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

A bus backing unsafely struck a westbound SUV on Grand Central Parkway. The SUV driver, a 27-year-old woman, suffered severe injuries including fractures and dislocations. The driver was trapped and injured across her entire body, highlighting dangerous backing maneuvers.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:00 AM on Grand Central Parkway. A northbound bus was backing when it collided with a westbound station wagon/SUV. The bus driver’s action of backing unsafely was cited as a contributing factor, along with driver inexperience. The SUV driver, a 27-year-old female, was trapped inside her vehicle and sustained injuries to her entire body, including fractures and dislocations. The report notes the SUV driver was conscious but severely injured. The bus impact occurred at the center back end, striking the SUV’s center front end. No other contributing factors related to the victim were listed. This crash underscores the systemic danger posed by unsafe backing maneuvers and inexperienced drivers operating large vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703594, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi driver distracted by inattention collided with a sedan on Grand Central Parkway shortly after midnight. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash caused front-end and rear-end damage to the vehicles involved.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:49 a.m. on Grand Central Parkway. A taxi, traveling east, struck the rear of a sedan also traveling east. The taxi's point of impact was the center front end, while the sedan was hit at the center back end. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old female occupant, was injured with knee and lower leg trauma and experienced shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Tire Failure/Inadequate' as contributing factors for the taxi driver. There is no indication of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. The collision highlights driver errors, specifically distraction and vehicle maintenance issues, as central causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695447, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

On Van Wyck Expressway, two sedans collided in the night. Metal tore, glass scattered. An 82-year-old man bled from the face, seatbelt digging in. The Mercedes struck hard, the Hyundai’s rear crushed. The cold road bore witness.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Van Wyck Expressway near Council District 24 at 12:15 a.m. The incident involved a Mercedes and a Hyundai, both traveling north. The Mercedes, registered in New Jersey and driven by a Florida-licensed male, was 'changing lanes' before impact, while the Hyundai was 'going straight ahead.' The police report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The Hyundai’s left rear bumper was struck by the Mercedes’ right front bumper. An 82-year-old male driver, belted in, suffered severe facial bleeding but remained conscious. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the danger of improper lane changes and unsafe speeds, as detailed in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694308, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 55-year-old male passenger suffered facial injuries in a crash on Grand Central Parkway. The driver was distracted and under the influence of alcohol. The impact was severe, causing significant damage to both vehicles.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old male passenger was injured in a crash involving a sedan and a sport utility vehicle on Grand Central Parkway. The passenger sustained facial abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The driver of the sedan was cited for alcohol involvement and driver inattention/distraction. The vehicles collided with significant force, resulting in damage to the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the SUV. No ejection occurred, and the passenger was wearing a lap belt and harness.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691115, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A crash on Grand Central Parkway injured four occupants. A taxi and two sedans collided. The impact was severe. Victims suffered neck and chest injuries. All were wearing seatbelts.

On December 28, 2023, a multi-vehicle crash on Grand Central Parkway resulted in injuries to four occupants. According to the police report, the vehicles involved were a taxi and two sedans. The injuries included neck and chest trauma. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. All occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses. No fatalities were reported, but the severity of the injuries highlights the dangers present on the road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4691455, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Four vehicles collided on Grand Central Parkway. Three SUVs and one sedan struck each other head-on and rear-end. A 34-year-old male driver suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries. The crash left him in shock, restrained by lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, a chain collision occurred on Grand Central Parkway involving three SUVs and one sedan, all traveling westbound. The vehicles impacted each other front-to-front and rear-end. A 34-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining upper arm and shoulder injuries and experiencing shock. He was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the driver, with no clear driver errors identified. The crash caused damage to the front and rear sections of the vehicles involved. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683314, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 29-year-old male passenger was injured when a Jeep sedan overturned on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens. The passenger, unconscious with neck injuries, was secured by a lap belt and harness. The vehicle was demolished in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2017 Jeep sedan traveling north on Roosevelt Avenue overturned, causing severe damage to the vehicle. A 29-year-old male occupant seated in the middle rear seat was injured, suffering neck trauma and losing consciousness. He was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The passenger was not ejected and complained of pain and nausea. The crash left the vehicle demolished, highlighting the violent impact of the overturn.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4682842, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sport utility vehicle slammed into the back of a sedan on Grand Central Parkway. The sedan’s front passenger, an 18-year-old male, suffered injuries and shock. The SUV was slowing or stopping; the sedan was hit from behind. Following too closely caused the crash.

