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

Two sedans slammed front-first on Grand Central Parkway. One driver suffered a neck injury. Police blamed driver inattention and tailgating. Metal twisted. Sirens followed.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on at 9:39 a.m. on Grand Central Parkway in Queens. One driver, a 39-year-old man, was injured in the neck but remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and following too closely as the main contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling straight and sustained heavy front-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured driver wore a lap belt and harness. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus and follow too close.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701117 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two sedans collided on 25 Avenue in Queens. The driver of one vehicle suffered a bruised elbow and lower arm injury. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way and other vehicular errors as contributing factors. The crash left one injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:10 on 25 Avenue in Queens involving two sedans. One vehicle was traveling west going straight ahead, while the other was making a left turn southeast. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the westbound sedan and the left front bumper of the turning sedan. The driver of the westbound sedan, a 28-year-old female occupant, sustained a contusion and injury to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors to the collision. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights driver errors in yielding and vehicle maneuvering as central causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4699555 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A speeding SUV driver killed Yenny Baquedano, 61, in Jackson Heights. The driver fled. Councilmember Ramos demanded scramble crosswalks and real safety. Pedestrian deaths rise. Streets remain deadly. City leaders and DOT face sharp criticism for inaction.

On February 1, 2024, a hit-and-run SUV driver fatally struck Yenny Baquedano, 61, as she crossed 90th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens. The incident, reported by Streetsblog NYC, highlights a surge in pedestrian deaths—nineteen so far this year, with injuries up 2.6 percent. Councilmember Jessica Ramos, referencing two children recently hit in her district, called for scramble crosswalks outside schools and demanded urgent attention to street safety: 'I can’t keep getting calls like this.' Transportation Alternatives condemned the Department of Transportation for installing only two Leading Pedestrian Intervals on Glenwood Road since 2014, despite repeated fatalities. The group urged elected leaders to act now to prevent more deaths. The bill or action is not numbered, but the event underscores systemic failures and the urgent need for citywide safety improvements.

• Woman Fatally Struck By Hit-and-Run Driver in Queens, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-02-01

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-01-30

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-01-30

SUV and sedan slammed together on Astoria Boulevard. A 21-year-old passenger took neck injuries and whiplash. Police blamed driver distraction and inexperience. Metal twisted. The passenger paid the price.

According to the police report, a crash struck Astoria Boulevard at 13:15. A 2023 SUV heading east and a 2007 sedan going north collided, both moving straight. The SUV's center front and the sedan's left front bumper took the hit. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' for both drivers and 'Driver Inexperience' for one. A 21-year-old male front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and not ejected. Both vehicles showed heavy front-end damage. The report highlights distraction and inexperience as key driver errors. The injured passenger bears no blame.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694979 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Council calls for scramble crosswalks at schools. Kids cross in all directions. Cars stop. Fewer deadly conflicts. NYPD cut crossing guards. Streets stay dangerous. Council pushes Albany for action.

Resolution Res 0792-2023 was filed by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced September 28, 2023, and filed at session’s end, it urges Albany to pass A.5001-A/S.2515-B. The matter: 'establishing scramble crosswalks leading to and from school buildings during times of student arrival and dismissal.' Council Members Hanif (primary), Brooks-Powers, Restler, and Riley sponsored. The bill responds to deadly crashes near schools and NYPD’s cut of 486 crossing guards. Scramble crosswalks stop all cars so kids cross in every direction, cutting conflicts. The Council wants the state to act before more children are hurt.

• File Res 0792-2023, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2023-12-31

A 36-year-old male passenger suffered neck injuries in a collision involving a pick-up truck and a sedan. The crash occurred on 23 Avenue. Driver inattention was a key factor.

A 36-year-old male passenger was injured in a crash on 23 Avenue involving a pick-up truck and a sedan. According to the police report, the passenger sustained whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The driver of the pick-up truck was cited for driver inattention and inexperience. The sedan was also traveling straight ahead at the time of the impact. No other contributing factors were noted. The passenger was not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690845 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A box truck turning right collided with a sedan going straight on 83 Street in Queens. Three sedan occupants were trapped and injured, suffering shoulder, neck, and leg wounds. The crash caused front-end damage to both vehicles.

According to the police report, a box truck making a right turn struck a sedan traveling east on 83 Street in Queens. The collision impacted the left front bumpers of both vehicles. Three occupants in the sedan—a 38-year-old male driver, a 34-year-old female front passenger, and a 51-year-old female rear passenger—were trapped and sustained injuries to the knee, neck, and shoulder respectively. All were conscious and wearing seat belts. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687847 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 47-year-old man was struck while crossing 94 Street with the signal. The driver, in a 2003 SUV, was making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered a fractured knee and lower leg. The vehicle showed no damage. The man was left in shock.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing 94 Street with the signal. The driver, a licensed male in a 2003 SUV, was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in injury severity level 3 and shock. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no driver errors explicitly noted. The pedestrian was not ejected and was following the crossing signal at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680345 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two SUVs crashed on 23 Avenue. Three men inside suffered whiplash and head injuries. Unsafe lane changes and improper passing led to impact. Metal twisted. All occupants conscious. Streets scarred.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on 23 Avenue in Queens. Three men inside—ages 31, 34, and 58—were injured. The report lists driver errors: "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Unsafe Lane Changing." All occupants suffered whiplash; one had a head injury. The vehicles struck each other's front bumpers and sides. Damage marked the right side doors of one SUV and the left front bumper of the other. All injured were conscious and restrained. The crash shows the danger of improper lane use and reckless merging.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4682523 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A BMW hit a man on 85th Street. His head was crushed. He died where he fell. No intersection, no crowd, no noise. The street stayed quiet. No one else was hurt. The city moved on. The loss stayed.

