Queens Streets Bleed—Policy Is the Weapon

Jan 5 - Van turned wrong, slammed into parked SUV. Woman in back seat thrown partway out. She suffered back injuries, shock, pain. Intersection danger, driver error, real harm.

According to the police report, a van making a right turn near 112-20 Atlantic Ave in Queens struck the left front bumper of a parked SUV at 13:55. The van driver committed the error of "Turning Improperly." A 47-year-old woman, seated in the right rear passenger seat of the SUV, was partially ejected and suffered back injuries. She was in shock and complained of pain or nausea. The report lists no contributing factors from the victim. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage. This crash shows the danger of improper turning, with serious injury to a passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 29 - SUV driver, distracted and inattentive, struck a refrigerated van while both moved south on Van Wyck Expressway. Impact left SUV driver with neck whiplash. Systemic danger, not chance, shaped the crash.

According to the police report, a Station Wagon/SUV traveling south on Van Wyck Expressway collided with a refrigerated van that was merging in the same direction. The SUV's right side hit the van's front, injuring the 46-year-old SUV driver with neck whiplash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No victim actions contributed. The crash damaged both vehicles and left the SUV driver conscious but hurt. Systemic driver error and limited visibility led to the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782479 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 26 - A 64-year-old man was struck by a northbound sedan on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian suffered contusions and lower leg injuries. The driver’s inattention caused the collision outside an intersection, leaving the victim bruised but conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling northbound on Jamaica Avenue in Queens struck a 64-year-old male pedestrian who was not at an intersection but engaged in other actions in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash, repeated twice for emphasis. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which was going straight ahead. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash occurred at 5:45 p.m., highlighting the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782714 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 19 - A 26-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a northbound sedan making a left turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered bruises and lower leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 102 Street at Atlantic Avenue in Queens around 6:57 PM. The report states the sedan driver, a licensed female, was making a left turn northbound when the collision occurred. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal, but the driver failed to yield right-of-way and showed signs of inattention or distraction. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which sustained no damage. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, but remained conscious. The report explicitly cites driver errors—failure to yield and driver inattention—as contributing factors, with no mention of pedestrian fault or equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780113 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 19 - A 49-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck at an intersection in Queens. The vehicle, traveling straight ahead, hit the pedestrian with its center front end. Unsafe speed and driver distraction contributed to the crash, causing back injuries.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing with the signal at an intersection on 80 Road near Kew Gardens Road in Queens at 10:42 AM. The pedestrian suffered internal complaints and back injuries classified as severity level 3. The vehicle involved was traveling straight ahead and struck the pedestrian with its center front end, sustaining damage in the same area. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the collision. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The crash highlights driver errors, specifically unsafe speed and distraction, as central causes of the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780112 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 18 - Council bill Intro 103 forces DOT to notify members for every parking change. Critics say it slows life-saving street redesigns. Advocates warn it props up car culture and blocks safer bike lanes. The bill risks more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings.

Intro 103, now before the City Council, would require the Department of Transportation to notify Council members every time a single parking spot is repurposed—for car-share, bike corrals, or Citi Bike docks. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola, claims residents need notice before losing parking. But DOT and street safety advocates slam the measure as a bureaucratic drag on urgent safety fixes. Council Member Lincoln Restler calls it 'additional hoops and hurdles' for street safety. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso says, 'I don’t know why we entertain any effort to stop or slow-roll safe street design.' Open Plans and StreetsPAC argue the bill props up car dominance and blocks safer, more sustainable streets. The bill could make it harder to move bike infrastructure off sidewalks, risking more sidewalk riding and fewer safe crossings for pedestrians. Similar bills (Intro 606, Intro 104) face the same criticism.

