College Point’s numbers don’t lie: four dead, nearly 500 hurt

Mar 28 - A speeding Mercedes ran a red in Queens. The driver, high and drunk, struck a young airport worker headed to his job. The worker died. Two passengers survived. The driver, a probationary firefighter, now faces manslaughter charges.

NY Daily News reported on March 28, 2025, that Michael Pena, a probationary FDNY firefighter, was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter in a Queens crash. Prosecutors said Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and struck Justin Diaz, 23, who had the right-of-way. Pena's blood-alcohol content was 0.156%, nearly double the legal limit, and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. The article states, 'Pena was driving nearly 60 mph above the speed limit after a night of drinking at a bar.' Surveillance footage confirmed the sequence. Two passengers in Pena's car were hospitalized. The crash highlights ongoing risks from impaired and reckless driving, even among public servants.

• Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-28

Mar 19 - A 47-year-old woman suffered neck abrasions after a sedan struck her at a Queens intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way while traveling eastbound. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the impact occurred.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 125 Street in Queens struck a 47-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection with 23 Avenue around 8:00 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor attributed to the driver. The pedestrian sustained neck abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The sedan's point of impact was the center front end, yet the vehicle showed no damage. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead prior to the crash. This incident highlights a critical failure by the driver to yield to a pedestrian legally crossing, resulting in injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799773 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 13 - A car hit a man and a child in Flushing. The man lay trapped under the vehicle. Both went to the hospital. The man’s injuries were critical. The driver stayed at the scene. Police are still investigating.

ABC7 reported on March 13, 2025, that a car struck two pedestrians at 32nd Avenue and 138th Street in Queens. Police found an adult man pinned under the vehicle and a child, aged 8 to 10, also injured. Both were hospitalized, with the man in critical condition. The article states, 'Police responded...and found an adult man pinned under a vehicle.' The driver remained at the scene, and the investigation continues. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at city intersections. No charges or details on driver actions were released at the time of reporting.

• Man And Child Struck In Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-03-13

Mar 9 - Two women suffered back injuries in a Queens crash. One driver backed unsafely, the other was distracted. Both were conscious and restrained. The impact left both with whiplash and damage to their sedans’ front quarters on Linden Place near 28 Avenue.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Linden Place near 28 Avenue in Queens at 16:57. Two sedans traveling north collided. One driver, a 60-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and whiplash after backing unsafely. She was restrained with a lap belt and harness and remained conscious. The other vehicle’s driver, a 51-year-old woman, was also injured with back pain and whiplash. The report cites driver inattention and distraction, as well as driver inexperience, as contributing factors for the second driver who was making a U-turn. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front bumpers. The report highlights driver errors—backing unsafely and distraction—as the causes of the collision. Neither victim’s actions were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799508 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - An SUV struck an e-bike from behind on 14 Road in Queens. The bicyclist, a 58-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash that left the rider bruised but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 14 Road in Queens at 16:20. A 58-year-old male bicyclist riding an e-bike westbound was struck from behind by a westbound Nissan SUV. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper hitting the center back end of the e-bike. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for both parties, highlighting driver error as central to the collision. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The e-bike showed no vehicle damage, while the SUV sustained damage to its left front bumper. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799774 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 4 - A drunk, speeding firefighter ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died. He was 23. His family buried him with his new degree. The firefighter faces charges. The street remains unchanged.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-04), Justin Diaz, 23, was killed when an off-duty FDNY firefighter, Michael Pena, sped through a red light at 83 mph in a 25 mph zone and struck Diaz’s BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd. Diaz was heading to work at LaGuardia Airport. Prosecutors say Pena was drunk, high on cocaine and marijuana, and refused a breath test. His blood-alcohol content was 0.156 percent. Surveillance footage confirmed Diaz had the right-of-way. The article notes, 'The victim had the right-of-way, and Pena ran a steady red light, prosecutors say.' Pena was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI. His license was suspended. The case highlights ongoing dangers for New York City road users and questions about bail and accountability for reckless drivers.

• Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Airport Worker, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-04

Feb 27 - 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

Feb 24 - A Ford sedan turned left on College Point Blvd, striking a southbound cyclist. Steel hit flesh. The rider, 32, fell. Legs crushed. The street fell silent except for pain. Police cite driver distraction. Systemic danger left another body broken.

A collision occurred on College Point Blvd near 14th Road in Queens at 5:49 a.m., involving a Ford sedan and a southbound cyclist. According to the police report, the sedan was 'making left turn' when it struck the cyclist, who was 'going straight ahead.' The report states, 'Steel met skin. The rider, 32, fell hard. Legs crushed.' The cyclist suffered crush injuries to the lower legs and remained conscious at the scene. Police explicitly list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both the sedan and the crash overall. The sedan’s left front bumper struck the bike’s center front end. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after driver distraction is cited as the cause. The crash underscores the persistent risk posed by inattentive drivers to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794907 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 19 - A sedan traveling south struck a westbound bicyclist at 132-23 14 Ave in Queens. The cyclist, a 29-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention as the cause, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving.

According to the police report, a 2003 Toyota sedan traveling south collided with a westbound bicycle at the intersection of 132-23 14 Ave in Queens at 5:59 PM. The bicyclist, a 29-year-old female, was injured with contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected from her bike. The point of impact was the sedan's right rear quarter panel striking the bike's center front end. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain proper attention. No contributing factors were assigned to the bicyclist. This crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction in collisions with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797345 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 14 - A minivan left the road in Queens. It hit a tree. One woman died. Three others, all seniors, went to the hospital. The crash happened on Brookville Boulevard, near Sunrise Highway. Police are investigating. The road stayed quiet after.

According to the NY Daily News (published February 14, 2025), a minivan from Eunhae Adult Daycare crashed while leaving a senior residence in Queens. The 74-year-old driver 'lost control of the wheel at the Sunrise Highway.' The vehicle veered off Brookville Blvd and struck a tree. Four people were inside, all seniors. One woman in her 70s died after being found unconscious in the back seat. Three others, including the driver, were hospitalized but expected to survive. Police are investigating the cause. The article highlights the dangers faced by passengers in vehicles operated by older drivers and the risks at busy intersections like Brookville Boulevard and Sunrise Highway.

• Minivan Crash Kills Woman, Injures Three, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-14

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 8 - A car struck an underpass on Belt Parkway. Metal twisted. A woman, 27, died at the hospital. A man survived. Police do not know who drove. The wreck left questions. The system failed to protect its passengers.

According to NY Daily News (published February 8, 2025), a single-car crash on Queens’ Belt Parkway killed a 27-year-old woman and injured a 30-year-old man. The white Toyota sedan hit an underpass near 225th Street around 3:50 a.m. Both occupants were found outside the wreck when police arrived. Investigators are unsure who was driving at the time of impact: 'Since both occupants were out of the car at the time of the crash, investigators haven't figured out who was driving, police said.' The woman died at Long Island Jewish Hospital-Valley Stream; the man was expected to survive. The article highlights ongoing uncertainty about driver identity and underscores the persistent risks on city highways, especially where loss of vehicle control leads to deadly outcomes. The investigation continues.

• Woman Killed In Queens Parkway Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-08

Feb 5 - A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

Jan 22 - A Toyota RAV4 jumped the curb on 90th Avenue, slammed into a garage, and collapsed the structure. The driver, Mamadou Barry, was trapped. First responders pulled him out, but he died at the hospital. No other injuries reported.

According to NY Daily News (2025-01-22), Mamadou Barry, 63, was driving his Toyota RAV4 along 90th Ave. in Jamaica, Queens, around 5:20 a.m. when he lost control, hopped a curb at 143rd St., and crashed into a detached garage. The impact caused the garage to collapse onto both his SUV and a parked, unoccupied Prius. Police said Barry was trapped and later died at Jamaica Hospital. The article notes, 'he lost control of the SUV, which went crashing into a detached garage in Queens, police said.' Family members stated Barry had no known medical issues. The cause of the crash remains unclear. No other injuries were reported. The incident highlights the dangers faced by drivers and bystanders in residential areas where structures sit close to the street.

