South Ozone Park, Queens, September 23, 2025
News Summary
A construction flagger directing traffic in a marked safety zone on the Nassau Expressway was struck and killed when a vehicle entered the work area at high speed. First responders pronounced the worker dead at the scene; the driver initially fled but was located about a mile away, arrested and charged with homicide-related counts and leaving the scene. Officials say the victim wore required protective gear and stress the importance of slowing down and obeying work zone controls. The report also covers a lender expanding non-recourse construction loans and Central New York roadwork and detour updates.
Construction worker killed in Queens; separate industry and roadwork updates follow
A construction flagger was killed during a morning traffic incident on Sept. 19, 2025, in South Ozone Park, Queens. The worker was struck on the Nassau Expressway near the Van Wyck Expressway while standing in a marked safety zone and directing traffic. A 25-year-old driver was arrested at the scene and charged with multiple counts, including a homicide-related charge, after prosecutors said the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed in a posted 25 mph work zone.
Key facts of the Queens incident
The victim was identified as a 44-year-old construction flagger from the Bronx who was covering a co-worker’s shift. She was wearing required protective gear and holding a stop/slow sign in a clearly marked construction area. First responders pronounced her dead at the scene. Officials say the driver struck traffic drums, then the flagger, throwing the worker a long distance before stopping. The driver initially left the scene and was found about one mile away. He was taken to a hospital in stable condition for treatment of injuries and later arraigned in criminal court, where he was ordered held on bond. Prosecutors say the driver had a history of license suspensions and is facing charges that include manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatality. Investigators and state officials urged the public to slow down and respect work zones.
Why this matters to construction crews and drivers
The death highlights the risks workers face at roadside jobs and the continuing importance of traffic control devices, marked safety zones, and public compliance with reduced speed limits and detours. State transportation officials emphasized that crews regularly work in close proximity to fast-moving traffic and called for drivers to move over, slow down, and pay attention when signs and cones indicate a work area.
Trinity Street Capital Partners expands non-recourse construction lending
On Sept. 23, 2025, a national real estate finance company announced an expansion of its construction lending program to offer non‑recourse construction loans for experienced owners and investors. The program covers loans from $25 million to $250 million and targets projects in the top 200 Metropolitan Statistical Areas across the United States.
Program details that matter to developers
- Property types covered: multifamily, industrial, self-storage and retail initially, with office and hospitality mentioned as covered categories under different terms.
- Loan-to-cost limits: up to 85% of cost for multifamily, industrial and self-storage; up to 65% of cost for office, retail and hospitality.
- Interest and permanent finance: construction lending rates start at 30‑day LIBOR + 2.50%. The firm’s permanent program originates loans starting at 10‑year U.S. Treasury + 150 basis points and can finance up to 75% of value.
- Capital and structure: focus on non-recourse, high-leverage senior and subordinate debt and preferred equity; investments generally start at $10 million for income-producing, anchored commercial property types.
- Combined product strategy: the firm reports winning deals by packaging non-recourse construction loans with bridge and permanent financing to support project lifecycle needs.
Company materials note the program gained traction amid cautious bank lending and uneven market conditions. The release referenced recent macroeconomic moves that industry participants watch closely, and it named the company’s website as a resource for more details.
Central New York roadwork update and travel impacts
The New York State Department of Transportation published a weekly operations update for the Central New York region, warning drivers that orange cones and detour signs would be widespread over the course of the last week of August and advising motorists to expect lanes closures and occasional full road shutdowns beginning Sept. 22, 2025. The update lists dozens of projects across Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery counties.
Selected lane closures and detours to plan for
- Utica: I‑90 bridge over North Genesee Street under rehabilitation; southbound drivers routed north on Genesee, then Riverside Drive, then back south.
- Boonville: lane closures and flaggers on Route 12D, Route 294, Route 46 and Schuyler Street for striping and finishing work at Route 12/12D.
- Clinton: lane shifts on Route 12B and Route 412 for curb, sidewalk and drainage work; long-term shifts near McDonald’s and over Oriskany Creek.
- New Hartford (Town): Middle Settlement Road between Route 12B and Route 5 has lane shifts and closures for culvert replacement.
- Rome, Verona, Whitesboro and others: a range of shoulder closures, conduit work, temporary signals, culvert replacements and detours affecting Route 49, Route 69, Route 365, Erie Boulevard and other local arteries.
Other notices include full closures on several village streets for sewer and sidewalk work, rolling shoulder closures for bridge painting, and scheduled ramp closures. Travelers were urged to bookmark 511NY.org for live updates and detailed detour maps.
What to watch next
The region can expect continued lane restrictions and short-term closures as infrastructure and utility projects proceed. On the legal and safety front, the Queens fatality case will move through criminal proceedings, and state agencies say they will continue outreach aimed at improving worker safety at roadside projects.
FAQ
What happened in the Queens work zone?
A flagger directing traffic in a marked construction zone on the Nassau Expressway was struck and killed by a vehicle. The driver was arrested and faces criminal charges including a manslaughter-related count and other traffic and criminal charges.
Who was the victim and what was she doing?
The victim was a 44-year-old construction flagger covering a shift while wearing required safety gear and holding a stop/slow sign inside a marked safety zone.
What are the key features of the non-recourse construction lending program?
The program provides loans sized $25 million to $250 million for experienced owners and investors, targets the top 200 MSAs, offers high loan-to-cost levels for certain property types, and pairs construction financing with bridge and permanent options.
Where can drivers get live roadwork updates in New York State?
The state transportation department recommends using 511NY.org for the latest lane closure, detour and project information.
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Key facts at a glance
| Topic | Key points |
|---|---|
| Queens fatal crash | Flagger killed Sept. 19, 2025 on Nassau Expressway; driver arrested and charged; victim was wearing required safety gear; prosecutors say the car was speeding in a 25 mph work zone. |
| Construction lending | Expanded non-recourse loans from $25M–$250M; LTC up to 85% for multifamily/industrial/self-storage, up to 65% for office/retail/hospitality; rates start at 30‑day LIBOR + 2.50%; permanent loans from 10‑yr Treasury + 150 bps. |
| Central NY roadwork | Wide range of lane closures, detours and full closures across Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery counties; detailed updates available at 511NY.org. |
| Safety takeaways | Respect work zones, obey posted speeds, follow detours and look for flaggers and temporary traffic control devices. |
For more technical or financing details related to the lending program, consult the lender’s published materials and website at www.trinitystreetcp.com. For live travel and detour information in New York State, visit 511NY.org.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- ABC7NY: Driver charged in Queens work-zone killing
- Wikipedia: Nassau Expressway
- amNewYork: Hit-and-run driver arraigned in Queens
- Google Search: Queens work zone hit-and-run 2025
- Construction Equipment: Video — New York construction worker killed in hit-and-run
- Google Scholar: work zone flagger struck / work zone safety
- CNY News: Central New York construction — September W4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New York State Department of Transportation
- Newsday: NY scaffold law & affordability (editorial)
- Google News: NY scaffold law affordability construction
Author: Construction FL News
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