Astoria (North)–Ditmars: Three Dead at Daybreak

Oct 3 - Sedans crashed on Grand Central Parkway. A woman in the back seat took a blow to the chest. Drivers followed too close, changed lanes wrong. Metal twisted. Passenger hurt. No one thrown from cars.

According to the police report, multiple sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway. A 51-year-old female passenger in the right rear seat suffered chest contusions and bruises. The crash stemmed from driver errors: 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Following Too Closely' are listed as contributing factors. The impact damaged several vehicles’ front and rear ends. The injured passenger was conscious and wore a lap belt and harness. No ejections occurred. The report does not list any passenger actions as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4670497 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 25 - A taxi traveling north struck a parked sedan on 24 Street in Queens. The sedan’s passenger, a 55-year-old woman, was partially ejected and suffered a head injury. Driver inattention caused the crash. The passenger was conscious but suffered a concussion.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on 24 Street collided with a parked sedan. The impact occurred at the sedan’s left rear quarter panel and the taxi’s right front bumper. The sedan had one occupant, a 55-year-old female passenger, who was partially ejected and sustained a head injury resulting in a concussion. She was conscious at the scene and was secured with a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668005 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 18 - Over 200 Astoria residents packed a DOT workshop after a spike in traffic deaths. Cyclists and pedestrians have died. Drivers speed, double-park, and ignore signals. Councilwoman Cabán and others demand urgent action. DOT vows to return with a safety plan.

On September 14, 2023, the Department of Transportation held a public street safety workshop in Astoria, Queens, following a surge in traffic violence. The event, covered on September 18, 2023, drew over 200 residents and was organized by Western Queens elected officials. The workshop addressed a 'significant increase in traffic-related deaths, including several high-profile fatalities involving cyclists and pedestrians.' Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the deaths preventable and demanded urgent changes. Cabán stated, 'If it saves lives, it’s worth doing.' DOT officials, including Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia and senior program manager Kyle Gorman, presented plans for 31st Avenue and collected resident feedback on dangerous driving, lack of protected bike lanes, and unsafe intersections. The DOT pledged to return with a proposal. No formal bill number or committee was cited; the event focused on immediate community engagement and systemic change.

• Astoria residents turnout for DOT street safety workshop following surge in traffic violence this year, amny.com, Published 2023-09-18

Sep 18 - Over 200 Astoria residents packed a DOT workshop after a spike in traffic deaths. Cyclists and pedestrians have died. Drivers speed, double-park, and ignore signals. Councilwoman Cabán and others demand urgent action. DOT vows to return with a safety plan.

On September 14, 2023, the Department of Transportation held a public street safety workshop in Astoria, Queens, following a surge in traffic violence. The event, covered on September 18, 2023, drew over 200 residents and was organized by Western Queens elected officials. The workshop addressed a 'significant increase in traffic-related deaths, including several high-profile fatalities involving cyclists and pedestrians.' Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani called the deaths preventable and demanded urgent changes. Cabán stated, 'If it saves lives, it’s worth doing.' DOT officials, including Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia and senior program manager Kyle Gorman, presented plans for 31st Avenue and collected resident feedback on dangerous driving, lack of protected bike lanes, and unsafe intersections. The DOT pledged to return with a proposal. No formal bill number or committee was cited; the event focused on immediate community engagement and systemic change.

• Astoria residents turnout for DOT street safety workshop following surge in traffic violence this year, amny.com, Published 2023-09-18

Sep 7 - A 32-year-old man was struck by a sedan near 19-41 46 Street in Queens. The pedestrian suffered back abrasions. The driver, traveling south, hit the man with the right front bumper. Aggressive driving and passing too closely contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on 19-41 46 Street in Queens struck a 32-year-old male pedestrian who was off the intersection. The pedestrian sustained back abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The report lists aggressive driving and passing too closely as contributing factors. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The pedestrian was engaged in other actions in the roadway when the collision occurred.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4660818 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 28 - A moped slammed into a parked sedan on Ditmars Boulevard. The rider’s legs tore open. Blood spilled on the quiet street. He stayed conscious. No one else was hurt. The crash left flesh and bone exposed in the midnight dark.

