Queens Boulevard Driver Runs Stop Sign And Hits Cyclist: Video

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — A driver ran a stop sign and crashed into a cyclist riding along Queens Boulevard this week, then got off scot-free, the cyclist says.

Queens resident John Farrell was biking through Forest Hills on his way to work Wednesday when a driver blew through a stop sign at 68th Road and hit him as he tried to veer out of the driver's path, according to a video of the incident that has since gone viral on Twitter.

"I wasn't startled when she ran the stop sign," Farrell said in a phone interview Friday. "I was startled when she hit me anyway."

He called the police as the driver waited in her car, but when officers arrived they claimed there was nothing they could do because they didn't witness the crash, according to Farrell's retelling. They declined to look at his video capturing the crash, he said.

In a statement late Friday, an NYPD spokesperson said the commanding officer of the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills had reviewed the video and told his officers to prepare a summons for failure to yield.

"The NYPD is committed to Vision Zero and continues to promote the safety of drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists through raising awareness of rules and regulations, sharing safety tips, as well as enforcement initiative," the department said in an emailed statement.

The crash left Farrell bruised and street safety activists incensed. Farrell, who bought the GoPro camera that captured Wednesday's crash after another close call, normally bikes 20 miles from Oakland Gardens to Battery Park City to get to work each day.

But he hasn't been back on his bike since the crash.

"I'm a little anxious about it right now," he said. "I'm hoping I'll find my courage next week."

"Something as earnest and innocent as riding a bike can be this harrowing experience, and it's just normalized in New York City," he added.

Hey @NYCMayor, how's #VisionZero? My husband was struck by a vehicle that ran a stop sign. @NYPD112Pct officer said he couldn't issue a summons as he didn't witness it, but NYC AC 19-190 says he could have. 27 NYC cyclists dead in 2019, this behavior is why. @TransAlt @Gothamist pic.twitter.com/1C9p2Gek6A
— Jessica (@Thund3r_H4wk) November 8, 2019

This story has been updated to add a statement from the NYPD that a commanding officer had reviewed the video and directed officers to prepare a summons.