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

Two sedans collided at Astoria Boulevard. One driver made a left turn, striking the other vehicle’s right rear quarter panel. The front passenger of the struck vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash, restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:52 on Astoria Boulevard involving two sedans. One vehicle was traveling east going straight ahead, while the other was making a left turn. The collision point was the center front end of the eastbound sedan and the right rear quarter panel of the turning vehicle. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error in failing to obey traffic signals or signs. The front passenger in the eastbound sedan, a 39-year-old male, sustained neck injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The drivers were licensed and operating vehicles registered in NY and VA. The data highlights driver failure to yield or disregard of traffic control as the primary cause, with no victim fault noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788869, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 34-year-old front passenger suffered head injuries and shock after an SUV merged unsafely, striking a sedan on Grand Central Parkway. The collision caused significant vehicle damage and deployed airbags, highlighting driver error in lane changing maneuvers.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:26 on Grand Central Parkway involving multiple vehicles traveling east. A 2008 SUV was merging when it caused a collision with a 2018 sedan, impacting the sedan's left rear bumper and the SUV's center front end. The contributing factor cited was 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' The injured party was a 34-year-old female front passenger in one of the vehicles, who sustained head injuries and was in shock. She was not ejected and had safety equipment deployed, including airbags and lap belts. The report identifies driver error in the merging maneuver as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the passenger. This incident underscores the dangers posed by unsafe lane changes on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780170, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorscooter making a left turn was struck from behind by an SUV traveling east on 31 Ave in Queens. The scooter driver suffered back injuries and bruising. Police cite following too closely as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 31 Ave in Queens at 17:14. A motorscooter, driven by a 54-year-old man wearing a helmet, was making a left turn when it was rear-ended by an SUV traveling in the same direction. The point of impact was the center back end of the scooter and the center front end of the SUV. The SUV driver was going straight ahead, while the scooter was turning left. The report identifies the SUV driver's error as "Following Too Closely," which led to the collision. The scooter driver sustained a back injury and contusions but was conscious and not ejected. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779605, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Five occupants suffered whiplash injuries in a multi-vehicle crash on Grand Central Parkway. The collision involved a pick-up truck, SUV, and sedan, all traveling westbound. Police cited following too closely as the primary cause, with multiple passengers injured but none ejected.

According to the police report, a chain collision occurred on Grand Central Parkway at 20:08 involving a pick-up truck, a station wagon/SUV, and a sedan, all traveling westbound. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for at least two vehicles. Five occupants, including a 31-year-old front passenger, a 4-year-old restrained child, a 55-year-old front passenger, a 19-year-old rear passenger, and a 6-year-old rear passenger, were injured with complaints of whiplash. None of the injured were ejected from their vehicles. The vehicles sustained center front and center back end damage, consistent with rear-end impacts. The drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles straight ahead. The police report highlights driver error in maintaining unsafe following distances as the cause, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773396, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 43-year-old man crossing Astoria Blvd with the signal was struck by a BMW sedan traveling east. The impact fractured his lower leg and foot. Police cite driver failure to yield and disregard for traffic control as causes of the collision.

