• Man struck and killed by two vehicles while trying to cross Belt Parkway in South Ozone Park: NYPD, amny, Published 2025-09-16

• Maniac NYC driver who mowed down teen girl after she rejected lewd advances had suspended license: docs, New York Post, Published 2025-09-14

• 16-year-old girl dies after being hit by SUV in Queens, CBS New York, Published 2025-09-13

Aug 22 - Northbound on Beach Channel Drive at Hassock Street, a motorcyclist tried a U-turn as a sedan driver went straight. The drivers collided. The rider suffered leg pain and shock. It was 8:55 p.m. Police listed driver errors.

Two northbound drivers collided on Beach Channel Drive at Hassock Street in Queens. According to the police report, the motorcyclist attempted a U-turn while a sedan driver continued straight, and the two collided. The 40-year-old male motorcyclist reported knee and lower-leg pain and was listed as injured; other injuries were not specified. Police recorded driver errors: Turning Improperly and Driver Inattention/Distraction. Police also noted left-front damage on the motorcycle and center-front damage on the sedan. Both vehicles were recorded as traveling northbound at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4839816 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 14 - Council moves to hit rogue vans hard. A checklist. Max fines for each breach. TLC, NYPD, DOT must act together. Crack down on illegal operators who imperil riders and people on the street. The bill sits in committee.

Int 1347-2025 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced and referred on August 14, 2025. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to enforcing violations against unlicensed commuter vans.” It orders TLC, with NYPD and DOT, to keep a compliance checklist. When officers stop an unlicensed van, they must check every rule and issue the maximum fine for each breach. Primary sponsor Nantasha M. Williams. Co-sponsors Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Mercedes Narcisse, and Chris Banks. Status: Committee. If enacted, it takes effect 120 days later. It targets illegal operators who put riders and bystanders at risk.

• File Int 1347-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 14 - Council introduces Int 1347-2025 to curb rogue commuter vans. TLC, NYPD, and DOT must keep a safety checklist. Officers who spot an unlicensed van stack every charge and levy max fines. A push to shield riders and people on the street.

Int 1347-2025 is in Committee. It sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction and referral on August 14, 2025. The bill’s title reads, “A Local Law … in relation to enforcing violations against unlicensed commuter vans.” It orders TLC, with NYPD and DOT, to maintain a checklist of laws on vehicle and driver licensure, service authorization, insurance, and inspections. When an officer stops an unlicensed van, they must review the list and issue the maximum penalty for each violation. Primary sponsor Nantasha M. Williams is joined by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Mercedes Narcisse, Chris Banks, and Farah N. Louis. The aim is to protect riders and bystanders from unlicensed operators who skip the rules.

• File Int 1347-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-08-14

Aug 13 - A driver struck a man crossing 155th Street near JFK. The car sped off. Medics rushed the victim to the hospital. He died. Police searched for footage. No arrests. The street stayed silent.

NY Daily News (2025-08-13) reports a 52-year-old man was killed crossing 155th St. at South Conduit Ave. near JFK Airport around 2:30 a.m. The driver hit the man and fled. Police said, "The driver sped off without stopping. No arrests have been made." Officers searched for surveillance footage to identify the vehicle. The article notes 68 pedestrians have died in city crashes this year. The hit-and-run highlights ongoing dangers for those on foot and the challenge of holding drivers accountable.

• Queens Hit-And-Run Kills Pedestrian Near JFK, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-13

Aug 12 - A Lexus sedan turned left on Mott and hit a woman in the crosswalk at Beach 20th. She stayed conscious, clutching her bruised arm. The car showed no damage. The street showed the truth: a person hurt at an intersection.

