Crash Count for District 21
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 4,334
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 2,393
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 447
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 21
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 9
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jun 7, 2025
Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in District 21?
SUVs/Cars 72 4 1 Trucks/Buses 6 1 1 Motos/Mopeds 5 0 0 Bikes 4 0 0
Nine Dead, Thousands Hurt—Moya Blocks Life-Saving Streets

Nine Dead, Thousands Hurt—Moya Blocks Life-Saving Streets

Written June 4, 2025 (Revised June 13, 2025 – Updated period stats)

District 21: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025

The Numbers Do Not Lie

Nine dead. Twenty-one left with serious injuries. In just over three years, District 21 has seen 4,314 crashes. The wounded fill hospital beds. The dead leave empty chairs. Children, cyclists, workers—no one is spared. In the last year alone, two people died and six suffered life-changing wounds. The youngest lost was eight, crossing with the light, crushed by a turning truck. The oldest was 43, killed in a parked SUV. The violence is slow, steady, and everywhere.

One Night, One Family Shattered

On February 26, 2025, a man ran a red light on Northern Boulevard. He was drunk, high, and driving more than three times the speed limit. He hit Justin Diaz, 23, on his way to work. Justin died at the scene. His brother said, “Pena will walk the streets for a $50,000 bail… Justin will never walk the streets again”. The driver had 25 school zone speeding tickets. Still, he drove. Still, he killed. Queens DA Melinda Katz called it out plain: “Drunk, drugged and reckless driving are dire threats to everyone on our shared roadways”.

Leadership: Progress and Roadblocks

Council Member Francisco Moya has voted for some safety bills—greenways, greener medians, step street lighting. He backed a bill to legalize jaywalking, ending a law that blamed victims for crossing the street (NYC Council – Legistar). But Moya has also slowed progress. He led efforts to delay street redesigns, requiring more notice before removing parking or car lanes. He lobbied against bus and bike lanes on Northern Boulevard and 111th Street. The city’s own data shows open streets like Paseo Park cut injuries by half, but Moya blocked its expansion into his district.

What Comes Next

Every day without change is another day of blood on the street. Call Council Member Moya. Demand he support protected bike lanes, bus lanes, and a 20 mph speed limit. Demand he stop blocking proven safety projects. Join groups like Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets. The dead cannot call. The living must.

Take action now.

Citations

▸ Citations
▸ Other Geographies

District 21 Council District 21 sits in Queens, Precinct 115.

It contains East Elmhurst, North Corona, Corona, Laguardia Airport, Queens CB80.

▸ See also
Boroughs
Queens
Community Boards
Queens CB3 Queens CB4 Queens CB80 Queens CB81
Neighborhoods
East Elmhurst North Corona Corona Laguardia Airport Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
State_assembly_districts
AD 27 AD 34 AD 35 AD 39
State Senate Districts
SD 11 SD 13 SD 16

Traffic Safety Timeline for Council District 21

E-Bike Rider Suffers Head Injury on Northern Blvd
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A 37-year-old e-bike rider crashed on Northern Blvd in Queens. He suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The crash left the rider conscious but hurt. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A 37-year-old man riding an e-bike was injured in a crash on Northern Blvd near 106th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the rider suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The e-bike sustained damage to the center front end. No other vehicles or people were involved. The rider was not using any safety equipment. The crash highlights the risks faced by vulnerable road users when driver attention lapses or experience is lacking.

Speeding Ex-Firefighter Kills Queens Driver
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A fired firefighter sped through a red light, high and drunk, slamming into a young man’s car. The victim died. The driver had 25 school-zone speeding tickets. The system let him drive until it was too late.

NY Daily News (2025-04-17) reports Michael Pena, a former FDNY firefighter, killed Justin Diaz in Queens while driving 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, running a red light, and driving under the influence of cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol. Pena had '25 tickets for speeding in school zones' in recent years, according to prosecutors. Surveillance showed Pena t-boned Diaz, who was heading to work. Pena faces 14 charges, including manslaughter and DWI. His bail was revoked due to flight risk concerns. The article highlights repeated driver violations and questions about enforcement and policy. Diaz’s family called for laws to reflect 'criminal intent,' not just bail reform. Pena’s license was suspended after the crash.

Sedan U-Turn Crushes Cyclist on Junction Blvd
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A sedan making a U-turn struck a southbound cyclist head-on near Junction Blvd. The rider, 27, suffered crushing head injuries. The car failed to yield. The street was quiet. Then it wasn’t. Blood on the asphalt, metal twisted, silence broken.

