Queens Streets Run Red While Leaders Stall

A van rolled down 147th Street, brakes failed. It pinned a 26-year-old man, crushing his legs. Blood pooled on the quiet pavement. Metal pressed flesh. Parked cars stood by, silent. The man stayed conscious, pain sharp, morning still.

A 26-year-old pedestrian suffered severe crush injuries to his legs when a van rolled from rest on 147th Street near 13th Avenue in Queens, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 8:51 a.m. The report states the van’s brakes were defective, causing it to move unexpectedly and strike the man. The narrative describes the van as having 'failed brakes' and details how it 'crushed a 26-year-old man’s legs.' The victim remained conscious on the pavement, bleeding. Two parked vehicles—a van and an SUV—were involved, but only the van moved. The police report lists 'Brakes Defective' as the primary contributing factor. No driver errors beyond mechanical failure are cited. The report does not attribute any contributing actions to the pedestrian. The focus remains on the van’s mechanical failure and the resulting harm to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756178, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A tractor truck slammed into the back of a sedan on the Whitestone Expressway. Three occupants in the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash exposed driver errors including following too closely and inexperience, causing serious harm.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:27 AM on the Whitestone Expressway involving a tractor truck and a sedan traveling northbound. The truck struck the sedan at its center back end, causing damage to both vehicles. The sedan carried three occupants: a licensed male driver and two female passengers, all conscious but injured with neck trauma and complaints of whiplash. The report identifies driver errors as contributing factors: the truck driver exhibited 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inexperience,' while the sedan driver also showed 'Driver Inexperience.' All occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and none were ejected. The collision and resulting injuries highlight the dangers posed by driver errors on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756179, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 22-year-old male motorcyclist struck debris on the Whitestone Expressway, sustaining abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The crash caused damage to the motorcycle's right front quarter panel. The rider was conscious and wearing a helmet at the time.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male motorcyclist traveling north on the Whitestone Expressway was injured after colliding with obstruction or debris on the roadway. The report identifies 'Obstruction/Debris' as a contributing factor to the crash. The rider was slowing or stopping before impact and was not ejected from the motorcycle. The collision caused damage to the motorcycle's right front quarter panel. The injured occupant, who was the driver, suffered abrasions to the elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was conscious at the scene. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, categorized as 'Helmet Only (In-Line Skater/Bicyclist)' in the report. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755427, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 34-year-old man was injured crossing Willets Point Boulevard in a marked crosswalk. The SUV driver failed to yield right-of-way, striking the pedestrian’s lower leg and knee. The impact caused abrasions but no vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, at 6:09 AM on Willets Point Boulevard near 166 Street, a 2018 Honda SUV traveling north struck a 34-year-old male pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, described as abrasions and categorized as injury severity level 3. The report identifies the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factor. The SUV’s point of impact was the center front end, yet no vehicle damage was recorded. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The report does not cite any pedestrian behaviors as contributing factors beyond the driver’s failure to yield. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers not yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754759, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcycle rider was ejected and suffered full-body abrasions after a sport utility vehicle slowed and struck the bike’s front end on the Whitestone Expressway. The SUV’s driver followed too closely, causing a violent impact and serious injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Whitestone Expressway at 3:45 p.m. A 30-year-old male motorcycle rider, wearing a helmet, was riding southbound when a 2020 Jeep SUV traveling in the same direction slowed or stopped. The SUV driver, licensed in Connecticut, failed to maintain a safe distance, following too closely, and struck the motorcycle’s center front end with the SUV’s right rear bumper. The impact ejected the motorcyclist, who sustained abrasions over his entire body and was injured but conscious. The motorcycle, driven by a male with a New York permit, suffered undercarriage damage. The report highlights the SUV driver’s error of following too closely as the primary contributing factor. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755245, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A tractor truck struck the rear of a parked sedan on Whitestone Expressway. Three occupants in the sedan suffered neck and back injuries, including whiplash. The truck driver’s failure to maintain distance caused the collision, leaving all injured conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:37 on Whitestone Expressway when a tractor truck traveling south rear-ended a parked sedan. The contributing factor cited was "Following Too Closely," indicating the truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The sedan had three occupants: a 53-year-old male driver, a 45-year-old male front passenger, and a 46-year-old female rear passenger. All three sustained injuries classified as severity 3, including neck and back injuries and complaints of whiplash. Each occupant was conscious and restrained with lap belts or harnesses. The truck showed no damage, while the sedan sustained center back-end damage. The report highlights driver error by the truck operator as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the victims.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755435, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 29-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV failed to yield while making a right turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at a Queens intersection when the vehicle hit him, causing bruising and contusions.