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

A sedan traveling southeast on Van Wyck Expressway suffered a tire failure, causing a front-end collision. The 45-year-old male driver sustained a hip and upper leg contusion. The crash highlights vehicle maintenance failures as a critical danger on city roads.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old male driver operating a 2005 BMW sedan on Van Wyck Expressway experienced a tire failure, identified as "Tire Failure/Inadequate," which led to a crash at 1:10 AM. The vehicle was traveling straight ahead when it impacted with its center front end. The driver, who was the sole occupant and properly restrained with a lap belt and harness, suffered a contusion to the hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites the tire failure as the primary contributing factor, underscoring a critical vehicle maintenance issue. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. This incident underscores the systemic danger posed by inadequate vehicle upkeep on New York City roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773944, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck traveling north rear-ended a sedan merging on Jewel Avenue in Queens. The sedan’s left rear quarter panel was struck. A rear passenger in the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Driver inattention and unsafe lane changing caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:40 AM on Jewel Avenue near Van Wyck Expressway in Queens. A box truck traveling straight ahead struck the center back end of a sedan that was merging northbound. The sedan sustained damage to its left rear quarter panel. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. A 49-year-old male rear passenger in the sedan, restrained by a lap belt, was injured with neck trauma and complained of whiplash. The passenger was conscious and not ejected. The box truck showed no damage. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction and unsafe merging maneuvers in multi-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773392, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle traveling west struck the right rear bumper of a sedan changing lanes eastbound on the G.C.P / L.I.E. The motorcycle driver, a 20-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Both vehicles sustained front and rear bumper damage.

According to the police report, at 10:45 a.m. on the G.C.P / L.I.E., a motorcycle traveling westbound collided with the right rear bumper of a sedan that was changing lanes eastbound. The motorcycle driver, a 20-year-old male occupant, was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan driver was also male and licensed in New York. The point of impact was the motorcycle's left front bumper and the sedan's right rear bumper. The report lists no specific contributing factors but notes the sedan was changing lanes at the time of the crash, indicating a driver error related to lane change maneuvers. No victim behaviors or helmet use were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771613, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A speeding sedan struck the rear of a southbound SUV on Van Wyck Expressway. Three vehicle occupants suffered neck injuries with whiplash. The crash unfolded at 6:20 p.m., highlighting the dangers of unsafe speed on city roadways.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Van Wyck Expressway at 18:20. A sedan, traveling southbound, rear-ended a southbound SUV at the center back end of the SUV. The contributing factor cited was 'Unsafe Speed.' The collision injured three occupants: the sedan driver, a front passenger, and a rear passenger. All three sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and were conscious at the scene. Each occupant wore lap belts and harnesses and was not ejected from their vehicles. The report explicitly notes the driver error of unsafe speed leading to the rear-end collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash underscores the systemic danger posed by speeding drivers on city expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769438, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway, injuring six occupants. Drivers and passengers suffered shoulder, neck, and leg injuries. The crash involved driver inexperience and distraction, causing shock and pain among those inside the vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Grand Central Parkway at 11:00. Two sedans traveling straight ahead collided, both sustaining center back end damage. The report cites driver inexperience and driver inattention/distraction as contributing factors for all involved drivers. Six occupants were injured, including drivers and passengers aged 22 to 67. Injuries included upper arm, neck, and lower leg trauma, with several victims experiencing shock and complaints of pain. All occupants were restrained with lap belts and none were ejected. The report highlights driver errors—specifically inexperience and distraction—as the cause of the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764461, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided on the Long Island Expressway. The rear driver, distracted, failed to stop in time. The front driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained. Impact damaged center rear and front ends of the vehicles.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling westbound on the Long Island Expressway collided at 8:00 a.m. The rear vehicle, a 2008 Toyota driven by a licensed male from New Jersey, was slowing or stopping when it struck the center back end of the front vehicle, a 2018 BMW driven by a licensed female from New York. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, indicating the rear driver failed to maintain attention. The front driver, a 32-year-old male occupant, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. Vehicle damage was concentrated on the center back end of the rear vehicle and the center front end of the front vehicle, confirming a rear-end collision caused by driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760026, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 25-year-old motorcyclist suffered shoulder abrasions after a collision on Van Wyck Expressway. The crash involved improper lane usage and driver distraction. The motorcyclist was helmeted and conscious, sustaining moderate injuries without ejection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:40 a.m. on Van Wyck Expressway involving a motorcycle and a sedan both traveling north. The motorcyclist, a 25-year-old male wearing a helmet, was injured with abrasions and upper arm shoulder injuries but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors by the motorcyclist. The sedan showed no damage and had no point of impact, suggesting the motorcycle struck the sedan's right front bumper and quarter panel. The motorcyclist was the sole occupant of his vehicle, and the sedan had one licensed male driver. The injuries and crash dynamics highlight the dangers of improper lane changes and distracted driving on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758532, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Five sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway at night. All drivers suffered full-body injuries and shock. Vehicles sustained front, rear, and side damage. Police report lists unspecified driver errors as contributing factors. No ejections or visible complaints noted.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle crash involving five sedans occurred on Grand Central Parkway around 11 p.m. All five drivers, aged 26 to 62, were injured with bodily harm described as entire body injuries or specific to knee and lower leg areas. Each driver was in shock, and none were ejected from their vehicles. The vehicles showed damage at front, rear, and side points of impact, indicating a chain collision. The report cites 'Unspecified' contributing factors for all drivers, suggesting driver errors without detail. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors contributed. The crash involved vehicles traveling westbound, with one sedan stopped in traffic before impact. This incident highlights the dangers of multi-vehicle collisions and driver errors on busy roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757530, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided on Van Wyck Expressway in the early morning hours. The driver of one vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way and other vehicular errors as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 2:49 AM on Van Wyck Expressway involving two sedans. The driver of one sedan, a 46-year-old male, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing to the collision. Vehicle damage included a demolished overturned sedan and damage to the left front quarter panel of the other sedan. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the injured driver’s behavior. The focus remains on driver errors that led to the crash and subsequent injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755871, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A northbound unlicensed SUV driver crashed into the rear of a tractor truck on Van Wyck Expressway. The SUV driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles sustained front and rear damage. The collision exposed risks from unlicensed driving and rear-end impacts.