According to the police report, at 22:35 on Astoria Blvd in Queens, a BMW sedan traveling east struck a 43-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing at an intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, sustaining serious injuries. The report explicitly identifies the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and disregard for traffic control as contributing factors. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, indicating the pedestrian was hit directly in the path of the car. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding and obeying traffic controls in busy urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773756, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs collided on 31 Ave in Queens. A 22-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and incoherence. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors. Both vehicles struck front and side, causing significant damage and injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:27 on 31 Ave in Queens involving two SUVs traveling west and north. The 22-year-old male driver of the northbound SUV was injured, sustaining back pain and incoherence. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors for the injured driver. The collision impact points were the center front end of the westbound SUV and the right side doors of the northbound SUV. Both vehicles sustained damage consistent with these impacts. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report explicitly cites driver errors, including inattention and distraction, as causes, without attributing fault to any victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770828, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man clung to a dump truck on Astoria Boulevard. No harness, no shield. He fell, skull to asphalt, blood pooling. The truck rolled on, untouched. The man, forty-seven, left with severe head wounds. The city’s machinery did not stop.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old man was riding on the outside of a dump truck near Astoria Boulevard and 88th Street in Queens. The report states he was 'ejected' and suffered 'severe lacerations' to the head after falling from the moving vehicle. The narrative details: 'A 47-year-old man clung to the outside of a dump truck. No belt. No shield. He fell. Skull met asphalt. Blood pooled. The truck rolled on, untouched. The man did not.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The vehicle, a 2005 PTRB dump truck registered in New Jersey, sustained no damage and continued westbound, according to the report. The man was not using any safety equipment at the time, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the systemic danger of unsecured riders and the unchecked movement of heavy vehicles through city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768345, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 44-year-old man working in the roadway was struck by a sedan in Queens. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, impacting the pedestrian’s lower leg and foot. The victim suffered bruises but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:30 in Queens near 32-17 103 Street. A sedan traveling north struck a pedestrian working in the roadway, causing injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian, a 44-year-old male, was conscious and sustained contusions. The collision involved two vehicles: a sedan moving straight ahead and a parked SUV. The point of impact on the sedan was the right front bumper, while the SUV was hit on the left side doors. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The driver’s failure to maintain attention directly led to the pedestrian’s injury, highlighting systemic dangers posed by distracted driving in work zones.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768337, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan driver suffered head injuries and whiplash after a rear-end collision on 85 Street. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors. The injured occupant remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt during impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:40 on 85 Street involving multiple sedans. One sedan, traveling southeast, was stopped in traffic when it was struck from behind at the center back end by another sedan whose driver was inattentive and distracted. The driver of the rear-ended sedan, a 53-year-old female occupant, sustained head injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious, secured by a lap belt. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors to the collision. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end crashes in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766297, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided head-to-tail on Grand Central Parkway. The driver of the struck vehicle suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. Both vehicles were damaged at their center rear and front ends.

At 5:49 AM on Grand Central Parkway, two sedans traveling westbound collided in a rear-end crash. According to the police report, the driver of the struck sedan, a 33-year-old male occupant, sustained back injuries and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. Both vehicles showed damage to their center back and front ends, indicating a direct rear impact. The injured driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and airbag deployment was noted. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. This collision underscores the dangers posed by driver distraction on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761629, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A city bus struck two parked sedans on 23 Avenue in Queens, injuring the bus driver. The impact damaged the left rear bumpers of both sedans and caused whiplash to the bus operator, who remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, a bus traveling eastbound on 23 Avenue in Queens collided with two parked sedans, both facing west. The bus impacted the left rear bumpers of the sedans, causing damage to the vehicles. The bus driver, a 61-year-old male, was injured with whiplash affecting his entire body but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The sedans were stationary prior to the crash, described as 'Parked' in the report. The report lists no specific contributing factors such as failure to yield or other driver errors, but the collision with parked vehicles indicates a loss of control or failure to maintain lane or distance by the bus driver. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved or cited. The incident highlights the dangers posed by large vehicles colliding with stationary vehicles on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760623, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle rider suffered a fractured shoulder after a sedan made an improper U-turn in Queens. The crash at night involved driver inattention and distraction. The motorcyclist, helmeted and conscious, was not ejected but sustained serious upper arm injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:41 near 32-23 Junction Boulevard in Queens. A sedan was making a U-turn southbound when it collided with a northbound motorcycle. The motorcycle driver, a 35-year-old male wearing a helmet, was injured with a fractured and dislocated shoulder and upper arm. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors, indicating the sedan driver failed to execute the U-turn safely. The motorcycle rider was not ejected and remained conscious after the impact. Vehicle damage was concentrated on the sedan's right front bumper and the motorcycle's center front end, confirming the collision point. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754313, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two vehicles crashed on 32 Avenue in Queens. The SUV struck the sedan’s left side doors. A 52-year-old female passenger suffered internal injuries to her abdomen and pelvis. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 14:45 on 32 Avenue in Queens involving a 2016 SUV traveling west and a 2004 sedan traveling south. The SUV impacted the left front bumper against the sedan’s left side doors. The sedan carried two occupants, including a 52-year-old female front passenger who sustained internal injuries to her abdomen and pelvis and was reported in shock. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report explicitly cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor for both vehicles. The injured passenger was restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to side-impact collisions at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755115, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan making a right turn struck a 29-year-old bicyclist traveling straight on 94 Street in Queens. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash involved limited driver visibility and following too closely, according to the police report.

