Blood on the Hills: Cars Kill, Leaders Look Away

May 13 - Two SUVs slammed together at S Gannon and Woolley. A young driver and passenger suffered whiplash and leg injuries. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Metal, glass, pain. Staten Island streets, never safe.

Two SUVs crashed at S Gannon Ave and Woolley Ave in Staten Island. A 19-year-old male driver and a 19-year-old female passenger were injured, both suffering whiplash and leg injuries. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' Both vehicles were going straight. The report lists no other contributing factors before the driver error. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The force of impact left two young people hurt, another mark on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812737 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

May 13 - Two sedans crashed on Staten Island Expressway. One driver suffered shoulder and arm injuries. Unsafe speed and passenger distraction fueled the impact. Metal twisted. Lives jarred.

Two sedans collided on the Staten Island Expressway near Bradley Avenue. One driver, age 62, was injured in the shoulder and upper arm. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passenger Distraction' contributed to the crash. Both vehicles were traveling east, with one making a right turn and the other going straight. The impact struck the right front and left front bumpers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812736 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

May 12 - Two SUVs collided on Todt Hill Road. One driver suffered back injuries. Police cite improper lane use and bad turning. The crash left metal bent and a driver hurt.

Two SUVs crashed on Todt Hill Road near Andes Place in Staten Island. According to the police report, a 32-year-old woman driving one SUV was injured, suffering back pain and whiplash. The other driver, a 28-year-old man, was unlicensed but not seriously hurt. Police list 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. Both vehicles took damage to their front ends. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report highlights driver errors as the cause of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812430 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

May 12 - A man in a Nissan crashed into a police car on Staten Island. He fired a gun through his windshield. Officers dodged the bullet but landed in the hospital, cut by glass. Police found two guns. The driver was arrested.

According to the New York Post (May 12, 2025), a 31-year-old man fled a traffic stop on Staten Island, crashed his Nissan SUV into a police cruiser, and fired a gun through his own windshield, striking the vehicle but missing the officers. The article states, “The gunman smashed his Nissan into the police car and then opened fire on the vehicle, striking it but missing the officers inside.” Officers were hospitalized for injuries from shattered glass. Police recovered two guns from the vehicle. The suspect, on parole for a prior assault, was arrested at the scene. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed flight and armed confrontations during routine traffic enforcement.

• Driver Rams Police, Fires Through Windshield, New York Post, Published 2025-05-12

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 5 - SUV veered on Forest Hill Road. Driver nodded off. Passenger hurt. Metal crumpled. Fatigue steered the wheel. Streets stayed silent. Impact left one shaken, one injured.

A station wagon/SUV crashed on Forest Hill Road at Pilcher Street in Staten Island. One occupant suffered neck injuries, while the driver was in shock. According to the police report, the driver 'fell asleep' and was 'fatigued/drowsy.' These driver errors led to the crash. The report notes the driver was using an air bag, lap belt, and harness. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left the vehicle damaged at the roof. The toll: one injured, one shaken, both failed by fatigue behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810385 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 1 - Senator Lanza backs S 7085. The bill lets drivers escape speed camera fines if the ticket notice is missing, wrong, or unreadable. No mention of safety for people on foot or bike.

Senate bill S 7085, sponsored by Andrew J. Lanza (District 24), is at the sponsorship stage. The bill, introduced April 1, 2025, allows dismissal of speed camera violations if required information on the notice is omitted, misdescribed, or illegible. The matter title states: 'Relates to the contents of a notice of liability issued for a speed camera violation.' Lanza is the primary sponsor. There is no safety analyst note or assessment of the bill’s impact on vulnerable road users.

• File S 7085, Open States, Published 2025-04-01

Mar 20 - A westbound SUV struck the rear of another SUV on Staten Island Expressway. The impact injured a 19-year-old female passenger, causing neck trauma and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles sustained rear and front-end damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:16 on Staten Island Expressway involving two westbound SUVs. The striking vehicle hit the left rear bumper of the lead SUV, impacting its center back end. The driver error noted was 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' indicating failure to maintain focus. A 19-year-old female occupant in the struck vehicle suffered neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. She was secured with a lap belt and was not ejected. Both vehicles were damaged at the point of impact: the lead SUV at the center back end and the striking SUV at the center front end. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800807 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Mar 17 - Two sedans collided on Staten Island Expressway. A distracted driver rear-ended another. One man, 33, suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both cars took heavy damage. The crash cut through the quiet morning.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on the Staten Island Expressway at 4:45 a.m. The following driver, distracted and inattentive, struck the left rear bumper of the lead car. A 33-year-old male driver was injured, suffering head trauma and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front and rear ends. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799209 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Mar 15 - A police cruiser swerved from a U-turning car and crashed into a building. Two officers went to the hospital. The street bore the scars. Metal, glass, brick—shattered. Sirens cut the air. The city’s danger showed, again.