• Council Members Want To Be Notified When City Repurposes ‘Their’ Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 17 - A sedan making a left turn collided with a westbound bus in Queens. Both drivers suffered injuries, including head and leg trauma. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:52 in Queens near 97-17 95 Avenue. A 30-year-old female sedan driver, licensed in New York, was making a left turn when her vehicle's right rear quarter panel struck the left front quarter panel of a westbound bus. The bus driver and a 59-year-old female passenger were also involved. Both the sedan driver and the bus passenger were injured, with the driver sustaining head injuries and the passenger suffering knee, lower leg, and foot injuries. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and were not ejected. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both drivers. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the systemic danger posed by driver distraction during critical maneuvers like left turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779553 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 17 - A sedan traveling north on 122 St struck a 17-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at Jamaica Ave. The pedestrian suffered elbow and lower arm contusions. The crash resulted from the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way at the intersection.

According to the police report, a sedan proceeding straight ahead on 122 St in Queens collided with a 17-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection with Jamaica Ave around 8:00 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle impacted him with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to his elbow and lower arm and remained conscious after the collision. The report explicitly cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The vehicle was damaged at the center front end, confirming the point of impact. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver negligence at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779554 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 9 - A 17-year-old male pedestrian was struck at a Queens intersection while crossing with the signal. The driver, traveling southbound, failed to pay attention, causing a collision that injured the teen’s lower leg and foot with bruising.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:50 on 104 Street near Atlantic Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian, a 17-year-old male, was crossing with the signal when he was hit. The driver was traveling straight ahead southbound and struck the pedestrian with the center front end of the vehicle. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruising. The vehicle showed no damage. The report explicitly attributes the crash to driver errors, specifically inattention and lack of experience, without any contributing fault on the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777551 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 4 - A 36-year-old man suffered a severe shoulder fracture after an SUV struck him at a Queens intersection. The driver, making a left turn, failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when hit.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:40 PM on Woodhaven Blvd near 101 Ave in Queens. A Station Wagon/SUV traveling north was making a left turn when it struck a 36-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained a fractured and dislocated upper arm and remained conscious after the impact. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The SUV's left front bumper was the point of impact, indicating the driver failed to yield to the pedestrian legally crossing. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior were noted. The driver's errors directly caused the collision and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777119 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 4 - A female driver suffered neck injuries in a Queens crash involving two sedans. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as causes. The impact damaged the left side doors of one vehicle and the front bumpers of the others. No ejections occurred.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:30 on 134 Street in Queens. A 52-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining a neck injury described as whiplash. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The collision involved two sedans and a Jeep SUV. The female driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Vehicle damage included left side doors on the Honda sedan and front-end damage on the other vehicles. The report highlights driver errors—unsafe speed and distraction—as primary causes, with no mention of victim fault or contributing pedestrian actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 4 - A female driver struck multiple parked vehicles on 75th Street in Queens. The impact caused neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the primary cause. The driver was conscious and restrained at the time of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 75th Street in Queens at 16:57. A female driver operating a 2015 Toyota SUV traveling south struck several parked vehicles, impacting the right front bumper of her vehicle. The collision involved multiple stationary vehicles, including SUVs and a sedan, with damage to their left rear bumpers and side doors. The driver, a 48-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly attributes the crash to 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' identifying this as the primary contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The driver was licensed in New York at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776303 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 4 - A 66-year-old woman suffered head injuries and shock after a taxi hit her while crossing 89 Avenue outside a crosswalk. The impact to the taxi’s front center caused minor bleeding and serious trauma, highlighting dangers for pedestrians off intersections.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on 89 Avenue struck a 66-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing outside a crosswalk. The impact occurred at the center front end of the taxi, causing head injuries and shock to the pedestrian, who experienced minor bleeding. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, though the report lists unspecified contributing factors without assigning fault to the victim. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. Vehicle damage was centered on the front end. The report does not cite explicit driver errors such as failure to yield, but the collision with a pedestrian outside a crosswalk underscores systemic risks in this Queens location.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776140 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 4 - A sedan making a left turn collided with an eastbound e-bike on 101 Ave in Queens. The 66-year-old male cyclist suffered head abrasions but remained conscious. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as a key factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:30 AM on 101 Ave in Queens. A 2018 Nissan sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, was making a left turn when it struck a westbound e-bike head-on. The e-bike rider, a 66-year-old male, sustained head abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The cyclist was not ejected and was not cited for any contributing behaviors. The collision’s point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the e-bike’s left front bumper, causing center front end damage to both vehicles. This crash highlights driver error in turning maneuvers and maintaining proper distance as critical causes of injury to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776116 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 27 - A sedan turned right and struck a 70-year-old man and a 9-year-old girl crossing with the signal. Both suffered bruises to their knees and legs. The driver failed to yield. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on 104 Street near Atlantic Avenue in Queens made a right turn at 12:13 PM and struck two pedestrians in the crosswalk. The victims, a 70-year-old man and a 9-year-old girl, were crossing with the signal. Both sustained contusions and bruises to their knees and lower legs. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor attributed to the driver. The sedan showed no damage. The pedestrians were conscious and injured. No contributing factors were attributed to the pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774678 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 21 - An 85-year-old woman suffered a head injury after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn on 89 Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The driver’s failure to yield caused the collision.

