Crash Count for Sunnyside
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,962
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,206
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 167
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 19
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 5
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 26, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Sunnyside?

Sunnyside Bleeds While City Sleeps: Drop the Speed, Save a Life

Sunnyside: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025

The Numbers Behind the Names

Five dead. Seventeen seriously hurt. In Sunnyside, from 2022 to June 2025, the numbers keep coming. They do not slow. They do not care. In the last twelve months alone, three people died. Four were left with injuries that will not heal. One was a child. One was old enough to remember the city before cars ruled it. See the data.

Over 1,000 people injured. The wounds are not just numbers. They are broken legs, crushed skulls, lives split open on the street. The youngest was under 18. The oldest was over 75. No one is spared.

The Machines That Kill

Cars and trucks did most of the damage. They killed. They maimed. They left families to pick up what was left. Motorcycles and mopeds tore through flesh and bone. Bikes, too, left their mark, but the weight of steel and speed falls hardest from the biggest machines.

What Has Been Done—And What Hasn’t

The city talks of Vision Zero. They say every life matters. They point to new laws—like Sammy’s Law, which lets the city lower speed limits. But in Sunnyside, the speed stays the same. The city has the power to drop the limit to 20 mph. They have not used it. demand action.

Speed cameras work. They cut speeding by more than half where installed. But the law that keeps them running is always at risk. Albany drags its feet. The city waits. People die.

The Cost of Delay

Every day without action is another day someone does not come home. The city has the tools. The leaders have the power. What they lack is urgency.

Call your council member. Call the mayor. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand more cameras. Demand streets that do not bleed. Take action now.

Citations

Citations
  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4681105 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-04

Other Representatives

Claire Valdez
Assembly Member Claire Valdez
District 37
District Office:
45-10 Skillman Ave. 1st Floor, Sunnyside, NY 11104
Legislative Office:
Room 427, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Julie Won
Council Member Julie Won
District 26
District Office:
37-04 Queens Boulevard, Suite 205, Long Island City, NY 11101
718-383-9566
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1749, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6975
Twitter: CMJulieWon
Michael Gianaris
State Senator Michael Gianaris
District 12
District Office:
22-07 45th St. Suite 1008, Astoria, NY 11105
Legislative Office:
Albany, NY 12247
Other Geographies

Sunnyside Sunnyside sits in Queens, Precinct 108, District 26, AD 37, SD 12, Queens CB2.

See also
Boroughs
City Council Districts
Community Boards
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Sunnyside

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.


2
Moped Riders Ejected in Queens Collision

A sedan, SUV, and moped collided on 39th Street. Two teenage moped riders were ejected and injured. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Metal, glass, and bodies scattered. System failed the young.

A crash on 39th Street at 47th Avenue in Queens involved a sedan, an SUV, and a moped. Two teenage moped riders, ages 16 and 17, were ejected and suffered leg fractures and dislocations. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as a contributing factor. The moped was demolished. Other occupants and drivers reported unspecified injuries. The data shows no helmet or signal violations listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830272 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Multiple Injured in Borden Avenue Sedan Crash

Two sedans collided on Borden Avenue. Four people hurt. Passengers and drivers suffered head, neck, arm, and abdominal injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Streets left bruised and bloodied.

Two sedans crashed on Borden Avenue at Van Dam Street in Queens. Four people were injured: a 59-year-old male driver with arm injuries, a 33-year-old female passenger with head wounds, a 25-year-old male driver with abdominal pain, and a 34-year-old male passenger with neck pain. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. No other contributing factors were listed. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left the street marked by pain and distraction.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827403 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Unsafe Lane Change Injures Cyclist on Queens Blvd

Two bikes collided on Queens Blvd. One rider, 51, suffered arm abrasions. Unsafe lane changing triggered the crash. A 13-year-old cyclist was also involved. No vehicle damage reported.

Two bicyclists crashed on Queens Blvd at Skillman Ave in Queens. A 51-year-old man was injured, suffering abrasions to his arm. A 13-year-old boy was also involved but not reported injured. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' Both cyclists were riding without safety equipment. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor. No motor vehicles were involved. No damage to the bikes was reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827099 - 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.


Sedan Strikes Scooter on Queens Boulevard

A sedan hit a standing scooter on Queens Blvd. The scooter driver, 37, was ejected and injured. No driver errors listed. Police cite unspecified factors.

A sedan collided with a standing scooter on Queens Boulevard near 40th Street in Queens. The 37-year-old scooter driver was ejected and suffered injuries to his lower leg and internal injuries. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factors and does not cite any specific driver errors. The scooter driver was wearing a helmet. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830465 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
2
Multiple Injured in Queens Expressway Sedan Crash

Sedans collided on Long Island Expressway. Three people hurt, including a child with a head wound. Police cite driver distraction. Steel and speed left bruises and blood.