A 2021 Lexus sedan, driven by a licensed woman, was making a left turn from Mott Ave at Beach 20 St in Queens when it struck a 38-year-old woman in the intersection. The pedestrian suffered a bruised arm and remained conscious. According to the police report, contributing factors were listed as “Unspecified” for all parties. The vehicle’s point of impact was the center front end, and the car showed no damage. The driver was turning left, a high-risk maneuver for people on foot at intersections. No driver errors were recorded beyond the unspecified factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834521 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 12 - A car tore through an Astoria intersection. It struck a food truck. Two men died on the sidewalk. The driver died too. Metal, flesh, coffee, blood. The street swallowed them. It happened fast. No one stood a chance.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-12), an 84-year-old driver sped through 42nd Street and 19th Avenue in Astoria, Queens, crashing into a food truck and killing two customers and himself. Surveillance showed the car "going about 60 miles an hour" before impact. The article quotes a witness: "Someone screamed really loudly, and I just had stepped back, like right up to the sidewalk." The force severed a victim's foot. The crash highlights the lethal risk when drivers lose control at high speed in pedestrian zones. No charges were filed; the driver died at the scene.

• Speeding Car Slams Food Truck, Kills Two, New York Post, Published 2025-08-12

Aug 11 - A car thief fled cops, leaping into the Atlantic. Officers dove in, fought him in the water, and dragged him to shore. The chase began with a stolen sedan, ended in cold surf, cuffs snapping shut.

NY Daily News (2025-08-11) reports a car thief jumped into the Atlantic off Far Rockaway after police caught him with a stolen Honda. The suspect, Matthew Swafford, used a stolen North Carolina plate. Officers pursued him into the water, as shown in NYPD video. Detective Demerest called, 'Take my belt!' before diving in. Swafford was charged with possession of stolen property and other offenses. The incident highlights risks when suspects flee in stolen vehicles, raising questions about pursuit protocols and the dangers posed by car theft in dense urban areas.

• Car Thief Jumps Far Rockaway Dock, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-11

Aug 8 - Floods drowned Bay Terrace. Streets vanished. Leaders demand signs and real fixes. Pedestrians and cyclists still face danger. Signs warn, but water keeps coming.

"The signs that we’re asking for would warn drivers about flood-prone roads and encourage people not to park or drive in the event of heavy rain at this intersection and on the highway." -- Donovan J. Richards

On August 8, 2025, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Council Member Vickie Paladino, joined by State Sen. John Liu and others, called for flood-related street signage and storm mitigation in Bay Terrace. They urged the Department of Transportation to act after flash floods submerged the Cross Island Parkway. The matter, described as a 'call for flood-related street signage and storm mitigation efforts,' saw Richards call signage a 'small step' and Paladino stress the need for warnings. The safety analyst notes these efforts may help general conditions but do not address the core safety needs of pedestrians and cyclists or shift burdens away from vulnerable users.

• Queens leaders call for flood signage and infrastructure in Bay Terrace, AMNY, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 4 - A left-turning SUV hit the right side of a southbound SUV on Rockaway Freeway. Four people were injured. Drivers and front passengers suffered head trauma, a fractured arm, concussions, and bleeding amid night sirens.

According to the police report ... two Ford SUVs collided on Rockaway Freeway at Seagirt Boulevard. One vehicle was making a left turn northbound; the other was going straight southbound. Four occupants were injured: both drivers and both front passengers. Reported injuries included head trauma, a concussion, a fractured arm, and bleeding. The southbound SUV shows left-front bumper damage; the left-turning SUV shows right-side door damage. The police report lists all contributing factors as "Unspecified." No driver errors were recorded in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832910 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 3 - A driver struck an e-bike rider in Queens. A scooter rider crashed in Brooklyn. Both died. Streets claimed them. Police investigate. Lives ended fast. Metal and speed left no room for error.

NY Daily News (2025-08-03) reports two fatal e-vehicle crashes. On July 31, a 62-year-old Nissan Rogue driver hit Zhao Feng Zhen, 55, on Hollis Court Blvd in Queens. The driver remained at the scene; police continue to investigate. On July 12, Eusebio Quinones, 60, lost control of his electric scooter on Union Ave in Brooklyn and died from his injuries days later. The article notes, 'police are still investigating the crash.' These deaths highlight ongoing risks for vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Two Killed In Separate E-Vehicle Crashes, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-03

Aug 1 - A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man on 101st Street. The driver sped off after an encounter at the window. Police found the victim with severe trauma. He died at Jamaica Hospital.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-01), a 23-year-old man died after being run over on 101st Street and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. The article reports, "Sonalall approached the driver's side window and flashed what appeared to be a gun, startling the motorist, who then drove off, striking Sonalall." The Queens District Attorney's Office did not charge the driver, citing fear for his life. The incident highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used in moments of conflict. No charges were filed, raising questions about how self-defense is interpreted in car-related deaths.

