No More Blood on Northern Boulevard

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 sedan crashed into a stopped truck on Northern Blvd. Alcohol and speed fueled the impact. The sedan driver was hurt. The truck’s rear took the blow. Streets stayed dangerous for all.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on Northern Blvd in Queens struck the right rear bumper of a tractor truck that was stopped in traffic. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old man, suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. The sedan’s left front bumper was damaged; the truck’s rear was hit. The truck had two occupants and was legally stopped. Driver errors included impaired driving and unsafe speed. No contributing factors were attributed to the truck or its occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802505 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Steel swept through the crosswalk on Main Street. A Toyota turned right. Two lives, a woman and a man, both crossing with the signal, both struck. Head wounds. Crushed limbs. Conscious, broken, left in the street.

According to the police report, a Toyota making a right turn at Main Street and Dahlia Avenue in Queens struck two pedestrians—a 56-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man—who were crossing with the signal. Both victims suffered head wounds and crush injuries, and were reported conscious at the scene. The police report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The data confirms both pedestrians were in the intersection and crossing lawfully with the signal when the vehicle hit them. No additional contributing factors related to pedestrian behavior are listed. The collision underscores the lethal consequences of driver failure to yield, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800945 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A westbound SUV struck the right rear bumper of a sedan on the Whitestone Expressway. Two vehicle occupants suffered contusions and bruises. The crash was caused by following too closely, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Whitestone Expressway at 16:23. A 2022 Toyota SUV traveling west struck the right rear bumper of a 2022 Honda sedan also traveling west. The point of impact was the right rear bumper of the sedan and the right side doors of the SUV. The police report cites "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor to the collision. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old male, and a 67-year-old female passenger in the SUV were both injured. Both occupants were conscious and sustained contusions and bruises, with injuries to the head and entire body respectively. Both were restrained with lap belts and were not ejected. The crash involved no pedestrians or cyclists. The report highlights driver error in maintaining safe distance as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800962 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound SUV and eastbound sedan collided at Elder Avenue in Queens. The sedan driver, making an improper right turn, struck the SUV’s left front quarter. The SUV driver suffered neck contusions but remained conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:30 AM on Elder Avenue in Queens. A 36-year-old male driver of a 2021 SUV was stopped in traffic when a 2024 BMW sedan, traveling east and making a right turn, collided with the SUV’s left front quarter panel. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to execute the turn correctly. The SUV driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained neck contusions and bruising but was conscious and not ejected. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision caused damage to the front end of the sedan and the left front quarter panel of the SUV. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 21-year-old man was injured crossing Prince Street with the signal when an SUV making a left turn struck him. The impact caused contusions to his hip and upper leg. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:24 on Prince Street in Queens. A 21-year-old male pedestrian was crossing with the signal at an intersection when he was struck by a 2022 Toyota SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to his hip and upper leg and was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" by the SUV driver as a contributing factor. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed in New York. No pedestrian errors or contributing factors were noted beyond the driver’s failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800273 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 78-year-old woman crossed Northern Blvd. An SUV hit her head-on. She died beneath the headlights, the street silent and cold. The crash left her broken body sprawled on the blacktop, another life ended by steel and speed.

According to the police report, a 78-year-old woman was crossing Northern Blvd near Parsons Blvd in Queens when a westbound SUV struck her head-on. The report states she was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. The impact killed her instantly, leaving her body in the roadway. The vehicle involved was a station wagon or SUV traveling straight ahead, with the point of impact at the center front end. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' offering no further detail on driver behavior or conditions. The narrative underscores the stark aftermath: 'her body still beneath the glare of headlights, as silence settled over the blacktop.' No evidence from the report suggests any action by the victim contributed to the crash; the focus remains on the lethal force of the vehicle and the vulnerability of the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799008 - 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

Two sedans collided on College Point Blvd, metal shrieking, parked cars mangled. A man gripped his chest. An 11-year-old girl’s neck was pinned. Both left broken. Improper lane use carved chaos into Queens streets.

According to the police report, two sedans collided near 35-32 College Point Blvd in Queens, sending violence through the line of parked cars. The crash left a 35-year-old man with chest injuries and an 11-year-old girl with neck injuries, both described as conscious but suffering crush injuries. The report states, 'Improper passing carved silence into steel,' and lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the primary contributing factor for both vehicles involved. Parked sedans absorbed the brunt of the impact, their rear ends crumpled. The data makes clear: driver error—specifically improper passing and lane usage—set the stage for this collision. No victim behavior is cited as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the dangerous decisions behind the wheel and the systemic risks that haunt Queens streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798374 - 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 79-year-old man suffered severe leg injuries when a sedan making a left turn struck him at a Queens intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing a violent impact that fractured the pedestrian’s knee and lower leg.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:33 PM on Sanford Ave near Kissena Blvd in Queens. A 2015 Nissan sedan, traveling south and making a left turn, struck a 79-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection. The point of impact was the vehicle’s left front quarter panel, which sustained damage. The pedestrian was conscious but suffered a fracture and dislocation to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report explicitly cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The pedestrian’s actions were not listed as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle with two occupants inside. This collision underscores the dangers posed by driver errors at intersections, especially failure to yield to pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795805 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 76-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a southbound sedan on Main Street in Queens. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing a severe injury with fractures and dislocations. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact.

According to the police report, a 76-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Main Street and Blossom Avenue in Queens at 18:12. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a southbound Tesla sedan struck her at the center front end. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her entire body, including fractures and dislocations, and was conscious at the scene. Despite the severity of the pedestrian's injuries, the sedan sustained no damage. The crash highlights a critical failure by the vehicle operator to yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing, underscoring systemic danger at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795108 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided head-on on Willets Point Boulevard in Queens. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. A 30-year-old male driver suffered an elbow abrasion, conscious and injured at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:16 on Willets Point Boulevard in Queens involving two sport utility vehicles traveling eastbound. The collision impacted the left side doors of one SUV and the center front end of the other. The report cites aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors that led to the crash. A 30-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining an abrasion to his elbow and lower arm. He remained conscious and was not ejected from his vehicle. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead before the collision. The report does not list any victim behaviors contributing to the crash. The focus remains on driver aggression as the primary cause of this collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794989 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 48-year-old woman was struck by a southbound sedan on Main St while crossing outside a crosswalk. The vehicle’s left front bumper hit her knee and lower leg. The pedestrian suffered bruising and was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2023 Audi sedan traveling south on Main St struck her outside a crosswalk. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper, which caused contusions and injuries to the pedestrian's knee and lower leg. 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, but the report emphasizes the driver's failure to yield. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision. The pedestrian remained conscious after the crash, and the vehicle sustained damage to its left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795803 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04