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

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 53-year-old male SUV driver suffered back injuries and whiplash after his vehicle struck the rear of a sedan while making a right turn. Both vehicles sustained front and rear center-end damage in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:37 on 212 Street involving a 2024 SUV and a 2018 sedan. The SUV driver, a 53-year-old man, was making a right turn when his vehicle's center front end collided with the sedan's center back end. The SUV driver was injured, sustaining back pain and whiplash, and remained conscious. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any pedestrian involvement or victim fault. The collision highlights risks associated with turning maneuvers and rear-end impacts, with the SUV driver's actions preceding the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801384 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A northbound SUV struck the left front bumper of a sedan changing lanes on Cross Island Parkway. The impact injured a 70-year-old female passenger in the SUV, causing bruises and contusions to her arm. The crash stemmed from following too closely.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:40 on Cross Island Parkway. A 2020 GMC SUV traveling north rear-ended a 2007 Infiniti sedan that was changing lanes. The point of impact was the SUV's right rear bumper striking the sedan's left front bumper. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the SUV operator. The SUV carried three occupants; a 70-year-old female passenger seated in the left rear suffered contusions and bruises to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The sedan had one occupant, the male driver, who held a valid New York license. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. The collision highlights the dangers of insufficient following distance on high-speed parkways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801214 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two SUVs collided on Francis Lewis Blvd. The rear vehicle struck the left rear bumper of the front vehicle. A front passenger suffered a head injury and concussion. Driver inattention caused the crash, highlighting dangers of distracted driving in traffic.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:10 on Francis Lewis Blvd involving two SUVs traveling south. The front vehicle was stopped in traffic when the rear vehicle, which was slowing or stopping, impacted the left rear bumper of the front SUV. The rear driver’s error was identified as driver inattention or distraction. A 27-year-old female front passenger in the rear vehicle sustained a head injury and concussion, wearing a lap belt and remaining conscious. The report explicitly cites driver inattention as the contributing factor, with no mention of victim fault or contributing victim behaviors. This collision underscores the systemic danger posed by distracted driving in congested traffic conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Three vehicles collided head-on and rear-end on Sunrise Highway. A 34-year-old male driver suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as the primary cause. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash involved three vehicles traveling westbound on Sunrise Highway near Francis Lewis Boulevard. The collision included a sedan, a 2024 Toyota sedan, and a 2027 Jeep SUV. The point of impact was the center front end and center back end of the vehicles. The 34-year-old male driver, an occupant of one vehicle, was injured with upper arm and shoulder trauma and complained of whiplash. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated twice for emphasis. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing victim behavior. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction on busy roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800992 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Three vehicles collided eastbound on Belt Parkway. A front-seat passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. The impact involved center front and rear ends, with no ejections reported.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction collision occurred on Belt Parkway involving three eastbound vehicles: a 2020 SUV, a 2024 sedan, and a 2016 sedan. The crash happened around 3:00 PM. The point of impact was primarily center front and center rear ends of the vehicles. The front passenger in one vehicle, a 52-year-old woman, sustained neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. Police identified driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. The collision caused damage to the center back ends and front ends of the involved vehicles, with no ejections reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801866 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Council Transportation Chair Brooks-Powers wants the Beach 20th Street protected bike lane gone. She blames illegal parking, not enforcement. Cyclists lose space. The city risks more danger. DOT says it will look at hardening the lane and boosting enforcement.

On March 24, 2025, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, called for the removal of the protected bike lane on Beach 20th Street in Arverne, Queens. At a community meeting, Brooks-Powers said, "We’ve been trying to get [the bike lane] removed for three years. It wasn’t supported by the community. ... In effect it’s not a bike lane quite honestly; no one uses it, they [drivers] park there. We would like to see the hard infrastructure removed." Instead of demanding enforcement against illegal parking, she wants the lane ripped out, returning the street to a more dangerous state for cyclists and pedestrians. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez replied that building safe bike lanes requires support from local leaders. DOT spokesperson Will Livingston said the agency remains committed to safety and will explore hardening the lane and increasing enforcement.

• Council Transportation Chair Asks DOT To Rip Up a Bike Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-24

Two SUVs collided on Belt Parkway when one followed too closely. The rear passenger, an 82-year-old woman, suffered chest injuries and shock. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound, impacting center front and back ends. Driver error caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway at 19:56, involving two eastbound SUVs. The driver of the rear vehicle failed to maintain a safe distance, resulting in a rear-end collision. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The impact occurred at the center front end of the trailing SUV and the center back end of the leading SUV. An 82-year-old female occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of the lead vehicle sustained chest injuries and was in shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating and driver inattention on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801676 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 62-year-old male driver suffered neck abrasions after a collision in Queens. The sedan struck an object with its right front bumper. According to the police report, driver inattention caused the crash, resulting in moderate injury to the driver.

