Linden Boulevard Bleeds While City Hall Sleeps

A firetruck struck a cyclist on Juniper Boulevard. The truck turned with lights and sirens. The cyclist was crushed under the rear wheels. Sheets covered the scene. Firefighters stood by, shaken. The victim died instantly. The investigation continues.

According to the New York Post (April 19, 2025), an FDNY Rescue Company 4 firetruck fatally struck a cyclist near Juniper Valley Park in Queens while responding to a call. The article states, "The truck was making a turn onto Juniper Boulevard...when the fatal accident occurred." Police reported the truck had lights and sirens activated. The cyclist ended up beneath the rear wheels and was pronounced dead at the scene. Photos showed emergency sheets covering the area. Witness Miguel Vega described firefighters as "shaken, like shocked." The incident highlights the dangers at intersections, especially when emergency vehicles turn. The crash is under investigation, with no details yet on policy or procedural changes.

• FDNY Firetruck Kills Cyclist Near Park, New York Post, Published 2025-04-19

A sedan struck a ten-year-old cyclist on 116 Ave. The boy suffered arm injuries. Metal met flesh. The street stayed hard. The system failed to protect the young rider.

A ten-year-old boy riding a bike was injured when a sedan collided with him on 116 Ave in Queens. According to the police report, the crash involved a sedan and a bicycle, with the child sustaining abrasions and arm injuries. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the dangers faced by young cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806504 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A former firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. He struck Justin Diaz’s car at 83 mph. Diaz died a block from home. The driver was drunk, high, and unregistered. The court revoked his bail. Diaz’s family mourns.

ABC7 reported on April 17, 2025, that ex-FDNY firefighter Michael Peña faces manslaughter and DWI charges after a deadly crash in Queens. Prosecutors allege Peña was drunk, high, and speeding at 83 mph—three times the limit—when he ran a red light and T-boned 23-year-old Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance and body camera footage show Peña admitting to running the light. Five hours after the crash, tests confirmed intoxication by alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Peña’s record includes prior arrests and 25 school zone speeding tickets. He also drove an unregistered vehicle with an obstructed plate and tinted windshield. The victim, Diaz, was headed to work and had just graduated college. The case highlights repeated driver violations and systemic failures in enforcement.

• Ex-Firefighter Charged In Queens Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-17

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Mazda sedan struck on right side. Driver, forty, suffers back injury and whiplash. Metal torn, street silent. No pedestrians or cyclists harmed. Police list no clear cause.

A Mazda sedan traveling north on Farmers Boulevard near Merrick was struck on its right side. The forty-year-old male driver, the only occupant, was injured with back pain and whiplash. According to the police report, the Mazda's right side doors were caved in and the driver remained conscious, buckled in with a lap belt and harness. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The second vehicle, a Mercedes, had no occupants listed. The crash left the street quiet, metal torn, and questions unanswered.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a 16-year-old girl at Farmers Blvd and 104 Ave. She suffered a bruised leg. Police cite driver inexperience. The car’s front end took the hit. Streets failed to protect her.

A 17-year-old male driving a sedan struck a 16-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection of Farmers Blvd and 104 Ave in Queens. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not in the roadway but was at the intersection when the crash occurred. She suffered a contusion to her knee and lower leg. Police list 'Driver Inexperience' as the contributing factor. The sedan’s center front end was damaged in the collision. No other injuries were specified for the vehicle occupants. The report highlights driver inexperience as the key error leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805021 - 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 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 sedan turned right on Merrick Blvd and hit a cyclist going straight. The cyclist suffered leg injuries. Police cite failure to yield. The driver was unlicensed.

