Crash Count for Sunnyside
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 2,551
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,577
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 236
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 22
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 6
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 15, 2025
Carnage in Sunnyside
Killed 6
Crush Injuries 6
Lower leg/foot 3
Abdomen/pelvis 1
Back 1
Whole body 1
Amputation 1
Lower arm/hand 1
Severe Bleeding 5
Head 3
Face 1
Whole body 1
Severe Lacerations 8
Head 5
Lower leg/foot 4
Concussion 2
Back 1
Head 1
Whiplash 22
Neck 12
+7
Head 5
Whole body 5
Back 3
Lower arm/hand 1
Contusion/Bruise 63
Lower leg/foot 23
+18
Lower arm/hand 14
+9
Head 9
+4
Whole body 4
Chest 3
Neck 3
Shoulder/upper arm 3
Back 2
Face 2
Abdomen/pelvis 1
Abrasion 29
Lower leg/foot 9
+4
Lower arm/hand 8
+3
Whole body 4
Head 3
Shoulder/upper arm 2
Abdomen/pelvis 1
Eye 1
Hip/upper leg 1
Pain/Nausea 22
Back 6
+1
Lower leg/foot 4
Neck 4
Head 3
Abdomen/pelvis 2
Chest 2
Hip/upper leg 2
Shoulder/upper arm 2
Lower arm/hand 1
Whole body 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Sunnyside?

Preventable Speeding in Sunnyside School Zones

(since 2022)

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
Twitter: @SenGianaris
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

9
S 915 Gianaris votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.

Jun 9 - Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.


7
Ambulance Rear-Ends Sedan on BQE, Multiple Hurt

Jun 7 - Ambulance struck sedan’s rear on the BQE. Passengers jolted, necks and chests battered. Shock and pain followed. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and flesh took the blow.

An FDNY ambulance crashed into the rear of a sedan on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in Queens. Several passengers suffered injuries to the neck, chest, back, and head. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact left multiple occupants in shock and pain. The data shows no mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, especially on high-speed city roads.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821182 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
3
Gianaris Supports Safety Boosting Stop Super Speeders Bill

Jun 3 - Another joins Families for Safe Streets. Another life lost. The toll rises. Grief sharpens the call for change. Streets stay deadly. The city fails to shield its own. The group grows. The danger remains.

On June 3, 2025, Gersh Kuntzman issued an advocacy statement, reported by Streetsblog NYC. The statement reads, 'There's a new member of Families for Safe Streets, which is not good news.' Joe Jankoski, mourning Amanda Servedio, spoke out after her death by a recidivist speeder. The group’s ranks swell with each tragedy. No specific bill or committee is named in this event. Kuntzman’s statement underscores the relentless danger faced by pedestrians and cyclists. The safety analyst notes: the event describes a new member joining an advocacy group, which does not directly affect pedestrian or cyclist safety at the population level. The city’s streets remain perilous. The group’s growth is a grim measure of failure.


3
Queens Driver Drags Pedestrian Three Blocks

Jun 3 - A driver in Queens struck a man crossing Hempstead Avenue. The SUV stopped, idled, then sped off. The victim was dragged for three blocks. Bystanders screamed. The man died at the scene. The driver later surrendered to police.

NY Daily News reported on June 3, 2025, that Warren Rollins surrendered to police for a December 2023 hit-and-run in Queens. Rollins allegedly ran over Gary Charlotin, who was crossing Hempstead Ave., then stopped for two minutes before fleeing. According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Rollins 'proceeded to speed away from the scene while dragging the victim's body, while the victim was still alive.' Bystanders pleaded for the driver to stop. The incident highlights the lethal consequences of driver inattention and failure to yield, as well as the dangers posed by drivers who flee crash scenes. The NYPD Highway Patrol investigated the fatality.


31
Distracted Driver Slams Sedan Into Parked SUV

May 31 - A sedan struck a parked SUV on 43rd Street. Two men suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Impact was sharp, sudden, avoidable.

A sedan traveling south on 43rd Street collided with a parked SUV near 50th Avenue in Queens. Two male occupants, ages 54 and 27, were injured with neck trauma. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the main contributing factor. The sedan's left front bumper struck the SUV's left rear quarter panel. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left two others, including a 77-year-old woman and an infant, with unspecified injuries. The report lists no other contributing factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821184 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
30
SUV Rear-Ended on Greenpoint Avenue Injures Two

May 30 - A stopped SUV took a hard hit from behind on Greenpoint Avenue. Two women inside were hurt. The crash left one with neck pain. Both stayed conscious. Impact struck the SUV’s rear.

A station wagon or SUV was stopped in traffic on Greenpoint Avenue in Queens when another vehicle struck it from behind. According to the police report, the SUV was hit at the center back end. Two women inside, aged 18 and 50, were injured. The driver suffered neck pain and whiplash. Both were conscious after the crash. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed in the data.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820584 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
21
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality

May 21 - A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.

According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.


19
Improper Turn on Queens Blvd Injures Driver

May 19 - Two SUVs collided on Queens Blvd. One driver suffered back injuries. Police cite improper turning and lane use. Metal twisted. Streets stayed busy.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed at Queens Blvd and 37th Street in Queens. A 34-year-old driver was injured, suffering back and internal injuries. According to the police report, the collision involved improper turning and improper lane usage. The impact struck the left front bumper of one SUV and the right side doors of the other. Police list 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No helmet or signal use was cited in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814213 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
16
Rear-End Crash on Borden Avenue Injures Driver

May 16 - Two sedans collided on Borden Avenue. One driver suffered a back injury. Police cite driver inattention and tailgating. Impact was sharp. Streets stayed dangerous.

