Apr 4 - SUV hit a woman crossing with the signal. She took a blow to the head. The street stayed loud. No driver errors listed. The system failed her.

A 54-year-old woman crossing 35 Ave at 79 St in Queens was struck by an SUV making a left turn. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal and suffered a head injury. The driver and a passenger were not hurt. No driver errors were listed in the report. The only contributing factors noted were 'Unspecified.' The crash left a pedestrian injured while those inside the vehicle walked away unharmed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803543 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 4 - Two cars left the street in Queens. One hit children and a man on a sidewalk. Another plowed into women waiting at a bus shelter. Broken bones, head wounds, fear. No one died. Streets turned dangerous in a blink.

CBS New York reported on April 4, 2025, that two separate crashes in Queens left multiple pedestrians injured. In Astoria, a 35-year-old driver 'lost control of her vehicle and went onto the sidewalk, running over two girls, ages 7 and 14.' Police charged her with reckless driving and driving without a license. Later, in South Ozone Park, a 79-year-old driver swerved, sideswiped a bus, then 'jumped the curb and struck four women who were standing at a bus shelter.' All victims survived, but injuries ranged from broken bones to head trauma. The incidents highlight ongoing dangers for pedestrians and raise questions about driver screening and street design.

• Queens Drivers Mount Sidewalks, Hit Pedestrians, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 3 - Two cars struck Jorman Esparza-Olivares at a busy Rego Park crossing. He suffered head and body trauma. Medics rushed him to Elmhurst. He died six days later. Both drivers stayed. No charges. The intersection remains dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 3, 2025, that Jorman Esparza-Olivares, 23, was killed after being struck by two drivers while riding his e-bike north on 63rd Drive at Queens Blvd. The crash occurred just before 5:30 p.m. on March 19. According to police, 'It wasn't clear if any of the men involved in the crash ran a red light.' Esparza-Olivares suffered severe injuries and died six days later at Elmhurst Medical Center. Both drivers, operating a Ford SUV and a Mercedes Benz, remained at the scene and were not immediately charged. The incident highlights persistent risks for cyclists at major intersections and raises questions about traffic controls and driver awareness on Queens Blvd.

• E-Bike Rider Killed At Queens Intersection, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Apr 3 - Open Streets faces cuts. Federal funds are gone. Mayor Adams offers no city money. DOT warns of shrinking hours and scope. Council Member Krishnan blasts the move. Streets once safe for walkers and riders now risk return to cars. The future is uncertain.

On April 3, 2025, New York City’s Open Streets program entered crisis. The program, legislated by the City Council, lost its federal Covid funding. Mayor Adams has not allocated city funds. The Department of Transportation (DOT) says $5 million is needed to maintain current operations, but the Council’s preliminary budget omits this. DOT Chief of Staff Ryan Lynch told advocates the agency is lobbying for replacement funds. Council Member Shekar Krishnan criticized the mayor’s stance, saying, “It’s deeply misguided to cut funds from the open street program, especially at this moment.” The City Comptroller’s office also faulted the administration for poor planning. The funding gap has already led to reduced hours and fewer open streets. Council members are pushing for restoration, but the program’s future hangs in the balance.

• Open Street Program in Jeopardy As Mayor Adams Is Not Funding It, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-03

Mar 30 - Two women in a pickup truck suffered head injuries and whiplash in Queens. Driver inattention and inexperience led to the crash. Both victims remained conscious. The sedan struck the truck’s rear. Systemic driver errors caused harm.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 79th Street near 37th Avenue in Queens at 5:01 AM. A pickup truck and a sedan, both heading north, collided. The sedan struck the center back end of the pickup truck. Two female passengers in the pickup, ages 28 and 36, suffered head injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The incident highlights the danger posed by driver errors behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802943 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 28 - A 36-year-old man driving west on 37 Ave crashed into a parked SUV’s left side doors. The impact caused bruising and injury to his lower arm. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, at 16:25 in Queens, a 36-year-old male driver traveling west on 37 Ave collided with a parked 2016 Ford SUV. The driver struck the left side doors of the stationary vehicle, sustaining a contusion bruise to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The driver was conscious and not ejected, but injured. The collision caused damage to the center front end of the striking vehicle and the left side doors of the parked SUV. The driver was not using any safety equipment at the time. The incident highlights driver errors related to distraction and unsafe following distance, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801883 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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.

• Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-28

Mar 15 - A 42-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries when a sedan backing west on 79th Street in Queens hit him outside the roadway. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe backing as causes. The pedestrian was conscious and sustained abrasions.

