Mar 5 - A 21-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV failed to yield while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The driver’s error caused a severe collision at a Queens intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:55 PM on Commonwealth Blvd near 82 Ave in Queens. A 21-year-old male pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2006 Honda SUV, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck him with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity 3. The report explicitly cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The pedestrian’s crossing without a signal is noted but not identified as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796581 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Mar 5 - A 29-year-old front-seat passenger suffered injuries and shock when a 2024 Hyundai SUV struck the left rear bumper of a parked Kia SUV on 138 Avenue. The crash involved driver inattention and distraction, causing front-end damage to the moving vehicle.

According to the police report, at 16:48 a 2024 Hyundai SUV traveling east on 138 Avenue collided with a parked 2022 Kia SUV, impacting its left rear bumper. The Hyundai sustained center front-end damage. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. A 29-year-old female occupant seated in the front passenger seat of the Hyundai was injured and experienced shock, though no visible complaints were noted. Both vehicles were SUVs, and the Hyundai had two occupants at the time. The Kia was parked and unoccupied. The collision resulted from the moving driver's failure to maintain attention, leading to a rear-end impact with a stationary vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796781 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Mar 4 - A sedan struck defective pavement on Brookville Boulevard. The lone driver suffered knee and leg injuries. Unsafe speed and broken road surface led to the crash. No other people were involved.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old man driving a 2023 Nissan sedan northeast on Brookville Boulevard crashed at 12:19 a.m. The driver, alone in the car, was injured in the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Pavement Defective' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The sedan's right front quarter panel took the impact. No pedestrians or other vehicles were involved. The crash left the driver conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796487 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

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

Mar 3 - A northbound sedan and a westbound SUV collided at 228 St. The sedan’s left front bumper struck the SUV’s right side doors. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old woman, suffered neck contusions but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:33 AM on 228 St involving a northbound sedan and a westbound SUV. The sedan’s left front bumper impacted the right side doors of the SUV, causing damage to the center front end of the sedan and the right rear quarter panel of the SUV. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old female occupant, was injured with neck contusions and remained conscious. She was restrained by a lap belt and was not ejected. The report cites "Traffic Control Disregarded" as a contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs by one or both drivers. No other contributing factors were specified. The report does not attribute fault to the injured driver or mention any victim behaviors contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796060 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Mar 3 - Two eastbound vehicles collided on Belt Parkway. An SUV struck the left rear bumper of a sedan. The sedan’s driver, a 48-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Both drivers were traveling straight ahead at impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway at 8:00 AM involving two eastbound vehicles: a 2011 Chevrolet SUV and a 2016 Jeep sedan. The SUV impacted the left rear bumper of the sedan. The sedan’s driver, a 48-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and shock, secured by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were traveling straight ahead at the time of collision. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver but does not specify any driver errors or violations such as failure to yield. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The impact location and injury details highlight the dangers of rear-end collisions on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796759 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Mar 1 - Two women suffered serious internal injuries in a multi-vehicle collision on 145 Ave. The impact struck the sedan’s right side doors. Police cited driver inattention as the cause. Both victims were conscious and restrained by seat belts.

According to the police report, at 10:21 a.m., a collision occurred on 145 Ave involving two SUVs and a sedan. One 2009 SUV was parked and struck on its center front end. A 2011 SUV traveling north sustained front-end damage. A 2010 sedan traveling east was hit on its right side doors. Two female occupants in the sedan were injured: a 22-year-old driver with head injuries and a 34-year-old front passenger with chest injuries. Both were conscious, not ejected, and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. This crash underscores driver distraction as a critical cause of injury in multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796108 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Mar 1 - A 31-year-old woman suffered a back injury and shock as a sedan traveling east on 234 Street struck her left rear seat. She wore a lap belt and was not ejected. The vehicle's right front quarter panel was damaged. Driver errors were not identified.

According to the police report, a 2017 Hyundai sedan traveling east on 234 Street in Queens struck its left rear passenger, a 31-year-old woman. She sustained a back injury and was reported to be in shock. The passenger was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. The sedan sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver held a valid New York license and was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved, and no additional contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800875 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Feb 28 - 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

Feb 27 - A firefighter, drunk and high, sped through a red light at 83 mph. He smashed into Justin Diaz’s BMW. Diaz died. The crash tore a family apart. The driver walked free on bail. The street stayed deadly.

NY Daily News reported on February 27, 2025, that off-duty FDNY firefighter Michael Pena, 28, killed 23-year-old Justin Diaz in Queens. Prosecutors said Pena was drunk, high on cocaine and marijuana, and driving 83 mph in a 25 mph zone when he ran a red light and struck Diaz’s BMW. Surveillance footage showed the Mercedes 'barreled through an East Elmhurst intersection' at 4:15 a.m. Diaz, headed to work at LaGuardia, died at the scene. Pena refused a breath test; a blood draw later confirmed drug use. He was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to submit to testing, but posted $50,000 bail. The article highlights family grief and outrage at bail laws, quoting Diaz’s brother: 'Pena will walk the streets for a $50,000 bail... Justin will never walk the streets again.'

• Drunk Firefighter Kills Driver In Queens, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-27

Feb 26 - A firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. His Mercedes slammed into a BMW. The BMW driver died. The firefighter, drunk, refused a breath test. Passengers hurt. Bystanders rushed to help. The street stayed deadly, silent after.

According to NY Daily News (2025-02-26), FDNY firefighter Michael Pena, 28, faces charges after allegedly running a red light while intoxicated and T-boning a BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd., East Elmhurst. The crash killed 23-year-old Justin Diaz. Surveillance video showed Pena's Mercedes plowing into Diaz's BMW, which then struck a parked minivan. Pena refused a breath test and was uninjured. Two Mercedes passengers were hospitalized. The article notes, 'The FDNY stated Pena will be suspended without pay for 28 days during the investigation.' Video evidence indicated Diaz entered the intersection legally, with the pedestrian signal allowing crossing. The incident highlights the lethal risk of speeding and red-light running, even in early morning hours.