According to the police report, at 16:28 on 89 Avenue in Queens, a sedan traveling south made a left turn and struck an 85-year-old female pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the driver. The vehicle showed no damage despite the center front end impact. The pedestrian’s crossing behavior was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The driver’s failure to yield right-of-way during the left turn directly led to the collision and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 18 - A motorcycle and sedan collided head-on in Queens. The motorcyclist was partially ejected, suffering severe leg injuries and fractures. The sedan driver was distracted, causing the crash. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in this violent impact.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 104-20 91 Ave in Queens involving a sedan and a motorcycle traveling east and west, respectively. The motorcyclist, a 26-year-old male, was partially ejected from his vehicle and sustained serious injuries including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain proper attention. Both vehicles suffered center front-end damage, confirming a direct head-on impact. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The sedan driver was licensed in New York. This crash underscores the dangers posed by driver distraction, especially to vulnerable motorcyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772111 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 16 - A sedan’s front bumper smashed a woman’s leg near Jamaica Avenue. Blood pooled on the street. The driver looked away. Metal screamed. A parked Ford shuddered. The woman, conscious, lay torn and bleeding in the gutter.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old woman was struck by a Hyundai sedan near 127-03 Jamaica Avenue in Queens at 1:27 a.m. The report states she was outside the crosswalk when the vehicle hit her, splitting open her leg and causing severe lacerations. The impact was so forceful that a parked Ford SUV was also slammed. The police report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, indicating the driver looked away before the crash. The sedan’s right front bumper bore the brunt of the collision. The woman was conscious at the scene, her injury classified as severe. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior are cited in the report. The crash underscores the danger posed by distracted drivers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772041 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 14 - A 39-year-old male driver suffered severe injuries after a solo crash on Park Ln S in Queens. The SUV struck head-on, causing fractures and dislocations. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience as key factors in the accident.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:14 on Park Ln S, Queens, involving a 2022 SUV traveling north. The driver, a 39-year-old male occupant, was injured with fractures and dislocations affecting his entire body. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The vehicle sustained center front end damage upon impact. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected but was found semiconscious. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The police report explicitly attributes the crash to the driver's failure to maintain attention and lack of experience, highlighting systemic dangers posed by distracted driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771423 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 13 - SUV hit a 41-year-old man in a marked Queens crosswalk. Driver failed to yield. Pedestrian suffered arm abrasions. He was conscious. No vehicle damage. Impact came from right front bumper.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old man was crossing 107 Street at 95 Avenue in Queens when a westbound VOLK SUV made a left turn and struck him in a marked crosswalk. The point of impact was the SUV's right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the driver’s contributing factor. No other contributing factors were noted for the pedestrian. The vehicle sustained no damage. The crash highlights a clear driver error at the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771463 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18