Crash Count for East Elmhurst
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,519
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 896
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 179
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 8
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 8
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 15, 2025
Carnage in East Elmhurst
Killed 8
Crush Injuries 3
Head 2
Back 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Severe Bleeding 1
Whole body 1
Severe Lacerations 3
Head 2
Whole body 1
Concussion 5
Head 2
Lower leg/foot 2
Lower arm/hand 1
Whiplash 32
Neck 19
+14
Whole body 5
Back 4
Head 2
Abdomen/pelvis 1
Shoulder/upper arm 1
Contusion/Bruise 38
Lower leg/foot 11
+6
Head 7
+2
Lower arm/hand 7
+2
Shoulder/upper arm 4
Back 3
Face 2
Hip/upper leg 2
Abdomen/pelvis 1
Neck 1
Whole body 1
Abrasion 13
Head 3
Lower leg/foot 3
Shoulder/upper arm 3
Lower arm/hand 2
Hip/upper leg 1
Whole body 1
Pain/Nausea 12
Head 6
+1
Back 3
Chest 2
Shoulder/upper arm 2
Lower arm/hand 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in East Elmhurst?

Preventable Speeding in East Elmhurst School Zones

(since 2022)
East Elmhurst: The Corner Takes the Hit

East Elmhurst: The Corner Takes the Hit

East Elmhurst: Jan 1, 2022 - Aug 24, 2025

Another driver. Same ending.

  • In March 2024, at 31st Avenue and 100th Street, a pickup turned left and hit an 8‑year‑old in the crosswalk. The child was killed. The truck’s listed factors: failure to yield and distraction, during a left turn. The boy was crossing with the signal (NYC Open Data crash 4709403).
  • In November 2023, a 43‑year‑old man was struck and killed off‑intersection near 85th Street. Listed as a pedestrian death. The vehicle was a BMW with Utah plates (NYC Open Data crash 4679552).

Two dates. Two bodies. The map barely moves.

Three corners. One fix.

The neighborhood’s worst pain shows up on the big roads. Grand Central Parkway leads the list, with the most injuries and a death. Astoria Boulevard also takes a life and dozens of injuries. Ditmars Boulevard adds another death (top intersections). Heavy vehicles do outsized harm here: trucks and buses are tied to pedestrian deaths and serious injuries, while cars and SUVs rack up the numbers (vehicle rollup and pedestrian causes).

Peak danger comes in the late day and night. Injuries swell at 8 p.m., 9 p.m., and again at 10 p.m. One death lands at 10 p.m., another at 6 p.m. The clock keeps bad time (hourly distribution).

What helps here is not a mystery:

  • Daylight every corner on Astoria Blvd and Ditmars. Harden left turns where drivers cut in, like at 31st Ave and 100th St.
  • Give pedestrians a head start at signals. Put in raised crossings on service roads feeding Grand Central.
  • Keep big rigs off local streets near schools and 31st/100th, and target failure‑to‑yield by trucks at left‑turn hotspots.

From 2022 through now, this area logs 1,214 crashes, 740 injuries, and five deaths. Pedestrians take 78 injuries and two deaths. Cyclists are hit 33 times. Trucks show up in the worst pedestrian outcomes: one death, one serious injury, five cases total. Cars and SUVs injure most people simply by volume (local stats).

At that Astoria corner in 2024, the pickup’s point of impact is “right front bumper.” The boy’s action is “crossing with signal.” Cause codes read like a shrug: failure to yield; distraction. The data doesn’t cry. It just sits there (crash 4709403 details).

Officials know what works — do they?

Albany handed the city the keys to lower speeds. The city can set a 20 mph default on local streets. Every day without action, the count rises. Our own published call spells it out: lower speeds save lives (Take Action).

The state is also moving on the worst repeat speeders. The Stop Super Speeders bill would force drivers who rack up violations to install speed limiters. Committee votes advanced this year (S 4045). The target is the small group that does oversized harm (Streetsblog NYC analysis of repeat offenders).

Citywide fixes. Neighborhood lives.

  • Lower the default speed to 20 mph on local streets. Fewer funerals. Fewer vigils.
  • Fit repeat violators with speed limiters. Stop the small number doing big damage.

East Elmhurst has names tied to corners. Grand Central Parkway. Astoria Boulevard. Ditmars Boulevard. The numbers say what happened. The silence after says the rest.

