Crash Count for SD 59
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 10,949
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 5,382
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 1,261
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 63
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 30
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 14, 2025
Carnage in SD 59
Killed 28
+13
Crush Injuries 15
Lower leg/foot 6
+1
Head 4
Whole body 2
Chest 1
Face 1
Lower arm/hand 1
Neck 1
Severe Bleeding 19
Head 13
+8
Lower leg/foot 3
Face 1
Neck 1
Whole body 1
Severe Lacerations 20
Head 10
+5
Face 3
Lower arm/hand 3
Whole body 3
Chest 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Concussion 32
Head 21
+16
Back 3
Lower leg/foot 2
Shoulder/upper arm 2
Whole body 2
Face 1
Hip/upper leg 1
Lower arm/hand 1
Whiplash 136
Neck 58
+53
Head 33
+28
Back 29
+24
Whole body 11
+6
Chest 7
+2
Shoulder/upper arm 6
+1
Lower leg/foot 3
Face 1
Lower arm/hand 1
Contusion/Bruise 313
Lower leg/foot 113
+108
Head 53
+48
Lower arm/hand 52
+47
Hip/upper leg 26
+21
Shoulder/upper arm 25
+20
Back 20
+15
Face 10
+5
Chest 6
+1
Neck 6
+1
Whole body 6
+1
Abdomen/pelvis 5
Abrasion 240
Lower leg/foot 93
+88
Lower arm/hand 61
+56
Head 25
+20
Face 21
+16
Shoulder/upper arm 17
+12
Whole body 14
+9
Back 5
Neck 3
Abdomen/pelvis 2
Chest 2
Hip/upper leg 2
Pain/Nausea 73
Neck 19
+14
Hip/upper leg 10
+5
Lower leg/foot 9
+4
Back 8
+3
Shoulder/upper arm 8
+3
Whole body 8
+3
Head 7
+2
Lower arm/hand 7
+2
Chest 3
Abdomen/pelvis 2
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 14, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in SD 59?

Preventable Speeding in SD 59 School Zones

(since 2022)

Caught Speeding Recently in SD 59

Vehicles – Caught Speeding in NYC (12 months)
  1. 2023 Gray Toyota Sedan (LFB3193) – 201 times • 1 in last 90d here
  2. 2013 Mazda Station Wagon (MKT6372) – 83 times • 1 in last 90d here
  3. 2024 Black Porsche Suburban (LRR6512) – 51 times • 1 in last 90d here
  4. Vehicle (440BE6) – 46 times • 3 in last 90d here
  5. 2025 Black Nissan Sedn (LWH2057) – 41 times • 1 in last 90d here
Right turn. Crosswalk. A life ends at 30th and 39th.

Right turn. Crosswalk. A life ends at 30th and 39th.

SD 59: Jan 1, 2022 - Sep 5, 2025

At 30 St and 39 Ave on Aug 31, a Ford SUV turned right and struck a 38‑year‑old woman in the marked crosswalk. She died. source

This was one of 23 people killed in Senate District 59 since 2022. Another 4,227 were hurt across 8,575 crashes. Forty‑six were seriously injured. source

This year isn’t easing. By early September, 8 people were killed, up from 2 over the same period last year — a 300% jump. source

This Week

  • Aug 31 (Astoria): A pedestrian was killed at 30 St and 39 Ave after a driver made a right turn. dataset
  • Aug 30 (FDR at E 36 St): An unlicensed driver speeding south in a Chevy sedan crashed; a 24‑year‑old passenger was badly cut. dataset
  • July 29 (2 Ave at E 15 St): A 65‑year‑old man on an e‑bike was hit by a Nissan SUV; he died. dataset

Street Promises, Court Fights

DOT says the 31st Street redesign in Astoria will make a deadly corridor safer. “We stand firmly behind this project and will defend our work in court,” the agency’s spokesman said. source Businesses sued to block it. The agency says it met with 52 businesses and folded in most feedback. source

The bodies on 30th, 31st, 34th Avenue say what happens when change stalls. The pedestrian at 39th Avenue. The cyclist killed at 34th Avenue and 37th Street last year. The numbers above. dataset

Slow Them Down

Albany advanced one tool for the worst drivers. The Senate’s Stop Super Speeders Act would require speed limiters for drivers who rack up violations; Sen. Kristen Gonzalez co‑sponsored it and voted yes. bill vote

NYC also has the power to set safer speeds. Use it. A 20 MPH default and speed limiters for repeat offenders are not theories — they are policies on the table. Read our background and script, then act. Take Action