According to the police report, at 10:35 a.m. on Van Wyck Expressway, a northbound SUV driven by a 56-year-old male without a valid license struck the center back end of a tractor truck traveling in the same direction. The truck, driven by a licensed male driver, was going straight ahead and sustained damage to its center front end. The SUV was damaged at its center back end. The SUV driver was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash, and remained conscious. The report lists the SUV driver as unlicensed, which is a critical driver error contributing to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and rear-end impacts on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755642, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Four occupants suffered internal injuries in a multi-vehicle collision on Grand Central Parkway. Two drivers and two passengers sustained back, neck, and chest injuries. All were conscious and restrained. The crash involved a taxi and two sedans, all traveling westbound.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Grand Central Parkway at 10:30. Three vehicles—a taxi and two sedans—were all traveling westbound and collided front-to-front or rear-end. The taxi and one sedan both sustained center front-end damage, while the third sedan was damaged at the center back end. Four occupants were injured: two drivers aged 27 and 24, a 73-year-old male driver, and a 72-year-old female front passenger. All were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. Injuries included back, neck, and chest trauma, classified as severity level 3 internal injuries. The report lists the drivers’ contributing factors as unspecified. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755477, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 33-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected and injured on Grand Central Parkway late at night. The crash involved driver inattention and unsafe speed. The rider wore a helmet but suffered abrasions and whole-body injuries in the impact.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male motorcyclist driving westbound on Grand Central Parkway was involved in a crash at 11:40 p.m. The driver was ejected from the motorcycle and sustained injuries to his entire body, including abrasions. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the collision. The rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, which is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The motorcycle was traveling straight ahead when the impact occurred at an unspecified point on the vehicle. The driver was conscious after the crash but suffered injury severity level 3. Vehicle damage was recorded as 'Other.' This incident highlights the dangers of driver distraction and excessive speed on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748023, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi changing lanes at unsafe speed struck a sedan on Grand Central Parkway. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old man, suffered upper arm injuries and abrasions. The taxi’s left rear bumper hit the sedan’s right front, causing it to overturn.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:30 on Grand Central Parkway. The taxi driver was changing lanes at an unsafe speed when the collision happened. The taxi’s left rear bumper impacted the right front bumper of the sedan, which overturned. The sedan driver, a 23-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained a shoulder and upper arm injury classified as severity 3 and complained of abrasions. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors attributed to the taxi driver. There is no indication of any contributing factors related to the sedan driver. The crash highlights the dangers posed by reckless lane changes and excessive speed on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746760, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A tractor truck collided into the rear of a sedan traveling southbound on Van Wyck Expressway. Four sedan occupants suffered injuries including head, back, and leg trauma. Police cite following too closely as the primary driver error leading to the crash.