• FDNY Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-26

Feb 25 - Two sedans collided head-to-tail on Grand Central Parkway. A 21-year-old woman in the back seat suffered neck injuries. Both drivers were licensed. No vehicle damage reported. The passenger stayed conscious.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Grand Central Parkway collided at 11:36 a.m. The second car struck the center back end of the first. A 21-year-old female passenger in the right rear seat suffered neck injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. Both drivers were licensed men from New York, driving straight ahead. The report lists all contributing factors as unspecified and notes no vehicle damage. The crash shows how even low-speed rear-end impacts can leave passengers hurt, regardless of visible damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Feb 24 - SUV rear-ends sedan on Grand Central Parkway. Sixty-three-year-old woman in front seat suffers neck injury and whiplash. Both cars move east. Impact is hard, center to center. No pedestrians. No cyclists.

According to the police report, an SUV struck a sedan from behind on Grand Central Parkway at 18:15. Both vehicles traveled east. The SUV hit the sedan's center rear, injuring a 63-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat. She suffered neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious. The report lists no specific contributing factors, but the crash pattern points to a failure to maintain distance or attention by the SUV driver. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795221 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Feb 23 - A westbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan on Laurelton Parkway at 1 a.m. The sedan’s front passenger, a 57-year-old man, suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:00 a.m. on Laurelton Parkway. A 2011 SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, was traveling westbound and collided with the center back end of a 2015 sedan driven by a licensed male driver also heading west. The impact was at the sedan’s rear center. The sedan carried a front passenger, a 57-year-old man, who was injured with a fractured and dislocated elbow, described as a severe injury (level 3). The passenger was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report does not list specific contributing factors or driver errors, but the rear-end nature of the collision suggests failure to maintain safe distance or attention by the SUV driver. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794875 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Feb 20 - A distracted SUV driver struck a motorcycle turning right on 147 Ave. A 7-year-old passenger on the motorcycle suffered a bruised elbow. Both drivers showed inattention, with the motorcyclist unlicensed. The crash caused front-end damage to both vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:42 on 147 Ave involving a 2024 SUV traveling east and a 2023 motorcycle making a right turn northbound. The SUV driver, a licensed female, was going straight ahead and impacted the motorcycle's center front end with her right front bumper. The motorcycle driver was unlicensed. Both drivers had contributing factors listed as Driver Inattention/Distraction. A 7-year-old female passenger on the motorcycle, wearing a helmet, was injured with a contusion to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious and not ejected. The collision caused damage to the right front bumper of the SUV and the center back end of the motorcycle. The report highlights driver distraction as the critical failure leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793828 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Feb 20 - A female SUV driver was ejected and seriously injured in a collision with a parked box truck. The crash involved alcohol and left the driver with fractures to her lower leg and foot. The impact damaged both vehicles’ front centers.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:20 AM on 244 Street near Merrick Boulevard. A female driver of a station wagon/SUV traveling west collided head-on with a parked box truck facing east. The report cites alcohol involvement as a contributing factor to the crash. The SUV driver was ejected from her vehicle and sustained serious injuries, including fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The impact caused damage to the center front ends of both vehicles. The driver was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. The collision highlights the dangers posed by impaired driving and the severe consequences for vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794031 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Feb 15 - A 67-year-old man suffered back contusions after an SUV failed to yield while making a right turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at an intersection on N Conduit Ave. The vehicle's front center end bore the impact.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old male pedestrian was injured on N Conduit Ave at an intersection while crossing with the signal. The crash occurred at 19:20 when a 2017 Jeep SUV, traveling southwest and making a right turn, struck the pedestrian with its center front end. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor attributed to the vehicle driver. The pedestrian sustained back contusions and remained conscious after the impact. The vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front end. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. This incident underscores the critical role of driver errors, specifically failure to yield, in pedestrian injuries at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792715 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Feb 14 - A minivan slammed head-on on Brookville Boulevard, crushing its front. A 78-year-old woman in the back seat took the full force and died at the scene. The impact shattered steel and bodies alike. The street kept moving. She did not.

According to the police report, a 2022 minivan traveling north on Brookville Boulevard near S Conduit Avenue crashed head-on, with the center front end absorbing the impact. The vehicle's front was crushed, confirming the violent collision. Inside, a 78-year-old female passenger seated in the rear left suffered fatal injuries to her entire body and was pronounced dead at the scene. The report cites 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor, indicating a vehicle-related error or malfunction played a role. The driver, a 74-year-old man, also sustained internal injuries but survived. Another occupant, a 71-year-old female front passenger, suffered fractures and dislocations. No driver errors beyond the unspecified vehicular factor are detailed, and no victim behaviors contributed according to the police report. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of vehicle-related failures in head-on collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792680 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-05

Feb 14 - Senator Comrie backs a yellow alert system. Police would blast car details after deadly hit-and-runs. The goal: catch drivers who kill and flee. The bill stands at sponsorship. No safety review yet.

Senate Bill S 4946, sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie, aims to create a 'yellow alert system' for law enforcement to publicize vehicle information after fatal hit-and-run crashes. The bill is at the sponsorship stage as of February 14, 2025. The official summary reads: 'Establishes a "yellow alert system" for law enforcement to publicize vehicle information in instances of hit-and-run accidents in which a person has been killed.' No committee action or vote has occurred. No safety analyst has reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• File S 4946, Open States, Published 2025-02-14

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