Astoria Bleeds While Leaders Talk—Demand Safe Streets Now

A sedan making a right turn struck two vehicles stopped in traffic on Steinway Street, Queens. The impact injured the sedan’s driver and front passenger, causing bodily injuries and shock. Driver error of turning improperly triggered the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Steinway Street in Queens around 10:00 AM. A 2024 Jeep sedan was making a right turn when it collided with two vehicles—a 2014 Acura sedan and a 2016 Hyundai SUV—both stopped in traffic heading south. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the turning sedan against the left rear quarter panel of the Acura and the left front bumper of the Hyundai. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the sedan operator. The sedan’s driver, a 44-year-old man wearing a lap belt and harness, suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries with complaint of pain and nausea and was in shock. The front passenger, a 43-year-old woman, also sustained injuries to her entire body and was in shock. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802019 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker flew through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection is known for danger. Delivery speed and city policy collide.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after being struck by an e-bike delivery worker who "sped through a stop sign" at Franklin and India streets in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Witness Jack Collins said, "He died basically on the spot." The e-bike rider remained at the scene; no arrests were made as the investigation continued. The article notes that the intersection is a known trouble spot, with Collins stating, "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The report highlights systemic issues: delivery app pressures, lack of regulation, and a street design that encourages risky moves. City data shows e-bikes account for a small share of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues.

• E-Bike Rider Runs Stop, Kills Man, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-23

Box truck rear-ends flatbed on Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Driver suffers eye abrasion. Police cite tailgating and distraction. Metal crunches. One man hurt. Road stays dangerous.

According to the police report, a box truck struck a flatbed truck on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at 14:10. Both vehicles were heading west. The box truck driver, a 38-year-old man, was injured with an eye abrasion but remained conscious. The box truck took damage to its right front bumper; the flatbed was undamaged. Police list 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The collision shows the risk when drivers tailgate and lose focus on fast-moving city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800547 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 41-year-old woman suffered severe leg injuries after a sedan made a right turn and struck her while she crossed Steinway Street outside a crosswalk. The vehicle showed no damage, highlighting the force of impact on the pedestrian.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Steinway Street made a right turn and struck a 41-year-old female pedestrian crossing outside an intersection without a signal or crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity 3. The vehicle, a 2016 Dodge sedan, showed no damage at the center front end impact point. The report lists no specific driver contributing factors, but the pedestrian was crossing outside a designated signal or crosswalk area. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The incident underscores the dangers posed by vehicle maneuvers near pedestrians crossing outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799541 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a right turn collided with a westbound bicyclist on 31 Ave in Queens. The cyclist was ejected and suffered upper arm injuries. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor in the crash that left the rider in shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:25 AM on 31 Ave in Queens when a sedan was making a right turn and struck a bicyclist traveling westbound. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist, a 31-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries, classified as injury severity level 3. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the sedan driver. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. There was no damage reported on the sedan, indicating the impact was primarily to the bike and rider. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799134 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Andrew Cuomo wants license plates on every e-bike. He calls bike lanes crazy. His plan would hit delivery workers hardest. Experts say it will not make streets safer. Cars and trucks still do most harm. The crackdown targets the wrong people.

On March 11, 2025, former Governor and mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo announced support for a Council Republican plan to require licensing and registration for all e-bikes and e-scooters, echoing Council Member Bob Holden's Intro 606. Cuomo called for a new city bureaucracy and stricter enforcement, saying, 'There’s virtually no rules and no regulations regarding e-bike use in New York City and too many New Yorkers are getting hurt, and even killed.' At a campaign event, Cuomo called bike lanes 'crazy.' Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani criticized the plan, warning it would 'increase unwarranted police stops and create a bureaucratic nightmare.' Comptroller Brad Lander said Cuomo's proposal 'puts his failure to govern on the backs of delivery workers.' Safety experts and advocates argue the plan would not improve safety, but instead target delivery workers—many undocumented—while cars and trucks remain the main source of road violence.

• Disgraced Ex-Gov Cuomo Embraces Fever Dream of Anti-Bike, Anti-Safety Cranks, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-11

A 94-year-old woman crossing Broadway with the signal was hit by an SUV making a right turn. She suffered fractures and dislocations to her leg and foot. The driver failed to yield. The street stayed loud.

According to the police report, a 94-year-old woman was crossing Broadway at 48th Street in Queens with the signal when a 2023 SUV struck her with its right front bumper. The crash happened at 5:30 p.m. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. She remained conscious after the impact. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor attributed to the driver. The victim was crossing legally. No vehicle damage was reported. The police report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797746 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A speeding Mercedes tore through a red light in Queens. The driver, off-duty FDNY, struck a BMW. The crash ripped off the roof. The 23-year-old inside died. The firefighter stayed at the scene, reeking of alcohol, unsteady, charged with manslaughter.

ABC7 reported on February 28, 2025, that off-duty firefighter Michael Pena was arraigned after a fatal crash in East Elmhurst, Queens. Prosecutors say Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and t-boned a BMW, killing 23-year-old Justin Diaz. The article quotes DA Melinda Katz: "An FDNY firefighter who was off duty is accused of driving under the influence, running a steady red light and slamming into a 23-year-old motorist, killing him, as he drove more than three times the posted speed limit." Pena's blood alcohol content was .156 percent, and he allegedly had drugs in his system. The BMW was sent flying into a parked car, its roof torn off. Pena faces manslaughter and related charges. The case highlights the lethal risk of extreme speeding and impaired driving on city streets.

• Firefighter Charged After Deadly Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-02-28

Delivery workers rallied against Hochul’s e-bike crackdown. Council weighs bills to license e-bikes, raise pay, and study conditions. DOT opposes registration. Advocates warn of criminalization. City Hall silent. Streets stay dangerous for those on foot and bike.

