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

A 28-year-old cyclist crashed into the rear of a parked Toyota on Forest Avenue. Ejected, his head struck pavement. Blood pooled as he lay conscious, staring skyward. The police report cites driver inexperience. No helmet was worn.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old man riding a bike on Forest Avenue near Brighton Avenue collided with the rear of a parked Toyota sedan. The cyclist was ejected from his bike, suffering a severe head injury with heavy bleeding. The report states the cyclist was conscious at the scene. 'Driver Inexperience' is listed as the primary contributing factor in the crash. The narrative details, 'Head split open on the pavement. Blood pooled. He lay conscious, staring up at the sky.' The report also notes that the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned after the driver error. The sedan was parked and unoccupied at the time of the collision. The incident underscores the dangers present when inexperience meets the unforgiving city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734245, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Senate Bill S 9718 passed. It pushes for complete street design. The aim: safer roads for everyone. Pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers stand to gain. The vote split. Some senators said no. But the bill moved forward. Streets may change.

Senate Bill S 9718, titled "Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles," advanced through the Senate with committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) and co-sponsored by Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, passed both votes despite opposition. The measure calls for redesigning streets to protect all users, not just drivers. The vote was not unanimous—several senators voted no, but the majority carried it through. The bill’s focus is clear: safer streets for people on foot, on bikes, and in vehicles. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is to cut danger at the curb and crosswalk.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

Steel met skull on Dogwood Drive. An SUV turned left, driver failing to yield. A 69-year-old woman crossing was struck, blood pooling on the pavement. Head trauma left her conscious but bleeding, the danger of inattention and right-of-way violations made plain.

A 69-year-old woman was seriously injured when an SUV making a left turn on Dogwood Drive near Yucca Drive struck her as she crossed the intersection. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way and was inattentive or distracted at the time of the crash. The report states, 'Steel struck skull. She dropped, blood pooling on the pavement. The driver did not yield.' The pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious. The contributing factors listed in the police report are 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The report notes the pedestrian was 'crossing without a signal,' but this is mentioned only after the driver’s errors. The impact occurred at the center front end of the SUV, underscoring the lethal consequences when drivers disregard right-of-way and fail to watch for people crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725579, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A young rider lost control on Richmond Avenue. His Yamaha struck head-on. Thrown from the seat, his helmet split. Head trauma ended his life before help arrived. The road fell silent, marked by speed and inexperience.

A 25-year-old man riding a Yamaha motorcycle was killed on Richmond Avenue after losing control at speed, according to the police report. The report states the motorcycle struck head-on, ejecting the rider from the seat. He was wearing a helmet, which cracked upon impact. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors in the crash. The victim suffered fatal head trauma and died before emergency services could arrive. No other vehicles or persons were involved, and the report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of inexperience and excessive speed, as documented in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709149, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 72-year-old woman drove her SUV west on Jewett Avenue. Something struck. Her chest bore the brunt. Belted in, awake, she waited in the dark, pain blooming, silence thick. The night pressed in, the street held its secrets.

According to the police report, a 72-year-old woman was driving her 2021 Mazda SUV westbound on Jewett Avenue near College Avenue in Staten Island. The report states she was the sole occupant, traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred. The narrative details, 'Something hit. Her chest crushed. Belted in, awake, she waited in silence while the night held its breath.' The police report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor, indicating a vehicle-related error played a role in the crash. The driver suffered chest injuries described as 'crush injuries' and was conscious at the scene. No mention is made of pedestrian or cyclist involvement, and no victim behavior is cited as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the circumstances and the vehicle-related factors that led to the driver’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708047, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Dodge pickup tore down Joline Avenue. Speed ruled. The truck struck hard. Airbags exploded. A 69-year-old man, alone behind the wheel, died with deep lacerations. The road fell silent. The truck, battered, sat still in the morning light.

According to the police report, a Dodge pickup truck was traveling south on Joline Avenue near Joline Lane when it crashed. The report states the vehicle was moving at an unsafe speed. The impact was severe: the airbag deployed, and the 69-year-old male driver, who was alone in the vehicle, suffered fatal lacerations across his body. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in this crash. The narrative describes the truck striking hard and coming to a stop, with the road falling silent in the aftermath. No other vehicles or individuals were involved. The focus remains on the danger of excessive speed, as cited in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707191, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Yamaha motorcycle crashed into the rear of a Jeep on the Staten Island Expressway. The rider, 30, helmeted, was thrown from the bike. He struck his head and lay unconscious. The road was silent. The night pressed in.

