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

A sedan driver suffered a severe leg fracture after an SUV made an unsafe lane change on Grand Central Parkway. The SUV passed too closely and at unsafe speed, striking the sedan’s left rear bumper. The driver remained conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:26 AM on Grand Central Parkway involving a station wagon/SUV and a sedan. The SUV driver committed multiple errors: unsafe speed, unsafe lane changing, and passing too closely. These actions led to a collision impacting the sedan’s left rear bumper. The sedan driver, a 35-year-old male occupant, was injured with a fractured knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly cites the SUV driver’s unsafe lane changing and passing too closely as contributing factors. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of aggressive and careless driving maneuvers on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734823, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Four passengers and one driver suffered whiplash and back injuries in a chain collision on Grand Central Parkway. Police cite repeated driver inattention and distraction as key factors. All occupants were conscious and restrained during impact.

At 3:44 AM on Grand Central Parkway, a multi-vehicle crash involved several SUVs and a sedan, according to the police report. The collision caused injuries to five vehicle occupants, including one driver and four passengers, all conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses. Injuries reported include whiplash and back pain, with severity rated as moderate (3). The police report identifies driver errors as the primary cause, specifically 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' repeated multiple times and 'Other Vehicular' factors. No victims were ejected. The point of impact on involved vehicles ranged from center front ends to center back ends, indicating a chain reaction collision. The report does not list any contributing victim behaviors, focusing blame on driver distraction and inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731102, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A male pedestrian was struck by a taxi while crossing Grand Central Parkway outside an intersection. The impact caused head injuries and bruising. The taxi, traveling east, hit the pedestrian with its left front bumper. The pedestrian was conscious but injured.

According to the police report, a male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2021 Toyota taxi traveling eastbound on Grand Central Parkway at 1:43 a.m. The taxi's left front bumper was the point of impact. The pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk or signal, described as "Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk." The pedestrian sustained head injuries and contusions but remained conscious. The report does not specify driver errors or contributing factors for the taxi, listing them as "Unspecified." No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision. The incident highlights the dangers posed by vehicles striking pedestrians outside designated crossing areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729829, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 27-year-old male driver suffered whiplash and full-body injuries when an SUV struck the rear quarter panel of his sedan. The crash happened on Grand Central Parkway at 1:04 a.m. The SUV driver followed too closely, causing the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:04 a.m. on Grand Central Parkway involving a 2018 SUV and a 2004 sedan, both traveling east. The SUV struck the sedan's right rear quarter panel, damaging both vehicles. The sedan's 27-year-old male driver was injured with whiplash and bodily trauma, remaining conscious with airbag deployment. The report cites "Following Too Closely" and "Other Vehicular" factors as contributing causes, indicating driver error by the SUV operator. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The sedan driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant injured. The report does not list any victim behaviors contributing to the crash. This collision highlights the dangers of tailgating on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729172, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 20-year-old motorcyclist was ejected and suffered full-body injuries after a collision with an SUV changing lanes. The SUV driver’s inattention caused the crash. The motorcyclist wore a helmet but was thrown from the bike, fracturing and dislocating limbs.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Grand Central Parkway at 18:13. A 20-year-old male motorcyclist, wearing a helmet, was traveling westbound going straight ahead when he collided with a 2023 SUV also heading westbound. The SUV driver was changing lanes and struck the motorcycle on its left rear bumper, impacting the motorcycle’s center front end. The motorcyclist was ejected from the vehicle, sustaining injuries to his entire body including fractures and dislocations. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain proper attention while changing lanes. The motorcyclist’s helmet use is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and lane changes on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729671, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An armored truck struck a sedan from behind on the Vanwyck Expressway in Queens. The sedan driver, a 65-year-old man, suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries and whiplash. Tire failure on the truck was a contributing factor, according to police.

According to the police report, at 15:25 on the Vanwyck Expressway in Queens, an armored truck traveling north collided with the left rear quarter panel of a northbound sedan. The truck's center front end impacted the sedan's left rear quarter panel, causing damage to both vehicles. The sedan driver, a 65-year-old man, was injured with shoulder and upper arm trauma and reported whiplash, remaining restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report cites tire failure or inadequacy on the armored truck as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the sedan driver. This crash highlights the systemic dangers posed by vehicle mechanical failures on busy expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729149, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A violent collision on Van Wyck Expressway left a 61-year-old SUV driver unconscious with a serious head injury. The crash involved multiple vehicles and was caused by unsafe speed and a lane change maneuver. The driver was restrained but suffered internal injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:25 on Van Wyck Expressway involving two SUVs and a sedan. One SUV driver, a 61-year-old man, was injured and rendered unconscious with a head injury classified as severity level 3. The report states the driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The collision damage was severe, with the SUV described as 'demolished' at the point of impact. The contributing factor cited is 'Unsafe Speed' combined with a 'Changing Lanes' maneuver by the northbound SUV driver. Both involved drivers were licensed in New York. The report explicitly identifies driver errors related to unsafe speed and lane changing as the cause, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728410, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A multi-vehicle collision on Grand Central Parkway sent three occupants to the hospital with neck injuries. According to the police report, drivers followed too closely and were distracted, causing a brutal chain-reaction crash that left passengers with whiplash.