On February 27, 2025, the City Council considered three bills: Intro 606 (register and license all e-bikes), Intro 1133 (expand minimum wage, study delivery worker conditions), and Intro 1135 (set minimum pay for grocery delivery). Intro 606 faces opposition from DOT, which says, 'there is no evidence that registration improves safety.' The matter’s summary warns that Hochul’s plan would let NYPD enforce bike lane speed limits and reclassify heavy e-bikes as mopeds, requiring licenses and registration. Council members are split: Brad Lander supports regulation targeting app companies, not workers; Jessica Ramos and Zohran Mamdani call for better street design; Michael Blake urges targeted safety solutions and more infrastructure. Advocates like Ligia Guallpa say these measures would criminalize delivery workers and create a 'ticketing-to-deportation pipeline.' The Council press office did not comment. The debate exposes a city divided on how to protect its most vulnerable road users.

• Leadership Vacuum: Delivery Workers Oppose Hochul’s E-Bike Plan as Adams Goes AWOL, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-27

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

Assembly bill A 6044 launches a one-year fare-free bus pilot. Riders board without paying. Streets shift. Council members Mamdani and Gonzalez-Rojas back the move. The city waits for impact.

Assembly bill A 6044, now in sponsorship, proposes a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. The bill summary reads: 'Provides a fare-free bus pilot program in New York City for one year, subject to appropriations.' Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani (District 36, primary sponsor) and Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (District 34, co-sponsor) lead the charge. The measure was introduced on February 26, 2025. No safety analyst has assessed the bill's impact on vulnerable road users. The pilot aims to change how New Yorkers move, but its effect on street safety remains unstudied.

• File A 6044, Open States, Published 2025-02-26

Assembly bill A 6044 launches a one-year fare-free bus pilot. Riders board without paying. Streets shift. Council members Mamdani and Gonzalez-Rojas back the move. The city waits for impact.

Assembly bill A 6044, now in sponsorship, proposes a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. The bill summary reads: 'Provides a fare-free bus pilot program in New York City for one year, subject to appropriations.' Assembly Members Zohran Mamdani (District 36, primary sponsor) and Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (District 34, co-sponsor) lead the charge. The measure was introduced on February 26, 2025. No safety analyst has assessed the bill's impact on vulnerable road users. The pilot aims to change how New Yorkers move, but its effect on street safety remains unstudied.

• File A 6044, Open States, Published 2025-02-26

A Mercedes ran a red on Northern Boulevard. It hit a BMW. The BMW’s roof tore off. The driver, Justin Diaz, died. The Mercedes driver, off-duty FDNY, was arrested. Friends mourned by candles. The street stayed empty. Speed ruled the night.

ABC7 reported on February 26, 2025, that a fatal crash in East Elmhurst left one driver dead and another in custody. The article states, "It appears the driver of the Mercedes blew a red light and t-boned the BMW at a high rate of speed." The BMW’s driver, Justin Diaz, was killed. The Mercedes driver, an off-duty firefighter, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to take a breathalyzer. The FDNY suspended him without pay. Witnesses noted frequent speeding on the boulevard at night. The crash highlights the persistent risks of high-speed driving and lax overnight enforcement on city streets.

• Red Light Run Kills Ramp Worker, ABC7, Published 2025-02-26

Federal attack on congestion pricing draws fire in Queens. Rep. Velázquez vows court fight. Council Member Julie Won joins call for activism. Panel slams rollback of protections. The crowd demands action to defend New Yorkers from federal threats.

On February 20, 2025, Rep. Nydia Velázquez led a Queens town hall to rally opposition against Trump Administration policies, including the federal move to block New York City's congestion pricing plan. The event, held at Sunnyside Community Services, featured Council Member Julie Won (District 26) and other local officials. The panel condemned the rollback of protections for immigrants and the firing of NLRB board member Gwynne A. Wilcox. Velázquez declared, 'We’ll see him in court,' after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revoked federal approval for congestion pricing. She pledged to fight budget cuts targeting vulnerable communities and criticized tax breaks for the wealthy. Julie Won joined the call for grassroots activism. The town hall spotlighted the threat to New York’s sovereignty and the urgent need to defend city streets and programs from federal interference.

• Velázquez leads Queens town hall against Trump policies, calls for activism, amny.com, Published 2025-02-20

A sedan starting from parking struck a moped traveling east on 45th Street in Queens. The moped driver, partially ejected and injured in the lower leg, suffered shock and pain. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the moped’s right side doors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:50 on 45th Street in Queens. A sedan, traveling north and starting from parking, collided with a moped going straight east. The point of impact was the sedan’s center front end against the moped’s right side doors. The moped driver, a 38-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was reported to be in shock and complained of pain or nausea. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors on the part of the sedan driver. The moped driver wore a helmet, but no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper was damaged, indicating the force and location of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792843 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

Two SUVs collided on Astoria Boulevard around 2 p.m. Both drivers sustained abrasions and injuries to the elbow and face. The crash involved a failure to maintain safe distance, causing significant vehicle damage and passenger harm.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Astoria Boulevard involving two sport utility vehicles traveling north. The driver of a 2015 Jeep was going straight ahead, while the driver of a 2020 Kia was passing. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the Jeep and the right front quarter panel of the Kia. The contributing factor cited was "Following Too Closely," indicating driver error in maintaining safe distance between vehicles. Two occupants were injured: the male Jeep driver suffered abrasions to his elbow, and a female passenger in the Jeep sustained abrasions to her face. Both were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not list any contributing factors related to victim behavior. The collision caused notable damage to both vehicles' front quarter panels.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791316 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04