ABC7 reported on March 15, 2025, that two NYPD officers crashed their cruiser into a building at Victory Boulevard and Montgomery Street in Staten Island. The officers were responding to a call about a man with a gun. According to the article, 'another vehicle attempted to make a U-turn, causing the police cruiser to swerve to avoid a collision.' Both officers were hospitalized and are expected to recover. The crash highlights the risks of sudden maneuvers and U-turns on busy city streets. No bystanders were reported injured. The incident underscores the persistent dangers posed by unpredictable driver actions and the high stakes of emergency response in dense urban environments.

• Police Cruiser Slams Into Staten Island Building, ABC7, Published 2025-03-15

Mar 13 - Two sedans collided on Manor Rd at 7:15 AM. The driver of one vehicle suffered back injuries and shock. Police cited improper passing or lane usage as the cause. Both drivers were licensed men traveling southbound. Impact was on front bumpers.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Manor Rd at 7:15 AM involving two southbound sedans. One driver, a 53-year-old man, was injured with back trauma and experienced shock. He was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report identifies "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the primary contributing factor for the collision. The first sedan, a 2023 Genes, was traveling straight ahead and sustained damage to its left front bumper. The second sedan, a 2007 Chevrolet, was making a left turn and had damage to its right front quarter panel. Both drivers were licensed men from New York. The collision point was the front bumpers of both vehicles. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing solely on the driver error of improper passing or lane usage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799194 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Mar 12 - Two vehicles collided at an intersection on Fields Ave. A sedan making a left turn struck an SUV going straight. The sedan driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Limited view contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:10 on Fields Ave near Dewhurst St. A sedan, driven by a 39-year-old licensed female driver, was making a left turn when it collided with a southbound SUV traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the sedan's center front end and the SUV's right front bumper. The sedan driver sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor to the collision. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by limited visibility at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798280 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Mar 9 - A wooden board flew off a truck on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. It smashed through a car’s windshield. Glass rained down on the family inside. The driver, shaken but steady, steered blind and pulled over. No one reported injuries. Danger passed, barely.

The New York Post (March 9, 2025) reports a near-disaster on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. High winds sent a wooden board flying from a pickup truck into David Deng’s windshield. Dashcam footage shows the board shattering glass across Deng and his family. Deng told the outlet, "I was in complete shock," and described glass covering their clothes and seats. The truck driver had stopped earlier, apparently trying to secure the load. The incident highlights the risk of unsecured cargo on city bridges. No police report was filed at the time. The event underscores the persistent threat loose debris poses to all road users.

• Loose Board Smashes Car Windshield On Bridge, New York Post, Published 2025-03-09

Mar 8 - Two sedans collided on Staten Island Expressway. Rear car struck the lead. A 51-year-old woman suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite following too closely. One driver hurt. Metal and pain on the highway.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on the Staten Island Expressway at 15:18. The rear sedan hit the right rear bumper of the lead car. A 51-year-old female driver was injured with neck pain and whiplash but stayed conscious. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the main cause. Both drivers were licensed and headed west. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim actions appear in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797521 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Mar 6 - Assemblymember Tannousis moves to kill congestion pricing. The bill calls for an MTA audit and board shakeup. No mention of street safety. Vulnerable road users left exposed.

Bill A 6680 was introduced in the Assembly on March 6, 2025, sponsored by Michael Tannousis (District 64). The bill seeks to repeal congestion pricing, expand the MTA board, and require a forensic audit. The matter title reads: 'Relates to repealing congestion pricing (Part A); commissioning an independent audit of the metropolitan transportation authority (Part B); and conducting an environmental impact study (Part C).' The bill is at the sponsorship stage. Tannousis leads the charge against congestion pricing, a move that could increase car traffic and danger for pedestrians and cyclists. No safety analysis was provided.

• File A 6680, Open States, Published 2025-03-06

Feb 14 - SUV struck a 58-year-old man crossing Tillman Street. The man suffered a head abrasion. Driver’s view was blocked. Impact hit the right front bumper. The street stayed dangerous. The man stayed conscious.

According to the police report, a 58-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Tillman Street. He was struck by an eastbound Ford SUV. The impact hit the right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion and remained conscious. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, showing the driver’s limited visibility played a key role. No other driver errors were cited. The crash happened away from an intersection. The SUV was going straight. No vehicle damage was reported. The report centers the danger of blocked views for people crossing outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792962 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

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 11 - Senator Lanza pushes S 4705 to kill congestion pricing. Streets risk more cars, more chaos. Vulnerable New Yorkers face louder, deadlier roads. The city’s shield cracks.

Senate bill S 4705, sponsored by Andrew J. Lanza (District 24), seeks to repeal congestion pricing. The bill, introduced on February 11, 2025, is at the sponsorship stage. The measure’s title is blunt: 'Repeals congestion pricing.' Lanza’s move would scrap a system designed to cut car traffic and crashes. No safety analyst has weighed in, but repealing congestion pricing means more cars, more risk, and more danger for people on foot and bike. The bill’s progress threatens hard-won protections for New York’s most vulnerable.

• File S 4705, Open States, Published 2025-02-11