At 8:30 p.m., a chain-reaction crash unfolded on Grand Central Parkway involving multiple vehicles traveling westbound. According to the police report, the primary contributing factors were drivers 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The collision involved sedans and SUVs impacting each other from front and rear. Three occupants—two male passengers aged 23 and 37, and a 39-year-old female driver—suffered neck injuries described as whiplash. All were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses, and none were ejected. The report highlights repeated failure to maintain safe distances and driver distraction as the cause, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. This crash underscores systemic dangers of tailgating and inattention on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726677, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 33-year-old woman died beneath the steel of an eastbound SUV on Grand Central Parkway. Her skull was crushed. She was walking outside the crosswalk, alone, in the darkness, when the vehicle hit her head-on. She died there.

A 33-year-old woman was killed on Grand Central Parkway near exit 24 when she was struck head-on by an eastbound SUV, according to the police report. The report states the pedestrian was 'walking outside the crosswalk' and was hit by the 'center front end' of a 2018 Toyota SUV. Her injuries were fatal, with the report noting her skull was crushed and she died at the scene. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian. No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction are cited in the available data. The narrative describes the woman as being alone and in the dark at the time of the crash. The focus remains on the impact and the deadly consequences of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723692, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided head-on on Grand Central Parkway. Both vehicles struck on right side doors. One driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited unsafe speed and reaction to uninvolved vehicle as contributing factors. Airbags deployed; driver conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:35 on Grand Central Parkway involving two sedans traveling eastbound. Both vehicles impacted each other on their right side doors, with damage noted on the right rear quarter panels. The driver of one sedan, a 30-year-old male, was injured with neck pain and whiplash, classified as injury severity 3. He was conscious, restrained by a lap belt, and had airbags deployed. The report attributes the collision to driver errors including unsafe speed and reaction to an uninvolved vehicle. No contributing factors were assigned to the injured driver, and no victim behaviors were noted as factors. The crash highlights driver errors and systemic dangers on this roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722847, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A garbage truck struck a cyclist on College Point Boulevard, tearing his arm and mangling his bike. The man, conscious but bleeding, lost more than metal. The street bore witness to the violence of heavy machinery against flesh.

A 45-year-old man riding a bicycle was struck by a garbage truck on College Point Boulevard near 59th Avenue in Queens at 2:51 a.m., according to the police report. The report states the cyclist was 'thrown, conscious, bleeding,' with his arm torn and the bike mangled. The collision resulted in an amputation injury to the cyclist's upper arm. The point of impact for both vehicles was the center front end, indicating a direct collision. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The narrative describes the violence of the crash: 'A garbage truck crushed a cyclist... He lost more than metal.' The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this detail is not cited as a contributing factor. The data underscores the lethal risk posed by large vehicles sharing city streets with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721236, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A northbound dump truck struck the rear of a sedan on Van Wyck Expressway. The sedan’s driver and a rear passenger suffered back injuries and shock. Both vehicles were traveling straight when the dump truck impacted the sedan’s center back end.

According to the police report, a 2017 KW-TRUCK/BUS dump truck traveling north on Van Wyck Expressway struck the center back end of a 2018 Nissan sedan also traveling north. The dump truck had one male licensed driver, and the sedan had three occupants including the male driver and a male rear passenger. Both the driver and rear passenger of the sedan sustained back injuries with injury severity rated 3; the driver complained of whiplash and was conscious, while the passenger was in shock. The dump truck showed no damage, while the sedan sustained damage to its center back end. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of impact. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, indicating no explicit driver errors were recorded. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721056, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan traveling west struck the rear of a tractor truck on the Long Island Expressway. Two occupants in the sedan, including the driver and front passenger, suffered injuries and shock. The truck driver was unlicensed but not physically harmed.

According to the police report, a 2012 Nissan sedan traveling west on the Long Island Expressway collided with the center back end of a 2009 diesel tractor truck also traveling west. The sedan sustained damage to its center back end, while the truck showed no damage. The sedan's driver, a 74-year-old woman, and the front passenger, a 94-year-old man, were both injured with bodily trauma to the head and entire body respectively, and experienced shock. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and were not ejected. The truck driver, a man with an unlicensed status, was not injured and the truck showed no damage. The report lists no specific contributing factors but notes the truck driver was unlicensed. The collision appears to be a rear-end impact caused by the sedan striking the truck from behind.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722208, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi slammed into a stopped SUV on the Long Island Expressway before dawn. The 73-year-old driver died alone in his cab. Police cite illness and distraction. The airbag burst. The belt held. Headlights kept moving past.

