Crash Count for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,470
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,206
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 215
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 12
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 6
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 26, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park?

Park or Perish: Blood on Flushing Meadows’ Streets Demands Action Now

Park or Perish: Blood on Flushing Meadows’ Streets Demands Action Now

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 16, 2025

The Toll in the Park

The numbers do not lie. Since 2022, six people have died and 1,137 have been injured in crashes in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Ten of those injuries were serious. The dead include a 41-year-old man crushed on the Van Wyck, a 33-year-old woman struck on the Grand Central Parkway, and a 63-year-old woman thrown from her moped on Blossom Avenue. The park is ringed by highways. The danger is constant.

Buses jump curbs. Cars mount sidewalks. On July 11, an MTA bus in Flushing jumped the curb and smashed into a light pole and ticket machine, injuring eight. One rider described the chaos: “I was all the way in the back and all of a sudden the bus hit the curb, I guess, jumped the curb, I went this way and that way and banged into the side of the bus.” The driver, just 25, told investigators he misjudged the curb. Video later showed he had fallen asleep at the wheel. The MTA pulled him from service. The crash could have killed. It did not. This time.

Who Pays the Price

The most vulnerable bleed first. Pedestrians, cyclists, and moped riders are struck by SUVs, trucks, and buses. In the last twelve months, 367 people were hurt and one killed in 449 crashes. The dead are not numbers. They are fathers, mothers, children. A woman on a moped, ejected and left bleeding. A man walking, crushed by a truck. A passenger, dead from a head wound after a sedan slammed a parked rig. The park is a magnet for families. The roads around it are a trap.

What Leaders Have Done—and Not Done

Senator John Liu has voted yes on bills to curb repeat speeders and extend school speed zones. He co-sponsored the Stop Super Speeders Act, which would force the worst offenders to install speed limiters. But the carnage continues. The city has the power to lower speed limits to 20 mph. It has not done so. The MTA pulls a driver after a crash, but the system that put him there remains. “It must be very devastating for the people that were on the bus,” said a bystander. The devastation is routine.

The Next Step Is Yours

This is not fate. These deaths are not accidents. They are the result of choices. Call your council member. Call the mayor. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand real protection for people outside cars. The park should be a place for families, not funerals. The time to act is now.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Sam Berger
Assembly Member Sam Berger
District 27
District Office:
159-06 71st Ave., Flushing, NY 11365
Legislative Office:
Room 818, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
James F. Gennaro
Council Member James F. Gennaro
District 24
District Office:
185-10 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366
718-217-4969
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1833, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6956
Twitter: JamesGennaro
John Liu
State Senator John Liu
District 16
District Office:
38-50 Bell Blvd. Suite C, Bayside, NY 11361
Legislative Office:
Room 915, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
Other Geographies

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Flushing Meadows-Corona Park sits in Queens, Precinct 110, District 24, AD 27, SD 16, Queens CB81.

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

Traffic Safety Timeline for Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

FDNY Truck Strikes Cyclist In Queens

A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. It hit a man on a bike. He died there, on the street. Police are investigating. The crash happened in Middle Village, Queens. Metal met flesh. The city keeps moving.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The collision happened as the truck was 'turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street.' The victim, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating the incident. The article notes the truck's turning movement but does not detail further driver actions. This fatal crash highlights the risks at intersections where large vehicles and cyclists cross paths. No information was provided about charges or policy changes.


FDNY Firetruck Kills Cyclist Near Park

A firetruck struck a cyclist on Juniper Boulevard. The truck turned with lights and sirens. The cyclist was crushed under the rear wheels. Sheets covered the scene. Firefighters stood by, shaken. The victim died instantly. The investigation continues.

According to the New York Post (April 19, 2025), an FDNY Rescue Company 4 firetruck fatally struck a cyclist near Juniper Valley Park in Queens while responding to a call. The article states, "The truck was making a turn onto Juniper Boulevard...when the fatal accident occurred." Police reported the truck had lights and sirens activated. The cyclist ended up beneath the rear wheels and was pronounced dead at the scene. Photos showed emergency sheets covering the area. Witness Miguel Vega described firefighters as "shaken, like shocked." The incident highlights the dangers at intersections, especially when emergency vehicles turn. The crash is under investigation, with no details yet on policy or procedural changes.


Ex-Firefighter Charged In Queens Fatal Crash

A former firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. He struck Justin Diaz’s car at 83 mph. Diaz died a block from home. The driver was drunk, high, and unregistered. The court revoked his bail. Diaz’s family mourns.

ABC7 reported on April 17, 2025, that ex-FDNY firefighter Michael Peña faces manslaughter and DWI charges after a deadly crash in Queens. Prosecutors allege Peña was drunk, high, and speeding at 83 mph—three times the limit—when he ran a red light and T-boned 23-year-old Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance and body camera footage show Peña admitting to running the light. Five hours after the crash, tests confirmed intoxication by alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Peña’s record includes prior arrests and 25 school zone speeding tickets. He also drove an unregistered vehicle with an obstructed plate and tinted windshield. The victim, Diaz, was headed to work and had just graduated college. The case highlights repeated driver violations and systemic failures in enforcement.


SUV Crash on Grand Central Parkway Injures Driver

SUV slammed center back end on Grand Central Parkway. Driver suffered head injury. No pedestrians or cyclists involved. Police report lists no driver errors.

