Crash Count for AD 37
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 5,260
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 3,036
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 521
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 45
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 14
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 14, 2025
Carnage in AD 37
Killed 14
Crush Injuries 13
Lower leg/foot 5
Back 3
Whole body 2
Abdomen/pelvis 1
Face 1
Head 1
Amputation 1
Lower arm/hand 1
Severe Bleeding 8
Head 5
Eye 1
Face 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Severe Lacerations 13
Head 6
+1
Lower leg/foot 4
Face 3
Lower arm/hand 1
Concussion 9
Head 7
+2
Lower leg/foot 1
Neck 1
Whiplash 68
Neck 31
+26
Head 15
+10
Back 14
+9
Whole body 8
+3
Shoulder/upper arm 5
Lower arm/hand 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Contusion/Bruise 129
Lower leg/foot 51
+46
Lower arm/hand 23
+18
Head 16
+11
Back 11
+6
Shoulder/upper arm 9
+4
Whole body 7
+2
Face 5
Neck 5
Chest 3
Hip/upper leg 2
Abdomen/pelvis 1
Eye 1
Abrasion 70
Lower leg/foot 27
+22
Lower arm/hand 16
+11
Head 8
+3
Whole body 6
+1
Shoulder/upper arm 4
Face 3
Abdomen/pelvis 2
Back 1
Chest 1
Eye 1
Hip/upper leg 1
Neck 1
Pain/Nausea 39
Back 10
+5
Neck 7
+2
Head 6
+1
Shoulder/upper arm 6
+1
Lower leg/foot 5
Lower arm/hand 3
Whole body 3
Chest 2
Hip/upper leg 2
Abdomen/pelvis 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 14, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in AD 37?

Preventable Speeding in AD 37 School Zones

(since 2022)

AD 37’s deadly loop: trucks, turns, and a drumbeat of sirens

AD 37: Jan 1, 2022 - Aug 25, 2025

Two corridors, too many sirens

  • On the Long Island Expressway, two people died and hundreds were hurt. The LIE logged 476 injuries and 12 serious injuries, with two deaths in this district’s slice, making it a top hotspot. The Brooklyn‑Queens Expressway added 202 injuries and another death in the same period. These are not one‑offs. They are the spine of harm.
  • The hours tell their own story. Injuries stack up through the afternoon rush and into the night, with sharp spikes at 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5 p.m. The body count climbs again late, including deaths logged around 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 10 p.m. The pattern is steady. The pain does not keep office hours. Open Data.

Greenpoint and 47th: a right turn, a left turn, a body

  • July 18, 2024, late morning at Greenpoint Avenue and 43 Street. A box truck made a right. A 28‑year‑old on an e‑bike was going straight. She was killed. The record lists “Driver Inattention/Distraction.” It also records the turn. Crash 4741425.
  • June 26, 2024, mid‑afternoon at 47 Avenue and 46 Street. A driver making a left struck a 16‑year‑old in the intersection. She died of crush injuries. The file notes an obstructed view. The turn still happened. Crash 4735938.

Heavy metal, soft bodies

  • Trucks and buses do outsized harm. In pedestrian injuries, trucks are linked to two deaths in this district dataset, with 21 total pedestrian casualties attributed to trucks; SUVs and sedans account for many more injuries and deaths combined. The mode split shows four deaths tied to “Other Motorized” and five to vehicle occupants, with cyclists and pedestrians each at four. People outside vehicles keep losing. District stats.
  • Night hours are cruel. From 10 p.m. to midnight, injuries stay high and deaths recur. At 11 p.m., injuries total 127 with two serious injuries; deaths hit two at 10 p.m. and one at 11 p.m. The numbers read like a metronome. Open Data.

Names on the ledger

  • March 9, 2024, Laurel Hill Boulevard at 49 Street. An 18‑year‑old on a 2023 moped was ejected and died. The report lists no license. It also lists a road, a time, and a young man who did not make it home. Crash 4709150.
  • June 1, 2024, on the LIE. A 26‑year‑old on a motorcycle hit a truck changing lanes. He wore a helmet. He died anyway. Crash 4729766.
  • November 21, 2024, on the BQE. Four vehicles going west. A 75‑year‑old rear‑seat passenger died. An 8‑year‑old in the same row was injured. Seat belts unknown. The highway kept moving. Crash 4773163.

Where to fix first

  • Start with the worst. The LIE and BQE drive the toll. Harden merges. Slow approaches. Keep trucks in lanes that spare local exits.
  • On Greenpoint Avenue and 47 Avenue, daylight corners, add leading pedestrian/bike intervals, and harden turns so trucks cannot sweep wide. These are basic tools. They stop the turning strikes that keep killing.
  • Nights are bloody here. Target night operations at repeat hotspots with speed cameras where allowed and physical calming where cameras can’t reach. The hourly curve says it plainly. Open Data.