According to the police report, a sedan struck a 27-year-old bicyclist head-on near 59-17 Junction Blvd in Queens. The crash occurred at 4:40 a.m. Both vehicles were making U-turns when the sedan failed to yield right-of-way, as stated in the report’s contributing factors. The cyclist, traveling south, suffered severe crush injuries to the head and was conscious at the scene. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the sedan driver’s failure to yield. The narrative describes the street as quiet before the collision, emphasizing the sudden violence of the impact. The police report centers the driver’s failure to yield as the primary cause, with no evidence of cyclist error contributing to the crash.

Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Queens Motorist
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A speeding firefighter ran a red light on Northern Boulevard. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died. The driver was drunk, high, and off duty. He did not help. The city fired him. The family mourns and demands justice.

According to the New York Post (published March 29, 2025), probationary firefighter Michael Pena was fired after he drove drunk and high, ran a red light, and crashed into Justin Diaz’s car in Queens on February 26, 2025. Surveillance footage showed Pena’s Mercedes striking Diaz’s BMW at high speed, sending it skidding down the street. Diaz, 23, died. Pena admitted at the scene, 'I hit him. I ran the red light. And I'm a firefighter.' The FDNY cited conduct rules in his dismissal. The article highlights Pena’s failure to render aid and notes his attempt to invoke his firefighter status. The case raises questions about accountability for city employees and the dangers of impaired, reckless driving on city streets.

Firefighter Kills Worker In Queens Crash
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A speeding Mercedes ran a red light in Queens. It struck a BMW. The driver, drunk and high, killed a young airport worker. The victim had the right-of-way. Two passengers were hurt. The firefighter behind the wheel now faces charges.

NY Daily News (2025-03-28) reports that FDNY probationary firefighter Michael Pena was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and drug use. On February 26, Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and crashed into Justin Diaz’s BMW. Diaz, 23, died after being rushed to the hospital. Prosecutors say Pena’s blood-alcohol content was 0.156% and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. Surveillance footage shows Diaz had the right-of-way. The article states, “The victim had the right-of-way, and Pena ran a steady red light, prosecutors say.” Two passengers in Pena’s car were also injured. The case highlights the lethal consequences of high-speed, impaired driving and raises questions about enforcement and accountability.

Distracted Driver Strikes Parked SUV in Queens
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A parked SUV became a tomb on 42nd Avenue. Distraction carved metal, left a woman, 43, lifeless in the daylight hush. The lap belt held her, but the impact did not forgive. The street bore witness, silent and unchanged.

According to the police report, a fatal crash occurred outside 104-28 42nd Avenue in Queens when a parked Subaru SUV was struck on its left side. The sole occupant, a 43-year-old woman, was inside the vehicle at the time and was held in place by her lap belt. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor leading to the collision. The impact folded metal and resulted in the apparent death of the woman, who did not leave the car. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the danger created by driver distraction, which turned a parked vehicle into a scene of tragedy.

Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Airport Worker
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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.

Drunk Firefighter Kills Driver In Queens
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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.'

BMW Runs Red, Fatal Head-On Crash on Northern Blvd
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A BMW driver ran the red on Northern Boulevard. Metal screamed as a Mercedes struck head-on. The 23-year-old behind the wheel died, unbelted. A parked Toyota caught the edge. The street fell silent, marked by violence and disregard.

A violent collision unfolded at the corner of Northern Boulevard and 107th Street in Queens. According to the police report, a BMW sedan 'ran the red,' disregarding traffic control. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The BMW was struck head-on by a Mercedes sedan traveling straight. The 23-year-old BMW driver, unbelted and alone, was killed behind the wheel. The impact was severe enough that a parked Toyota SUV was also damaged. The police narrative describes the aftermath: 'Metal screamed. A parked Toyota caught the edge. The street fell silent.' The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the deadly consequences of driver actions—specifically, running a red light and alcohol involvement.

Tanker Turns, E-Bike Rider Crushed at Northern Blvd
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A tanker swung right on Northern Boulevard, striking a 31-year-old e-bike rider moving straight. The truck’s bumper crushed the man’s knee and foot. The tanker rolled on. The rider stayed down, battered and conscious, helmetless in the street.