According to the police report, at 22:50 in Queens near 31-17 79th Street, a 2020 BMW sedan backing west struck a 42-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian was located outside the roadway and was not at an intersection. The collision caused abrasions and injuries to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at 3. The vehicle sustained damage to its right side doors, the point of impact. The report explicitly lists 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, indicating driver error during the backing maneuver. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No other victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798948 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 15 - A minivan struck a 78-year-old woman crossing Northern Boulevard. The driver fled. She died at the hospital. Police have not released her name. No arrests. The street stayed open. The city moved on.

According to NY Daily News (published March 15, 2025), a 78-year-old woman was killed crossing Northern Blvd. near Parsons Blvd. in Flushing around 9:30 p.m. Friday. Police said, "A 78-year-old woman was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver as she crossed a Queens street." The dark-colored minivan was traveling west when it hit her mid-block. The driver did not stop. No arrests have been made. The victim was taken to New York Presbyterian-Queens Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her name has not been released. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for pedestrians on major city corridors and the persistent issue of drivers fleeing fatal scenes.

• Elderly Woman Killed In Queens Hit-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-15

Mar 13 - 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

Mar 5 - A distracted SUV driver barreled through the intersection at 82nd Street and 37th Avenue, slamming into a 14-year-old girl crossing with the signal. The right front bumper mangled her leg. She remained conscious as the driver continued straight.

A 14-year-old girl suffered crush injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot when a westbound SUV struck her at the corner of 82nd Street and 37th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the girl was 'crossing with the light' at the intersection when the SUV’s right front bumper hit her, causing significant injury. The report states the driver was 'distracted' and continued going straight, failing to yield to the pedestrian. Contributing factors listed in the police report include 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience.' The pedestrian’s actions—crossing with the signal—are noted in the report but are not cited as contributing factors. The collision underscores the persistent threat posed by inattentive drivers operating large vehicles in city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 4 - 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

Feb 27 - 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

Feb 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

Feb 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

Feb 26 - A Mercedes ran a red. It hit a BMW broadside at 107th and Northern. The BMW’s driver died. The Mercedes driver, a firefighter, faces charges. Two passengers hurt. The street stayed quiet, but the damage was done.

According to NY Daily News (2025-02-26), a Mercedes-Benz driver allegedly ran a red light and struck a BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd. in Queens, killing 23-year-old Justin Diaz. The Mercedes, driven by FDNY firefighter Michael Pena, T-boned Diaz’s car. Surveillance footage showed Diaz entering the intersection as the pedestrian signal allowed crossing. Pena was arrested at the scene and charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusing a breath test. The FDNY suspended Pena without pay. Two Mercedes passengers were hospitalized. The article quotes a local shop owner: "It was terrible." The crash highlights the lethal risk of red-light running and impaired driving at city intersections.

• Red Light Crash Kills BMW Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-26

Feb 24 - A 73-year-old woman suffered serious hip and upper leg injuries after an SUV struck her at an intersection on 30 Ave in Queens. The driver’s inattention and unsafe speed caused the collision as the pedestrian crossed without signal.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:52 on 30 Ave near 89 St in Queens. A 73-year-old female pedestrian was crossing the intersection when she was hit by a westbound SUV. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian at the center front end, causing injuries to her hip and upper leg. The pedestrian was conscious and complained of internal pain. The report cites the driver’s inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors to the collision. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication, but the primary causes identified relate to the driver’s failure to maintain attention and control. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794874 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 18 - Senators move to guard bike lanes. Cameras will catch drivers who block or invade. The city’s cyclists and walkers get a shot at safer streets. No more hiding behind the wheel.

Senate bill S 5008, now in sponsorship, aims to launch a bicycle lane safety program in New York City. The bill, introduced February 18, 2025, sits in committee. Its summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal leads, joined by Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, Liz Krueger, Jessica Ramos, and Julia Salazar. The bill targets drivers who block or misuse bike lanes, using cameras to enforce the rules. The move puts pressure on the city to protect cyclists and pedestrians from daily danger.

• File S 5008, Open States, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 17 - A 34-year-old male driver suffered chest injuries and shock in a Queens crash. The SUV, traveling east, struck another vehicle while parked. The driver was restrained by a lap belt and complained of pain and nausea after impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:05 AM in Queens on 37 Ave near 74 St. The injured party was a 34-year-old male driver of an SUV traveling east. The vehicle struck a parked vehicle with its left front bumper, causing damage to the SUV's front left. The driver was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt. He sustained chest injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793287 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 15 - A moped traveling east struck a 29-year-old female pedestrian outside an intersection on 31 Ave in Queens. The pedestrian suffered contusions and lower leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention and slippery pavement as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a moped traveling east on 31 Ave in Queens collided with a 29-year-old female pedestrian who was in the roadway but not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the impact. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors to the crash. The moped's point of impact was the center front end, indicating the driver failed to avoid the pedestrian. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and hazardous road conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792897 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04