STATEN ISLAND TRAFFIC SOS: This story is part of a special series examining the state of safety, traffic and civility on borough streets.
>> Staten Island Traffic SOS complete series
***
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Too many lives have been lost. Too many families forever changed.
In recent years, traffic crashes on Staten Island have claimed loved ones from every corner of the borough — each death a tragedy, each one a reminder of how quickly life can end.
Since 2021, more than 55 lives have been lost on borough roads.
You can use the interactive map below to see where on Staten Island those fatal crashes have occurred.
These weren’t just statistics. They were neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family members — people who were simply going about their day. Some were walking to stay healthy. Others were heading to work, school, or dinner with loved ones.
Their lives ended not because of fate, but because of a moment on the road that went terribly wrong.
The most recent deaths occurred on Oct. 5, when siblings Joshua Mendez, 26, and Jose Pazos, 27, and friend Raymond Irizarry, 25, died in a single-car crash on the Staten Island Expressway.
Days before, on Oct. 1, Meiyun Chen, 66, of Charleston, was hit while walking in her neighborhood. She did not survive.
Whether behind the wheel, on foot, or on a bike, we all share the roads — and the responsibility to abide by the rules.
Every time we step outside, we take a risk. But that risk shouldn’t be so high.
Staten Island can — and must — do better.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.