• Man Killed By Driver In Queens Street, New York Post, Published 2025-08-01

Jul 28 - SUV driver turned left on Brookhaven Ave at Beach 20 St and hit a northbound cyclist. The rider, 18, suffered a head injury. Police recorded driver inattention.

In Queens, the driver of an SUV making a left turn on Brookhaven Ave at Beach 20 St hit a northbound cyclist who was making a right turn. The cyclist, 18, sustained a head injury and reported a bruise. He was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. Impact points were the SUV’s left front bumper and the bike’s front end. No other injuries were specified for vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832014 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 23 - A sedan making a right turn hit two pedestrians crossing with the signal on Seagirt Ave. A 34-year-old man was injured. A 6-year-old girl and two car occupants were also involved.

A sedan traveling south on Seagirt Ave made a right turn and struck two pedestrians, a 34-year-old man and a 6-year-old girl, who were crossing at the intersection with the signal. According to the police report, the man suffered an elbow and arm injury with abrasions. The girl’s injuries were unspecified. Two occupants in the sedan, including the driver, were also listed but not reported as injured. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield are noted in the data. Both pedestrians were crossing with the signal at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832789 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 11 - Franklin Avenue shuts cars. Kids run. Cyclists glide. Merchants fill the street. Engines silenced. Brooklyn claims space for people. Safety rises. Streets pulse with life.

On July 11, 2025, Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights launched a new Open Streets program. No council bill number or committee was cited. The event, covered by BKReader, closed six blocks to cars two Saturdays each month through October. Organizers called it 'a commitment to strengthening neighborhoods through creative placemaking.' Local leaders like Gwen Woods and Tiara Robertson led the effort. The safety analyst notes: 'Open Streets programs reduce vehicle traffic, create safer environments for pedestrians and cyclists, and encourage mode shift by making streets more accessible and attractive for non-drivers.'

• New Brooklyn Open Streets Program Highlights Community And Commerce, BKReader, Published 2025-07-11

Jul 9 - Two SUVs crashed on Beach Channel Drive. A driver and passenger suffered back injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Metal and glass. No pedestrians. No escape.

Two SUVs collided on Beach Channel Drive at Dix Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight when the crash occurred. A 28-year-old male driver and a 30-year-old female passenger were injured, both suffering whiplash and back injuries. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors, such as helmet or signal use, are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827301 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 9 - A battery exploded. Fire roared. Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, was trapped in smoke and flame inside a Queens pizzeria. She died from her burns. Lithium-ion danger struck again. Four others escaped.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-09), Yuet Kiu Cheung, 76, died after an e-bike battery exploded inside Singas Famous Pizzeria in Flushing, Queens. The FDNY described a 'blowtorch effect' that trapped Cheung as she tried to escape the bathroom. The article notes, 'These fires are treacherous. They move very quickly.' This was the first fatal lithium-ion battery fire in NYC for 2025, with officials citing a rising trend in such incidents. The battery was stored outside the bathroom, highlighting risks of indoor storage and the need for stronger safety measures.

• E-Bike Battery Blast Kills Woman In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-09

Jul 7 - BMW hit divider, flew across highway, struck two cars. Fire followed. Two young lives ended. Others hurt. Concrete, speed, and steel left scars in Queens dawn.

NY Daily News (2025-07-07) reports a BMW crashed into a concrete divider on Queens' Belt Parkway, then vaulted over the highway, hitting two vehicles. The BMW caught fire. Driver Noah Thompson, 24, and passenger Jewel Perez, 22, died after hospital transport. Three other BMW passengers and two other drivers survived with minor or stable injuries. Police noted, "No one in the BMW was wearing a seat belt." Authorities sought a warrant to test the driver's blood for alcohol. The crash highlights high-speed risks and the dangers of divided highways.

• BMW Crash Kills Two on Belt Parkway, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-07