Power must move

  • Albany extended school speed protections in June 2025. Senator Andrew Gounardes moved S 8344 through, and lawmakers voted yes to keep kids safer near schools. The tools exist. They need to be used at full force.
  • Citywide, two steps cut the bloodshed. First, a lower default speed. Second, speed limiters for repeat offenders.
  • The Assembly has a live bill to force speed limiters on the worst drivers. A 2299 would require intelligent speed assistance after point and camera‑ticket thresholds. It is aimed at the tiny slice doing outsized harm. Advocates have shown that a small cohort racks up violations and carnage; the linkage between extreme ticket histories and deadly risk is documented. Streetsblog reported that 1.5% of motorists cause 21% of pedestrian deaths.

This district’s map is a ledger of grief. Highways roar. Trucks turn. People don’t get up. The fixes are known. Slow the streets. Stop the repeat offenders.

Take one step now: tell City Hall and Albany to act. Start here: take action.

Citations

Citations

Fix the Problem

Claire Valdez
Assembly Member Claire Valdez
District 37
District Office:
45-10 Skillman Ave. 1st Floor, Sunnyside, NY 11104
Legislative Office:
Room 427, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248

Other Representatives

Julie Won
Council Member Julie Won
District 26
District Office:
37-04 Queens Boulevard, Suite 205, Long Island City, NY 11101
718-383-9566
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1749, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6975
Twitter: @CMJulieWon
Michael Gianaris
State Senator Michael Gianaris
District 12
District Office:
22-07 45th St. Suite 1008, Astoria, NY 11105
Legislative Office:
Albany, NY 12247
Twitter: @SenGianaris
Other Geographies

AD 37 Assembly District 37 sits in Queens, Precinct 108, District 26, SD 12.

It contains Sunnyside Yards (North), Long Island City-Hunters Point, Sunnyside, Sunnyside Yards (South), Calvary & Mount Zion Cemeteries, Maspeth, Ridgewood, Mount Olivet & All Faiths Cemeteries, Queens CB2, Queens CB5.

See also
Boroughs
City Council Districts
Community Boards
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Assembly District 37

11

  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4842261 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
7
Unsafe speed at Forest and Catalpa injures two

Sep 7 - Two drivers in sedans collided at Forest and Catalpa in Queens. A 24-year-old driver suffered head and crush wounds. A 75-year-old front passenger was hurt. Police recorded unsafe speed. Two parked cars were damaged.

Two drivers in sedans collided at Forest Ave and Catalpa Ave in Queens around midday. A 24-year-old male driver suffered head and crush injuries. A 75-year-old female front passenger was also hurt. The crash damaged two parked sedans. According to the police report, “Unsafe Speed” was a contributing factor. Police recorded both drivers as going straight ahead before impact. Points of impact show front-end damage to one sedan and right-side damage to the other. The record lists one driver as injured and another with unspecified injuries. No pedestrian or cyclist injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4840494 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
11
Dump Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on LIE

Aug 11 - A westbound dump truck rear-ended a westbound sedan on the Long Island Expressway. Two women in the sedan were injured; a 29-year-old front passenger suffered crush injuries and the 42-year-old driver suffered back injuries.

A westbound dump truck struck the center back end of a westbound sedan on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. Two sedan occupants were injured: a 29-year-old front passenger with crush injuries and a 42-year-old driver with back injuries. According to the police report, the contributing factors were “Traffic Control Disregarded,” “Unsafe Lane Changing,” and “Oversized Vehicle.” The sedan showed left rear bumper damage; the truck had center front-end damage consistent with a rear impact. Police listed the driver errors above. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported; the sedan passengers bore the harm.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834534 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
3
Driver's U-Turn Hits Moped on Fresh Pond Road

Aug 3 - Driver swung a U-turn across Fresh Pond Road at Linden. Hit a moped going straight. Rider, 30, bled from a leg and was partly ejected. Police recorded Turning Improperly and Failure to Yield.

A driver in an SUV made a U-turn on Fresh Pond Road at Linden Street in Queens and hit a southbound moped going straight. The moped driver, a 30-year-old man, suffered a serious leg injury with severe bleeding and was partially ejected. "According to the police report, the SUV driver was making a U-turn when he hit the moped." Police recorded Turning Improperly and Failure to Yield Right-of-Way by the driver. Impact was to the SUV’s front and the rear of the moped. Records show the SUV driver held a permit. The rider wore a helmet, as noted in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833584 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
20
Moped Driver Injured in Queens Collision

Jul 20 - A moped and sedan collided on Rene Ct near Metropolitan Ave. The moped driver suffered crush injuries. Both vehicles showed front-end damage. Streets in Queens again prove unforgiving.

