Night on the Cross Island. Another life gone.

Mar 27 - Sedan slammed into another sedan’s rear on Cross Island Parkway. Driver suffered neck injury. Police cite inattention and reaction to another vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a sedan rear-ended another sedan on Cross Island Parkway at 11:00 AM. The 34-year-old female driver of the striking car suffered neck injuries, described as whiplash. The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash damaged both vehicles. The police report highlights driver error as the cause. No mention of helmet use or signaling as factors. The injured driver was conscious and not ejected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801731 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 22 - Two SUVs slammed together on the Long Island Expressway after midnight. Unsafe speed drove the crash. A 17-year-old driver was hurt, scraped and shaken, but stayed conscious. Metal twisted. Danger lingered.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on the Long Island Expressway at 12:33 a.m. Both vehicles traveled west. The crash struck the right rear quarter panel of one SUV and the left front bumper of the other. 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' were listed as contributing factors. A 17-year-old male driver suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. He was not ejected and remained conscious. He wore a lap belt and harness. Both SUVs sustained heavy damage to their front and rear panels. No other contributing factors appeared in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800354 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 19 - A box truck driver broke his leg and foot in a violent truck pileup on Clearview Expressway. Police blamed unsafe speed. Metal twisted. The driver stayed conscious, trapped by the impact.

According to the police report, several trucks collided on Clearview Expressway at 10:35 a.m. The crash left a 62-year-old box truck driver with serious fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unsafe speed as the main contributing factor. The box truck struck with its left front quarter panel, hitting other trucks, including a dump truck and two tractor trucks. The injured driver was not ejected and remained conscious. Police cited unsafe speed as the primary driver error. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 15 - A minivan struck a 78-year-old woman crossing Northern Boulevard. The driver fled. She died at the hospital. Police have not released her name. No arrests. The street stayed open. The city moved on.

According to NY Daily News (published March 15, 2025), a 78-year-old woman was killed crossing Northern Blvd. near Parsons Blvd. in Flushing around 9:30 p.m. Friday. Police said, "A 78-year-old woman was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver as she crossed a Queens street." The dark-colored minivan was traveling west when it hit her mid-block. The driver did not stop. No arrests have been made. The victim was taken to New York Presbyterian-Queens Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her name has not been released. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for pedestrians on major city corridors and the persistent issue of drivers fleeing fatal scenes.

• Elderly Woman Killed In Queens Hit-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-15

Mar 14 - A 56-year-old man working in the roadway was struck by a van backing up in Queens. The impact caused injuries to his entire body and left him in shock. Driver inattention and unsafe backing led to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:45 AM in Queens near 48-45 189 Street. A van traveling north was backing up when it struck a 56-year-old male pedestrian who was working in the roadway outside an intersection. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his entire body and was reported to be in shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely' as contributing factors to the collision. The van’s point of impact was the center back end, confirming the pedestrian was hit during the vehicle’s reversing maneuver. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This incident highlights the dangers posed by inattentive drivers performing unsafe backing maneuvers in active roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798900 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 13 - 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

Mar 8 - A box truck struck the rear of a sedan traveling westbound on the Long Island Expressway. Three sedan occupants suffered neck and head contusions. The crash caused left front bumper damage to the truck and rear damage to the sedan.

According to the police report, at 8:11 AM on the Long Island Expressway, a box truck traveling westbound collided with the center back end of a westbound sedan. The point of impact was the truck's left front bumper striking the sedan's rear. The sedan carried three occupants: a 23-year-old male driver, a 38-year-old female rear passenger, and a 55-year-old male front passenger. All three sustained contusions and bruises to the neck or head but were conscious and not ejected. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. Vehicle damage included left front bumper damage to the truck and rear-end damage to the sedan. The report does not attribute fault to the victims or note any victim behaviors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797140 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 4 - 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

Feb 28 - A distracted driver slammed a sedan into parked cars on Francis Lewis Blvd. The sedan flipped. Four people inside were hurt. Blood, shock, broken rhythm. Night in Queens, metal twisted, lives changed.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Francis Lewis Blvd in Queens struck parked vehicles and overturned at 9:00 PM. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. Four occupants in the sedan, including a 70-year-old man and three others aged 33 to 71, suffered injuries to their entire bodies. Some bled, all were in shock. All wore lap belts and harnesses. No contributing factors were attributed to the victims. The crash shows the brutal cost of driver distraction: a violent collision, an overturned car, and four injured people on a busy Queens street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795540 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 27 - 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

Feb 26 - A sedan traveling south on Cross Island Parkway struck the rear of a southbound SUV. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as the cause. Both vehicles showed front and rear end damage.

