Rosedale Bleeds While Leaders Hide: Demand Safe Streets Now

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 10 - After congestion pricing began, yellow cab trips jumped 10%. Council Member Brooks-Powers led the hearing. Taxi leaders worry about fare hikes. For-hire rides dipped 1%. Officials say it’s early. The city’s streets shift. Vulnerable road users brace for change.

On February 10, 2025, the City Council’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, chaired by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (District 31), held an oversight hearing on congestion pricing and its impact on the taxi industry. The matter, titled 'NYC yellow cab trips up 10% after launch of congestion pricing: taxi commission,' revealed that yellow cab trips rose by 10% during the first week after congestion pricing began. Brooks-Powers noted that new tolls will likely be passed to riders as higher fares. Commissioner David Do of the Taxi and Limousine Commission testified that for-hire vehicle trips dropped 1%. The data is preliminary, covering only the first month of the program. No safety analyst assessment was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NYC yellow cab trips up 10% after launch of congestion pricing: taxi commission, amny.com, Published 2025-02-10

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 2 - A bus struck the left rear bumper of an SUV traveling east on Brookville Boulevard. The SUV driver, a 47-year-old woman, suffered injuries and shock. Police cited the bus driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.

According to the police report, at 8:50 AM on Brookville Boulevard, a bus traveling east collided with the left rear bumper of a 2023 SUV also traveling east. The bus driver was changing lanes while the SUV driver was slowing or stopping. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the bus driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the SUV. The SUV driver, a 47-year-old woman, was injured and experienced shock, wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. She was not ejected and complained of pain or nausea. The collision caused damage to the SUV’s left rear quarter panel and the bus’s right front bumper. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789896 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 31 - An SUV driver distracted by inattention struck a westbound e-scooter from behind on 149 Ave. The 20-year-old e-scooter rider suffered hip and upper leg injuries, shock, and complained of pain and nausea. The SUV sustained rear-end damage.

According to the police report, a 2023 Toyota SUV traveling westbound on 149 Ave rear-ended a westbound e-scooter. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the SUV driver. The e-scooter rider, a 20-year-old female with a permit license, was injured with hip and upper leg trauma and experienced shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The SUV sustained damage to its center back end, while the e-scooter showed no vehicle damage. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The collision occurred with both vehicles traveling in the same direction, and the impact point was the center front end of the e-scooter. The report emphasizes the SUV driver's distraction as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790142 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 22 - Council Chair Brooks-Powers blasted DOT for missing bike and bus lane targets. She pushed a bill to force public tracking. DOT made excuses. The city fell short for the third year. Vulnerable road users wait. The council wants answers, not promises.

""DOT gives us their word every hearing and we are not getting results,"" -- Selvena N. Brooks-Powers

On January 22, 2025, Council Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers confronted the Department of Transportation at a public hearing. She cited DOT's repeated failure to meet the 2019 Streets Master Plan benchmarks—50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of bus lanes each year. In 2024, DOT delivered only 5.3 miles of bus lanes and 25.7 miles of bike lanes. Brooks-Powers introduced Intro 1105, a bill requiring DOT to publish a tracker of its progress. She declared, "DOT gives us their word every hearing and we are not getting results." DOT First Deputy Commissioner Margaret Forgione objected, claiming the tracker would add paperwork and reduce community engagement. Brooks-Powers countered, "DOT needs to be more transparent about its project pipeline so we can identify bottlenecks." The committee signaled intent to advance the bill. The city’s failure leaves pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders exposed.

• Council Transportation Chair Tells DOT That She’s Sick of the Streets Plan Excuses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-22

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 - A 67-year-old bicyclist was injured when a sedan made a left turn and collided with him on Hook Creek Blvd. The bicyclist suffered hip and upper leg contusions. Police cited driver failure to yield and bicyclist confusion as contributing factors.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Hook Creek Blvd was making a left turn when it collided with a bicyclist going straight south. The bicyclist, a 67-year-old man wearing a helmet, sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg, including contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the crash. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the sedan driver and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The bicyclist was not ejected and was the driver of the bike. Vehicle damage was noted on the bike's center front end, while the sedan showed no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787630 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 18 - A southbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan on Brookville Blvd late at night. The impact injured a 55-year-old female passenger in the sedan, causing head trauma and whiplash. Driver distraction was cited as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, at 22:55 on Brookville Blvd, a southbound Toyota SUV collided with the center back end of a southbound Honda sedan. The SUV's left front bumper struck the sedan's rear, causing damage to both vehicles. The sedan carried a 55-year-old female passenger seated in the right rear who sustained head injuries and whiplash, remaining conscious but injured. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed New York men traveling straight ahead. No contributing factors related to the passenger were noted. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end crashes that severely injure vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787129 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 13 - Two sedans collided on Brookville Boulevard. A driver struck another car’s rear. Three people, including two children, suffered neck, head, and arm injuries. Police cite following too closely as the cause.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Brookville Boulevard at 8:21 AM. The driver of a 2017 Mercedes changed lanes and hit the right rear bumper of another sedan. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the cause. Three people were hurt: a 27-year-old woman driving and two girls, ages 9 and 10, riding as passengers. Injuries included whiplash and trauma to the neck, head, and arm. All were conscious and restrained. The report highlights driver error—failure to maintain safe distance—as the primary factor. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786571 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 4 - A northbound SUV making a left turn struck a northbound sedan going straight on Brookville Blvd. The SUV driver’s inattention caused the crash. The sedan driver suffered back injuries and whiplash, restrained by a lap belt and conscious after impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:20 on Brookville Blvd involving two vehicles traveling north. The SUV was making a left turn when it collided with the sedan proceeding straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV’s left front bumper and the sedan’s right front bumper. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to properly observe the road. The sedan driver, a 58-year-old male occupant, was injured with back pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction during turning maneuvers in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784127 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 25 - A 21-year-old man, unlicensed and alone, sped down Laurelton Parkway. The Audi slammed, right side crushed. He died inside, body broken. No one else was hurt. The road fell silent, marked by reckless speed and shattered metal.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old unlicensed man was driving a 2015 Audi sedan alone on Laurelton Parkway when he changed lanes at an unsafe speed. The sedan struck with force, its right side crushed and the vehicle demolished. The report states the driver was killed, suffering injuries to his entire body. No other people were involved or injured. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor, with the driver’s lack of a valid license also noted in the data. No seatbelt use was recorded. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of excessive speed and unlicensed driving, as detailed in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781385 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 20 - Two sedans collided on 145 Ave, striking each other’s right front bumper and left side doors. A 60-year-old female driver suffered head injuries and internal complaints. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash and serious harm.

