Jamaica Hills Bleeds: Two Dead, Hundreds Hurt—When Will City Hall Wake Up?

Apr 5 - 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

Apr 4 - A car mounted the sidewalk at Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard. Metal twisted. Glass shattered. Nine people hurt—pedestrians, bus riders, car passengers. The bus stop became a scene of chaos. Sirens wailed. All survived. The street held the scars.

According to ABC7 (published April 4, 2025), a crash at Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard in Queens left at least nine people injured. Police said a 79-year-old woman, turning left, 'allegedly veered onto the sidewalk' to avoid a stopped Q10 bus, striking both the bus and its shelter. Four people waiting at the bus stop were hurt, as well as two bus passengers and three people inside the car. The article notes, 'Police stated that none of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries.' All were taken to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition. The incident highlights the danger when vehicles enter pedestrian space and the risks at crowded bus stops. The investigation continues.

• Car Jumps Curb, Injures Nine In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 2 - Two pick-up trucks crashed on Van Wyck. Passengers suffered neck and head injuries. Police cite reaction to another vehicle and other vehicular factors. Metal and pain on a Queens highway.

Two pick-up trucks collided on the Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. A 27-year-old passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Another passenger, age 30, reported head pain and nausea. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Other Vehicular' factors. Both trucks were traveling north. The front of one truck struck the rear of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no victim errors. All listed contributing factors point to driver or vehicle actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803038 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 30 - Two male drivers collided head-on on Gothic Drive in Queens. Both suffered internal injuries to their arms. The SUV driver was distracted and failed to keep right, causing the crash. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:30 PM on Gothic Drive in Queens involving a 2021 Audi SUV traveling west and a 2021 Lexus sedan traveling east. The SUV driver, a 26-year-old male, suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries and was conscious after the crash. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old male, sustained injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Keep Right' as contributing factors for the SUV driver. Both vehicles collided front-to-front, with the SUV's center front end and the sedan's left front bumper damaged. Neither occupant was ejected. The sedan driver's contributing factors were unspecified. The crash highlights driver error, particularly distraction and lane violation, as the cause of this serious collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802212 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 28 - Two sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway at 9 a.m. Both drivers were female and injured, suffering neck whiplash. The crash involved unsafe lane changing, striking the center back end of one vehicle and the front bumper of the other.

According to the police report, at 9:00 a.m. on Grand Central Parkway, two sedans traveling west collided. The driver of the 2023 Nissan sedan was changing lanes unsafely, striking the center back end of a 2021 Mercedes sedan that was going straight ahead. Both drivers, females aged 29 and 21, sustained neck injuries consistent with whiplash and were conscious at the scene. The driver of the Nissan was cited for unsafe lane changing as a contributing factor. The rear passenger in the Nissan also suffered neck injury. Neither occupant was ejected. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center back end of the Nissan and the front bumper of the Mercedes. The report highlights driver error in lane changing as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802486 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 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 10 - A 30-year-old male driver was found unconscious after a collision involving two SUVs in Queens. The impact damaged the left front quarter panel of one vehicle. The driver held a permit license. No other injuries or contributing factors were reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred in Queens near 152-11 85 Ave at 8:16 AM. Two station wagons/SUVs traveling east were involved. One vehicle was parked before the crash and sustained damage to its left front quarter panel. The injured party was a 30-year-old male driver who was unconscious at the scene. The driver held a New York permit license. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. There were no reported injuries to other occupants or pedestrians. Vehicle two showed no damage and no driver information was provided. The report does not indicate any victim behaviors or helmet use, focusing solely on the collision impact and driver status.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798199 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - A sedan traveling west on Jamaica Avenue struck a 39-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal. The impact caused abrasions and injuries to his lower leg and foot. The driver’s inattention was cited as the primary factor in the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling westbound on Jamaica Avenue in Queens struck a 39-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle’s point of impact was the center front end, indicating a direct collision with the pedestrian. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were noted. The driver’s failure to maintain attention while proceeding straight ahead created the conditions for this injury-causing crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797554 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 7 - A collision between two sedans traveling south on 150th Street in Queens caused a driver to suffer back injuries and whiplash. The crash, marked by rear-end impact, was linked to driver inattention. Both drivers were licensed men, one injured.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 86-04 150th Street in Queens around 12:10 PM. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead southbound when the crash occurred. The point of impact was the center back end of the lead vehicle and the center front end of the trailing vehicle. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. One driver, a 47-year-old man wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained back injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to rear-end crashes, with no contributing factors attributed to the injured occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797005 - 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

Mar 1 - A pickup truck barreled down Grand Central Parkway, smashing a sedan mid-turn and crushing a parked SUV. Blood pooled on the asphalt. A 56-year-old man, semiconscious, bled from his head as sirens screamed through Queens’ night.

According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling straight on Grand Central Parkway near 150th Street collided forcefully with a sedan that was making a right turn. The impact pushed the pickup into a parked SUV, crushing its rear. The report details that a 56-year-old male driver of the sedan was left semiconscious, suffering severe head bleeding. The narrative states: 'A pickup slammed into a turning sedan, then crushed a parked SUV. A 56-year-old man lay semiconscious, blood leaking from his head.' Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The crash data lists no victim behaviors as contributing factors. This collision highlights the deadly consequences of driver inattention and improper turning maneuvers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795524 - 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 24 - A 14-year-old girl suffered a back contusion and shock after a sedan struck her at an intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive, hitting the pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The vehicle showed no damage.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on 84 Ave struck a 14-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection with 164 St. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained a back contusion and was in shock, classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle's point of impact was the right front bumper, yet no vehicle damage was reported. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead at the time of the crash. This incident highlights critical driver errors leading to injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794670 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 10 - A 75-year-old man crossing at a marked crosswalk in Queens was struck by a vehicle making a right turn. The impact injured his hip and upper leg, leaving him in shock. The driver’s inattention caused the collision at a busy intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 6:30 PM in Queens near 83-18 Parsons Blvd. The pedestrian, a 75-year-old man, was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal when a vehicle making a right turn struck him on the right front bumper. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor, repeated twice, emphasizing the driver's failure to maintain focus. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his hip and upper leg and was left in shock. There is no mention of any pedestrian error or contributing factor beyond the driver’s distraction. The vehicle was damaged on the right front bumper, confirming the point of impact. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in intersections where pedestrians are legally crossing.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791821 - 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