Crash Count for Cambria Heights
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,066
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 704
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 99
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 1
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 3
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 15, 2025
Carnage in Cambria Heights
Killed 3
Severe Bleeding 1
Head 1
Whiplash 25
Back 7
+2
Head 7
+2
Neck 7
+2
Chest 2
Shoulder/upper arm 2
Whole body 2
Lower leg/foot 1
Contusion/Bruise 16
Lower leg/foot 6
+1
Chest 4
Lower arm/hand 3
Back 2
Head 1
Neck 1
Abrasion 8
Lower arm/hand 2
Neck 2
Face 1
Head 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Whole body 1
Pain/Nausea 8
Back 2
Lower arm/hand 2
Lower leg/foot 2
Whole body 2
Head 1
Shoulder/upper arm 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Cambria Heights?

Preventable Speeding in Cambria Heights School Zones

(since 2022)

Caught Speeding Recently in Cambria Heights

Vehicles – Caught Speeding in NYC (12 months)
  1. 2022 Gray Nissan Suburban (KHB9511) – 31 times • 1 in last 90d here
  2. 2011 Lincoln Sedan (MSD1321) – 30 times • 1 in last 90d here
  3. 1983 Me/Be Coup (3834Z7) – 28 times • 1 in last 90d here
  4. 2019 Black Toyota Suburban (DZK5745) – 21 times • 1 in last 90d here
  5. 2024 Black Nissan Suburban (LPP9376) – 19 times • 1 in last 90d here

Cambria Heights: hurt at dawn, hit at dusk

Cambria Heights: Jan 1, 2022 - Aug 25, 2025

Cambria Heights keeps the score in blood. Since 2022, there have been 849 crashes, with 547 injured and 2 people killed in this small area, led by cars and SUVs hitting people on foot most often. Nights are rough; injuries spike after dark. The worst hours run from midnight through the early morning, with steady harm again at rush and evening. The numbers come from the city’s own ledger.

Two deaths, many wounds

A 54‑year‑old driver died on the Cross Island Parkway on Feb. 29, 2024; police logged “Aggressive Driving/Road Rage” as a factor in the fatal record (CrashID 4706349). A 39‑year‑old on an “other motorized” vehicle died at 116th Ave and Nashville Blvd on June 26, 2025 (CrashID 4823380). The city lists “Driver Inattention/Distraction.”

Pedestrians are hit again and again — 48 injured here since 2022 — most by sedans and SUVs. A 10‑year‑old on a bike was hurt at 229th St near 116th Ave last summer (CrashID 4738477). The log says head injury. The log also blames “error/confusion.” The child lived.

Where the road bites

The Cross Island Parkway is the top hot spot in this neighborhood, with 160 injuries and one death tied to it. Linden Boulevard racks up dozens of injuries. At 116th Ave, a man on an “other motorized” device died. These are not outliers. They are the pattern.

Harm clusters at night. From midnight to 5 a.m., injuries pile up — 28 at midnight, 10 at 1 a.m., 17 at 2 a.m., 8 at 3 a.m., 12 at 4 a.m., 12 at 5 a.m. The danger returns after work, with 42 injuries at 6 p.m. The city’s data lists inattention and failure to yield again and again among the top factors.

Hit, run, and gone

On Aug. 13, a driver hit a 52‑year‑old man crossing 155th Street at South Conduit Avenue near JFK and fled. “The operator of the vehicle fled the scene after hitting the man,” police said. He died at Jamaica Hospital. “The driver sped off without stopping,” another report said. No arrests.

The same day, a speeding car slammed into people ordering at a Queens food truck. “Two pedestrians were hit and killed … Witnesses say a speeding car slammed into the men,” CBS reported. The driver also died.

Power and duty

Repeat dangerous driving is not rare; the state Senate moved a bill to force speed limiters on cars tied to repeat violations. Senator Leroy Comrie voted yes in committee on S4045. The bill would require intelligent speed assistance for drivers who meet thresholds for points or camera tickets; it aims to cut the worst repeat harm. The Legislature also voted to keep school‑zone speed cameras running through 2030. Comrie and Assembly Member Clyde Vanel both voted yes in their chambers on S8344.

City Hall now has the power to drop speeds on local streets. Albany passed Sammy’s Law, and the city can set safer limits. The choice is theirs. The cost of delay is on our blocks.

