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 news roundup: Queens flagger killed in hit‑and‑run; Trinity Street expands non‑recourse lending; NYSDOT posts Central New York roadwork
A construction flagger was killed in a hit‑and‑run on a Nassau Expressway ramp in Queens, a private real estate finance firm launched a larger non‑recourse construction lending program for major projects across the country, and the New York State Department of Transportation issued a wide regional work update that warns drivers to expect cones and detours in Central New York.
Deadly Queens crash closes a construction lane and prompts charges
A 44‑year‑old construction flagger was struck and killed on the morning of Sept. 19, 2025, while working a roadside traffic control assignment on an exit ramp of the Nassau Expressway near the Van Wyck Expressway in South Ozone Park, Queens. The worker was in a marked safety zone wearing required protective gear and holding a stop/slow paddle when a driver allegedly ran into traffic drums, then into the worker. First responders pronounced the worker dead at the scene.
Police arrested a 25‑year‑old local man and charged him with multiple crimes tied to the collision, including second‑degree manslaughter, second‑degree assault, leaving the scene of a fatality and reckless driving, among other counts. Court filings and reporting indicate investigators say the driver was traveling at a high rate of speed in a 25 mph zone, that he struck traffic control drums before hitting the worker, and that the worker was thrown a significant distance by the impact. The defendant was arraigned and ordered held on bond pending further hearings.
Prosecutors note the ramp where the incident occurred was an active construction zone with lane closures, traffic drums and signage in place. State transportation leadership and local prosecutors issued statements urging drivers to slow down and respect work zones, and offered condolences to the victim’s family, friends and coworkers. The worker was an experienced member of a local construction union with many years on the job and was covering a coworker’s shift at the time of the crash.
Trinity Street Capital Partners expands non‑recourse construction lending
Trinity Street Capital Partners announced on Sept. 23, 2025, it is expanding a construction lending program that offers non‑recourse construction loans to experienced owners and investors. The program provides loans ranging from $25 million to $250 million and will focus on projects across the top 200 metropolitan statistical areas in the United States.
The expansion targets major property types including multifamily, industrial, self‑storage and retail, with office and hospitality covered under different terms. For multifamily, industrial and self‑storage projects the program will allow loan‑to‑cost financing up to 85% of cost. Office, retail and hospitality projects will be eligible up to 65% of cost. Construction interest pricing starts at 30‑day LIBOR + 2.50%.
The firm said it is packaging the non‑recourse construction product with bridge and permanent finance to win larger deals. Its permanent lending program is originating loans with pricing that begins at 10‑year U.S. Treasury + 150 basis points, with permanent loans available up to 75% of value. Trinity Street also provides senior and subordinate mortgages and preferred equity, with typical investments starting at $10 million on income‑producing anchored retail, office, industrial, multifamily, manufactured housing communities and self‑storage nationwide. More on the firm and its programs is listed at www.trinitystreetcp.com.
In announcing the program, a company spokesperson said demand for non‑recourse construction options has been strong amid continued bank caution about overall economic conditions and concentrated exposure to some loan types. The release referenced recent pressure on central bank policy and a modest federal funds move, and noted long‑term Treasury yields have not fallen as much as some in real estate had hoped. The firm distributed its release through third‑party newswire services.
NYSDOT posts broad Central New York work schedule; drivers warned
The New York State Department of Transportation published a weekly construction and maintenance update covering Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery counties. The update warned drivers that orange cones and detour signs would be widespread over the course of the last week of August and that they should watch for lane closures and full road shutdowns starting Sept. 22, 2025.
Key project points and traffic impacts
- Utica: Rehabilitation work on the I‑90 bridge over North Genesee Street with a detour routing for southbound drivers downtown.
- Boonville: Lane closures and flaggers on Route 12D, Route 294, Route 46 and Schuyler Street for striping and finishing work.
- Clinton: Lane closures and long‑term lane shifts on Route 12B and Route 412 for curb, sidewalk and drainage work.
- New Hartford: Culvert replacement on Middle Settlement Road (Route 5B) and paving and curb work in the village with shoulder closures.
- Whitestown, Whitesboro, Verona and Rome: Multiple local lane closures and temporary signals for utility, conduit, sidewalk and culvert work tied to bridge and road projects.
- Frankfort and Ilion areas: Full closures and detours where needed for bridge, sewer and sidewalk work.
- Multiple towns across Herkimer, Montgomery and Oneida counties: Rolling shoulder closures, full lane shifts, temporary signals and short‑term detours for culvert replacements, bridge pier repairs, sewer work, painting and utility installations.
- Advisory: Motorists were directed to use a state travel info service for live updates and detailed detour maps.
What this means for construction managers and drivers
The combination of ongoing work in Central New York and heightened enforcement around active zones follows the wider safety concerns underscored by the fatal Queens crash. Construction managers should review traffic control plans, crew coverage and rest schedules to reduce worker exposure during peak traffic times. Drivers should slow down in work zones, obey signs and lane controls, and expect alternate routes during scheduled closures.
Background and context
Non‑recourse construction lending can shift project risk away from individual owners and onto the lender, making it attractive for experienced developers seeking higher leverage. At the same time, a steady flow of highway and bridge work at the state level keeps crews and flaggers in close proximity to moving traffic. When combined, these facts highlight the need for clear traffic control, strong on‑site supervision and active public messaging about work‑zone safety.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the Queens construction zone fatality?
A construction flagger was struck and killed by a car on an exit ramp on Sept. 19, 2025. The driver was arrested and charged with a range of felonies and misdemeanors related to the collision and leaving the scene.
What types of loans is Trinity Street Capital Partners offering?
The firm is offering non‑recourse construction loans from $25 million to $250 million, targeting multifamily, industrial, self‑storage and retail projects initially, with office and hospitality eligible under different terms.
What are the loan limits and pricing?
Loan‑to‑cost limits include up to 85% of cost for multifamily, industrial and self‑storage, and up to 65% of cost for office, retail and hospitality. Construction pricing starts at 30‑day LIBOR + 2.50%. Permanent loans begin at 10‑year Treasury + 150 bps and can reach up to 75% of value.
Where will the state roadwork affect drivers?
The NYSDOT update covers many towns and counties in Central New York, including planned lane closures, shoulder work, full closures and detours in Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery counties. Drivers should expect cones, detours and shifted lanes starting Sept. 22, 2025, and were warned that orange cones and detour signs would be widespread over the course of the last week of August.
How can crews and motorists reduce risk in work zones?
Project teams should follow approved traffic control plans, confirm proper signage and drum placement, and keep flaggers and workers visible and trained. Motorists should slow down, obey lane controls, and move over where possible to give workers space.
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Key features at a glance
| Topic | Key facts |
|---|---|
| Queens fatal crash | Flagger killed on Sept. 19, 2025; driver arrested and charged; active construction zone with lane closure and traffic drums |
| Trinity Street program | Non‑recourse loans $25M–$250M; LTC up to 85% for multifamily/industrial/self‑storage; construction pricing at 30‑day LIBOR + 2.50% |
| Permanent lending | Rates starting at 10‑year Treasury + 150 bps; loans up to 75% of value; investments from $10M |
| NYSDOT Central NY | Wide-ranging lane closures, detours and shoulder work across Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery counties; live updates recommended |
| Safety message | Heightened need for traffic control diligence and driver vigilance around active work zones |
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 TX News
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