Night on the Cross Island. Another life gone.

Apr 21 - Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.

• Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-21

Apr 20 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The driver struck a man on a bicycle. He died at the scene. Police closed the street. Another life ended in the crosswalk’s shadow. The city investigates. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The crash happened as the truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street. According to police, 'the truck was turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street in Middle Village when the collision occurred.' The cyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists at intersections and the dangers of large vehicles turning across paths. Policy questions remain about intersection design and vehicle operation in dense neighborhoods.

• FDNY Truck Turns, Cyclist Killed In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-20

Apr 19 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Blvd North. It struck a cyclist. The crash happened by the park. The man died at the scene. No arrests. The investigation continues. The street stayed quiet. The loss is final.

According to NY Daily News (April 19, 2025), an FDNY fire truck collided with a cyclist near 80th St. and Juniper Blvd North in Middle Village, Queens. The article states, "An FDNY fire truck fatally struck a cyclist Saturday afternoon in Queens, police said." The cyclist, an unidentified man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not made any arrests. It remains unclear if the fire truck was responding to an emergency call. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The crash highlights risks at intersections and the dangers faced by cyclists near large vehicles, especially in busy city corridors.

• Fire Truck Kills Cyclist Near Queens Park, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-19

Apr 18 - SUV hit hard on 39th Avenue in Queens. One driver hurt, back bruised. Another occupant listed, injury unclear. Police report lists no clear cause.

A station wagon SUV traveling east on 39th Avenue at 204th Street in Queens struck with its center front end. According to the police report, a 54-year-old female driver suffered a back contusion and was conscious at the scene. Another occupant, a 55-year-old man, was also involved but his injuries were unspecified. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. Both individuals were inside the vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806561 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 18 - Two sedans collided on 212 Street in Queens. Alcohol played a role. One driver suffered a shoulder injury. Two others were hurt. Metal twisted. Sirens cut the night.

A crash involving two sedans on 212 Street at 29 Avenue in Queens left three men hurt, including a 31-year-old driver with a shoulder injury. According to the police report, 'Alcohol Involvement' was a contributing factor in the collision. The impact struck the left front quarter panels of both vehicles. No other driver errors were listed. Two occupants, ages 31 and 79, also suffered unspecified injuries. The report does not mention helmet or signal use. The crash underscores the danger when alcohol enters the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807944 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 12 - SUV struck a parked sedan on the Long Island Expressway. A 20-year-old woman suffered a neck injury and shock. Obstructed view cited. Both vehicles damaged. Night, metal, pain.

A crash on the Long Island Expressway left a 20-year-old woman injured after an SUV hit her parked sedan. According to the police report, the SUV's right front bumper struck the sedan's left rear bumper at 3:15 a.m. The woman, driving the sedan, suffered a neck injury and was in shock. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed and used lap belts. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805111 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 11 - Two sedans collided on Utopia Parkway. One driver, age 20, suffered arm injuries. Police cite failure to yield. The crash left bruises and questions in Queens.

A crash involving two sedans occurred at Utopia Parkway and 56 Ave in Queens. One 20-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining a contusion to his arm. According to the police report, both vehicles were cited for 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The crash happened as one sedan made a left turn and the other traveled straight. The report lists no other contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured driver was conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805066 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 9 - A sedan struck trouble on Grand Central Parkway. Two rear passengers, both belted, suffered whiplash and arm injuries. Driver inattention and reaction to another vehicle played a role.

A sedan traveling east on Grand Central Parkway was involved in a crash. Two rear passengers, a 68-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man, were injured. Both suffered whiplash; one also had shoulder and upper arm injuries. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The driver was not reported injured. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806291 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 6 - Two sedans collided on Horace Harding Expressway. One driver suffered a neck injury. Police cite unsafe backing as the cause. Metal and glass met. The system failed to protect.