According to the police report, at 16:55 on Cross Island Parkway in Queens, a sedan driven by a 49-year-old woman collided with the rear of a southbound SUV. The sedan's point of impact was the center front end, while the SUV sustained damage to its center back end. The sedan driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, was conscious but injured with neck pain and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated twice for emphasis. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time. No other contributing factors, such as victim behavior, were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795105 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 26 - A Mercedes ran a red. It hit a BMW broadside at 107th and Northern. The BMW’s driver died. The Mercedes driver, a firefighter, faces charges. Two passengers hurt. The street stayed quiet, but the damage was done.

According to NY Daily News (2025-02-26), a Mercedes-Benz driver allegedly ran a red light and struck a BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd. in Queens, killing 23-year-old Justin Diaz. The Mercedes, driven by FDNY firefighter Michael Pena, T-boned Diaz’s car. Surveillance footage showed Diaz entering the intersection as the pedestrian signal allowed crossing. Pena was arrested at the scene and charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusing a breath test. The FDNY suspended Pena without pay. Two Mercedes passengers were hospitalized. The article quotes a local shop owner: "It was terrible." The crash highlights the lethal risk of red-light running and impaired driving at city intersections.

• Red Light Crash Kills BMW Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-26

Feb 25 - A 43-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after an SUV made a left turn and struck him at a Queens intersection. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal. The vehicle showed no damage, highlighting the impact on the vulnerable pedestrian.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing an intersection on Bell Blvd in Queens at approximately 8:30 PM. The report states the pedestrian was crossing without a signal when a 2016 Honda SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, was making a left turn. The vehicle sustained no damage, and the point of impact was noted as 'No Damage,' indicating the pedestrian absorbed the force. The report lists no specific driver contributing factors but highlights the pedestrian's crossing without a signal. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to the knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity rated as moderate. The driver’s left turn maneuver and failure to yield to a pedestrian crossing the street created a hazardous situation resulting in injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794944 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 24 - A 22-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn. The driver’s inattention and failure to yield caused the collision at a Queens intersection, leaving the pedestrian conscious with abrasions.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Utopia Parkway in Queens struck a 22-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection while she was crossing with the signal. The driver was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as abrasions, and remained conscious after the impact. The vehicle showed no damage despite striking the pedestrian with its center front end. The driver was licensed and operating a 2007 Lexus sedan. This crash highlights driver errors in yielding and attentiveness as central causes of harm to a lawful pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794706 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 23 - BMW sedan struck a 66-year-old man crossing Northern Boulevard outside a crosswalk. The impact broke his knee and lower leg. The driver went straight, hitting him with the right front bumper.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old male pedestrian was hit by a BMW sedan while crossing Northern Boulevard in Queens, not at an intersection. The man suffered a fractured and dislocated knee and lower leg. The crash happened at 18:52 as the eastbound sedan went straight and struck the pedestrian with its right front bumper, damaging the car’s right front quarter panel. The driver was licensed. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not identify any pedestrian error. The data shows the pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk, underscoring the risks for those on foot amid traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794356 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 19 - Three people hurt in a chain-reaction crash on the Long Island Expressway. Unsafe lane change slammed vehicles. Drivers and a passenger suffered whiplash and back or neck injuries. All stayed conscious. No one was ejected.

According to the police report, a crash struck the Long Island Expressway at 5:52 a.m. Multiple vehicles, including sedans, a pickup, and a pallet truck, collided after unsafe lane changing. Three were injured: a 53-year-old woman driving, a 52-year-old man driving, and a 39-year-old woman riding as a passenger. All suffered whiplash and either back or neck injuries. Each remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists unsafe lane changing as the driver error that caused the crash. No victim actions or helmet use were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793781 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 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

Feb 13 - 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

Feb 13 - 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

Feb 8 - 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