Who’s On The Hook

Your State Senator is Kristen Gonzalez. Your Council Member is Julie Won. Your Assembly Member is Claire Valdez. Gonzalez backed the Astoria redesign and the speed‑limiter bill. Astoria plan bill

The woman in the crosswalk is gone. The path forward is not. Lower speeds. Lock in limiters for the worst. Then make the street safer so no one else has to cross it like that. Take Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened at 30 St and 39 Ave?
According to NYC’s crash database, on Aug 31 a 2020 Ford SUV making a right turn struck a 38‑year‑old woman who was crossing in a marked crosswalk at 30 St and 39 Ave. She was killed. source
How many people have been killed in SD 59 during the coverage window?
From Jan 1, 2022 to Sept 5, 2025, 23 people were killed, with 4,227 injured across 8,575 crashes. Forty‑six suffered serious injuries. source
Are deaths rising this year?
Yes. Year‑to‑date, 8 people were killed versus 2 at the same point last year — a 300% increase in this district. source
Who represents this area?
Senate District 59 is represented by State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez. The district overlaps Council District 26 (Julie Won) and Assembly District 37 (Claire Valdez).
What policies are on the table right now?
The Senate’s Stop Super Speeders Act would require intelligent speed assistance for repeat violators; Sen. Kristen Gonzalez co‑sponsored it and voted yes. The city can also lower default speed limits. bill Take Action
How were these numbers calculated?
We used NYC Open Data’s Motor Vehicle Collisions datasets (Crashes h9gi‑nx95, Persons f55k‑p6yu, Vehicles bm4k‑52h4). We filtered records to the coverage dates (2022‑01‑01 to 2025‑09‑05) and to Senate District 59. We then counted fatalities, injuries, serious injuries, and total crashes. Data was accessed Sept 5, 2025. You can explore the base datasets here.
What is CrashCount?
We’re a tool for helping hold local politicians and other actors accountable for their failure to protect you when you’re walking or cycling in NYC. We update our site constantly to provide you with up to date information on what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Citations

Citations

Fix the Problem

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez

District 59

Other Representatives

Assembly Member Claire Valdez

District 37

Council Member Julie Won

District 26

Other Geographies

SD 59 Senate District 59 sits in Queens, Precinct 108, District 26, AD 37.

It contains Greenpoint, Williamsburg, Stuyvesant Town-Peter Cooper Village, Gramercy, Murray Hill-Kips Bay, United Nations, Old Astoria-Hallets Point, Astoria (Central), Queensbridge-Ravenswood-Dutch Kills, Astoria Park, Long Island City-Hunters Point, Queens CB1, Manhattan CB6, Brooklyn CB1.

See also
State_assembly_districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Senate District 59

13
Tesla Hits E-Scooter Rider at Franklin and Milton

Jul 13 - A Tesla slammed into a woman on an e-scooter at Franklin and Milton. Blood spilled from her leg. Her helmet stayed on. The car’s bumper cracked. The street gave no room. She was left hurt, the city cold.

A Tesla sedan struck a 27-year-old woman riding an e-scooter at the corner of Franklin Street and Milton Street in Brooklyn. According to the police report, the woman suffered severe bleeding from her leg and remained conscious at the scene. The Tesla’s left front bumper was damaged. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The driver of the Tesla was a 37-year-old man. The e-scooter rider wore a helmet, which stayed on during the crash. The data shows no errors attributed to the e-scooter rider. The helmet is noted only after the driver’s failure to yield.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647860 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
12
Cyclist Strikes Woman on North 7th Street

Jul 12 - A cyclist rode east on North 7th. A woman stepped from behind a parked car. His front wheel hit her. She fell. Her head struck the pavement. Blood pooled. The cyclist kept riding. She lay still, unconscious.

A 66-year-old woman was struck by a man riding a bike on North 7th Street. According to the police report, the cyclist rode east as the woman stepped from behind a parked car. His front wheel hit her, causing her to fall and strike her head on the pavement. Blood pooled as she lay unconscious. The cyclist did not stop. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The woman suffered head injuries and was left motionless at the scene. No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction are specified in the data.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645388 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
30
Cyclist Ejected After Striking SUV on Vernon Boulevard

Jun 30 - Night on Vernon Boulevard. A woman on a bike hits an SUV’s side. She flies off, head bleeding, still conscious. Her wheel twists. The SUV’s door buckles. Darkness and confusion fill the street. The crash leaves scars and questions.

