Thirteen Dead. Thousands Hurt. Queens Streets Still Bleed.

Sedans and e-bike collided on Linden Boulevard. E-bike rider thrown, injured. Police cite traffic control ignored, slippery pavement. System failed to protect the vulnerable. Metal met flesh. Streets stayed dangerous.

An e-bike rider, age 44, was ejected and injured after a collision with two sedans on Linden Boulevard near I-678 in Queens. According to the police report, the crash involved traffic control disregarded and pavement slippery as contributing factors. The e-bike rider suffered a contusion and was conscious at the scene. Both sedan drivers and several occupants were involved, but only the e-bike rider was reported injured. The police report states, “Traffic Control Disregarded” as a primary factor. Helmet use was noted for the e-bike rider, but only after the driver errors. The crash underscores the persistent dangers faced by those outside cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803198 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Two vehicles collided on S Conduit Ave. Passengers and drivers suffered head and back injuries. Police cite driver distraction and improper lane use. Metal and glass scattered. The street stayed dangerous.

A tractor truck and an SUV collided on S Conduit Ave near Linden Blvd in Queens. According to the police report, multiple occupants were injured, including a female rear passenger with head trauma and a male driver with back injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the risks when drivers lose focus and misuse lanes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802825 - 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 Ford pickup hit a 29-year-old man on 133rd Street near Liberty Avenue. Blood spilled onto the asphalt. The man stood, stunned, his leg torn open. The driver never stopped. No brake lights, no pause, just a truck vanishing west.

A Ford pickup truck struck a 29-year-old man on 133rd Street near Liberty Avenue, according to the police report. The man, described as 'playing in the roadway,' suffered severe lacerations to his lower leg and stood in shock as blood spilled onto the street. The report states the pickup did not stop after the collision—'No brake lights. Just gone.' The vehicle, registered in New Jersey, showed no reported damage and was traveling west. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a central fact. The victim’s behavior is noted as 'playing in roadway,' but this is only mentioned after the driver’s actions. The collision left the pedestrian injured and abandoned, underscoring the lethal consequences when drivers fail to stop after striking a person.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800723 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two women suffered head injuries in a Queens crash on Lefferts Blvd. Both were restrained but experienced shock and minor bleeding. The collision involved improper lane usage and traffic control disregard, highlighting driver errors in a multi-SUV crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Lefferts Blvd in Queens at 2:00 AM. Two occupants in a Ford SUV—a 23-year-old female driver and a 20-year-old female front passenger—were injured with head trauma and minor bleeding. Both wore lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors behind the collision. The Ford SUV was impacted on the right front quarter panel, while a BMW SUV traveling east struck it at the center front end. The driver of the BMW was a licensed male. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash underscores the dangers of improper lane use and failure to obey traffic controls in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800716 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council grilled the MTA over a $4 billion ask. Riders braced for another ‘Summer of Hell.’ Lawmakers slammed waste and threats. No strong opposition in the chamber. Outside, anger simmered. Vulnerable riders left in limbo as funding fights drag on.

"Instead of insulting us with baseless threats, the agency that spends $30 million on a staircase should find ways to cut its wasteful spending and bloated payroll before asking for more taxpayer money." -- Joann Ariola

On March 19, 2025, the City Council held a budget hearing on the MTA’s 2025-29 capital plan funding. The MTA demanded $4 billion from the city—a 33% jump from the last plan—warning of major subway disruptions if denied. The matter, titled 'MTA threatens another ‘Summer of Hell’ of subway disruptions if NYC doesn’t cough up billions,' drew sharp words. Council Member Joann Ariola (R-Queens) blasted the agency: 'Instead of insulting us with baseless threats, the agency that spends $30 million on a staircase should find ways to cut its wasteful spending and bloated payroll before asking for more taxpayer money.' Other lawmakers and advocates echoed frustration, questioning MTA management and calling for state responsibility. Despite heated criticism, council members did not strongly oppose the request in session. The hearing left the city’s most vulnerable riders—those who rely on safe, reliable transit—caught between political fights and crumbling infrastructure.

• MTA threatens another ‘Summer of Hell’ of subway disruptions if NYC doesn’t cough up billions — as transit agency touts its ‘great service’, nypost.com, Published 2025-03-19