A 73-year-old taxi driver was killed when his cab struck the rear of a stationary SUV on the Long Island Expressway, according to the police report. The crash occurred before dawn, with the taxi traveling westbound and the SUV stopped in traffic. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Illness' as contributing factors. The taxi's airbag deployed and the driver was restrained by a lap belt and harness, but he died at the scene. The police report notes the driver lost consciousness, and the narrative describes the aftermath: 'He died alone in the cab, silence pressing in as headlights passed.' No injuries were reported for the SUV occupant. The report highlights driver inattention and medical issues as key factors, underscoring the persistent dangers faced by all on New York City highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716969, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An ambulance traveling west on Grand Central Parkway struck an object on its right side doors. The 44-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash, experiencing shock. Driver inattention and distraction caused the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:38 AM on Grand Central Parkway involving a 2020 ambulance traveling west. The ambulance sustained damage to its center back end after impact on the right side doors. The driver, a 44-year-old male occupant, was injured with neck pain and whiplash and was reported to be in shock. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead at the time of the collision. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction even in emergency vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713665, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs collided head-on on Van Wyck Expressway. The 44-year-old male driver suffered a head injury and shock, restrained by a lap belt. Police cited driver inattention as the cause, highlighting the dangers of distracted driving on busy roadways.

According to the police report, two SUVs traveling north on Van Wyck Expressway collided, impacting at the right front quarter panel of a 2015 Jeep and the left front quarter panel of a 2022 Honda SUV. The 44-year-old male driver of the Jeep, who was wearing a lap belt, sustained a head injury and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision caused significant damage to the right front quarter panel of the Jeep and the left side doors of the Honda. No ejections occurred. The evidence points to driver distraction as the critical error leading to this violent impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709683, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Honda SUV turned on Blossom Avenue and struck a 63-year-old woman riding an e-scooter. She was ejected, suffered fatal head trauma, and died alone in the morning light. Blood marked the pavement. Failure to yield sealed her fate.

A 63-year-old woman riding an e-scooter was killed when a Honda SUV struck her during a left turn on Blossom Avenue near College Point Boulevard in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were making left turns when the SUV hit the e-scooter, ejecting the rider and causing fatal head trauma. The report states that 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was the contributing factor in the crash. The woman died at the scene, her blood marking the pavement. The police narrative describes the victim as 'unlicensed and unshielded,' but no victim behavior is listed as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the SUV driver's failure to yield, a systemic danger that continues to threaten vulnerable road users in New York City.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4707767, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcycle driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan changed lanes unsafely on Grand Central Parkway. The motorcyclist was partially ejected and experienced shock, highlighting the dangers of reckless vehicle maneuvers on busy roadways.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Grand Central Parkway at 15:10 involving a motorcycle and two sedans traveling westbound. The primary contributing factor was an unsafe lane change by a sedan, which caused a collision impacting the motorcycle's front center. The motorcycle driver, a 45-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and shock reported. The sedan involved struck the motorcycle with its left rear bumper. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report explicitly cites the sedan driver's unsafe lane changing as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the motorcyclist. This incident underscores the severe consequences of hazardous lane changes for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706991, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pick-up truck struck the rear of a sedan on Van Wyck Expressway. The impact injured a 43-year-old female passenger in the sedan, causing back injuries and shock. Driver inattention and oversized vehicle contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Van Wyck Expressway at 10:00 AM. A pick-up truck, driven by a licensed male driver from New York, rear-ended a sedan traveling southbound. The sedan had two occupants, including a 43-year-old female passenger seated in the left rear who sustained back injuries and was in shock. The report cites driver errors including 'Oversized Vehicle' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pick-up truck was damaged at the center front end, while the sedan sustained damage at the center back end. The injured passenger was not ejected and had no visible complaints beyond the back injury. The report focuses on the truck driver's failure to maintain attention and the challenges posed by the oversized vehicle, with no contributing factors assigned to the passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704889, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A distracted driver traveling south on Vanwyck Expressway rear-ended a box truck. The SUV driver, a 29-year-old woman, suffered upper arm injuries and bruising. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage. The crash exposed dangers of driver inattention on busy Queens roadways.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Vanwyck Expressway in Queens around 9:00 AM. A 29-year-old female driver of a 2019 SUV was injured when she collided with the rear of a southbound box truck. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV sustained damage to its center back end, while the truck was damaged at its center front end. The injured driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. She suffered contusions and an upper arm injury but was not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. This incident highlights the systemic danger posed by distracted driving on high-speed urban expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705441, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15