A moped and a sedan crashed on Rene Ct off Metropolitan Ave in Queens. According to the police report, the moped was traveling east and the sedan was making a left turn westbound. The 25-year-old moped driver was partially ejected and suffered crush injuries to his lower leg and foot. He was wearing a helmet. The sedan driver, age 85, was not ejected and reported no injuries. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front ends.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829720 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
16
Pickup Truck Failed to Yield on Maspeth Ave

Jul 16 - Driver of a pickup hit a 33-year-old cyclist on Maspeth Ave at 58 Pl. The cyclist suffered crush injuries to his lower leg and foot and was partially ejected. Police cited failure to yield.

The driver of a pickup truck hit a 33-year-old male bicyclist on Maspeth Ave at 58 Pl in Queens. The cyclist suffered crush injuries to his lower leg and foot and was partially ejected; he was conscious. According to the police report, both the driver and the cyclist were involved in a "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. The report lists the pickup as 'Parked' pre-crash and the bicycle as 'Going Straight Ahead.' The bike shows front-end damage; the pickup shows no damage.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828915 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
10
Dump Truck Rear-Ends Sedan on LIE

Jul 10 - A dump truck rear-ended a sedan on the Long Island Expressway. Three people in the sedan were injured. The driver suffered crush injuries; two passengers had concussions and upper-body trauma. Police cited unsafe lane changing and turning improperly.

A dump truck rear-ended a sedan on the Long Island Expressway in Queens, injuring all three people inside the sedan. The driver, a 30-year-old man, sustained crush injuries. A front passenger, a 39-year-old woman, was unconscious with a concussion and shoulder/upper-arm injuries. A rear passenger, a 35-year-old man, complained of a concussion and back injury. According to the police report, the crash was caused by "Unsafe Lane Changing" and "Turning Improperly." Police recorded the dump truck was going straight and struck the sedan's center back end while the sedan was slowing or stopping.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827231 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
10
Truck Slams Sedan on Expressway, Three Hurt

Jul 10 - Truck hit sedan at speed on Long Island Expressway. Three people crushed, backs broken. Police cite unsafe speed and passing too closely. Metal twisted. Pain followed.

A truck and a sedan collided on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. Three occupants in the sedan suffered back injuries and crush trauma. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling west when the truck struck the sedan’s right rear bumper. Police list 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors. The truck’s front end and the sedan’s rear were damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. All injured were inside the vehicles.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827229 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
24
Dump Truck Crushes Sedan on Expressway

Jun 24 - Dump truck slammed sedan on Long Island Expressway. Two women passengers suffered back crush injuries. Unsafe lane change triggered chaos. Metal twisted. Shock followed. System failed to protect riders.

A dump truck and a sedan collided on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. Two female passengers, ages 46 and 25, suffered back crush injuries. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Lane Changing' was the contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling west when the truck struck the sedan's rear. The crash left passengers in shock and pain. The report lists no other contributing factors. The system exposed passengers to grave harm.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823976 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
21
SUV Driver Hits Pedestrian on Greenpoint Ave

Jun 21 - SUV struck a pedestrian at Greenpoint Ave and 45 St. The man was left unconscious with crush injuries. Police cite driver inattention. System failed to protect the most vulnerable.

A man walking at the intersection of Greenpoint Ave and 45 St in Queens was hit by an SUV. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his entire body and was found unconscious. The driver was making a right turn when the crash occurred. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupants. The report does not cite any actions by the pedestrian as a cause. The system allowed distraction to endanger a person on foot.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821958 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
17
S 8344 Valdez votes yes to extend school speed zones, improving child pedestrian safety.

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.


13
SUV Turns, Strikes Pedestrian in Maspeth

May 13 - SUV hit a 61-year-old man crossing with the signal. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and severe cuts. Maspeth Avenue saw blood on the street.

A 61-year-old pedestrian was struck by an SUV while crossing Maspeth Avenue at 59th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver, distracted and inattentive, failed to yield and made a left turn. The impact left the man semiconscious with head injuries and severe lacerations. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2010 Nissan SUV. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812649 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
25
SUV U-Turn Crushes Cyclist’s Leg on Skillman

Apr 25 - SUV swung a U-turn on Skillman. Front bumper hit a cyclist. His leg was crushed. He stayed conscious. Blood on the street. System failed him.

A 45-year-old man riding a bike was struck by an SUV making a U-turn on Skillman Avenue near 43rd Street in Queens. According to the police report, the SUV’s front bumper hit the cyclist, crushing his leg. The cyclist was injured but remained conscious. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but the primary cause was the driver’s improper turn.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809294 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
25
Motorcyclist Bleeds After BQE Merge Crash

Apr 25 - Kawasaki rider merges on BQE. Metal hits Ford’s rear. Rider falls, leg torn, blood pools. No helmet. He stays awake. Ford untouched. System fails the young.

