Middle Village’s long afternoon: crashes stack up, bodies fall, fixes wait

Jun 4 - Ambulance and taxi slammed together on Long Island Expressway. Neck injuries. Improper lane use and unsafe lane changes led to pain and bruises. The road stayed dangerous. No one walked away untouched.

An ambulance and a taxi crashed on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. Two drivers and several occupants suffered injuries, including neck pain and bruises. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' These driver errors caused the impact. The report lists pain, shock, and contusions among the injuries. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report details that both vehicles were traveling west when the collision occurred. The crash left every person in the vehicles affected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jun 3 - A truck slammed into a sedan’s rear on the Long Island Expressway. Three people suffered injuries. Whiplash and neck pain followed the impact. The crash left metal twisted, bodies shaken, and the night broken by sirens.

A collision between a tractor truck and a sedan occurred on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling straight when the truck struck the sedan’s center back end with its left front bumper. Three people were injured: the sedan’s driver, a 45-year-old woman, and two rear passengers, a 39-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman. All reported whiplash or neck injuries. The police report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as a contributing factor. No other driver errors were cited. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Helmet use and turn signals were not listed as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818077 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

May 31 - Two cars slammed together at unsafe speed on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both drivers hurt. Metal twisted. Shoulder and arm injuries. Night air thick with sirens. The street bore the mark of reckless force. Another Queens intersection, another crash.

A sedan and a taxi crashed at the intersection of Woodhaven Boulevard and 63rd Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling at unsafe speed. The sedan was making a left turn while the taxi was heading straight. The collision left both drivers injured. One driver, age 36, suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries and complained of whiplash. The other, age 45, had unspecified injuries. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash underscores the danger when drivers ignore speed limits on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817125 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

May 27 - A Buick SUV hit a woman and a child in Queens. Both were crossing Eliot Avenue with the signal. The driver failed to yield. The crash left them with leg injuries. The street stayed open. The system failed to protect them.

A Buick SUV struck a 33-year-old woman and a 3-year-old girl as they crossed Eliot Avenue at Lutheran Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both pedestrians were crossing with the signal when the driver, making a left turn, hit them. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The woman and child suffered abrasions and injuries to their legs. The SUV showed no damage. The driver, a 61-year-old man, was licensed and wore a lap belt. No injuries were reported for vehicle occupants. The crash underscores the danger faced by pedestrians, even when following the law.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816168 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

May 13 - Senate passes S 346. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. Pushes work zone safety. Sets up new enforcement fund. Lawmakers move to shield workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 346 cleared committee on May 13, 2025. The bill, titled 'Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker; promotes work zone safety awareness; establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement,' aims to crack down on drivers who threaten highway workers. Senator Jeremy Cooney led as primary sponsor, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, Christopher Ryan, and James Skoufis. The committee voted yes. The bill targets reckless driving in work zones, boosting penalties and funding enforcement. It marks a step to protect those most exposed to traffic danger.

• File S 346, Open States, Published 2025-05-13

May 11 - A sedan turned right on Cooper Ave. The driver failed to yield. The moped rider was struck and injured. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield.

A sedan and a moped collided at 79-88 Cooper Ave in Queens. The moped rider, a 27-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered a leg injury. According to the police report, the sedan driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The crash happened as the sedan made a right turn and struck the moped. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The moped rider was not using any safety equipment, as noted in the report, but the primary causes were driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 1 - SUV hit a 12-year-old boy crossing Eliot Avenue. The child suffered arm injuries. Police cite obstructed view as a factor. Streets failed to protect the vulnerable.

A 12-year-old boy was struck by a station wagon/SUV while crossing Eliot Avenue in Queens. He suffered injuries to his arm, including a contusion. According to the police report, 'View Obstructed/Limited' was a contributing factor in the crash. The driver, a 46-year-old woman, was traveling straight ahead when the impact occurred. The report lists no other contributing factors. The child was not at an intersection or crosswalk when hit. Systemic hazards and limited visibility played a role. No helmet or signal use was cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810276 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

May 1 - Two drivers suffered neck injuries when a sedan struck stopped cars on Juniper Blvd S. Police cite following too closely. Metal and glass. Sudden pain. Traffic did not forgive.

