Speed Kills. Silence Kills. NYC’s Parkways Are a Crime Scene.

A truck struck an SUV from behind on Van Wyck Expressway. Two passengers in the SUV suffered injuries to the face and arm. Police cited driver inattention. Metal, glass, and pain scattered across the northbound lanes.

A northbound tractor-trailer crashed into the back of a Honda SUV on Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. Two SUV passengers were injured: a 28-year-old woman in the front seat suffered facial injuries and whiplash, while a 24-year-old man in the rear seat sustained a fractured arm. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor in the collision. The SUV was hit in the center back end; the truck sustained damage to its front. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Both injured passengers were wearing lap belts and harnesses. The crash highlights the danger when heavy trucks and passenger vehicles collide at speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816549, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan struck an e-scooter on Grand Central Parkway near Jewel Avenue. The scooter rider, a 53-year-old man, suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Police cited driver inattention. Both vehicles were heading north. The road became a scene of pain.

A crash on Grand Central Parkway at Jewel Avenue involved a sedan and an e-scooter, both traveling north. According to the police report, driver inattention or distraction contributed to the collision. The e-scooter rider, a 53-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. The sedan driver, a 55-year-old man, was not reported injured. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for both drivers. The report notes the e-scooter rider wore a helmet, but only after citing driver error. The crash underscores the danger faced by vulnerable road users when drivers lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815261, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorscooter struck a pedestrian on Fowler Avenue in Queens. The crash left the pedestrian bruised and hurt. Police cited unsafe speed and aggressive driving. The scooter’s front end took the hit. The street bore the mark of reckless force.

A motorscooter traveling south on Fowler Avenue collided with a 40-year-old pedestrian who was not at an intersection. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a contusion and injuries to the lower arm and hand. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The 15-year-old scooter driver was partially ejected from the vehicle. The impact centered on the scooter’s front end. No safety equipment was noted for the driver. The crash underscores the danger when speed and aggression mix on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813988, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Metal crumpled on the Grand Central Parkway exit. A 55-year-old man, behind the wheel of an SUV, suffered a head injury and whiplash. Sirens echoed as traffic thickened. The driver remained conscious, pain sharp and immediate.

