Crash Count for Springfield Gardens (South)-Brookville
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 2,601
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,921
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 296
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 26
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 16
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 15, 2025
Carnage in Springfield Gardens (South)-Brookville
Killed 16
+2
Crush Injuries 6
Neck 2
Back 1
Face 1
Head 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Amputation 2
Lower arm/hand 1
Whole body 1
Severe Bleeding 9
Head 6
+1
Face 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Whole body 1
Severe Lacerations 6
Whole body 2
Face 1
Head 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Shoulder/upper arm 1
Concussion 8
Head 4
Whole body 2
Lower arm/hand 1
Neck 1
Whiplash 59
Neck 29
+24
Back 15
+10
Whole body 9
+4
Head 7
+2
Shoulder/upper arm 3
Face 1
Lower arm/hand 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Contusion/Bruise 56
Lower leg/foot 14
+9
Head 11
+6
Back 8
+3
Shoulder/upper arm 7
+2
Lower arm/hand 5
Whole body 5
Face 4
Chest 3
Hip/upper leg 2
Neck 2
Abrasion 21
Back 4
Face 4
Lower arm/hand 3
Lower leg/foot 3
Head 2
Neck 2
Eye 1
Shoulder/upper arm 1
Whole body 1
Pain/Nausea 18
Neck 5
Whole body 5
Shoulder/upper arm 4
Back 2
Chest 1
Head 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Springfield Gardens (South)-Brookville?

Preventable Speeding in Springfield Gardens (South)-Brookville School Zones

(since 2022)

Caught Speeding Recently in Springfield Gardens (South)-Brookville

Vehicles – Caught Speeding in NYC (12 months)
  1. Vehicle (9GM3735) – 114 times • 1 in last 90d here
  2. 2023 Black Audi Suburban (LEA6381) – 94 times • 1 in last 90d here
  3. 2012 Grey Me/Be Sedan (9242ZU) – 81 times • 1 in last 90d here
  4. Vehicle (15654TV) – 78 times • 1 in last 90d here
  5. 2007 Infiniti Sedan (MSD0698) – 76 times • 1 in last 90d here

Belt Parkway at dawn. A man in the road. Two cars. No second chance.

Springfield Gardens (South)-Brookville: Jan 1, 2022 - Sep 18, 2025

Just before 6 AM on Sep 12, 2025, on the Belt Parkway, a person walking was hit and killed by drivers heading west. Police logged three vehicles. He died in the roadway. Source.

He is one of 16 people killed here since Jan 1, 2022. Another 1,915 were hurt. Source.

This Week

  • Sep 12: A pedestrian was struck and killed on the westbound Belt Parkway. Source
  • Aug 25: A 29‑year‑old on a motorcycle was ejected and seriously injured on the Belt Parkway. Police cited driver distraction. Source
  • Aug 24: A 61‑year‑old man walking at 177 St and 145 Dr was hit and injured. Source
  • Aug 13: A 52‑year‑old man walking near South Conduit Ave and 155 St was struck and killed. Source

The pattern is the hours and the roads

Deaths pile up in the dark. The heaviest counts come around 1–6 AM and near 11 PM. Source.

The same corridors keep taking lives: Belt Parkway leads with the worst toll; South Conduit Avenue follows. Source.

Police records name specific driver actions here too: failure to yield shows up in death reports. Distraction appears in severe injuries. Source.

Neighbors and officials know these roads are wrong

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said the Conduit “falls significantly short… it’s poorly designed,” and lacks safe space for people walking and biking. Source.

The city opened a redesign process for the Conduit after years of injuries and deaths. It shouldn’t take this long. Source.

What fixes this, right now

  • Harden the hotspots: concrete refuge islands and tighter turns on South Conduit Avenue; speed control and barrier upgrades along the Belt Parkway frontage where people still cross. Target the late‑night hours the numbers flag. Source
  • Enforce yield and distraction violations where pedestrians are hit, and back it with design that forces lower speeds. Source

Citywide levers exist. The State Senate moved a bill to force electronic speed limiters on repeat speeders; State Sen. James Sanders voted yes in committee on S 4045. Source. Albany also renewed 24‑hour school‑zone speed cameras through 2030; both Sanders and Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson voted yes on S 8344. Source.

