Richmond Hill Bleeds While Leaders Stall: Lower the Speed, Save a Life

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 driver reversed on Atlantic Ave, striking a woman in the crosswalk. She suffered a leg injury. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe backing. The street remains dangerous for those on foot.

A driver backed up on Atlantic Ave at 112 St in Queens and struck a 50-year-old woman crossing in a marked crosswalk. She was injured in the leg and remained conscious. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely.' Two vehicle occupants were also involved but not seriously hurt. The report lists no other contributing factors. The pedestrian was following the crosswalk, but driver error led to her injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803044 - 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

A taxi struck the rear of a southbound SUV on Queens’ Van Wyck Expressway. Two passengers suffered neck injuries with whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. Both victims were conscious and restrained by lap belts.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:19 on Queens’ Van Wyck Expressway near 89 Avenue. A 2025-model taxi traveling south struck the center back end of a southbound 2008 SUV. The taxi driver was licensed and going straight ahead. The collision caused neck injuries and whiplash to two female passengers: a 33-year-old driver occupant and a 62-year-old left rear passenger. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts. The report explicitly cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors related to the victims were noted. The impact point and vehicle damage confirm the taxi rear-ended the SUV, underscoring driver error as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801001 - 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

Dozens gathered in Midtown. They demanded e-bike registration and license plates. Priscilla’s Law, named for a pedestrian killed by an e-bike, drove the call. Council Member Holden and Assembly Member Rajkumar led. Advocates want accountability. They say e-bike chaos endangers walkers and cyclists.

On March 12, 2025, Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30) joined Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and advocates in Midtown to rally for Priscilla’s Law (A339). The bill would require all e-bikes to have license plates and be registered with the DMV or DOT. The rally, held near Governor Hochul’s office, drew support from the NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance. The matter title: 'New Yorkers rally in Midtown to combat “lawless” e-bike riding in NYC.' Holden supports both city and state versions, stating, 'We need the state DMV to issue license plates for e-bikes.' Rajkumar declared, 'We will usher in a new era free of e-bikes blasting through red lights.' The bill is named for Priscilla Loke, killed by an e-bike in 2023. Advocates say e-bike collisions often end in hit-and-runs. They demand rules and consequences to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

• New Yorkers rally in Midtown to combat “lawless” e-bike riding in NYC, amny.com, Published 2025-03-12

A 25-year-old e-scooter rider suffered knee and leg injuries after a crash on 112 St near Jamaica Ave in Queens. The scooter’s right rear was struck. The rider stayed conscious. No other errors listed.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male riding an e-scooter northbound on 112 St near Jamaica Ave in Queens was injured in a collision at 12:10. The impact struck the scooter’s right rear quarter panel, causing contusions and bruises to the rider’s knee, lower leg, and foot. The rider remained conscious and was not ejected. The other vehicle involved sustained damage to its right front bumper. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors beyond the unlicensed operation of the e-scooter. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799086 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV swung left, struck firetruck head-on in Queens. Driver hurt, neck and whiplash. Firetruck front smashed. Improper turn triggered the crash. Streets stayed loud, dangerous.

According to the police report, an SUV making a left turn on Jamaica Avenue collided with a firetruck traveling straight. The 56-year-old male SUV driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The report lists "Turning Improperly" as the main contributing factor. The SUV's left rear quarter panel hit the firetruck's center front end, damaging both vehicles. The SUV driver was conscious and restrained. The firetruck carried five licensed occupants. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted. The crash shows the risk when drivers turn improperly near large emergency vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796707 - 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

Senate bill S 5801 demands licenses and insurance for e-scooter riders. No license, no sale. Sponsors push manuals and safety lessons. The city’s streets stay risky for those outside cars.

Senate bill S 5801, sponsored by Luis R. Sepúlveda and co-sponsored by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., sits at the sponsorship stage. Filed March 3, 2025, it aims to 'establish a bicycle and electric scooter operator's safety manual' and require licenses and insurance for e-scooter riders in New York City. The bill bars sales to unlicensed, uninsured buyers. It also folds scooter safety into driver education. No safety analyst has weighed in on the impact for vulnerable road users. The measure’s focus is paperwork, not street design or driver accountability.

• File S 5801, Open States, Published 2025-03-03

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 29-year-old woman was hit in Queens while crossing with the signal. The sedan, making a left turn, failed to yield right-of-way. Impact to the pedestrian’s face caused bruising. The driver’s error triggered the collision at Jamaica Avenue.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southeast on Jamaica Avenue in Queens struck a 29-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the vehicle, making a left turn, impacted her in the center front end. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruising to her face and was conscious at the scene. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The driver was licensed and operating a 2009 Honda sedan. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as failure to yield, especially at intersections where pedestrians have the right-of-way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794787 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two vehicles collided head-on on Queens' 90 Avenue late at night. A 25-year-old male motorcyclist suffered a fractured knee and dislocation. Both drivers were distracted, causing the crash and severe injuries without ejection or loss of consciousness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:37 on 90 Avenue in Queens involving a 2007 SUV and a 2025 motorcycle. Both drivers were traveling straight ahead when their vehicles collided front to front. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both drivers. The motorcyclist, a 25-year-old male wearing a helmet, was injured with a fractured and dislocated lower leg and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The SUV driver, a licensed female, also contributed to the crash through distraction. The collision caused center front-end damage to both vehicles. The report focuses on driver errors, specifically inattention and distraction, as the cause of the crash and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794529 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped traveling west on Atlantic Avenue struck a 19-year-old female pedestrian outside an intersection. The driver’s inattention caused a center-front collision, inflicting neck injuries and whiplash. The pedestrian remained conscious but seriously hurt.

According to the police report, a moped traveling westbound on Atlantic Avenue in Queens struck a 19-year-old female pedestrian who was not at an intersection. The point of impact was the center front end of the moped. The pedestrian suffered neck injuries and complained of whiplash, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. No pedestrian actions or safety equipment were noted as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted vehicle operators, particularly mopeds, in areas where pedestrians may be present outside of crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793327 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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