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

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 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 2025-08-04

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 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 2025-08-04

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

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

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

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 2025-08-04

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

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

A 39-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and whiplash after his SUV collided with an object on a slippery Grand Central Parkway. The vehicle’s left front bumper took the impact. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old male driver in a 2015 Infiniti SUV was injured in a crash on Grand Central Parkway at midnight. The report states the vehicle was traveling west, going straight ahead, when it struck an object with its left front bumper. The driver sustained head injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The contributing factor cited was slippery pavement, indicating road conditions played a role in the loss of control. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The report does not list any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding, but the slippery surface was a key factor in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790135 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped hit a 54-year-old woman crossing with the signal on 139th Street. She suffered fractured and dislocated leg bones. Police cite driver distraction. The street stayed quiet. The harm was loud.

According to the police report, a moped traveling north on 139th Street in Queens struck a 54-year-old woman as she crossed Hillside Avenue with the signal. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries, including fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The point of impact was the center front end of the moped, which showed no damage. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789603 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi driver distracted by inattention rear-ended a sedan on the Van Wyck Expressway. The sedan’s 63-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles were traveling north when the taxi changed lanes into the sedan’s path.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:35 a.m. on the Van Wyck Expressway. A taxi traveling north was changing lanes when it struck the center back end of a sedan also traveling north. The sedan’s 63-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt, sustained back injuries and complained of whiplash. The police report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor for the taxi driver. The sedan driver was not ejected and remained conscious. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the taxi. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788078 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Two sedans collided on Hillside Avenue in Queens just after midnight. The rear vehicle struck the front car’s center back end. The driver of the rear sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Hillside Avenue in Queens at 12:05 a.m. Two sedans traveling west collided when the rear vehicle struck the center back end of the front vehicle. The driver of the rear sedan, a 26-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles legally. The front vehicle was stopped in traffic, while the rear vehicle was going straight ahead before impact. There is no indication of victim error or other contributing factors beyond the rear driver’s inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786313 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Sedan flipped on Grand Central Parkway. Young woman ejected, whole body injured. Semiconscious at scene. No pedestrians or cyclists involved. Police list unspecified driver factors.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old woman driving a 2002 Honda sedan westbound on Grand Central Parkway overturned her vehicle. She was ejected and suffered injuries to her entire body, found semiconscious at the scene. The report lists unspecified contributing factors related to the driver. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The sedan sustained major damage, described as overturned. No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield are listed in the data. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead before the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789044 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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