At the intersection of Northern Boulevard and 108th Street in Queens, a collision unfolded between a tanker truck and an e-bike, according to the police report. The tanker was making a right turn while the e-bike rider, a 31-year-old man, continued straight. The police report states the truck’s right front bumper struck the e-bike, crushing the rider’s knee and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, highlighting a critical driver error. The e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s failure to yield. The tanker sustained no damage, while the e-bike was damaged at the center front end. The man remained conscious at the scene, suffering serious crush injuries. The report’s narrative underscores the violence of the impact and the vulnerability of those outside steel and glass.

Int 1173-2025
Moya co-sponsors helmet mandate bill, likely reducing overall cyclist safety.
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Council bill Int 1173-2025 would force all city cyclists to wear helmets or face a $50 fine. The measure, now in committee, targets riders not already covered by helmet laws. The city’s car carnage continues. Lawmakers focus on headgear, not street danger.

Int 1173-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on January 23, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear,' would require every cyclist not already mandated by other laws to wear a helmet. Violators face civil penalties up to $50. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The bill does not address the root causes of cyclist injuries: reckless drivers, speeding cars, and deadly streets. Instead, it shifts responsibility onto those most at risk, leaving the city’s dangerous roads unchanged.

Int 1142-2024
Moya co-sponsors bill for autism warning plaques, no safety impact.
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Council wants autism warning plaques on city streets. Parents could request signs. The bill sits in committee. Sponsors say it alerts drivers. No proven safety gain for children. The city keeps counting on signs. Streets stay dangerous.

Int 1142-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 19, 2024. The bill is titled, "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing child with autism warning plaques on streets." Council Member Kevin C. Riley is the primary sponsor, joined by Ariola, Joseph, Moya, Won, Banks, Narcisse, Paladino, and Marmorato. Their action: referral to committee. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to install warning plaques at the request of a parent or guardian. It details the process for requesting, installing, and removing these signs. The stated aim is to alert motorists to the presence of a child with autism. There is no evidence these plaques reduce crashes or protect children. The city continues to rely on signage, not street redesign, to address systemic danger.

Int 1069-2024
Moya co-sponsors bill reducing commercial parking time, boosting street safety.
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Council bill Int 1069-2024 slashes legal parking time for tractor-trailers and similar trucks to 90 minutes. Commercial vehicles clogging curbs will face tighter limits. The measure targets streets where hulking rigs linger, blocking sightlines and endangering walkers and riders.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." It limits parking for tractor-trailer combinations, tractors, truck trailers, and semi-trailers to 90 minutes, down from three hours. Council Member Kevin C. Riley leads as primary sponsor, joined by Nantasha M. Williams, Darlene Mealy, Sandy Nurse, and others. The bill was referred to committee the day it was introduced. No safety analyst has yet assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users, but the measure aims to keep large trucks from blocking curbs and crosswalks, where they threaten pedestrians and cyclists.

Int 0346-2024
Moya votes yes to legalize jaywalking, improving overall pedestrian safety.
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Council passed a law letting pedestrians cross streets anywhere, at any time. Jaywalking is now legal. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks or against signals. The law shifts blame from walkers to drivers. Streets belong to people again.

Int 0346-2024, now Local Law 98 of 2024, was enacted by the City Council on October 26, 2024, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way," lets pedestrians cross roadways at any point, even against traffic signals. It erases penalties for so-called jaywalking. Sponsors include Tiffany Cabán (primary), Lincoln Restler, Crystal Hudson, Shahana K. Hanif, Julie Won, Mercedes Narcisse, Darlene Mealy, Erik D. Bottcher, and Farah N. Louis. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor. The law requires the Department of Transportation to educate all road users about these new rights. By ending jaywalking enforcement, the city removes a tool often used to blame victims and target the vulnerable. The law marks a shift: streets are for people, not just cars.

SUV Strikes Eight-Year-Old Girl Crossing 111th Street
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A Honda SUV hit an eight-year-old girl as she crossed 111th Street. Her foot split open. Blood pooled on the sidewalk. The SUV rolled on, unscathed. She stayed conscious, pain sharp and real, the street marked by violence.

According to the police report, a northbound Honda SUV struck an eight-year-old girl as she crossed 111th Street near 47th Avenue in Queens. The report states that the collision occurred while the girl was 'crossing, no signal, or crosswalk.' The impact caused a severe laceration to her foot, splitting it open and leaving blood on the sidewalk. The girl remained conscious after the crash, with injuries to her lower leg and foot described as 'severe lacerations.' The SUV, a 2019 Honda, showed no visible damage and continued north. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'unspecified,' offering no details about driver attentiveness or speed. The narrative centers the violence of the impact and the vulnerability of the young pedestrian, while the vehicle and its occupants were unharmed.

