Queens Crosswalks Are Killing Fields—How Many More Will Die Before Ron Kim Acts?

A 2003 Honda SUV moved east on 33rd Avenue. The driver, seventy-two, belted in, was crushed across the body. Failure to yield shattered metal and bone. The street fell silent. The wound lingered, heavy and sharp.

According to the police report, a 2003 Honda SUV was traveling east on 33rd Avenue when it was involved in a collision. The driver, a 72-year-old man, was the sole occupant and suffered crush injuries to his entire body. He was conscious at the scene, restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, underscoring a critical driver error that led to the crash. The narrative states, 'The cause: failure to yield. The wound: the frame.' No evidence in the report suggests any victim behavior contributed to the crash. The focus remains on the driver's failure to yield, which resulted in severe injury and a shattered vehicle frame.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720801, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Ford SUV turned left on Northern Boulevard. Metal struck a 78-year-old man in the crosswalk. He fell, head bleeding onto the paint-striped street. The SUV stood unmarked. He stayed awake, blood pooling in daylight.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV making a left turn at Northern Boulevard and 157th Street struck a 78-year-old man who was crossing in a marked crosswalk. The report states the pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The SUV showed no visible damage. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors on the part of the driver. The pedestrian was located at the intersection, crossing without a signal but within the marked crosswalk. The focus remains on the driver’s failure to yield and improper turning, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4708416, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A parked SUV rolled down 158th Street in Queens. Brakes failed. The vehicle struck an obstacle, crumpling its front. Inside, a 78-year-old man was crushed but conscious. The car did not stop. Metal and flesh bore the cost of mechanical neglect.

According to the police report, a 2022 Toyota SUV was parked on 158th Street in Queens when it began rolling west due to defective brakes. The report states, 'A parked 2022 Toyota SUV rolled west with failed brakes. It struck, crumpling its front.' Inside the vehicle, a 78-year-old man, belted in and alone, suffered crush injuries to his entire body but remained conscious. The police report explicitly cites 'Brakes Defective' as the contributing factor in the crash. The vehicle did not stop until after the collision, and the impact left the driver injured. No other contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior are listed in the report. The incident underscores the lethal risk posed by mechanical failure in vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707961, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Nissan SUV trailed a 63-year-old cyclist on Sanford Avenue, closing in too tight. Metal struck flesh. She flew from her bike, body crushed, left conscious on the cold pavement. The SUV rolled on, unscathed.

A 63-year-old woman riding her bike west on Sanford Avenue was struck from behind by a Nissan SUV, according to the police report. The report states the SUV was 'following too closely' and the driver demonstrated 'driver inexperience.' The impact ejected the cyclist from her saddle, causing crush injuries to her entire body. She remained conscious at the scene. The police report notes the SUV sustained no damage. The cyclist was the only person injured. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors, highlighting the driver’s failure to maintain a safe distance and proper lane use. No contributing factors are attributed to the cyclist. The collision underscores the danger faced by cyclists when drivers fail to respect space and proper operation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707958, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Steel struck a man crossing with the light on Northern Boulevard. His ribs broke under the force. He stayed awake, chest crushed, streetlights burning above. The driver’s name remains unknown. The city’s danger pressed down, unyielding.

A 53-year-old man was struck while crossing Northern Boulevard near 153rd Street, according to the police report. The report states the pedestrian was 'crossing with the light' at the intersection when he was hit in the chest by an unspecified vehicle. The man suffered broken ribs and crush injuries but remained conscious at the scene. The police report does not list any contributing factors from the driver, nor does it provide details about the vehicle or the driver’s identity. The report emphasizes the pedestrian’s lawful crossing—'crossing with the signal'—and notes the severity of his injuries. No driver errors are specified, but the impact left the pedestrian injured in the intersection, highlighting the persistent dangers faced by those on foot in New York City’s streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700472, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man worked in the road at dusk. An Infiniti reversed, colliding with a parked SUV. The bumper pinned his leg. He stayed upright, conscious, as the cold night pressed in. Metal and flesh met in the street’s shadow.

A 48-year-old man was injured on Murray Street when a reversing Infiniti sedan struck a parked SUV, crushing the pedestrian’s leg. According to the police report, the incident occurred near dusk as the man was 'working in the roadway' and 'stood upright.' The Infiniti, operated by a licensed male driver, moved in reverse and collided with the stationary SUV. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor, directly implicating the driver’s maneuver. The impact forced the SUV’s bumper against the man’s knee and lower leg, causing crush injuries. The police narrative notes the victim did not fall and remained conscious at the scene. No victim behavior is cited as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the danger posed by driver errors, especially unsafe reversing, to people working or standing in the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694708, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Steel met flesh on Northern Boulevard. An 81-year-old man, turning left on his e-bike, collided with a flatbed truck. He was thrown, crushed, his head struck the pavement. The truck stopped. The man did not rise. Death came fast.

