Apr 10 - A box truck reversed into Leony Salcedo-Chevalier by the loading dock. He died at the hospital. The driver stayed. No charges filed. The crash left a family without a father. Police are investigating. The warehouse kept running.

NY Daily News reported on April 10, 2025, that Leony Salcedo-Chevalier, 34, was struck and killed by a reversing box truck at the JFK8-Amazon Fulfillment Center in Staten Island. The incident happened late Wednesday night as Salcedo-Chevalier stood by the loading dock. Both he and the driver worked for a freight contractor, not Amazon. The driver, 40, remained at the scene. No criminal charges were filed at the time of reporting. An Amazon spokesperson called it a 'horrible tragedy' and said the company was cooperating with police. The article quotes a coworker: 'He was 34 years old. He had two daughters. He was killed on the job.' The crash highlights the dangers faced by workers in busy warehouse loading zones, where large vehicles maneuver in tight spaces.

• Worker Killed By Reversing Truck At Warehouse, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 9 - Federal lawyers bark. The MTA stands firm. The U.S. DOT demands New York end congestion pricing by April 20. The state refuses. Threats fly. No action lands. Meanwhile, Manhattan streets see fewer crashes, faster buses, and more people on foot.

On April 9, 2025, federal lawyers told Judge Lewis Liman that the U.S. Department of Transportation still demands New York stop congestion pricing by April 20. The case, rooted in the MTA’s lawsuit against the feds, remains unresolved. The DOT’s attorney, Dominika Tarczynska, said, "The Department of Transportation maintains the position that New York City should stop charging tolls by April 20." MTA attorney Robert Kaplan countered, "Congestion pricing is in effect, we believe it's working, and ... we don't intend to turn it off unless there's an order from your honor." Governor Hochul and the MTA refuse to comply. The federal government threatens vague consequences but takes no concrete steps. The MTA’s November agreement with the Biden-era DOT did not allow for unilateral federal withdrawal. As the legal fight drags on, congestion pricing continues. Streets south of 60th Street see fewer crashes. Bus speeds rise. Foot traffic grows. Vulnerable road users benefit while politicians bicker.

• Feds Insist They’ll Find A Way To Enforce Fake 4/20 Congestion Pricing Deadline, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 8 - A Chevy sedan struck a 17-year-old boy on Forest Ave. The car’s right front bumper hit the teen’s hip and leg. He was left bruised. The driver stayed at the scene, unhurt.

A Chevy sedan traveling north on Forest Ave near South Ave struck a 17-year-old boy who was crossing the street. According to the police report, the vehicle’s right front bumper hit the boy’s hip and leg, leaving him bruised but conscious. The driver, a 37-year-old man, was not injured and remained at the scene. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The report notes the pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but does not cite this as a contributing factor. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805056 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Apr 8 - Community Board 3 backed the Canal Street open street, but hours got slashed. Residents packed the meeting. Supporters spoke of safety, space, and life without cars. Detractors cited noise and mess. The board voted 13-1 to keep the street open.

""In response to listening to our community, we ve made meaningful changes to the program over this year."" -- Charles Fall

On April 8, 2025, Manhattan Community Board 3 voted 13-1 to continue the Canal Street open street program, despite a reduction in its operating hours and days. The matter, discussed in the Transportation, Public Safety, Sanitation & Environment Committee, drew strong turnout. The meeting's summary: 'A large number of Lower Manhattan residents turned out to support the Canal Street open street, but organizers reduced the program's operating times in response to complaints from some residents.' Chairperson Vincent Cirrito said, 'This is an open space for our residents, for our kids... where they don’t have to worry about vehicles and cars.' Council Member Chris Marte and some residents pushed for further cutbacks, while others defended the open street as vital for safety, accessibility, and local business. The board sided with vulnerable road users, keeping two blocks of Canal Street open to people, not cars.

• Supporters of Open Street Come Out in Droves to Fight Canal Street Cutback, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-08

Apr 6 - Two Hondas crash at Forest and Willow. Metal buckles. A 31-year-old woman grips her head, dazed. A 59-year-old sits silent. Distraction behind the wheel. Both wore belts. Streets stay dangerous.

Two vehicles, a sedan and an SUV, collided at Forest Ave and Willow Rd W. A 31-year-old woman suffered a head injury and shock. A 59-year-old woman was also involved but her injuries were unspecified. According to the police report, both drivers were distracted at the time of the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. Both drivers wore seat belts. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one woman injured and both cars damaged at the front.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Apr 3 - Open Streets faces cuts. Federal funds are gone. Mayor Adams offers no city money. DOT warns of shrinking hours and scope. Council Member Krishnan blasts the move. Streets once safe for walkers and riders now risk return to cars. The future is uncertain.