According to the police report, a 2023 SUV traveling west on Grand Central Parkway rear-ended a 2008 sedan also heading west. The SUV was slowing or stopping when it collided with the sedan’s center front end. The sedan’s front passenger, an 18-year-old male, was injured and experienced shock but was not ejected. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The SUV had three occupants; the sedan had one. The crash caused damage to the center back end of the SUV and the center front end of the sedan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4681713, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Three vehicles slowed on Long Island Expressway. A Tesla SUV struck the back of a pickup truck. The Tesla driver, a 40-year-old man, suffered a head injury and concussion. Police cited following too closely as the cause. No ejections occurred.

According to the police report, the crash involved three vehicles traveling east on the Long Island Expressway. The Tesla SUV struck the center back end of a GMC pickup truck that was slowing or stopping. The Tesla driver, a 40-year-old man, was injured with a head injury and concussion but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor. The pickup truck sustained no damage, while the Tesla SUV had damage to its center back end. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4680921, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Three sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway. A rear passenger suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Drivers reacted late to uninvolved vehicles. The crash caused center front and back-end damage. The injured passenger was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, three vehicles traveling west on Grand Central Parkway collided. The crash involved two sedans and a taxi. A 31-year-old male rear passenger was injured, sustaining contusions to his knee and lower leg. He was conscious and secured with a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver errors as "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" and "Following Too Closely." The vehicles sustained center front and back-end damage. No ejections occurred. The injured party was a passenger, not at fault. The crash highlights driver failure to maintain safe distance and react properly to traffic conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677079, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two drivers crashed head-on on Grand Central Parkway. The pickup truck overturned. Both men suffered whiplash and head injuries. Police cited driver inattention and unsafe speed. Both remained conscious and were not ejected from their vehicles.

According to the police report, a taxi and a pickup truck collided on Grand Central Parkway at 5:17 a.m. The pickup truck overturned on impact. Both drivers, ages 43 and 55, were injured but conscious. The 43-year-old driver suffered whiplash and injuries to his entire body, while the 55-year-old driver sustained head injuries and whiplash. The report lists driver inattention and distraction, as well as unsafe speed, as contributing factors for the 43-year-old driver. No other contributing factors were specified for the other driver. Neither driver was ejected from their vehicles. The crash caused significant damage to the vehicles, with the pickup truck overturning and the taxi sustaining damage to its left rear bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675218, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided westbound on Grand Central Parkway. The second vehicle struck the first from behind. A 38-year-old female driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. Both drivers were licensed women. The crash was caused by following too closely.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling westbound on Grand Central Parkway collided when the second vehicle struck the first from behind. The 38-year-old female driver of the rear vehicle was injured, sustaining back pain and whiplash. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor to the crash. Both drivers were licensed in New York and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The rear vehicle sustained damage to its center back end, while the front vehicle showed no damage. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673576, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford SUV struck an object with its left front quarter panel on Grand Central Parkway. Three passengers suffered whiplash and head injuries. Driver distraction was a key factor. All occupants remained conscious and were not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 2006 Ford SUV traveling west on Grand Central Parkway collided with an object impacting the left front quarter panel. Three passengers, aged 22 to 27, were injured with whiplash and head trauma. All were conscious and remained inside the vehicle. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim actions are noted. The injured were passengers seated in the front and rear seats. Safety equipment use is unknown. The crash caused moderate injuries but no ejections. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4671764, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 76-year-old man was struck while crossing Park Drive East with the signal. He suffered an upper arm abrasion and remained conscious. No driver errors or contributing factors were reported. The crash left the pedestrian injured at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 76-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Park Drive East at an intersection with the signal. He sustained an abrasion to his shoulder and upper arm and was conscious after the impact. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle type were provided. The pedestrian was not at fault, and no safety equipment or other conditions were noted. The incident highlights the dangers pedestrians face even when crossing legally.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658336, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two men suffered head injuries in a crash on College Point Boulevard. Both drivers made left turns and collided front quarter to front bumper. Improper lane usage and driver distraction contributed. Both were conscious and wearing seat belts. Whiplash was reported.