At 10:42 AM, two sedans traveling on 145 Ave collided, according to the police report. One vehicle, a 2021 Lexus sedan traveling west, impacted the right front bumper of the other vehicle, a 2019 Toyota sedan traveling south, which was struck on its left side doors. The driver of the Toyota, a 60-year-old female, sustained head injuries and internal complaints but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were cited for Driver Inattention/Distraction as contributing factors in the crash. The report explicitly identifies driver distraction as the cause, with no other contributing factors listed. The collision resulted in significant vehicle damage and injury to the Toyota driver, highlighting the dangers of driver inattention on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782198 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 19 - Council moves to test bold pavement markings at crash sites. Five spots per borough. Focus: places where drivers have killed or maimed. Report to follow. Streets marked for danger.

Int 1154-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced December 19, 2024. The bill orders a pilot for high visibility pavement markings—at least five locations per borough. The city must target streets with high injury or fatality counts from bad driving. The matter title reads: 'establishing a high visibility pavement marking pilot program.' Council Member Yusef Salaam leads, joined by Menin, De La Rosa, Brooks-Powers, Cabán, Brannan, and Hanif. The law demands a report on results and challenges. The aim: mark danger, force drivers to see, and push the city to act where blood has already been spilled.

• File Int 1154-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

Dec 18 - MTA unveiled its final Queens bus overhaul. Seventeen new routes, more frequent service, but cuts on 29 lines. Rush routes aim to speed riders to trains. Public feedback starts January. MTA Board votes in winter. Rollout set for summer 2025.

The MTA announced its final Queens bus network redesign on December 18, 2024. The plan, now entering its last public feedback phase, will be reviewed by the MTA Board in early winter 2025 and implemented by late summer. The proposal includes over $30 million in new funding, 17 new local routes, and increased frequency for 17 lines, but also service reductions on 29 routes. The main highlight is the introduction of 'rush' routes to connect riders to rail faster. MTA Chair Janno Lieber said, 'Every change to a route has an impact on the schedule... and we did it.' Queens Borough President Donovan Richards voiced support, stating, 'I'm ready. We're ready.' The process began in 2019 and was shaped by extensive community input. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• The Queens Bus Redesign Is Finished. Probably, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 17 - A distracted driver made a right turn, striking two vehicles stopped or traveling southbound on Hook Creek Blvd. Two male drivers suffered moderate injuries, including leg and shoulder wounds. Both were restrained and experienced shock after the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:10 on Hook Creek Blvd involving a pick-up truck, a sedan, and an SUV. The pick-up truck driver, a 43-year-old male, was making a right turn when the collision happened. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both injured drivers. The pick-up truck struck the center front end, impacting the right side doors of the sedan and the right rear bumper of the SUV. Both drivers, aged 43 and 32, were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. They sustained injuries to the knee-lower leg-foot and shoulder-upper arm, respectively, and were in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report highlights driver distraction as the primary cause, with no victim fault indicated.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779724 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 16 - Two sport utility vehicles collided on Memphis Avenue in Queens. Both drivers suffered neck injuries and whiplash. A front passenger also sustained head injuries. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles traveling on Memphis Avenue in Queens collided at 3:35 PM. Both drivers were going straight ahead when the crash occurred. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of one SUV and the right front bumper of the other. The drivers, a 51-year-old male and a 55-year-old female passenger, both suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The front passenger sustained head injuries. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and were not ejected. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to serious injuries even without ejections or loss of control.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779480 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 15 - Two sedans collided on Francis Lewis Boulevard at 8 a.m. The impact struck the right side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. One driver suffered chest injuries and shock, sustaining moderate harm in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:00 a.m. on Francis Lewis Boulevard involving two sedans traveling westbound. One driver was changing lanes when the collision happened, impacting the right side doors of that vehicle. The other sedan was going straight ahead, sustaining damage to its center front end. The injured party was the driver of the vehicle that was changing lanes, a 51-year-old male who suffered chest injuries and was in shock. The report lists his injury severity as moderate (level 3). Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report identifies the pre-crash action of changing lanes as a factor, implying driver error contributed to the crash. No contributing factors were specified for the injured driver, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing. The collision highlights the dangers of lane changes on busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778767 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18