Bellerose Bleeds While Leaders Stall

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 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 2025-08-04

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 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 2025-08-04

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 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 2025-08-04

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

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

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

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 2025-08-04

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 2025-08-04

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 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 2025-08-04

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

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 2025-08-04