Queens Streets Run Red—Your Silence Is Their License

A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.

NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.

• Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-27

A BMW driver used his SUV as a weapon. He killed a 55-year-old motorcyclist in Queens. Flames marked the scene. Police charged him with murder. The victim died on the street. Cars remain deadly for those outside them.

On April 25, 2025, police charged Jorden Rosen, 42, with murder and criminal possession of a weapon after a road rage crash killed William McField, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, in Rego Park, Queens. The case, reported by Colin Mixson and Rocco Parascandola, centers on helmet cam footage showing Rosen's BMW rear-ending and running over McField after a minor collision on the Long Island Expressway. Queens DA Melinda Katz said, 'Our roadways are not the place to settle disputes.' Rosen surrendered at the 112th Precinct and was arraigned. No council members are involved; this is a criminal prosecution, not legislation. According to safety analysts, charging a driver with murder is an individual legal response, not a systemic policy change. It does not directly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists.

• BMW driver charged with murder of Queens motorcyclist in road rage crash: NYPD, Gothamist, Published 2025-04-25

Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.

Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.

• File Res 0854-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-24

A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.

The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.

• Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-04-23

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

A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. It hit a man on a bike. He died there, on the street. Police are investigating. The crash happened in Middle Village, Queens. Metal met flesh. The city keeps moving.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The collision happened as the truck was 'turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street.' The victim, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating the incident. The article notes the truck's turning movement but does not detail further driver actions. This fatal crash highlights the risks at intersections where large vehicles and cyclists cross paths. No information was provided about charges or policy changes.

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

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

A former firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. He struck Justin Diaz’s car at 83 mph. Diaz died a block from home. The driver was drunk, high, and unregistered. The court revoked his bail. Diaz’s family mourns.

ABC7 reported on April 17, 2025, that ex-FDNY firefighter Michael Peña faces manslaughter and DWI charges after a deadly crash in Queens. Prosecutors allege Peña was drunk, high, and speeding at 83 mph—three times the limit—when he ran a red light and T-boned 23-year-old Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance and body camera footage show Peña admitting to running the light. Five hours after the crash, tests confirmed intoxication by alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Peña’s record includes prior arrests and 25 school zone speeding tickets. He also drove an unregistered vehicle with an obstructed plate and tinted windshield. The victim, Diaz, was headed to work and had just graduated college. The case highlights repeated driver violations and systemic failures in enforcement.

• Ex-Firefighter Charged In Queens Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-17

Two sedans crashed on 70 Ave and Loubet St. Both drivers injured. Police cite traffic control ignored and tailgating. Metal twisted. Sirens cut the night.

Two sedans crashed at 70 Ave and Loubet St in Queens. Both drivers, ages 20 and 105, were injured. One suffered neck injuries, the other hurt his leg. According to the police report, both drivers disregarded traffic control and followed too closely. These driver errors led to the collision. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left both vehicles damaged and the drivers shaken.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805702 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

A sedan, SUV, and motorcycle slammed together on Woodhaven. Metal screamed. A 55-year-old man was thrown and killed. Others staggered from wrecks, battered and stunned. Failure to yield left silence in its wake.

A deadly crash on Woodhaven Boulevard at 60th Drive involved a sedan, an SUV, and a motorcycle. According to the police report, 'A sedan, motorcycle, and SUV collide, metal shrieks. The motorcycle is crushed. A 55-year-old man, ejected, dies on the street. Others crawl from wrecks, dazed, bodies aching.' The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The 55-year-old motorcyclist was killed after being ejected. Another driver, age 42, was injured. Passengers and other drivers suffered unspecified injuries. Helmets and harnesses were used but could not prevent the fatal outcome.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW and motorcycle collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both vehicles burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The BMW driver survived. No arrests. Police are investigating. Another life lost on a wide, fast Queens road.

According to NY Daily News (April 5, 2025), a fatal crash occurred at 60th Drive and Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Queens. A BMW SUV and a motorcycle, both heading south, collided around 9:22 a.m. Both vehicles caught fire. Police said, 'only the car driver survived the collision.' EMS pronounced the motorcycle rider dead at the scene. The BMW driver was hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests have been made, and police continue to investigate. The crash highlights the persistent dangers on major Queens thoroughfares, where high speeds and heavy traffic put vulnerable road users at risk.

• Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Blaze, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-05

A driver lost control near a Queens school. The car struck two children and a man. A seven-year-old girl’s leg snapped. Sirens wailed. Police arrested the driver. The sidewalk bore the scars. The city’s danger was plain.

