Crash Count for Sunnyside
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 2,637
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,631
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 245
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 22
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 6
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Oct 31, 2025
Carnage in Sunnyside
Detailed breakdowns aren’t yet available for this year slice; totals below reflect the selected window.
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 66
Lower leg/foot 23
+18
Lower arm/hand 16
+11
Head 9
+4
Whole body 5
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 25
Back 8
+3
Head 4
Lower leg/foot 4
Neck 4
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 Oct 31, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Sunnyside?

Preventable Speeding in Sunnyside School Zones

(since 2022)

Queens Boulevard, again

Sunnyside: Jan 1, 2022 - Oct 11, 2025

A driver in a 2024 Chevy pickup turned left at Queens Boulevard and 41st Street and hit a woman in the crosswalk on Oct 6. Police recorded failure to yield and driver distraction by the driver; the woman was crossing with the signal (NYC Open Data).

This Week

  • On Sept 26, a person walking was hit by a moped on Queens Boulevard at 45th Street (NYC Open Data).
  • On Sept 22, a man on a bike was hit by an SUV at 51st Street and 43rd Avenue (NYC Open Data).
  • On Sept 16, a driver making a left in a sedan hit a person walking with the signal at 36th Street and 48th Avenue (NYC Open Data).

The toll in Sunnyside

Since 2022, Sunnyside has recorded 2,590 crashes, 1,601 injuries, and 6 deaths (NYC Open Data).

Injuries spike around the school and commute hours. The city data show 88 injuries around 8 AM and 105 around 2 PM in this area’s crash history (NYC Open Data).

Police reports here keep naming the same driver errors: failure to yield, distraction, aggressive driving. They show up again and again in injury crashes in this neighborhood (NYC Open Data).

Corners we already know

Two corridors stand out as repeat hotspots in the data: the Long Island Expressway and Greenpoint Avenue. The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and Borden Avenue also carry heavy injury counts in this area’s record (NYC Open Data).

These are places where turning drivers meet people crossing. Daylighting crosswalks, hardening turns, and adding protected time for people walking are direct answers to those patterns. Council Member Julie Won backs a citywide push to ban parking within 20 feet of crosswalks. “Universal daylighting and hardening at intersections will keep all New Yorkers safe whether they are driving, walking or biking,” she said (AMNY).

The worst drivers, checked

A small number of drivers do the most harm. Albany has a bill to stop them. Senate bill S 4045 and Assembly bill A 2299 would require intelligent speed limiters for drivers who rack up 11 DMV points in 24 months or 6 speed- or red‑light‑camera tickets in 12 months (Open States).

Your state team here has moved: State Senator Michael Gianaris co‑sponsored S 4045 and voted yes twice in June 2025 committee actions (Open States). Assembly Member Claire Valdez co‑sponsors A 2299 to mandate those speed limiters (Open States). The Council has the daylighting bill in play; Won is on it (City & State NY; AMNY).

What happens next

The pattern in Sunnyside is plain: left turns over people, crosswalks blocked by parked cars, and drivers not yielding. Daylight the corners. Harden the turns. Give walkers the first move. And pass the speed‑limiter bills.

If you want these fixes faster, take one step now. Tell City Hall and Albany to act /take_action/.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed here in the past month?
Four people outside cars were hurt at Sunnyside crossings: a woman walking hit by a left‑turning pickup at Queens Boulevard and 41st Street (Oct 6); a person walking hit by a moped at Queens Boulevard and 45th Street (Sept 26); a man on a bike hit by an SUV at 51st Street and 43rd Avenue (Sept 22); and a person walking with the signal hit by a left‑turning sedan at 36th Street and 48th Avenue (Sept 16). All are from NYC Open Data.
Where are the worst spots?
City crash data flags the Long Island Expressway and Greenpoint Avenue as high‑injury locations in this neighborhood record. The Brooklyn‑Queens Expressway and Borden Avenue also appear as repeat problem corridors in the local dataset.
What policies are on the table?
Daylighting crosswalks citywide is before the Council, backed by Council Member Julie Won, who said it will keep people safe at intersections (AMNY, City & State NY). In Albany, S 4045 and A 2299 would require intelligent speed limiters for repeat dangerous drivers (Open States).
How were these numbers calculated?
We used NYC’s “Motor Vehicle Collisions – Crashes” dataset and its linked Persons and Vehicles tables. Filters: dates Jan 1, 2022 to Oct 11, 2025; geography Sunnyside (NTA QN0202); all modes. We counted total crashes, injuries, and deaths, and reviewed police‑reported contributing factors and hourly patterns. Data were accessed Oct 11, 2025. You can see the base dataset here.
What is CrashCount?
We’re a tool for helping hold local politicians and other actors accountable for their failure to protect you when you’re walking or cycling in NYC. We update our site constantly to provide you with up to date information on what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Assembly Member Claire Valdez

