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

Mar 5 - 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 2025-09-19

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 3 - 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

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 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 2025-09-19

Feb 22 - 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 2025-09-19

Feb 17 - 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 2025-09-19

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 - 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 9 - A 49-year-old woman suffered lower leg injuries after a sedan failed to yield at a marked crosswalk on Hillside Avenue. The driver struck her with the vehicle’s left front bumper, causing shock and minor bleeding. The crash unfolded late at night.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:52 PM on Hillside Avenue in Queens. A 49-year-old female pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal when a sedan traveling eastbound struck her with its left front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, emphasizing the driver’s error in yielding to the pedestrian. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, experienced shock, and had minor bleeding. The sedan, a 2014 Nissan operated by a licensed male driver, was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The report does not list any pedestrian behaviors as contributing factors, focusing solely on the driver’s failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791470 - 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

Jan 25 - SUV hit sedan’s right side on Atlantic Avenue. Rear passenger suffered neck whiplash. Police cite driver inattention. Streets in Queens left another vulnerable rider hurt.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV traveling west on Atlantic Avenue in Queens struck the right side of a southbound Nissan sedan at 16:41. The impact injured a 58-year-old woman seated in the sedan’s right rear seat. She suffered a neck injury, described as whiplash, and was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No victim actions contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788405 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 23 - A 62-year-old woman crossing 86th Road in Queens was struck by a sedan making a left turn. The driver’s inattention caused impact to the pedestrian’s lower leg and foot. The victim suffered abrasions but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling northwest on 86th Road in Queens struck a 62-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection. The driver was making a left turn when the collision occurred, with the point of impact on the vehicle’s left front bumper. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk and sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, including abrasions. She remained conscious after the crash. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating a 2017 Honda sedan with two occupants. This crash underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers in busy urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787886 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 23 - Council wants every cyclist in New York to wear a helmet. No helmet, pay a $50 fine. The bill targets riders not already covered by other laws. Debate now sits with the transportation committee.

Bill Int 1173-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced January 23, 2025. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of New York, in relation to requiring bicyclists to wear protective headgear.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams leads as primary sponsor, joined by Council Members Holden, Vernikov, Narcisse, Moya, Schulman, Louis, Hanks, Brannan, and Zhuang. The measure would fine cyclists up to $50 for riding without a helmet, unless already required by other laws. The bill awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 1173-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-23

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 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Dec 19 - A 26-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by a northbound sedan making a left turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered bruises and lower leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 102 Street at Atlantic Avenue in Queens around 6:57 PM. The report states the sedan driver, a licensed female, was making a left turn northbound when the collision occurred. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal, but the driver failed to yield right-of-way and showed signs of inattention or distraction. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, which sustained no damage. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, but remained conscious. The report explicitly cites driver errors—failure to yield and driver inattention—as contributing factors, with no mention of pedestrian fault or equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780113 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19