Blood on the Pavement: How Many More Must Die in Precinct 105?

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

Mar 1 - A 31-year-old woman suffered a back injury and shock as a sedan traveling east on 234 Street struck her left rear seat. She wore a lap belt and was not ejected. The vehicle's right front quarter panel was damaged. Driver errors were not identified.

According to the police report, a 2017 Hyundai sedan traveling east on 234 Street in Queens struck its left rear passenger, a 31-year-old woman. She sustained a back injury and was reported to be in shock. The passenger was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. The sedan sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver held a valid New York license and was going straight ahead at the time of impact. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved, and no additional contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800875 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 27 - A firefighter ran a red. Metal struck metal. A young man died. The street echoed with sirens. Two more rode to the hospital. The city keeps count. The danger stays.

According to the New York Post (February 27, 2025), off-duty FDNY firefighter Michael Pena drove through a red light at Northern Boulevard and 107th Street in Queens, striking Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance video captured Pena’s Mercedes “passing a red light on Northern Boulevard and T-boning Diaz’s 2022 BMW.” Diaz, 23, died at Elmhurst Hospital. Pena faces charges of vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusal to take a breath test. Two passengers in Pena’s car were hospitalized. The FDNY suspended Pena for 28 days without pay. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of red-light running and impaired driving, raising questions about enforcement and accountability on city streets.

• Red Light Crash Kills Driver in Queens, New York Post, Published 2025-02-27

Feb 25 - Two sedans collided head-to-tail on Grand Central Parkway. A 21-year-old woman in the back seat suffered neck injuries. Both drivers were licensed. No vehicle damage reported. The passenger stayed conscious.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling east on Grand Central Parkway collided at 11:36 a.m. The second car struck the center back end of the first. A 21-year-old female passenger in the right rear seat suffered neck injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. Both drivers were licensed men from New York, driving straight ahead. The report lists all contributing factors as unspecified and notes no vehicle damage. The crash shows how even low-speed rear-end impacts can leave passengers hurt, regardless of visible damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 24 - SUV rear-ends sedan on Grand Central Parkway. Sixty-three-year-old woman in front seat suffers neck injury and whiplash. Both cars move east. Impact is hard, center to center. No pedestrians. No cyclists.

According to the police report, an SUV struck a sedan from behind on Grand Central Parkway at 18:15. Both vehicles traveled east. The SUV hit the sedan's center rear, injuring a 63-year-old woman riding in the front passenger seat. She suffered neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious. The report lists no specific contributing factors, but the crash pattern points to a failure to maintain distance or attention by the SUV driver. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795221 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 - A sedan turning right on Francis Lewis Blvd struck a 15-year-old girl walking outside an intersection. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries and was left in shock. Driver inattention caused the crash, with no visible damage to the vehicle.

According to the police report, at 8:45 AM on Francis Lewis Blvd in Queens, a 2020 sedan making a right turn struck a 15-year-old female pedestrian who was not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating the driver's failure to maintain focus led to the collision. The vehicle showed no damage despite impact at the center front end. There is no mention of pedestrian fault or contributing behaviors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in areas where pedestrians are present.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794704 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 13 - Two SUVs collided on 86 Ave in Queens when one driver failed to yield right-of-way. The impact struck the center front end and left front bumper. A 31-year-old female driver suffered back injuries and shock, restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:58 AM on 86 Ave in Queens involving two SUVs. One vehicle, a 2012 Jeep traveling northwest, was making a left turn and struck the other, a 2019 Chevrolet going straight west. The point of impact was the center front end of the Jeep and the left front bumper of the Chevrolet. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the collision. The 31-year-old female driver of the Jeep was injured, suffering back pain and shock, and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report does not list any victim behaviors contributing to the crash, focusing on the driver error of failing to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792297 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 9 - A 79-year-old woman driving an SUV overturned in Queens. The crash caused back injuries and shock. The vehicle struck head-on, overturning with no ejection. Police report lists unspecified contributing factors but no clear driver errors or victim fault.

According to the police report, a 79-year-old female driver was operating a 2023 Toyota SUV westbound near 259-01 Union Turnpike in Queens at 7:34 PM. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, resulting in the SUV overturning. The driver sustained back injuries and was in shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists two unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any specific driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver was licensed and wearing a lap belt. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and the report does not attribute fault to the injured driver. The crash highlights the dangers of overturning impacts in Queens traffic conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791451 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 9 - A southbound SUV collided with a parked SUV on 223 Street in Queens, overturning on impact. The driver sustained abrasions and injuries to the elbow and lower arm. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, at 5:50 AM on 223 Street in Queens, a southbound 2024 Toyota SUV struck the center back end of a parked 2020 Toyota SUV. The impact caused the moving SUV to overturn. The driver, a 27-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites slippery pavement as a contributing factor to the crash. The parked vehicle had no occupants at the time. There is no indication of driver impairment or license issues. The collision and subsequent overturning highlight the dangers posed by road conditions and driver control failures in vehicle-to-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791452 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 5 - A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

