No One Is Safe Until the Streets Are Safe

A car struck and killed a 23-year-old man in Ozone Park. The driver fled, then turned himself in. Police say the crash followed a heated confrontation. The victim died at Jamaica Hospital.

ABC7 reported on August 1, 2025, that a 23-year-old man died after being hit by a car at 101st Avenue and Liberty Boulevard in Queens. Police said the incident followed a domestic dispute. The driver, who was the woman's current boyfriend, told police the victim approached his car "while flashing what appeared to be a gun" and was struck as the driver tried to leave. The driver later went to the police. No charges had been filed as of publication, with the district attorney still reviewing the case. The crash highlights the lethal risk when vehicles are used during conflicts.

• Man Killed By Car In Queens Dispute, ABC7, Published 2025-08-01

Water rose fast. Cars stranded. People climbed roofs to escape. Rescue teams pulled them out. Rain hammered Queens. The road drowned, then cleared. Danger came quick. Relief came late.

ABC7 reported on July 31, 2025, that flash flooding trapped drivers on the Clearview Expressway in Queens. Video showed people perched atop cars, waiting for rescue. A witness described, "10 feet deep, people sitting on top of cars, 6 or 7." Mayor Eric Adams declared a localized State of Emergency. The flooding left vehicles stranded and forced emergency response. The article highlights the risk of sudden, severe weather overwhelming city infrastructure, stranding vulnerable road users in harm’s way.

• Flash Flood Traps Cars On Expressway, ABC7, Published 2025-07-31

Candles flickered in Queens. Workers mourned the dead. Portraits lined the park. Grief and anger mixed. Demands for safety echoed. Fatigue and risk shadow every shift. The toll grows. The city listens.

amny reported on July 11, 2025, that rideshare and delivery workers gathered in Little Bay Park to honor colleagues killed on the job. The Justice for App Workers coalition demanded safety reforms, including panic buttons and limits on shift lengths. 'These deaths were not inevitable; they happened because billion-dollar companies chose profit over safety,' said Adaligisa Payero. Speakers highlighted long hours and fatigue as key dangers. The coalition called for tech companies and lawmakers to act, noting that app-based workers face higher injury and death rates than many traditional employees.

• Memorial Honors Fallen App-Based Workers, amny, Published 2025-07-11

Two SUVs crashed on Beach Channel Drive. A driver and passenger suffered back injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Metal and glass. No pedestrians. No escape.

Two SUVs collided on Beach Channel Drive at Dix Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight when the crash occurred. A 28-year-old male driver and a 30-year-old female passenger were injured, both suffering whiplash and back injuries. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors, such as helmet or signal use, are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827301 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW flew over a Belt Parkway barrier at dawn. Metal twisted. Six hurt. Two critical. Flames rose. Police say speed may have played a role. The crash left wreckage and questions in its wake.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-05), a BMW traveling east on the Belt Parkway in Queens struck a concrete median, vaulted over it, and hit two oncoming vehicles. The article states, "Six people were injured—two critically—in a fiery crash." Police noted, "speed may have been an issue." The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. The incident highlights the dangers of high speeds and highway design where barriers failed to contain a vehicle, putting multiple road users at risk.

• BMW Vaults Median, Six Injured In Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-07-05

Two SUVs crashed at Rockaway Freeway and Cornaga Avenue. One driver and one passenger suffered injuries. Both vehicles failed to yield. Metal struck metal. The system failed the people inside.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at Rockaway Freeway and Cornaga Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both vehicles failed to yield the right-of-way. A 44-year-old female driver suffered a head injury and whiplash. A 37-year-old female passenger sustained a back injury. Other occupants reported unspecified injuries. Both vehicles were traveling east; one was making a left turn, the other going straight. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No other factors are cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827056 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Beach 54th Street. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. One driver suffered leg injuries. Shock and pain followed. The street stayed silent. Metal and bodies bore the cost.