Council Member Selvena N. Brooks‑Powers has backed safety‑adjacent measures, from a greenway master plan to stronger enforcement against unlicensed commuter vans. Those actions are on the record; the deaths on Belt and the Conduit are too. Source Source.

The next step is simple

Slow the cars and stop the repeat offenders. Demand it. Start here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is this happening?
Springfield Gardens (South)–Brookville in southeast Queens. The worst harm clusters on the Belt Parkway and South Conduit Avenue, according to crash records from NYC Open Data.
What stood out in the recent data?
In the past month, a person walking was killed on the Belt Parkway. Earlier in August, a person on a motorcycle was ejected and seriously hurt, a 61‑year‑old pedestrian was injured at 177 St and 145 Dr, and a 52‑year‑old pedestrian was killed near South Conduit Ave and 155 St, all recorded by NYPD and published on NYC Open Data.
What are officials doing about repeat speeders?
The State Senate advanced bill S 4045 to require intelligent speed assistance for repeat violators; State Sen. James Sanders voted yes in committee. Albany also extended 24‑hour school‑zone speed cameras through 2030; Sen. Sanders and Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson voted yes on S 8344.
How were these numbers calculated?
We used NYC Open Data’s Motor Vehicle Collisions datasets (Crashes h9gi‑nx95, Persons f55k‑p6yu, Vehicles bm4k‑52h4). We filtered for incidents from 2022‑01‑01 to 2025‑09‑18 within the Springfield Gardens (South)–Brookville neighborhood and summarized deaths, injuries, times of day, and top corridors. Data were extracted Sep 17–18, 2025. You can view the base datasets here.
What is CrashCount?
We’re a tool for helping hold local politicians and other actors accountable for their failure to protect you when you’re walking or cycling in NYC. We update our site constantly to provide you with up to date information on what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson

District 31

Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers

District 31

State Senator James Sanders

District 10

Other Geographies

Springfield Gardens (South)-Brookville Springfield Gardens (South)-Brookville sits in Queens, Precinct 116, District 31, AD 31, SD 10, Queens CB13.

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

Traffic Safety Timeline for Springfield Gardens (South)-Brookville

18
Sedans Collide on North Conduit Avenue in Queens

Apr 18 - Two sedans slammed together on North Conduit Avenue. A young woman in the front seat took a blow to the head. Police cite unsafe lane change and traffic control ignored.

Two sedans crashed on North Conduit Avenue at Springfield Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, a 25-year-old front passenger suffered a head injury and shock. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. Both vehicles were traveling west. The crash left one passenger hurt and several others shaken. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806907 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
17
Speeding Sedans Collide on Rockaway Boulevard

Apr 17 - Two sedans crashed on Rockaway Boulevard. A toddler and a woman suffered injuries. Unsafe speed drove the impact. Metal twisted. Lives jarred. The street bore the cost.

Two sedans collided on Rockaway Boulevard near Belt Parkway in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling west and slowing or stopping when the crash occurred. A 2-year-old boy riding as a rear passenger and a 31-year-old woman driving one sedan were injured. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor for all involved drivers. The child was in a restraint. The force struck the center front and back ends of the cars. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806502 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
11
Brooks-Powers Supports DOT Transparency Bills for Project Tracking

Apr 11 - Council passed two bills forcing DOT to show its work. Lawmakers demand public trackers for street safety projects. DOT resists, citing complexity. Advocates want more than data—they want action. Transparency is a start, but not the finish.

On April 11, 2025, the City Council passed Intro 1105 and Intro 1114. Both bills require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create public trackers for capital projects tied to the Streets Master Plan. Intro 1105, sponsored by Transportation Committee Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers, mandates a tracker for projects that count toward safety benchmarks. Intro 1114, sponsored by Council Member Julie Won, calls for a broader capital projects tracker. The bills respond to the Adams administration's failure to meet legal targets for bus and bike lanes. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said, 'Today’s legislation will advance greater transparency.' DOT officials pushed back, arguing project work is not linear and trackers have limited use. Won countered, 'It is [the DOT's] responsibility to take their capital plan and implement it.' Advocates and council members agree: tracking is only a first step. Without real follow-through, data alone will not save lives.


10
Int 1233-2025 Brooks-Powers co-sponsors bill to require vegetated medians, boosting cyclist and pedestrian safety.

Apr 10 - Council bill orders trees and plants on new medians between bike lanes and car traffic. Concrete gets green. Barriers grow roots. The city must build for life, not speed.