A 46-year-old moped rider crashed into a parked sedan near 38-11 Ditmars Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, the collision happened at midnight. The moped struck the right front quarter panel of the sedan. The rider suffered severe lacerations to his knees and feet but remained conscious. No other people were injured. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The sedan was parked and undamaged. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The crash left the rider with serious injuries, underscoring the danger faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658369 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 24 - A 25-year-old moped driver struck head-on on 37 Street at Astoria Boulevard. Police cited failure to yield and traffic control disregard. The unlicensed driver suffered leg bruises. No helmet. He stayed conscious.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male moped driver traveling north on 37 Street collided head-on near Astoria Boulevard. The driver was injured, suffering contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. Police listed 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was unlicensed. No safety equipment was used. The moped sustained damage to the center front end. The driver was not ejected and remained conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656575 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 18 - Assembly bill A 7979 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers a speed limiter. Lawmakers move to curb repeat danger. No more unchecked speeding. Streets demand it.

Assembly bill A 7979, now in sponsorship, sits before the New York State Assembly. Introduced August 18, 2023, it 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during an eighteen month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Assemblymember Emily Gallagher leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, Tony Simone, Jo Anne Simon, and others. The bill aims to force chronic speeders to slow down. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear: rein in repeat offenders, protect those outside the car.

• File A 7979, Open States, Published 2023-08-18

Aug 13 - A Honda SUV struck a stopped vehicle on Steinway Street. Three occupants in the SUV suffered back and full-body injuries. The driver was traveling at unsafe speed. All victims wore lap belts and remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a Honda SUV traveling on Steinway Street rear-ended a vehicle stopped in traffic. The crash injured three occupants in the SUV, including the 51-year-old female driver and two male passengers aged 21 and 37. All suffered whiplash and back injuries, with one reporting full-body pain. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and all occupants used lap belts. No ejections occurred. The collision caused damage to the left rear quarter panel of the SUV and the left rear bumper of the stopped vehicle. The report does not indicate any contributing factors from the passengers or other vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654235 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - A sedan struck a 38-year-old female bicyclist on 31 Street in Queens. The cyclist suffered abdominal and pelvic bruises. The driver was inattentive and turned improperly. The bicyclist wore a helmet and remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 31 Street in Queens collided with a bicyclist riding straight ahead. The bicyclist, a 38-year-old woman, sustained contusions to her abdomen and pelvis but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists driver errors as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Turning Improperly." The sedan impacted the bicyclist on its left side doors, while the bike sustained damage to its center front end. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. No damage was reported to the sedan. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654697 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - An unlicensed e-bike rider hit a parked SUV on Astoria Boulevard. The rider suffered facial abrasions but remained conscious. The SUV was damaged on its left side doors. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male riding an unlicensed e-bike traveling east struck a parked 2008 Honda SUV on Astoria Boulevard. The e-bike collided with the left side doors of the SUV, causing damage to the vehicle and facial abrasions to the rider. The rider was not ejected and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. The SUV driver was licensed and parked at the time of impact. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted operation of e-bikes near stationary vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653408 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 8 - A pick-up truck hit a sedan in Queens. The sedan’s driver and passenger suffered head injuries and shock. Police cite driver distraction as a cause. Metal and flesh collided. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck struck a sedan on 21 Street at 21 Avenue in Queens. The sedan’s 84-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and minor bleeding. A 38-year-old female passenger also sustained head trauma and a minor burn. Both were in shock. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor. The pick-up truck’s center front end hit the sedan’s right rear quarter panel. Neither occupant was ejected. The report does not specify use of safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653402 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 5 - A 26-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured in Queens. The crash involved a truck and occurred at 24 Street. The rider suffered an elbow and lower arm injury and a minor burn. Driver errors included improper lane usage and inattention.

According to the police report, a collision occurred in Queens involving an e-scooter and a truck. The e-scooter rider, a 26-year-old male, was injured with wounds to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and suffered a minor burn. The report lists driver errors including 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The e-scooter was traveling north, going straight ahead, and the point of impact was the center front end of the scooter. The truck was also traveling north and struck the scooter with its left front bumper. The rider was not ejected and was in shock at the scene. No safety equipment was reported. The crash highlights dangers from driver inattention and improper lane use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653395 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - Senate bill S 7621 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets trigger mandatory speed control tech. Sponsors push to curb repeat danger. No votes yet. Streets stay tense.