A crash on Horace Harding Expressway in Queens involved two sedans. According to the police report, unsafe backing led to the collision. One driver, a 29-year-old man, was injured with a neck contusion. Another driver and two other occupants were listed with unspecified injuries. The report states, “Backing Unsafely” as the contributing factor. No other causes or victim actions are listed. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to control their vehicles while reversing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803741 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 6 - A sedan hit two pedestrians working on Long Island Expressway. Both suffered bruises. Alcohol and distraction listed as causes. The street turned violent in an instant.

Two pedestrians, a 25-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man, were injured while working in the roadway on the Long Island Expressway. According to the police report, a sedan struck them, causing contusions to their entire bodies. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. Both drivers and several vehicle occupants were involved, but only the pedestrians were reported injured. The crash highlights the danger faced by those on foot when drivers act under the influence and lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804192 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 5 - A BMW and motorcycle collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both vehicles burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The BMW driver survived. No arrests. Police are investigating. Another life lost on a wide, fast Queens road.

According to NY Daily News (April 5, 2025), a fatal crash occurred at 60th Drive and Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Queens. A BMW SUV and a motorcycle, both heading south, collided around 9:22 a.m. Both vehicles caught fire. Police said, 'only the car driver survived the collision.' EMS pronounced the motorcycle rider dead at the scene. The BMW driver was hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests have been made, and police continue to investigate. The crash highlights the persistent dangers on major Queens thoroughfares, where high speeds and heavy traffic put vulnerable road users at risk.

• Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Blaze, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-05

Apr 4 - Two cars left the street in Queens. One hit children and a man on a sidewalk. Another plowed into women waiting at a bus shelter. Broken bones, head wounds, fear. No one died. Streets turned dangerous in a blink.

CBS New York reported on April 4, 2025, that two separate crashes in Queens left multiple pedestrians injured. In Astoria, a 35-year-old driver 'lost control of her vehicle and went onto the sidewalk, running over two girls, ages 7 and 14.' Police charged her with reckless driving and driving without a license. Later, in South Ozone Park, a 79-year-old driver swerved, sideswiped a bus, then 'jumped the curb and struck four women who were standing at a bus shelter.' All victims survived, but injuries ranged from broken bones to head trauma. The incidents highlight ongoing dangers for pedestrians and raise questions about driver screening and street design.

• Queens Drivers Mount Sidewalks, Hit Pedestrians, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 3 - 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

Apr 2 - Box truck slammed into sedan’s rear on Clearview Expressway. One woman hurt. Police cite following too closely. Metal, glass, pain. System failed to protect.

A box truck struck the rear of a sedan on Clearview Expressway in Queens. One woman, driving the sedan, suffered a back injury. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' The impact left the sedan’s left rear bumper and the truck’s left front bumper damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803262 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 2 - SUV turned left on 56 Ave. E-scooter struck. Rider, 61, hit head. Police cite failure to yield. Streets remain hostile to the unprotected.

An SUV making a left turn collided with a westbound e-scooter on 56 Ave at 220 St in Queens. The 61-year-old e-scooter rider suffered a head injury. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was the contributing factor. The SUV driver was licensed; the e-scooter rider was unlicensed. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The crash highlights the danger faced by vulnerable road users when drivers fail to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802990 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 30 - A 46-year-old woman crossing Bell Blvd in a marked crosswalk was struck by a sedan backing south. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and shock. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on Bell Blvd in Queens. A 46-year-old female pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a crossing signal when a 2018 Chevrolet sedan backing south struck her. The report cites 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and was in shock. The vehicle had no visible damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed but severe enough to cause injury. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s failure to safely back and maintain attention as the cause. No victim fault or contributing pedestrian behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801974 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 28 - A 65-year-old man suffered back injuries and shock after a sedan struck him while crossing Utopia Parkway. The driver, making a left turn, failed to pay attention. Impact occurred at the vehicle’s right front bumper near an intersection.

According to the police report, a 65-year-old male pedestrian was injured crossing Utopia Parkway at an intersection when a 2018 sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, struck him with the vehicle’s right front bumper. The driver was making a left turn traveling southeast when the collision occurred. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver failed to notice the pedestrian. The pedestrian was located at the intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication. The victim suffered back injuries and was in shock. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing factors related to the pedestrian. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801869 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 28 - 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