Queens Streets, Broken Promises, Broken Bodies

A moped slammed into a parked SUV on 44th Drive. The moped driver, unlicensed, suffered a fractured leg. Police cited driver inattention. The SUV driver and a passenger were not seriously hurt. The street bore the brunt. Metal and bone broke.

A moped traveling east struck the rear of a parked SUV on 44th Drive in Queens. According to the police report, the moped driver, a 25-year-old man, was unlicensed and suffered a fractured leg. He was not wearing safety equipment. The SUV, a 2019 Subaru, was parked at the time. The SUV driver, a 43-year-old woman, and her passenger were not seriously injured. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. The moped’s center front end hit the SUV’s left rear bumper. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, even for a moment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818526, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi turned right on 59th Street. An e-scooter rider went straight. Metal struck flesh. The rider took the hit. Shoulder bruised. Police blame failure to yield. The street stayed busy. The system failed again.

A crash on 59th Street at Broadway in Queens left a 24-year-old e-scooter rider injured. According to the police report, a taxi making a right turn struck the e-scooter, which was traveling straight. The e-scooter rider suffered a shoulder contusion. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for both drivers. The taxi’s right front bumper hit the e-scooter. The report does not mention any helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to yield, leaving vulnerable road users exposed to harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817827, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An SUV hit a moped at Roosevelt Avenue and 63rd Street. The moped driver, a young man, suffered a leg injury. Police cite driver inattention. The SUV and moped both traveled east. Metal met flesh. The street did not forgive.

A collision between a Ford SUV and a ZHILO moped occurred at Roosevelt Avenue and 63rd Street in Queens. The crash left the 24-year-old moped driver injured, with abrasions to his leg. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The SUV was passing when it struck the moped, which was making a left turn. The moped driver was unlicensed but wore a helmet. The SUV had two occupants, including a 30-year-old male passenger. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The police report does not list any errors for the moped driver. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, especially where vulnerable road users share space with heavy vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815955, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided on Northern Boulevard in Queens. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite following too closely as the cause. The crash left a passenger and another driver shaken. Metal twisted. The street stayed busy. The danger was clear.

Two sedans collided on Northern Boulevard near 57th Street in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling west when one sedan struck the other from behind. One driver, a 36-year-old man, suffered a neck injury and was in shock. A passenger and another driver were also involved but did not report specific injuries. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor in the crash. The impact damaged the center front end of one sedan and the center back end of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention any other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816794, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan slammed into the back of another car on Queens Boulevard. One driver suffered internal injuries. Police cited following too closely and driver distraction. The crash left pain and confusion in the early morning dark.

A crash on Queens Boulevard near 72nd Street in Queens involved a sedan rear-ending another vehicle. According to the police report, the driver of the striking car was injured, suffering internal injuries to the entire body. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The second occupant, a registrant, had unspecified injuries. The police report makes clear that driver error—specifically tailgating and distraction—led to the collision. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815738, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A cyclist rode south on 69th Street. A vehicle turned left, struck him. He flew from his bike. His leg broke. Blood pooled on the street. The driver failed to yield. The city failed to protect him.

A 45-year-old male bicyclist was injured at 69th Street and 47th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the cyclist was heading straight when a vehicle making a left turn struck him. The impact ejected the cyclist, causing a fractured and dislocated lower leg. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was conscious at the scene. No safety equipment was noted. The crash highlights a clear driver error: the failure to yield to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814938, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs crashed on the Long Island Expressway. One passenger suffered a neck injury. Police cite unsafe speed as a cause. The crash left metal twisted and lives shaken. The road ran straight, but danger struck hard.

Two station wagons, both SUVs, collided while traveling west on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. According to the police report, unsafe speed contributed to the crash. Three occupants reported unspecified injuries. A 61-year-old male passenger, seated in the right rear, suffered a neck injury and whiplash. Police list 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. No other driver errors are noted in the report. The crash damaged the right rear quarter panel of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not specify further details about the crash sequence or additional injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814820, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs collided on Queens Blvd at 37th Street. One driver suffered back injuries. Police cite improper turning and lane use. Metal crumpled. The street stayed busy. Another day, another crash. The system failed to protect.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed at Queens Blvd and 37th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the collision involved improper turning and lane usage. One driver, a 34-year-old woman, was injured in the crash, suffering back and internal injuries. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained damage, with one struck on the left front bumper and the other on the right side doors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the persistent danger on city streets when drivers fail to follow basic rules of the road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814213, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Jeep SUV changed lanes on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. A motorcycle rider was struck. The rider suffered a leg injury. Unsafe lane changing caused the crash. The road turned violent in a moment.

A crash on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway involved a Jeep SUV and a motorcycle. According to the police report, the SUV was changing lanes when the collision occurred. The 28-year-old motorcycle driver was injured, sustaining a contusion and injury to his lower leg and foot. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor. The SUV and motorcycle were both traveling east. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The crash highlights the danger of improper lane changes on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814552, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A driver making a left turn hit a woman crossing 67th Street at 48th Avenue. She suffered arm injuries and shock. The crash happened in Queens. Police cited failure to yield. The street saw another pedestrian hurt by a turning vehicle.

A 47-year-old woman was struck by a vehicle while crossing 67th Street at 48th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the driver was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No other injuries were specified. The crash highlights the danger faced by pedestrians when drivers fail to yield during turns. The police report makes clear that driver error—failure to yield—led to this injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813467, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans crashed on Borden Avenue near Van Dam Street. One driver suffered a back injury. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely. Metal twisted. Streets failed. The system let danger through.

