No One is Safe on Staten Island—Lanza Lets the Bodies Pile Up

Sanitation crews crushed hundreds of mopeds and e-bikes on Staten Island. Smoke rose as batteries burned. Officials called it a crackdown on unregistered vehicles. A Citi Bike was smashed too. The mayor watched. No word on why it was there.

Gothamist reported on June 12, 2025, that New York City officials destroyed around 200 unregistered mopeds and e-bikes at a Staten Island sanitation facility. Mayor Eric Adams said over 100,000 'ghost vehicles' have been seized since 2022, including cars with fake or missing plates. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated, 'This morning is not just about crushing mopeds. It is about crushing the criminal activity and quality of life activities that come with them.' The crackdown targets vehicles often used by delivery workers but also linked by officials to traffic violations and other offenses. A Citi Bike was destroyed among the pile, though officials did not explain why. The event highlighted ongoing enforcement actions and raised questions about policy impacts on vulnerable road users.

• City Destroys Mopeds, E-Bikes En Masse, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-12

A sedan hit two 14-year-old boys riding an e-bike on Amboy Road. Both teens suffered leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The crash left the boys bleeding and shaken. Metal met flesh. The street stayed dangerous.

Two 14-year-old boys riding an e-bike were struck by a sedan on Amboy Road in Staten Island. According to the police report, both teens were injured, suffering severe lacerations and pain to their legs. The sedan’s right front bumper took the impact. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The report also notes 'View Obstructed/Limited.' No safety equipment was used by the teens, but this is mentioned only after the driver errors. The crash underscores the risks faced by young cyclists on city streets when drivers fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816783, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan hit a young woman crossing Richmond Valley Road. She walked with the signal. The car’s front end struck her face. Blood pooled on the street. Police cite failure to yield. The driver and a child were unhurt.

A 19-year-old woman was injured when a sedan struck her as she crossed Richmond Valley Road at Page Avenue. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the vehicle’s center front end hit her, causing severe bleeding to her face. The driver, a 19-year-old man, and a child passenger were not injured. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The pedestrian’s actions—crossing with the signal—are noted, but the report attributes the cause to the driver’s failure to yield. No other contributing factors are listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816039, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck reversed in the dark, crushing a man behind an Amazon warehouse. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital. He died. The driver stayed. Police investigate. The night swallowed another worker on Staten Island’s industrial edge.

According to amNY (April 10, 2025), a deadly crash occurred at 546 Gulf Ave., Staten Island, when a box truck backed up and struck 34-year-old Leony Salcedo-Chevalier, a pedestrian and Amazon subcontractor. The article states, “a 40-year-old man, while operating a box truck, backed the vehicle up at the location but wound up striking a pedestrian.” Both the driver and victim worked for Amazon subcontractors. The driver remained at the scene and has not been charged. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. The incident highlights risks in warehouse zones, especially during night operations, and raises questions about vehicle movement and worker safety protocols on industrial sites.

• Box Truck Backs Over Worker At Warehouse, amny, Published 2025-04-10

A box truck backed up in the darkness near 546 Gulf Avenue. A man, thirty-four, was crushed in the roadway. The truck showed no damage. The street fell quiet, the life lost in a moment of steel and silence.

According to the police report, a box truck was backing up near 546 Gulf Avenue when a thirty-four-year-old man was crushed in the roadway. The incident occurred at 22:58. The narrative states, 'A box truck backed up in the dark. The driver sat behind the wheel. A man, age thirty-four, was crushed in the roadway.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The report does not cite any actions by the pedestrian as contributing factors. The truck showed no damage, and the street was quiet after. The driver’s action—backing the truck—placed a vulnerable road user in fatal danger. No further details on systemic factors or environmental conditions are provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804882, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An SUV struck Chaosheng Wu as he crossed Hylan Blvd. He died at the hospital. The driver stayed. No charges. Police investigate. The street remains dangerous. Another life lost to traffic on Staten Island.