Two sedans crashed at Beach 54th Street in Queens just before midnight. According to the police report, aggressive driving and road rage led to the collision. One driver, a 25-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was in shock. Three other occupants, including a 55-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, were listed with unspecified injuries. Both vehicles showed damage to the left side and front bumper. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as the main contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827097 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two cars met hard on Mott Avenue. One driver hurt, back injured. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. Metal twisted. Pain followed. Streets stay dangerous.

A collision between a sedan and an SUV on Mott Avenue in Queens left one driver, a 62-year-old woman, injured with back pain. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The SUV was heading straight, while the sedan was starting from parking. The impact struck the right side of the SUV and the left front of the sedan. Police list unsafe speed as a contributing factor for both drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825688 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on Nameoke Avenue. One driver suffered a head injury. Police cite illness as a factor. Metal struck metal. The street bore the mark.

Two SUVs crashed at 22-08 Nameoke Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, a 47-year-old driver suffered a head contusion. The report lists 'Illness' as a contributing factor. One SUV was stopped in traffic, the other was moving straight ahead. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report does not mention any other contributing factors before listing safety equipment. No further injuries were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821666 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A cyclist lay unconscious on 115th Avenue. The driver fled. Police searched the dark street for clues. The victim’s fate hung in the balance. Another night, another crash. The city’s danger pressed down, silent and heavy.

According to ABC7 (published June 15, 2025), a bicyclist was struck in a hit-and-run on 115th Avenue near 134th Street in South Ozone Park, Queens, just after 11:30 p.m. Friday. Police found the victim unconscious and in critical condition. The article states, 'They are now looking for evidence to help them track down the driver.' No details were given about the cyclist’s age or destination. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene highlights ongoing risks for vulnerable road users and underscores the persistent problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City.

• Cyclist Left Critical After Queens Hit-And-Run, ABC7, Published 2025-06-15

SUV and sedan slammed together on Bay 32 Street. Aggressive driving and speed tore through the night. A pedestrian and a passenger left bruised. The street bore the scars.

A crash on Bay 32 Street at Dwight Avenue in Queens involved a Jeep SUV and a Ford sedan. According to the police report, both vehicles were driven aggressively and at unsafe speeds. The SUV driver was unlicensed. The impact injured a 41-year-old pedestrian, who suffered arm bruises and shock, and a 45-year-old front passenger, who sustained shoulder injuries. Aggressive driving and road rage, along with unsafe speed, were listed as contributing factors. The report does not mention any errors by those injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818362 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pickup struck an elderly man crossing Jericho Turnpike. The victim died days later. Police charged the driver months after the crash. The intersection remains dangerous. The law caught up, but the street stayed the same.

According to NY Daily News (published May 21, 2025), police arrested Benjamin Jean-Baptiste five months after he fatally struck 78-year-old Jose Jimenez at Jericho Turnpike and 91st Ave. in Queens. The article reports, "On Tuesday, police charged him with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care, both misdemeanors." Jean-Baptiste, driving a Dodge Ram, turned left and hit Jimenez as he crossed the busy intersection. Jimenez suffered a massive head injury and died a week later. The driver remained at the scene and was later given a desk appearance ticket. This case highlights persistent risks at major crossings and the delay in holding drivers accountable for failing to yield and exercise care.

• Driver Charged Months After Queens Fatality, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-21

A bus hit a cyclist and a pedestrian in Queens. Both men, age 54, suffered leg injuries. The bus was turning right. No driver errors listed. Impact was sudden. The street stayed dangerous.

A bus struck a cyclist and a pedestrian on Beach Channel Drive near Dix Avenue in Queens. Both the cyclist and pedestrian, men aged 54, sustained injuries to their lower legs. According to the police report, the bus was making a right turn when the crash occurred. The cyclist was going straight, and the pedestrian was walking along the highway against traffic. No specific driver errors were listed in the report. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814703 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding driver ran a red light in Queens. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died on his way to work. The driver, high and drunk, now walks free on bail. The street remembers the impact.

