Queens CB2’s broken hour: deaths on Queens Boulevard, trucks in the crosswalk

May 3 - A USPS truck turned left on Queens Blvd. It struck a 14-year-old girl on a bike. She suffered leg and internal injuries. Police cite failure to yield. The street failed her.

A USPS truck making a left turn on Queens Blvd collided with a 14-year-old bicyclist traveling straight. The girl was injured in her knee, lower leg, foot, and suffered internal injuries. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The report lists no contributing factors for the cyclist. The truck showed no damage, but the bike was hit at the center front end. The system put a child in harm's way. The driver’s failure to yield led to real pain.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810240 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-16

May 3 - Three vehicles slammed together on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Driver distraction ruled the night. Five people injured. Metal twisted. Pain spread. The system failed to protect its own.

Three vehicles collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. According to the police report, driver inattention and distraction caused the crash. Five people were injured: two drivers, two passengers, and one rear passenger. Injuries included back, arm, and facial wounds. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor for all involved. No other factors were cited. The crash left metal mangled and lives shaken, exposing the cost of distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810063 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-16

May 2 - A sedan struck a parked SUV at speed on the Long Island Expressway. One driver suffered a head injury. Police cite unsafe speed as the cause. The road turned violent in the night.

A sedan traveling east on the Long Island Expressway crashed into the back of a parked SUV. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' was the contributing factor. The sedan driver, a 43-year-old man, suffered a head injury and complained of pain and nausea. The SUV driver, age 48, was not reported injured. Both vehicles were damaged at their points of impact. The crash highlights the danger of speed on city expressways. No other contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810996 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-16

May 2 - An SUV hit a man crossing against the signal on Roosevelt Avenue. The impact struck his head. He suffered a concussion. The driver kept straight. No driver error listed. The street stayed busy. The man stayed conscious.

A 40-year-old man was hit by an SUV while crossing Roosevelt Avenue at 69th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing against the signal and suffered a head injury and concussion but remained conscious. The SUV, a 2024 Toyota, was traveling west and struck the man with its right front quarter panel. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The driver was licensed and wore a lap belt. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810241 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-16

May 2 - Two SUVs crashed on 47th Avenue. A child and an elderly woman were hurt. Police cite illegal drugs as a factor. Metal twisted. Pain followed. The street stayed dangerous.

Two SUVs collided on 47th Avenue in Queens. A 10-year-old boy riding as a passenger and a 70-year-old woman driving were injured. The boy suffered unspecified injuries; the woman had back pain. Another driver, a 33-year-old man, suffered a fractured hip and leg. According to the police report, 'Drugs (illegal)' contributed to the crash. No other contributing factors were listed. The crash involved a sedan and multiple SUVs. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810759 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-16

May 2 - A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.

ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.

• Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-05-02

May 1 - A man crossed Linden Boulevard. A black car hit him and fled. Another car ran over him. He died in the hospital. The first driver vanished. The second stayed. Police search. The street stayed open. Blood on the asphalt.

Patch reported on May 1, 2025, that Christopher Gayton, 62, was killed at Linden Boulevard and 166 Street in Queens. He was struck by an eastbound black vehicle whose driver fled, then run over by a 2024 Ford Edge. The Ford's driver remained at the scene. Police said, 'Police are still searching for the first driver who fled the scene.' No charges have been filed. The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The crash highlights the dangers of multi-lane arterial roads and the ongoing risks for pedestrians in Queens. No arrests have been made.

• Pedestrian Killed In Queens Double Collision, Patch, Published 2025-05-01

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Apr 30 - A man with a cane crossed Linden Boulevard. A speeding driver hit him and fled. Another car struck him again. He died at the hospital. The first driver vanished. The second stayed. The street stayed dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 30, 2025, that Christopher Gayton, 62, was killed while crossing Linden Blvd near his South Jamaica home. The article states, "a driver zipping east on Linden Blvd. slammed into him" and fled. A second driver, operating a 2024 Ford Edge, then struck Gayton; this driver remained at the scene and was not charged. Police continue to search for the hit-and-run driver. The crash highlights the lethal risk pedestrians face, especially on wide, fast-moving streets like Linden Blvd. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about driver speed, hit-and-run offenses, and the persistent vulnerability of those on foot.