On April 3, 2025, New York City’s Open Streets program entered crisis. The program, legislated by the City Council, lost its federal Covid funding. Mayor Adams has not allocated city funds. The Department of Transportation (DOT) says $5 million is needed to maintain current operations, but the Council’s preliminary budget omits this. DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch told advocates the agency is lobbying for replacement funds. Council Member Shekar Krishnan criticized the mayor’s stance, saying, “It’s deeply misguided to cut funds from the open street program, especially at this moment.” The City Comptroller’s office also faulted the administration for poor planning. The funding gap has already led to reduced hours and fewer open streets. Council members are pushing for restoration, but the program’s future hangs in the balance.

• Open Street Program in Jeopardy As Mayor Adams Is Not Funding It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-03

Mar 31 - A sedan traveling north on Richmond Ave struck its front passenger, an 84-year-old man, causing a head injury and contusion. The passenger was conscious and restrained by a lap belt with airbag deployment. The crash involved other vehicular factors.

According to the police report, a 2021 Hyundai sedan traveling north on Richmond Ave collided with its front passenger, an 84-year-old male occupant. The passenger sustained a head injury and contusion, with an injury severity rated at level 3. He was conscious at the scene and protected by a lap belt and airbag deployment. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper, causing center front end damage. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' contributing factors twice, indicating driver or vehicle-related errors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights risks inside the vehicle linked to driver or vehicular errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802871 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 26 - Two vehicles collided on Morningstar Rd at 8:15 AM. Both drivers were distracted, leading to a crash that injured a 27-year-old female sedan driver. The impact damaged the front sections of both vehicles, highlighting driver inattention as the key factor.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Morningstar Rd involving a 2024 sedan and a 2022 SUV. Both drivers were traveling straight ahead when the vehicles collided. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. The sedan driver, a 27-year-old female, suffered injuries to her hip and upper leg and complained of whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The SUV, driven by a male, sustained damage to its right front bumper, while the sedan was damaged on the left front quarter panel. The crash underscores the dangers of driver distraction, with no contributing victim behaviors noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801389 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 26 - DOT scraps waterfront promise. Bronx greenway will run on streets, not riverside. Seven miles of protected bike lanes, road diets. Advocates praise progress, mourn lost oasis. Cars still close. Bronx stays cut off from river. Public input ongoing.

On March 26, 2025, the Department of Transportation unveiled its plan for the Bronx portion of the Harlem River Greenway. The plan, not a council bill but a DOT action, covers a seven-mile route along Bailey Avenue, Sedgwick Avenue, Depot Place, Exterior Street, E. 135th Street, Lincoln Avenue, and Bruckner Boulevard. The DOT cited access issues with state and private landowners, abandoning Mayor Adams’s earlier promise of a true waterfront path. The official summary states: 'protected bike lanes on streets near the waterfront, rather than a true waterfront greenway.' Advocates like Chauncy Young and Laura Solis welcomed protected lanes but lamented the loss of a car-free riverside route. Mayor Adams claimed the project would help undo highway devastation in the Bronx. Still, the plan leaves vulnerable road users exposed to traffic, not shielded by water’s edge. Public workshops are ongoing.

• Off the Waterfront: Bronx Part of ‘Harlem River Greenway’ Will Be Bike Lanes on Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-26

Mar 25 - Andrea Stewart-Cousins joined Hochul and Heastie to demand more federal cash for the MTA. They say New York carries the nation’s riders but gets shortchanged. Without funds, transit projects stall. Riders—millions—hang in the balance. The plea is blunt. The stakes are high.

On March 25, 2025, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, with Governor Kathy Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, sent a letter to President Trump and federal officials. They called for increased federal funding for the MTA’s $68.4 billion capital plan, citing that New York’s transit system carries 43% of U.S. riders but receives only 17% of federal formula funds. The letter urges, 'Mass transit must be federally funded at a level commensurate to its importance.' Stewart-Cousins, mentioned as a key signatory, previously rejected the capital plan due to a $35 billion shortfall. The group asks for $14 billion in federal support, up from $13 billion in the last plan. The MTA warns that without this funding, critical infrastructure—power, signaling, accessibility—remains at risk. The request is urgent. The city’s transit future depends on it.