Act now. Start here: Take Action.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Larinda Hooks
Assembly Member Larinda Hooks
District 35
District Office:
98-09 Northern Blvd., Corona, NY 11368
Legislative Office:
Room 633, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Francisco Moya
Council Member Francisco Moya
District 21
District Office:
106-01 Corona Avenue, Corona, NY 11368
718-651-1917
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1768, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6862
Jessica Ramos
State Senator Jessica Ramos
District 13
District Office:
74-09 37th Ave. Suite 302, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Legislative Office:
Room 307, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
Twitter: @jessicaramos
Other Geographies

East Elmhurst East Elmhurst sits in Queens, Precinct 115, District 21, AD 35, SD 13, Queens CB3.

See also
Boroughs
City Council Districts
Community Boards
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for East Elmhurst

18
Nude Queens man indicted for kicking bike riders, attacking 3 NYPD officers
16
Man accused of intentionally killing Queens teen with his car
13
16-year-old girl dies after being hit by SUV in Queens

8
Distracted SUV driver rear-ends sedan in Queens

Sep 8 - On Grand Central Parkway in Queens, a driver in an SUV going east hit the back of an eastbound sedan. The 33-year-old sedan driver suffered a neck injury. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction.

A driver in an SUV heading east on Grand Central Parkway in Queens hit the back of a sedan traveling east. The SUV’s front was damaged. The sedan’s rear was crushed. The 33-year-old sedan driver reported a neck injury and was conscious. The other driver, 50, was listed with an unspecified injury. According to the police report, police recorded driver inattention/distraction. The data lists that factor for both drivers. The impact points show a rear-end crash by the SUV driver. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in this collision.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4840997 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
8
Backing SUV, Moving SUV Crash; Parked Jeep Hit

Sep 8 - On Ditmars Boulevard, a driver backing collided with a northbound SUV. A parked Jeep was hit. A 63-year-old driver suffered a head abrasion. Police cited driver inattention.

Three SUVs were involved on Ditmars Boulevard near 104-47 in Queens. One driver was backing south. Another drove north. A third Jeep was parked. The crash injured a 63-year-old male driver; the report notes a head abrasion and that he was conscious and not ejected. According to the police report, contributing factors included Driver Inattention/Distraction. Impacts recorded: the backing SUV’s center rear, the northbound SUV’s right front, and the parked Jeep’s left rear. Other listed people were marked with unspecified injuries. The records list both active drivers as licensed, and place the moving SUV traveling straight ahead at the time.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4840986 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
2
Queens bus network redesign draws mixed reviews from riders
28
Bicyclist, pedestrian injured at 26-50 94 St

Aug 28 - Queens crash near 26-50 94 St. A bicyclist and a 20-year-old woman collided. Both suffered crush injuries and shock. Police listed contributing factors as unspecified.

A bicyclist and a pedestrian collided near 26-50 94 St in Queens. The 20-year-old woman suffered lower-leg and foot injuries. The 49-year-old bicyclist reported a back injury. Both complaints were recorded as crush injuries, and both were in shock. According to the police report, contributing factors were listed as Unspecified for both parties; police did not record a specific driver error. Vehicle data show the bicyclist was going straight ahead before the crash, and the bike was recorded with no damage. The report lists no on-street name for the location.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4839976 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
18
Unlicensed motorcyclist slams SUV in Queens

Aug 18 - A southbound motorcycle hit a left-turning SUV on 31 Dr at Buell St. The rider, 19, suffered head trauma and crush injuries. He went unconscious. Impact crushed the bike’s front. The SUV took damage on its right side.

A southbound motorcycle struck a left‑turning SUV at 31 Dr and Buell St in Queens. The 19‑year‑old motorcycle driver was injured with head trauma and crush injuries and was unconscious at the scene. According to the police report, the SUV was making a left turn and the motorcycle impacted the right front quarter panel, crushing the bike’s front. Listed driver issues include the motorcyclist being unlicensed. Contributing factors are marked as Unspecified in the dataset. The SUV driver was licensed and reported uninjured. The record notes the injured rider had no safety equipment. The crash underscores a dangerous turn conflict at this location.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835924 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
17
Steering failure injures driver on parkway

Aug 17 - A sedan lost steering on Grand Central Parkway. The car went straight and hit something head-on. The front crumpled. A 77-year-old driver suffered a head injury. Another occupant was hurt. Metal failed. People paid.