District 37

Council Member Julie Won

District 26

State Senator Michael Gianaris

District 12

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

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 2025-11-04
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 2025-11-04
2
Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash

May 2 - A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.

ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.


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 2025-11-04
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 2025-11-04
25
Motorcyclist Bleeds After BQE Merge Crash

Apr 25 - Kawasaki rider merges on BQE. Metal hits Ford’s rear. Rider falls, leg torn, blood pools. No helmet. He stays awake. Ford untouched. System fails the young.

A 22-year-old motorcyclist was injured merging westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. According to the police report, his Kawasaki struck the left rear bumper of a Ford. The rider crumpled to the pavement with severe leg lacerations and was conscious at the scene. The Ford showed no damage. The report lists no specific driver errors. Lack of helmet use is noted only after the collision details. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808178 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
25
SUV Driver Charged After Queens Crash

Apr 25 - A BMW driver chased a motorcyclist through Queens. He struck from behind. The bike exploded. The rider died at the scene. The SUV hit another car before stopping. Police charged the driver with murder. Grief marked the street.

ABC7 reported on April 25, 2025, that Jordan Rosen, 42, turned himself in after a deadly crash on Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens. Rosen, driving a BMW SUV, allegedly pursued and struck William McField, 55, after a road rage incident. According to officials, Rosen 'sped towards McField until the BMW struck the motorcycle from behind.' The impact caused the motorcycle to explode, killing McField instantly. Surveillance footage captured the sequence, including Rosen running a red light and colliding with another vehicle. Rosen faces charges of second-degree murder, reckless driving, and other offenses. The McField family's attorney called for 'increased enforcement against aggressive driving and tailgating.' The case highlights the lethal consequences of aggressive driving and the need for stronger traffic enforcement.


21
Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens

Apr 21 - Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.


20
FDNY Truck Turns, Cyclist Killed In Queens

Apr 20 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The driver struck a man on a bicycle. He died at the scene. Police closed the street. Another life ended in the crosswalk’s shadow. The city investigates. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The crash happened as the truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street. According to police, 'the truck was turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street in Middle Village when the collision occurred.' The cyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists at intersections and the dangers of large vehicles turning across paths. Policy questions remain about intersection design and vehicle operation in dense neighborhoods.


19
Fire Truck Kills Cyclist Near Queens Park

Apr 19 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Blvd North. It struck a cyclist. The crash happened by the park. The man died at the scene. No arrests. The investigation continues. The street stayed quiet. The loss is final.

According to NY Daily News (April 19, 2025), an FDNY fire truck collided with a cyclist near 80th St. and Juniper Blvd North in Middle Village, Queens. The article states, "An FDNY fire truck fatally struck a cyclist Saturday afternoon in Queens, police said." The cyclist, an unidentified man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not made any arrests. It remains unclear if the fire truck was responding to an emergency call. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The crash highlights risks at intersections and the dangers faced by cyclists near large vehicles, especially in busy city corridors.


16
Pickup Truck Strikes E-Scooter on 47 Street

Apr 16 - Pickup truck hit e-scooter on 47 Street. E-scooter rider suffered leg injury. Both drivers failed to yield. Metal met flesh. Shock followed.

