Queens Streets Run Red—Your Silence Is Their License

A 23-year-old cyclist lay still on Queens Boulevard, struck by a Ford and a Mercedes. His head hit hard. Two hoods crumpled. Eastbound traffic rolled on. Police cite drivers disregarding traffic control. Another life lost to steel and speed.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male cyclist was killed on Queens Boulevard near 63rd Drive after being struck by both a Ford SUV and a Mercedes sedan. The crash occurred as the cyclist traveled north and the vehicles moved eastbound. The report states, 'A 23-year-old cyclist, no helmet, struck by a Ford and a Mercedes. His head hit. He died in the street. Two crumpled hoods. One still body. Eastbound traffic kept moving.' Police explicitly cite 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The cyclist suffered fatal head injuries. The report does not list any cyclist behavior as a contributing factor; the focus remains on the actions of the drivers and the systemic dangers present on Queens Boulevard.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799953 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a left turn struck a pedestrian crossing Yellowstone Blvd with the signal. The 46-year-old woman suffered hip and upper leg contusions. Police cite driver failure to yield right-of-way and passenger distraction as contributing factors.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Yellowstone Blvd at an intersection with the crossing signal. The driver of a 2015 Honda sedan, traveling west and making a left turn, failed to yield the right-of-way, striking the pedestrian with the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her hip and upper leg, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Passenger Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle sustained no damage despite the impact. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The pedestrian was conscious and injured at the scene. The data highlights driver error and distraction as central causes of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799613 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 37-year-old female SUV driver suffered head injuries after a right front bumper collision with a bus. The crash occurred during an unsafe lane change. Both vehicles were traveling westbound when impact occurred on a busy city road.

According to the police report, the crash involved a 2023 Toyota SUV and a 2013 bus, both traveling westbound on G.C.P. / JEWEL (CDR). The SUV driver, a 37-year-old woman, was injured with head trauma and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the SUV and the left side doors of the bus. The report cites "Unsafe Lane Changing" as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the SUV operator. The SUV driver was not ejected and showed no visible complaints beyond head injury. The bus had four occupants, and its driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799543 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A car hit a man and a child in Flushing. The man lay trapped under the vehicle. Both went to the hospital. The man’s injuries were critical. The driver stayed at the scene. Police are still investigating.

ABC7 reported on March 13, 2025, that a car struck two pedestrians at 32nd Avenue and 138th Street in Queens. Police found an adult man pinned under the vehicle and a child, aged 8 to 10, also injured. Both were hospitalized, with the man in critical condition. The article states, 'Police responded...and found an adult man pinned under a vehicle.' The driver remained at the scene, and the investigation continues. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at city intersections. No charges or details on driver actions were released at the time of reporting.

• Man And Child Struck In Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-03-13

A moped driver suffered a back contusion after a collision with a sedan on 62 Drive in Queens. Both vehicles traveled southwest, impacting at the sedan’s left front bumper and the moped’s center back end. Driver distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 62 Drive near Junction Boulevard in Queens at 16:42. A 26-year-old male moped driver, wearing a helmet, was injured with a back contusion and remained conscious. The moped and a sedan were both traveling southwest when they collided. The sedan sustained damage to its left front bumper, and the moped was damaged at its center back end. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" twice as contributing factors, indicating driver error as the primary cause. The moped driver was not ejected and was identified as the injured party. No other contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797575 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A drunk, speeding firefighter ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died. He was 23. His family buried him with his new degree. The firefighter faces charges. The street remains unchanged.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-04), Justin Diaz, 23, was killed when an off-duty FDNY firefighter, Michael Pena, sped through a red light at 83 mph in a 25 mph zone and struck Diaz’s BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd. Diaz was heading to work at LaGuardia Airport. Prosecutors say Pena was drunk, high on cocaine and marijuana, and refused a breath test. His blood-alcohol content was 0.156 percent. Surveillance footage confirmed Diaz had the right-of-way. The article notes, 'The victim had the right-of-way, and Pena ran a steady red light, prosecutors say.' Pena was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI. His license was suspended. The case highlights ongoing dangers for New York City road users and questions about bail and accountability for reckless drivers.

• Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Airport Worker, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-04

Senate bill S 5801 demands licenses and insurance for e-scooter riders. No license, no sale. Sponsors push manuals and safety lessons. The city’s streets stay risky for those outside cars.

Senate bill S 5801, sponsored by Luis R. Sepúlveda and co-sponsored by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., sits at the sponsorship stage. Filed March 3, 2025, it aims to 'establish a bicycle and electric scooter operator's safety manual' and require licenses and insurance for e-scooter riders in New York City. The bill bars sales to unlicensed, uninsured buyers. It also folds scooter safety into driver education. No safety analyst has weighed in on the impact for vulnerable road users. The measure’s focus is paperwork, not street design or driver accountability.

• File S 5801, Open States, Published 2025-03-03

A speeding Mercedes tore through a red light in Queens. The driver, off-duty FDNY, struck a BMW. The crash ripped off the roof. The 23-year-old inside died. The firefighter stayed at the scene, reeking of alcohol, unsteady, charged with manslaughter.

ABC7 reported on February 28, 2025, that off-duty firefighter Michael Pena was arraigned after a fatal crash in East Elmhurst, Queens. Prosecutors say Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and t-boned a BMW, killing 23-year-old Justin Diaz. The article quotes DA Melinda Katz: "An FDNY firefighter who was off duty is accused of driving under the influence, running a steady red light and slamming into a 23-year-old motorist, killing him, as he drove more than three times the posted speed limit." Pena's blood alcohol content was .156 percent, and he allegedly had drugs in his system. The BMW was sent flying into a parked car, its roof torn off. Pena faces manslaughter and related charges. The case highlights the lethal risk of extreme speeding and impaired driving on city streets.

• Firefighter Charged After Deadly Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-02-28

A firefighter ran a red. Metal struck metal. A young man died. The street echoed with sirens. Two more rode to the hospital. The city keeps count. The danger stays.

According to the New York Post (February 27, 2025), off-duty FDNY firefighter Michael Pena drove through a red light at Northern Boulevard and 107th Street in Queens, striking Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance video captured Pena’s Mercedes “passing a red light on Northern Boulevard and T-boning Diaz’s 2022 BMW.” Diaz, 23, died at Elmhurst Hospital. Pena faces charges of vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to take a breath test. Two passengers in Pena’s car were hospitalized. The FDNY suspended Pena for 28 days without pay. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of red-light running and impaired driving, raising questions about enforcement and accountability on city streets.

• Red Light Crash Kills Driver in Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-02-27

A Mercedes ran a red on Northern Boulevard. It hit a BMW. The BMW’s roof tore off. The driver, Justin Diaz, died. The Mercedes driver, off-duty FDNY, was arrested. Friends mourned by candles. The street stayed empty. Speed ruled the night.

ABC7 reported on February 26, 2025, that a fatal crash in East Elmhurst left one driver dead and another in custody. The article states, "It appears the driver of the Mercedes blew a red light and t-boned the BMW at a high rate of speed." The BMW’s driver, Justin Diaz, was killed. The Mercedes driver, an off-duty firefighter, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to take a breathalyzer. The FDNY suspended him without pay. Witnesses noted frequent speeding on the boulevard at night. The crash highlights the persistent risks of high-speed driving and lax overnight enforcement on city streets.

• Red Light Run Kills Ramp Worker, ABC7, Published 2025-02-26

An 88-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a sedan making a left turn in Queens. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive, causing the collision at an intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:38 on Ingram Street near Yellowstone Boulevard in Queens. A 2010 Toyota sedan, traveling west and making a left turn, struck an 88-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The sedan's point of impact was the center front end, and despite the collision, the vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The crash highlights driver errors in yielding and attentiveness as the primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794274 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senator Comrie backs a yellow alert system. Police would blast car details after deadly hit-and-runs. The goal: catch drivers who kill and flee. The bill stands at sponsorship. No safety review yet.

