Five Dead in East Elmhurst—City Stalls, Families Grieve, Speed Kills

A sedan backed up on 97th Street and struck a northbound e-bike. The cyclist took the hit in the abdomen and pelvis. He was left bruised and hurt. The car’s rear bumper bore the mark. Night fell heavy in Queens.

A crash on 97th Street at 23rd Avenue in Queens involved a sedan and an e-bike. According to the police report, the sedan was backing up when it struck a northbound e-bike. The 39-year-old cyclist suffered injuries to his abdomen and pelvis, with a contusion noted. The sedan’s right rear bumper was damaged. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. The crash left the cyclist injured and the car marked, underscoring the risks faced by those on two wheels.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817745, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan hit a man crossing 106th Street at 32nd Avenue. The driver sped and lost focus. The pedestrian suffered a bruised hip and leg. The driver was unlicensed. The street bore the mark of impact. System failed to protect the walker.

A sedan traveling south on 106th Street at 32nd Avenue in Queens struck a 49-year-old man who was crossing in a marked crosswalk. According to the police report, the driver was unlicensed and listed for 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The pedestrian suffered a contusion to his hip and upper leg. The vehicle's center front end took the impact. The report notes the driver was the sole occupant of the car. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. The police report makes clear: driver speed and inattention led to harm. No helmet or signal use is listed as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816377, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway. One slammed into the back of the other. A 70-year-old man suffered neck injuries. Police cite following too closely. The crash left pain and confusion in its wake.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Grand Central Parkway near 94th Street collided. The front of a Ford sedan struck the back of a BMW sedan. Three people were involved. A 70-year-old male driver in the BMW suffered a neck injury and complained of whiplash. Two other occupants, including an infant, were listed with unspecified injuries. The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The BMW sustained damage to its center back end, while the Ford was damaged at the center front. No other contributing factors were cited. The report does not mention any actions by the injured parties that contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814751, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Night crash on Astoria Boulevard. Two cars collide. Metal twists. Three people hurt. A child suffers back pain. Shoulder injuries for others. Police cite driver distraction. The street stays dangerous. No one killed, but pain lingers.

A sedan and an SUV collided at Astoria Boulevard and 94th Street in Queens. Three occupants were injured: a 10-year-old girl with back pain, a 54-year-old man with a bruised shoulder, and a 47-year-old woman with shoulder pain. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The sedan was making a left turn, while the SUV was going straight. Both vehicles sustained damage. The police report lists no other contributing factors. Lap belts and harnesses were used by the injured. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the risk posed by driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812302, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan hit a 72-year-old man crossing with the signal on 31 Ave and 99 St. The pedestrian suffered a head injury. Police cite driver inattention and disregard for traffic control. The car’s front end took the impact.

A 72-year-old pedestrian was injured when a sedan struck him at the intersection of 31 Ave and 99 St in Queens. According to the police report, the man was crossing with the signal when the crash occurred. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and was conscious at the scene. The sedan, a 2008 GMC, was traveling east and struck the man with its center front end. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any errors by the pedestrian. The driver and another occupant were not reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811307, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan hit a stopped e-bike on Astoria Boulevard. The e-bike rider suffered a bruised leg. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The crash left the street marked by impact and injury.

A crash on Astoria Boulevard in Queens involved a sedan and a stopped e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 39-year-old man, was injured with a contusion to his lower leg. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' contributed to the collision. The sedan struck the back of the e-bike, which was stopped in traffic. The sedan sustained front-end damage, while the e-bike was hit at the center rear. Another occupant, a 43-year-old man, was listed with unspecified injuries. The report highlights driver error as the primary cause. No mention of helmet use or signaling appears in the contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810089, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle hit a sedan on Grand Central Parkway. Pavement was slick. The motorcycle driver suffered a bruised leg. Both vehicles took damage. Police cited slippery pavement as a factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

