Apr 21 - Metal bolts crashed through a windshield in Queens. Glass exploded over the passenger. The No. 7 train rumbled above. Danger rained down. This was not the first time. The system failed to shield those below.

ABC7 reported on April 21, 2025, that debris from the No. 7 subway train fell onto a car at Queens Plaza, shattering the windshield and denting the hood. Rahimi, the driver, said, "We were driving right off here. Something fell off the train, damaging the windshield." Passenger Malnick described, "A bolt hit and then right away just the sound of glass exploding and glass all over me." The incident echoes previous cases: in 2019, falling debris from elevated tracks struck vehicles three times in a month. The MTA responded then by intensifying inspections, but the problem persists. The agency now says it is investigating and will inspect the area. The repeated incidents highlight ongoing risks from aging infrastructure above city streets.

• Falling Subway Debris Strikes Car In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-21

Apr 20 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The driver struck a man on a bicycle. He died at the scene. Police closed the street. Another life ended in the crosswalk’s shadow. The city investigates. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The crash happened as the truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street. According to police, 'the truck was turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street in Middle Village when the collision occurred.' The cyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists at intersections and the dangers of large vehicles turning across paths. Policy questions remain about intersection design and vehicle operation in dense neighborhoods.

• FDNY Truck Turns, Cyclist Killed In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-20

Apr 19 - A firetruck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The wheels crushed a cyclist. Sirens wailed. Sheets covered the scene. Two firefighters stood stunned. The body lay beneath the truck. One life ended. The street stayed silent.

According to the New York Post (April 19, 2025), an FDNY Rescue Company 4 firetruck struck and killed a cyclist while turning onto Juniper Boulevard near Juniper Valley Park in Queens. The truck was responding to a call with lights and sirens. The victim, reportedly in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene after being trapped under the rear wheels. Photos showed the aftermath, with sheets covering the truck’s back wheels. A witness told the Post, “We stopped at the red light and there was the FDNY truck... One of them seemed concerned, like shaken, like shocked.” The incident is under investigation. The article highlights the risks at intersections and the dangers large emergency vehicles pose to vulnerable road users in city traffic.

• Firetruck Kills Cyclist Near Queens Park, New York Post, Published 2025-04-19

Apr 13 - A sedan making a U-turn struck a pedestrian at Beach Channel Drive and Beach 43rd Street. Alcohol was involved. The pedestrian suffered a fractured leg. The driver was also hurt. Danger stalks the intersection.

A sedan making a U-turn on Beach Channel Drive at Beach 43rd Street struck a pedestrian. According to the police report, alcohol involvement was a contributing factor. The pedestrian, a 42-year-old man, suffered a fractured leg and was semiconscious at the scene. The driver, a 44-year-old man, also sustained a leg injury. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a key factor in the crash. No other contributing factors were specified. No blame is placed on the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805804 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Apr 4 - 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.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits Kids Outside School, New York Post, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 3 - 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.

• E-Bike Rider Killed At Queens Intersection, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Apr 1 - Two men slammed head-on in Queens. Both drivers hurt. Chest and back injuries. Metal twisted. Streets silent after impact.

Two vehicles collided head-on at 10-23 Gipson Street in Queens. According to the police report, a sedan and a pickup truck struck each other front-to-front. Both drivers, men aged 36 and 65, suffered injuries—one to the chest, one to the back. Both were conscious after the crash. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left both vehicles damaged at the center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 28 - 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.

• Firefighter Charged After Fatal Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-28

Mar 27 - Two SUVs collided on Beach Channel Drive. Both drivers were distracted. A 24-year-old front passenger suffered back bruises. The crash tore into the center ends of both vehicles. Distraction behind the wheel left a mark.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs crashed on Beach Channel Drive in Queens at 13:10. Both drivers were cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The first SUV, heading west, struck the stopped second SUV from behind. A 24-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat of the second vehicle was injured, suffering back contusions and bruises. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists no contributing factors for the passenger. Damage hit the center front and back ends of the vehicles. The crash was caused by driver distraction, as detailed in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801711 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 13 - A 46-year-old woman suffered serious leg injuries after a sedan struck her while she emerged from in front of a parked vehicle. The driver’s improper lane usage and distraction caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian in shock with internal complaints.

According to the police report, a 46-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2017 Jeep sedan struck her at 7:05 AM in Queens near 15-19 Central Ave. The pedestrian was emerging from in front of a parked vehicle when the collision occurred. The report cites the driver’s contributing factors as 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The sedan’s point of impact was the center front end, with damage to the right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3, and was reported to be in shock with internal complaints. The driver was licensed and slowing or stopping before impact. The crash highlights driver errors in lane usage and distraction as the primary causes of the pedestrian’s injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798353 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 13 - 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.

• Man And Child Struck In Queens Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-03-13

Mar 10 - Three drivers suffered neck and back injuries in a Queens collision involving multiple sedans and SUVs. Unsafe speed and traffic control disregard by one driver led to a violent impact on Beach Channel Drive, leaving all conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Beach Channel Drive in Queens at 13:32. The collision involved multiple vehicles, including sedans and SUVs. Three male drivers, ages 30, 37, and 55, were injured with neck and back injuries, all conscious and not ejected from their vehicles. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors for one driver, while others had unspecified factors. The impact was centered on the front ends of the vehicles. All injured occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses, with airbags deployed in at least one vehicle. The driver errors of unsafe speed and ignoring traffic controls directly contributed to the crash and resulting injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798085 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 4 - 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.

• Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Airport Worker, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-04

Feb 27 - A firefighter, drunk and high, sped through a red light at 83 mph. He smashed into Justin Diaz’s BMW. Diaz died. The crash tore a family apart. The driver walked free on bail. The street stayed deadly.

NY Daily News reported on February 27, 2025, that off-duty FDNY firefighter Michael Pena, 28, killed 23-year-old Justin Diaz in Queens. Prosecutors said Pena was drunk, high on cocaine and marijuana, and driving 83 mph in a 25 mph zone when he ran a red light and struck Diaz’s BMW. Surveillance footage showed the Mercedes 'barreled through an East Elmhurst intersection' at 4:15 a.m. Diaz, headed to work at LaGuardia, died at the scene. Pena refused a breath test; a blood draw later confirmed drug use. He was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to submit to testing, but posted $50,000 bail. The article highlights family grief and outrage at bail laws, quoting Diaz’s brother: 'Pena will walk the streets for a $50,000 bail... Justin will never walk the streets again.'

• Drunk Firefighter Kills Driver In Queens, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-27

Feb 26 - A firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. His Mercedes slammed into a BMW. The BMW driver died. The firefighter, drunk, refused a breath test. Passengers hurt. Bystanders rushed to help. The street stayed deadly, silent after.

According to NY Daily News (2025-02-26), FDNY firefighter Michael Pena, 28, faces charges after allegedly running a red light while intoxicated and T-boning a BMW at 107th St. and Northern Blvd., East Elmhurst. The crash killed 23-year-old Justin Diaz. Surveillance video showed Pena's Mercedes plowing into Diaz's BMW, which then struck a parked minivan. Pena refused a breath test and was uninjured. Two Mercedes passengers were hospitalized. The article notes, 'The FDNY stated Pena will be suspended without pay for 28 days during the investigation.' Video evidence indicated Diaz entered the intersection legally, with the pedestrian signal allowing crossing. The incident highlights the lethal risk of speeding and red-light running, even in early morning hours.

• FDNY Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-26

Feb 19 - A pickup truck slammed into parked cars on Central Ave. The driver was found unconscious and injured. Police cited alcohol involvement. Metal twisted. Streets scarred. System failed.

According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling southwest crashed into multiple parked vehicles near 1306 Central Ave in Queens at 12:20 a.m. The driver, a 35-year-old man, was found unconscious and injured. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. Several sedans and SUVs were struck, with damage to bumpers and side panels. The driver wore a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors or victim actions were cited. The crash highlights the danger of impaired driving and the risk it poses to everyone on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793650 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Feb 14 - A minivan left the road in Queens. It hit a tree. One woman died. Three others, all seniors, went to the hospital. The crash happened on Brookville Boulevard, near Sunrise Highway. Police are investigating. The road stayed quiet after.

According to the NY Daily News (published February 14, 2025), a minivan from Eunhae Adult Daycare crashed while leaving a senior residence in Queens. The 74-year-old driver 'lost control of the wheel at the Sunrise Highway.' The vehicle veered off Brookville Blvd and struck a tree. Four people were inside, all seniors. One woman in her 70s died after being found unconscious in the back seat. Three others, including the driver, were hospitalized but expected to survive. Police are investigating the cause. The article highlights the dangers faced by passengers in vehicles operated by older drivers and the risks at busy intersections like Brookville Boulevard and Sunrise Highway.

• Minivan Crash Kills Woman, Injures Three, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-14

Feb 13 - Two sedans collided head-on on Seagirt Blvd at night. Both women drivers suffered neck and chest injuries. Shock and pain followed. Each wore seat belts. The crash left both cars with front-end damage.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed at 20:05 on Seagirt Blvd. A 22-year-old woman turned left as a 72-year-old woman drove straight north. Both drivers were injured—one with neck pain, the other with chest pain. Both experienced shock and nausea. Each was restrained by lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for both drivers. No pedestrians were involved. The crash shows the danger when left turns cross paths with oncoming traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792448 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Feb 8 - A car struck an underpass on Belt Parkway. Metal twisted. A woman, 27, died at the hospital. A man survived. Police do not know who drove. The wreck left questions. The system failed to protect its passengers.

According to NY Daily News (published February 8, 2025), a single-car crash on Queens’ Belt Parkway killed a 27-year-old woman and injured a 30-year-old man. The white Toyota sedan hit an underpass near 225th Street around 3:50 a.m. Both occupants were found outside the wreck when police arrived. Investigators are unsure who was driving at the time of impact: 'Since both occupants were out of the car at the time of the crash, investigators haven't figured out who was driving, police said.' The woman died at Long Island Jewish Hospital-Valley Stream; the man was expected to survive. The article highlights ongoing uncertainty about driver identity and underscores the persistent risks on city highways, especially where loss of vehicle control leads to deadly outcomes. The investigation continues.

• Woman Killed In Queens Parkway Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-08

Feb 7 - A 60-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck at a Queens intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing abrasions and injuries to her entire body. The pedestrian remained conscious despite the severity of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:45 near 58-03 Rockaway Beach Blvd in Queens. A 60-year-old female pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when she was struck by a vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor attributed to the driver. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her entire body, classified as injury severity level 3, but remained conscious. The vehicle involved is unspecified in type and details, and no information about the driver’s license status or vehicle damage is provided. The report does not list any pedestrian behaviors as contributing factors, focusing solely on the driver's failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792183 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03