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:30 p.m. on Sanford Avenue near Parsons Boulevard in Queens. A 2020 SUV, traveling east and making a right turn, struck a 29-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle impacted him on the left front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors attributed to the driver. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated as moderate. The driver’s failure to yield while turning directly caused the collision, highlighting a critical lapse in yielding to pedestrians legally crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753083, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A moped rider suffered back injuries and partial ejection after a collision with a sedan on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. The sedan driver was starting from parking when impact occurred. Unsafe speed by the moped driver contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens at 8:30 PM. A moped traveling east collided with a sedan that was starting from parking, also traveling east. The point of impact was the right front quarter panel of the moped and the left front quarter panel of the sedan. The moped driver, a 35-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained back injuries with a complaint of pain or nausea. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor attributed to the moped driver. The sedan driver was licensed and operating legally. The collision caused damage to the right side doors of the moped and the left front quarter panel of the sedan. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of excessive speed in mixed vehicle environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752651, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on Prince Street in Queens. The impact struck the left front bumper of one vehicle and the right front bumper of the other. A 28-year-old male driver suffered a fractured elbow and arm injuries, left shaken and in shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:15 on Prince Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, traveling north and east respectively, collided with impact on their front bumpers. The contributing factor cited was Failure to Yield Right-of-Way. The injured party was a 28-year-old male driver, who was not ejected but sustained a fracture and dislocation to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was reported to be in shock. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The collision damage was localized to the left front bumper of the northbound sedan and the right front bumper of the eastbound sedan. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752636, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A southbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan on Bell Boulevard. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cite the SUV driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, at 8:55 a.m., a 2022 SUV traveling south on Bell Boulevard rear-ended a 2003 sedan also heading south. The point of impact was the SUV's center back end striking the sedan's center front end. The sedan driver, a 39-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and experienced shock, wearing a lap belt at the time. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the sedan. Both drivers were licensed females from New York. The SUV sustained damage to its rear center, while the sedan showed no damage. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752632, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi slowed on 149th Street. The driver’s eyes left the road. A woman’s leg broke beneath the wheel. She went into shock. The car sat unharmed. The street held its breath as pain and silence filled the dusk.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling on 149th Street near 5th Avenue in Queens struck a 60-year-old woman who was standing in the roadway. The report states, 'The taxi slowed, but the driver looked away.' The woman suffered crush injuries to her knee and lower leg and went into shock. The police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, with additional mention of 'Passenger Distraction.' The taxi itself sustained no damage. The victim was not at an intersection and was engaged in 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but the report identifies driver distraction as the primary cause. The focus remains on the driver’s failure to maintain attention, resulting in severe injury to a pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751449, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs met head-on on Cross Island Parkway. Steel ripped. Roofs caved. A ten-year-old boy and a thirty-four-year-old woman were crushed in their seats. Five people injured. Speed and failure to yield tore lives apart in the night.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided head-on on Cross Island Parkway at 10:15 p.m. The impact was catastrophic: 'Roofs folded. Steel tore. A 10-year-old boy and a 34-year-old woman crushed in their seats. Five injured. All awake. All broken.' The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors for at least one vehicle. The narrative underscores that 'speed was too much. Yielding came too late.' Both the child and the woman, along with three others, suffered crush injuries to their entire bodies. All occupants were conscious but injured. The data points to driver actions—excessive speed and failure to yield—as the primary causes of this violent crash. No contributing factors are attributed to the victims.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750683, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcycle struck the right rear bumper of a sedan on the Long Island Expressway. The 18-year-old motorcyclist suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. Police cited unsafe speed and following too closely as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Long Island Expressway at 13:25. A motorcycle traveling westbound struck the right rear bumper of a westbound sedan. The motorcyclist, an 18-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factors, both attributed to the motorcyclist. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead with no reported violations. The impact point was the motorcycle's center front end hitting the sedan's right rear bumper, causing damage to both vehicles. The collision highlights driver errors related to speed and distance management on a high-speed expressway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753734, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on Utopia Parkway in Queens at 7:35 p.m. Multiple occupants suffered injuries including neck, back, and hip trauma. The crash involved unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way, with several passengers ejected and airbags deployed.