Crash Count for Jamaica
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 2,735
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,619
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 340
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 10
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 4
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 29, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Jamaica?

Jamaica Bleeds While Leaders Stall: Demand Safe Streets Now

Jamaica Bleeds While Leaders Stall: Demand Safe Streets Now

Jamaica: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 19, 2025

The Toll in Jamaica: Lives Shattered, Streets Unchanged

In the past year, Jamaica saw 1 killed, 5 seriously hurt, and 475 injured in 766 crashes. The numbers do not bleed, but the people do. Last month, a 16-year-old was left with severe facial wounds after a moped and taxi collided on Hillside Avenue. The cause: unsafe speed and a bad lane change. The boy survived. Many do not.

Pedestrians, cyclists, and children remain at risk. In the last twelve months, 42 children were injured on these streets. One person over 55 died. The roll call of pain is long, and it does not end.

“I Went This Way and That Way”: The Human Cost

On July 11, an MTA bus in Queens jumped the curb and struck a pole, injuring eight. Ken Baur, a passenger, said, “I was all the way in the back and all of a sudden the bus hit the curb, I guess, jumped the curb, I went this way and that way and banged into the side of the bus.” The driver had fallen asleep. The MTA pulled him from service. The investigation is not over. The injuries were called minor. For the people on that bus, the memory will not be.

A few blocks away, a 56-year-old man was killed crossing Hillside Avenue. He was not at a crosswalk. The SUV kept going straight. The man did not.

Leadership: Votes, Delays, and the Fight for Safer Streets

Local leaders have taken some steps. State Senator Leroy Comrie voted yes on the Stop Super Speeders Act, a bill to force repeat speeders to install speed-limiting devices. He also voted to extend school speed zones. These are steps, not leaps.

But the pace is slow. It still takes years to get a speed hump. The city can lower speed limits to 20 mph, but has not done so everywhere. The carnage continues.

The Next Step: Demand Action Now

Every day of delay is another day of blood on the street. Call your council member. Call the mayor. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand speed cameras. Demand streets where a child can cross without fear.

Do not wait for another name to be added to the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Jamaica sit politically?
Jamaica belongs to borough Queens, community board Queens CB12, city council district District 27, assembly district AD 29 and state senate district SD 14.
What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in Jamaica?
Most harm came from Cars and SUVs (1 death, 273 minor injuries, 85 moderate, 2 serious), followed by Trucks and Buses (no deaths, 25 minor, 4 moderate, 2 serious), Motorcycles and Mopeds (no deaths, 4 minor, 2 moderate), and Bikes (no deaths, 6 minor, 1 moderate, 1 serious).
Are these crashes just 'accidents'?
No. The data shows patterns—speed, unsafe turns, and inaction from leadership. These are preventable deaths and injuries, not random acts of fate.
What can local politicians do to stop traffic violence?
They can lower speed limits, install speed cameras, redesign streets, and pass laws like the Stop Super Speeders Act. They can act faster and put safety before delay.
How many people have been killed or seriously injured in Jamaica recently?
In the last year, 1 person was killed and 5 were seriously injured in 766 crashes. 475 more were hurt.
Who is most at risk in Jamaica?
Children, pedestrians, and older adults. 42 children and 68 people over 55 were injured in the last year.
What is CrashCount?
We’re a tool for helping hold local politicians and other actors accountable for their failure to protect you when you’re walking or cycling in NYC. We update our site constantly to provide you with up to date information on what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Alicia Hyndman
Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman
District 29
District Office:
232-06A Merrick Blvd., Springfield Gardens, NY 11413
Legislative Office:
Room 717, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Nantasha Williams
Council Member Nantasha Williams
District 27
District Office:
172-12 Linden Boulevard, St. Albans, NY 11434
718-527-4356
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1850, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6984
Twitter: CMBWilliams
Leroy Comrie
State Senator Leroy Comrie
District 14
District Office:
113-43 Farmers Blvd., St. Albans, NY 11412
Legislative Office:
Room 913, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
Other Geographies

Jamaica Jamaica sits in Queens, Precinct 103, District 27, AD 29, SD 14, Queens CB12.

See also
Boroughs
Community Boards
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Jamaica

Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision

A BMW and motorcycle collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both vehicles burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The car driver survived. No arrests. Police continue to investigate. The street bears the scars.

NY Daily News reported on April 5, 2025, that a BMW SUV and a motorcycle crashed while heading south on 60th Drive and Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Queens. Both vehicles caught fire. According to police, '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. The article notes police are 'still investigating the accident.' The crash highlights the lethal risks on major city corridors and the vulnerability of those outside steel frames.


SUV Turns Left, Strikes E-Scooter on 144th Street

An SUV turned left on 144th Street and hit a southbound e-scooter. The scooter rider, age 29, suffered a bruised hip and leg. No driver errors were listed. The SUV driver was unhurt.