At 9:50 AM on 94 Street near 30 Avenue in Queens, a sedan making a right turn collided with a bicyclist traveling straight ahead, according to the police report. The 29-year-old male bicyclist sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors that led to the crash. The bicyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the collision. No vehicle damage was reported. The driver of the sedan was licensed and operating the vehicle southbound. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist. This incident underscores the dangers posed by limited driver visibility and unsafe vehicle spacing during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747466, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 30-year-old male driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries when his SUV overturned after colliding with a sedan. Police cited unsafe speed and unsafe lane changing as contributing factors. The crash occurred on Grand Central Parkway at 4:20 a.m.

According to the police report, the crash involved two vehicles traveling eastbound on Grand Central Parkway at 4:20 a.m. A 30-year-old male driver in a 2018 SUV lost control after executing an unsafe lane change at unsafe speed. The SUV collided with a sedan, impacting its left rear quarter panel and causing the SUV to overturn. The driver sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The police report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factors to the collision. There is no indication of victim fault or other contributing behaviors. The sedan sustained damage to its right front bumper. This crash highlights the dangers of driver errors on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744413, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 46-year-old man suffered a severe leg fracture after a vehicle making a U-turn struck him on 87 Street near 23 Avenue in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was traveling at unsafe speed, causing a violent impact to the pedestrian.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:45 AM on 87 Street near 23 Avenue in Queens. The vehicle was making a U-turn and struck a 46-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing outside a signal or crosswalk. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as a serious injury. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its center front end, causing the injury. The pedestrian was conscious and not ejected from any vehicle. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior or safety equipment were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743410, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 15-year-old moped rider collided with a Ford SUV on 32nd Avenue. He flew from the seat, helmetless, body torn and bleeding, screaming awake. Speed and alcohol shadowed the crash. The street bore witness to another young life shattered.

A violent collision unfolded at 32nd Avenue and 107th Street in Queens when a moped, operated by a 15-year-old boy, slammed into the left front quarter panel of a Ford SUV, according to the police report. The report states the moped rider was 'partially ejected,' suffering severe lacerations to his entire body, and was found conscious and screaming at the scene. 'Unsafe Speed' is cited as a contributing factor in the crash, with 'Alcohol Involvement' also listed in the police data. The teen wore no helmet, as documented in the report. The Ford SUV was traveling west, while the moped headed north; both were reportedly going straight ahead before impact. The police narrative describes the aftermath in stark terms: 'Blood spread. He was awake. He screamed.' The crash underscores the lethal consequences of speed and alcohol on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743180, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A SUV slammed into the back of a sedan traveling north on 99 Street in Queens. The sedan’s driver, a 53-year-old man, suffered a back injury. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to maintain distance as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, at 9:07 AM on 99 Street in Queens, a 2017 Chevrolet SUV traveling north rear-ended a 2023 Honda sedan also heading north. The point of impact was the center front end of the SUV striking the center back end of the sedan. The sedan’s driver, a 53-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained a back injury classified as injury severity level 3 and remained conscious. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the sedan. Both drivers were going straight ahead prior to the collision. The SUV driver held a permit license from California, while the sedan driver was licensed in New York. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742144, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs collided on Grand Central Parkway, westbound. The driver of the rear vehicle suffered neck injuries. Police cited following too closely as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front and rear bumper damage in the crash.

According to the police report, at 7:40 AM on Grand Central Parkway, two sport utility vehicles traveling westbound collided. The rear SUV, driven by a 52-year-old male occupant, struck the left rear bumper of the lead SUV with its right front bumper. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash. The injured driver was conscious and suffered a neck injury, wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. Both vehicles sustained damage to their bumpers. The lead vehicle was driven by a licensed female driver from Texas, while the rear vehicle was driven by a licensed male driver from New York. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740015, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs collided on 23 Avenue in Queens, injuring three occupants. Drivers reacted to uninvolved vehicles, causing impact. Injuries ranged from abrasions to whiplash. All occupants wore seat belts and none were ejected. The crash left victims in shock and pain.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on 23 Avenue in Queens around 13:45. The crash involved a 2011 Jeep SUV traveling west and a 2016 GMC SUV also traveling west. The collision occurred due to drivers' reactions to uninvolved vehicles, cited as contributing factors. The Jeep's left front bumper struck the GMC's right rear bumper. Three occupants were injured: a 29-year-old female front passenger in shock, a 51-year-old male driver with back injuries and whiplash, and a 32-year-old male driver with abrasions to the elbow and lower arm. All occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report highlights driver errors related to reacting to other vehicles, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734169, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14