Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Carnage

Pedestrian Struck and Killed on Dangerous Staten Island Arterial; No Charges

The crosswalk does not apparently have a “walk” signal on the west side of South Avenue. Photo: Google

A senior citizen was run over and killed by the driver of a Ford van on Monday afternoon at a notorious Staten Island intersection, but the driver was not charged, said the NYPD.

According to cops, Yingqui Liu, 73, was crossing South Avenue at around 3 p.m. when the driver, whose name was not released, slammed into him as he turned left from Forest Avenue. A Google image taken just one month ago shows that the intersection in which Liu walked did not have a proper pedestrian signal on the western side of the crosswalk.

Forest Avenue is a dangerous roadway. In just one year, there have been 60 reported crashes in the short stretch between Willow Road and South Street, injuring 33 people, including two cyclists and eight pedestrians, according to city statistics. Three people have been killed on Forest Avenue since 2019, according to Transportation Alternatives. There have been no roadway improvements west of Morningstar Road.

“We are heartbroken and outraged that yet another senior pedestrian was killed by a driver," said Rose Uscianowski, the group's Staten Island and South Brooklyn organizer. "Crossing the street should not be a death sentence. Yingqui Liu should be alive today. We need city officials to build safe pedestrian and bike access between the Bayonne and Goethals bridges to slow down drivers and protect everybody on our roads. Traffic violence is preventable — we need our leaders to take action now to keep all New Yorkers, especially the most vulnerable, safe.”

At least 99 pedestrians have been killed on New York City streets this year, according to the Department of Transportation, which provided statistics through Nov. 20:. It is the second bloodiest year since Vision Zero began in 2014.

Forty-two New Yorkers 65 and older have been killed in traffic crashes this year — and three-quarters were pedestrians.

Chart: DOT
Chart: DOT
Chart: DOT

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

DOT Reveals Transformational Plan For Flatbush Ave. — But Needs To Get The Details Right

The bus-first transformation is an ambitious project that could speed buses by 20 percent while also calming the roadway's notorious traffic. But it's not perfect.

August 4, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: We’re Living Rent Free in Mayor Adams’s Brain Edition

Mayor Adams doesn't want you talking about his record on bike lanes. Plus more news.

August 4, 2025

Here’s A Bus Rapid Transit Plan For New York … If the City Cares

It sure beats the current method of guessing or simply basing the route on how strongly a given neighborhood opposes or supports it.

August 1, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Water Here, Water There Edition

Blame Father Time, not Mother Nature for Thursday's subway meltdown. Plus more news.

August 1, 2025

Komanoff: Data Show Time Loss from 15 MPH E-Bike Speed Cap is No Big Deal

A 15-mile-per-hour speed limit for motorized two-wheel devices — which e-bikes are — is eminently reasonable. And it doesn't cost much time at all, our columnist found.

August 1, 2025

Cities Matter More Than Ever After Trump Officially Denies Climate Change

We're entering a new era of federal climate denial, and it's time to use a different set of tools (like congestion pricing) to fight back.

July 31, 2025
See all posts