Rockaway Bleeds While City Sleeps

• Nude Queens man indicted for kicking bike riders, attacking 3 NYPD officers, NY Daily News, Published 2025-09-18

• Man accused of intentionally killing Queens teen with his car, CBS New York, Published 2025-09-16

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

• Queens bus network redesign draws mixed reviews from riders, CBS New York, Published 2025-09-02

Aug 28 - Taxi and sedan drivers collided at Beach 75 St and Beach Channel Dr. The crash also hit a parked pickup. A front-seat passenger suffered a head contusion. Police recorded driver inattention and passenger distraction.

A taxi driver heading east on Beach Channel Dr and a westbound sedan driver crashed front to front at Beach 75 St in Arverne. The collision also damaged a parked pickup. A front passenger, 45, suffered a head contusion. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight and both points of impact were at the center front. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction by the drivers. They also recorded passenger distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4841117 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 12 - A car slammed into a food truck in Astoria. Three people died. Metal twisted. Lives ended. The street became a scene of sudden loss.

CBS New York reported on August 12, 2025, that a car crashed into a food truck at 19th Avenue and 42nd Street in Astoria, Queens, killing three people. The article quotes witnesses, including a man who 'narrowly escaped tragedy.' Details on the driver's actions remain scarce, but the crash highlights the lethal risk vehicles pose to people on city streets. The incident raises questions about street design and the exposure of workers and customers at curbside businesses.

• Car Plows Into Queens Food Truck, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-12

Aug 8 - A driver in an SUV and a motorcyclist collided on Beach 67 at Rockaway Beach Blvd after each turned improperly. The 42-year-old rider suffered an arm abrasion and was conscious. Police recorded turning improperly by both drivers.

A collision on Beach 67 Street at Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Queens injured the lone motorcyclist. The driver of the motorcycle, a 42-year-old man, suffered an abrasion to his elbow/arm and remained conscious. The driver of the motorcycle had been making a left turn. The driver of the SUV had been making a right turn. According to the police report, both vehicles were "Turning Improperly" before the collision. Police recorded turning improperly by the drivers as contributing factors. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. No other injuries or contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 1 - A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man in Ozone Park. The driver fled, then turned himself in. Police say the crash followed a heated confrontation. The victim died at Jamaica Hospital.

ABC7 reported on August 1, 2025, that a 23-year-old man died after being hit by a car at 101st Avenue and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. Police said the incident followed a domestic dispute. The driver, who was the woman's current boyfriend, told police the victim approached his car "while flashing what appeared to be a gun" and was struck as the driver tried to leave. The driver later went to the police. No charges had been filed as of publication, with the district attorney still reviewing the case. The crash highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used during conflicts.

• Man Killed By Car In Queens Dispute, ABC7, Published 2025-08-01

Jul 29 - Two sedans collided at Beach 69 Street and Thursby Avenue in Queens. Both drivers, women, were injured. Police listed glare and failure to yield right-of-way. Children were present in the vehicles. Morning light. Metal and pain.

"According to the police report," two drivers, both women, were injured when their sedans collided at Beach 69 Street and Thursby Avenue. One driver suffered shoulder and upper-arm injuries; the other suffered elbow and lower-arm injuries. Police listed "Glare" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as contributing factors. Both drivers were recorded as going straight ahead. Damage was recorded to the center front of one sedan and the right-side doors of the other. Children were reported to be present in the vehicles. The report does not list any pedestrians or cyclists as involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 27 - A driver in a sedan turned left and hit a 64-year-old woman at Beach 54 Street and Beach Channel Drive in Queens. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. She suffered knee, lower leg, and foot injuries and was in shock.

A driver in a sedan made a left turn at Beach 54 Street and Beach Channel Drive in Queens. The driver hit a 64-year-old woman in the intersection. "According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way." Police recorded "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor. The left front bumper was the point of impact. The woman suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot and was in shock at the scene. The driver was licensed and had no reported injuries. Another occupant was also uninjured. No other causes were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832019 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 25 - The driver of a sedan was hurt after rear-ending another sedan at Beach 69 Street and De Costa Avenue. He suffered elbow and arm injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and following too closely.