Feb 3 - An SUV making an improper U-turn struck a sedan traveling east on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The collision injured a 21-year-old male passenger in the sedan, causing back pain and shock. The SUV’s driver error triggered the crash’s violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:26 on Jamaica Avenue in Queens. The SUV was making an improper U-turn when it collided with the sedan traveling straight east. The point of impact was the SUV’s right rear quarter panel and the sedan’s left front bumper. The sedan carried a 21-year-old male passenger in the right rear seat, who was injured with back pain and shock, wearing a lap belt and harness. The police report cites "Turning Improperly" as the contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver’s error. No other contributing factors were noted. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight, indicating the crash was caused by the SUV’s dangerous maneuver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790347 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 3 - SUV lost grip on slick Union Turnpike. Four rear passengers, including three children, suffered face and eye abrasions. Impact crushed the left front bumper. Road surface failed. Passengers paid the price.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling north on Union Turnpike in Queens lost control at 7:30 AM. The vehicle struck an object or surface, damaging the left front bumper. Four rear passengers—a 40-year-old woman and children aged 5, 8, and 12—were injured, suffering abrasions to the face and eyes. All remained conscious and were not ejected. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as the sole contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. No victim actions contributed. The crash highlights the danger of hazardous road surfaces for vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790650 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 31 - A box truck swung left at 212th and Hillside. The driver looked too late. A 29-year-old man, crossing with the light, was crushed beneath the bumper. He died in the street before dawn. Steel met flesh. The city kept moving.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling west on Hillside Avenue made a left turn at the corner of 212th Street and Hillside Avenue in Queens. The driver, licensed in New Jersey, was operating a 2018 FRHT-TRUCK/BUS with one occupant. The report states the driver was inattentive or distracted and failed to observe the pedestrian in time. The vehicle struck a 29-year-old man who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The point of impact was the truck’s left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Oversized Vehicle' as contributing factors. The victim’s behavior—crossing with the signal—is noted only after the driver’s errors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver inattention and large vehicles at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789587 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 30 - A sedan traveling south on Commonwealth Blvd struck a parked vehicle from behind. Both occupants in the moving sedan suffered injuries, including head and shoulder trauma. Driver distraction by electronic device use contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, at 5:00 AM on Commonwealth Blvd in Queens, a southbound sedan collided with a parked sedan. The moving vehicle's right front bumper impacted the left rear bumper of the parked car. The sedan had two occupants: a 25-year-old male driver and a 31-year-old female front passenger. Both were injured; the driver sustained upper arm and internal injuries, while the passenger suffered head trauma and whiplash. Both occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report cites 'Other Electronic Device' use as a contributing factor, indicating driver distraction. The driver was licensed in New York. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The collision resulted from driver error related to distraction, not victim fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789140 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 28 - A pickup truck turned right on Amboy Lane and struck a woman crossing. She suffered bruises and leg injuries. The driver was licensed. No driver errors were cited. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old woman was crossing Amboy Lane at an intersection in Queens when a southbound pickup truck made a right turn and struck her with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. Injury severity was listed as level 3. The driver was licensed and the vehicle had no reported damage. The police report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The crash highlights the risk pedestrians face from turning vehicles at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789787 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 22 - A Toyota RAV4 jumped the curb on 90th Avenue, slammed into a garage, and collapsed the structure. The driver, Mamadou Barry, was trapped. First responders pulled him out, but he died at the hospital. No other injuries reported.

According to NY Daily News (2025-01-22), Mamadou Barry, 63, was driving his Toyota RAV4 along 90th Ave. in Jamaica, Queens, around 5:20 a.m. when he lost control, hopped a curb at 143rd St., and crashed into a detached garage. The impact caused the garage to collapse onto both his SUV and a parked, unoccupied Prius. Police said Barry was trapped and later died at Jamaica Hospital. The article notes, 'he lost control of the SUV, which went crashing into a detached garage in Queens, police said.' Family members stated Barry had no known medical issues. The cause of the crash remains unclear. No other injuries were reported. The incident highlights the dangers faced by drivers and bystanders in residential areas where structures sit close to the street.

• Uber Driver Dies in Queens Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-01-22

Jan 19 - Two sedans crashed on Jericho Turnpike in Queens. Four occupants suffered injuries including head, neck, and leg trauma. Police cited driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. All were restrained but endured shock and pain complaints.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:11 AM on Jericho Turnpike in Queens involving two sedans traveling westbound. One driver was making a U-turn while the other proceeded straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of one sedan and the right front quarter panel of the other. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes. Four occupants were injured: a 35-year-old male driver, a 24-year-old female rear passenger with head injury, a 31-year-old male front passenger with neck injury, and a 46-year-old male driver with lower leg injury. All occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. Injuries ranged from complaints of pain and nausea to whiplash. The report highlights driver errors without attributing fault to the victims.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786619 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 15 - A northbound sedan hit a 67-year-old woman crossing 263rd Street near 75th Avenue. She bled on the pavement, conscious, her leg torn. The driver, distracted, did not stop. Darkness, no crosswalk, no signal—just impact and aftermath.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old woman was crossing 263rd Street near 75th Avenue in Queens when she was struck head-on by a northbound Acura sedan. The crash occurred in the dark, with no crosswalk or signal present at the location. The report states the driver was distracted, citing 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The woman suffered severe bleeding from her leg but remained conscious at the scene. The driver did not stop after the collision. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing where there was no signal or crosswalk, but the police report lists driver distraction as the key factor in the crash. The focus remains on the driver's inattention and the systemic dangers faced by those crossing city streets outside of marked crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786030 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18