A 29-year-old man riding an e-scooter was injured when a station wagon/SUV struck him while making a left turn on 144th Street at 87th Road in Queens. According to the police report, the e-scooter was traveling straight south when the SUV, also heading south, turned left and hit the scooter's center front end. The scooter rider suffered a contusion to his hip and upper leg. The SUV driver, a 65-year-old man, was not injured. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803333 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Unlicensed Driver Hits Kids Outside School

A driver reversed into a box truck, spun onto the sidewalk, and struck two girls and a man outside a Queens school. A seven-year-old suffered a broken femur and head injury. Police charged the driver with reckless endangerment and driving unlicensed.

According to the New York Post (April 4, 2025), an unlicensed driver, Salmata Bah, reversed her Nissan Versa into a box truck and then spun onto the sidewalk outside Our World Neighborhood Charter School in Astoria. The crash injured three people: 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. Police arrested Bah and charged her with 'reckless endangerment, reckless driving and driving without a license.' The article notes this incident follows another fatal crash involving an unlicensed driver in Brooklyn. Both cases highlight the risks posed by unlicensed driving and raise questions about enforcement and street design near schools.


Speeding Driver Kills Brooklyn Family Crossing

A car tore down Ocean Parkway. It struck a mother and her three children. Only the youngest survived. He lost a kidney. The driver sped, ran a red, drove uninsured, license suspended. The street became a killing ground.

According to the New York Post (April 2, 2025), a 4-year-old boy remains in critical condition after a crash on Ocean Parkway killed his mother and two sisters. The article reports, "Yarimi, 35, was driving nearly double the speed limit when her Audi allegedly struck an Uber, flipped and mowed down the family." Police say Miriam Yarimi drove with a suspended license, no insurance, and expired registration, and ran a red light. She faces multiple charges, including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. The crash also injured an Uber driver and passengers. The case highlights the lethal consequences of unchecked speeding and gaps in enforcement against unlicensed, uninsured drivers.


Two Sedans Collide on 90 Ave in Queens

Two sedans crashed on 90 Ave. A passenger suffered whiplash. A driver complained of back pain. Both cars showed no visible damage. Police listed no clear cause.

Two sedans collided at 90 Ave and 138 St in Queens. According to the police report, a 35-year-old male passenger suffered whiplash and a 50-year-old male driver reported back pain. Both were conscious after the crash. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. Both vehicles were going straight ahead and showed no visible damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report does not mention any helmet or signal use as a factor.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803074 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
3-Year-Old Pedestrian Hit by SUV in Queens

A 3-year-old boy suffered a head injury after being struck by an SUV in Queens. The child was crossing outside a crosswalk when the vehicle traveling north hit him with its right front bumper. The boy was conscious but sustained a concussion.

According to the police report, a 3-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2020 Honda SUV traveling north on 93 Avenue in Queens around 11 p.m. The child was crossing the street outside of a crosswalk or signal when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the SUV. The pedestrian sustained a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion, remaining conscious at the scene. The report lists the pedestrian's contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly cited. The vehicle showed no damage, and the driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead. This incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face when crossing outside designated areas.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802384 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Two Sedans Collide on Jamaica Avenue

Two sedans traveling north on Jamaica Avenue collided late evening. The left front bumper of one struck the right rear quarter panel of the other. The driver of one vehicle suffered neck contusions from the impact, remaining conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling northbound on Jamaica Avenue when they collided. The point of impact was the left front bumper of one sedan striking the right rear quarter panel of the other. The driver of the first vehicle, a 28-year-old male occupant, sustained neck injuries described as contusions and bruises. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the collision. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles straight ahead. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision caused damage to the left front bumper of one vehicle and the right rear quarter panel of the other, indicating a side-rear impact scenario.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801989 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Firefighter Kills Worker in Queens Crash

A firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. He struck a young airport worker heading to his job. The crash killed the worker. The driver was drunk, high, and going 83 in a 25 zone. He faces manslaughter charges.

According to NY Daily News (March 28, 2025), probationary firefighter Michael Pena was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter for a deadly crash on February 26. Prosecutors say 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 twice the legal limit, and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. The article notes, 'Police charged Pena with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusing to take a breath test.' Surveillance footage confirmed Pena had been drinking for hours before the crash. The incident highlights the lethal consequences of impaired, reckless driving and raises questions about screening and accountability for city employees operating vehicles.


Unlicensed Driver Crashes SUV at Unsafe Speed

An unlicensed female driver sped eastbound on 149 St in Queens, colliding with a turning SUV. The impact struck her right front bumper and left side doors of the other vehicle. She suffered head injuries and shock, restrained only by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:30 AM on 149 St near 95 Ave in Queens. The unlicensed female driver of a 2013 SUV, traveling eastbound and going straight ahead, collided with a 2024 SUV making a left turn. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the unlicensed driver’s vehicle and the left side doors of the other SUV. Contributing factors cited include unsafe speed and driver inattention/distraction by the unlicensed driver. The driver was injured with head trauma and experienced shock, restrained only by a lap belt. The report also notes view obstruction and limited visibility as contributing factors. The licensed male driver of the turning SUV was not reported injured. The crash highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed driving combined with unsafe speed and distraction.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801329 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Two Sedans Collide on Queens Avenue