A 32-year-old woman riding north on Vernon Boulevard collided with the side of a station wagon/SUV near midnight. According to the police report, the cyclist was ejected from her bike and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. She remained conscious at the scene. The report notes, 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The SUV’s left side doors were crumpled by the impact, and the cyclist’s front wheel was twisted. The report also states the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the listed contributing factors. The crash unfolded in darkness, with limited visibility and confusion playing a role.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642535 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
21
Two Cyclists Collide on 1st Avenue Corner

Jun 21 - Two bikes met at the corner. Northbound. One rider, a woman, thrown hard. Head hit pavement. Blood pooled. She lay still, unconscious. Deep cuts marked her. Inattention ruled the crash. The street stayed hard. She did not rise.

Two cyclists collided at the corner of 1st Avenue and East 33rd Street in Manhattan. A 55-year-old woman was ejected from her bike, struck her head on the pavement, and was found unconscious with severe lacerations. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' caused the crash. The report notes the woman wore no helmet, but only after listing inattention as the cause. Both bikes traveled northbound. The street stayed hard, and she did not rise.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4641753 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
18
Taxi Strikes Woman at East 23rd and 1st

Jun 18 - A taxi hit a young woman crossing 1st Avenue before dawn. She fell, head bleeding, silent on the street. The cab rolled on, unmarked. The city paused. The crash left her unconscious, the asphalt cold beneath her.

A 24-year-old woman was struck by a northbound taxi at the corner of East 23rd Street and 1st Avenue in Manhattan at 3:20 a.m. According to the police report, she was crossing against the signal when the collision occurred. The impact left her unconscious with severe head bleeding. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are cited in the data. The taxi showed no visible damage. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The crash left the pedestrian gravely injured, the street silent in its aftermath.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4639826 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
16
E-Bike Rider Killed Under Box Truck on 1st Avenue

Jun 16 - A 22-year-old man rode his e-bike north on 1st Avenue. He struck the side of a box truck. The truck crushed him. He died in the street. The truck’s right side was dented. The crash left the cyclist broken and still.

A 22-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed on 1st Avenue near East 17th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the e-bike hit the side of a northbound box truck. The rider was ejected and crushed, suffering fatal injuries to his entire body. The truck’s right side doors were dented in the crash. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors are cited in the data. The report does not specify if the cyclist wore a helmet or used signals. The crash ended with the rider dead in the street, the truck continuing north.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638333 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
4
Speeding Sedan Kills E-Bike Rider at 3rd Avenue

Jun 4 - A sedan sped through the corner of East 21st and 3rd. It struck a 23-year-old man on an e-bike. His head was crushed. Blood pooled on the street. The car did not stop. Alcohol fueled the crash. The cyclist died at the scene.

A 23-year-old man riding an e-bike was struck and killed by a speeding sedan at the corner of East 21st Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A 23-year-old man on an e-bike was struck and killed by a speeding sedan. His head was crushed. Blood spread on the asphalt. The car kept moving. Alcohol was involved.' The crash involved a sedan traveling north and an e-bike stopped in traffic. The police report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The driver did not remain at the scene. The cyclist suffered fatal head injuries and died on the street.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634861 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
25
Cyclist Collides With Parked SUV on 28th

May 25 - A cyclist slammed into a parked SUV on East 28th. Metal shrieked. He flew, hit the pavement, blood streaking his arm. His hand split open. He lay conscious, torn, in the sun. The street stood silent, marked by pain and steel.

A 38-year-old cyclist crashed into a parked SUV on East 28th Street near Third Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the collision occurred at 11:10 a.m. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered severe lacerations to his arm and hand. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data, but this is mentioned only after the driver error. The SUV was parked at the time of the crash. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupant. The aftermath was blood, torn flesh, and twisted metal on a sunlit city street.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4632017 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
12
Distracted SUV Driver Kills Elderly Cyclist

May 12 - A 73-year-old man rode his e-bike down Monitor Street. A southbound SUV struck him head-on. He flew from the saddle, hit his head, and died. Both drivers were distracted. The SUV showed no damage. The street stayed quiet. The man did not.

A 73-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed on Monitor Street near Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn when a southbound SUV struck him. According to the police report, 'A 73-year-old man on an e-bike was struck by a southbound SUV. He flew from the saddle, hit his head, and died. Both drivers were distracted. The SUV bore no scars.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both the SUV and the e-bike. The cyclist suffered fatal head injuries and was ejected from his bike. The SUV sustained no damage. No other injuries were reported. The data lists no helmet for the cyclist, but only after the primary cause: driver distraction.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4628437 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
28
Speeding Driver Strikes Down Pedestrian on Jackson

Apr 28 - A car tore down Jackson Avenue. It hit a 58-year-old man crossing at 50th. The impact was head-on. He died on the street. The night was silent. The driver moved too fast. The man never rose.