An 81-year-old man was killed while turning left on his e-bike on Northern Boulevard near 147th Street. According to the police report, a flatbed truck traveling straight struck the cyclist, ejecting him and causing fatal head and crush injuries. The report states: 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor. The truck stopped after the crash. The data lists no helmet or signaling issues for the cyclist. The crash highlights the lethal consequences when large vehicles and vulnerable road users meet and traffic controls are ignored.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690833, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Toyota SUV hit a 69-year-old woman as she crossed Parsons Boulevard with the light. The impact shattered her hip. She stayed conscious, lying in the street. The SUV showed no damage. The driver continued straight after the crash.

A 69-year-old woman was crossing Parsons Boulevard with the signal when a southbound Toyota SUV struck her on the right side. According to the police report, 'A 69-year-old woman crossed with the light. A southbound Toyota SUV struck her right side. Her hip shattered. She lay conscious in the street. The SUV bore no mark. The driver kept going straight.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed in the data. The woman was not at an intersection but was crossing with the signal. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688146, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A driver killed 3-year-old Quintas Chen in Flushing, Queens, then fled. The street is notorious for crashes. Advocates blame curb cuts and poor design. Officials call Chen’s death preventable. The city promises fixes, but families keep mourning children.

On November 30, 2023, a hit-and-run driver killed 3-year-old Quintas Chen in downtown Flushing, Queens. The driver pulled out of a parking lot, struck Chen, and fled. Police later arrested a 20-year-old suspect for leaving the scene and driving without a license. Assembly Member Ron Kim, who walks the block daily, called out the area’s longstanding dangers: 'We've always recognized there was a problem on this block.' The street, College Point Boulevard, has seen 276 crashes since 2019. Advocates, including Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives, called Chen’s death preventable and demanded citywide safe street improvements. Harris said, 'We know how to make our streets safe, especially for our youngest and most vulnerable New Yorkers.' Mayor Adams pledged to daylight and redesign 1,000 intersections each year, but advocates argue this is not enough. The tragedy highlights the deadly risk curb cuts and poor street design pose to children and families.

• Cops Search for Hit-and-Run Driver Who Killed 3-Year-Old in Queens, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-30

A three-year-old boy died on College Point Boulevard. The child crossed outside the crosswalk. A southbound Infiniti sedan pulled from parking. Tinted windows. The car struck him head-on. His skull crushed on the asphalt. He died at the scene.

A three-year-old boy was killed on College Point Boulevard when a southbound Infiniti sedan, pulling out from parking, struck him head-on. According to the police report, the sedan had tinted windows and the driver held only a permit. The child crossed outside the crosswalk. The impact crushed his skull. The report lists 'Tinted Windows' as a contributing factor. The driver’s permit status is noted. No other injuries were reported. The boy died at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683366, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 2019 Range Rover slammed headfirst on Union Street. Metal folded. Two young men pinned in front. Necks broken. Crush injuries. Sirens cut the silence. The street held its breath. Both survived, belts locked, eyes open.

Two young men were seriously injured when a 2019 Range Rover crashed headfirst on Union Street near District 20. According to the police report, 'A 2019 Range Rover slammed headfirst. Two young men pinned in the front. Belts locked. Necks broken. Eyes open. The metal folded inward. The street held its breath. No sound but the sirens.' The driver, 23, and the front passenger, 21, both suffered neck and crush injuries but remained conscious. No contributing driver errors were listed in the report. Both occupants wore lap belts and harnesses. The impact crushed the left front quarter panel, pinning the men inside the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680916, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan veered on College Point Boulevard. Its bumper slammed into an e-bike. The unlicensed rider flew from the frame. He hit the pavement hard. Blood pooled in the dark. He was awake, broken, and bleeding.

A sedan struck an e-bike on College Point Boulevard. The sedan changed lanes and hit the e-bike’s center front end. The 42-year-old e-bike rider was ejected and suffered crush injuries across his body. According to the police report, 'A sedan veered while changing lanes, its bumper crushing into an e-bike. The unlicensed rider, 42, flew from the frame. No helmet. He landed hard, broken across the pavement, awake and bleeding in the dark.' The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. Both drivers were unlicensed. The e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. The primary cause was the sedan driver’s failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677035, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Midnight. College Point Boulevard. A Ford SUV hit a turning Honda. Steel bent. Blood spilled. A 39-year-old man gripped his head, bleeding but awake. The belt held him. Speed did not. The street stayed silent, except for pain.