• Hochul pens letter Trump asking for more federal funding for the MTA amid ongoing congestion pricing lawsuit, amny.com, Published 2025-03-25

Mar 21 - Albany faces a $33.4-billion MTA gap. The Citizens Budget Commission urges deep cuts, fare hikes, and more city and state cash. Expansion projects like the Interborough Express may die. Riders risk worse service if lawmakers stall. The clock ticks.

On March 21, 2025, the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) released a warning about the MTA’s $33.4-billion capital budget gap for 2025–2029. The CBC recommends slashing $17 billion, scrapping expansion plans like the Interborough Express, and boosting city and state contributions by $9 billion. The CBC calls for a 6 percent hike in fares, tolls, and vehicle fees—higher than the planned 4 percent. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said tax hikes are on the table. Governor Hochul’s office backs a payroll tax hike, but the CBC wants it regionalized. The CBC’s Andrew Rein said, “We have to prioritize state-of-good-repair, basic modernization, and delay some of the system expansions.” The report warns that failing to fund maintenance will gut service, repeating past crises. No direct safety analysis was provided, but cuts threaten transit reliability for millions.

• Albany Running Out of Options to Close MTA Funding Gap: Watchdog, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-21

Mar 19 - Dumbo’s speed limit drops to 20 mph. Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone targets crowded streets. Ten severe injuries and one death in five years haunt the area. Council Member Restler and DOT push for slower traffic. Lives hang in the balance.

On March 19, 2025, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced the lowering of Dumbo’s speed limit to 20 mph, making it Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone. The measure follows the passage of Sammy’s Law, which lets the city set its own speed limits. The Department of Transportation cited ten severe injuries and one death in Dumbo over five years. The new zone covers streets packed with pedestrians, from Furman to Navy and Hudson, and John to Sands and the BQE. Restler said, 'Data has shown that a one mile per hour increase in speed results in a nearly three percent increase in mortality.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez added, 'Lowering vehicle speed limits by even a few miles per hour could be the difference between life or death in a traffic crash.' The change will take effect after a public comment period. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called for more slow zones in high-crash neighborhoods. The city plans to expand 20 mph limits to over 250 locations by the end of 2025.

• Speed limit in Dumbo to be lowered to 20 mph as nabe becomes Brooklyn’s first ‘Regional Slow Zone’, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-19

Mar 17 - A 52-year-old woman suffered severe leg injuries while crossing Forest Ave with the signal. A sedan making a left turn struck her, causing fractures and dislocations. The driver’s actions led to the crash, with no reported vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Forest Ave and Summerfield Pl at 8:58 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2018 Mitsubishi sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, was making a left turn. The report notes the pedestrian sustained fractures, dislocations, and severe injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan showed no damage and the point of impact was recorded as 'No Damage,' indicating the collision's nature. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the driver’s maneuver—making a left turn—as the critical action preceding the crash. No pedestrian errors or helmet use were cited. The incident underscores the dangers posed by vehicle turning movements at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 15 - A taxi struck the rear of a pick-up truck traveling southeast on Lisk Ave. Both drivers and a passenger suffered neck injuries with whiplash. The crash caused center-end damage to both vehicles. Driver errors remain unspecified in the police report.

According to the police report, at 14:08 on Lisk Ave, a taxi traveling southeast rear-ended a pick-up truck moving in the same direction. The point of impact was the center back end of the taxi and the center front end of the truck. Both vehicles sustained damage at these points. The truck had two occupants: a 56-year-old male driver and a 48-year-old female passenger, both conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. Both suffered neck injuries diagnosed as whiplash with injury severity level 3. The taxi also had two occupants, with a licensed male driver. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction. The injuries and damage indicate a rear-end collision caused by the taxi striking the truck from behind.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 15 - Police sped to a gun call. A U-turn blocked their path. The cruiser swerved, jumped the curb, and hit a shuttered shop. Metal buckled. Officers hurt. In Manhattan, a Charger spun wild, pinning a cop. Steel and flesh met hard. Sirens followed.

The NY Daily News (March 15, 2025) reports two Staten Island police officers crashed their cruiser into a closed restaurant while responding to an emergency. The officers 'lost control of their marked cruiser and slammed into the front of a Mexican restaurant' after swerving to avoid a car making a U-turn. Both officers sustained minor injuries. Hours earlier in Manhattan, a Dodge Charger 'spinning out of control' struck a police officer, pinning him against his patrol vehicle. Witness Abi Aguirre described, 'He crashed into a sanitation car... then he's doing circles and then he crashed out with a police car.' Both the officer and the driver were hospitalized. The incidents highlight risks from high-speed responses and erratic driving, raising questions about street design and emergency protocols.

