No More Blood on Northern Boulevard

Feb 28 - 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 2025-09-19

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 25 - 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 2025-09-19

Feb 25 - 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 2025-09-19

Feb 24 - 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 2025-09-19

Feb 24 - A 24-year-old driver with inexperience and distraction caused a collision involving a bus, sedan, and pickup truck. The driver suffered whiplash but was not ejected. The crash occurred on Linden Place with front-end impacts on multiple vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:33 on Linden Place involving a bus, sedan, and pickup truck. The 24-year-old male driver, identified as the sedan driver, was injured with whiplash and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The bus was traveling north and impacted with its center front end to the sedan's left front bumper. The pickup truck was stopped in traffic and sustained damage to its left front bumper and quarter panel. The collision's multiple points of impact and the driver's errors highlight systemic dangers posed by inexperienced and distracted drivers in multi-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794908 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 20 - A 53-year-old woman on an e-scooter was injured after a sedan failed to yield while making a right turn on College Point Blvd. She was ejected and suffered full-body injuries including fractures and dislocations.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:40 on College Point Blvd in Queens. A sedan was making a right turn when it collided with an e-scooter traveling straight ahead. The e-scooter driver, a 53-year-old woman, was ejected from her vehicle and sustained injuries to her entire body, including fractures and dislocations. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor by the sedan driver. There was no damage reported to the sedan, and the e-scooter sustained unspecified damage. The injured woman was conscious at the scene. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the e-scooter driver. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver failure to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793967 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 20 - A motorcycle struck a woman crossing Kissena Blvd in Queens. The impact left her with leg and foot injuries. She was conscious at the scene. Another harsh reminder of danger for those on foot.

According to the police report, a licensed male driver on a 2024 Jiaju motorcycle was traveling westbound on Kissena Blvd when the motorcycle's center front end struck a 40-year-old female pedestrian crossing the street outside a crosswalk or signal. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity level 3. She was conscious at the scene. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The crash highlights the persistent risk to pedestrians in Queens, especially where crossings lack signals or marked crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793965 - 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 - SUV turned right, struck a 41-year-old man on a bike. He flew off, arm shattered. Police cite failure to yield. No damage to SUV. Blood on Sanford Avenue. Cyclist conscious, hurt.

According to the police report, an SUV making a right turn on Sanford Avenue in Queens struck a 41-year-old male bicyclist traveling east. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor, pointing to driver error. The impact ejected the bicyclist, causing severe injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious but suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated arm. The SUV showed no damage. No other contributing factors, such as victim behavior or safety equipment, were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792476 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - Council pushes for a study and five-year plan to install tactile paving on city sidewalks. The bill targets safer streets for blind and low-vision New Yorkers. Sponsors demand action, not delay.

Bill Int 1195-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on February 13, 2025. The bill, titled “A Local Law in relation to requiring a study and plan regarding the installation of tactile paving on sidewalks,” calls for a one-year study and a five-year plan to install tactile paving. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary sponsor), Sandra Ung, and Chris Banks back the measure. The plan will identify high-priority blocks, consult disability advocates, and set standards for design and maintenance. Annual progress reports must go to the Mayor and Council Speaker and be posted online.

• File Int 1195-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

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 10 - A sedan starting from parking struck a 63-year-old woman crossing Main Street in Queens. She suffered back and internal injuries. No driver errors listed. The street remains dangerous for those on foot.

According to the police report, a 2024 sedan driven by a licensed man struck a 63-year-old woman as she crossed Main Street in Queens around 7 PM. The car hit her with its left front bumper, injuring her back and causing internal complaints. She was conscious at the scene. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The driver was starting from parking at the time of impact. The pedestrian's crossing action is noted but not cited as a cause. No helmet or safety equipment applies, as the victim was a pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791822 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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

Feb 4 - Senate bill S 4421 seeks a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. Michael Gianaris leads. Robert Jackson, John Liu, Julia Salazar join. The move could shift riders from cars to buses. Status: sponsorship.

Senate bill S 4421, now at the sponsorship stage, proposes a one-year fare-free bus pilot in New York City. The bill summary reads: 'Provides a fare-free bus pilot program in New York City for one year, subject to appropriations.' Michael Gianaris sponsors, with Robert Jackson, John Liu, and Julia Salazar as co-sponsors. Introduced on February 4, 2025, the bill awaits committee review. No safety analyst has assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The pilot could change how New Yorkers move, but its effect on street safety remains unstudied.

• File S 4421, Open States, Published 2025-02-04

Feb 2 - Trump’s push to kill congestion pricing would gut MTA funding. John Liu calls it basic maintenance, not luxury. The plan’s billion-dollar revenue keeps subways running and streets safer. Without it, transit crumbles. Riders and vulnerable road users pay the price.

On February 2, 2025, NYC officials responded to reports of a federal move to repeal congestion pricing, just weeks after its January 5 launch. At a press conference, Council Member John Liu warned, “This is not for fancy stuff. This is basic transit maintenance.” Liu said losing congestion pricing would erase a billion dollars in annual MTA revenue, threatening $15 billion in planned upgrades. The money funds new subway cars, buses, station repairs, and safety improvements. U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined Liu, stressing millions rely on transit daily. Both officials opposed the repeal, highlighting the risk to the city’s transit backbone. The bill is not numbered, but the threat is clear: without congestion pricing, the city’s streets and subways grow more dangerous for everyone outside a car.

• Trump repeal of congestion pricing would devastate NYC transit, city pols warn, amny.com, Published 2025-02-02

Jan 25 - Two SUVs crashed on Northern Blvd. A 59-year-old woman driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inexperience and failure to yield. Impact hit her left front quarter panel.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided on Northern Blvd in Queens at 14:20. The crash injured a 59-year-old woman driving straight ahead. She suffered head trauma and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The male driver, merging, struck the woman’s vehicle on the left front quarter panel with his right front bumper. The police report confirms these driver errors led to the crash and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788383 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 21 - A 33-year-old male cyclist suffered a hip and upper leg contusion after a collision on Barclay Avenue in Queens. The crash involved a bike and a Lexus SUV, both traveling straight ahead. The cyclist was not ejected and sustained moderate injuries.

According to the police report, the collision occurred on Barclay Avenue in Queens at 17:50. A 33-year-old male bicyclist was injured, sustaining contusions to his hip and upper leg. The bicyclist was the driver of the bike and was not ejected during the crash. The vehicles involved were a bike and a Lexus SUV, both traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The point of impact was the center back end of the bike and the center front end of the Lexus. The report lists the bicyclist's contributing factors as unspecified and does not cite any driver errors or violations such as failure to yield or speeding. No additional contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the police data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787448 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19