A sedan struck a cyclist at Merrick Blvd and Pineville Ln. The cyclist, a 33-year-old man, was riding straight when the sedan, driven by an unlicensed man, turned right and hit him. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Other Vehicular' factors. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan's right front bumper hit the cyclist. The driver’s lack of a license and failure to yield are listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802783 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck an 11-year-old boy crossing 115 Avenue in Queens. The child suffered abrasions and whole-body injuries. The driver continued straight. Police list unspecified contributing factors.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 115 Avenue in Queens struck an 11-year-old male pedestrian at 14:10. The child was crossing outside a crosswalk or intersection. The impact was to the sedan's left front bumper. The boy suffered abrasions and injuries to his entire body, classified as injury severity level 3. The driver, a licensed woman, was proceeding straight ahead. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not name any specific driver errors. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. No pedestrian behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802958 - 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 47-year-old man suffered hip and upper leg injuries after a sport utility vehicle hit him while he was getting on or off a vehicle away from an intersection. The driver’s inattention caused the crash, leaving the pedestrian with abrasions.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2013 Acura SUV traveling east on 120 Avenue struck him at the right rear quarter panel. The pedestrian was getting on or off a vehicle other than a school bus, not at an intersection. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as the primary contributing factors to the collision. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead. Vehicle damage was limited to the right rear quarter panel. No pedestrian behaviors were cited as contributing factors. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving, especially to vulnerable road users outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided head-on on Francis Lewis Blvd in Queens. A 73-year-old female driver suffered a head injury and concussion. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:00 on Francis Lewis Blvd in Queens involving two sedans traveling east and south. The 73-year-old female driver of one sedan was injured, sustaining a head injury and concussion. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passenger Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. Both vehicles impacted at their center front ends, indicating a head-on collision. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and remained conscious. The report does not indicate any fault or error by the injured driver beyond inattention or distraction, nor does it mention any victim behaviors contributing to the crash. The collision caused significant front-end damage to both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806313 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 13-year-old boy on a bike took a hit to the front. He stayed conscious. His knee and leg bruised. No helmet. No car damage. The street stayed quiet. The crash left the boy hurt and shaken.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old male bicyclist was injured while riding north on Ridgedale Street at 14:37. The boy suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He remained conscious and was not ejected from the bike. The crash involved an impact to the bike's center front end, with no reported damage to the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No helmet or safety equipment was used by the bicyclist, as noted after the absence of driver errors. The police report does not assign blame to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801633 - 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 motorcycle slammed into a 29-year-old man on Merrick Blvd. The rider was unlicensed. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. The pedestrian suffered leg injuries. Police blame driver recklessness.

According to the police report, an unlicensed man riding a motorcycle westbound on Merrick Blvd struck a 29-year-old male pedestrian at an intersection. The pedestrian was injured, suffering abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The motorcycle's left front quarter panel hit the pedestrian and was damaged. The report lists aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. Driver errors—aggressive driving and operating without a valid license—were primary causes. No victim actions contributed, according to the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798344 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

E-scooter slammed into a 56-year-old woman on Linden Boulevard. She took abrasions to the face. Driver’s improper lane use fueled the crash. Queens street, hard impact, no helmet noted.

According to the police report, an e-scooter traveling west on Linden Boulevard struck a 56-year-old female pedestrian. The impact hit the pedestrian’s face. She was conscious but injured. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a driver error. It also notes pedestrian confusion, but this does not shift fault from the driver. The scooter had two occupants and showed no damage. No helmet or safety equipment is mentioned. This crash underscores the risk when e-scooter drivers fail to use lanes properly in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798715 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 35-year-old man suffered bruises and an arm injury after being struck while walking outside an intersection on Quencer Road in Queens. The pedestrian was conscious and injured, with no driver errors or contributing factors reported in the police data.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male pedestrian was injured on Quencer Road in Queens at 12:09 PM. The pedestrian was located outside an intersection, described as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' and sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He remained conscious after the collision. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The vehicle involved is unspecified with no details on type, driver, or pre-crash actions. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The data focuses on the pedestrian’s injuries and location but does not identify any driver fault or systemic cause in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801662 - 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