Taxi Backs Into Man Standing Off Road
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A taxi reversed without warning at 111th Street and 55th Avenue. The cab struck a 60-year-old man’s leg as he stood off the roadway. Bone crushed. He did not cry out. The cab bore no mark. The street swallowed the pain.

According to the police report, a taxi backed up at the corner of 111th Street and 55th Avenue in Queens, striking a 60-year-old man who was standing off the road. The report states the man suffered crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was left in shock. The collision occurred at 17:57. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely' as contributing factors. The man was not in the roadway at the time of impact. The taxi showed no visible damage. The report does not list any pedestrian actions as contributing factors. The focus remains on the driver’s failure to pay attention and the unsafe backing maneuver that led to the severe injury.

Teen Moped Rider Torn Open in High-Speed Queens Crash
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A 15-year-old moped rider collided with a Ford SUV on 32nd Avenue. He flew from the seat, helmetless, body torn and bleeding, screaming awake. Speed and alcohol shadowed the crash. The street bore witness to another young life shattered.

A violent collision unfolded at 32nd Avenue and 107th Street in Queens when a moped, operated by a 15-year-old boy, slammed into the left front quarter panel of a Ford SUV, according to the police report. The report states the moped rider was 'partially ejected,' suffering severe lacerations to his entire body, and was found conscious and screaming at the scene. 'Unsafe Speed' is cited as a contributing factor in the crash, with 'Alcohol Involvement' also listed in the police data. The teen wore no helmet, as documented in the report. The Ford SUV was traveling west, while the moped headed north; both were reportedly going straight ahead before impact. The police narrative describes the aftermath in stark terms: 'Blood spread. He was awake. He screamed.' The crash underscores the lethal consequences of speed and alcohol on city streets.

Int 0875-2024
Moya co-sponsors bill to boost step street lighting, improving pedestrian safety.
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Council wants lights on city step streets. The bill orders the DOT to brighten at least 25 stairways a year. Dark stairs mean danger. Light means fewer falls, fewer hidden threats. The push comes from a broad coalition. The goal is simple: safer steps.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced May 16, 2024, it commands the Department of Transportation to install pedestrian lighting on at least 25 step streets each year. The bill’s matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola leads, joined by Council Members Hanks, Ayala, Salaam, Brooks-Powers, Banks, Restler, Brannan, Ung, Gutiérrez, Louis, Hudson, Schulman, Ossé, Krishnan, Nurse, Moya, and Marmorato. Step streets are public staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to ensure these stairs are well-lit, reducing risk for walkers. Once all step streets are lit, the mandate ends. The measure targets a clear hazard: darkness on city stairs.

Pickup Truck Veers, Strikes Man on Parkway
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A Toyota pickup veered west on Grand Central Parkway near midnight, smashing into parked cars and striking a 56-year-old man in the roadway. The truck’s bumper crushed his head. He lay conscious, battered, the dark pressing in.

According to the police report, a Toyota pickup truck traveling west on Grand Central Parkway near midnight veered off course and struck parked vehicles. The report states that a 56-year-old man was standing in the roadway when the truck’s right front bumper hit him, causing severe head and crush injuries. The man remained conscious at the scene. The narrative describes the impact as the truck 'veered west, struck parked cars,' and then hit the pedestrian, leaving him 'crushed but conscious.' The police report lists the driver's pre-crash action as 'Avoiding Object in Roadway,' but does not specify any contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified.' No victim actions are cited as contributing factors. The focus remains on the pickup’s movement and the resulting harm to the pedestrian.

E-Bike Rider Suffers Head Injury on Roosevelt Avenue
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A young man lies semiconscious on Roosevelt Avenue, blood pooling from his head. His e-bike’s back end is crushed. The street is silent, the damage plain. Alcohol is involved. No helmet. The city holds its breath.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old man was found semiconscious beside his e-bike near 97-06 Roosevelt Avenue in Queens at 4:30 a.m. The report describes blood pooling from his head and notes severe bleeding and head injury. The e-bike’s center back end was crushed. The police report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor, along with 'Unspecified' causes. No helmet was present, but the report does not cite helmet use as a contributing factor. The narrative paints a stark scene: the street is still, the silence heavy. The focus remains on the crash’s violence and the systemic dangers faced by vulnerable road users, especially in the early hours when streets are empty and oversight is thin.