• Elderly Man Killed Crossing Linden Blvd, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-30

Apr 29 - Two SUVs crashed on Skillman Avenue. One driver suffered a leg injury. Police cite driver inattention and traffic control disregard. Metal struck metal. Streets failed the people inside.

Two station wagons—both SUVs—collided at Skillman Avenue and 39th Street in Queens. According to the police report, one driver, a 47-year-old man, was injured in the leg. Three others, including both drivers and one passenger, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The crash left bruises and pain. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The system allowed distraction and disregard to rule the road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809295 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-16

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 2025-12-16

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 2025-12-16

Apr 21 - 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

Apr 20 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The driver struck a man on a bicycle. He died at the scene. Police closed the street. Another life ended in the crosswalk’s shadow. The city investigates. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The crash happened as the truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street. According to police, 'the truck was turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street in Middle Village when the collision occurred.' The cyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists at intersections and the dangers of large vehicles turning across paths. Policy questions remain about intersection design and vehicle operation in dense neighborhoods.

• FDNY Truck Turns, Cyclist Killed In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-20

Apr 19 - A firetruck struck a cyclist on Juniper Boulevard. The truck turned with lights and sirens. The cyclist was crushed under the rear wheels. Sheets covered the scene. Firefighters stood by, shaken. The victim died instantly. The investigation continues.

According to the New York Post (April 19, 2025), an FDNY Rescue Company 4 firetruck fatally struck a cyclist near Juniper Valley Park in Queens while responding to a call. The article states, "The truck was making a turn onto Juniper Boulevard...when the fatal accident occurred." Police reported the truck had lights and sirens activated. The cyclist ended up beneath the rear wheels and was pronounced dead at the scene. Photos showed emergency sheets covering the area. Witness Miguel Vega described firefighters as "shaken, like shocked." The incident highlights the dangers at intersections, especially when emergency vehicles turn. The crash is under investigation, with no details yet on policy or procedural changes.

• FDNY Firetruck Kills Cyclist Near Park, New York Post, Published 2025-04-19

Apr 16 - Pickup truck hit e-scooter on 47 Street. E-scooter rider suffered leg injury. Both drivers failed to yield. Metal met flesh. Shock followed.

A pickup truck and an e-scooter collided on 47 Street at Laurel Hill Boulevard in Queens. The e-scooter rider, a 30-year-old woman, was injured in the knee, lower leg, and foot, and was left in shock. According to the police report, both drivers failed to yield the right-of-way. The pickup truck struck the e-scooter with its left front bumper. The e-scooter rider wore pads. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore right-of-way rules.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806411 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-16

Apr 16 - A sedan lost steering on 48th Street. The driver hit two parked cars. One man suffered neck pain. Metal crumpled. Streets stayed silent.

A sedan traveling south on 48th Street in Queens struck two parked cars after a steering failure. One male driver, age 45, was injured with neck pain and was semiconscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Steering Failure' was listed as the contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash damaged the front of the moving sedan and the rear ends of both parked vehicles. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806530 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-16

Apr 15 - Three sedans crashed on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. One driver suffered a neck injury. Police cite failure to yield. The road stayed dangerous. Metal met metal. People paid the price.

Three sedans collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. According to the police report, one driver, a 56-year-old woman, suffered a neck injury and whiplash. Other occupants and drivers were listed with unspecified injuries. Police identified 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The crash involved vehicles traveling straight and one making a right turn. No other contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807871 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-16

Apr 14 - A new study finds fare-free buses would speed up rides by 12 percent and draw 169 million more riders yearly. Faster boarding slashes dwell times. Riders save time. Streets get safer, air gets cleaner. The city must weigh the cost—and the gains.

On April 14, 2025, a policy analysis by Charles Komanoff examined the impact of fare-free buses in New York City. The report, covered by Streetsblog NYC, found that eliminating fares would cut bus trip times by 12 percent and boost annual ridership by 169 million, a 23 percent jump. The study states: 'Each dollar of city government support would produce more than two dollars worth of benefits for residents, primarily by removing the burden of fare payments while providing faster and more reliable bus service.' Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and State Senator Michael Gianaris, both of Queens, have pushed the MTA to consider free buses. Komanoff’s analysis shows that faster buses mean less time waiting, cleaner air, fewer crashes, and a small but real drop in car trips. The report adds fuel to the debate over city funding for free bus service.

• Free Buses Would Mean 12% Faster Rides And 20% More Riders: Study, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-14