What fixes here, now

This neighborhood bleeds at night. Start where the bodies fall.

  • Daylight corners and harden turns on Springfield Blvd, Linden Blvd, and at 116th Ave. Cut blind angles. Slow turning cars.
  • Add leading pedestrian intervals at signals. Give people a head start across.
  • Target nighttime speeding on Cross Island Parkway service roads and Linden. Use focused enforcement where the data is worst.

Then do the things that end the pattern citywide. Lower the default speed. Rein in the repeat speeders. If you want that done faster, push them.

“Liberated,” then eight years

The wreckage we accept is not only local. In Queens, a man drove the wrong way on the Clearview and smashed into five cars. “Joseph Lee terrorized other drivers as he purposefully drove the wrong way,” said Queens DA Melinda Katz. A jury convicted him. A judge gave him eight years. Lee told police he entered the expressway “in the wrong direction because I wanted to hurt people and I felt ‘liberated’ by what I had done,” according to the report.

The count does not stop

  • In the last 12 months here: 286 crashes, 209 injured, 1 killed.
  • This year to date: 198 crashes, 136 injured, 1 killed.
  • Pedestrians hit most by sedans and SUVs.
  • Nighttime is the danger window.

Names become numbers on the ledger. The pattern holds until someone breaks it.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Clyde Vanel
Assembly Member Clyde Vanel
District 33
District Office:
97-01 Springfield Blvd., Queens Village, NY 11429
Legislative Office:
Room 424, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Twitter: @clydevanel
Nantasha Williams
Council Member Nantasha Williams
District 27
District Office:
172-12 Linden Boulevard, St. Albans, NY 11434
718-527-4356
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1850, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6984
Twitter: @CMBWilliams
Leroy Comrie
State Senator Leroy Comrie
District 14
District Office:
113-43 Farmers Blvd., St. Albans, NY 11412
Legislative Office:
Room 913, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
Twitter: @LeroyComrie
Other Geographies

Cambria Heights Cambria Heights sits in Queens, Precinct 105, District 27, AD 33, SD 14, Queens CB13.

See also
Boroughs
City Council Districts
Community Boards
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Cambria Heights

11
S 4045 Comrie votes yes in committee, boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.

Jun 11 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.


11
S 7678 Comrie votes yes to expand school speed cameras, boosting pedestrian safety.

Jun 11 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.


11
S 7785 Comrie votes yes to weaken bus rules, increasing pedestrian and cyclist risk.

Jun 11 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.


11
S 7785 Comrie votes yes to weaken bus rules, increasing pedestrian and cyclist risk.

Jun 11 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.


10
S 8117 Comrie votes yes on school speed cameras, boosting safety for children.

Jun 10 - Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.


9
S 915 Comrie co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.

Jun 9 - Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.


9
S 915 Comrie votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.

Jun 9 - Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.


9
S 915 Comrie votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.

Jun 9 - Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.


3
Queens Driver Drags Pedestrian Three Blocks

Jun 3 - A driver in Queens struck a man crossing Hempstead Avenue. The SUV stopped, idled, then sped off. The victim was dragged for three blocks. Bystanders screamed. The man died at the scene. The driver later surrendered to police.

NY Daily News reported on June 3, 2025, that Warren Rollins surrendered to police for a December 2023 hit-and-run in Queens. Rollins allegedly ran over Gary Charlotin, who was crossing Hempstead Ave., then stopped for two minutes before fleeing. According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Rollins 'proceeded to speed away from the scene while dragging the victim's body, while the victim was still alive.' Bystanders pleaded for the driver to stop. The incident highlights the lethal consequences of driver inattention and failure to yield, as well as the dangers posed by drivers who flee crash scenes. The NYPD Highway Patrol investigated the fatality.


1
SUV and Sedan Collide While Merging on Parkway

Jun 1 - Two cars merged. Metal struck metal. A driver took a blow to the head. Shock followed. Others sat stunned, injuries unclear. The parkway ran on. The cause stayed hidden in the dark.

Two vehicles, a sedan and an SUV, collided while merging eastbound on Cross Island Parkway in Queens. According to the police report, the SUV's left front bumper struck the sedan's right side doors. One driver, a 36-year-old man, suffered a head injury and was in shock. Other occupants, including a 19-year-old front passenger and a 17-year-old driver, had unspecified injuries. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No driver errors were cited in the data. The crash left one person visibly hurt, with the rest shaken or status unknown.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816947 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
21
Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality

May 21 - A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.