A 43-year-old man walking near 25-17 85th Street in Queens was struck and killed by a BMW. According to the police report, 'A BMW struck a 43-year-old man. His head was crushed. He died where he fell, alone, not at an intersection. The street stayed quiet. No one else was hurt.' The crash occurred away from any intersection. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. No other injuries were reported. The victim, a pedestrian, suffered fatal head injuries. No mention of helmet use or signaling appears in the data. The deadly impact ended one life and left the street unchanged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679552 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two sedans traveling east collided on Grand Central Parkway. A 67-year-old female passenger suffered a neck injury. Both drivers were licensed. The injured occupant was conscious and not ejected. Alcohol involvement was noted as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Grand Central Parkway collided. The impact occurred at the center front end of one vehicle and the left rear bumper of the other. A 67-year-old female passenger in the rear left seat of the second sedan sustained a neck injury classified as internal and was conscious after the crash. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor, though no specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were identified. Both drivers held valid New York licenses and were going straight ahead before the collision. The injured occupant was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The crash caused damage to the front center of one sedan and the left rear quarter panel of the other.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678299 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Steve Cohen wants a casino at Citi Field. He promises green space and bike lanes. Renderings show paths, but crossing the Grand Central Parkway stays deadly. Locals want safer streets, not slots. Lawmakers push for community input. The fight for access continues.

Billionaire Mets owner Steve Cohen has proposed a major redevelopment of the Citi Field parking lot, including a Hard Rock casino, public park, plaza, bike lanes, and a renovated train station. The plan, called 'Metropolitan Park,' was unveiled on November 7, 2023. Assembly Member Jeffrey Aubrion introduced a bill to enable construction by 'alienating' parkland, but State Sen. Jessica Ramos, the local representative, remains skeptical. Ramos said, 'I didn't think a casino is necessary to redevelop the parking lot or create a safer pathway from 34th Street to the baseball stadium,' and stressed the need for community input: 'It's important that my neighbors look carefully at the proposal and we'll continue together with our process.' Public visioning sessions showed residents want better bike and transit connections, not gambling. The proposal highlights new bike lanes on Roosevelt Avenue and Boat Basin Place, but fails to address the hazardous crossing at Grand Central Parkway for cyclists and pedestrians. Details on funding and implementation remain unclear.

• Billionaire Mets Owner: Give Me Your Gambling Addicts and I’ll Give You Bike Lanes and Public Space, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-11-07

A 2-year-old girl was struck by a sedan in Queens. The child suffered hip and upper leg injuries. The driver’s view was obstructed. The crash happened near 94-00 Ditmars Boulevard. The child was conscious and had abrasions.

According to the police report, a 2-year-old female pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2017 Ford sedan traveling southeast near 94-00 Ditmars Boulevard in Queens. The child was not in the roadway but was hit nonetheless, sustaining hip and upper leg injuries and abrasions. The driver was licensed and going straight ahead when the collision occurred. The report lists "View Obstructed/Limited" as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s impaired visibility played a role. The point of impact was the right rear quarter panel of the sedan. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A motorcycle struck an SUV making a left turn on 108 Street in Queens. The motorcycle driver suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. Both vehicles damaged front center ends.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling south collided with an SUV making a left turn northeast on 108 Street in Queens. The motorcycle driver, a 30-year-old man, sustained serious injuries including a fractured knee and lower leg dislocation. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error by the SUV operator. Both vehicles sustained front center end damage. The motorcycle driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675899 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

Two SUVs collided on Jackson Mill Road. The female driver of one SUV suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved right side and front end impacts. Limited visibility and failure to yield right-of-way contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Jackson Mill Road. The female driver of one SUV was injured, sustaining neck pain and whiplash. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The impact occurred on the right side doors of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The injured driver was conscious and not ejected. The crash highlights the dangers of limited visibility and failure to yield in multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672495 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

SUV swung a U-turn on Junction Boulevard. Motorbike slammed in. Rider thrown, arm shattered. Both drivers distracted. Blood on the asphalt. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, a motorbike traveling south on Junction Boulevard struck an SUV making a U-turn near 32 Avenue in Queens. The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered a fractured elbow and dislocated arm. Both drivers were listed as distracted. The SUV driver made an improper turn. The report notes the motorcyclist was unlicensed but wore a helmet. The SUV was hit on its left rear quarter panel. The crash left the rider conscious but injured. Driver inattention and distraction were cited for both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4670997 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A 16-year-old on a motorcycle struck the rear of a bus on Astoria Boulevard. No helmet. Head trauma. Blood pooled on the street. He died under the streetlights. The engine ticked in the dark. The city kept moving.

A 16-year-old riding a motorcycle east on Astoria Boulevard near 101st Street collided with the rear of a northbound bus. According to the police report, the teen suffered fatal head trauma and died at the scene. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors in the crash. The bus was struck at its left rear quarter panel. The police report notes the rider was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the driver errors. No other injuries were reported. The crash left blood on the asphalt and a city shaken by another young life lost.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669743 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06

A motorcycle slammed into a turning SUV on Ditmars Boulevard. The rider, helmeted but unlicensed, flew from the bike. He struck the street and died on impact. The SUV’s side caved in. Metal, speed, and failure met in the dusk.

A deadly crash unfolded on Ditmars Boulevard near 31st Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling at unsafe speed collided with a BMW SUV making a left turn. The 26-year-old male motorcyclist, who was unlicensed but wore a helmet, was ejected and killed. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The SUV’s right side doors were crushed in the impact. No injuries were reported for other vehicle occupants. The crash highlights the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield and speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668782 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-06