whiplash, and a 44-year-old man with a bruised arm. According to the police report, 'Metal crumples into metal. A Lexus, a Nissan, a Honda, a Toyota. Three heads snap forward. Blood on the shoulder, bruises on the arm, whiplash ringing in the skull. Silence follows distraction.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor for all involved drivers. No other factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804341 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW and motorcycle collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both vehicles burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The BMW driver survived. No arrests. Police are investigating. Another life lost on a wide, fast Queens road.

According to NY Daily News (April 5, 2025), a fatal crash occurred at 60th Drive and Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Queens. A BMW SUV and a motorcycle, both heading south, collided around 9:22 a.m. Both vehicles caught fire. Police said, 'only the car driver survived the collision.' EMS pronounced the motorcycle rider dead at the scene. The BMW driver was hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests have been made, and police continue to investigate. The crash highlights the persistent dangers on major Queens thoroughfares, where high speeds and heavy traffic put vulnerable road users at risk.

• Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Blaze, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-05

A driver lost control near a Queens school. The car struck two children and a man. A seven-year-old girl’s leg snapped. Sirens wailed. Police arrested the driver. The sidewalk bore the scars. The city’s danger was plain.

According to the New York Post (April 4, 2025), an unlicensed driver reversed into a box truck, then spun onto the sidewalk outside Our World Neighborhood Charter School in Astoria, Queens. The crash injured three: a 7-year-old girl with a broken femur and head injury, a 14-year-old girl with leg injuries, and a 58-year-old man with bruises. The article states, 'Bah was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving and driving without a license.' This incident follows another recent crash involving a suspended license, highlighting recurring risks from unlicensed drivers. The crash underscores the persistent threat cars pose to people on city sidewalks, especially near schools.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits Kids Outside School, New York Post, Published 2025-04-04

Two cars struck Jorman Esparza-Olivares at a busy Rego Park crossing. He suffered head and body trauma. Medics rushed him to Elmhurst. He died six days later. Both drivers stayed. No charges. The intersection remains dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 3, 2025, that Jorman Esparza-Olivares, 23, was killed after being struck by two drivers while riding his e-bike north on 63rd Drive at Queens Blvd. The crash occurred just before 5:30 p.m. on March 19. According to police, 'It wasn't clear if any of the men involved in the crash ran a red light.' Esparza-Olivares suffered severe injuries and died six days later at Elmhurst Medical Center. Both drivers, operating a Ford SUV and a Mercedes Benz, remained at the scene and were not immediately charged. The incident highlights persistent risks for cyclists at major intersections and raises questions about traffic controls and driver awareness on Queens Blvd.

• E-Bike Rider Killed At Queens Intersection, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

A speeding Mercedes ran a red in Queens. The driver, high and drunk, struck a young airport worker headed to his job. The worker died. Two passengers survived. The driver, a probationary firefighter, now faces manslaughter charges.

NY Daily News reported on March 28, 2025, that Michael Pena, a probationary FDNY firefighter, was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter in a Queens crash. Prosecutors said Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and struck Justin Diaz, 23, who had the right-of-way. Pena's blood-alcohol content was 0.156%, nearly double the legal limit, and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. The article states, 'Pena was driving nearly 60 mph above the speed limit after a night of drinking at a bar.' Surveillance footage confirmed the sequence. Two passengers in Pena's car were hospitalized. The crash highlights ongoing risks from impaired and reckless driving, even among public servants.

• Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-28

Three vehicles collided eastbound on Belt Parkway. A front-seat passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. The impact involved center front and rear ends, with no ejections reported.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction collision occurred on Belt Parkway involving three eastbound vehicles: a 2020 SUV, a 2024 sedan, and a 2016 sedan. The crash happened around 3:00 PM. The point of impact was primarily center front and center rear ends of the vehicles. The front passenger in one vehicle, a 52-year-old woman, sustained neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. Police identified driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. The collision caused damage to the center back ends and front ends of the involved vehicles, with no ejections reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801866 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council Transportation Chair Brooks-Powers wants the Beach 20th Street protected bike lane gone. She blames illegal parking, not enforcement. Cyclists lose space. The city risks more danger. DOT says it will look at hardening the lane and boosting enforcement.

On March 24, 2025, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, called for the removal of the protected bike lane on Beach 20th Street in Arverne, Queens. At a community meeting, Brooks-Powers said, "We’ve been trying to get [the bike lane] removed for three years. It wasn’t supported by the community. ... In effect it’s not a bike lane quite honestly; no one uses it, they [drivers] park there. We would like to see the hard infrastructure removed." Instead of demanding enforcement against illegal parking, she wants the lane ripped out, returning the street to a more dangerous state for cyclists and pedestrians. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez replied that building safe bike lanes requires support from local leaders. DOT spokesperson Will Livingston said the agency remains committed to safety and will explore hardening the lane and increasing enforcement.

