Nov 22 - SUV hit sedan from behind on Grand Central Parkway. Eighteen-year-old front passenger hurt, left in shock. Police cite following too closely. Metal twisted. Lives shaken.

According to the police report, a 2023 SUV rear-ended a 2008 sedan on Grand Central Parkway. The SUV was slowing or stopping when it struck the sedan’s center front end. The sedan’s front passenger, an 18-year-old male, was injured and suffered shock. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The SUV carried three people; the sedan had one. The crash damaged the SUV’s center back end and the sedan’s center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4681713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 20 - Governor Hochul killed a bill to study expanding the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway greenway. Cyclists and pedestrians lose a safe route. Lawmakers backed the plan. The veto leaves vulnerable road users with dirt paths and danger. The greenway remains unfinished.

On November 20, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul vetoed a bill that would have required the state Department of Parks and Recreation and the Office of Mental Health to study expanding the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway greenway into Nassau County. The bill passed both the state Senate and Assembly unanimously. The matter summary called for a study to extend the greenway, which runs parallel to the hazardous Union Turnpike. State Senator John Liu sponsored the bill and vowed to keep pushing for the project, saying, 'I’m confident we’ll get there.' Hochul’s veto cited budget concerns and the risk of 'duplication and unnecessary bureaucracy.' Advocates like Joby Jacob called the veto a blow to years of organizing, noting that people are forced to walk dirt paths where sidewalks should be. The veto blocks progress on a safer route for cyclists and pedestrians.

• Hochul Vetoes Bill To Expand Eastern Queens Greenway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-20

Nov 15 - Three vehicles slowed on Long Island Expressway. A Tesla SUV struck the back of a pickup truck. The Tesla driver, a 40-year-old man, suffered a head injury and concussion. Police cited following too closely as the cause. No ejections occurred.

According to the police report, the crash involved three vehicles traveling east on the Long Island Expressway. The Tesla SUV struck the center back end of a GMC pickup truck that was slowing or stopping. The Tesla driver, a 40-year-old man, was injured with a head injury and concussion but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor. The pickup truck sustained no damage, while the Tesla SUV had damage to its center back end. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680921 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 14 - City traffic chokes bus service. Riders wait. Buses crawl. Costs soar. Lawmakers push for more service, but congestion and double-parked cars stall progress. ABLE cameras help, but Mayor Adams drags feet on bus lanes. Riders pay the price. Streets stay dangerous.

This report, published November 14, 2023, details the ongoing crisis in New York City bus service. The article, titled "City Traffic Helps Make Bus Service Unbearable, Expensive And Difficult To Improve," highlights how traffic congestion, double-parking, and outdated routes cripple bus efficiency. State Sen. John Liu urges more service in neighborhoods where buses can move. Danny Pearlstein of Riders Alliance says, "With better service, the path to more service is a much clearer one." ABLE cameras have improved bus speeds by 5 percent on enforced routes. Despite promises, Mayor Eric Adams has not delivered on expanding bus lanes. The MTA and advocates call for more funding and better service. Riders remain stuck, exposed to traffic danger, while systemic failures persist.

• City Traffic Helps Make Bus Service Unbearable, Expensive And Difficult To Improve, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-14

Nov 4 - Three sedans crashed on Grand Central Parkway. A rear passenger took a blow to the knee and leg. Drivers failed to react and followed too close. Metal crumpled. The injured man stayed conscious, strapped in by a harness.

According to the police report, three vehicles collided while heading west on Grand Central Parkway in Queens. A 31-year-old male rear passenger suffered contusions to his knee and lower leg. He was conscious and secured with a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver errors as "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" and "Following Too Closely." The crash caused front and rear damage to the sedans. The injured passenger was not at fault. The report highlights driver failure to maintain distance and respond to traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677079 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 31 - Two drivers crashed head-on on Grand Central Parkway. The pickup truck overturned. Both men suffered whiplash and head injuries. Police cited driver inattention and unsafe speed. Both remained conscious and were not ejected from their vehicles.

