Baisley Park Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Two convertibles collided in Queens at midnight. Metal twisted. Children and adults hurt. Sirens cut the empty street. Alcohol played a role. Shock and pain marked the scene.

Two convertibles crashed at 147-01 115 Ave in Queens. According to the police report, the collision happened at midnight. Seven people were involved. Four children and two adults were injured, suffering shock and bodily harm. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' and 'Alcohol Involvement' as contributing factors. Both vehicles struck head-on, tearing their front ends. The street was empty except for the victims and the sound of sirens. The data shows driver error and alcohol as key causes. Helmets or signals are not mentioned as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804360 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 cyclist hit a parked box truck on Linden Blvd. The rider suffered a head injury. The truck was empty. No driver errors listed. The street stayed dangerous.

A 25-year-old cyclist traveling west on Linden Blvd collided with the left side doors of a parked box truck. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a head contusion. The truck was unoccupied at the time. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the data. The police report notes both vehicles were headed west, but the truck was stationary. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, as recorded in the report, but no helmet use was cited as a contributing factor. The crash left the cyclist injured and the truck damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Sedans and e-bike collided on Linden Boulevard. E-bike rider thrown, injured. Police cite traffic control ignored, slippery pavement. System failed to protect the vulnerable. Metal met flesh. Streets stayed dangerous.

An e-bike rider, age 44, was ejected and injured after a collision with two sedans on Linden Boulevard near I-678 in Queens. According to the police report, the crash involved traffic control disregarded and pavement slippery as contributing factors. The e-bike rider suffered a contusion and was conscious at the scene. Both sedan drivers and several occupants were involved, but only the e-bike rider was reported injured. The police report states, “Traffic Control Disregarded” as a primary factor. Helmet use was noted for the e-bike rider, but only after the driver errors. The crash underscores the persistent dangers faced by those outside cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803198 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Two sedans collided on Linden Blvd in Queens. Both male occupants, including the driver and front passenger of one vehicle, suffered head injuries. The crash involved improper turning by one driver, causing significant vehicle damage and serious injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:24 on Linden Blvd in Queens. Two sedans were involved: a 2009 BMW making a left turn and a 2018 Ford traveling straight. The BMW struck the Ford's right front bumper with its left rear quarter panel. Both male occupants of the Ford, the 32-year-old driver and 24-year-old front passenger, were injured with head trauma, including concussion and whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the primary contributing factor, identifying driver error in the BMW's maneuver. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper turning maneuvers in vehicle-to-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802648 - 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

SUV and sedan slammed together in Queens. A 5-year-old girl in the back seat took the worst of it. She suffered full-body injuries and shock. Both drivers kept going straight. No errors listed. Streets failed her.

According to the police report, a 2008 SUV heading east and a 2013 sedan heading south collided at the intersection of 140 Street and 120 Avenue in Queens. Both vehicles struck front bumpers. A 5-year-old girl riding in the left rear seat was injured across her entire body and suffered shock. She was secured in a child restraint. No driver errors were cited in the report; contributing factors are listed as unspecified. Both drivers were licensed men. The crash left the child seriously hurt, showing the force of the impact even with proper restraints. The report does not assign fault to the child or note any victim actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi traveling south on Van Wyck Expressway struck a parked sedan’s right rear bumper. The taxi driver and passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited unsafe speed as the primary contributing factor in the collision.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on Van Wyck Expressway collided with a parked sedan, impacting the sedan’s right rear bumper with the taxi’s left front bumper. The taxi driver and his passenger, both 27-year-old males, sustained injuries to their knees and lower legs, described as contusions and bruises. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and were not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan was stationary at the time, and no other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The taxi driver held a valid New Jersey license, and the sedan driver was licensed in New York. The collision occurred at 11:22 p.m., emphasizing the dangers of excessive speed even on controlled roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799830 - 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

A bicyclist suffered a neck injury after an SUV making a right turn struck him on Rockaway Blvd in Queens. The crash resulted from the driver’s failure to yield and inattention. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected, complaining of whiplash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Rockaway Blvd in Queens at midnight. A 30-year-old male bicyclist traveling north was struck by a 2009 Honda SUV making a right turn eastbound. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front quarter panel and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist sustained a neck injury classified as severity level 3 and complained of whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report explicitly cites the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention/distraction as contributing factors. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver errors during turning maneuvers in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798709 - 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

Two SUVs slammed together on 116 Ave. Five people hurt. Bruises, abrasions, shaken nerves. Police blame failure to yield. Metal twisted. No one ejected. All conscious. Streets stay dangerous.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided at 13:15 on 116 Ave in Queens. Five occupants were injured: a 27-year-old male driver with head contusions, a 17-year-old male front passenger, a 40-year-old female right rear passenger, and a 12-year-old female left rear passenger—all with abrasions. A 61-year-old female driver suffered neck contusions. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary cause. All victims were conscious and wore lap belts and harnesses. No one was ejected. The crash left damage to the front end and right side doors. Driver error—failure to yield—was the only contributing factor listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795760 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A left-turning BMW sedan struck a westbound carry-all on Linden Blvd in Queens. The BMW driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as causes, exposing critical risks in urban traffic flow.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:15 on Linden Blvd in Queens involving two vehicles: a northbound BMW sedan making a left turn and a westbound carry-all traveling straight. The BMW driver, a 57-year-old male occupant, sustained head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The collision impacted the right front quarter panel of the BMW and the left front bumper of the carry-all. The BMW driver’s failure to yield while executing the left turn directly caused the crash, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving and right-of-way violations in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797106 - 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 12-year-old boy suffered a head injury after a sedan made a left turn and struck him at an intersection. The driver showed inexperience, while the pedestrian was confused, contributing to the collision. The boy was left in shock with visible injury.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on 120 Avenue made a left turn and struck a 12-year-old male pedestrian crossing at the intersection near Sutphin Boulevard. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a head injury and was in shock. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2008 Jeep sedan. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk indication, but the police report emphasizes driver inexperience and pedestrian confusion as primary causes. No safety equipment or helmet use was noted. The collision resulted in injury severity level 3 to the child.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793864 - 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