According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.


18
SUV and Sedan Collide on Cross Island Parkway

May 18 - SUV and sedan crashed head-on. One passenger bruised, leg hurt. Obstructed view cited. Four others involved, injuries unclear. Metal and glass scattered. Night on the parkway turned violent.

Two vehicles, a sedan and an SUV, collided on Cross Island Parkway. One passenger, a 20-year-old woman, suffered a knee and foot injury with bruising. According to the police report, 'View Obstructed/Limited' was a contributing factor. Four other occupants, including both drivers and another passenger, were involved but their injuries were unspecified. The crash left metal and glass scattered. No helmet or signal issues were listed. The report highlights obstructed view as the key factor in this violent parkway collision.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814186 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
14
Comrie Opposes Idaho Stop Bill Citing Senior Concerns

May 14 - Victims and advocates marched to Albany. They demanded action for safer streets. Lawmakers split on bills: some backed speed controls, others balked. The Senate killed an anti-congestion bill. The fight for vulnerable lives pressed on, urgent and raw.

On May 14, 2025, victims of road violence and Families for Safe Streets lobbied at the State Capitol for the SAFE Streets Package. This package includes the 'Idaho stop' bill and the 'Stop Super-Speeders' bill. The event saw support from several Assembly members and a senator for speed controls, while Sen. Anthony Palumbo and Assembly Member Michael Novakhov opposed the super speeder bill, citing government overreach. Sen. Leroy Comrie opposed the Idaho stop bill, citing concerns for seniors. Separately, Senate bill S533, which aimed to block congestion pricing, was defeated in the Senate Transportation Committee. Chair Jeremy Cooney stressed, 'You have to have a plan. If you don’t have a plan, what are [you] doing to get the $15 billion revenue?' The day highlighted the rift between safety demands and political resistance, with victims' voices at the center.


6
S 4804 Comrie votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.


2
Red Light Crash Kills Airport Worker

May 2 - A driver ran a red. He sped through Queens. He hit Justin Diaz, heading to work. Diaz died. The driver, Michael Peña, faced jail, then release. The family mourns. The street remains dangerous. The system moves on.

NY Daily News reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former firefighter, was released from jail after being charged in a fatal crash. Police said Peña drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone and ran a red light, t-boning Justin Diaz near LaGuardia Airport. Peña had a history of 25 school-zone speeding tickets. The article quotes Diaz's brother: "We're sick, angry, disgusted." Peña was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusing a breath test. The release followed an appellate judge's decision, despite community outrage. The case highlights persistent dangers from high-speed driving and repeated violations, raising questions about enforcement and bail decisions.


1
Pedestrian Killed In Queens Double Collision

May 1 - A man crossed Linden Boulevard. A black car hit him and fled. Another car ran over him. He died in the hospital. The first driver vanished. The second stayed. Police search. The street stayed open. Blood on the asphalt.

Patch reported on May 1, 2025, that Christopher Gayton, 62, was killed at Linden Boulevard and 166 Street in Queens. He was struck by an eastbound black vehicle whose driver fled, then run over by a 2024 Ford Edge. The Ford's driver remained at the scene. Police said, 'Police are still searching for the first driver who fled the scene.' No charges have been filed. The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The crash highlights the dangers of multi-lane arterial roads and the ongoing risks for pedestrians in Queens. No arrests have been made.


1
Int 0193-2024 Williams votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.


25
Motorcycle Kills Pedestrian On Woodhaven Blvd

Apr 25 - A Yamaha motorcycle hit Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard before dawn. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider stayed. The street stayed open. The city stayed dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 25, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was killed crossing Myrtle Avenue at Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens around 2:20 a.m. A 34-year-old man riding a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle northbound in the center lane struck her. Police said, "The motorcyclist remained at the scene." Henderson was taken to Jamaica Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing. The crash highlights the persistent risk for pedestrians on wide, high-speed corridors like Woodhaven Boulevard. No information was provided about charges or contributing factors, but the fatal impact underscores the dangers faced by people crossing major city streets.


24
Res 0854-2025 Williams co-sponsors bill boosting street safety by curbing repeat speeders.

Apr 24 - Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.

Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.


21
Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens

Apr 21 - Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.