A crash occurred on Grand Central Parkway at 94th Street involving a motorcycle and a sedan. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling east when the motorcycle struck the sedan’s rear. The motorcycle driver, a 44-year-old man, sustained a contusion to his lower leg. The sedan driver, a 31-year-old man, was not reported injured. Police listed 'Pavement Slippery' as the main contributing factor. The motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Both vehicles suffered front and rear damage, respectively. The report does not mention any other contributing driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809735, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Metal twisted on Grand Central Parkway as two sedans collided. Five people, including a baby, suffered whiplash and pain. The air hung heavy with shock and sirens. Glass and steel littered the road in the early morning darkness.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Grand Central Parkway, leaving five occupants injured. The victims included a 20-year-old woman, a 19-year-old woman, a 64-year-old man, a 56-year-old woman, and an infant. All suffered bodily injuries, with several reporting whiplash and pain. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor for most of those hurt, including the driver. Both vehicles sustained severe damage, described as 'demolished.' No mention of helmet use or turn signals appears in the report. The crash underscores the consequences of excessive speed on city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807179, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A fired firefighter sped through a red light, high and drunk, slamming into a young man’s car. The victim died. The driver had 25 school-zone speeding tickets. The system let him drive until it was too late.

NY Daily News (2025-04-17) reports Michael Pena, a former FDNY firefighter, killed Justin Diaz in Queens while driving 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, running a red light, and driving under the influence of cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol. Pena had '25 tickets for speeding in school zones' in recent years, according to prosecutors. Surveillance showed Pena t-boned Diaz, who was heading to work. Pena faces 14 charges, including manslaughter and DWI. His bail was revoked due to flight risk concerns. The article highlights repeated driver violations and questions about enforcement and policy. Diaz’s family called for laws to reflect 'criminal intent,' not just bail reform. Pena’s license was suspended after the crash.

• Speeding Ex-Firefighter Kills Queens Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-17

Morning light on 94th Street. A Ford sedan and a man on a bike collide at 31st Avenue. The cyclist, 36, clutches his upper arm in pain, shaken but conscious. Sirens echo as traffic slows. Metal and flesh meet at the center front ends.

A collision occurred at the intersection of 94th Street and 31st Avenue in Queens involving a Ford sedan and a bicyclist. According to the police report, the crash happened as both vehicles were going straight ahead. The 36-year-old male cyclist suffered an upper arm injury and was reported in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error on the part of the sedan. No vehicle damage was noted. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, but helmet use was not cited as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804815, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A speeding Mercedes ran a red light in Queens. It struck a BMW. The driver, drunk and high, killed a young airport worker. The victim had the right-of-way. Two passengers were hurt. The firefighter behind the wheel now faces charges.

NY Daily News (2025-03-28) reports that FDNY probationary firefighter Michael Pena was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and drug use. On February 26, Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and crashed into Justin Diaz’s BMW. Diaz, 23, died after being rushed to the hospital. Prosecutors say Pena’s blood-alcohol content was 0.156% and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. Surveillance footage shows Diaz had the right-of-way. The article states, “The victim had the right-of-way, and Pena ran a steady red light, prosecutors say.” Two passengers in Pena’s car were also injured. The case highlights the lethal consequences of high-speed, impaired driving and raises questions about enforcement and accountability.

• Firefighter Kills Worker In Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-28

A 48-year-old male bicyclist was injured in Queens after a failure to yield right-of-way. The cyclist suffered a shoulder contusion and bruising. The crash involved impact to the bike’s right rear quarter panel, highlighting driver error and systemic risk.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 96 Street near 30 Avenue in Queens at 8:50 p.m. The injured party was a 48-year-old male bicyclist traveling north, operating his bike straight ahead when the collision happened. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating a clear driver error. The impact point was the bike’s right rear quarter panel, causing upper arm and shoulder injuries classified as contusions and bruises. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No safety equipment was reported in use. The data focuses on the failure to yield right-of-way by the driver, underscoring systemic dangers faced by vulnerable road users in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801471, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs crashed on Astoria Boulevard in Queens. One driver suffered neck injuries and shock. The collision involved improper lane usage. Both vehicles sustained front and side damage. The incident exposed dangerous driver errors on a busy city street.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:02 on Astoria Boulevard in Queens. Two station wagons/SUVs collided, one traveling east going straight ahead, the other making a left turn southwest. The point of impact was the center front end of the eastbound SUV and the right side doors of the turning SUV. The contributing factor cited was 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper,' indicating driver error in lane management. One driver, a 45-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, suffered neck injuries and was in shock. Both vehicles sustained damage consistent with the described impact points. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing solely on driver errors and improper lane usage as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797869, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided head-on on 96th Street around 9 p.m. One driver, a 47-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries. The crash involved disregard of traffic control, causing significant front-end damage to both vehicles and serious injury to one occupant.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling straight ahead collided on 96th Street near Jackson Mill Road at 9 p.m. The impact occurred at the right front bumper of the Ford and the center front end of the Infiniti. The 47-year-old female driver of the Ford was injured, sustaining neck injuries and internal complaints, and was conscious at the scene. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating a driver error in failing to obey traffic signals or signs. Both drivers were licensed, and the injured occupant was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. The collision caused significant damage to the front ends of both vehicles, highlighting systemic dangers related to traffic control compliance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796516, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A firefighter, drunk and high, sped through a red light at 83 mph. He smashed into Justin Diaz’s BMW. Diaz died. The crash tore a family apart. The driver walked free on bail. The street stayed deadly.