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Utopia Parkway near 45 Avenue in Queens at 19:35. Two sedans were involved: one traveling south going straight ahead, the other making a left turn westbound. The collision point was the center front end of the southbound sedan and the right side doors of the westbound sedan. Contributing factors cited include unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way. Driver inattention and distraction were also noted. Five occupants were injured, including a 16-year-old male right rear passenger ejected from the vehicle with neck injuries and shock, and a 17-year-old male front passenger also ejected with back injuries. Both had airbags deployed. The drivers, aged 46 and 77, suffered hip and neck injuries and were in shock. Another 78-year-old female front passenger reported back injuries and pain. None of the injuries were fatal, but the severity was significant. The report highlights driver errors as central to the crash, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750668, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans traveling north on the Whitestone Expressway collided, striking left side doors and right front quarter panel. Both female drivers suffered internal injuries to back and neck. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts. No clear driver errors specified.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling northbound on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens when they collided. The point of impact was the left side doors of one vehicle and the right front quarter panel of the other. Both drivers were female, licensed in New York, and restrained by lap belts. The 36-year-old driver sustained back injuries, and the 57-year-old driver suffered neck injuries. Both were conscious and not ejected from their vehicles. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding noted. Vehicle damage was centered on the front end of one sedan, while the other showed no damage. The crash caused internal injuries but no further details on causation or victim behavior were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750650, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A van making a U-turn collided with an eastbound e-bike on Queens' 153 Street. The 25-year-old male cyclist suffered chest abrasions and shock. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:15 on 153 Street near Northern Boulevard in Queens. A van traveling north was making a U-turn when it struck the center front end of an eastbound e-bike. The 25-year-old male cyclist was injured, sustaining chest abrasions and shock. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the collision. The van's point of impact was its left rear quarter panel, indicating the U-turn maneuver led to the collision. The cyclist was not ejected and was the sole occupant of the e-bike. No contributing factors related to the cyclist's behavior or safety equipment were listed. The licensed van driver’s error in executing the U-turn without proper attention directly caused the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750646, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An 82-year-old woman suffered a head contusion after a bus hit her at a Queens intersection. The bus, traveling west on Main Street, impacted the pedestrian crossing without signal or crosswalk. The victim remained conscious despite serious injury.

According to the police report, a 2011 Nova bus traveling west on Main Street in Queens struck an 82-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection near 37 Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when the bus's right front quarter panel made contact. The victim sustained a head injury classified as severity level 3 and was conscious at the scene, complaining of contusions and bruises. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not indicate any driver errors or violations such as failure to yield. The bus driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. The collision highlights the dangers pedestrians face at intersections even without clear driver fault cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747692, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided on 125 Street in Queens. Both drivers were male and licensed. The crash caused contusions and neck and leg injuries to occupants. Driver inattention and distraction were cited as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling straight ahead collided on 125 Street in Queens at 3:00 PM. The first vehicle, a 2017 Toyota sedan traveling north, was impacted on the left front bumper. The second vehicle, a 2011 Hyundai sedan traveling east, sustained damage to the center front end. Both drivers were licensed males from New York. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor to the crash. An 18-year-old male rear passenger in the Hyundai was injured with neck contusions and bruises, wearing a lap belt and not ejected. The 35-year-old male driver of the Hyundai also suffered contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748563, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan making a left turn collided with an e-scooter traveling straight on 37 Avenue in Queens. The 27-year-old e-scooter rider was ejected, suffering head abrasions. The driver’s improper lane usage caused the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, at 9:24 AM on 37 Avenue in Queens, a sedan driven by a licensed female driver was making a left turn when it struck an e-scooter traveling straight south. The e-scooter rider, a 27-year-old male, was ejected from the vehicle and sustained head abrasions, classified as injury severity 3. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error on the part of the sedan operator. The e-scooter rider was not wearing any safety equipment and was riding on the vehicle's outside, but no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The sedan showed no damage, but the collision caused serious injury to the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747521, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 28-year-old female driver suffered upper arm injuries and abrasions in a collision on Whitestone Expressway. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors. The driver was unlicensed and struck another vehicle head-on, sustaining moderate injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:30 AM on Whitestone Expressway involving a 2017 Mercedes sedan traveling north. The driver, a 28-year-old female, was unlicensed and distracted, contributing to the collision. The report states the point of impact was the right front bumper of her vehicle. She was not ejected but sustained an upper arm shoulder injury and abrasions, classified as injury severity level 3. The police report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights dangers posed by unlicensed and inattentive drivers on NYC roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746577, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15