Queens Streets: 25 Dead, 4,400 Hurt—Who's Next?

Parks Department blocks bikes from Rockaway Boardwalk, closes Hudson River Greenway, and lets cars back into Silver Lake Park. Cyclists, kids, and seniors lose safe routes. Council Member Brooks-Powers and residents protest. Advocates demand better maintenance and real transportation focus.

On April 24, 2025, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation faced backlash for policies affecting key bike infrastructure. The department banned bikes from a major stretch of the Rockaway Boardwalk, closed parts of the Hudson River Greenway, and allowed cars back into Silver Lake Park. Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, speaking for local families, condemned the boardwalk ban: "It was about the children that take advantage of biking on the boardwalk...We’re now shifting them into the street." Residents and advocates argue these moves ignore years of complaints about poor maintenance and lack of coordination with DOT. They highlight that car-free conditions in Silver Lake Park improved safety, especially for children. Advocates call for shifting road maintenance from Parks to DOT and demand structural changes. The Parks Department’s focus on recreation, not transportation, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and frustrated.

• Parks Dept. Controls Vital Bike Infrastructure But Treats Riders Like An Afterthought, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-24

A van backed into a 7-year-old boy crossing 146th Terrace. The child suffered a bruised leg. Police cite unsafe backing and driver distraction. The street bore the weight. The boy bore the bruise.

A van struck a 7-year-old boy as he crossed 146th Terrace in Queens. The child, walking in a marked crosswalk, suffered a contusion to his lower leg. According to the police report, the driver backed unsafely and was inattentive or distracted. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupant. The crash highlights the danger when drivers reverse without care and lose focus, especially near intersections where children walk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807592 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council members push to revive year-round outdoor dining. They slam the seasonal ban as a blow to street life. Lawmakers blame high fees and red tape for empty curb lanes. The fight pits parking against people. The debate rages on.

On April 23, 2025, the City Council debated a new bill to bring back year-round roadway dining. The measure, still in committee, follows the 2023 law that limited outdoor dining to April through November. Council Member Lincoln Restler (D-Brooklyn) leads the charge, calling the current law a 'failure' that 'prioritized parking spots over vibrant streets.' Restler, who voted against the seasonal restriction, now seeks broader support. Council Member Chi Ossé (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant) and Carlina Rivera (Lower East Side) also back the change, though both previously supported the seasonal law to keep some form of the program alive. Committee chair Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Queens) is open to the idea, while Council Member Julie Menin (D-Upper East Side) criticizes DOT's management, urging a shift to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Lawmakers and advocates agree: high costs, bureaucracy, and seasonality block participation and hurt street life. The bill's fate remains undecided.

• Year-Round Roadway Dining Could Come Back Under ‘Do-Over’ Bill, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-23

A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.

The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.

• Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-04-23

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

Two cars crashed on Brookville Boulevard. Five people hurt. Faces, heads, legs struck. Speed killed control. Metal bent. Sirens cut the quiet. Pain lingered.

Two vehicles, a sedan and an SUV, collided on Brookville Boulevard near Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, both cars were traveling straight when the crash happened. Five people were injured, including both drivers and passengers. Injuries ranged from head wounds to leg pain. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors. The force of the crash left metal twisted and people hurt. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806901 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. It hit a man on a bike. He died there, on the street. Police are investigating. The crash happened in Middle Village, Queens. Metal met flesh. The city keeps moving.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The collision happened as the truck was 'turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street.' The victim, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating the incident. The article notes the truck's turning movement but does not detail further driver actions. This fatal crash highlights the risks at intersections where large vehicles and cyclists cross paths. No information was provided about charges or policy changes.

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

Two sedans crashed on Francis Lewis Boulevard. Both drivers injured. One teen, one older woman. Bruises, pain, chaos. Night air thick with sirens. Streets in Queens bear the mark.

Two sedans crashed at Francis Lewis Boulevard and 223rd Street in Queens. A 17-year-old male driver suffered a leg contusion. A 61-year-old female driver reported abdominal pain. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight. Both drivers were injured. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No helmet or signal issues noted. The crash left both cars damaged, drivers shaken, and the street marked by impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808672 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Belt Parkway. One driver suffered neck injury. Police cite following too closely. Metal struck metal. System failed to protect. Pain followed.

Two sedans crashed on Belt Parkway at Springfield Blvd in Queens. One driver, a 28-year-old man, was injured with neck pain. According to the police report, the cause was 'Following Too Closely.' The front of one sedan struck the rear of the other. Three other occupants, including a child, were involved but not reported injured. The report lists no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to maintain safe distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806912 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A firetruck struck a cyclist on Juniper Boulevard. The truck turned with lights and sirens. The cyclist was crushed under the rear wheels. Sheets covered the scene. Firefighters stood by, shaken. The victim died instantly. The investigation continues.

According to the New York Post (April 19, 2025), an FDNY Rescue Company 4 firetruck fatally struck a cyclist near Juniper Valley Park in Queens while responding to a call. The article states, "The truck was making a turn onto Juniper Boulevard...when the fatal accident occurred." Police reported the truck had lights and sirens activated. The cyclist ended up beneath the rear wheels and was pronounced dead at the scene. Photos showed emergency sheets covering the area. Witness Miguel Vega described firefighters as "shaken, like shocked." The incident highlights the dangers at intersections, especially when emergency vehicles turn. The crash is under investigation, with no details yet on policy or procedural changes.