• Council Transportation Chair Asks DOT To Rip Up a Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-24

Two SUVs collided on Belt Parkway when one followed too closely. The rear passenger, an 82-year-old woman, suffered chest injuries and shock. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound, impacting center front and back ends. Driver error caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway at 19:56, involving two eastbound SUVs. The driver of the rear vehicle failed to maintain a safe distance, resulting in a rear-end collision. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The impact occurred at the center front end of the trailing SUV and the center back end of the leading SUV. An 82-year-old female occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of the lead vehicle sustained chest injuries and was in shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating and driver inattention on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801676 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped carrying two eastbound riders collided with an eastbound SUV on S Conduit Ave. The SUV struck the moped’s left front bumper with its right front quarter panel. The moped passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries, conscious and bruised.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:54 on S Conduit Ave involving a 2010 Honda SUV and a 2023 JIAJU moped. The SUV was traveling east going straight ahead, while the moped was making a left turn eastbound. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front quarter panel striking the moped’s left front bumper. The moped carried two occupants, including a 41-year-old female passenger who sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries classified as contusions and bruises. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, highlighting driver error. The moped driver was unlicensed, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The SUV had no occupants besides the driver, who was licensed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided head-on on 150 Street near Belt Parkway. The driver and a six-year-old passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries with whiplash. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:30 on 150 Street near Belt Parkway involving two sedans traveling eastbound. The driver, a 37-year-old woman, and a six-year-old female passenger were injured, both sustaining knee and lower leg injuries and complaints of whiplash. The driver was wearing a lap belt and conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factors for both injured occupants. The vehicles impacted at the left front bumper and center back end, indicating a collision likely caused by failure to maintain control at speed and distracted driving. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by speeding and driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Open Streets are shrinking. Volunteers warn more cuts loom unless City Hall steps up. Federal relief is gone. Groups want $48 million over three years. Current grants barely keep programs alive. The city’s inaction puts public space and safety at risk.

On March 14, 2025, a coalition of 16 volunteer open street groups sent a letter to City Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers. They warned, 'The limited funding and decreases in funding that have occurred over the years jeopardize the continuity and future of the program—funding pressure is already leading to downsizing and the disappearance of Open Streets programs.' The groups seek $48 million over three years, separate from the city’s $30 million contract with the Horticultural Society. Current grants max out at $20,000 per year, forcing cutbacks. Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Adams are starting budget talks. Council spokesperson Julia Agos called Open Streets 'critical components of our city's public realm.' The Department of Transportation said suggestions will be reviewed. Volunteer groups handle most operations, but stalled redesigns and lack of resources threaten the program’s survival.

• Open Streets Won’t Survive Without More Money From the City, Organizers Warn, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-14

A car hit a man and a child in Flushing. The man lay trapped under the vehicle. Both went to the hospital. The man’s injuries were critical. The driver stayed at the scene. Police are still investigating.

ABC7 reported on March 13, 2025, that a car struck two pedestrians at 32nd Avenue and 138th Street in Queens. Police found an adult man pinned under the vehicle and a child, aged 8 to 10, also injured. Both were hospitalized, with the man in critical condition. The article states, 'Police responded...and found an adult man pinned under a vehicle.' The driver remained at the scene, and the investigation continues. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at city intersections. No charges or details on driver actions were released at the time of reporting.

• Man And Child Struck In Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-03-13

Westbound SUV plows into sedan’s rear near 150th Street. Steel folds. A woman’s spine breaks. She stays conscious, seatbelt digging in, pain radiating. The crash leaves her body broken, the road echoing with the violence of speed and carelessness.

A violent rear-end collision unfolded on Belt Parkway near 150th Street when a westbound SUV struck the back of a sedan, according to the police report. The report states the SUV 'slammed into a sedan’s rear,' crushing the 35-year-old woman driving the sedan. She remained conscious but suffered severe back injuries as her seatbelt held her in place while the force of the crash broke her spine. The police report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver's failure to maintain a safe distance. No other contributing factors are cited for the victim. The impact crumpled the sedan’s center back end and the SUV’s front, underscoring the destructive consequences of tailgating on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797652 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A drunk, speeding firefighter ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died. He was 23. His family buried him with his new degree. The firefighter faces charges. The street remains unchanged.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-04), Justin Diaz, 23, was killed when an off-duty FDNY firefighter, Michael Pena, sped through a red light at 83 mph in a 25 mph zone and struck Diaz’s BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd. Diaz was heading to work at LaGuardia Airport. Prosecutors say Pena was drunk, high on cocaine and marijuana, and refused a breath test. His blood-alcohol content was 0.156 percent. Surveillance footage confirmed Diaz had the right-of-way. The article notes, 'The victim had the right-of-way, and Pena ran a steady red light, prosecutors say.' Pena was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI. His license was suspended. The case highlights ongoing dangers for New York City road users and questions about bail and accountability for reckless drivers.

• Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Airport Worker, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-04

Two eastbound vehicles collided on Belt Parkway. An SUV struck the left rear bumper of a sedan. The sedan’s driver, a 48-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Both drivers were traveling straight ahead at impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway at 8:00 AM involving two eastbound vehicles: a 2011 Chevrolet SUV and a 2016 Jeep sedan. The SUV impacted the left rear bumper of the sedan. The sedan’s driver, a 48-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock, secured by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were traveling straight ahead at the time of collision. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver but does not specify any driver errors or violations such as failure to yield. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The impact location and injury details highlight the dangers of rear-end collisions on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796759 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding Mercedes tore through a red light in Queens. The driver, off-duty FDNY, struck a BMW. The crash ripped off the roof. The 23-year-old inside died. The firefighter stayed at the scene, reeking of alcohol, unsteady, charged with manslaughter.

ABC7 reported on February 28, 2025, that off-duty firefighter Michael Pena was arraigned after a fatal crash in East Elmhurst, Queens. Prosecutors say Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and t-boned a BMW, killing 23-year-old Justin Diaz. The article quotes DA Melinda Katz: "An FDNY firefighter who was off duty is accused of driving under the influence, running a steady red light and slamming into a 23-year-old motorist, killing him, as he drove more than three times the posted speed limit." Pena's blood alcohol content was .156 percent, and he allegedly had drugs in his system. The BMW was sent flying into a parked car, its roof torn off. Pena faces manslaughter and related charges. The case highlights the lethal risk of extreme speeding and impaired driving on city streets.

• Firefighter Charged After Deadly Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-02-28