Union Turnpike takes a life; Clearview keeps killing

Apr 18 - A sedan turned left on Hillside Avenue. Its right front hit a 71-year-old man crossing. Blood ran from his head. He stayed conscious. The driver, 76, walked away. A baby rode in the car. Only the pedestrian was hurt.

A 71-year-old man was struck and injured by a sedan making a left turn at Hillside Avenue and 202nd Street. According to the police report, 'the right front struck a 71-year-old man crossing. Blood ran from his head. He was conscious.' The driver, age 76, and a baby passenger were not hurt. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. No other errors or factors are cited. The pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to the head but remained conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 14 - A motorbike and SUV collide on 188th Street. The bike shatters. A 19-year-old is thrown, crushed, killed. The SUV driver, sixty, survives with pain. Sirens echo. The street holds the silence of death.

A deadly crash unfolded at 188th Street and 90th Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old motorbike rider was ejected and killed after a head-on collision with an Audi SUV. The SUV driver, a 60-year-old woman, suffered pain but survived. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor for both vehicles. The motorbike was demolished. The report notes the rider wore a helmet. No blame is placed on the victims. The crash left one dead and one injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805902 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 5 - A BMW and motorcycle collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both vehicles burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The BMW driver survived. No arrests. Police are investigating. Another life lost on a wide, fast Queens road.

According to NY Daily News (April 5, 2025), a fatal crash occurred at 60th Drive and Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Queens. A BMW SUV and a motorcycle, both heading south, collided around 9:22 a.m. Both vehicles caught fire. Police said, 'only the car driver survived the collision.' EMS pronounced the motorcycle rider dead at the scene. The BMW driver was hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests have been made, and police continue to investigate. The crash highlights the persistent dangers on major Queens thoroughfares, where high speeds and heavy traffic put vulnerable road users at risk.

• Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Blaze, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-05

Mar 28 - 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

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 31 - A box truck swung left at 212th and Hillside. The driver looked too late. A 29-year-old man, crossing with the light, was crushed beneath the bumper. He died in the street before dawn. Steel met flesh. The city kept moving.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling west on Hillside Avenue made a left turn at the corner of 212th Street and Hillside Avenue in Queens. The driver, licensed in New Jersey, was operating a 2018 FRHT-TRUCK/BUS with one occupant. The report states the driver was inattentive or distracted and failed to observe the pedestrian in time. The vehicle struck a 29-year-old man who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The point of impact was the truck’s left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Oversized Vehicle' as contributing factors. The victim’s behavior—crossing with the signal—is noted only after the driver’s errors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver inattention and large vehicles at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789587 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 15 - A northbound sedan hit a 67-year-old woman crossing 263rd Street near 75th Avenue. She bled on the pavement, conscious, her leg torn. The driver, distracted, did not stop. Darkness, no crosswalk, no signal—just impact and aftermath.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old woman was crossing 263rd Street near 75th Avenue in Queens when she was struck head-on by a northbound Acura sedan. The crash occurred in the dark, with no crosswalk or signal present at the location. The report states the driver was distracted, citing 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The woman suffered severe bleeding from her leg but remained conscious at the scene. The driver did not stop after the collision. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing where there was no signal or crosswalk, but the police report lists driver distraction as the key factor in the crash. The focus remains on the driver's inattention and the systemic dangers faced by those crossing city streets outside of marked crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786030 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 1 - A Lexus sedan tore into darkness on Grand Central Parkway. Metal crumpled. A 23-year-old woman, unconscious, bled in the driver’s seat. Only speed stood between her and the morning. The road bore witness to violence and silence.

According to the police report, a Lexus sedan traveling westbound on Grand Central Parkway near Francis Lewis Boulevard crashed at 5:09 a.m. The report states the vehicle 'slammed into the dark' and suffered severe front-end damage. The sole occupant, a 23-year-old woman behind the wheel, was found unconscious and bleeding, with injuries to her entire body. The police report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the only known contributing factor to the crash. No other vehicles or persons were involved. The narrative underscores the violence of the impact and the isolation of the injured driver. The report does not cite any other contributing factors or victim behaviors. The evidence points squarely to excessive speed as the systemic danger in this early morning crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783039 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 28 - A northbound SUV veered off course on 188th Street. The driver, a 48-year-old woman, fell asleep and crashed into a parked Jeep. Metal shrieked. Airbag burst. Blood spilled. The street held its breath. The city’s danger never sleeps.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old woman driving a northbound GMC SUV on 188th Street near 75-19 lost control after she 'drifted asleep behind the wheel.' Her vehicle collided with a parked Jeep, striking the left rear bumper and damaging the Jeep’s left rear quarter panel. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor. The force of the crash triggered the airbag, and the driver suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. No other occupants or bystanders were involved. The parked Jeep was unoccupied. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the persistent danger posed by driver incapacitation and the vulnerability of everyone on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781898 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 24 - A man lay on Clearview Expressway. Three cars struck him. His chest crushed, life ended there. Another man behind the wheel, pinned and broken. Steel and rain, speed and error. The road did not forgive.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old man was killed on the northbound Clearview Expressway after being struck by three vehicles. The report states, 'A man lay in the road. Three cars struck. His chest crushed. He died there.' Another 56-year-old man, driving one of the vehicles, was injured and pinned, suffering chest injuries described as 'crush injuries.' The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors, along with 'Pavement Slippery.' These driver errors—specifically following too closely—are cited as direct contributors to the crash. The narrative highlights the systemic danger posed by multiple vehicles traveling straight ahead on a slick roadway, with no mention of pedestrian error as a contributing factor. The deadly sequence unfolded on a rain-slicked expressway, where human error and hazardous conditions combined with fatal results.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 21 - Two sedans collided head-on on Hillside Avenue in Queens. Steel twisted, glass shattered, and a 27-year-old driver, belted in, bled from the face and was incoherent. Alcohol was a key factor in the crash, highlighting deadly driver impairment.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on near Hillside Avenue and Langdale Street in Queens at 19:18. The report states, "Two sedans collided head-on. A 27-year-old driver, belted in, bled from the face, dazed and incoherent." The primary contributing factor cited is alcohol involvement. One driver was making a left turn while the other was traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The 27-year-old male driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness but suffered severe facial bleeding and was incoherent at the scene. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front ends, indicating a direct head-on impact. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash underscores the systemic danger posed by alcohol-impaired driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780824 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Dec 19 - Council bill targets speed. Shared e-bikes and scooters must have speedometers. New riders get capped at 10 mph. Law aims to slow the city’s fastest wheels. Committee review underway.

Int 1145-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced December 19, 2024, the bill would require all shared electric bikes and scooters to have working speedometers. For new riders, electric assist cuts out at 10 mph. The matter title reads: 'requiring that electric bicycles and electric scooters that are part of share systems have speedometers and limit electric speed assistance to new riders.' Council Members Linda Lee (primary sponsor), Gale A. Brewer, and Chris Banks back the bill. Brewer referred it to committee. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill awaits further action.

• File Int 1145-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19