A Ford SUV struck a Honda sedan on College Point Boulevard just after midnight. The SUV was heading straight. The Honda was turning left. According to the police report, 'A Ford SUV slammed into a turning Honda. Steel twisted. A 39-year-old man in the front seat clutched his head. Blood ran. He stayed conscious. The belt held him. Speed did not.' The 39-year-old front passenger in the Honda suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor in the crash. No other contributing factors were cited. The injured man was wearing a lap belt and harness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676637, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan turned right on Farrington Street. An e-scooter kept straight. The rider flew, leg crushed, blood on the pavement. Twenty-five years old, conscious, hurt bad. The car was untouched. The man was not.

A sedan collided with an e-scooter on Farrington Street. The sedan turned right as the e-scooter traveled straight. According to the police report, 'A sedan turned right. An e-scooter kept straight. No helmet. No chance. The rider flew, hit hard, leg crushed. Twenty-five, conscious, bleeding on the pavement. The car was fine. The man was not.' The e-scooter rider, a 25-year-old man, suffered crush injuries to his leg and was ejected from his vehicle. The report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No helmet was noted, but driver errors came first. The sedan sustained no damage. The e-scooter rider was left injured and bleeding.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646731, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Toyota SUV struck a 66-year-old man crossing 41st Avenue near 147th Street. The impact crushed his head and organs. He died at the scene. The street was dark. The city claimed another life.

A 66-year-old man was killed when a Toyota SUV hit him on 41st Avenue near 147th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the man was crossing the street without a signal when the SUV, traveling east, struck him with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered fatal head trauma and internal injuries. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor, with no specific driver error cited. No mention of helmet or signal use appears as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and continued straight ahead. No injuries were reported among the vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4624334, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan turns left on Bayside Avenue. A 74-year-old man crosses with the signal. Metal strikes flesh. His shoulder breaks. He falls. The driver stays. The street falls silent.

A 1999 Toyota sedan struck a 74-year-old man crossing Bayside Avenue at 154th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the sedan, making a left turn, hit him. The man suffered a broken shoulder. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The driver remained at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The crash shows the danger when drivers fail to yield to pedestrians, even when signals are clear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594559, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A BMW tore through a red light on 37th Avenue. Steel met steel. The driver, twenty-five, died at the scene. The night held its breath. Traffic control was ignored. The street stayed silent. One life ended in a flash.

A deadly crash unfolded on 37th Avenue near Parsons Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, a 25-year-old man driving a BMW westbound ignored a traffic signal and crashed head-on. The driver suffered fatal head injuries and died behind the wheel. The report states: “Traffic Control Disregarded.” No other injuries were specified for the other listed occupants. The data lists no helmet or signal issues. The crash highlights the lethal consequences when traffic controls are ignored. The scene was marked by twisted metal and silence, the cost of a single mistake.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4583557, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An Audi SUV hit a woman in the crosswalk on Willets Point Boulevard. She crossed with the light. The driver failed to yield. The impact broke her body. Pain followed. The street stayed loud. The right-of-way was hers. It was not given.

A 40-year-old woman was crossing Willets Point Boulevard at 149th Street in Queens with the signal when an Audi SUV struck her. According to the police report, 'She crossed with the light. The Audi came fast, struck her center mass. Her body broke. Pain bloomed. The driver kept straight. The right-of-way was hers. It was not given.' The pedestrian suffered injuries to her entire body and was listed with apparent death at the scene. The driver, a 46-year-old woman, was operating the vehicle eastbound and failed to yield the right-of-way, as noted in both the police report and crash data. The only contributing factor listed is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4579141, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A parked Lexus sat crushed on Murray Street. The left side caved in. A man inside showed no signs of life. The street held its breath. No movement. No answers. Only the wreck and the silence remained.

A deadly crash struck a parked Lexus sedan on Murray Street. According to the police report, a man was found lifeless inside the vehicle, which had its left side crushed. The report states, 'A man sat lifeless in a parked Lexus, no seatbelt, no movement. The left side was crushed.' Both the contributing factors and the identity of the striking vehicle remain unspecified in the data. The victim, a 36-year-old man, was not wearing safety equipment, as noted in the report, but no driver errors or external causes are listed. The crash left the scene silent, with only the wreckage and the unanswered questions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4562674, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan hit a young woman as she stepped down from a car on Prince Street. Her arm split open. Blood ran. The driver was distracted. She stayed conscious, clutching the wound. The car rolled on, untouched. The street stayed dangerous.

A 22-year-old woman was struck by a southbound Honda sedan while getting out of a vehicle near 37-20 Prince Street in Queens. According to the police report, the driver was distracted at the time of the crash. The impact tore open the woman’s arm, causing severe bleeding, but she remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No damage was reported to the vehicle. Other occupants in the vehicles were not injured. The crash highlights the ongoing threat to pedestrians from inattentive drivers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4557754, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14