Flushing Bleeds—And City Hall Lets It Happen

A firetruck struck a cyclist on Juniper Boulevard. The truck turned with lights and sirens. The cyclist was crushed under the rear wheels. Sheets covered the scene. Firefighters stood by, shaken. The victim died instantly. The investigation continues.

According to the New York Post (April 19, 2025), an FDNY Rescue Company 4 firetruck fatally struck a cyclist near Juniper Valley Park in Queens while responding to a call. The article states, "The truck was making a turn onto Juniper Boulevard...when the fatal accident occurred." Police reported the truck had lights and sirens activated. The cyclist ended up beneath the rear wheels and was pronounced dead at the scene. Photos showed emergency sheets covering the area. Witness Miguel Vega described firefighters as "shaken, like shocked." The incident highlights the dangers at intersections, especially when emergency vehicles turn. The crash is under investigation, with no details yet on policy or procedural changes.

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

A driver turning left on Holly Ave hit a 17-year-old girl in a marked crosswalk. She was conscious, hurt across her body. Police cite failure to yield. The car showed no damage.

A 17-year-old pedestrian was struck and injured while crossing Holly Ave in Queens. According to the police report, the driver was making a left turn and failed to yield right-of-way, hitting the teen in a marked crosswalk. The girl suffered abrasions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The vehicle's front end struck her, yet showed no damage. Two vehicle occupants were also listed in the report, but their injuries were unspecified. The police report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806486 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A former firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. He struck Justin Diaz’s car at 83 mph. Diaz died a block from home. The driver was drunk, high, and unregistered. The court revoked his bail. Diaz’s family mourns.

ABC7 reported on April 17, 2025, that ex-FDNY firefighter Michael Peña faces manslaughter and DWI charges after a deadly crash in Queens. Prosecutors allege Peña was drunk, high, and speeding at 83 mph—three times the limit—when he ran a red light and T-boned 23-year-old Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance and body camera footage show Peña admitting to running the light. Five hours after the crash, tests confirmed intoxication by alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Peña’s record includes prior arrests and 25 school zone speeding tickets. He also drove an unregistered vehicle with an obstructed plate and tinted windshield. The victim, Diaz, was headed to work and had just graduated college. The case highlights repeated driver violations and systemic failures in enforcement.

• Ex-Firefighter Charged In Queens Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-17

SUV hit bike on 147th Street. Ten-year-old boy hurt. Police cite driver inattention and bad lane use. No damage to vehicles. Streets failed the vulnerable again.

A crash on 147th Street in Queens involved an SUV and a bike. A ten-year-old boy riding as a passenger on the bike suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' contributed to the crash. Both the SUV and bike were going straight. No vehicle damage was reported. The police report lists driver inattention and improper lane usage as key factors. The child was left in shock. No helmet or signal issues were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804933 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A BMW and motorcycle collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both vehicles burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The BMW driver survived. No arrests. Police are investigating. Another life lost on a wide, fast Queens road.

According to NY Daily News (April 5, 2025), a fatal crash occurred at 60th Drive and Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Queens. A BMW SUV and a motorcycle, both heading south, collided around 9:22 a.m. Both vehicles caught fire. Police said, 'only the car driver survived the collision.' EMS pronounced the motorcycle rider dead at the scene. The BMW driver was hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests have been made, and police continue to investigate. The crash highlights the persistent dangers on major Queens thoroughfares, where high speeds and heavy traffic put vulnerable road users at risk.

• Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Blaze, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-05

A driver lost control near a Queens school. The car struck two children and a man. A seven-year-old girl’s leg snapped. Sirens wailed. Police arrested the driver. The sidewalk bore the scars. The city’s danger was plain.

According to the New York Post (April 4, 2025), an unlicensed driver reversed into a box truck, then spun onto the sidewalk outside Our World Neighborhood Charter School in Astoria, Queens. The crash injured three: a 7-year-old girl with a broken femur and head injury, a 14-year-old girl with leg injuries, and a 58-year-old man with bruises. The article states, 'Bah was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving and driving without a license.' This incident follows another recent crash involving a suspended license, highlighting recurring risks from unlicensed drivers. The crash underscores the persistent threat cars pose to people on city sidewalks, especially near schools.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits Kids Outside School, New York Post, Published 2025-04-04

Two cars struck Jorman Esparza-Olivares at a busy Rego Park crossing. He suffered head and body trauma. Medics rushed him to Elmhurst. He died six days later. Both drivers stayed. No charges. The intersection remains dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 3, 2025, that Jorman Esparza-Olivares, 23, was killed after being struck by two drivers while riding his e-bike north on 63rd Drive at Queens Blvd. The crash occurred just before 5:30 p.m. on March 19. According to police, 'It wasn't clear if any of the men involved in the crash ran a red light.' Esparza-Olivares suffered severe injuries and died six days later at Elmhurst Medical Center. Both drivers, operating a Ford SUV and a Mercedes Benz, remained at the scene and were not immediately charged. The incident highlights persistent risks for cyclists at major intersections and raises questions about traffic controls and driver awareness on Queens Blvd.

