Crash Count for District 20
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 4,309
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 2,478
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 495
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 61
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 18
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 26, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in District 20?

Seventeen Dead, Thousands Hurt—Council Stalls, Streets Kill

Seventeen Dead, Thousands Hurt—Council Stalls, Streets Kill

District 20: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 12, 2025

The Toll: Lives Shattered, Streets Unforgiving

In District 20, the numbers do not lie. Seventeen people killed. Fifty-eight left with serious injuries. Over 2,300 hurt since 2022 (NYC Open Data). The dead are not numbers. They are elders crossing Main Street, children on bikes, mothers waiting for the light. The violence is steady, not sudden. It comes in the form of SUVs, sedans, trucks—steel against flesh.

Just last month, a speeding crash on Main Street sent passengers to the hospital. Days before, an SUV rear-ended a taxi on the expressway. A child was hurt when two SUVs collided on College Point Boulevard. Two boys were struck by a driver who failed to yield. The list goes on. The pain does not end.

“I Have a Baby With Me. That Would Be Scary.”

On July 11, an MTA bus in Flushing jumped the curb and smashed into a pole. Eight people were injured. “I have a baby with me. That would be scary. I’ll be more cautious of my surroundings,” said Samantha Hart, a bystander. The bus nearly hit two people waiting at the stop. The driver, just 25, was pulled from service after officials believed he had fallen asleep at the wheel (ABC7).

The violence is not always loud. Sometimes it is a silent swerve, a moment of inattention. But the result is the same. A 78-year-old woman killed crossing Parsons Boulevard. A 63-year-old cyclist struck down by an SUV on Bowne Street.

Leadership: Small Steps, Long Delays

Council Member Sandra Ung has signed on to bills for more lighting, speed humps, and safer street designs. She backed the citywide greenway plan. She co-sponsored a bill to require DOT approval for sidewalk stands, aiming to keep paths clear. But when the Council voted to end jaywalking enforcement—a law that protects pedestrians from being blamed for their own deaths—Ung was absent. When e-scooter share came to Queens, Ung led the charge to ban it, ignoring data showing no serious injuries or deaths and thousands of safe rides.

Ung says she is proud that the Eastern Queens Greenway is funded in her district, but the path remains unfinished. The city moves slow. The danger moves fast.

Call to Action: Demand More Than Words

This is not fate. It is policy. Call Council Member Ung. Demand a citywide 20 mph speed limit. Demand protected bike lanes and sidewalks that put people first. Demand action, not delay. Every day without change is another day someone does not come home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the New York City Council and how does it work?
The New York City Council is the city’s legislative body. It passes laws, oversees city agencies, and represents the interests of New Yorkers in each district.
Where does District 20 sit politically?
It belongs to borough Queens, assembly district AD 25 and state senate district SD 16.
Which areas are in District 20?
It includes the Murray Hill-Broadway Flushing, East Flushing, Queensboro Hill, Flushing-Willets Point, Kissena Park, Auburndale, and Queens CB7 neighborhoods. It also overlaps parts of Assembly Districts AD 25 and AD 40, and State Senate District SD 16.
What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in District 20?
Most injuries and deaths were caused by SUVs and Sedans (7 deaths, 20 serious injuries), followed by Trucks and Buses (no deaths, 1 serious injury), Motorcycles and Mopeds (no deaths, 1 serious injury), and Bikes (no deaths, no serious injuries). See NYC Open Data.
Are these crashes just 'accidents' or are they preventable?
These crashes are preventable. Lower speeds, better street design, and stronger enforcement can save lives.
What can local politicians do to make streets safer?
They can pass laws for lower speed limits, fund protected bike lanes and sidewalks, and ensure enforcement targets dangerous driving—not vulnerable road users.
What is CrashCount?
We’re a tool for helping hold local politicians and other actors accountable for their failure to protect you when you’re walking or cycling in NYC. We update our site constantly to provide you with up to date information on what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Citations

Citations

Fix the Problem

Sandra Ung
Council Member Sandra Ung
District 20
District Office:
136-21 Latimer Place, 1D, Flushing, NY 11354
718-888-8747
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1808, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7259
Twitter: CMSandraUng

Other Representatives

Nily Rozic
Assembly Member Nily Rozic
District 25
District Office:
159-16 Union Turnpike, Flushing, NY 11366
Legislative Office:
Room 941, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
John Liu
State Senator John Liu
District 16
District Office:
38-50 Bell Blvd. Suite C, Bayside, NY 11361
Legislative Office:
Room 915, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
Other Geographies

District 20 Council District 20 sits in Queens, Precinct 109, AD 25, SD 16.

It contains Murray Hill-Broadway Flushing, East Flushing, Queensboro Hill, Flushing-Willets Point, Kissena Park, Auburndale, Queens CB7.

