Seventy Hurt, Zero Excuses: Make Queens Streets Safe Now

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 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 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 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 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

Feb 5 - A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

Jan 23 - A northbound SUV struck by an eastbound sedan making a left turn on Ditmars Blvd in Queens. The SUV driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both drivers were licensed men. Impact damaged front ends of both vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:14 on Ditmars Blvd in Queens. A 26-year-old male SUV driver traveling north was hit on the left front bumper by a sedan making a left turn from the east. The sedan’s front center end also sustained damage. The SUV driver, wearing a lap belt, was conscious but injured with neck pain and whiplash. Both drivers were licensed males from New York. The report lists no explicit contributing factors, but the collision involved a vehicle making a left turn and another going straight, indicating driver error related to yielding or right-of-way. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The SUV driver was not ejected and suffered moderate injury severity.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788022 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 23 - Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

Jan 22 - A Toyota RAV4 jumped the curb on 90th Avenue, slammed into a garage, and collapsed the structure. The driver, Mamadou Barry, was trapped. First responders pulled him out, but he died at the hospital. No other injuries reported.

According to NY Daily News (2025-01-22), Mamadou Barry, 63, was driving his Toyota RAV4 along 90th Ave. in Jamaica, Queens, around 5:20 a.m. when he lost control, hopped a curb at 143rd St., and crashed into a detached garage. The impact caused the garage to collapse onto both his SUV and a parked, unoccupied Prius. Police said Barry was trapped and later died at Jamaica Hospital. The article notes, 'he lost control of the SUV, which went crashing into a detached garage in Queens, police said.' Family members stated Barry had no known medical issues. The cause of the crash remains unclear. No other injuries were reported. The incident highlights the dangers faced by drivers and bystanders in residential areas where structures sit close to the street.

• Uber Driver Dies in Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-22

Jan 13 - Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Nov 22 - Five passengers, ages four to fifty-five, suffered whiplash in a chain collision on Grand Central Parkway. Police cited drivers for following too closely. Rear-end impacts left all injured but none ejected.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle crash struck Grand Central Parkway at 20:08. A pick-up truck, SUV, and sedan, all westbound, collided in a chain reaction. Five passengers were injured: a 31-year-old front passenger, a 4-year-old child in a restraint, a 55-year-old front passenger, a 19-year-old rear passenger, and a 6-year-old rear passenger. All suffered whiplash. None were ejected. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for at least two vehicles. The vehicles showed center front and rear damage, matching rear-end impacts. Police found no contributing victim actions. Driver error in maintaining safe distance caused the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773396 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Nov 13 - Council demands DOT show its work. The law forces public updates on every street safety project. No more hiding delays. No more silent cost overruns. Progress for bus riders, cyclists, and walkers must be tracked and posted.

Int 1105-2024 became law on May 10, 2025, after action by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, sponsored by Julie Won and co-sponsored by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others, amends the city code to require the Department of Transportation to post annual and monthly updates on all projects tied to the streets master plan. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' It forces transparency on protected bike lanes, bus lanes, pedestrian signals, and upgrades. The public will see delays, costs, and status. No more secrets. The mayor returned it unsigned, but the law stands.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-11-13

Oct 15 - Two SUVs collided on Grand Central Parkway at 7:50 a.m. The female driver of one SUV suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited unsafe lane changing as the cause. Both vehicles sustained damage to their side panels and bumpers.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Grand Central Parkway at 7:50 a.m. Two station wagons/SUVs traveling westbound were involved. The driver of a 2011 Kia SUV was going straight when a 2023 BMW SUV changed lanes unsafely, striking the Kia's right rear quarter panel with the BMW's left front bumper. The female Kia driver, age 27, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor for the crash. There are no other contributing factors or victim behaviors noted. Both vehicles sustained damage consistent with the point of impact. The driver error of unsafe lane changing directly caused the collision and the occupant injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763645 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 2 - Two sedans collided head-to-tail on Grand Central Parkway. The driver of the struck vehicle suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. Both vehicles were damaged at their center rear and front ends.

At 5:49 AM on Grand Central Parkway, two sedans traveling westbound collided in a rear-end crash. According to the police report, the driver of the struck sedan, a 33-year-old male occupant, sustained back injuries and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. Both vehicles showed damage to their center back and front ends, indicating a direct rear impact. The injured driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and airbag deployment was noted. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. This collision underscores the dangers posed by driver distraction on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761629 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Aug 18 - An SUV driver suffered a back injury after losing control on a slippery Grand Central Parkway. The vehicle struck an object head-on, damaging the left front bumper. The driver remained conscious and restrained, highlighting road conditions as a key factor.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male driver of a 2018 Jeep SUV was traveling eastbound on Grand Central Parkway at 8:45 a.m. The driver was going straight ahead when the vehicle impacted an object with the center front end, causing damage to the left front bumper. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as a contributing factor, indicating hazardous road conditions played a role. The driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, was not ejected but sustained an internal back injury classified as severity level 3. No other contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. The incident underscores the dangers posed by slippery pavement rather than driver misconduct.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749051 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Jul 10 - Two SUVs collided on Grand Central Parkway, westbound. The driver of the rear vehicle suffered neck injuries. Police cited following too closely as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front and rear bumper damage in the crash.

According to the police report, at 7:40 AM on Grand Central Parkway, two sport utility vehicles traveling westbound collided. The rear SUV, driven by a 52-year-old male occupant, struck the left rear bumper of the lead SUV with its right front bumper. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash. The injured driver was conscious and suffered a neck injury, wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. Both vehicles sustained damage to their bumpers. The lead vehicle was driven by a licensed female driver from Texas, while the rear vehicle was driven by a licensed male driver from New York. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18