Blood on the Hills: Cars Kill, Leaders Look Away

Feb 4 - Eighteen lawmakers, including Joseph Borelli, sued to stop New York’s $15 congestion pricing. They claim the toll shifts pollution, burdens drivers, and fails communities with poor transit. The MTA defends the plan, saying it funds safer, less crowded streets.

On February 4, 2024, Council Member Joseph C. Borelli (District 51) joined seventeen other lawmakers in a federal lawsuit to block New York City’s $15 congestion pricing toll for Midtown Manhattan. The suit, supported by both Democrats and Republicans, argues the toll 'is a detriment to those that will be affected by this toll, environmentally and financially,' and claims it will shift traffic and pollution to other neighborhoods. Other plaintiffs include State Senators James Skoufis, Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, Iwen Chu, Monica Martinez, and Assemblymembers Aileen Gunther, Jamie Williams, and David Weprin. The MTA, backed by Governor Hochul, says the toll will raise $1 billion yearly for transit upgrades, promising safer, less congested streets and better transit for the majority who rely on public transportation. The case highlights the political and environmental battle over how to fund and shape New York’s streets.

• 18 NY lawmakers join suit to block $15 congestion toll, nypost.com, Published 2024-02-04

Feb 3 - Northbound sedan hit parked car on Woolley Avenue. Driver suffered arm and hand bruises. Police cite distraction. Airbag deployed. No one else hurt.

According to the police report, at 3:40 AM on Woolley Avenue in Staten Island, a 31-year-old man driving a 2015 Toyota sedan northbound struck a parked 2021 Hyundai sedan. The moving car hit the left side doors of the parked vehicle. The driver suffered contusions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The airbag deployed. He was conscious and not ejected. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. No other contributing factors or victim actions are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699831 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 9 - Senator Lanza pushes to kill congestion pricing. Streets may see more cars, more chaos. The bill strips a key tool for safer, calmer roads. Vulnerable New Yorkers face greater risk.

Senate Bill S 8149, sponsored by Andrew J. Lanza of District 24, seeks to repeal congestion pricing. Introduced on January 9, 2024, the bill is at the sponsorship stage. The measure's title is blunt: 'Repeals congestion pricing.' Lanza stands as the primary sponsor. If passed, this repeal would remove a policy designed to limit car traffic in crowded city streets. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the move threatens to flood roads with more vehicles, putting pedestrians and cyclists in harm’s way.

• File S 8149, Open States, Published 2024-01-09

Dec 9 - Sedan flipped on Manor Road. Female driver, 36, bruised hip and leg. Lap belt and harness held her. Crash followed reaction to another vehicle. No others hurt.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old woman driving a sedan overturned on Manor Road, Staten Island. She suffered contusions and bruises to her hip and upper leg. The report lists "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as the main contributing factor, showing her response to another vehicle led to the crash. The sedan struck its left side doors. No other people were injured. The driver was licensed, traveling straight ahead, and restrained by a lap belt and harness. No helmet or signaling issues were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4686645 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 20 - Two SUVs collided on Staten Island Expressway. Pavement was slick. A passenger took a hard hit to the shoulder. Metal twisted at the left doors and rear. Night, speed, and weather set the stage for pain.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles crashed on the Staten Island Expressway late at night. Both were traveling east. The impact struck the left side doors of one SUV and the rear center of the other. A 30-year-old female passenger suffered a shoulder and upper arm contusion. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists slippery pavement as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. Both drivers were licensed and moving straight ahead. The crash left damage on the left side doors and rear center of the vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673617 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 10 - An 84-year-old woman driving north on Todt Hill Road suffered head injuries. Her sedan struck an object on the right front quarter panel. She was semiconscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Illness contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, an 84-year-old female driver was injured in a crash on Todt Hill Road in Staten Island. The sedan she was driving sustained damage to the right front quarter panel. The driver was semiconscious and suffered head injuries, with internal complaints noted. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists illness as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating a medical condition impaired her driving. No other driver errors were cited. The vehicle was traveling straight ahead before impact. The crash highlights the dangers posed by sudden medical emergencies behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669297 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 2 - A motorcycle and a sedan crashed on Staten Island Expressway. The motorcycle driver, a 48-year-old man, suffered abrasions and full-body injuries. The crash involved failure to yield right-of-way. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound at impact.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on the Staten Island Expressway involving a motorcycle and a sedan, both traveling east. The motorcycle driver, a 48-year-old man wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to his entire body but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" and "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as contributing factors. The sedan, a 2023 Tesla, was impacted on its left front quarter panel, while the motorcycle was struck on its right rear quarter panel. The motorcycle driver was the sole occupant injured in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667372 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 23 - A 39-year-old woman was struck by a tow truck on Buchanan Avenue. She suffered a facial contusion but remained conscious. The crash involved aggressive driving. The truck showed no damage. The pedestrian was off intersection, injured in the roadway.