According to the New York Post (April 4, 2025), an unlicensed driver reversed into a box truck, then spun onto the sidewalk outside Our World Neighborhood Charter School in Astoria, Queens. The crash injured three: a 7-year-old girl with a broken femur and head injury, a 14-year-old girl with leg injuries, and a 58-year-old man with bruises. The article states, 'Bah was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving and driving without a license.' This incident follows another recent crash involving a suspended license, highlighting recurring risks from unlicensed drivers. The crash underscores the persistent threat cars pose to people on city sidewalks, especially near schools.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits Kids Outside School, New York Post, Published 2025-04-04

Two cars struck Jorman Esparza-Olivares at a busy Rego Park crossing. He suffered head and body trauma. Medics rushed him to Elmhurst. He died six days later. Both drivers stayed. No charges. The intersection remains dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 3, 2025, that Jorman Esparza-Olivares, 23, was killed after being struck by two drivers while riding his e-bike north on 63rd Drive at Queens Blvd. The crash occurred just before 5:30 p.m. on March 19. According to police, 'It wasn't clear if any of the men involved in the crash ran a red light.' Esparza-Olivares suffered severe injuries and died six days later at Elmhurst Medical Center. Both drivers, operating a Ford SUV and a Mercedes Benz, remained at the scene and were not immediately charged. The incident highlights persistent risks for cyclists at major intersections and raises questions about traffic controls and driver awareness on Queens Blvd.

• E-Bike Rider Killed At Queens Intersection, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

A taxi struck the left rear bumper of a northbound sedan changing lanes on G.C.P. / JEWEL (CDR). Two sedan passengers suffered whiplash and injuries to back and shoulder. The taxi driver followed too closely, causing the collision.

According to the police report, at 16:09 a taxi traveling southbound collided with the left rear bumper of a northbound sedan on G.C.P. / JEWEL (CDR). The sedan was in the process of changing lanes when the taxi struck it. The taxi driver's error was identified as "Following Too Closely," directly contributing to the crash. The sedan carried three occupants; two passengers, a 38-year-old male and a 48-year-old female, were injured with whiplash and back and shoulder injuries respectively. Both were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The taxi had no occupants at the time. Vehicle damage was reported on the taxi's right front bumper and the sedan's left rear bumper. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804964 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding Mercedes ran a red in Queens. The driver, high and drunk, struck a young airport worker headed to his job. The worker died. Two passengers survived. The driver, a probationary firefighter, now faces manslaughter charges.

NY Daily News reported on March 28, 2025, that Michael Pena, a probationary FDNY firefighter, was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter in a Queens crash. Prosecutors said Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and struck Justin Diaz, 23, who had the right-of-way. Pena's blood-alcohol content was 0.156%, nearly double the legal limit, and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. The article states, 'Pena was driving nearly 60 mph above the speed limit after a night of drinking at a bar.' Surveillance footage confirmed the sequence. Two passengers in Pena's car were hospitalized. The crash highlights ongoing risks from impaired and reckless driving, even among public servants.

• Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-28

A sedan traveling north on Woodhaven Blvd rear-ended another stopped sedan. The front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inexperience and unsafe backing as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Woodhaven Blvd in Queens at 15:02. A northbound sedan struck the rear of another sedan stopped in traffic. The front passenger in the struck vehicle, a 65-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies driver inexperience and backing unsafely as contributing factors to the collision. The striking vehicle sustained center front end damage, while the struck vehicle had center back end damage. The driver of the striking vehicle was licensed. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers and unsafe vehicle maneuvers in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A bus swung left on Yellowstone. A sixteen-year-old girl crossed with the signal. The bumper tore her leg. Blood pooled on Burns Street. She stayed conscious. The driver, distracted, never saw her.

According to the police report, a bus making a left turn at the corner of Yellowstone Boulevard and Burns Street struck a sixteen-year-old pedestrian. The girl was crossing with the light when the right front bumper hit her leg, causing severe lacerations and significant bleeding. The report states, 'The driver never saw her.' The contributing factor listed is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The pedestrian's actions—crossing with the signal at the intersection—are noted, but the primary cause identified is the bus driver's failure to pay attention while turning. No vehicle damage was reported. The incident underscores the danger posed by inattentive driving, especially when large vehicles turn through crosswalks occupied by people with the right of way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800898 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV slammed into sedan’s rear on Grand Central Parkway. Both drivers hurt. Head wounds. Whiplash. Abrasions. No pedestrians. No cyclists. Metal and flesh took the blow.

According to the police report, a 2016 Toyota SUV struck the back of a 2016 Honda sedan on Grand Central Parkway at 1:28 a.m. Both vehicles traveled eastbound. The SUV hit the sedan’s center back end. The sedan driver, age 30, suffered head injuries and abrasions. The SUV driver, age 46, sustained head injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and wore lap belts and harnesses. The report lists no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Contributing factors for the sedan driver are marked as unspecified. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800242 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck an e-scooter traveling west on Queens Boulevard. The e-scooter driver, a 29-year-old man, suffered hip and upper leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:41 on Queens Boulevard involving a sedan and an e-scooter, both traveling west. The sedan's left front bumper impacted the center front end of the e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 29-year-old male, sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg, described as contusions and bruises, and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' twice as contributing factors, indicating that the sedan driver failed to maintain proper attention. There was no damage reported to the sedan, while the e-scooter sustained damage to its center front end. The e-scooter driver was not ejected and was not cited for any contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction on busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800651 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04