• Police Cruiser Slams Into Staten Island Store, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-15

Mar 14 - DOT admits failure. City missed legal targets for bus and bike lanes. Adams’s interference and staff cuts left streets unchanged. Pedestrians and cyclists pay the price. The mayor’s words and actions stalled safety. The law sits ignored. Danger remains.

"Pearlstein said that the mayor has spent four years coming up with various reasons not to do one project after another when he should have been supporting his agency in the face of expected opposition. As a result, it's difficult to give Hizzoner a pass for falling short." -- Charles Fall

On March 14, 2025, the Department of Transportation released its annual report on the 2019 Streets Master Plan law. The report, required by the City Council, reveals the city missed mandates for protected bike lanes (29.3 of 50 miles) and bus lanes (17.9 of 30 miles) for the third year running. The matter summary states: 'New York City has failed to meet legally required benchmarks for redesigning streets for bikes, buses, and pedestrians due to a lack of resources and political interference.' Mayor Eric Adams is named as the main obstacle. The report cites staff shortages, shrinking divisions, and political pushback—especially the mayor’s role in killing the Fordham Road busway. Former DOT commissioner Polly Trottenberg warned the plan needed more funding and a new approach. Advocates and officials say Adams’s lack of support left the city’s most vulnerable road users exposed. The law’s promise is broken. The streets stay deadly.

• DOT Report Reveals How Eric Adams Kneecapped Progress on Bus and Bike Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-14

Mar 12 - A 19-year-old woman was struck by an eastbound SUV at an intersection while crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision without vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Forest Ave and Richmond Ave around 8:35 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when she was struck by a 2014 Cadillac SUV traveling eastbound. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor from the driver. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to her knee and lower leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian's own contributing factor was listed as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' but the report emphasizes the driver's failure to yield as the critical cause. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798139 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 12 - Lawmakers push new taxes to plug the MTA’s $35 billion gap. Riders face higher costs for packages and rideshares. The capital plan hangs in limbo. Transit leaders warn: without cash, the system crumbles. Riders and advocates rage at more fees.

On March 12, 2025, New York State lawmakers unveiled a budget proposal to fund the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan, which faces a $35 billion shortfall. The plan, discussed in both Senate and Assembly one-house budgets, suggests new taxes: fees on online deliveries, higher payroll mobility taxes, and more surcharges on rideshare trips. The matter summary reads: 'Taxes to back the MTA? That is what some New York lawmakers are proposing.' Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins is mentioned as a key figure. Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie previously rejected the MTA’s $68.4 billion plan last December over funding gaps. The proposal has sparked public anger, with advocates and riders decrying more taxes. MTA chair Janno Lieber insists full funding is essential to keep trains and buses running safely. The bill’s safety impact for vulnerable road users is not assessed.

• NYS proposes more taxes on New Yorkers to fund the MTA, amny.com, Published 2025-03-12

Mar 11 - A 26-year-old man walking off the roadway suffered knee and lower leg injuries when a vehicle struck him head-on. The crash happened at night. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. The pedestrian was left bleeding and in shock.

According to the police report, at 8:05 p.m., a vehicle traveling west struck a 26-year-old male pedestrian who was not in the roadway and not at an intersection. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and was in shock. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor. No other vehicle or pedestrian errors were noted. The vehicle had no occupants other than the driver, and no further details on the vehicle type or driver were provided. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving even when pedestrians are outside the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798140 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 4 - Weigh-in-motion sensors slashed overweight truck crossings on the BQE by 60%. Councilmember Lincoln Restler backs the tech and calls for state lawmakers to extend the program. The city wants expansion before the enabling law expires. DOT hails the results.

On March 4, 2025, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) urged state lawmakers to extend the weigh-in-motion truck enforcement program on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The program, launched in fall 2023, uses sensors to detect overweight trucks and issue $650 fines. According to the city, overweight truck crossings on the Queens-bound BQE dropped from 7,920 daily to about 3,041 per month—a 60% reduction. The sensors are set to expand to the Staten Island-bound side this year. Restler said, "Weigh-in-Motion technology has successfully eliminated 60% of the overweight truck traffic on the Queens bound BQE." The Department of Transportation and Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez praised the program's impact and called it a potential national model. With the authorizing law set to expire, city officials are pressing Albany to extend and expand the program.

• Weigh-in-motion tech has cut overweight trucks on BQE by 60%, city says, urging state to extend program, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-04