Int 1233-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced April 10, 2025, it demands new medians between bicycle lanes and motor vehicles be built for trees and vegetation, pending feasibility. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to the planting of vegetation on new medians separating bicycle lanes from motorized vehicle traffic.” Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads, joined by Bottcher, Ossé, Brannan, Hanif, and Brooks-Powers. They push the city to plant, or allow planting, in every new median. The law would take effect 120 days after passage. No safety analyst note was provided.


10
Int 1105-2024 Brooks-Powers votes yes to boost street safety transparency and accountability.

Apr 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.


10
Int 1105-2024 Brooks-Powers votes yes, boosting street safety transparency and project accountability.

Apr 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.


9
SUV Slams Stopped Sedan on Belt Parkway

Apr 9 - Metal twisted on Belt Parkway. An SUV struck a stopped sedan from behind. Two drivers hurt, arms and head. A baby among the shaken. Police cite tailgating and bad lane use.

On Belt Parkway in Queens, an SUV crashed into a stopped sedan, pushing metal and bodies. According to the police report, 'A flatbed parked. A sedan stopped in traffic. An SUV struck from behind. Metal crumpled. Two drivers, a woman and a man, hurt in the arms and head. A baby listed among the occupants.' Police list 'Following Too Closely' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. Both drivers suffered injuries. The impact left a baby and other occupants at risk. Systemic danger persists on city highways.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804987 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
7
Chain Collision on Belt Parkway Injures Three

Apr 7 - Four cars slam westbound. Metal buckles. Three people hurt—head, arm, whiplash. Blood stains the shoulder. Distraction rules. Silence after the crash.

Four vehicles collided on Belt Parkway in Queens. Three people suffered injuries: a 26-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman with head trauma and whiplash, and a 44-year-old man with a bruised arm. According to the police report, 'Metal crumples into metal. A Lexus, a Nissan, a Honda, a Toyota. Three heads snap forward. Blood on the shoulder, bruises on the arm, whiplash ringing in the skull. Silence follows distraction.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor for all involved drivers. No other factors were cited.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804341 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
5
Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Blaze

Apr 5 - 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.


4
Car Jumps Curb, Injures Nine In Queens

Apr 4 - A car mounted the sidewalk at Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard. Metal twisted. Glass shattered. Nine people hurt—pedestrians, bus riders, car passengers. The bus stop became a scene of chaos. Sirens wailed. All survived. The street held the scars.

According to ABC7 (published April 4, 2025), a crash at Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard in Queens left at least nine people injured. Police said a 79-year-old woman, turning left, 'allegedly veered onto the sidewalk' to avoid a stopped Q10 bus, striking both the bus and its shelter. Four people waiting at the bus stop were hurt, as well as two bus passengers and three people inside the car. The article notes, 'Police stated that none of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries.' All were taken to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition. The incident highlights the danger when vehicles enter pedestrian space and the risks at crowded bus stops. The investigation continues.


28
Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash

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.


24
Chain-Reaction Crash on Belt Parkway Injures Passenger

Mar 24 - Three vehicles collided eastbound on Belt Parkway. A front-seat passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. The impact involved center front and rear ends, with no ejections reported.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction collision occurred on Belt Parkway involving three eastbound vehicles: a 2020 SUV, a 2024 sedan, and a 2016 sedan. The crash happened around 3:00 PM. The point of impact was primarily center front and center rear ends of the vehicles. The front passenger in one vehicle, a 52-year-old woman, sustained neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. Police identified driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. The collision caused damage to the center back ends and front ends of the involved vehicles, with no ejections reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801866 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
24
Brooks-Powers Opposes Enforcement Supports Removal of Dangerous Bike Lane

Mar 24 - Council Transportation Chair Brooks-Powers wants the Beach 20th Street protected bike lane gone. She blames illegal parking, not enforcement. Cyclists lose space. The city risks more danger. DOT says it will look at hardening the lane and boosting enforcement.

