One person was hospitalized after a van crashed into a pole at Veterans Memorial Triangle at the edge of the City Island Bridge. Now neighbors are begging for changes to street safety measures.
The FDNY says the crash happened just after 4 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Bridge Street and City Island Avenue. One person was sent to the hospital. Their condition is currently unknown.
News 12 cameras captured the downed light pole still sprawled across the war memorial a day later. The city’s Department of Transportation tells News 12 that any infrastructure impacted will be repaired or replaced.
Neighbors said the intersection is particularly dangerous.
“It’s not great, it’s like a bottleneck right here,” City Island resident Tom Raneri said.
“I’m not sure what the rush is to get over the bridge," Naima Priestly, a City Island resident, said, "but we have to slow down.”
Back in July, a cyclist was hospitalized with serious injuries after being hit by an SUV on the City Island Bridge.
Neighbors offered their own safety suggestions.
"Just have someone working the crosswalk here, and they could just ticket people who are driving improperly," Raneri said.
“I think there should be a stop sign here or something, or slow down 15 miles per hour,” City Island property owner Carlos Reyes said.
According to recent data from the City of New York, there have been at least three other nearby crashes since.