According to the police report, two sedans collided at Beach 69 Street and De Costa Avenue in Queens. The 21-year-old male driver of one sedan was injured, logged as elbow/lower arm/hand injuries and shock. A 58-year-old female driver in the other sedan was involved and not injured. Police recorded “Driver Inattention/Distraction” and “Following Too Closely” as contributing factors. The point of impact was center front end of the injured driver’s vehicle into the center back end of the other vehicle. The report notes air bag deployment and lap belt use. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832036 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 10 - The driver of a sedan on Beach Channel Drive took a center back end hit. Two occupants were injured. The 37-year-old driver suffered back pain and whiplash. A 25-year-old rear passenger suffered whole-body pain and whiplash. Police cited 'Other Vehicular' factors.

According to the police report, the sedan on Beach Channel Drive at Beach 95 Street sustained center back end damage. Two vehicle occupants were injured: a 37-year-old man in the driver seat with back injury and whiplash, and a 25-year-old woman in the right rear passenger position with whole‑body injury and whiplash. Police recorded 'Other Vehicular' contributing factors. The sedan was traveling west and was recorded as going straight ahead; the vehicle's center back end was the point of impact. The report lists no pedestrians or cyclists and notes no helmet or signal issues.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828067 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 8 - Hillside Avenue chokes on cars. Buses crawl at four miles per hour. New lanes promise relief for 215,000 riders. Space shifts from cars to buses. Streets change. Riders wait.

Gothamist (2025-07-08) reports new bus lanes are coming to Hillside Avenue, Queens. Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the corridor suffers from 'an inconsistent, patchwork design' and blocked lanes. Buses crawl at four miles per hour due to congestion. Only a third of road space serves buses, though 83% of transit users ride them. The project adds camera-enforced bus lanes, parking, and loading zones. Policy shifts road space from private cars to public transit, aiming to speed up service for 215,000 daily riders.

• Bus Lanes Target Congestion On Hillside Avenue, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-08

Jul 5 - A motorcycle hit a man on Beach 97th. The impact tore his leg. Police cite improper lane use. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.

A motorcycle traveling west on Beach 97th Street struck a 49-year-old male pedestrian. The man suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg and foot but remained conscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Other Vehicular' were listed as contributing factors. The crash involved the motorcycle's center front end. No helmet or pedestrian signal issues were cited. The driver’s actions, as detailed in the report, created danger for the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - SUV hit a man crossing at Beach 66th. Pedestrian suffered leg injuries. Police cite reaction to another vehicle. Impact was front and center. Streets failed to protect the walker.

A 55-year-old man was injured when a Nissan SUV struck him as he crossed at the intersection of Beach 66th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his lower leg and foot. The SUV's front end hit the man. Police list 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as the contributing factor. The driver was licensed and headed south. The report does not mention any errors by the pedestrian. The crash left the pedestrian in shock, underscoring the danger at this crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825818 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - City aims to carve bike lanes into 31st Street. Merchants fear lost access. Residents cite danger. DOT points to dozens hurt, two killed. The street stays deadly. The fight over space continues.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-05), the NYC Department of Transportation plans to narrow lanes and add bike paths on 31st Street in Astoria, Queens. The DOT cites 126 injured vehicle occupants, 33 injured pedestrians, 24 injured cyclists, and two deaths from 2020 to 2024, calling it 'one of the most dangerous streets in Queens.' Business owners warn the changes will block deliveries and threaten livelihoods. Residents worry about access and safety, especially for the elderly and students. The plan highlights the tension between street redesigns and the needs of vulnerable road users.

• City Bike Lane Plan Sparks Queens Clash, New York Post, Published 2025-07-05