According to the police report, a taxi and a pickup truck collided on Grand Central Parkway at 5:17 a.m. The pickup truck overturned on impact. Both drivers, ages 43 and 55, were injured but conscious. The 43-year-old driver suffered whiplash and injuries to his entire body, while the 55-year-old driver sustained head injuries and whiplash. The report lists driver inattention and distraction, as well as unsafe speed, as contributing factors for the 43-year-old driver. No other contributing factors were specified for the other driver. Neither driver was ejected from their vehicles. The crash caused significant damage to the vehicles, with the pickup truck overturning and the taxi sustaining damage to its left rear bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675218 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 24 - Two sedans collided westbound on Grand Central Parkway. The second vehicle struck the first from behind. A 38-year-old female driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Both drivers were licensed women. The crash was caused by following too closely.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling westbound on Grand Central Parkway collided when the second vehicle struck the first from behind. The 38-year-old female driver of the rear vehicle was injured, sustaining back pain and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed in New York and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The rear vehicle sustained damage to its center back end, while the front vehicle showed no damage. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673576 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 18 - A Ford SUV struck an object with its left front quarter panel on Grand Central Parkway. Three passengers suffered whiplash and head injuries. Driver distraction was a key factor. All occupants remained conscious and were not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 2006 Ford SUV traveling west on Grand Central Parkway collided with an object impacting the left front quarter panel. Three passengers, aged 22 to 27, were injured with whiplash and head trauma. All were conscious and remained inside the vehicle. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim actions are noted. The injured were passengers seated in the front and rear seats. Safety equipment use is unknown. The crash caused moderate injuries but no ejections. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4671764 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 27 - An SUV slammed into the back of a sedan on Grand Central Parkway. The sedan’s female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The SUV was slowing or stopping; the sedan was going straight. Following too closely caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old female driver in a sedan was injured when an SUV rear-ended her on Grand Central Parkway. The SUV was slowing or stopping, while the sedan was traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the center back end of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and complained of whiplash. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and traveling east. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt and was conscious after the crash. No ejections occurred. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4665977 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 24 - Council Member Marte and others push to exempt dollar vans from Manhattan congestion tolls. They argue the vans are vital for Asian communities. Without exemption, fares rise. Commutes get harder. The MTA has not taken a side.

On September 24, 2023, Council Member Christopher Marte joined eight other elected officials in urging the MTA to exempt dollar vans from the upcoming congestion pricing plan. The letter, signed by Marte and state legislators, was sent to the Traffic Mobility Review Board. The officials wrote, 'Commuter vans offer the Chinese communities in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn a much-needed service that is not being provided by other forms of public transportation: safe, language-accessible, and culturally competent means for people to access jobs, resources, and family.' They argue that tolling these vans—serving Flatbush Avenue, eastern Queens, and the city’s Chinatowns—would raise fares and cut off vital connections for Asian New Yorkers. Assembly Member Grace Lee said, 'They should be exempt from tolls under the congestion pricing plan.' The MTA has not taken a position on the exemption.

• Chinatown pols seek to exempt dollar vans from congestion pricing, amny.com, Published 2023-09-24

Aug 31 - A 60-year-old woman was struck by a sedan making a left turn on College Point Boulevard in Queens. She suffered hip and upper leg injuries. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on College Point Boulevard in Queens struck a 60-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity 3. The report lists the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. Additionally, pedestrian error or confusion was noted but no blame is assigned to the victim. The vehicle’s point of impact was the left front bumper. The driver was licensed and the vehicle was a 2011 Toyota sedan. The pedestrian remained conscious after the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4659347 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 30 - A 76-year-old man was struck while crossing Park Drive East with the signal. He suffered an upper arm abrasion and remained conscious. No driver errors or contributing factors were reported. The crash left the pedestrian injured at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 76-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Park Drive East at an intersection with the signal. He sustained an abrasion to his shoulder and upper arm and was conscious after the impact. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle type were provided. The pedestrian was not at fault, and no safety equipment or other conditions were noted. The incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face even when crossing legally.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658336 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 29 - Two men hurt in a violent left-turn crash on College Point Boulevard. Both vehicles struck head-on. Driver inattention and bad lane use listed. Head injuries and whiplash. Both stayed conscious. No ejections.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV and a Toyota sedan collided while both drivers attempted left turns on College Point Boulevard in Queens. The SUV's driver and front passenger, both men, suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists driver errors as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper," "Turning Improperly," and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The SUV was hit at the left front quarter panel, the sedan at the right front bumper. No one was ejected. The crash shows the danger when drivers misuse lanes and lose focus during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658045 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 22 - A taxi struck the rear of an SUV on Grand Central Parkway. Two passengers in the SUV suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained. The crash was caused by driver inattention and following too closely.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on Grand Central Parkway rear-ended a westbound SUV. The impact occurred at the center back end of the taxi and the center front end of the SUV. Two passengers in the SUV—a 29-year-old woman and a 2-year-old child—were injured, both sustaining head injuries and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists driver errors as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Following Too Closely." No other contributing factors were noted. The crash caused significant damage to the front of the SUV and the rear of the taxi.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656162 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 12 - A 23-year-old front passenger suffered whiplash and full-body injuries in a crash on Grand Central Parkway. Two vehicles traveling east collided. Alcohol was involved. The injured occupant remained conscious and was not ejected from the sedan.