A pickup truck and an e-scooter collided on 47 Street at Laurel Hill Boulevard in Queens. The e-scooter rider, a 30-year-old woman, was injured in the knee, lower leg, and foot, and was left in shock. According to the police report, both drivers failed to yield the right-of-way. The pickup truck struck the e-scooter with its left front bumper. The e-scooter rider wore pads. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore right-of-way rules.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806411 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
16
Steering Failure Sends Sedan Into Parked Cars

Apr 16 - A sedan lost steering on 48th Street. The driver hit two parked cars. One man suffered neck pain. Metal crumpled. Streets stayed silent.

A sedan traveling south on 48th Street in Queens struck two parked cars after a steering failure. One male driver, age 45, was injured with neck pain and was semiconscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Steering Failure' was listed as the contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash damaged the front of the moving sedan and the rear ends of both parked vehicles. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806530 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
15
Sedans Collide on BQE, Neck Injury Reported

Apr 15 - Three sedans crashed on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. One driver suffered a neck injury. Police cite failure to yield. The road stayed dangerous. Metal met metal. People paid the price.

Three sedans collided on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. According to the police report, one driver, a 56-year-old woman, suffered a neck injury and whiplash. Other occupants and drivers were listed with unspecified injuries. Police identified 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The crash involved vehicles traveling straight and one making a right turn. No other contributing factors were listed in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807871 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
14
Gianaris Backs Safety Boosting Fare Free Bus Funding

Apr 14 - A new study finds fare-free buses would speed up rides by 12 percent and draw 169 million more riders yearly. Faster boarding slashes dwell times. Riders save time. Streets get safer, air gets cleaner. The city must weigh the cost—and the gains.

On April 14, 2025, a policy analysis by Charles Komanoff examined the impact of fare-free buses in New York City. The report, covered by Streetsblog NYC, found that eliminating fares would cut bus trip times by 12 percent and boost annual ridership by 169 million, a 23 percent jump. The study states: 'Each dollar of city government support would produce more than two dollars worth of benefits for residents, primarily by removing the burden of fare payments while providing faster and more reliable bus service.' Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani and State Senator Michael Gianaris, both of Queens, have pushed the MTA to consider free buses. Komanoff’s analysis shows that faster buses mean less time waiting, cleaner air, fewer crashes, and a small but real drop in car trips. The report adds fuel to the debate over city funding for free bus service.


12
Gianaris Opposes Adams Delay of Safety Boosting Pedestrian Lane

Apr 12 - Activists marched the Queensboro Bridge, demanding space for people on foot. The city ignored them. Nine lanes for cars, one cramped path for everyone else. The mayor delayed the fix. The danger remains. The lane went back to cars.

On April 12, 2025, activists and elected officials gathered on the Queensboro Bridge to protest the city’s failure to restore the South Outer Roadway for pedestrians. The Department of Transportation had planned a ribbon-cutting for March 16, but Mayor Adams canceled it. Council Member Julie Won and State Senator Michael Gianaris attended, both supporting the reconfiguration. Won said, 'I have received no new information since Mayor Adams canceled the March 16 ribbon-cutting.' The protest highlighted the ongoing crisis: nine lanes for cars, one narrow, shared lane for cyclists and pedestrians. Crashes and near-misses are common. City Hall claims the project will impact several communities, but offers no timeline. The lane reverted to car use after the protest, leaving vulnerable road users exposed.


11
Sedan Turns Left, Strikes Pedestrian in Queens

Apr 11 - A sedan turned left on 43rd Avenue. Its bumper hit a man crossing with the signal. He fell, hurt his back. Driver failed to yield. Distraction played a part. The car rolled on. The man did not.

A 45-year-old man crossing 43rd Avenue at 48th Street with the signal was struck by a sedan making a left turn. According to the police report, the sedan's left front bumper hit the pedestrian's back, causing injury and shock. The driver, a 24-year-old woman, failed to yield the right-of-way and was inattentive or distracted. These driver errors are listed as contributing factors. A baby in the car witnessed the crash. The vehicle was undamaged. The man suffered pain and injury. The report does not mention any fault by the pedestrian.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806205 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
10
Int 1105-2024 Won votes yes to boost street safety transparency and accountability.

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.