Two sedans collided on 106 Avenue in Queens at 4:50 a.m. The driver of one vehicle suffered serious injuries, including full-body trauma and semiconsciousness. Police cited unsafe speed and traffic control disregard as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:50 a.m. on 106 Avenue in Queens. Two sedans, one traveling east and the other north, collided with impact on the right side doors of the eastbound vehicle and the left front bumper of the northbound vehicle. The 64-year-old male driver of the eastbound sedan was injured with full-body trauma and was semiconscious at the scene. He was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors attributed to the driver. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles straight ahead before the collision. The crash caused significant damage to the right rear quarter panel of the eastbound sedan and the center front end of the northbound sedan. No victim actions were cited as contributing factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800797 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Pedestrian Struck Crossing Signalized Queens Intersection

A 24-year-old woman crossing with the signal on 162 Street at Hillside Avenue was hit and injured. She suffered bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot. She stayed conscious. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing with the signal at 162 Street and Hillside Avenue in Queens at 8:40 AM. She sustained contusions to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious after the impact. The vehicle type is unspecified, and the report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. No actions by the pedestrian contributed to the crash. The incident highlights the persistent risk to pedestrians, even when crossing lawfully at signalized intersections.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799503 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Pedestrian Injured Crossing With Signal Queens

A 39-year-old woman suffered bruises and arm injuries while crossing with the signal at a Queens intersection. The crash involved a vehicle but no driver errors or contributing factors were reported. The pedestrian remained conscious after impact.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of 179 St and 90 Ave in Queens. She was crossing with the pedestrian signal when struck by a vehicle, a VOLK car registered in Massachusetts. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was conscious after the collision. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No information about the driver’s actions or vehicle movement before the crash was provided. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal was noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the dangers pedestrians face even when following crossing signals.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799226 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Man And Child Struck In Queens Crash

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.


Sedan Strikes Pedestrian Crossing With Signal

A 61-year-old man was injured crossing with the signal at a Queens intersection. The sedan, making a right turn, failed to yield right-of-way and struck the pedestrian. The victim suffered lower leg injuries but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southwest on 143 Street in Queens was making a right turn when it struck a 61-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact at the center front end. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. This crash highlights driver errors, specifically failure to yield and distraction, as central causes of harm to a lawful pedestrian.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797560 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Queens Bus Strikes Bicyclist on 177th Street

A bus traveling east on 177th Street collided with a 23-year-old female bicyclist. The impact on the bus’s right side doors injured the cyclist’s hip and upper leg. Driver inattention caused the crash, leaving the bicyclist bruised but conscious.

According to the police report, a bus and a bicycle were both traveling east on 177th Street in Queens when the collision occurred at 15:15. The bus struck the bicyclist on its right side doors, impacting the cyclist’s left front quarter panel. The bicyclist, a 23-year-old female, sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, described as contusions and bruises. She was conscious and not ejected from her bike. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. There are no listed contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s actions or safety equipment. The bus driver’s failure to maintain attention directly led to the collision, highlighting systemic dangers faced by vulnerable road users in Queens.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796892 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Sedan Strikes Pedestrian Crossing With Signal

A 44-year-old man crossing with the signal on 165th Street in Queens was struck by a sedan traveling east. The impact caused knee and lower leg injuries, leaving the pedestrian in shock and pain. The driver’s failure to yield created a dangerous collision.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing at an intersection on 165th Street near Jamaica Avenue in Queens at 10:40 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2025 sedan traveling east struck him with its center front end, damaging the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the driver’s failure to yield to a pedestrian crossing with the signal as the critical error leading to the collision. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were noted in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797562 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Airport Worker

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.


Sedan Strikes Moped on Liberty Avenue

A sedan collided with a moped on Liberty Avenue in Queens, injuring the sedan driver. The crash involved a failure to yield right-of-way. The sedan’s left front bumper struck the moped’s front end, causing neck injury and shock to the sedan driver.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Liberty Avenue in Queens at 16:40. A sedan traveling north struck a moped traveling east. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front bumper and the moped’s center front end. The sedan driver, a 55-year-old male, suffered a neck injury and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The report cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor. The sedan driver was licensed in New York, while the moped driver was unlicensed. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. The collision highlights driver errors and systemic danger at this intersection.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796891 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Sedan Strikes Pedestrian Crossing With Signal

A 52-year-old man suffered hip and upper leg injuries after a sedan struck him at a Queens intersection. The driver, making a left turn, failed to yield and was inattentive. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when hit.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southeast on 162 Street in Queens struck a 52-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection with Hillside Avenue around 9:55 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The driver was making a left turn and impacted the pedestrian on the right side doors of the vehicle. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained injuries to the hip and upper leg, described as contusions and bruises, and was in shock. The vehicle showed no damage. The driver was licensed and operating a 2017 Honda sedan. The incident highlights critical driver failures in yielding to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795395 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05
Firefighter Charged After Deadly Queens Crash

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.