On the Long Island Expressway in Queens, several sedans crashed. Three people were injured: a 45-year-old man suffered a shoulder contusion, a 6-year-old girl had a head abrasion, and a 28-year-old woman bled from the head. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The crash involved vehicles traveling west, with one merging. No other contributing factors were listed. The data shows that all injured parties were occupants or passengers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826416 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
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.


Gianaris Backs Safety Boosting Fare Free Bus Pilot

Zohran Mamdani’s fare-free bus pilot drew more riders. Fewer cars. Streets safer. City weighs expansion. Vulnerable users stand to gain. The debate: cost, service, and public space.

Bill: Fare-free bus pilot, led by Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, reported July 2, 2025, by New York Magazine - Curbed. The pilot ran for one year, costing $15 million, with increased ridership and fewer assaults on drivers. Mamdani supports expanding bus lanes and meeting Streets Master Plan mandates. State Senator Michael Gianaris backed the pilot, calling the cost manageable. Experts warn of service tradeoffs. The safety analyst notes: increased ridership signals a shift from cars, boosting safety for pedestrians and cyclists through safety in numbers and less vehicle traffic. Expansion remains debated.


Int 0857-2024
Won 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.


Int 0857-2024
Won votes yes to remove abandoned vehicles, improving 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.


Valdez Supports Safety Boosting Queens Bus Network Redesign

Queens rolled out its new bus network. Riders lined up at the Q12 stop on Northern Boulevard. No chaos. No crashes. Just buses and bodies in the heat. Fewer cars, safer streets for all.

On June 29, 2025, the Queens bus network redesign launched, marking the first major overhaul since the 1950s. The event, covered by AMNY, saw new routes and stops, including changes to the Q12 and Q13. Assembly Member Claire Valdez praised the redesign, calling buses a 'critical lifeline.' Transit advocates split: Riders Alliance applauded the move, while Passengers United warned of harm to vulnerable riders. A safety analyst noted, 'Bus network redesigns that improve transit access can encourage mode shift away from private vehicles, reducing traffic volumes and crash risk for pedestrians and cyclists while supporting street equity.' The redesign aims to shift trips from cars to buses, making streets less deadly for those outside vehicles.


SUV Ignores Signal, Strikes Young Pedestrian

SUV plows through intersection. Eight-year-old girl hit. Her leg bruised. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Streets in Queens stay dangerous for the smallest among us.

An eight-year-old girl was struck and injured by a Ford SUV at the intersection of 39 Ave and 50 St in Queens. According to the police report, the driver disregarded traffic control. The child suffered a contusion to her lower leg but remained conscious. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor. No other injuries were specified for vehicle occupants. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians, especially children, when drivers ignore signals.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823596 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Distracted Driver Injures Man in Queens Crash

A sedan struck parked SUVs on 48th Street. One man, 55, suffered whiplash. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and glass scattered. Sirens cut the night.

A sedan traveling south on 48th Street in Queens crashed into parked SUVs. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor. One man, age 55, was injured and reported whiplash affecting his entire body. Other occupants sustained unspecified injuries. The crash involved a sedan and multiple SUVs, with damage to the center front and back ends. No pedestrians or cyclists were listed among the injured. The report highlights driver distraction as the key error leading to the collision.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823848 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Driver Hits Pedestrian on Greenpoint Ave

SUV struck a pedestrian at Greenpoint Ave and 45 St. The man was left unconscious with crush injuries. Police cite driver inattention. System failed to protect the most vulnerable.

A man walking at the intersection of Greenpoint Ave and 45 St in Queens was hit by an SUV. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his entire body and was found unconscious. The driver was making a right turn when the crash occurred. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupants. The report does not cite any actions by the pedestrian as a cause. The system allowed distraction to endanger a person on foot.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821958 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Van Truck Strikes E-Bike Rider on 43rd Avenue

A van truck hit an e-bike rider on 43rd Avenue. The cyclist suffered a head injury and was semiconscious. No driver errors were listed. The truck's front end took the impact.

A van truck and an e-bike collided on 43rd Avenue in Queens. The e-bike rider, a 29-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered a head injury with a fracture and dislocation. He was semiconscious at the scene. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead. The truck's center front end struck the e-bike. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The truck had two occupants, neither of whom were reported injured. The e-bike rider was not using safety equipment, but this was not cited as a contributing factor.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823212 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
S 8344
Valdez votes yes to extend school speed zones, improving child pedestrian safety.

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.


S 7678
Valdez votes yes to expand school speed cameras, boosting pedestrian safety.

White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.


S 7785
Valdez votes yes to weaken bus rules, increasing pedestrian and cyclist risk.

Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.