According to the police report, two vehicles—a 2008 SUV and a 2015 sedan—were traveling east on Grand Central Parkway when the SUV struck the sedan's right rear bumper with its left front bumper. The sedan carried two occupants, including a 23-year-old female front passenger who sustained whiplash and injuries to her entire body. She was conscious and not ejected. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The collision point and vehicle damage indicate the SUV rear-ended the sedan. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653861 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 9 - A 19-year-old motorcyclist was partially ejected on Van Wyck Expressway. The helmeted rider suffered abrasions over the entire body. The motorcycle struck the rear of an SUV traveling westbound. The SUV showed no damage. The rider remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male motorcyclist was partially ejected after his motorcycle collided with the rear end of a westbound SUV on Van Wyck Expressway. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet and suffered abrasions covering his entire body but remained conscious. The SUV, carrying three occupants, sustained no damage. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead in the same direction at the time of impact. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the motorcyclist but does not specify driver errors or violations. The collision point was the motorcycle's center back end striking the SUV's center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653066 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - A 37-year-old male motorcycle driver was ejected and suffered a head injury on Corona Avenue in Queens. The crash caused a concussion. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The rider wore no safety equipment.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old male motorcycle driver was ejected from his vehicle on Corona Avenue near Horace Harding Expressway in Queens. The driver sustained a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion. The motorcycle, a 2022 HD model, suffered damage to its center front end. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as the primary contributing factors. The driver held a permit license and was traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. No safety equipment was worn by the rider. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted driving and the severe consequences for vulnerable motorcyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650985 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 21 - A 60-year-old woman driving a sedan suffered neck injuries in a rear-end collision on Union Turnpike in Queens. The SUV driver followed too closely and struck the sedan’s center back end. The sedan driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Union Turnpike in Queens involving a sedan and an SUV, both traveling west. The SUV struck the sedan from behind, impacting the sedan’s center back end. The sedan’s 60-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining a neck injury described as whiplash. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead before the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647431 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 8 - A 51-year-old man working in the roadway was struck on the Van Wyck Expressway. The impact caused internal injuries to his abdomen and pelvis. Alcohol involvement was noted. Multiple vehicles were damaged, including parked trucks and moving sedans.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old male pedestrian was injured while working in the roadway on the Van Wyck Expressway. The pedestrian suffered internal injuries to the abdomen and pelvis and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. Several vehicles were involved, including parked pick-up trucks and flatbeds, as well as moving sedans traveling southbound. The collision points included left rear bumpers of parked vehicles and right bumpers of moving sedans. The report does not specify any pedestrian errors but highlights alcohol involvement, indicating driver impairment as a key factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643806 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - A flat bed truck and an SUV collided on Van Wyck Expressway. Three men in the SUV suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash involved unsafe lane changing and following too closely. All occupants remained conscious and were not ejected.

According to the police report, a flat bed truck traveling south was struck in the center front end by a southbound SUV. The SUV was slowing or stopping when the collision occurred. Three male occupants in the SUV, including the driver and two passengers, sustained back injuries and whiplash. The report lists driver errors as following too closely and unsafe lane changing. None of the occupants were ejected, and all remained conscious. The flat bed truck had one male driver who was licensed in New Jersey. The SUV driver was licensed in New York. Vehicle damage was centered on the rear of the SUV and the front of the flat bed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642076 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19