Senate bill S 7621, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed August 2, 2023, it 'relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill forces drivers with eleven points in eighteen months, or six speed/red light camera tickets in a year, to install speed-limiting devices. No safety analyst note yet. The measure aims to cut repeat speeding and protect those outside the car.

• File S 7621, Open States, Published 2023-08-02

Jul 28 - A 15-year-old boy was struck while crossing a marked crosswalk on 37 Street in Queens. The driver, going straight north, failed to yield and was distracted. The teen suffered back injuries and minor burns, left shaken but not ejected.

According to the police report, a 15-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 37 Street and 21 Avenue in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when the collision occurred. The driver, traveling north and going straight ahead, struck the pedestrian with the center front end of the vehicle. The report lists driver errors as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." The pedestrian sustained back injuries and minor burns, experiencing shock but was not ejected from the scene. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was not using any safety equipment. The crash highlights driver failure to notice and yield to a crossing teen.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649638 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 19 - A motorcycle struck the left front bumper of a sedan in Queens. The motorcyclist, a 58-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered fractures and dislocations to his lower leg and foot. The driver failed to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, a motorcycle and a sedan collided on 23-24 26 Street in Queens. The motorcyclist, a 58-year-old man wearing a helmet, was partially ejected and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The sedan driver, a licensed female, was traveling north and struck the motorcycle with the vehicle's left front bumper. The motorcycle's right rear bumper was damaged. A parked SUV nearby was also damaged on its right side doors. The motorcyclist was conscious but injured. No other injuries or contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647069 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 15 - SUV struck sedan on Ditmars Boulevard. Eighteen-year-old woman in rear seat bruised her knee and leg. Driver ignored traffic control and failed to yield. Impact crushed sedan’s left side. Passenger stayed conscious.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling south on Ditmars Boulevard hit the left side doors of a sedan moving east at 27 Street. The crash injured an 18-year-old female passenger in the sedan’s right rear seat. She suffered contusions to her knee and lower leg but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as driver errors. The SUV’s front end and the sedan’s left side were damaged. No other contributing factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646091 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 14 - A man on a bike struck the roof of a parked sedan. Blood spilled from his head onto Astoria Boulevard. He lay silent in the summer heat. Shock and injury marked the scene. No moving vehicles involved.

A 50-year-old cyclist suffered a severe head injury after colliding with the roof of a parked Acura sedan on Astoria Boulevard near 35th Street. According to the police report, blood spilled from his head onto the pavement as he lay silent, eyes wide, in shock. The sedan was parked and unoccupied at the time of the crash. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors or moving vehicle violations are recorded in the data. The cyclist’s use of safety equipment is unknown. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647264 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 7 - A 21-year-old man crashed into parked sedans on Grand Central Parkway. His back broke. He stayed conscious. The lap belt held him. Amputation followed. The Mazdas and Fords stood still. He moved, then stopped.

A 21-year-old male driver crashed into parked sedans on Grand Central Parkway. According to the police report, the driver suffered a broken back and an amputation but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience,' 'Following Too Closely,' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The parked Mazdas and Fords did not move; the impact came from the moving sedan. The police report notes the driver wore a lap belt. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left the driver with severe injuries, underscoring the risks posed by inattention and inexperience behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645971 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 1 - Two vehicles crashed on Queens’ Grand Central Parkway. A sedan changed lanes unsafely at high speed. The SUV driver went straight. The sedan’s driver suffered bruises and arm injuries. Both drivers were conscious and remained inside their vehicles.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Grand Central Parkway in Queens involving a sedan and an SUV. The sedan driver, a 28-year-old man, was injured with contusions and arm injuries but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the SUV, which was traveling straight. The impact was on the right front quarter panel of the sedan and the left front quarter panel of the SUV. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The report does not indicate any helmet use or signaling issues. The crash resulted in vehicle damage but no fatalities.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4642177 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19