According to the police report, at 10:00 AM on Van Wyck Expressway, a tractor truck diesel traveling southbound struck the center back end of a southbound sedan. The collision caused injuries to all four sedan occupants, including head injuries to a 29-year-old female rear passenger, back injuries to the 33-year-old male driver and a 27-year-old female rear passenger, and lower leg injuries to a 31-year-old female front passenger. All occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected but experienced shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash, indicating the truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the sedan. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The truck sustained damage to its right front bumper, and the sedan's center back end was damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746566, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A northbound Suzuki motorcycle struck a merging car on Van Wyck Expressway. The 28-year-old rider, helmeted, was ejected and left bleeding on the pavement. The crash tore his body. Shock set in. The highway roared on. He lay still.

According to the police report, a Suzuki motorcycle traveling northbound on Van Wyck Expressway collided with a car that was merging. The crash occurred at 4 p.m. The 28-year-old rider, who was wearing a helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle and suffered severe lacerations to his entire body. The report states the rider was left in shock and motionless on the pavement. Police cite 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor in the crash. The data makes clear that improper lane usage played a direct role in the violent collision. The rider's helmet use is noted in the report, but only after the primary driver error is established. No contributing factors are attributed to the merging car or to the victim beyond the cited lane usage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744821, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle driver was ejected and injured with back abrasions after overturning during an improper lane change on Grand Central Parkway. The sedan involved struck the motorcycle’s right front bumper. The crash exposed dangers of unsafe lane maneuvers on high-speed roads.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:15 on Grand Central Parkway involving a motorcycle and a sedan, both traveling west. The motorcycle driver, a 51-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained back abrasions classified as injury severity 3. The motorcycle’s pre-crash action was changing lanes improperly, identified as a contributing factor along with an unspecified factor. The sedan was traveling straight and impacted the motorcycle’s right front bumper. The motorcycle overturned due to the collision. The report highlights the motorcycle driver’s improper lane usage as a key cause. No contributing factors related to the sedan driver were specified. The crash underscores the hazards of lane changes at speed and the severe consequences for motorcyclists when collisions occur.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743437, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan struck the rear of a motorized home on Van Wyck Expressway. Three male occupants in the sedan suffered injuries including back and arm wounds. Police cite unsafe lane changing and failure to yield as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:25 on Van Wyck Expressway involving a 2014 sedan and a 2023 motorized home, both traveling north. The sedan's driver failed to yield right-of-way and engaged in unsafe lane changing, causing the sedan to impact the left rear bumper of the motorized home. The sedan sustained damage to its left rear bumper, while the motorized home showed no damage. Three male occupants in the sedan were injured: the 32-year-old driver with back injuries, a 37-year-old front passenger with elbow and lower arm injuries, and a 30-year-old rear passenger also with back injuries. All occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report highlights driver errors—unsafe lane changing and failure to yield right-of-way—as the primary contributing factors, with no victim behaviors cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739075, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi and bicyclist collided on the Van Wyck Expressway. The 32-year-old female cyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash, highlighting systemic dangers on this route.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:59 on the Van Wyck Expressway involving a taxi and a bicycle traveling southbound. The bicyclist, a 32-year-old woman, was ejected from her bike and sustained head injuries classified as severity level 3, including abrasions. The taxi, driven by a licensed male driver, struck the cyclist on its right front quarter panel while both vehicles were going straight ahead. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor twice, indicating lapses in focus by the drivers involved. The bicyclist's own contributing factor is noted as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' but the primary cause centers on driver errors. No safety equipment use was recorded. The collision's impact and injuries underscore the dangers posed by distracted driving on busy roadways like the Van Wyck Expressway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738240, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck struck the rear of a sedan traveling south on Van Wyck Expressway. The sedan’s female driver and a male passenger suffered neck and back injuries. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Van Wyck Expressway at 6:41 AM. A box truck traveling south rear-ended a sedan also moving south. The sedan’s female driver, age 20, was injured with internal neck trauma and experienced shock. A 23-year-old male passenger sustained back injuries and shock. The report identifies the contributing factor as "Following Too Closely" by the box truck driver. The truck’s right front bumper struck the sedan’s center back end. Both vehicles were going straight ahead prior to impact. The sedan driver held a permit license, while the truck driver was licensed. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision highlights the danger of tailgating on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737417, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided head-on on Grand Central Parkway at 1:38 a.m. Both vehicles suffered severe damage. Two male passengers were injured with fractures and dislocations. Driver inattention and unsafe lane changing caused the crash, according to the police report.

At 1:38 a.m., two sedans traveling eastbound on Grand Central Parkway collided, resulting in severe vehicle damage and passenger injuries. According to the police report, the BMW sedan was 'demolished' at the point of impact, while the Honda sedan sustained damage to its left front quarter panel. The crash injured two male passengers: a 30-year-old front passenger with fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and a 23-year-old rear passenger with fractures and dislocations to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. Both were conscious and restrained by lap belts and harnesses. The report attributes the collision primarily to 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' by the driver, highlighting critical driver errors that led to the crash. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734768, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14