Traffic issue fuels avenue safety concerns
Glen Cove Avenue is one of the main arteries running through the heart of Glen Cove. It’s a bustling, two-lane street lined with a mix of local businesses and residential areas. During peak hours, the avenue is often congested with a steady stream of cars, delivery trucks, and public buses. For 20 years, pedestrians and cyclists have traveled the road with caution.
On the evening of Aug. 20, Glen Cove resident Daniel Cruz, the youngest of five siblings, was involved in a fatal bicycle accident on Glen Cove Avenue. Cruz, riding a bicycle that belonged to his cousin, was traveling eastbound down a steep walkway behind a residential building when he entered traffic and collided with a 2004 Honda Accord driven by a 31-year-old man. Despite being rushed to Glen Cove Hospital, Cruz was pronounced dead at 9:29 p.m.
Detective Lt. John Nagle of the Glen Cove Police Department said in this instance, the driver couldn’t have prevented the collision.
“It just happened so spontaneously,” Nagle said. “He (Cruz) built up speed coming down that walkway, and it was really unavoidable.”
The tragic incident has sparked concerns among Glen Cove residents, many of whom have voiced their fears about the safety of the city’s roads, particularly Glen Cove Avenue, Brewster Street, and Forest Avenue. These roads are often described by locals as wide, fast-moving, and lacking in proper infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians.
“Making the areas that are shoulders clear, passable, and accessible helps so bicycles don’t have to swerve to avoid debris and potholes,” Morse said. She also pointed out that improving lighting and trimming back trees could make areas of low visibility safer for both cyclists and drivers.
The incident also resonated with residents living near the site of the accident. Daniele Jackson, who lives on the corner where Cruz was struck, recounted a separate, near-miss incident that occurred just two days prior, when a driver lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a tree.
“Everyone flies up and down this street, and since it’s on a hill, there are major blind spots,” Jackson said. “I’m even scared for my children to play on the side of the house. I am drafting a petition to either have a traffic light or maybe a speed camera here because there are too many children, bicyclists, pedestrians here, especially in this one spot to not have any traffic regulations.”
During a gathering after Cruz’s funeral on Aug. 24, his family and neighbors reflected on his death, saying they wished for more protective measures for the Kennedy Heights apartments. Aura Rivera said her mother doesn’t leave the complex as a pedestrian, instead, her mother opts to leave in a car because she feels unsafe traveling on the avenue.
Cruz’ sister, Zulma Chavez, said she hopes the city and county will recognize the pressing need for more safety measure for the area.
“My brother was an amazing person,” Chaves said. “He was someone you can ask anything of, and he would be kind to help you at any time. He was always there for my kids.”
A GoFundMe campaign was established online to help Cruz’ family. To donate, visit: gofund.me/867b3a38.