A crash occurred on the Grand Central Parkway Exit 9 in Queens involving a 2024 Mitsubishi SUV. According to the police report, the driver, a 55-year-old man, sustained a head injury and whiplash but was conscious at the scene. The vehicle suffered damage to the center back end. The report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved, and no helmet or signal use was cited as a factor. The incident highlights the vulnerability of vehicle occupants even in the absence of clear driver mistakes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807616, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Metal crumpled on Grand Central Parkway near Roosevelt Avenue. Two passengers, a 26-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman, suffered bruises after a sedan struck another from behind. Afternoon traffic hummed as emergency crews responded to the scene.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling south on Grand Central Parkway near Roosevelt Avenue collided, resulting in injuries to two passengers. A 26-year-old male passenger sustained bruises to his entire body, while an 18-year-old female passenger suffered a neck contusion. Both were not ejected from their vehicles. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor, indicating that one driver failed to maintain a safe distance, leading to a rear-end impact. No other driver errors or helmet or signal issues were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805526, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan’s left front bumper crumples on Grand Central Parkway. The driver, a 61-year-old woman, sits rigid behind the wheel, clutching her neck. Her seatbelt restrains her. Night air hangs silent as shock clouds her eyes.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling eastbound on Grand Central Parkway struck another vehicle while merging. The driver, a 61-year-old woman, suffered a neck injury and showed signs of shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor for both vehicles, and 'Following Too Closely' for the injured driver. The sedan’s left front bumper was damaged in the impact. No other injuries were reported. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804959, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 29-year-old man was thrown from a moped on Van Wyck Expressway. He hit the pavement, conscious but bleeding from the face. Sirens echoed as emergency crews arrived. The crash left the moped damaged and the rider shaken, pain sharp and immediate.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male moped rider was ejected and injured on the Van Wyck Expressway. The crash left him with facial abrasions, and he was reported conscious at the scene. The moped, identified as a 2024 Yiben, sustained damage to the left side. The rider was the sole occupant and was operating the vehicle without a valid license. Police listed the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The report notes the rider was wearing a helmet, but helmet use was not cited as a contributing factor. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804402, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck and SUV collided on Van Wyck Expressway late at night. Both male drivers suffered injuries and shock. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash. Impact points included the truck’s left front bumper and the SUV’s left rear bumper.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:27 on Van Wyck Expressway involving a box truck and a station wagon/SUV, both traveling north. The box truck struck the SUV on the SUV’s left rear bumper with its left front bumper. Both drivers, males aged 35 and 26, were injured and experienced shock, reporting complaints of pain or nausea. The report cites slippery pavement as a contributing factor for both drivers. Both drivers were licensed and driving straight ahead prior to impact. Vehicle damage was noted on the truck’s right front bumper and the SUV’s left rear bumper. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported. The collision highlights the dangers posed by adverse road conditions and vehicle interactions on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802712, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two drivers suffered head injuries in a rear-end collision on Grand Central Parkway. Both vehicles traveled eastbound. The SUV struck the sedan’s center back end, causing injuries described as whiplash and abrasions. Both drivers remained conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a 2016 Toyota SUV and a 2016 Honda sedan collided on Grand Central Parkway at 1:28 a.m. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound, with the SUV impacting the sedan at the center back end. The SUV sustained damage to its left rear bumper, while the sedan’s center back end was damaged. The drivers, both male and licensed or permitted in New York, were injured but conscious. The SUV driver, age 46, suffered head injuries and whiplash, secured by a lap belt and harness. The sedan driver, age 30, also sustained head injuries and abrasions, wearing similar restraints. The report lists no explicit contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding, only unspecified contributing factors for the SUV driver. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800242, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans crashed head-on on Meadow Lake Drive. The 58-year-old male driver suffered injuries and incoherence. Police cited driver inattention and unsafe speed as causes. Both vehicles sustained front quarter panel damage in the afternoon collision.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Meadow Lake Drive around 3 p.m. The 58-year-old male driver of one vehicle was injured and became incoherent after the crash. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the collision. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of one sedan and the right front quarter panel of the other, indicating a significant front-side collision. The injured driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing solely on driver errors and vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798524, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 44-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and whiplash after his vehicle was struck from behind on the Van Wyck Expressway. The crash occurred at 8 p.m. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old male driver was injured in a rear-end collision on the Van Wyck Expressway at 8 p.m. The driver, who was restrained by a lap belt and harness, sustained back injuries and complained of whiplash. The collision involved a 2025 Lincoln sedan traveling north, which impacted the center back end of the driver's vehicle. The report does not list any contributing factors such as failure to yield or driver error, nor does it indicate any victim behaviors contributing to the crash. The driver was not ejected and remained conscious throughout the incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798912, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan changing lanes on the Long Island Expressway struck an occupant inside, causing a severe head injury. The passenger was unconscious with bruising, suffering from the driver’s reaction to an uninvolved vehicle. The impact damaged the car’s right front bumper.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:25 AM on the Long Island Expressway. A 27-year-old male passenger seated in the middle rear seat of a 2015 BMW sedan was injured when the driver changed lanes. The report cites the driver’s 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as a contributing factor. The passenger sustained a head injury, was unconscious, and suffered contusions and bruising. The vehicle’s right front bumper was damaged at the point of impact. The driver was licensed and traveling eastbound. No other contributing factors related to the passenger’s behavior were noted. The injury severity was classified as serious, highlighting the dangers of sudden driver maneuvers even inside the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796004, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 39-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries while crossing Jewel Avenue with the signal. The pedestrian was conscious and sustained abrasions. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. No driver errors or contributing factors were reported by police.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Jewel Avenue and Park Drive East while crossing with the signal. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle with no occupants reported. The police report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The report focuses on the pedestrian’s injuries and crossing behavior, with no indication of driver fault explicitly documented.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793720, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided on the Grand Central Parkway Exit 9 eastbound at 9:53 a.m. A six-year-old passenger suffered a neck contusion. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause, with impact on the right front quarter panel and center front end.