A taxi traveling south on Van Wyck Expressway struck a parked sedan’s right rear bumper. The taxi driver and passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited unsafe speed as the primary contributing factor in the collision.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on Van Wyck Expressway collided with a parked sedan, impacting the sedan’s right rear bumper with the taxi’s left front bumper. The taxi driver and his passenger, both 27-year-old males, sustained injuries to their knees and lower legs, described as contusions and bruises. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and were not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan was stationary at the time, and no other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The taxi driver held a valid New Jersey license, and the sedan driver was licensed in New York. The collision occurred at 11:22 p.m., emphasizing the dangers of excessive speed even on controlled roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799830 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A motorcycle traveling west was struck by an eastbound SUV making a left turn on Rockaway Blvd in Queens. The motorcycle driver suffered a severe leg fracture and shock. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:36 on Rockaway Blvd in Queens. A motorcycle traveling westbound was struck at the center front end by an SUV making a left turn eastbound. The motorcycle driver, a 28-year-old male, sustained serious injuries including a fracture and dislocation to his lower leg, knee, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The SUV driver was licensed and female. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The motorcycle driver was not ejected and no other contributing factors were specified. The collision impact was at the center front end of the motorcycle and the right front bumper of the SUV, indicating the SUV's left turn crossed the motorcycle's path, resulting in the severe injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799109 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided head-on on Rockaway Blvd. A 48-year-old man driving north was hurt in the neck. Police cited driver inattention and improper lane use. One driver was unlicensed. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed head-on at the center front ends on Rockaway Blvd in Queens at 2:50 AM. The northbound sedan, driven by a 48-year-old man, suffered center front damage. He was conscious, properly restrained, and sustained neck injuries and whiplash. The southbound Nissan sedan was driven by an unlicensed woman and showed no damage. Police listed driver inattention, distraction, and improper lane usage as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798580 - 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 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

DOT will erase a car lane on Sixth Avenue. The bike lane grows from six to ten feet. Community Board 5 backs the plan. Critics shout about gridlock. Supporters call for safer streets. The city moves ahead. Cyclists and pedestrians wait.

""The anti-car insanity has gotten so extreme. The Department of Tyrants is not just trying to make it impossible for anyone to drive in this city, it is willing to jeopardize the safety of New Yorkers by creating conditions that will seriously impede emergency responders."" -- Joann Ariola

On March 1, 2025, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a plan to remove one of four vehicle lanes on Sixth Avenue, Manhattan, expanding the bike lane from six to ten feet between West 14th and West 35th Streets. The proposal, presented to Community Board 5's transportation committee, passed with a 10-2 vote. The matter summary reads: 'DOT plans to widen the Sixth Avenue bike lane... eliminating one of the four vehicle lanes.' Council Member Joann Ariola, mentioned in the debate, strongly opposed the move, warning it 'will seriously impede emergency responders.' Other council members and residents voiced sharp criticism, calling the redesign dangerous and disruptive. DOT officials insist the plan is rooted in community input and data. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided for vulnerable road users.

• Car-hating NYC bureaucrats quietly making congestion worse with plan to cut vehicle lanes, nypost.com, Published 2025-03-01

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

A sedan hit a 51-year-old woman outside an intersection in Queens. She suffered hip and leg injuries. Police cite driver inexperience and distraction. The car’s front quarter panel struck her.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 135 Place in Queens struck a 51-year-old female pedestrian who was in the roadway but not at an intersection. The impact came from the vehicle’s right front quarter panel, causing injuries to her hip and upper leg. The pedestrian remained conscious and complained of internal pain. The report lists driver inexperience and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and going straight before the crash. No pedestrian actions were cited as contributing factors. This collision underscores the danger posed by driver errors, especially inexperience and distraction, on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794423 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A southbound SUV struck an eastbound sedan at Lefferts Blvd in Queens. The SUV's left front bumper hit the sedan's left rear quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 43-year-old man, suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:59 on Lefferts Blvd in Queens involving a 2016 Chevrolet SUV traveling south and a 2011 Nissan sedan traveling east. The SUV impacted the sedan on its left front bumper, striking the sedan's left rear quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 43-year-old male occupant, was injured with a head abrasion but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No ejections occurred. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the sedan driver beyond unspecified factors, focusing on the SUV driver's failure to comply with traffic control as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794422 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council Member Joann Ariola moves to hammer drivers who block fire hydrants. Her bill would hike fines to $1,000 and let New Yorkers send 311 videos for instant tickets. Blocked hydrants delayed response to deadly fires. Streets stay dangerous. Lives lost.

On February 17, 2025, Council Member Joann Ariola (District 32) announced draft legislation to crack down on drivers who block fire hydrants. The bill, not yet numbered, would raise fines from $115 to $1,000 and allow 311 video submissions for automatic summonses. Ariola said, 'We have seen two fires in the past week that have resulted in fatalities where the firefighters were unable to access the closest fire hydrant.' The measure responds to a surge in complaints—over 134,000 in 2023—about blocked hydrants. Ariola’s office blamed lost parking to DOT bike lanes and racks, but the DOT countered, calling protected bike lanes a proven safety tool. FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said blocked hydrants slowed firefighting in a recent fatal fire. The bill aims to keep hydrants clear and prevent more deaths.

• Blocked NYC fire hydrant complaints doubled since pandemic as bike lanes, lack of cops may be to blame, nypost.com, Published 2025-02-17