Who Pays for Complacency? Bellerose Bleeds, Leaders Stall

Mar 31 - Two sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway. The lead driver suffered bruises to her abdomen and pelvis. Police cite driver distraction and faulty brakes. Systemic danger left one injured, both cars damaged.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed on Grand Central Parkway in Queens. The 2017 Honda sedan was rear-ended by a 2023 Subaru sedan. The driver of the Honda, a 49-year-old woman, sustained contusions and bruises to her abdomen and pelvis. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Brakes Defective' as contributing factors. The injured driver was not ejected and remained conscious. The report highlights driver error and mechanical failure as causes. No blame is placed on the injured occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803496 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 28 - 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

Mar 23 - SUV hit sedan head-on at Union Turnpike. Both drivers hurt. Police cite unsafe speed and failure to yield. Shock and pain followed. Metal twisted. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling east on Grand Central Parkway struck a sedan making a left turn at Union Turnpike. Both drivers, men aged 20 and 49, suffered injuries—abdomen, pelvis, knee, and foot. Each was restrained by a lap belt and harness. Police listed unsafe speed for the SUV and failure to yield right-of-way for the sedan as contributing factors. Both drivers experienced shock and reported pain or nausea. No one was ejected. The report highlights unsafe speed and failure to yield as the primary driver errors in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800578 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 13 - 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

Mar 5 - A 21-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after an SUV failed to yield while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The driver’s error caused a severe collision at a Queens intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:55 PM on Commonwealth Blvd near 82 Ave in Queens. A 21-year-old male pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2006 Honda SUV, traveling southeast and making a left turn, struck him with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity 3. The report explicitly cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The pedestrian’s crossing without a signal is noted but not identified as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796581 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

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

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 26 - A firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. His Mercedes slammed into a BMW. The BMW driver died. The firefighter, drunk, refused a breath test. Passengers hurt. Bystanders rushed to help. The street stayed deadly, silent after.

According to NY Daily News (2025-02-26), FDNY firefighter Michael Pena, 28, faces charges after allegedly running a red light while intoxicated and T-boning a BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd., East Elmhurst. The crash killed 23-year-old Justin Diaz. Surveillance video showed Pena's Mercedes plowing into Diaz's BMW, which then struck a parked minivan. Pena refused a breath test and was uninjured. Two Mercedes passengers were hospitalized. The article notes, 'The FDNY stated Pena will be suspended without pay for 28 days during the investigation.' Video evidence indicated Diaz entered the intersection legally, with the pedestrian signal allowing crossing. The incident highlights the lethal risk of speeding and red-light running, even in early morning hours.

• FDNY Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-26

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 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

Feb 3 - SUV lost grip on slick Union Turnpike. Four rear passengers, including three children, suffered face and eye abrasions. Impact crushed the left front bumper. Road surface failed. Passengers paid the price.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling north on Union Turnpike in Queens lost control at 7:30 AM. The vehicle struck an object or surface, damaging the left front bumper. Four rear passengers—a 40-year-old woman and children aged 5, 8, and 12—were injured, suffering abrasions to the face and eyes. All remained conscious and were not ejected. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as the sole contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. No victim actions contributed. The crash highlights the danger of hazardous road surfaces for vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790650 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jan 30 - A sedan traveling south on Commonwealth Blvd struck a parked vehicle from behind. Both occupants in the moving sedan suffered injuries, including head and shoulder trauma. Driver distraction by electronic device use contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, at 5:00 AM on Commonwealth Blvd in Queens, a southbound sedan collided with a parked sedan. The moving vehicle's right front bumper impacted the left rear bumper of the parked car. The sedan had two occupants: a 25-year-old male driver and a 31-year-old female front passenger. Both were injured; the driver sustained upper arm and internal injuries, while the passenger suffered head trauma and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report cites 'Other Electronic Device' use as a contributing factor, indicating driver distraction. The driver was licensed in New York. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision resulted from driver error related to distraction, not victim fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789140 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

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 19 - Two sedans crashed on Jericho Turnpike in Queens. Four occupants suffered injuries including head, neck, and leg trauma. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. All were restrained but endured shock and pain complaints.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:11 AM on Jericho Turnpike in Queens involving two sedans traveling westbound. One driver was making a U-turn while the other proceeded straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of one sedan and the right front quarter panel of the other. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes. Four occupants were injured: a 35-year-old male driver, a 24-year-old female rear passenger with head injury, a 31-year-old male front passenger with neck injury, and a 46-year-old male driver with lower leg injury. All occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. Injuries ranged from complaints of pain and nausea to whiplash. The report highlights driver errors without attributing fault to the victims.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786619 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jan 16 - Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Jan 15 - A 13-year-old boy suffered neck injuries and shock when an SUV struck the rear of a bus on Grand Central Parkway. The SUV driver’s inattention and following too closely caused the crash. The boy was restrained with a lap belt and was not ejected.

According to the police report, at 3:30 pm on Grand Central Parkway, a 2019 Jeep SUV traveling west struck the right rear bumper of a 2024 bus also traveling west. The SUV driver was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely,' which led to the collision. The impact injured a 13-year-old male passenger in the SUV, who suffered neck injuries and was in shock. He was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt at the time. The bus had nine occupants, and the SUV had two. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and tailgating on busy roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jan 13 - Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Jan 4 - A speeding sedan crashed on Grand Central Parkway. Both young men inside suffered bruises. Aggressive driving and unsafe speed drove the impact. The driver was unlicensed. Metal and flesh broke in the dark.

According to the police report, a 2013 Infiniti sedan crashed at 3:50 AM on Grand Central Parkway. The unlicensed 21-year-old male driver lost control at unsafe speed, striking an object with the car's center front end. Both the driver and front passenger, also 21, were injured. The driver suffered a head contusion; the passenger sustained bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. Both were conscious after the crash. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The passenger wore a lap belt and harness. Driver errors led to the crash and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783596 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03