Left Turning, Life Ending: Queens Streets Demand Action

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

SUV hit parked sedan on Jamaica Ave. Two children and two adults injured. Faces, legs, and bodies bruised. Crash left pain and fear. Streets stay hard for passengers.

A station wagon/SUV traveling west struck a parked sedan on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, two children, ages 6 and 10, and two adults, ages 35 and 54, suffered injuries to the face, legs, and entire body. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. Passengers bore the brunt of the impact, with complaints of pain and visible abrasions. The crash underscores the risks faced by vehicle occupants in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806388 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

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

Two sedans collided on Clearview Expressway. One driver, age 75, suffered neck whiplash. Police cite following too closely. Metal and glass. Sudden stop. System failed to protect.

Two sedans crashed on Clearview Expressway at Grand Central Parkway in Queens. According to the police report, a 75-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck whiplash. The crash involved both vehicles traveling east. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. The impact struck the center back end of one sedan and the front of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not specify injuries for other occupants. Systemic danger remains when drivers follow too close.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802985 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on 89 Avenue in Queens. The 75-year-old female driver making a left turn suffered chest injuries and shock. Police cite unsafe speed as a key factor. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 89 Avenue in Queens at 16:01. A 75-year-old female driver, traveling north and making a left turn in a 2023 Jeep sedan, collided with a southbound 2006 Honda sedan going straight ahead. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the Jeep and the left front bumper of the Honda. The female driver was injured, suffering chest injuries and shock, and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The male driver of the Honda was licensed and traveling straight. Both vehicles sustained front bumper damage. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801941 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 25-year-old man crossing a marked crosswalk in Queens was struck by an SUV traveling north on 92 Ave. The pedestrian suffered a fractured hip and upper leg. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing serious injury without vehicle damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on 92 Ave in Queens. A 25-year-old male pedestrian was crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal when he was struck by a northbound SUV. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the vehicle driver. The pedestrian sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The driver, a licensed male operating a 2004 Toyota SUV, was slowing or stopping before the impact, but the vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801890 - 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 53-year-old male SUV driver suffered back injuries and whiplash after his vehicle struck the rear of a sedan while making a right turn. Both vehicles sustained front and rear center-end damage in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:37 on 212 Street involving a 2024 SUV and a 2018 sedan. The SUV driver, a 53-year-old man, was making a right turn when his vehicle's center front end collided with the sedan's center back end. The SUV driver was injured, sustaining back pain and whiplash, and remained conscious. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any pedestrian involvement or victim fault. The collision highlights risks associated with turning maneuvers and rear-end impacts, with the SUV driver's actions preceding the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801384 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound SUV struck the left front bumper of a sedan changing lanes on Cross Island Parkway. The impact injured a 70-year-old female passenger in the SUV, causing bruises and contusions to her arm. The crash stemmed from following too closely.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:40 on Cross Island Parkway. A 2020 GMC SUV traveling north rear-ended a 2007 Infiniti sedan that was changing lanes. The point of impact was the SUV's right rear bumper striking the sedan's left front bumper. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the SUV operator. The SUV carried three occupants; a 70-year-old female passenger seated in the left rear suffered contusions and bruises to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The sedan had one occupant, the male driver, who held a valid New York license. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. The collision highlights the dangers of insufficient following distance on high-speed parkways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801214 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 62-year-old male driver suffered neck abrasions after a collision in Queens. The sedan struck an object with its right front bumper. According to the police report, driver inattention caused the crash, resulting in moderate injury to the driver.

At 4:02 AM in Queens near 94-24 Hollis Court Blvd, a 62-year-old male driver operating a 2018 Nissan sedan traveling south went straight ahead when the vehicle's right front bumper struck an object. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The driver was not ejected and remained conscious but sustained neck abrasions classified as injury severity level 3. The report lists no other contributing factors or victim behaviors. The driver held a valid New York license. Vehicle damage was limited to the right front bumper. This incident highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to self-injury and vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800543 - 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 box truck and sedan collided head-on on Murdock Ave in Queens. The sedan driver, a 61-year-old man, suffered facial injuries and shock. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage in the crash.

According to the police report, at 11:33 AM on Murdock Ave in Queens, a box truck traveling east and a sedan traveling west collided head-on. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles, causing significant damage. The sedan driver, a 61-year-old male occupant, sustained facial injuries and was in shock, with minor bleeding reported. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and operating their vehicles going straight ahead. There is no mention of victim fault or contributing behaviors from the injured driver. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction leading to severe impacts and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797073 - 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