Senate Bill S 4946, sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie, aims to create a 'yellow alert system' for law enforcement to publicize vehicle information after fatal hit-and-run crashes. The bill is at the sponsorship stage as of February 14, 2025. The official summary reads: 'Establishes a "yellow alert system" for law enforcement to publicize vehicle information in instances of hit-and-run accidents in which a person has been killed.' No committee action or vote has occurred. No safety analyst has reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• File S 4946, Open States, Published 2025-02-14

A minivan left the road in Queens. It hit a tree. One woman died. Three others, all seniors, went to the hospital. The crash happened on Brookville Boulevard, near Sunrise Highway. Police are investigating. The road stayed quiet after.

According to the NY Daily News (published February 14, 2025), a minivan from Eunhae Adult Daycare crashed while leaving a senior residence in Queens. The 74-year-old driver 'lost control of the wheel at the Sunrise Highway.' The vehicle veered off Brookville Blvd and struck a tree. Four people were inside, all seniors. One woman in her 70s died after being found unconscious in the back seat. Three others, including the driver, were hospitalized but expected to survive. Police are investigating the cause. The article highlights the dangers faced by passengers in vehicles operated by older drivers and the risks at busy intersections like Brookville Boulevard and Sunrise Highway.

• Minivan Crash Kills Woman, Injures Three, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-14

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Two sedans collided at the intersection of 102 St and 62 Rd in Queens. A 49-year-old female driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The crash caused shock and injury but no ejections were reported.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling north and west respectively collided on 102 St near 62 Rd in Queens at 4:00 PM. The female driver of the northbound Jeep sedan was injured, suffering back injuries and whiplash, and was reported to be in shock. She was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the Jeep and the center front end of the westbound Subaru sedan. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver but does not specify driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791621 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A car struck an underpass on Belt Parkway. Metal twisted. A woman, 27, died at the hospital. A man survived. Police do not know who drove. The wreck left questions. The system failed to protect its passengers.

According to NY Daily News (published February 8, 2025), a single-car crash on Queens’ Belt Parkway killed a 27-year-old woman and injured a 30-year-old man. The white Toyota sedan hit an underpass near 225th Street around 3:50 a.m. Both occupants were found outside the wreck when police arrived. Investigators are unsure who was driving at the time of impact: 'Since both occupants were out of the car at the time of the crash, investigators haven't figured out who was driving, police said.' The woman died at Long Island Jewish Hospital-Valley Stream; the man was expected to survive. The article highlights ongoing uncertainty about driver identity and underscores the persistent risks on city highways, especially where loss of vehicle control leads to deadly outcomes. The investigation continues.

• Woman Killed In Queens Parkway Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-08

Two SUVs collided on 63 Drive in Queens. The left front bumper of one struck the right side doors of the other. A 59-year-old front passenger suffered neck injuries and shock. Unsafe lane changing and driver fatigue were cited as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 63 Drive in Queens at 20:53. Two station wagons/SUVs traveling south collided, with the left front bumper of one vehicle impacting the right side doors of the other. The front passenger, a 59-year-old woman, was injured, sustaining neck pain and shock. She was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report identifies 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Fatigued/Drowsy' as contributing factors attributed to the driver. The driver of the striking vehicle held a permit and was female, while the other driver was licensed and male. The collision and resulting injuries highlight the dangers of unsafe lane changes and driver fatigue in multi-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

A 61-year-old woman suffered back injuries and shock after an SUV struck her at a Queens intersection. The driver failed to yield and was distracted, hitting the pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The vehicle showed no damage on impact.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling southeast on 62 Drive in Queens was making a left turn at 16:56 when it struck a 61-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained back injuries and was in shock but had no visible complaints. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, yet no vehicle damage was recorded. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The pedestrian was not at fault; the collision resulted from the driver's failure to yield and distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789575 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two vehicles making right turns collided on Eliot Avenue in Queens. The sedan driver suffered a back injury and shock. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors. Both vehicles sustained damage to their right front bumpers.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Eliot Avenue near Queens Boulevard involving a 2017 sedan and a box truck, both traveling northeast and making right turns. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with back trauma and experienced shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passenger Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. Both vehicles sustained damage to their right front bumpers, indicating impact at those points. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and held a valid Florida license, while the truck driver was licensed in New York. The report explicitly cites driver errors, particularly inattention and distraction, without attributing fault to any other party.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789574 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04