A violent collision unfolded on the Staten Island Expressway when a Yamaha motorcycle struck the back of a Jeep, according to the police report. The 30-year-old motorcycle rider, helmeted, was ejected from his bike and rendered unconscious after his head hit the pavement. The report details that the crash occurred as both vehicles traveled straight ahead. The impact left the rider with severe head injuries, described as 'crush injuries' in the report. Police note the rider was 'ejected' and 'unconscious' at the scene. The contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified' in the official data, and no driver errors are explicitly cited. The report confirms the rider wore a helmet but does not attribute any victim behavior as a cause. The focus remains on the violent impact and the vulnerability of those on two wheels amid larger vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706979, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Volvo sedan plowed into an SUV’s rear on Vanduzer Street. The sedan’s front collapsed. A 78-year-old woman behind the wheel died, crushed in her seat. Metal twisted. No seatbelt. The street fell silent as another life ended in steel.

According to the police report, a 1998 Volvo sedan rear-ended a 2017 SUV on Vanduzer Street near Baring Place in Staten Island at 9:28 a.m. The sedan’s front end struck the SUV’s center back, folding the smaller car’s front. The driver of the Volvo, a 78-year-old woman, was killed. She was not wearing a seatbelt and suffered fatal crush injuries. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor, indicating a driver-related error but does not specify further. The SUV was traveling straight ahead with two occupants; the Volvo was also moving straight before impact. The police narrative describes the crash as a violent collision that left the sedan’s driver dead at the scene. No contributing factors are attributed to the SUV or its occupants. The focus remains on the deadly force of the rear-end impact and the systemic danger posed by such collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706229, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Mercedes SUV struck a 61-year-old man crossing Capodanno Boulevard. Head trauma, internal bleeding, death in the cold dark. Police cite driver inattention. The street offered no crosswalk, no light, only danger and silence.

A 61-year-old man was killed while crossing Capodanno Boulevard near Lincoln Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, the man stepped into the street where there was 'no light, no crosswalk.' A northbound Mercedes SUV struck him head-on. The pedestrian suffered head trauma and internal bleeding and died at the scene. The police report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor in the crash. The SUV's point of impact was the center front end, consistent with a direct collision. The report notes the pedestrian was 'crossing, no signal, or crosswalk,' but lists driver inattention as the primary cause. The deadly outcome unfolded on a street lacking basic pedestrian infrastructure, with driver error at its core.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693584, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man rode north on the West Shore Expressway. He lost consciousness. The Harley surged forward. He flew from the bike, helmeted. His body struck the ground. Head trauma. Internal bleeding. He died alone beneath the Staten Island sky.

A 53-year-old man was killed while riding a Harley northbound on the West Shore Expressway. According to the police report, he lost consciousness and was ejected from the motorcycle. The report lists 'Illness' and 'Lost Consciousness' as contributing factors. The rider wore a helmet, but suffered fatal head trauma and internal injuries. No other vehicles or people were involved. The crash left one dead, a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those on two wheels.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4684468, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans slammed head-on on Richmond Avenue near midnight. Steel twisted. A 63-year-old man, strapped in, took the blow to his chest. Lights flashed. The street fell silent. Emergency crews rushed in. The driver was left with crush injuries.

A violent head-on crash between two sedans struck Richmond Avenue just before midnight. One driver, a 63-year-old man, suffered chest injuries and crush trauma. According to the police report, 'two sedans hit head-on just before midnight. Steel screamed. A 63-year-old man, strapped in his seat, took the blow to his chest.' The data lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The injured man was wearing a lap belt at the time of the crash. No other injuries are detailed in the report. The impact left the street in shock, with emergency lights cutting through the dark. The cause remains under investigation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683729, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan hit a 19-year-old man walking with traffic. His head bled on the pavement near a parked dump truck. The car’s front end crumpled. He lay still. The street fell silent. Impact left him unconscious and bleeding.

A 19-year-old pedestrian was struck by a sedan while walking with traffic on Richmond Road near Baltic Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, 'A sedan struck him head-on. His head bled on the pavement beside a parked dump truck. The car’s front end crumpled. He lay still.' The young man suffered a head injury with severe bleeding and was found unconscious. The police report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as a contributing factor in the crash. No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield are noted in the data. The dump truck was parked and not involved in the movement. The crash left one vulnerable road user gravely hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4681109, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pickup turned left on Arthur Kill Road. A cyclist rode straight. The truck’s bumper caught him. He flew, hit the pavement, torn and bleeding. He stayed conscious, hurt all over. The truck kept turning. The road stayed silent.