According to the NY Daily News (March 10, 2025), Chaosheng Wu, 80, was crossing Hylan Blvd. at Benton Ave. when a 2008 Ford Edge hit him at 9:25 a.m. Friday. The article states, “The 65-year-old driver stayed at the scene and was not charged, but police are still investigating the crash.” Wu was taken to Staten Island University Hospital North, where he died. The driver was heading north on Hylan Blvd. at the time. No charges have been filed. The incident highlights the ongoing risk for pedestrians on major Staten Island corridors. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing Hylan Blvd, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-10

A Jeep turned left on Victory Blvd as a moped passed west. Metal screamed. A 12-year-old boy clung outside, helmetless. He struck pavement hard, his leg split open. He lay semiconscious beside the crushed moped.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV was making a left turn near 2084 Victory Blvd while a moped traveled west, attempting to pass. The crash's contributing factor is listed as 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The report states: 'A Jeep turned left. A moped passed west. Metal screamed.' A 12-year-old boy, riding outside the moped without a helmet, was thrown to the pavement, suffering a severe leg laceration and lying semiconscious at the scene. The moped was described as 'crushed.' The report highlights driver errors—improper lane usage during passing and the Jeep's left turn—as the cause. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision's violence and injuries underscore the dangers posed by driver mistakes and systemic traffic risks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797622, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Steel tore on Victory Boulevard as a bus and a box truck slammed head-on. Four people, ages 23 to 66, were pulled from the wreckage, conscious but broken. Blood pooled, bones snapped, the street marked by violence and impact.

A violent head-on collision between a bus and a box truck on Victory Blvd near Canterbury Ave left four people injured, according to the police report. The crash occurred as both vehicles were 'going straight ahead' when they struck each other, their left front bumpers colliding. The police report lists 'Illnes' as a contributing factor. Four occupants—two drivers and two passengers, ages 23, 36, 52, and 66—suffered crush injuries to their legs and backs. All were conscious but badly hurt when pulled from the wreckage. The report details the scene: 'Steel screamed. Four people inside were crushed.' The data does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The police report does not specify further details about the nature of the illness or any other driver actions. The focus remains on the catastrophic impact and the systemic dangers of large vehicles colliding head-on.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792500, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A southbound bus struck a 49-year-old man at Otis Avenue near Hylan Boulevard. The man stayed conscious, bleeding hard from his arm. The bus rolled on, unmarked. Blood stained the intersection. The street bore witness.

A 49-year-old man was struck by a southbound bus at the intersection of Otis Avenue and Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island, according to the police report. The report states the bus hit the pedestrian at the intersection, causing severe bleeding from his arm. The man remained conscious at the scene. The bus continued without stopping, leaving the injured pedestrian behind. According to the police report, the point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the bus. The report lists 'Unspecified' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors, but does not cite any specific pedestrian behavior as a cause. The bus sustained no reported damage. The police narrative emphasizes the bus driver's failure to remain at the scene and the resulting injury to the pedestrian, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by those on foot in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786543, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Steel screamed on Hylan Blvd as a Toyota turned left and a Ford SUV came straight. Glass flew. A 75-year-old man, head bleeding, sat trapped behind the wheel. He was conscious but unable to move after the violent crash.

According to the police report, a Toyota sedan making a left turn on Hylan Blvd near Fieldway Ave collided with a Ford SUV traveling straight south. The report states, 'A Toyota turned left. A Ford came straight. Steel screamed. Glass flew.' The 75-year-old driver of the Toyota was trapped behind the wheel with severe head bleeding, conscious but immobile. The Ford SUV's driver was also injured, suffering chest contusions while restrained by a lap belt and harness. The contributing factor listed is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way,' indicating a critical driver error by the turning vehicle. Both vehicles were demolished at the point of impact, with the Toyota struck on the right side doors and the Ford at the center front end. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785735, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Mazda SUV turned left on Forest Avenue, its front end smashing into a 68-year-old man crossing in the marked walk. He fell, struck his head, and died alone in the cold morning. The driver failed to yield and paid no attention.