• E-Bike Rider Killed At Queens Intersection, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

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

A sedan turned left on Union Street, striking a 52-year-old woman in the crosswalk. Blood pooled on Negundo Avenue. She stayed conscious, head wounded. The driver failed to yield. The car showed no damage. The street bore the mark.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old woman was crossing Union Street at Negundo Avenue in a marked crosswalk when a sedan making a left turn struck her head with its front bumper. The report notes the woman suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. Police explicitly cite 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The sedan, registered in New York, showed no visible damage. The driver, a licensed man, did not yield while turning, as detailed in the narrative: 'The driver did not yield.' The victim was crossing without a signal, but the report lists only the driver's failure to yield as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the driver's actions and the systemic danger at the intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802702 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 59-year-old woman suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries after a sedan struck her on 149 St near Beech Ave. The driver’s inattention caused the collision. The pedestrian was conscious and bruised, hit while walking outside an intersection late at night.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:00 PM on 149 St near Beech Ave in Queens. A sedan traveling north struck a 59-year-old female pedestrian who was walking outside an intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her abdomen and pelvis but remained conscious. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan's right front bumper impacted the pedestrian, while a parked SUV nearby showed damage to its left rear bumper. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in areas where pedestrians may be present outside crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800277 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A 66-year-old man crossing Kissena Blvd was struck by a sedan. The driver’s inattention caused a center front end collision. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and minor bleeding, left in shock at the scene near Negundo Ave.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southeast on Kissena Blvd struck a 66-year-old male pedestrian crossing at an intersection near Negundo Ave in Queens at 11:29 PM. The vehicle’s center front end impacted the pedestrian, who sustained head injuries and minor bleeding, resulting in shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The driver was licensed and operating a 2018 Audi sedan. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving, which led directly to the pedestrian’s injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798508 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A speeding Mercedes tore through a red light in Queens. The driver, off-duty FDNY, struck a BMW. The crash ripped off the roof. The 23-year-old inside died. The firefighter stayed at the scene, reeking of alcohol, unsteady, charged with manslaughter.

ABC7 reported on February 28, 2025, that off-duty firefighter Michael Pena was arraigned after a fatal crash in East Elmhurst, Queens. Prosecutors say Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and t-boned a BMW, killing 23-year-old Justin Diaz. The article quotes DA Melinda Katz: "An FDNY firefighter who was off duty is accused of driving under the influence, running a steady red light and slamming into a 23-year-old motorist, killing him, as he drove more than three times the posted speed limit." Pena's blood alcohol content was .156 percent, and he allegedly had drugs in his system. The BMW was sent flying into a parked car, its roof torn off. Pena faces manslaughter and related charges. The case highlights the lethal risk of extreme speeding and impaired driving on city streets.

• Firefighter Charged After Deadly Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-02-28

A firefighter ran a red. Metal struck metal. A young man died. The street echoed with sirens. Two more rode to the hospital. The city keeps count. The danger stays.

According to the New York Post (February 27, 2025), off-duty FDNY firefighter Michael Pena drove through a red light at Northern Boulevard and 107th Street in Queens, striking Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance video captured Pena’s Mercedes “passing a red light on Northern Boulevard and T-boning Diaz’s 2022 BMW.” Diaz, 23, died at Elmhurst Hospital. Pena faces charges of vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to take a breath test. Two passengers in Pena’s car were hospitalized. The FDNY suspended Pena for 28 days without pay. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of red-light running and impaired driving, raising questions about enforcement and accountability on city streets.

• Red Light Crash Kills Driver in Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-02-27

A Mercedes ran a red on Northern Boulevard. It hit a BMW. The BMW’s roof tore off. The driver, Justin Diaz, died. The Mercedes driver, off-duty FDNY, was arrested. Friends mourned by candles. The street stayed empty. Speed ruled the night.

ABC7 reported on February 26, 2025, that a fatal crash in East Elmhurst left one driver dead and another in custody. The article states, "It appears the driver of the Mercedes blew a red light and t-boned the BMW at a high rate of speed." The BMW’s driver, Justin Diaz, was killed. The Mercedes driver, an off-duty firefighter, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to take a breathalyzer. The FDNY suspended him without pay. Witnesses noted frequent speeding on the boulevard at night. The crash highlights the persistent risks of high-speed driving and lax overnight enforcement on city streets.

• Red Light Run Kills Ramp Worker, ABC7, Published 2025-02-26

A sedan tore down Parsons Blvd and crashed into three parked SUVs. Metal twisted. The driver, alone and belted, suffered crushing injuries. Alcohol was present. The night in Queens was split by screeching steel and broken glass.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Parsons Blvd near Cherry Ave collided with three parked SUVs at 9:00 p.m. The driver, a 40-year-old man, was alone in the vehicle and wearing a seatbelt. He sustained crush injuries to his entire body but remained conscious at the scene. The report notes 'alcohol involvement' as a contributing factor in the crash. No other individuals were injured, as all struck vehicles were unoccupied and parked. The narrative describes the sedan slamming into the stationary SUVs, with metal folding and lights blinking in the aftermath. The data highlights the presence of alcohol in the driver's system, a critical factor in the violent impact. No victim behavior is cited as contributing to the crash. The focus remains on the systemic danger posed by impaired driving and the vulnerability of anyone on or near city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794838 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 64-year-old man was injured crossing Holly Ave with the signal. A sedan making a left turn struck him on the left side doors. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing knee and lower leg injuries. The pedestrian remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 64-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Holly Ave at an intersection with the signal when a 2024 Honda sedan, traveling south and making a left turn, struck him on the left side doors. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor by the vehicle driver. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The driver was licensed in New York and operating the vehicle legally. This collision highlights the critical danger posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 61-year-old woman suffered knee and head injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing at an intersection without signal. The driver’s error led to a serious collision with no vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 159 Street in Queens struck a 61-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection with 43 Avenue around 6:30 pm. The driver was making a left turn when the collision occurred, impacting the pedestrian with the vehicle's left front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication. She sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, foot, and suffered a concussion, classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report does not attribute any contributing fault to the pedestrian. The driver was licensed and operating a 2008 Honda sedan with one occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793107 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04