A 58-year-old man was killed at the corner of Jackson Avenue and 50th Avenue. According to the police report, he was crossing the intersection when a car, traveling at unsafe speed, struck him head-on. The report states: "A car came fast, struck him head-on. He died there, alone on the asphalt." The contributing factor listed is "Unsafe Speed." The data shows the driver was going straight ahead and hit the pedestrian with the center front end of the vehicle. No other contributing factors are listed. The man suffered fatal head injuries. No information is provided about the driver or vehicle type.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4624213 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
20
Bus Hits E-Bike Head-On in Queens

Apr 20 - A bus struck an e-bike head-on near Jackson Avenue. The rider flew from his seat. His helmet landed on the street. His head struck hard. He died there. The lights blinked. The city moved on.

A bus collided head-on with an e-bike on Queens Boulevard near Jackson Avenue in Queens. The 43-year-old e-bike rider was ejected and killed. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as a contributing factor. The bus, traveling east, struck the e-bike, which was heading south. The rider's helmet came off in the crash. The report notes the rider suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. Other bus occupants were not seriously hurt. The crash underscores the deadly risk when drivers disregard traffic controls.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4623702 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
2
SUV Reverses, Crushes Pedestrian’s Leg in Queens

Apr 2 - A Honda SUV backed south on Astoria Boulevard. Steel met flesh. A 29-year-old woman walking was crushed in the leg. She stayed conscious. The driver backed unsafely. The street did not give.

A 29-year-old woman walking near 1-05 Astoria Boulevard in Queens was struck by a Honda SUV reversing southbound. According to the police report, the SUV backed unsafely, crushing her leg. The report states, “Backing Unsafely” was the contributing factor. The woman suffered crush injuries to her knee and lower leg but remained conscious. No damage was reported to the vehicle. The driver, a licensed 54-year-old man, was uninjured. The data lists no error or action by the pedestrian. This crash shows the danger when drivers reverse into shared space.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4617608 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
23
Van Strikes E-Scooter Rider on Kent Avenue

Mar 23 - A van hit an e-scooter on Kent Avenue near Metropolitan. The rider, a 61-year-old man, flew from his scooter. He wore a helmet. He landed head first. Blood pooled. He lay conscious, torn and still, morning quiet broken.

A van and an e-scooter collided on Kent Avenue near Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn. The crash left a 61-year-old man, riding the e-scooter, ejected and severely injured. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor in the crash. The man suffered head injuries and severe lacerations but remained conscious at the scene. The report notes he was wearing a helmet. The van struck the e-scooter as both vehicles traveled straight, the van northbound and the e-scooter eastbound. The impact was forceful, sending the rider head first onto the street.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4615630 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
14
Lexus Backs Into Elderly Woman Crossing

Mar 14 - A Lexus reversed on East 21st Street. It struck an 80-year-old woman crossing with the light. Her leg shattered. Her skin burned. She stayed conscious. The car was untouched. The woman was not.

An 80-year-old woman was crossing East 21st Street near 2nd Avenue with the signal when a Lexus sedan backed into her. According to the police report, 'A Lexus backed into an 80-year-old woman crossing with the light. Her leg shattered. Her skin burned. She stayed awake through it. The car was fine. She was not.' The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered severe injuries to her leg and burns but remained conscious. No damage was reported to the vehicle. The driver’s unsafe backing led directly to the crash.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4612935 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
11
E-Bike Rider Killed Striking Parked Trailer

Mar 11 - A 51-year-old man rode his e-bike down Kent Avenue. He struck a parked trailer. His head hit hard. He wore a helmet. He was crushed and thrown. He died alone in the dark. The street stayed silent.

A 51-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed after colliding with a parked trailer on Kent Avenue. According to the police report, the man 'hit a parked trailer. He wore a helmet. His head struck hard. He was crushed, half-thrown from the seat. He died alone in the dark.' The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor. The e-bike rider was unlicensed and partially ejected from his seat, suffering fatal head and crush injuries. The trailer was parked at the time of the crash and had no occupants. The police report notes the rider wore a helmet, but the primary factors remain the collision and the parked trailer.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4612822 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
19
Honda Sedan Tears Into Elderly Pedestrian

Feb 19 - A Honda sedan struck a 74-year-old man on FDR Drive. The car’s right front bumper ripped open his head. He stayed conscious. Blood pooled on the highway. The crash left the road raw and silent.