• Uber Driver Dies in Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-22

Jan 16 - Two SUVs slammed together on 125 Street. Metal twisted. Five people hurt. Backs and necks snapped forward. Police blamed driver inexperience and distraction. No pedestrians involved. The street stayed loud.

According to the police report, two SUVs crashed on 125 Street at 9:43 AM in Queens. Both vehicles were going straight when they collided. Five occupants, ages 25 to 82, suffered whiplash and back or neck injuries. All were conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factors for both drivers. No other factors, such as helmet use or passenger actions, were cited. The crash underscores the risk posed by inexperienced and distracted drivers behind the wheel of large vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786216 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 14 - Opponents of congestion pricing use subway crime to stir fear and block change. Data shows streets are deadlier than trains. Riders keep riding. Politicians and advocates clash. The real danger: distraction from fixing transit and protecting people on foot and bike.

""They laugh at your concerns because they don't care. Nothing changes because they don't care. And now this moron is going to get billions more dollars on the backs of working people to pad his completely dysfunctional and unaccountable agency -- and openly celebrate it."" -- Vickie Paladino

On January 14, 2025, a public debate erupted over congestion pricing and subway safety in New York City. The matter, titled "Masters of Deflection: Congestion Pricing Foes Stoke Fear of Subway Crime," highlights how some council members and political groups use concerns about subway crime to oppose congestion pricing. Councilwoman Vickie Paladino voiced strong opposition, while advocates like Sara Lind and Ben Furnas countered that such arguments ignore real solutions and endanger transit funding. The article notes, 'Data shows the subway is statistically safer than city streets for both pedestrians and drivers.' Despite visible homelessness and high-profile crimes, most riders continue to use the subway. The debate exposes how fear is weaponized to block policies that could reduce traffic violence and improve safety for vulnerable road users. No direct safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Masters of Deflection: Congestion Pricing Foes Stoke Fear of Subway Crime, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-14

Jan 13 - Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Jan 2 - Two occupants suffered head and neck injuries in a Queens collision. The sedan stopped in traffic was struck from behind by an SUV traveling east. Police cite aggressive driving and driver distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 11 Ave in Queens at 3:00 PM. A sedan, stopped in traffic, was hit from behind by a GMC SUV traveling east. The sedan's driver, a 32-year-old woman, and the front passenger, a 27-year-old man, both sustained head and neck injuries, including whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report identifies aggressive driving and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The SUV driver was male and licensed in New York. The impact point was the center back end of the sedan and the center front end of the SUV. Vehicle damage was noted on the sedan but not on the SUV. The report explicitly cites driver errors—aggressive driving and distraction—as causes, with no mention of victim fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783624 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 2 - Two sedans collided head-on on Malba Drive in Queens. Both drivers, a 36-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman, suffered whiplash and injuries to the hip and neck. Impact damaged right side doors and front bumpers of the vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:47 on Malba Drive in Queens. Two sedans, one traveling west and the other south, collided with impact points at the right front quarter panel and left front bumper respectively. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The 36-year-old male driver suffered injuries to his hip and upper leg with complaints of whiplash. The 57-year-old female driver sustained neck injuries and also complained of whiplash. Vehicle damage included right side doors and center front end. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified for both drivers, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785079 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 18 - A pick-up truck struck the rear of an SUV traveling north on 20 Avenue. Three occupants in the truck suffered back injuries and whiplash. The collision caused center-end damage to both vehicles. Driver errors remain unspecified, with no victim fault noted.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling north on 20 Avenue rear-ended a northbound SUV at the center back end of the SUV and the center front end of the truck. The truck carried three occupants, including the driver, all injured with back injuries and whiplash. The driver of the truck was licensed in New York, and the SUV driver was also licensed and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors other than 'Unspecified' for all occupants. The crash time was 8:45. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited. The report notes 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor but does not clarify which party it applies to. The collision caused center-end damage to both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780437 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19