According to the police report, a tow truck struck a 39-year-old female pedestrian on Buchanan Avenue. The pedestrian was injured in the face and suffered a contusion but remained conscious. The report lists aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was performing other actions in the roadway when struck. The tow truck showed no damage, indicating the impact may have been limited or glancing. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The pedestrian was not wearing any safety equipment. This crash highlights the dangers posed by aggressive driving behaviors in areas where pedestrians are present.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666916 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 22 - Two vehicles crashed head-on near 335 Bradley Avenue. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries. Both drivers failed to keep right. The impact damaged the left front quarter panels of both vehicles. The sedan driver remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 2019 sedan traveling north and a 2022 SUV traveling south collided on Bradley Avenue. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver errors as 'Failure to Keep Right' for both vehicles and 'Passing Too Closely' for the sedan driver. Both vehicles sustained damage to their left front quarter panels. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted. The crash highlights driver errors that led to a head-on impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666933 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 22 - Port Authority will spend $8.3 million to study widening the Outerbridge Crossing. Critics warn more lanes mean more cars, not less congestion. Officials promise to consider a path for cyclists and pedestrians. The bridge remains dangerous for all who cross.

On September 22, 2023, the Port Authority approved an $8.3 million study to examine widening the Outerbridge Crossing, as required by a 2021 state law. The study, led by HDR, will look at expanding the bridge’s narrow lanes to meet federal standards and possibly adding more lanes. The matter summary states the goal is to 'relieve congestion and improve traffic flow.' State Senator Andrew Lanza pushed for the study, calling the bridge 'very narrow therefore very dangerous.' Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton acknowledged induced demand and said the study will consider all options, including a shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians. Former Traffic Commissioner Sam Schwartz opposed widening, urging investment in public transit instead. The study’s outcome could shape the future safety of vulnerable road users crossing between Staten Island and New Jersey.

• Madness: Port Authority Will Spend $8.3M to ‘Study’ Widening Outerbridge Crossing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-22

Sep 8 - Two sedans crashed at Harold Street. A 17-year-old female driver and a 17-year-old male passenger suffered head and neck injuries. Both wore lap belts. The collision caused whiplash and shock. Driver distraction was a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Harold Street. The 17-year-old female driver of the 2023 Hyundai was injured in the head and suffered whiplash. Her 17-year-old male front passenger also sustained neck injuries and whiplash. Both occupants wore lap belts and were not ejected. The 2007 Honda sedan, driven by an unlicensed male, struck the right side doors of the Hyundai with its left front bumper. The report lists Driver Inattention/Distraction as the contributing factor. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The crash caused center front end damage to the Honda and right front quarter panel damage to the Hyundai.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661041 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 27 - A 43-year-old man driving a sedan on Richmond Road lost consciousness. The vehicle struck an object with its left front bumper. The driver suffered a head injury and concussion. He was semiconscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old male driver traveling southeast on Richmond Road in Staten Island lost consciousness while driving. The sedan's left front bumper struck an object, causing damage. The driver was injured, sustaining a head injury and concussion. The report lists driver inattention or distraction and lost consciousness as contributing factors. The driver was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The crash highlights the dangers of driver incapacitation and distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663791 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 22 - A 45-year-old male driver suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries in a collision. The SUV struck the sedan’s left side doors as it made a left turn. Both vehicles traveled west. The sedan driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old male driver in a 2011 sedan was injured when a 2020 SUV made a left turn and struck the sedan’s left side doors. The sedan was traveling straight westbound, while the SUV was turning left westbound. The driver of the sedan sustained contusions and bruises to the shoulder and upper arm but was not ejected and remained conscious. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The sedan driver was restrained by a lap belt. The crash caused damage to the center front end of the sedan and the left side doors of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656332 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 28 - A taxi struck a stopped sedan from behind on Bradley Avenue. Two rear passengers in the sedan suffered whiplash injuries to neck and shoulder. The taxi driver was inattentive. Both injured passengers remained conscious and were not ejected.

According to the police report, a 2017 taxi traveling north on Bradley Avenue rear-ended a stopped 2008 sedan. The impact was at the center front end of the taxi and the center back end of the sedan. Two 26-year-old rear passengers in the sedan sustained whiplash injuries to the neck and upper arm. Both were conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor for the taxi driver. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The sedan driver was licensed in New York and stopped in traffic at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650565 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 18 - Two SUVs smashed on Rockland Avenue. Left front bumper hit left rear quarter. Driver and passenger hurt. Police cite improper lane use and distraction. Metal twisted. Bodies shaken.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Rockland Avenue in Staten Island. The left front bumper of a westbound Honda SUV struck the left rear quarter panel of an eastbound Kia SUV. The Kia’s driver and front passenger, both women, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police list "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as contributing factors. Both injured occupants were conscious and not ejected. No other factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647475 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 14 - Two sedans smashed on Forest Hill Road. One flipped making a left. Four women, ages 18 to 23, suffered bruises, back pain, facial wounds. All in shock. Police cite distraction and inexperience behind the wheel.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Forest Hill Road, Staten Island. One car overturned during a left turn, striking its roof. The other sedan, traveling straight, took front-end damage. Four women, ages 18 to 23, were injured. Injuries included back pain, bruises, facial wounds, and complaints of pain or nausea. All four experienced shock. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both vehicles, along with driver inexperience. Some occupants used lap belts, harnesses, and airbags. No one was ejected. The crash underscores driver distraction and inexperience as the main causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646139 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 8 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Jun 6 - Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Jun 1 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-06-01