A 74-year-old man was hit by a southbound Honda sedan while walking with traffic on FDR Drive. According to the police report, 'A 74-year-old man walked with traffic on the highway. A southbound Honda struck him with its right front bumper. He stayed conscious. His head was torn open. The cuts ran deep.' The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to his head but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No specific driver errors are cited. No other injuries were reported among the car’s occupants. The impact and aftermath show the brutal risks pedestrians face on city highways.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4607427 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
10
Gonzalez Supports Safety Boosting State Participation in BQE Planning

Feb 10 - Eighteen Brooklyn officials demand state DOT address BQE’s full deadly stretch. They reject piecemeal fixes. They call out decades of harm. The state’s refusal leaves neighborhoods exposed. The city’s hands are tied. The highway’s danger remains. Vulnerable lives hang in the balance.

On February 10, 2023, eighteen Brooklyn lawmakers issued a joint letter demanding New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) participate in comprehensive planning for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The statement, prompted by a Streetsblog report, reads: "We ask that the NYS DOT remember the daily harms caused by the BQE in its current state—not just the crumbling cantilever section—and join us at the table in search of a solution." The group includes Reps. Nydia Velázquez, Dan Goldman, Borough President Antonio Reynoso, state Sens. Jabari Brisport, Julia Salazar, Kristen Gonzalez, Andrew Gounardes, Assembly Members Bobby Carroll, Maritza Davila, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Emily Gallagher, Jo Anne Simon, Marcela Mitaynes, and Council Members Alexa Avilés, Shahana Hanif, Crystal Hudson, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Lincoln Restler. Senator Gounardes called the state’s refusal to join the city’s visioning process “unacceptable and irresponsible.” The lawmakers stress that the BQE’s harms—crashes, pollution, division—stretch from Bay Ridge to Greenpoint. Without state action, only city-owned segments see attention. The city’s efforts are limited. The state’s inaction leaves systemic danger unaddressed.


30
S 3304 Gonzalez co-sponsors bill boosting cyclist safety with automated bike lane enforcement.

Jan 30 - Senate bill S 3304 aims to keep cars out of bike lanes. Photo devices would catch violators. Sponsors say it’s time to protect cyclists. The bill stands at the sponsorship stage.

Senate bill S 3304, sponsored by Brad Hoylman-Sigal with co-sponsors Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, Liz Krueger, and Julia Salazar, was introduced on January 30, 2023. The bill is in the sponsorship stage. It seeks to 'establish in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' The measure targets drivers who block bike lanes, aiming to keep space clear for cyclists. No safety analyst note is available. The bill has not yet advanced to committee or vote.


5
Concrete Mixer Turns, Cyclist Dies in Queens

Jan 5 - A concrete mixer turned right on 24th Avenue. Its bumper struck a 62-year-old woman on her bike. She flew from the saddle. She died on the cold street. Heavy steel met flesh. The city’s streets took another life.

A 62-year-old woman riding a bicycle east on 24th Avenue in Queens was killed when a concrete mixer truck turned right and struck her with its front bumper. According to the police report, 'A concrete mixer turned right. A 62-year-old woman pedaled east. The truck’s bumper struck her head. She flew from the bike. No helmet. No chance. She died alone on the cold street.' The crash data lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond the truck’s right turn. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this detail appears only after the sequence of impact. The collision underscores the deadly risk for cyclists sharing space with massive trucks on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4595961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
5
Gonzalez Blames Poor Street Design for Traffic Violence

Jan 5 - A cement truck driver turned right and struck a woman on a Citi Bike in Astoria. She died at the scene, less than a mile from home. This marks the fourth cyclist killed in the area in under three years. Streets remain deadly.

On January 5, 2023, a cement truck driver fatally struck 62-year-old Tamara Chuchi Kao as she rode a Citi Bike in Astoria, Queens. The driver turned right from 24th Avenue onto 29th Street, hitting Kao and killing her instantly. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani called the crash 'absolutely heartbreaking,' noting Kao was the fourth cyclist killed in Astoria in 2.5 years. State Senator Kristen Gonzalez blamed 'poorly designed streets,' saying, 'traffic violence is the outcome of poorly designed streets and is a solvable problem.' The area has almost no protected bike lanes. In 2022, Community Board 1 saw 1,979 crashes, injuring 120 cyclists and 163 pedestrians. Politicians and residents demand safer streets, better enforcement, and an end to car dominance. The deadly toll continues.