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 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

Feb 26 - A Mercedes ran a red. It hit a BMW broadside at 107th and Northern. The BMW’s driver died. The Mercedes driver, a firefighter, faces charges. Two passengers hurt. The street stayed quiet, but the damage was done.

According to NY Daily News (2025-02-26), a Mercedes-Benz driver allegedly ran a red light and struck a BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd. in Queens, killing 23-year-old Justin Diaz. The Mercedes, driven by FDNY firefighter Michael Pena, T-boned Diaz’s car. Surveillance footage showed Diaz entering the intersection as the pedestrian signal allowed crossing. Pena was arrested at the scene and charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusing a breath test. The FDNY suspended Pena without pay. Two Mercedes passengers were hospitalized. The article quotes a local shop owner: "It was terrible." The crash highlights the lethal risk of red-light running and impaired driving at city intersections.

• Red Light Crash Kills BMW Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-26

Feb 25 - A 26-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured after a sedan struck him on 140 St near Jewel Ave. According to the police report, driver inattention and improper turning caused the collision. The bicyclist suffered shoulder abrasions and shock.

According to the police report, at 8:40 AM on 140 St near Jewel Ave in Queens, a sedan entering a parked position struck a bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The bicyclist, a 26-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and sustained upper arm and shoulder abrasions and shock. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors on the part of the sedan driver. The point of impact was the sedan's right side doors and the bike's left front bumper. The sedan showed no damage, indicating a significant impact on the bicyclist. The bicyclist was injured but not fatally harmed. The police report highlights driver errors without attributing fault to the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794856 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 24 - A 2024 Jeep sedan struck the rear of a stationary or slow-moving bus on 150 Street. The sedan’s driver and a 13-year-old passenger suffered head injuries. Defective pavement and unspecified driver errors contributed to the crash, according to police.

According to the police report, a 2024 Jeep sedan traveling west on 150 Street collided with the center back end of a bus also traveling west. The bus sustained no damage, indicating it was likely stationary or moving slowly. The sedan’s driver, a 38-year-old male, and a 13-year-old female passenger were both injured, suffering head injuries with injury severity rated 3. Both occupants were not ejected and were conscious or in shock. The report lists 'Unspecified' driver errors and 'Pavement Defective' as contributing factors. No direct fault or error is assigned to the bus driver. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle without safety equipment. The collision highlights risks from road conditions and driver errors leading to rear-end crashes involving vulnerable vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 19 - A 39-year-old man crossing Jewel Avenue with the signal was hit. He suffered knee and leg injuries. The vehicle type is unknown. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed by police.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Jewel Avenue at Park Drive East with the signal. He sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report states the pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. No driver errors or contributing factors, such as failure to yield or distraction, were reported by police. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a cause. The focus remains on the pedestrian's injuries and the lack of documented driver fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793720 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 18 - Two sedans collided on 153 Street in Queens as both drivers made improper turns. Both drivers suffered whiplash and injuries to their entire bodies. The crash caused front-end damage to both vehicles and left both drivers conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:53 on 153 Street in Queens. Both involved vehicles were sedans traveling in opposite directions—one southbound making a left turn, the other northbound making a right turn. The report cites "Turning Improperly" as the primary contributing factor for both drivers. The female driver of the 2022 Toyota and the male driver of the 2013 Honda both sustained injuries described as affecting their entire bodies, including whiplash. Both drivers were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses at the time of the collision. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the Toyota and the left front bumper of the Honda, indicating a front-side collision during their improper turning maneuvers. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793652 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 14 - Senator Comrie backs a yellow alert system. Police would blast car details after deadly hit-and-runs. The goal: catch drivers who kill and flee. The bill stands at sponsorship. No safety review yet.

Senate Bill S 4946, sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie, aims to create a 'yellow alert system' for law enforcement to publicize vehicle information after fatal hit-and-run crashes. The bill is at the sponsorship stage as of February 14, 2025. The official summary reads: 'Establishes a "yellow alert system" for law enforcement to publicize vehicle information in instances of hit-and-run accidents in which a person has been killed.' No committee action or vote has occurred. No safety analyst has reviewed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• File S 4946, Open States, Published 2025-02-14

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 12 - A 27-year-old man crossing a marked crosswalk on Kissena Blvd was struck by a sedan making a left turn. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the victim injured and conscious.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Kissena Blvd and Jewel Ave in Queens at 11:23 PM. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal when a sedan, driven by a licensed female driver traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck him. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to his knee and lower leg but remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. This incident highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers in marked crosswalk areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792273 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Feb 10 - A distracted sedan driver struck an infant boy in Queens. The right front bumper hit his head. Blood pooled on the dark asphalt. The child lay semiconscious, not yet one year old. The road offered no protection. The car did not stop.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north near 75-11 150th Street in Queens struck an infant boy who was not yet one year old. The vehicle's right front bumper hit the child's head, causing severe bleeding and leaving him semiconscious on the roadway. The report states the crash occurred at 21:38, after dark. Driver inattention and distraction are cited as the sole contributing factors in both the vehicle and person records. The narrative confirms the driver was distracted at the time of impact. No contributing factors are attributed to the infant pedestrian. The police report describes the scene in stark terms: 'The right front bumper hit his head. He bled on the asphalt, semiconscious.' The data underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction, especially for the most vulnerable.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 3 - An e-bike rider suffered upper arm injuries after a crash caused by driver distraction. The collision occurred on 141 Street in Queens. The rider wore a helmet and was not ejected but was left in shock. The driver’s inattention was the key factor.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male e-bike rider was injured on 141 Street near 72 Avenue in Queens at 17:10. The rider sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries and was wearing a helmet. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor, cited twice. The rider was not ejected and showed no visible complaints but was in shock. The e-bike was traveling south, going straight ahead at the time of impact. Vehicle damage and point of impact were categorized as 'Other.' The driver was licensed in New York. The report focuses on the driver's failure to maintain attention, which led to the collision and subsequent injury of the vulnerable e-bike rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790469 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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 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 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 10 - A FDNY truck traveling north on 77 Ave struck two parked vehicles, causing center front end damage to the truck and rear bumper damage to the parked cars. Two drivers suffered concussions and bodily injuries amid driver distraction.

According to the police report, at 10:49 AM on 77 Ave in Queens, a FDNY truck traveling north collided with two parked vehicles, a sedan and an SUV. The point of impact on the truck was the left front bumper, resulting in center front end damage. The parked sedan sustained damage to its left rear bumper, and the SUV was hit on the roof and right front bumper. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash. Two drivers were injured: a 23-year-old male and a 44-year-old male, both conscious and suffering concussions with bodily injuries to the entire body and back respectively. Both drivers were restrained with safety equipment including airbags and lap belts. The collision involved no ejections, but the injuries were serious enough to be classified as injury severity level 3.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784977 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04