NY Daily News reported on February 27, 2025, that off-duty FDNY firefighter Michael Pena, 28, killed 23-year-old Justin Diaz in Queens. Prosecutors said Pena was drunk, high on cocaine and marijuana, and driving 83 mph in a 25 mph zone when he ran a red light and struck Diaz’s BMW. Surveillance footage showed the Mercedes 'barreled through an East Elmhurst intersection' at 4:15 a.m. Diaz, headed to work at LaGuardia, died at the scene. Pena refused a breath test; a blood draw later confirmed drug use. He was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to submit to testing, but posted $50,000 bail. The article highlights family grief and outrage at bail laws, quoting Diaz’s brother: 'Pena will walk the streets for a $50,000 bail... Justin will never walk the streets again.'

• Drunk Firefighter Kills Driver In Queens, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-27

Two SUVs collided on 99th Street in Queens as one struck the other from behind. The 73-year-old driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, at 6:50 PM on 99th Street in Queens, a 2017 Hyundai SUV traveling north rear-ended a 2011 Jeep SUV also traveling north. The point of impact was the center back end of the Jeep and the center front end of the Hyundai. The 73-year-old female driver of the Jeep sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The report cites slippery pavement as a contributing factor to the collision. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The crash shows the dangers posed by road conditions and driver inability to adjust, resulting in a rear-end collision that injured a vulnerable occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793927, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Three sedans collided eastbound on Grand Central Parkway, causing head injuries to a 69-year-old male driver. The crash involved rear-end impacts amid slippery pavement conditions. The driver remained conscious but suffered abrasions and head trauma.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:00 AM on Grand Central Parkway involving three sedans traveling eastbound. The vehicles were stopped in traffic when the collision occurred, with impact centered on the back ends of two vehicles and the front end of the third. The report cites slippery pavement as a contributing factor. A 69-year-old male driver, occupant of one sedan, sustained head injuries and abrasions but was conscious at the scene. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness, and the air bag deployed. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly noted in the report. The crash highlights the systemic danger posed by hazardous road conditions leading to multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792760, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs collided on 104 Street in Queens, injuring both drivers and a front passenger. Both drivers were distracted, causing a side-impact crash. Neck injuries and shock were reported. The crash left both vehicles damaged and occupants shaken.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 104 Street near 32 Avenue in Queens at 13:39. Two station wagons/SUVs collided: a 2008 Chevrolet traveling west and a 2019 Honda traveling south. Both vehicles were going straight ahead when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the center front end of the Chevrolet and the left side doors of the Honda. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. The Honda carried two occupants: an 18-year-old female driver and a 19-year-old female front passenger, both injured with neck injuries and in shock. Both occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The Chevrolet had one male driver, licensed in NY. The collision caused visible damage to both vehicles and resulted in injury severity level 3 for the Honda occupants. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792310, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan rear-ended a stopped vehicle on Grand Central Parkway. The driver of the struck car suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as the cause. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound at the time of impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:53 on Grand Central Parkway involving two sedans traveling east. One sedan was stopped in traffic when the following sedan failed to stop and collided with the center back end of the stopped vehicle. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 36-year-old female occupant, was conscious but injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the collision. The driver of the rear vehicle did not maintain attention, causing the rear-end impact. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789321, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan making a left turn struck a 52-year-old man crossing 23 Ave at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and bruises. Driver inattention caused the collision, highlighting dangers at busy Queens intersections.

According to the police report, a 2018 Mercedes sedan traveling northwest on 23 Ave was making a left turn when it struck a 52-year-old male pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The point of impact was the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and contusions, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. There is no indication that the pedestrian's actions contributed to the collision. The driver's failure to maintain attention while executing the turn directly led to the pedestrian's injury, underscoring systemic risks posed by distracted driving in Queens intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788070, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14