A sedan traveling north on Juniper Blvd S crashed into two stopped vehicles, injuring two drivers—a 23-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman—both suffering neck injuries. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely' and 'Other Vehicular' factors. The impact damaged the rear ends of the stopped cars and the front of the striking sedan. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no errors by the injured parties. Helmet or signal use was not cited as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811253 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Apr 29 - BMW SUV turned left on Woodhaven. Slammed into a northbound Honda. Metal twisted. A 76-year-old man crushed. Another man, same age, hurt. An infant shaken. All survived. Streets stayed dangerous.

A BMW SUV turned left into the path of a northbound Honda on Woodhaven Blvd near Eliot Ave. According to the police report, 'A BMW SUV turned left into the path of a northbound Honda. Metal screamed. A 76-year-old man crushed behind the wheel. Another man, same age, injured. An infant among the shaken.' The crash left a 76-year-old man with crush injuries and another man, also 76, injured. An infant was also involved but survived. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809181 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Apr 24 - Council bill orders NYPD to check temp plates and VINs. Cops must publish parking enforcement reports. Bill sits in Public Safety. Streets stay risky while data hides in shadows.

Int 1252-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, was introduced April 24, 2025. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to police department parking enforcement.' Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary), Oswald Feliz, Justin L. Brannan, Lincoln Restler, Robert F. Holden, and Chris Banks sponsor the measure. It forces NYPD to verify license plates and VINs on vehicles with temp tags or those ticketed for violations. NYPD must also publish quarterly parking enforcement reports. No safety analyst has assessed the bill's impact on vulnerable road users.

• File Int 1252-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-24

Apr 23 - A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.

The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.

• Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-04-23

Apr 21 - Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.

• Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-21

Apr 20 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The driver struck a man on a bicycle. He died at the scene. Police closed the street. Another life ended in the crosswalk’s shadow. The city investigates. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The crash happened as the truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street. According to police, 'the truck was turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street in Middle Village when the collision occurred.' The cyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists at intersections and the dangers of large vehicles turning across paths. Policy questions remain about intersection design and vehicle operation in dense neighborhoods.

• FDNY Truck Turns, Cyclist Killed In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-20

Apr 19 - A box truck turned right on Juniper Blvd North, crushing a cyclist. The rider, helmeted, died from crush injuries. Six truck occupants survived. The driver was injured. Traffic control was disregarded.

A box truck struck and killed a bicyclist while turning right at Juniper Blvd North and 80th Street in Queens. According to the police report, 'a box truck turned right and crushed a bicyclist. The bike was demolished. The rider, ejected and helmeted, died from crush injuries. Six truck occupants survived. One man, the driver, was injured.' The police listed 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor. The cyclist wore a helmet, but the primary cause was the truck driver's failure to obey traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807280 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Apr 19 - A firetruck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The wheels crushed a cyclist. Sirens wailed. Sheets covered the scene. Two firefighters stood stunned. The body lay beneath the truck. One life ended. The street stayed silent.

According to the New York Post (April 19, 2025), an FDNY Rescue Company 4 firetruck struck and killed a cyclist while turning onto Juniper Boulevard near Juniper Valley Park in Queens. The truck was responding to a call with lights and sirens. The victim, reportedly in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene after being trapped under the rear wheels. Photos showed the aftermath, with sheets covering the truck’s back wheels. A witness told the Post, “We stopped at the red light and there was the FDNY truck... One of them seemed concerned, like shaken, like shocked.” The incident is under investigation. The article highlights the risks at intersections and the dangers large emergency vehicles pose to vulnerable road users in city traffic.

• Firetruck Kills Cyclist Near Queens Park, New York Post, Published 2025-04-19

Apr 12 - SUV struck at unsafe speed on Cooper Avenue. Driver suffered leg fracture and dislocation. Impact hit left front bumper. Streets in Queens saw another injury under the weight of speed.

A station wagon/SUV traveling south on Cooper Avenue crashed while making a left turn. The driver, a 30-year-old woman, suffered a fractured and dislocated lower leg, according to the police report. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The vehicle's left front bumper took the impact, damaging the center front end. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the danger of speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805341 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10