Two sedans collided on Borden Avenue at Van Dam Street. According to the police report, one driver, a 42-year-old man, was injured in the crash, suffering a back injury and shock. Three other occupants reported unspecified injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. Individual records for those involved also cite 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' Both vehicles were traveling east; one was slowing or stopping when struck. The crash highlights repeated driver errors: distraction, tailgating, and improper lane use. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814008, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A diesel truck slammed into the back of an SUV on the Long Island Expressway. The impact bruised a 25-year-old passenger. Police cited following too closely. Metal and flesh met at highway speed. The system failed to protect those inside.

A diesel tractor truck struck the rear of a Ford SUV on the Long Island Expressway. One passenger, a 25-year-old woman, suffered a back contusion. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' Both vehicles were traveling east. The truck's front end hit the SUV's back end. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report lists no other contributing factors. The only injury reported was to the SUV passenger. The system put vulnerable passengers at risk in a high-speed corridor built for cars and trucks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812961, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan and a bike met on 47th Avenue. Metal struck flesh. The cyclist went down, her leg torn. Police cite distraction. The street stayed hard and silent. The car showed no damage. The rider bore the mark.

A crash occurred on 47th Avenue at 31st Street in Queens involving a sedan and a bicyclist. According to the police report, the collision left a 38-year-old woman riding a bike injured, with abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan, driven by a 25-year-old man, was parked at the time and showed no damage. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, as stated in the report, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s error. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver or occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812452, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A USPS truck turned left on Queens Blvd. It struck a 14-year-old girl riding her bike straight. She suffered injuries to her leg and internal pain. The truck driver failed to yield. The street stayed busy. The cyclist stayed conscious.

A USPS truck collided with a 14-year-old bicyclist at Queens Blvd and 43rd Street in Queens. According to the police report, the truck was making a left turn while the cyclist was going straight ahead. The bicyclist, a teenage girl, was injured in the crash, suffering knee, lower leg, and foot injuries, as well as internal pain. She remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not ejected and was not using safety equipment, but the report does not cite this as a cause. The truck showed no damage. The crash highlights the danger posed when large vehicles turn across the path of vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810240, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two cars collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Four people hurt. Faces, backs, arms bruised and battered. Police blame driver distraction. Metal twisted. Pain followed. The road stayed open. The danger stayed real.

Two vehicles, a Jeep SUV and a Tesla sedan, crashed while heading east on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor for both drivers. Four occupants suffered injuries: a 42-year-old woman with facial bruises, a 33-year-old man with back pain, a 50-year-old man with arm pain, and a 72-year-old woman with back pain. All injured persons were conscious after the crash. The SUV struck the sedan from behind, damaging the front of the SUV and the rear of the sedan. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report lists no other contributing factors beyond driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810063, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An SUV hit a man crossing Roosevelt Avenue at 69th Street. The impact left him with a head injury and a concussion. The driver kept going straight. The street stayed busy. The crash left pain and questions behind.

A 40-year-old man was struck by a station wagon/SUV while crossing Roosevelt Avenue at 69th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection when the crash occurred. The man suffered a head injury and was conscious at the scene, diagnosed with a concussion. The SUV, a 2024 Toyota, was traveling west and struck the pedestrian with its right front quarter panel. The driver was licensed and remained uninjured. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are cited in the data. The report notes the pedestrian's action but does not assign blame.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810241, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs crashed at Skillman Avenue and 39th Street. Metal hit metal. One driver suffered a leg injury. Police cite inattention and ignored traffic controls. The street fell silent. Another wound in Queens’ daily traffic war.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at the intersection of Skillman Avenue and 39th Street in Queens. According to the police report, one driver, a 47-year-old man, sustained a knee and lower leg injury. Three other occupants, including both drivers and passengers, were involved but their injuries were unspecified. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors for both drivers. The crash involved both vehicles traveling straight, with impacts to the left and right front bumpers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes lap belts were used by the injured driver, but driver errors—distraction and ignoring traffic controls—stand out as the primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809295, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A woman in an SUV swung a U-turn on Skillman Avenue, her bumper smashing into a man riding straight. His leg was crushed. He stayed conscious. He stayed hurt. The street swallowed another cyclist in daylight.

According to the police report, a woman driving an SUV on Skillman Avenue near 43rd Street made a U-turn and struck a 45-year-old man riding a bike. The report states, 'The front bumper struck a man on a bike. He was crushed in the leg.' The cyclist, who was traveling straight ahead, suffered crush injuries to his knee and lower leg but remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, highlighting dangerous driver actions that led to the crash. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is noted only after the primary driver errors. The collision underscores the risks faced by cyclists when drivers disregard traffic controls and execute improper turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809294, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A young rider merges west on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Metal meets Ford’s rear bumper. The Kawasaki skids. The rider’s leg splits, blood pooling. No helmet. The Ford rolls on, untouched. The city’s highway claims another body.

A 22-year-old man riding a Kawasaki motorcycle was injured while merging westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, according to the police report. The report states, 'A Kawasaki motorcycle merges. Metal strikes left rear bumper. The rider, twenty-two, crumples to the pavement. Blood pools near his leg, torn and raw. No helmet. He is awake. The Ford shows no wounds.' The collision left the motorcyclist with severe lacerations to his lower leg and foot. Police data lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The Ford car involved sustained no damage and its driver is not reported as injured. The report notes the rider was not wearing a helmet, but does not identify this as a contributing factor. No driver errors are cited in the official record. The narrative centers on the violence of impact and the vulnerability of the rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808178, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.

• Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-21