According to the police report, two vehicles—a 2016 Ford SUV and a 2007 Toyota sedan—collided while both were making left turns on College Point Boulevard. The drivers, both licensed men, suffered head injuries and whiplash. The front passenger in the SUV was also injured. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists driver errors as "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Turning Improperly," along with "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The impact occurred at the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the right front bumper of the sedan. No ejections occurred. The crash highlights the dangers of improper lane use and distracted driving during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658045, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi struck the rear of an SUV on Grand Central Parkway. Two passengers in the SUV suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained. The crash was caused by driver inattention and following too closely.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on Grand Central Parkway rear-ended a westbound SUV. The impact occurred at the center back end of the taxi and the center front end of the SUV. Two passengers in the SUV—a 29-year-old woman and a 2-year-old child—were injured, both sustaining head injuries and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists driver errors as "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Following Too Closely." No other contributing factors were noted. The crash caused significant damage to the front of the SUV and the rear of the taxi.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656162, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 23-year-old front passenger suffered whiplash and full-body injuries in a crash on Grand Central Parkway. Two vehicles traveling east collided. Alcohol was involved. The injured occupant remained conscious and was not ejected from the sedan.

According to the police report, two vehicles—a 2008 SUV and a 2015 sedan—were traveling east on Grand Central Parkway when the SUV struck the sedan's right rear bumper with its left front bumper. The sedan carried two occupants, including a 23-year-old female front passenger who sustained whiplash and injuries to her entire body. She was conscious and not ejected. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The collision point and vehicle damage indicate the SUV rear-ended the sedan. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653861, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 19-year-old motorcyclist was partially ejected on Van Wyck Expressway. The helmeted rider suffered abrasions over the entire body. The motorcycle struck the rear of an SUV traveling westbound. The SUV showed no damage. The rider remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male motorcyclist was partially ejected after his motorcycle collided with the rear end of a westbound SUV on Van Wyck Expressway. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet and suffered abrasions covering his entire body but remained conscious. The SUV, carrying three occupants, sustained no damage. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead in the same direction at the time of impact. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the motorcyclist but does not specify driver errors or violations. The collision point was the motorcycle's center back end striking the SUV's center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653066, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 60-year-old woman driving a sedan suffered neck injuries in a rear-end collision on Union Turnpike in Queens. The SUV driver followed too closely and struck the sedan’s center back end. The sedan driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Union Turnpike in Queens involving a sedan and an SUV, both traveling west. The SUV struck the sedan from behind, impacting the sedan’s center back end. The sedan’s 60-year-old female driver was injured, sustaining a neck injury described as whiplash. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report lists "Following Too Closely" as the contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain a safe distance. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead before the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647431, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 51-year-old man working in the roadway was struck on the Van Wyck Expressway. The impact caused internal injuries to his abdomen and pelvis. Alcohol involvement was noted. Multiple vehicles were damaged, including parked trucks and moving sedans.

According to the police report, a 51-year-old male pedestrian was injured while working in the roadway on the Van Wyck Expressway. The pedestrian suffered internal injuries to the abdomen and pelvis and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor. Several vehicles were involved, including parked pick-up trucks and flatbeds, as well as moving sedans traveling southbound. The collision points included left rear bumpers of parked vehicles and right bumpers of moving sedans. The report does not specify any pedestrian errors but highlights alcohol involvement, indicating driver impairment as a key factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4643806, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15