No More Excuses: Slow Down or More Will Die

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 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 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 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

In Queens, two sedans collided head-on near Bedell Street. Three occupants suffered injuries, including knee and leg wounds. Police cite driver inexperience, inattention, and improper lane usage as causes. All occupants wore lap belts and were not ejected.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:37 AM near 134-67 Bedell Street in Queens. Two sedans traveling east and west collided, both vehicles sustaining center front end damage. The drivers, a 47-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, along with a 34-year-old female passenger, were all injured. The report identifies driver errors including 'Driver Inexperience,' 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. None of the occupants were ejected, and all were restrained with lap belts. The injured suffered bodily harm ranging from unknown injuries to knee, lower leg, and foot injuries. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing instead on driver errors and systemic risks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795423 - 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 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 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

Taxi and sedan slammed together on Baisley Blvd. A young woman in the sedan took a blow to the face. She went into shock. Police blamed driver inattention. City streets remain unforgiving.

According to the police report, a taxi and a sedan collided at 22:15 on Baisley Blvd near Rockaway Blvd in Queens. The crash struck the taxi's left side doors and the sedan's right front bumper. A 23-year-old woman, riding in the sedan's right rear seat, suffered facial contusions and shock. She wore a lap belt and harness. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main cause. No other contributing factors tied to the victim were reported. The incident highlights the danger of distraction behind the wheel on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791506 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 sedan making a left turn struck a 68-year-old woman crossing Bedell Street with the signal. She suffered hip and leg injuries. Police cite failure to yield as the driver’s error.

According to the police report, at 18:47 on Bedell Street at Farmers Blvd, a 2021 Acura sedan traveling south made a left turn and struck a 68-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. The impact was at the sedan’s center front end. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and injuries to her hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the driver’s contributing factor. The pedestrian’s lawful crossing is noted but not cited as a factor. The crash underscores the driver’s failure to yield, resulting in significant injury to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791503 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan making a left turn struck a convertible traveling straight on Rockaway Blvd in Queens. The impact hit the sedan’s right side doors, injuring a 61-year-old female passenger with head trauma and whiplash. Police cite traffic control disregard.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Rockaway Blvd in Queens at 17:17. A 2021 Toyota sedan was making a left turn when it collided with a 2015 Infiniti convertible traveling straight eastbound. The point of impact was the right side doors of the sedan, which sustained damage to the right rear quarter panel. The convertible’s left front bumper was damaged. The sedan carried two occupants, including a 61-year-old female passenger seated in the right rear, who suffered head injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. She was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report identifies the driver error as "Traffic Control Disregarded," indicating failure to obey traffic signals or signs. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers of left-turn maneuvers when traffic controls are ignored.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788742 - 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 head-on on Rockaway Boulevard in Queens. Both drivers were male, one licensed in New York and the other on a permit from North Carolina. The crash caused moderate chest injuries to the 64-year-old New York driver, who wore a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:30 AM on Rockaway Boulevard near Baisley Boulevard in Queens. Two sedans, one traveling south and the other west, collided frontally. The New York-licensed driver, a 64-year-old male, sustained moderate chest injuries and a burn but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The other driver, a male with a North Carolina permit, was also involved. The report cites driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor to the collision. Both vehicles sustained damage to their front ends, indicating a direct impact. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behavior was noted as contributing. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and the risks posed by drivers operating with permits.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788453 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

New York rolls out sweeping traffic laws for 2025. Charter bus seatbelts, lower speed limits, and congestion pricing hit the streets. Senator Sanders and Governor Hochul push for safer roads. School zones, bridges, and bus riders see new protections. Change comes fast.

On December 31, 2024, New York announced new transportation laws for 2025. Senator James Sanders sponsored a ban on car lease turn-in fees, stating, "The legislation prohibits charging a turn-in fee at the expiration of the term of a vehicle lease, the basis of which is solely for administrative, handling or clerical charges." Governor Kathy Hochul signed this and other safety bills into law. Charter bus passengers ages 8 to 16 must now wear seatbelts, a response to a fatal crash in Orange County. Sammy's Law, enacted in 2024, lets the city lower speed limits to 20 mph, and even 10 mph on redesigned streets. The Department of Transportation will target 250 locations, focusing on school zones. The MTA launches congestion pricing in Manhattan, with funds set for transit upgrades. Hochul said, "These enhancements to our roads and bridges will improve mobility for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike."

• These are new traffic laws in New York slated for 2025, amny.com, Published 2024-12-31

Two sedans collided head-on and side-on at 134 Ave in Queens. Both drivers suffered whiplash and head or chest injuries. Driver distraction caused the crash, leaving two conscious but injured occupants in damaged vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:43 on 134 Ave in Queens involving two sedans traveling north and east. The point of impact was the center front end of one vehicle and the right side doors of the other. Both drivers were licensed and driving straight ahead. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. Two occupants were injured: a 22-year-old male driver with head injuries and whiplash, and a 59-year-old female passenger with chest injuries and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. Vehicle damage was significant, with front-end and right rear quarter panel damage noted. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780783 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 31-year-old man was struck on Baisley Blvd while crossing outside a crosswalk. The vehicle, traveling east, hit him with its front center. The pedestrian suffered a fractured knee and lower leg, left conscious but seriously hurt.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Baisley Blvd near Bedell St in Queens at 11:20 PM. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when an eastbound vehicle, traveling straight ahead, struck him at the center front end. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at 3. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights driver error in yielding to pedestrians outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781575 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04