See also
Boroughs
Community Boards
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Council District 20

Man Killed By Car In Queens Dispute

A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man in Ozone Park. The driver fled, then turned himself in. Police say the crash followed a heated confrontation. The victim died at Jamaica Hospital.

ABC7 reported on August 1, 2025, that a 23-year-old man died after being hit by a car at 101st Avenue and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. Police said the incident followed a domestic dispute. The driver, who was the woman's current boyfriend, told police the victim approached his car "while flashing what appeared to be a gun" and was struck as the driver tried to leave. The driver later went to the police. No charges had been filed as of publication, with the district attorney still reviewing the case. The crash highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used during conflicts.


Flash Flood Traps Cars On Expressway

Water rose fast. Cars stranded. People climbed roofs to escape. Rescue teams pulled them out. Rain hammered Queens. The road drowned, then cleared. Danger came quick. Relief came late.

ABC7 reported on July 31, 2025, that flash flooding trapped drivers on the Clearview Expressway in Queens. Video showed people perched atop cars, waiting for rescue. A witness described, "10 feet deep, people sitting on top of cars, 6 or 7." Mayor Eric Adams declared a localized State of Emergency. The flooding left vehicles stranded and forced emergency response. The article highlights the risk of sudden, severe weather overwhelming city infrastructure, stranding vulnerable road users in harm’s way.


Sedan Strikes Pedestrian on Union Street

A sedan hit a man crossing Union Street. The impact left him unconscious, bleeding from the head. The driver was unhurt. No driver errors listed. The street turned violent in a flash.

A 30-year-old man was struck by a sedan while emerging from behind a parked vehicle on Union Street in Queens. He suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was found unconscious. According to the police report, the driver, a 76-year-old woman, was going straight ahead when the crash occurred. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the sedan. The driver was not injured. The crash highlights the danger pedestrians face, even outside intersections, when cars and people cross paths.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829418 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Memorial Honors Fallen App-Based Workers

Candles flickered in Queens. Workers mourned the dead. Portraits lined the park. Grief and anger mixed. Demands for safety echoed. Fatigue and risk shadow every shift. The toll grows. The city listens.

amny reported on July 11, 2025, that rideshare and delivery workers gathered in Little Bay Park to honor colleagues killed on the job. The Justice for App Workers coalition demanded safety reforms, including panic buttons and limits on shift lengths. 'These deaths were not inevitable; they happened because billion-dollar companies chose profit over safety,' said Adaligisa Payero. Speakers highlighted long hours and fatigue as key dangers. The coalition called for tech companies and lawmakers to act, noting that app-based workers face higher injury and death rates than many traditional employees.


BMW Vaults Median, Six Injured In Queens

A BMW flew over a Belt Parkway barrier at dawn. Metal twisted. Six hurt. Two critical. Flames rose. Police say speed may have played a role. The crash left wreckage and questions in its wake.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-05), a BMW traveling east on the Belt Parkway in Queens struck a concrete median, vaulted over it, and hit two oncoming vehicles. The article states, "Six people were injured—two critically—in a fiery crash." Police noted, "speed may have been an issue." The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The incident highlights the dangers of high speeds and highway design where barriers failed to contain a vehicle, putting multiple road users at risk.


2
SUVs Collide on Pidgeon Meadow Road, Two Hurt

Two SUVs crashed head-on in Queens. Both drivers suffered crush injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

Two sport utility vehicles collided on Pidgeon Meadow Road at 167th Street in Queens. Both drivers, men aged 64 and 58, were injured with crush injuries to their entire bodies. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience.' Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The report lists no other contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact left both drivers conscious but hurt. The police report highlights driver errors as the primary cause.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824574 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Int 0857-2024
Ung votes yes to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.


2
Speeding Crash on Main Street Injures Passengers

Two passengers crushed in a violent collision on Main Street. Sedans and SUVs collided at unsafe speed. Metal twisted. Bodies hurt. The street bore the impact.

A crash on Main Street at Dahlia Avenue in Queens left two passengers injured with crush injuries. According to the police report, a sedan and an SUV collided while traveling north. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage. Two men, ages 56 and 30, were hurt. The crash underscores the danger when speed overtakes caution.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822452 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Rear-Ends Taxi on Expressway, Driver Hurt

SUV slammed into taxi’s rear on Long Island Expressway. One driver suffered crush injuries. Police cite following too closely. Metal twisted. Traffic did not forgive.

A station wagon/SUV struck the back of a taxi on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. According to the police report, the SUV was 'going straight ahead' and the taxi was 'slowing or stopping' when the crash happened. One driver, a 50-year-old man, suffered crush injuries to his entire body. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Both vehicles had only drivers inside. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822426 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Cyclist Left Critical After Queens Hit-And-Run

A cyclist lay unconscious on 115th Avenue. The driver fled. Police searched the dark street for clues. The victim’s fate hung in the balance. Another night, another crash. The city’s danger pressed down, silent and heavy.