According to the police report, a 68-year-old man was crossing Forest Avenue at Raymond Place in the marked crosswalk when a Mazda SUV, traveling north and making a left turn, struck him with its center front end. The report states the pedestrian suffered a fatal head injury and died at the scene. The driver’s actions are cited as 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The narrative notes the man was crossing in the marked walk, emphasizing his lawful presence in the intersection. No contributing factors are listed for the pedestrian. The crash occurred in the early morning, leaving the victim unconscious and alone. The report centers the driver’s failure to yield and inattention as the primary causes of this fatal collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784160, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan tore down Goethals Road North, smashing into an SUV mid-turn. Steel twisted. A 30-year-old man took the impact headfirst, blood streaking the dash. He stayed conscious. The road stayed cold. Speed left its mark.

A violent crash unfolded on Goethals Road North near Western Avenue as a speeding sedan collided with a station wagon/SUV that was making a right turn, according to the police report. The report states, 'A speeding sedan slammed an SUV mid-turn. Steel crumpled.' The impact left a 30-year-old male occupant with severe head lacerations; he remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. The sedan was traveling straight ahead, while the SUV was turning, and the crash resulted in significant damage to both vehicles. The injured man was not wearing a seatbelt, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor to the crash itself. The focus remains on the excessive speed of the sedan, which led to the violent collision and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782462, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Staten Island cop drove drunk from a precinct party. Her car hit another, airbags burst, blood spilled. Three fellow officers rode with her. All face discipline. Two more NYPD drunk-driving arrests followed. System failed. Streets paid.

NY Daily News (2024-12-16) reports that NYPD Officer Diana Todaro was arrested for driving while intoxicated after crashing her car with three colleagues as passengers. The crash happened at Huguenot Ave. and Drumgoole Ave. West, Staten Island, after a precinct holiday party. Todaro admitted, "I had three or four drinks. My life is over." The impact triggered airbags and left her with a forehead gash. All three passengers, also officers, were placed on desk duty and may face charges for allowing Todaro to drive or being unfit for duty. The article notes this was one of three NYPD DWI arrests in four days, highlighting a pattern during holiday party season. The incident raises questions about internal discipline and the risks posed by impaired driving, even among law enforcement.

• NYPD Officers Crash After Holiday Party, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-16

An 84-year-old man was struck and killed by a southbound Buick on Amboy Road. The car hit him head-on. He died under Florida plates, the sky darkening, his body broken. Police cite driver inattention. The street claimed another life.

An 84-year-old pedestrian was killed on Amboy Road near Fisher Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, the man stepped into the street outside the crosswalk and was struck head-on by a southbound Buick sedan with Florida plates. The report states he died at the scene, his body broken as darkness fell. Police explicitly list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash, placing responsibility on the driver’s failure to notice the pedestrian. The vehicle’s point of impact was the center front end, confirming a direct collision. The report notes the pedestrian was 'crossing, no signal, or crosswalk,' but only after citing driver inattention. No additional victim behaviors are listed as contributing factors. The fatal crash underscores the deadly consequences of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778585, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan cut left on Arden Avenue. An e-bike rider kept straight. Metal struck flesh. Blood pooled. The young man’s face split wide. Streetlights flickered. No one yielded. Driver inattention and failure to yield carved pain into the night.

A violent collision unfolded on Arden Avenue near Stafford Avenue in Staten Island when a sedan, according to the police report, 'turned left' while an e-bike 'kept straight.' The crash left a 20-year-old male e-bike rider with severe lacerations to his face. The police report states the driver of the sedan failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive or distracted at the time of the crash. The report notes, 'No one yielded.' The e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, but helmet use is not listed as a contributing factor. The impact struck the right side doors of the sedan and the center front end of the e-bike. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of driver inattention and failure to yield, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776144, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Dodge pickup swung left on Hylan. A woman crossed in the marked lines. The truck’s bumper hit her head. She fell, silent and still. Internal wounds claimed her life. Staten Island pavement bore witness. No time for sirens.