According to the police report, at 9:53 a.m., two sedans collided on the Grand Central Parkway Exit 9 eastbound. One vehicle, a 2020 BMW sedan traveling west, was struck on the right front quarter panel, damaging its right side doors. The other, a 2024 Nissan sedan, was making a left turn and impacted with its center front end. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor to the collision. A six-year-old male occupant in the BMW, seated in the right rear passenger position and secured with a lap belt and harness, sustained a neck contusion and was conscious after the crash. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The collision highlights driver error in yielding, leading to injuries among vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793086, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A distracted driver rear-ended a stopped SUV on Grand Central Parkway. The impact caused upper arm injuries and whiplash to the driver of the struck vehicle. Both vehicles were traveling west when the collision occurred in traffic.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:50 on Grand Central Parkway involving two SUVs traveling westbound. One SUV was stopped in traffic when it was struck in the center back end by another SUV traveling straight ahead. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 46-year-old woman, sustained upper arm injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. The driver of the striking vehicle failed to maintain attention, leading to the rear-end impact. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing factors from the injured driver. The collision highlights the danger of distracted driving in congested traffic conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789125, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A speeding SUV distracted its driver and slammed into the back of a sedan going east on Grand Central Parkway. Two front-seat passengers suffered chest injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:45 on Grand Central Parkway. A 2024 Subaru SUV traveling west rear-ended a 2019 BMW sedan traveling east. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors for the SUV driver. The point of impact was the center back end of the sedan and the center front end of the SUV. Two front-seat passengers in the sedan, both female and wearing lap belts and harnesses, were injured with chest trauma and whiplash. Neither occupant was ejected, and both remained conscious. The collision's damage was concentrated at the center rear of the sedan and the center front of the SUV. The report highlights driver errors—distraction and unsafe speed—as the primary causes, with no contributing factors attributed to the passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785845, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A distracted SUV driver veered south on Van Wyck Expressway, slamming head-on into a man standing near a parked flatbed. The impact crushed his body. He died there, under the cold morning sky, another life ended by driver inattention.

A 41-year-old man was killed on the Van Wyck Expressway when a southbound SUV struck him head-on as he stood near a parked flatbed, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 11:35 a.m. The report states the SUV driver was 'distracted' and that 'alcohol was involved.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was engaged in 'other actions in roadway,' but the police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The SUV's right front bumper delivered the fatal blow, crushing the man's body. The police narrative describes the victim's death as immediate, with his body 'crumpled beneath the wheels.' No contributing factors are attributed to the pedestrian. The data underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction and impairment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776236, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A female SUV driver suffered back injuries and shock after a collision caused by unsafe lane changing. The impact struck the vehicle’s left front quarter panel. The crash occurred shortly after midnight on Grand Central Parkway, eastbound.

According to the police report, the crash involved a 2020 Jeep SUV traveling eastbound on Grand Central Parkway. The driver, a 25-year-old female occupant, was injured with back trauma and experienced shock. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the SUV, indicating the vehicle struck or was struck during a lane change maneuver. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The collision also involved another vehicle traveling eastbound, which sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel. The driver held a valid New York license. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of improper lane changes on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775876, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Toyota SUV struck the rear of a Chevrolet sedan traveling eastbound on Grand Central Parkway. The sedan’s female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash, enduring shock. Police cited following too closely as the cause, highlighting driver error in the chain of impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:15 on Grand Central Parkway when a 2021 Toyota SUV collided with the rear of a 2018 Chevrolet sedan. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound, with the SUV impacting the left rear bumper of the sedan, which sustained center front end damage. The sedan’s 31-year-old female driver was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash, and was reported to be in shock. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report explicitly identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance, causing the rear-end collision. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777601, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs collided head-to-tail on the Van Wyck Expressway at night. Three occupants suffered contusions and bruises, including back and shoulder injuries. Driver distraction was cited as the cause, with no ejections or fatalities reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on the Van Wyck Expressway around 12:30 a.m. Two station wagons/SUVs traveling south collided, with the point of impact at the center front end of one vehicle and the center back end of the other. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The second vehicle, a 2013 Ford SUV with three occupants, was driven by a licensed New York male driver. All three occupants, including the driver, sustained injuries classified as contusions and bruises to the back and shoulders. All were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. There were no ejections. The collision and resulting injuries highlight the dangers of driver distraction on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775909, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14