A pickup truck making a left turn struck a cyclist riding straight on Arthur Kill Road near 5266 in Staten Island. The cyclist, a 32-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and suffered severe lacerations to his entire body. According to the police report, 'A pickup turned left. A cyclist rode straight. The truck’s bumper caught him. He flew, hit pavement, torn and bleeding. Conscious. Hurt all over.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash. The cyclist was conscious after the impact. No helmet use or signaling is mentioned as a factor. The truck continued its turn as the injured cyclist lay on the road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677946, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An SUV hit an 82-year-old woman in a Forest Avenue crosswalk. She suffered head wounds. The driver did not stop. The woman died. Blood marked the street. The Nissan’s front end bore the impact. The city lost another pedestrian.

An 82-year-old woman was killed while crossing Forest Avenue near Bard Avenue. According to the police report, the SUV struck her head-on in the crosswalk, causing fatal head injuries and internal bleeding. The driver did not stop after the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The Nissan SUV’s center front end showed damage from the impact. The woman never regained consciousness. No other contributing factors were cited in the report. The crash marks another deadly toll for pedestrians on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673459, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

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

A Toyota turned left on Forest Avenue. A Ford came straight. Metal crashed. Glass burst. The Toyota driver, a 26-year-old woman, bled from the head. Her view was blocked. Alcohol lingered. Both cars crumpled. Time stopped.

A crash unfolded at Forest Avenue and Decker Avenue. According to the police report, a Toyota sedan turned left while a Ford SUV drove straight. The two vehicles collided, shattering glass and crumpling metal. The 26-year-old woman driving the Toyota suffered severe head lacerations. Police noted her view was obstructed and alcohol was involved. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Alcohol Involvement' as contributing factors. Driver inattention and distraction also played a role. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left both vehicles damaged and the Toyota driver injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654934, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan turned right on Tynan Street. Aggression behind the wheel. A 20-year-old woman, outside the crosswalk, hit hard. Blood on the doors. Her body torn, pain raw. She stayed conscious. The street paid for the driver’s rage.

A sedan making a right turn on Tynan Street near Woodrow Road struck a 20-year-old woman who was outside the crosswalk. According to the police report, 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' was a contributing factor. The young woman suffered severe lacerations to her entire body and remained conscious at the scene. The impact left blood on the vehicle’s right side doors. The police report lists no contributing factors for the pedestrian. The crash highlights the danger posed by aggressive driving. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649956, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pickup and motorcycle collided on West Shore Expressway. The rider was thrown, limbs severed, helmet on. The truck kept moving. The pavement burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. Improper lane usage led to deadly impact.

A 33-year-old motorcyclist died after a violent crash with a pickup truck on West Shore Expressway. According to the police report, both vehicles were changing lanes when the motorcycle struck the pickup mid-maneuver. The rider was ejected, suffering fatal injuries and limb amputation, with his helmet still on. The pavement burned as the truck continued moving. The police report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. No other injuries were reported. The data does not specify which driver committed the improper lane usage, but the systemic danger of lane changes at speed is clear. The helmet is mentioned only as a detail; driver error remains the focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643195, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan crashes head-on into an MTA bus on Victory Boulevard. Glass scatters. A 14-year-old boy in the back seat bleeds from the head. He stays conscious. Sirens cut the morning. Driver inattention and inexperience mark the scene.

A sedan collided head-on with an MTA bus on Victory Boulevard near Forest Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, a 14-year-old boy riding in the left rear seat of the sedan suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The crash occurred at 4:27 a.m. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The sedan struck the bus's left rear bumper, causing significant front-end damage. No injuries were reported among bus occupants. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The crash underscores the risks posed by driver error and distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640018, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Dodge pickup turned left on Seguin Avenue. The driver failed to yield. A 62-year-old man crossed in the crosswalk. The truck hit him. Bones broke. Blood spilled. The man died on the street. The driver fled.

A 62-year-old man was killed while crossing Seguin Avenue near Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island. According to the police report, a 2006 Dodge pickup truck made a left turn and failed to yield the right-of-way. The truck struck the pedestrian in the crosswalk. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The man suffered fatal injuries to his entire body. The driver did not remain at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The crash shows the deadly risk when drivers ignore traffic laws at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4624352, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15