A crash occurred on Grand Central Parkway at Exit 9 in Queens. An SUV struck its center back end. According to the police report, the driver, a 55-year-old man, was injured with head trauma and whiplash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The driver was wearing a lap belt. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807616 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
2
Sedans Collide on Grand Central Parkway; Three Hurt

Two sedans crashed on Grand Central Parkway. Three passengers suffered injuries. Police cite following too closely as the cause. Metal and bodies took the hit. The road stayed ruthless.

Two sedans collided on Grand Central Parkway near Roosevelt Avenue. Three passengers, ages 18, 24, and 26, were injured, suffering bruises and other trauma. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' Both vehicles were traveling straight when the impact occurred. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The drivers were licensed and remained at the scene. The toll fell on those inside, as metal met metal and bodies bore the force.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805526 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Fails to Yield, Driver Injured on Parkway

A sedan merges on Grand Central Parkway. Metal crunches. A sixty-one-year-old woman grips her neck, stunned. The night holds its breath. Failure to yield leaves pain and silence.

A sedan struck while merging eastbound on Grand Central Parkway in Queens. A sixty-one-year-old woman, driving the sedan, suffered neck pain and shock. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was listed as a contributing factor, along with 'Following Too Closely.' The crash left the car’s front bumper crushed. The driver wore a seatbelt. No other injuries were reported. The data points to driver errors—failure to yield and following too closely—as the causes of the crash.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804959 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Int 1105-2024
Gennaro votes yes, boosting street safety transparency and project accountability.

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.


Int 1105-2024
Moya votes yes, boosting street safety transparency and project accountability.

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.


Unlicensed Moped Rider Ejected on Van Wyck

Moped slammed, rider thrown, face scraped. Unlicensed driver. Police cite unspecified factors. Danger rides the Van Wyck.

A 29-year-old man riding a moped north on Van Wyck Expressway was ejected and injured, suffering facial abrasions. According to the police report, the moped's driver was unlicensed. The crash involved a center back-end impact to the moped and a center front-end impact to another, unspecified vehicle. Police listed 'Unspecified' as contributing factors. The injured rider was conscious and wore a helmet. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804402 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Blaze

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.


Unlicensed Driver Hits Kids Outside School

A driver lost control near a Queens school. The car struck two children and a man. A seven-year-old girl’s leg snapped. Sirens wailed. Police arrested the driver. The sidewalk bore the scars. The city’s danger was plain.

According to the New York Post (April 4, 2025), an unlicensed driver reversed into a box truck, then spun onto the sidewalk outside Our World Neighborhood Charter School in Astoria, Queens. The crash injured three: a 7-year-old girl with a broken femur and head injury, a 14-year-old girl with leg injuries, and a 58-year-old man with bruises. The article states, 'Bah was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving and driving without a license.' This incident follows another recent crash involving a suspended license, highlighting recurring risks from unlicensed drivers. The crash underscores the persistent threat cars pose to people on city sidewalks, especially near schools.


E-Bike Rider Killed At Queens Intersection

Two cars struck Jorman Esparza-Olivares at a busy Rego Park crossing. He suffered head and body trauma. Medics rushed him to Elmhurst. He died six days later. Both drivers stayed. No charges. The intersection remains dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 3, 2025, that Jorman Esparza-Olivares, 23, was killed after being struck by two drivers while riding his e-bike north on 63rd Drive at Queens Blvd. The crash occurred just before 5:30 p.m. on March 19. According to police, 'It wasn't clear if any of the men involved in the crash ran a red light.' Esparza-Olivares suffered severe injuries and died six days later at Elmhurst Medical Center. Both drivers, operating a Ford SUV and a Mercedes Benz, remained at the scene and were not immediately charged. The incident highlights persistent risks for cyclists at major intersections and raises questions about traffic controls and driver awareness on Queens Blvd.


2
Two-Vehicle Collision on Van Wyck Expressway

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash

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.


2
SUV Rear-Ends Sedan on Grand Central Parkway

SUV slammed into sedan’s rear on Grand Central Parkway. Both drivers hurt. Head wounds. Whiplash. Abrasions. No pedestrians. No cyclists. Metal and flesh took the blow.

According to the police report, a 2016 Toyota SUV struck the back of a 2016 Honda sedan on Grand Central Parkway at 1:28 a.m. Both vehicles traveled eastbound. The SUV hit the sedan’s center back end. The sedan driver, age 30, suffered head injuries and abrasions. The SUV driver, age 46, sustained head injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and wore lap belts and harnesses. The report lists no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Contributing factors for the sedan driver are marked as unspecified. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800242 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Two Sedans Collide on Meadow Lake Drive

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Man And Child Struck In Queens Crash

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.


Sedan Rear-Ends Driver on Van Wyck Expressway

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Airport Worker

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.


Sedan Passenger Suffers Severe Head Injury

A sedan changed lanes on the Long Island Expressway. The driver reacted to another vehicle. A rear passenger was knocked unconscious, suffering a head injury and bruises. The right front bumper took the hit.

According to the police report, a crash occurred at 4:25 AM on the Long Island Expressway in Queens. A 2015 BMW sedan, traveling east, changed lanes when the driver reacted to an uninvolved vehicle. The impact left a 27-year-old male passenger in the middle rear seat unconscious with a head injury and contusions. The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as the contributing factor. The sedan’s right front bumper was damaged. No other contributing factors related to the passenger’s actions were noted. The injury was classified as serious.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796004 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04