A 22-year-old motorcyclist was injured merging westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. According to the police report, his Kawasaki struck the left rear bumper of a Ford. The rider crumpled to the pavement with severe leg lacerations and was conscious at the scene. The Ford showed no damage. The report lists no specific driver errors. Lack of helmet use is noted only after the collision details. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
21
Taxi Turns Right, Cyclist’s Leg Crushed on Fresh Pond Road

Jan 21 - A taxi swung right on Fresh Pond Road. A cyclist turned left. Steel struck flesh. A 23-year-old man’s leg shattered on cold pavement. No helmet, no warning, just the sharp snap of bone and the city’s indifference.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at Fresh Pond Road and Gates Avenue in Queens when a taxi made a right turn and a cyclist turned left. The report states, 'A taxi turned right. A bike turned left. Steel struck bone.' The 23-year-old cyclist was thrown to the pavement, suffering crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police narrative describes the aftermath: 'his leg crushed. No helmet. No horn. Just pain, shock, and cold January light.' The only contributing factor cited in the report is 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but lists no driver errors or additional contributing factors. The crash highlights the lethal consequences when turning vehicles and vulnerable road users cross paths in New York City’s chaotic streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787570 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
16
A 2299 Valdez co-sponsors bill to boost street safety with speed limiters.

Jan 16 - Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.


9
Unsafe Lane Change Crashes Taxi, Injures Passengers

Jan 9 - A lane change cut too close on the Long Island Expressway. Steel slammed steel. Two taxi passengers suffered head injuries amid shattered glass. Shock and bruises followed. The crash exposed dangerous driver errors and left victims broken and silent.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the eastbound Long Island Expressway around 8:30. The collision resulted from an 'Unsafe Lane Changing' maneuver by a vehicle, which cut too close and struck a taxi. The taxi sustained damage to its left side doors, while the SUV hit the taxi with its right front bumper. Two passengers in the taxi’s rear seats, a 33-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, both suffered head injuries including a concussion and contusions. Both were not wearing safety equipment and were left in shock. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as causes. The violent impact shattered glass and caused serious injuries. The police report clearly attributes the crash to driver errors, with no fault assigned to the injured passengers.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
23
SUV Driver Slams Parked Cars on Himrod Street

Dec 23 - A Honda SUV crashed into two parked cars on Himrod Street. Metal screamed. The driver’s face was crushed. He was conscious, bloodied, silent. Alcohol was involved, according to police. The street stood still, broken by the violence of impact.

A 2010 Honda SUV struck two parked vehicles near 1717 Himrod Street in Queens. According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:25 a.m. and involved a single driver, age 29, who suffered severe facial injuries described as 'crush injuries.' The report states the driver was 'conscious' after the collision. Police explicitly list 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. The narrative details that the SUV 'slammed into two parked cars,' emphasizing the violence of the crash. Both struck vehicles were stationary at the time. The driver was wearing only a lap belt. No actions by other road users contributed to the crash, and no pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The focus remains on the driver’s actions and the cited presence of alcohol as a systemic danger.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782236 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
27
Sedan Slams Pedestrian in Marked Crosswalk

Nov 27 - A sedan struck a 29-year-old man head-on in a marked crosswalk on Woodward Avenue. His back was crushed. He lay conscious on the pavement, staring up at the Queens sky. Driver inattention and failure to yield marked the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Woodward Avenue near Cornelia Street struck a 29-year-old man as he crossed in a marked crosswalk. The report states the vehicle hit him head-on, crushing his back and leaving him conscious on the pavement. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal, but this is noted only after the primary driver errors. The vehicle's point of impact and damage were both at the center front end, underscoring the directness of the collision. The focus remains on the driver's failure to pay attention and yield, as documented in official records.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775393 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
21
Pickup Truck Strikes Taxi, Kills Rear Passenger

Nov 21 - A pickup truck slammed into a taxi on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The impact struck a 75-year-old man seated in the taxi’s back seat. He suffered fatal head and internal injuries. The pickup driver lost consciousness during the crash.

According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided with a taxi. The pickup's center front end struck the taxi's right rear bumper. Inside the taxi, a 75-year-old man seated in the middle rear seat took the blow to his head. The report states, "A pickup struck a taxi. A 75-year-old man in the back seat took the blow with his head. He did not fly through glass. He stayed in place. His body broke inside. He died there." The contributing factor cited is "Lost Consciousness" by the pickup driver. No victim behavior was listed as contributing. The crash caused fatal internal and head injuries to the passenger, highlighting the deadly consequences of driver incapacitation behind the wheel.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773163 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18