• FDNY Firetruck Kills Cyclist Near Park, New York Post, Published 2025-04-19

Two sedans slammed together on North Conduit Avenue. A young woman in the front seat took a blow to the head. Police cite unsafe lane change and traffic control ignored.

Two sedans crashed on North Conduit Avenue at Springfield Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, a 25-year-old front passenger suffered a head injury and shock. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling west. The crash left one passenger hurt and several others shaken. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806907 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Boulevard. A toddler and a woman suffered injuries. Unsafe speed drove the impact. Metal twisted. Lives jarred. The street bore the cost.

Two sedans collided on Rockaway Boulevard near Belt Parkway in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling west and slowing or stopping when the crash occurred. A 2-year-old boy riding as a rear passenger and a 31-year-old woman driving one sedan were injured. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor for all involved drivers. The child was in a restraint. The force struck the center front and back ends of the cars. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806502 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A former firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. He struck Justin Diaz’s car at 83 mph. Diaz died a block from home. The driver was drunk, high, and unregistered. The court revoked his bail. Diaz’s family mourns.

ABC7 reported on April 17, 2025, that ex-FDNY firefighter Michael Peña faces manslaughter and DWI charges after a deadly crash in Queens. Prosecutors allege Peña was drunk, high, and speeding at 83 mph—three times the limit—when he ran a red light and T-boned 23-year-old Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance and body camera footage show Peña admitting to running the light. Five hours after the crash, tests confirmed intoxication by alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Peña’s record includes prior arrests and 25 school zone speeding tickets. He also drove an unregistered vehicle with an obstructed plate and tinted windshield. The victim, Diaz, was headed to work and had just graduated college. The case highlights repeated driver violations and systemic failures in enforcement.

• Ex-Firefighter Charged In Queens Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-17

SUV hit parked sedan on Jamaica Ave. Two children and two adults injured. Faces, legs, and bodies bruised. Crash left pain and fear. Streets stay hard for passengers.

A station wagon/SUV traveling west struck a parked sedan on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, two children, ages 6 and 10, and two adults, ages 35 and 54, suffered injuries to the face, legs, and entire body. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. Passengers bore the brunt of the impact, with complaints of pain and visible abrasions. The crash underscores the risks faced by vehicle occupants in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806388 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council passed two bills forcing DOT to show its work. Lawmakers demand public trackers for street safety projects. DOT resists, citing complexity. Advocates want more than data—they want action. Transparency is a start, but not the finish.

On April 11, 2025, the City Council passed Intro 1105 and Intro 1114. Both bills require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create public trackers for capital projects tied to the Streets Master Plan. Intro 1105, sponsored by Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, mandates a tracker for projects that count toward safety benchmarks. Intro 1114, sponsored by Council Member Julie Won, calls for a broader capital projects tracker. The bills respond to the Adams administration's failure to meet legal targets for bus and bike lanes. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said, 'Today’s legislation will advance greater transparency.' DOT officials pushed back, arguing project work is not linear and trackers have limited use. Won countered, 'It is [the DOT's] responsibility to take their capital plan and implement it.' Advocates and council members agree: tracking is only a first step. Without real follow-through, data alone will not save lives.

• Council To DOT: Do Better At Tracking Projects (So We Can See When You Fail), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-11

Two SUVs crashed on 141 Road. Driver inattention slammed metal into metal. One woman suffered hip and leg injuries. A baby and another woman were also hurt. Distraction ruled the moment.

Two station wagons collided on 141 Road in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive or distracted. One 34-year-old woman, driving one of the SUVs, suffered hip and upper leg injuries. She was conscious and not ejected. A baby and another woman, both occupants, also sustained unspecified injuries. The crash involved both vehicles’ left front bumpers. Driver inattention and distraction were listed as contributing factors for all involved. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804887 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans crashed nose to tail on Cross Island Parkway. Metal twisted. An 18-year-old unbelted. A 27-year-old gripped his leg, hurt but awake. A baby listed. No cries. Driver distraction cited.

Two sedans collided on Cross Island Parkway. According to the police report, metal crumpled as the cars met nose to tail. A young man, 18, wore no belt. Another driver, 27, suffered a leg injury and whiplash but remained conscious. A baby was listed among the occupants, with no injuries recorded. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other errors or equipment issues were cited before distraction. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805811 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council bill orders trees and plants on new medians between bike lanes and car traffic. Concrete gets green. Barriers grow roots. The city must build for life, not speed.

Int 1233-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 10, 2025, it demands new medians between bicycle lanes and motor vehicles be built for trees and vegetation, pending feasibility. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to the planting of vegetation on new medians separating bicycle lanes from motorized vehicle traffic.” Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Bottcher, Ossé, Brannan, Hanif, and Brooks-Powers. They push the city to plant, or allow planting, in every new median. The law would take effect 120 days after passage. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 1233-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

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

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