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

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 2025-09-19
25
Motorcycle Kills Pedestrian On Woodhaven Blvd

Apr 25 - A Yamaha motorcycle hit Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard before dawn. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider stayed. The street stayed open. The city stayed dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 25, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was killed crossing Myrtle Avenue at Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens around 2:20 a.m. A 34-year-old man riding a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle northbound in the center lane struck her. Police said, "The motorcyclist remained at the scene." Henderson was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The crash highlights the persistent risk for pedestrians on wide, high-speed corridors like Woodhaven Boulevard. No information was provided about charges or contributing factors, but the fatal impact underscores the dangers faced by people crossing major city streets.


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 2025-09-19
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 2025-09-19
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 2025-09-19
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 2025-09-19
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.


10
Int 1105-2024 Won votes yes, boosting street safety transparency and project 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.


9
Gianaris Opposes Harmful Delay of Queensboro Bridge Path

Apr 9 - Seven lawmakers demand Mayor Adams open the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The project sits finished. Cyclists and walkers still cram into a narrow, crash-prone lane. Delays keep thousands at risk. City Hall stalls. Advocates plan protest. Danger lingers.

On April 9, 2025, seven elected officials—including Council Members Julie Won and Julie Menin—sent a public letter demanding Mayor Adams open the long-promised Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The Department of Transportation had planned to open the dedicated walkway on March 16, but the mayor's office intervened, citing the need for a briefing. The lawmakers wrote, 'The reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory, as all communications from the DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public.' They warned, 'Any further delays to this project that is otherwise ready to open will unnecessarily put at risk the thousands of New Yorkers who cycle and walk the current shared path every day.' The project, in the works since at least 2017, remains stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to share a cramped, hazardous lane. City Hall insists on more review, while advocates plan a protest ribbon-cutting.


5
Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Blaze

Apr 5 - A BMW and motorcycle collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both vehicles burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The BMW driver survived. No arrests. Police are investigating. Another life lost on a wide, fast Queens road.

According to NY Daily News (April 5, 2025), a fatal crash occurred at 60th Drive and Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Queens. A BMW SUV and a motorcycle, both heading south, collided around 9:22 a.m. Both vehicles caught fire. Police said, 'only the car driver survived the collision.' EMS pronounced the motorcycle rider dead at the scene. The BMW driver was hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests have been made, and police continue to investigate. The crash highlights the persistent dangers on major Queens thoroughfares, where high speeds and heavy traffic put vulnerable road users at risk.


4
Car Jumps Curb, Injures Nine In Queens

Apr 4 - A car mounted the sidewalk at Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard. Metal twisted. Glass shattered. Nine people hurt—pedestrians, bus riders, car passengers. The bus stop became a scene of chaos. Sirens wailed. All survived. The street held the scars.

According to ABC7 (published April 4, 2025), a crash at Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard in Queens left at least nine people injured. Police said a 79-year-old woman, turning left, 'allegedly veered onto the sidewalk' to avoid a stopped Q10 bus, striking both the bus and its shelter. Four people waiting at the bus stop were hurt, as well as two bus passengers and three people inside the car. The article notes, 'Police stated that none of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries.' All were taken to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition. The incident highlights the danger when vehicles enter pedestrian space and the risks at crowded bus stops. The investigation continues.


2
Sedan Turns, E-Scooter Rider Ejected and Injured

Apr 2 - A sedan turned right on Queens Blvd. It struck a westbound e-scooter. The rider, 46, was ejected. He suffered a fractured leg. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield.

A sedan making a right turn on Queens Blvd collided with a westbound e-scooter. The 46-year-old male e-scooter rider was ejected and suffered a fractured leg. According to the police report, the crash resulted from 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The e-scooter was demolished in the impact. The police report does not mention any helmet use or other contributing factors beyond the listed driver errors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803340 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
29
Moped Driver Injured in High-Speed Crash

Mar 29 - A young woman on a moped suffered knee and lower leg injuries after crashing at unsafe speed. The impact damaged the front center of the vehicle. Driver inexperience and excessive speed were cited as contributing factors in the police report.

According to the police report, a 20-year-old female moped driver was injured in a crash on 44 Street near 55 Avenue at 2:11 AM. The report states the driver was traveling south, going straight ahead when the collision occurred, impacting the center front end of the moped. The driver sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors to the crash. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The damage was concentrated on the center front end of the moped, highlighting the severity of the impact. The driver was not using any safety equipment at the time.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
28
Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash

Mar 28 - A speeding Mercedes ran a red in Queens. The driver, high and drunk, struck a young airport worker headed to his job. The worker died. Two passengers survived. The driver, a probationary firefighter, now faces manslaughter charges.

NY Daily News reported on March 28, 2025, that Michael Pena, a probationary FDNY firefighter, was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter in a Queens crash. Prosecutors said Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and struck Justin Diaz, 23, who had the right-of-way. Pena's blood-alcohol content was 0.156%, nearly double the legal limit, and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. The article states, 'Pena was driving nearly 60 mph above the speed limit after a night of drinking at a bar.' Surveillance footage confirmed the sequence. Two passengers in Pena's car were hospitalized. The crash highlights ongoing risks from impaired and reckless driving, even among public servants.


19
Sedan Turning Right Hits Cyclist on Queens Blvd

Mar 19 - A sedan turned right and struck a cyclist riding straight on Queens Blvd. The rider was thrown, suffering knee and leg injuries. No victim error listed. The crash shows the threat turning cars pose to cyclists.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old male bicyclist traveling westbound on 33rd Street was hit by a 2009 Hyundai sedan making a right turn onto Queens Blvd. The sedan's right front bumper struck the bike's center front end. The cyclist was partially ejected and suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including abrasions. He was conscious at the scene and wore a helmet. The sedan driver, a licensed New York woman, was executing the turn when the collision occurred. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but identifies the sedan's turning maneuver as the critical action. No cyclist error is cited. The crash highlights the danger turning vehicles pose to cyclists moving straight through intersections.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799978 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19