ABC7 reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former FDNY probationary firefighter, was released on $75,000 bail after a deadly Queens crash. Police allege Peña was 'drunk and high on cocaine and marijuana' and speeding at 83 mph when he 'ran a red light and T-boned a car driven by 24-year-old Justin Diaz.' The crash happened at Northern Boulevard and East 107th Street as Diaz drove to work. Prosecutors cited Peña’s firing from the FDNY and prior legal issues to argue for remand, but the appellate court released him with minimal bail conditions. Peña faces manslaughter and other charges, with a possible 15-year sentence if convicted. The case highlights the lethal risk of impaired, reckless driving and the limits of pretrial detention policy.

• Former Firefighter Freed After Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-05-02

A nine-year-old boy crossing Oak Drive was hit by an SUV. He suffered a bruised leg. The driver was licensed. Police list contributing factors as unspecified.

A nine-year-old pedestrian was struck by a northbound SUV while crossing Oak Drive near Reads Lane in Queens. According to the police report, the child suffered a contusion to his knee and lower leg. The driver, a 46-year-old woman, was licensed and uninjured. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction are noted in the data. No mention of helmet use or pedestrian signals appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815513 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided at Seagirt Boulevard and Beach 9 Street. One driver suffered a bruised arm. Police cite improper turning and failure to yield. Metal and glass. Sirens in the dusk.

Two sedans crashed at Seagirt Boulevard and Beach 9 Street in Queens. According to the police report, one driver, a 36-year-old man, was injured with a shoulder contusion. Both vehicles were making conflicting movements: one turning left, the other going straight. Police list 'Turning Improperly' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention helmet or signal use. The crash left one driver hurt and others shaken.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809428 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A soul singer crossed Woodhaven at Myrtle. A Yamaha motorcycle struck her. She died at Jamaica Hospital. The rider kept going as the light changed. Police have not charged him. Dreams ended in the street. The city moves on.

NY Daily News reported on April 27, 2025, that Breanna Henderson, 23, was fatally struck by a Yamaha motorcycle while crossing Woodhaven Blvd. at Myrtle Ave. in Queens. The crash happened around 2:20 a.m. as the traffic light turned from yellow to red. The article notes, 'the motorcyclist hit her as the light turned from yellow to red.' Police have not charged the 34-year-old rider, and the investigation continues. Henderson was returning home from a performance. The incident highlights the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians at major intersections and the risks posed by vehicles failing to yield during signal changes.

• Singer Killed Crossing Woodhaven Boulevard, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-27

A sedan slammed into another stopped car on Rockaway Freeway. One driver suffered head injuries and shock. Police cite following too closely. The street saw metal, glass, and pain.

Two sedans collided on Rockaway Freeway near Beach 44th Street in Queens. According to the police report, one sedan struck another that was stopped in traffic. The 61-year-old woman driving the front car suffered a head injury and shock. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed and wore seat belts. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one driver hurt and exposed the danger of tailgating on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812660 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A flatbed truck backed into an SUV on Alonzo Road. The SUV driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe backing. Streets remain unforgiving for those inside the steel.

A flatbed truck and an SUV collided on Alonzo Road in Queens. The SUV driver, a 24-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely.' The flatbed was backing up when it struck the SUV. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. Unsafe backing remains a persistent danger on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Brooklyn man lost control on Belt Parkway. His SUV struck a tree near JFK. Emergency crews arrived but could not save him. The road stayed quiet. Police kept watch. The investigation continues.

The Brooklyn Paper reported on April 23, 2025, that a 57-year-old Brooklyn man died after crashing his SUV on the Belt Parkway near JFK Airport. Police said the driver "failed to navigate the roadway and struck a tree." Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the case, and no arrests have been made. The article highlights the crash location—westbound Belt Parkway, just west of 130th Street—and notes the ongoing investigation. The incident underscores the dangers present on high-speed parkways and the unforgiving design of tree-lined medians.

• Driver Dies After Belt Parkway Crash, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-04-23