A 2003 Toyota sedan traveling east on the Grand Central Parkway suffered a steering failure and struck head-on, injuring the 77-year-old woman driving and harming another occupant. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Steering Failure.” The vehicle’s center front end was the point of impact and damage. Listed driver errors in the data are limited to the mechanical failure: Steering Failure. No other contributing driver actions such as Failure to Yield or Unsafe Speed are cited in the report. The driver’s airbags deployed and a lap belt/harness was used, noted only after the documented cause.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836053 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
17
Eastbound SUV T-bones Sedan at 31 Ave

Aug 17 - An eastbound SUV hit the left side of a northbound sedan at 31 Avenue and 94 Street in Queens. The 26-year-old sedan driver suffered shoulder and upper-arm pain and complained of whiplash. Police listed driver inattention.

The driver of an eastbound SUV struck the left side of a northbound sedan at 31 Avenue and 94 Street in Queens. The sedan driver, 26, was injured and complained of whiplash with shoulder and upper-arm pain. He was conscious, not ejected, and reported using a lap belt and harness. According to the police report, the listed factor was "Driver Inattention/Distraction." Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction by the driver. Data show both vehicles were going straight when the SUV's center front hit the sedan's left side doors, producing left-side damage.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835912 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
15
Unlicensed driver hits sedan in Queens

Aug 15 - Eastbound sedan struck at 97 St and 31 Ave. Front-end smash into its left side. Two women in the other vehicle hurt. Shock. Head and arm pain. Police cite Failure to Yield. Streets built for speed, not mercy.

A southbound vehicle collided with an eastbound sedan at 97 St and 31 Ave in Queens. Two people in the southbound vehicle were injured: a 30-year-old driver with head pain and a 24-year-old front passenger with upper-arm pain. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.” The southbound driver was unlicensed. The impact was to the sedan’s left side and the striking vehicle’s center front. No victim is blamed here. Driver errors came first: Failure to Yield, compounded by operating without a license. Safety equipment for the injured was listed as unknown.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835123 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
12
Car Plows Into Queens Food Truck

Aug 12 - A car slammed into a food truck in Astoria. Three people died. Metal twisted. Lives ended. The street became a scene of sudden loss.

CBS New York reported on August 12, 2025, that a car crashed into a food truck at 19th Avenue and 42nd Street in Astoria, Queens, killing three people. The article quotes witnesses, including a man who 'narrowly escaped tragedy.' Details on the driver's actions remain scarce, but the crash highlights the lethal risk vehicles pose to people on city streets. The incident raises questions about street design and the exposure of workers and customers at curbside businesses.


8
Distracted Lane Change Injures Two on GCP

Aug 8 - Two westbound drivers crashed on the Grand Central Parkway by LaGuardia. The driver of an SUV changed lanes and hit a sedan’s rear. Both drivers were hurt. Police recorded driver inattention.

Two westbound drivers crashed on the Grand Central Parkway by LaGuardia. The driver of an SUV changed lanes and hit the right rear of a westbound sedan. The SUV’s left front bumper and the sedan’s right rear bumper were damaged. Both drivers were injured: a 47-year-old woman reported arm and hand bruising; a 21-year-old man reported back pain. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" was the contributing factor for both drivers. Police recorded driver inattention by the SUV driver and the sedan driver. No pedestrians or cyclists were listed in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834559 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
4
Parked SUV Struck Moped Rider on Parkway

Aug 4 - A parked SUV and a moped collided on Grand Central Parkway. The 32‑year‑old moped driver was injured, shoulder and abrasion wounds. Police cited driver inattention as a contributing factor.

An SUV parked on Grand Central Parkway and a westbound moped traveling straight ahead collided. The moped driver, a 32‑year‑old man, suffered a shoulder/upper‑arm injury and an abrasion and was listed as injured and conscious. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" was a contributing factor. The SUV’s pre‑crash position is recorded as Parked; the moped’s pre‑crash action is Going Straight Ahead. Point of impact is listed as the SUV left rear bumper and the moped right front bumper. The moped operator is recorded as unlicensed. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832946 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
1
Man Killed By Car In Queens Dispute

Aug 1 - A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man in Ozone Park. The driver fled, then turned himself in. Police say the crash followed a heated confrontation. The victim died at Jamaica Hospital.