At 4:02 AM in Queens near 94-24 Hollis Court Blvd, a 62-year-old male driver operating a 2018 Nissan sedan traveling south went straight ahead when the vehicle's right front bumper struck an object. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The driver was not ejected and remained conscious but sustained neck abrasions classified as injury severity level 3. The report lists no other contributing factors or victim behaviors. The driver held a valid New York license. Vehicle damage was limited to the right front bumper. This incident highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to self-injury and vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800543 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

SUV hit sedan head-on at Union Turnpike. Both drivers hurt. Police cite unsafe speed and failure to yield. Shock and pain followed. Metal twisted. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling east on Grand Central Parkway struck a sedan making a left turn at Union Turnpike. Both drivers, men aged 20 and 49, suffered injuries—abdomen, pelvis, knee, and foot. Each was restrained by a lap belt and harness. Police listed unsafe speed for the SUV and failure to yield right-of-way for the sedan as contributing factors. Both drivers experienced shock and reported pain or nausea. No one was ejected. The report highlights unsafe speed and failure to yield as the primary driver errors in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800578 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two sedans traveling south collided on Laurelton Parkway late at night. The impact struck the center back end of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. A 21-year-old male driver suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling south on Laurelton Parkway collided at 11:10 p.m. The point of impact was the center back end of a 2014 Ford and the center front end of a 2021 BMW. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. A 21-year-old male occupant driving one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision caused damage to both vehicles at the points of impact. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801462 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 65-year-old woman crashed her SUV into a parked SUV on 130 Avenue. She suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention. The crash happened mid-morning in Queens. No other injuries reported.

According to the police report, a 65-year-old woman driving a 2021 Toyota SUV struck the rear of a stationary 2016 Toyota SUV near 225-21 130 Avenue at 10:45 a.m. The moving SUV hit the parked vehicle's center back end. The driver suffered neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious, wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted. Both vehicles were registered in New York and driven by licensed female drivers. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A speeding unlicensed driver crashed head-on into an SUV on Brookville Blvd. The impact fractured his face. Police cite unsafe speed and ignored traffic controls. Systemic danger, reckless driving, hard consequences.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old unlicensed male driver in a BMW sedan crashed into a station wagon/SUV near 146-49 Brookville Blvd at 18:30. The sedan struck the SUV's left rear bumper while traveling southbound at unsafe speed. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver suffered a facial fracture and was conscious at the scene. No safety equipment was used by the driver. This crash shows the severe risks when unlicensed drivers ignore traffic controls and speed, putting everyone in harm’s way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800424 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A moped carrying two eastbound riders collided with an eastbound SUV on S Conduit Ave. The SUV struck the moped’s left front bumper with its right front quarter panel. The moped passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries, conscious and bruised.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:54 on S Conduit Ave involving a 2010 Honda SUV and a 2023 JIAJU moped. The SUV was traveling east going straight ahead, while the moped was making a left turn eastbound. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front quarter panel striking the moped’s left front bumper. The moped carried two occupants, including a 41-year-old female passenger who sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries classified as contusions and bruises. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, highlighting driver error. The moped driver was unlicensed, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The SUV had no occupants besides the driver, who was licensed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 37-year-old man on a motorcycle slammed the front end and suffered leg injuries on Francis Lewis Boulevard. He stayed conscious. No driver errors reported. The street left him wounded.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old male motorcycle driver from Pennsylvania was traveling eastbound on Francis Lewis Boulevard when he crashed at 17:50. The 2024 KAWK-MCL motorcycle took a hard hit to its center front end. The rider suffered abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured. The crash underscores the risks faced by motorcyclists on city streets, even when no clear driver error is recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799767 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

SUV hit sedan head-on late at night. Woman driver hurt, back injured, stayed conscious. Police cite other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a 2016 Nissan SUV and a 2013 Toyota sedan collided at 11:20 p.m. on Sunrise Highway. Both vehicles traveled west. The SUV struck the sedan’s front. The 46-year-old woman driving the sedan suffered back injuries and internal complaints but was not ejected and remained conscious. Police list 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes, pointing to driver or vehicle-related errors without further detail. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention any victim actions as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799492 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two sedans collided head-on on 150 Street near Belt Parkway. The driver and a six-year-old passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries with whiplash. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:30 on 150 Street near Belt Parkway involving two sedans traveling eastbound. The driver, a 37-year-old woman, and a six-year-old female passenger were injured, both sustaining knee and lower leg injuries and complaints of whiplash. The driver was wearing a lap belt and conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factors for both injured occupants. The vehicles impacted at the left front bumper and center back end, indicating a collision likely caused by failure to maintain control at speed and distracted driving. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by speeding and driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Open Streets are shrinking. Volunteers warn more cuts loom unless City Hall steps up. Federal relief is gone. Groups want $48 million over three years. Current grants barely keep programs alive. The city’s inaction puts public space and safety at risk.

On March 14, 2025, a coalition of 16 volunteer open street groups sent a letter to City Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers. They warned, 'The limited funding and decreases in funding that have occurred over the years jeopardize the continuity and future of the program—funding pressure is already leading to downsizing and the disappearance of Open Streets programs.' The groups seek $48 million over three years, separate from the city’s $30 million contract with the Horticultural Society. Current grants max out at $20,000 per year, forcing cutbacks. Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Adams are starting budget talks. Council spokesperson Julia Agos called Open Streets 'critical components of our city's public realm.' The Department of Transportation said suggestions will be reviewed. Volunteer groups handle most operations, but stalled redesigns and lack of resources threaten the program’s survival.

• Open Streets Won’t Survive Without More Money From the City, Organizers Warn, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-14

Two sedans collided on Springfield Boulevard at 7:45 AM. A three-year-old passenger in one vehicle was injured and left in shock. The crash involved a failure to yield right-of-way, resulting in significant damage to both vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:45 AM on Springfield Boulevard involving two sedans traveling in opposite directions. One sedan was going straight north while the other was making a left turn southbound. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the northbound vehicle and the right side doors of the southbound vehicle. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error. A three-year-old female occupant in the sedan making the left turn was injured and experienced shock, restrained by a child safety seat in the middle rear seat. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. The collision caused damage to the right front bumper and right side doors of the respective vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799372 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

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