On March 24, 2025, Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the Transportation Committee, called for the removal of the protected bike lane on Beach 20th Street in Arverne, Queens. At a community meeting, Brooks-Powers said, "We’ve been trying to get [the bike lane] removed for three years. It wasn’t supported by the community. ... In effect it’s not a bike lane quite honestly; no one uses it, they [drivers] park there. We would like to see the hard infrastructure removed." Instead of demanding enforcement against illegal parking, she wants the lane ripped out, returning the street to a more dangerous state for cyclists and pedestrians. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez replied that building safe bike lanes requires support from local leaders. DOT spokesperson Will Livingston said the agency remains committed to safety and will explore hardening the lane and increasing enforcement.


23
SUV Rear-Ends SUV on Belt Parkway

Mar 23 - Two SUVs collided on Belt Parkway when one followed too closely. The rear passenger, an 82-year-old woman, suffered chest injuries and shock. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound, impacting center front and back ends. Driver error caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway at 19:56, involving two eastbound SUVs. The driver of the rear vehicle failed to maintain a safe distance, resulting in a rear-end collision. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The impact occurred at the center front end of the trailing SUV and the center back end of the leading SUV. An 82-year-old female occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of the lead vehicle sustained chest injuries and was in shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating and driver inattention on high-speed roadways.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801676 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
19
Moped Passenger Injured in SUV Collision

Mar 19 - A moped carrying two eastbound riders collided with an eastbound SUV on S Conduit Ave. The SUV struck the moped’s left front bumper with its right front quarter panel. The moped passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries, conscious and bruised.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:54 on S Conduit Ave involving a 2010 Honda SUV and a 2023 JIAJU moped. The SUV was traveling east going straight ahead, while the moped was making a left turn eastbound. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front quarter panel striking the moped’s left front bumper. The moped carried two occupants, including a 41-year-old female passenger who sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries classified as contusions and bruises. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, highlighting driver error. The moped driver was unlicensed, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The SUV had no occupants besides the driver, who was licensed.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
15
Two Sedans Collide on 150 St, Injuring Driver and Child

Mar 15 - Two sedans collided head-on on 150 Street near Belt Parkway. The driver and a six-year-old passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries with whiplash. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:30 on 150 Street near Belt Parkway involving two sedans traveling eastbound. The driver, a 37-year-old woman, and a six-year-old female passenger were injured, both sustaining knee and lower leg injuries and complaints of whiplash. The driver was wearing a lap belt and conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factors for both injured occupants. The vehicles impacted at the left front bumper and center back end, indicating a collision likely caused by failure to maintain control at speed and distracted driving. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by speeding and driver distraction on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
14
Brooks-Powers Supports Increased Funding to Prevent Harmful Open Streets Cuts

Mar 14 - Open Streets are shrinking. Volunteers warn more cuts loom unless City Hall steps up. Federal relief is gone. Groups want $48 million over three years. Current grants barely keep programs alive. The city’s inaction puts public space and safety at risk.

On March 14, 2025, a coalition of 16 volunteer open street groups sent a letter to City Council Transportation Chair Selvena Brooks-Powers. They warned, 'The limited funding and decreases in funding that have occurred over the years jeopardize the continuity and future of the program—funding pressure is already leading to downsizing and the disappearance of Open Streets programs.' The groups seek $48 million over three years, separate from the city’s $30 million contract with the Horticultural Society. Current grants max out at $20,000 per year, forcing cutbacks. Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Adams are starting budget talks. Council spokesperson Julia Agos called Open Streets 'critical components of our city's public realm.' The Department of Transportation said suggestions will be reviewed. Volunteer groups handle most operations, but stalled redesigns and lack of resources threaten the program’s survival.


13
Man And Child Struck In Queens Crash

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.


7
SUV Slams Sedan on Belt Parkway, Driver Crushed

Mar 7 - Westbound SUV plows into sedan’s rear near 150th Street. Steel folds. A woman’s spine breaks. She stays conscious, seatbelt digging in, pain radiating. The crash leaves her body broken, the road echoing with the violence of speed and carelessness.

A violent rear-end collision unfolded on Belt Parkway near 150th Street when a westbound SUV struck the back of a sedan, according to the police report. The report states the SUV 'slammed into a sedan’s rear,' crushing the 35-year-old woman driving the sedan. She remained conscious but suffered severe back injuries as her seatbelt held her in place while the force of the crash broke her spine. The police report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver's failure to maintain a safe distance. No other contributing factors are cited for the victim. The impact crumpled the sedan’s center back end and the SUV’s front, underscoring the destructive consequences of tailgating on city highways.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797652 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
4
Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Airport Worker

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.