ABC7 reported on August 1, 2025, that a 23-year-old man died after being hit by a car at 101st Avenue and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. Police said the incident followed a domestic dispute. The driver, who was the woman's current boyfriend, told police the victim approached his car "while flashing what appeared to be a gun" and was struck as the driver tried to leave. The driver later went to the police. No charges had been filed as of publication, with the district attorney still reviewing the case. The crash highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used during conflicts.


28
BMW Driver Making Left Turn Hits 70-Year-Old Pedestrian

Jul 28 - A BMW driver making a left turn hit a 70-year-old woman in a marked crosswalk on 32nd Avenue in Queens. She complained of pain, shock, and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. Police cited driver inattention/distraction.

A 70-year-old woman was struck while crossing 32nd Avenue in Queens and sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg and foot. “According to the police report ...” the pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk with no signal when the crash occurred. The driver, operating a 2022 BMW sedan, was making a left turn. Police list “Driver Inattention/Distraction” as the contributing factor. The pedestrian complained of pain and shock. The report notes no vehicle damage and does not record any contributing errors by the pedestrian.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831666 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
16
Teen In-Line Skater Hurt on 24 Ave

Jul 16 - A 16-year-old in-line skater was injured at 24 Ave and 98 St in Queens. He suffered a back contusion and remained conscious. Police listed no driver errors; the vehicle and driver were not specified in the report.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old male in-line skater was injured at the intersection of 24 Ave and 98 St in Queens. He suffered a back contusion and was conscious at the scene. The report notes “No contributing factors or driver errors were listed in the report.” Vehicle details, driver identity, and pre-crash actions were not specified. Police recorded the injured person as a pedestrian/bicyclist/other pedestrian at an intersection, listed his role as an in-line skater, and recorded a complaint of contusion — bruise. The record contains no helmet, signaling, or driver-fault entries. The case file leaves key information about the other party unknown.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828190 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
8
Bus Lanes Target Congestion On Hillside Avenue

Jul 8 - Hillside Avenue chokes on cars. Buses crawl at four miles per hour. New lanes promise relief for 215,000 riders. Space shifts from cars to buses. Streets change. Riders wait.

Gothamist (2025-07-08) reports new bus lanes are coming to Hillside Avenue, Queens. Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the corridor suffers from 'an inconsistent, patchwork design' and blocked lanes. Buses crawl at four miles per hour due to congestion. Only a third of road space serves buses, though 83% of transit users ride them. The project adds camera-enforced bus lanes, parking, and loading zones. Policy shifts road space from private cars to public transit, aiming to speed up service for 215,000 daily riders.


5
City Bike Lane Plan Sparks Queens Clash

Jul 5 - City aims to carve bike lanes into 31st Street. Merchants fear lost access. Residents cite danger. DOT points to dozens hurt, two killed. The street stays deadly. The fight over space continues.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-05), the NYC Department of Transportation plans to narrow lanes and add bike paths on 31st Street in Astoria, Queens. The DOT cites 126 injured vehicle occupants, 33 injured pedestrians, 24 injured cyclists, and two deaths from 2020 to 2024, calling it 'one of the most dangerous streets in Queens.' Business owners warn the changes will block deliveries and threaten livelihoods. Residents worry about access and safety, especially for the elderly and students. The plan highlights the tension between street redesigns and the needs of vulnerable road users.


4
Teen Dies Falling From No. 7 Train

Jul 4 - A boy, 15, fell from a No. 7 train at Queensboro Plaza. He landed on the tracks. Medics rushed him to the hospital. He died. The NYPD is investigating. Two other subway incidents happened that morning.

ABC7 reported on July 4, 2025, that a 15-year-old boy died after falling from the top of a No. 7 train at Queensboro Plaza station. The article states, "Police say the 15-year-old boy was riding on top of a No. 7 train around 2:45 a.m." and "He fell onto the tracks as it pulled into the Queensboro Plaza station." The NYPD is investigating this and two other incidents: a person struck by a J train and another killed while walking between cars on a No. 2 train. The events highlight ongoing dangers in the subway system and raise questions about platform and train safety.