According to ABC7 (published June 15, 2025), a bicyclist was struck in a hit-and-run on 115th Avenue near 134th Street in South Ozone Park, Queens, just after 11:30 p.m. Friday. Police found the victim unconscious and in critical condition. The article states, 'They are now looking for evidence to help them track down the driver.' No details were given about the cyclist’s age or destination. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene highlights ongoing risks for vulnerable road users and underscores the persistent problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City.


SUVs Collide on College Point Boulevard; Child Injured

Two SUVs crashed on College Point Boulevard. A six-year-old boy suffered crush injuries. Police cite unsafe speed. One driver was unlicensed. Impact hit hard. Metal twisted. Lives changed.

Two station wagons collided on College Point Boulevard at King Road in Queens. A six-year-old boy riding as a rear passenger was injured, suffering crush injuries to his entire body. According to the police report, the crash was caused by unsafe speed. One driver was unlicensed. The impact struck the right side doors of one SUV and the center front end of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820691 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
2
Driver Fails to Yield, Hits Two Boys in Queens

A car struck two boys crossing Linden Place at 31st Road. Both walked with the signal. Both suffered crush injuries to their legs. The driver sped south and failed to yield. The street turned violent. The boys survived. The danger remains.

Two boys, ages 4 and 13, were injured while crossing Linden Place at 31st Road in Queens. According to the police report, both children were pedestrians at the intersection, crossing with the signal when a southbound vehicle struck them. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. Both boys suffered crush injuries to their knees, lower legs, and feet, but remained conscious after the crash. The data does not specify the vehicle type or driver details. The crash highlights the risk faced by pedestrians, especially children, when drivers fail to yield and speed through intersections.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819004 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Passes Too Close, Elderly Driver Trapped

A sedan and SUV collided on 155th Street in Queens. An 83-year-old man was trapped, unconscious, with crushed legs. Police cite passing too closely. Metal twisted. Doors smashed. The street fell silent as first responders worked to free the injured driver.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 42-20 155th Street in Queens involving a sedan and a station wagon/SUV. An 83-year-old male driver suffered crush injuries to his lower legs and was found trapped and unconscious in his vehicle. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The SUV sustained damage to its right side doors, while the sedan was hit on the left front bumper and left side doors. No other injuries were specified for the remaining occupants. The data does not mention helmet or signal use as contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when drivers pass too close, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818934 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality

A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.

According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.


Motorcycle Turns Into Pedestrian Crossing Signal

Motorcycle struck a pedestrian in the crosswalk on Northern Blvd. Pedestrian suffered head injury and severe bleeding. Police cite traffic control disregard and improper turn.

A motorcycle hit a pedestrian at the intersection of Northern Blvd and Prince St in Queens. The pedestrian, a 27-year-old man, was crossing with the signal and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. According to the police report, the driver disregarded traffic control and turned improperly. The motorcycle driver, a 37-year-old man, was also injured. Police list 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was unconscious at the scene.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813114 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Garbage Truck Strikes E-Bike on Union Street

A garbage truck hit an e-bike at Union Street and 32nd Avenue. The cyclist lost a leg. The truck kept going straight. The bike was demolished. The street stayed quiet. Blood on the asphalt.

A garbage truck and an e-bike collided at Union Street and 32nd Avenue in Queens. The 35-year-old male cyclist was partially ejected and suffered a leg amputation. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead. The e-bike was demolished. The truck showed no damage. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812992 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash

A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.

ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.


Int 0193-2024
Ung votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.

Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.


Pedestrian Struck Crossing Kissena Blvd at 45 Ave

A woman crossing with the signal on Kissena Blvd suffered crush injuries to her leg. Impact left her conscious but hurt. The driver’s actions remain unlisted. System failed to protect her.

A 38-year-old woman was hit while crossing Kissena Blvd at 45 Ave in Queens. She was in the crosswalk, moving with the signal, when a vehicle struck her. According to the police report, she suffered crush injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, but remained conscious. The report does not specify any driver errors or contributing factors. No vehicle details or driver actions are listed. The incident highlights a system where a pedestrian, following the rules, was left injured in the street.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809356 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Turns, Crushes Pedestrian in Crosswalk

SUV turned right on Parsons. Struck a man in the crosswalk. His head hit. His body crushed. Driver failed to yield. Streets did not protect him.

A westbound SUV turned right from Parsons Blvd onto Beech Ave and struck a 48-year-old man crossing in the marked crosswalk. According to the police report, the pedestrian was conscious but suffered head and crush injuries. The driver, age 64, failed to yield the right-of-way and turned improperly. The report states: “He failed to yield.” The pedestrian was following the crosswalk. The crash highlights driver errors—failure to yield and improper turning—documented in the official record.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808895 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04