A Dodge pickup truck turned left at Hylan Blvd and Jefferson Ave, striking a 57-year-old woman as she crossed in the marked crosswalk. According to the police report, the truck’s left front bumper hit her head, rendering her unconscious. She suffered internal injuries and died at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, highlighting the driver’s failure to observe the pedestrian in the crosswalk. The woman was crossing with no signal present, as noted in the report, but the primary fault cited is driver inattention. The collision occurred in broad daylight, and the pickup showed no damage. The deadly impact underscores the ongoing danger faced by pedestrians on Staten Island streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771158, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A school bus turned left on Slosson Avenue. Its blocked view met a 61-year-old man crossing with the light. The bus hit him head-on. Blood pooled on broken pavement. He stayed conscious, injured and bleeding, as the street bore witness.

According to the police report, a school bus traveling north on Slosson Avenue near Reon Avenue made a left turn and struck a 61-year-old man head-on. The pedestrian was crossing at the intersection with the signal when the collision occurred. The report states the driver’s view was obstructed or limited, and the pavement was defective. The pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The police report explicitly lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, highlighting the danger created by impaired visibility during the bus’s left turn. The pedestrian’s action—crossing with the signal—is noted only after the driver’s error, underscoring the systemic hazards faced by those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759155, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A red Ferrari tore down Drumgoole Road West. It hit hard, metal folding. The unlicensed driver, just twenty-nine, was ejected and died on the street. The car’s front shattered. The road, suddenly, was silent.

According to the police report, a red Ferrari convertible traveling on Drumgoole Road West near Watkins Avenue crashed violently. The sole occupant, a 29-year-old male driver, was ejected from the vehicle and killed. The report states the vehicle’s front quarter panel crumpled on impact, leaving the scene silent and grim. Police cite 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, and note the driver was unlicensed at the time of the crash. The report lists no other vehicles or people involved. The data highlights the danger posed by excessive speed and unlicensed operation, both explicitly documented as driver errors in the official report. No mention is made of victim behavior contributing to the crash. The facts remain: speed and lack of a valid license led to deadly consequences.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752930, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Yamaha motorcycle struck a turning Lexus on North Gannon Avenue. The unlicensed rider, helmeted, was ejected and left bleeding, body shattered. The sedan’s side caved in. Speed too high. Silence followed the scream. Staten Island’s roads bear the scars.

According to the police report, a Yamaha motorcycle traveling west on North Gannon Avenue collided with the left side doors of a Lexus sedan as it made a right turn near Mountainview Avenue. The report states the motorcycle was operated by an unlicensed male rider, age 35, who was wearing a helmet. The contributing factor listed is 'Unsafe Speed.' The narrative describes the rider being ejected from the motorcycle, suffering severe bleeding and injuries to his entire body. The sedan’s side was heavily damaged. The crash occurred at 18:23. The police report makes clear that excessive speed was a primary factor, with the motorcycle slamming into the turning vehicle. No contributing factors are attributed to the sedan driver. The report does not cite any victim behavior as contributing to the crash, focusing solely on speed and licensing violations.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747510, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Governor Hochul’s halt on congestion pricing guts $12 billion in MTA contracts. Thousands of jobs vanish. Local companies lose out. Lawmakers in affected districts stay silent or cheer. Trains and buses face deep cuts. Riders, workers, and streets pay the price.

On July 24, 2024, Governor Hochul’s official pause on congestion pricing triggered a $12 billion loss in MTA contracts, according to a Reinvent Albany report. The move slashes funding for the 2020-24 MTA capital plan, which was to be partly paid by congestion pricing. The report highlights that many companies losing contracts are in districts represented by lawmakers who either support the pause or have stayed silent. Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick called congestion pricing 'simply another tax' and demanded repeal. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow praised the pause, saying it allows time to address 'communities' concerns.' Frank Russo, president of Ozone Park Lumber, warned, 'You can't just say, 'We're not going to buy supplies and equipment.'' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany said, 'Congestion pricing is an economic booster.' The pause means less money for transit, fewer jobs, and more risk for vulnerable road users who rely on safe, reliable public transportation.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Will Cost Area Companies Billions, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24