A crash involving two sedans took place on Borden Avenue at Van Dam Street in Queens. According to the police report, one driver was injured in the back and experienced shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling east when the collision occurred, with one sedan striking the other from behind. Police also note 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a factor for those involved. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported hurt in this incident.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814008 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
10
Bicyclist Injured in Queens Sedan Collision

May 10 - A sedan struck a cyclist on 47 Ave. The impact gashed her leg. Police cite driver inattention. The street stayed open. Metal met flesh. The city moved on.

A sedan and a bike collided on 47 Ave in Queens. The crash left a 38-year-old woman on the bike injured, with abrasions and wounds to her lower leg. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan driver was not injured. The crash underscores the danger faced by cyclists on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812452 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
7
Distracted Drivers Injure Two on BQE-LIE Merge

May 7 - Two men hurt in a crash on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at the Long Island Expressway. Police cite driver distraction. Metal, glass, pain. System failed to protect.

Two vehicles collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway at the Long Island Expressway. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive or distracted. A 44-year-old front passenger suffered head and internal injuries. A 32-year-old driver sustained neck injuries and whiplash. Both wore lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for all involved. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported. The crash highlights the danger of distraction behind the wheel.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812760 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
6
S 4804 Gianaris votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.


3
USPS Truck Left Turn Hits Teenage Cyclist

May 3 - A USPS truck turned left on Queens Blvd. It struck a 14-year-old girl on a bike. She suffered leg and internal injuries. Police cite failure to yield. The street failed her.

A USPS truck making a left turn on Queens Blvd collided with a 14-year-old bicyclist traveling straight. The girl was injured in her knee, lower leg, foot, and suffered internal injuries. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The report lists no contributing factors for the cyclist. The truck showed no damage, but the bike was hit at the center front end. The system put a child in harm's way. The driver’s failure to yield led to real pain.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810240 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
3
Distracted Drivers Crash on BQE, Multiple Hurt

May 3 - Three vehicles slammed together on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Driver distraction ruled the night. Five people injured. Metal twisted. Pain spread. The system failed to protect its own.

Three vehicles collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. According to the police report, driver inattention and distraction caused the crash. Five people were injured: two drivers, two passengers, and one rear passenger. Injuries included back, arm, and facial wounds. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor for all involved. No other factors were cited. The crash left metal mangled and lives shaken, exposing the cost of distraction behind the wheel.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810063 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
2
Red Light Crash Kills Airport Worker

May 2 - A driver ran a red. He sped through Queens. He hit Justin Diaz, heading to work. Diaz died. The driver, Michael Peña, faced jail, then release. The family mourns. The street remains dangerous. The system moves on.

NY Daily News reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former firefighter, was released from jail after being charged in a fatal crash. Police said Peña drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone and ran a red light, t-boning Justin Diaz near LaGuardia Airport. Peña had a history of 25 school-zone speeding tickets. The article quotes Diaz's brother: "We're sick, angry, disgusted." Peña was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusing a breath test. The release followed an appellate judge's decision, despite community outrage. The case highlights persistent dangers from high-speed driving and repeated violations, raising questions about enforcement and bail decisions.


1
Pedestrian Killed In Queens Double Collision

May 1 - A man crossed Linden Boulevard. A black car hit him and fled. Another car ran over him. He died in the hospital. The first driver vanished. The second stayed. Police search. The street stayed open. Blood on the asphalt.

Patch reported on May 1, 2025, that Christopher Gayton, 62, was killed at Linden Boulevard and 166 Street in Queens. He was struck by an eastbound black vehicle whose driver fled, then run over by a 2024 Ford Edge. The Ford's driver remained at the scene. Police said, 'Police are still searching for the first driver who fled the scene.' No charges have been filed. The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The crash highlights the dangers of multi-lane arterial roads and the ongoing risks for pedestrians in Queens. No arrests have been made.


1
Int 0193-2024 Won votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.


1
Int 0193-2024 Won votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, safety impact neutral.

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.


29
SUVs Collide on Skillman Avenue in Queens

Apr 29 - Two SUVs crashed on Skillman Avenue. One driver suffered a leg injury. Police cite driver inattention and traffic control disregard. Metal struck metal. Streets failed the people inside.

Two station wagons—both SUVs—collided at Skillman Avenue and 39th Street in Queens. According to the police report, one driver, a 47-year-old man, was injured in the leg. Three others, including both drivers and one passenger, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The crash left bruises and pain. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The system allowed distraction and disregard to rule the road.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809295 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
25
SUV U-Turn Crushes Cyclist’s Leg on Skillman

Apr 25 - SUV swung a U-turn on Skillman. Front bumper hit a cyclist. His leg was crushed. He stayed conscious. Blood on the street. System failed him.

A 45-year-old man riding a bike was struck by an SUV making a U-turn on Skillman Avenue near 43rd Street in Queens. According to the police report, the SUV’s front bumper hit the cyclist, crushing his leg. The cyclist was injured but remained conscious. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but the primary cause was the driver’s improper turn.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809294 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19