Blood on Liberty Avenue: How Many Must Die Before the City Acts?

Metal crumpled on Cross Bay Boulevard near Belt Parkway. A 33-year-old man, riding in the front seat, suffered a head injury. Sirens cut the night air as traffic stalled. The scent of gasoline and burnt rubber lingered in the darkness.

According to the police report, a multi-vehicle collision occurred on Cross Bay Boulevard near Belt Parkway involving three sedans traveling west. The crash left a 33-year-old male front passenger injured, with trauma to his head and internal complaints. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor for both primary vehicles involved. No other driver errors or helmet or signal issues are cited. The injured passenger was conscious at the scene and was wearing a lap belt. The crash underscores the persistent danger of rear-end impacts when drivers fail to maintain safe distances.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803907, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Before dawn, a sedan and an e-bike collided on Linden Boulevard near I-678. The e-bike rider was thrown from his vehicle, suffering bruises across his body. Emergency lights flashed in the dark as responders moved in on the battered bike and damaged cars.

According to the police report, a crash involving two sedans and an e-bike occurred on Linden Boulevard near I-678. The 44-year-old male e-bike rider was ejected and sustained contusions to his entire body. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey signals or signs. 'Pavement Slippery' is also cited, suggesting road surface conditions played a role. The e-bike was demolished in the impact, and the rider was noted to be wearing a helmet. No injuries to sedan occupants were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803198, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Metal screams on S Conduit Ave as a tractor truck strikes an SUV changing lanes. A 39-year-old woman in the SUV’s rear seat suffers head trauma and whiplash. Emergency lights flicker over shattered glass and twisted metal.

According to the police report, a tractor truck and an SUV collided on S Conduit Ave near Linden Blvd at 20:21. The SUV was changing lanes eastbound when the tractor truck, also traveling east, impacted its left side doors. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. A 39-year-old female passenger seated in the left rear of the SUV sustained head injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The tractor truck’s driver was going straight ahead, while the SUV driver was changing lanes. No victim behaviors such as helmet use or crossing signals were cited. This crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction and improper lane changes, with vulnerable passengers suffering serious injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802825, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford pickup hit a 29-year-old man on 133rd Street near Liberty Avenue. Blood spilled onto the asphalt. The man stood, stunned, his leg torn open. The driver never stopped. No brake lights, no pause, just a truck vanishing west.

A Ford pickup truck struck a 29-year-old man on 133rd Street near Liberty Avenue, according to the police report. The man, described as 'playing in the roadway,' suffered severe lacerations to his lower leg and stood in shock as blood spilled onto the street. The report states the pickup did not stop after the collision—'No brake lights. Just gone.' The vehicle, registered in New Jersey, showed no reported damage and was traveling west. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a central fact. The victim’s behavior is noted as 'playing in roadway,' but this is only mentioned after the driver’s actions. The collision left the pedestrian injured and abandoned, underscoring the lethal consequences when drivers fail to stop after striking a person.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800723, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two women suffered head injuries in a Queens crash on Lefferts Blvd. Both were restrained but experienced shock and minor bleeding. The collision involved improper lane usage and traffic control disregard, highlighting driver errors in a multi-SUV crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Lefferts Blvd in Queens at 2:00 AM. Two occupants in a Ford SUV—a 23-year-old female driver and a 20-year-old female front passenger—were injured with head trauma and minor bleeding. Both wore lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The report cites 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, indicating driver errors behind the collision. The Ford SUV was impacted on the right front quarter panel, while a BMW SUV traveling east struck it at the center front end. The driver of the BMW was a licensed male. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash underscores the dangers of improper lane use and failure to obey traffic controls in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800716, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi traveling south on Van Wyck Expressway struck a parked sedan’s right rear bumper. The taxi driver and passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited unsafe speed as the primary contributing factor in the collision.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on Van Wyck Expressway collided with a parked sedan, impacting the sedan’s right rear bumper with the taxi’s left front bumper. The taxi driver and his passenger, both 27-year-old males, sustained injuries to their knees and lower legs, described as contusions and bruises. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and were not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan was stationary at the time, and no other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The taxi driver held a valid New Jersey license, and the sedan driver was licensed in New York. The collision occurred at 11:22 p.m., emphasizing the dangers of excessive speed even on controlled roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799830, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcycle traveling west was struck by an eastbound SUV making a left turn on Rockaway Blvd in Queens. The motorcycle driver suffered a severe leg fracture and shock. Police cited driver inattention as a key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:36 on Rockaway Blvd in Queens. A motorcycle traveling westbound was struck at the center front end by an SUV making a left turn eastbound. The motorcycle driver, a 28-year-old male, sustained serious injuries including a fracture and dislocation to his lower leg, knee, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The SUV driver was licensed and female. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The motorcycle driver was not ejected and no other contributing factors were specified. The collision impact was at the center front end of the motorcycle and the right front bumper of the SUV, indicating the SUV's left turn crossed the motorcycle's path, resulting in the severe injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799109, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans collided head-on on Rockaway Blvd in Queens. The 48-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. One driver was unlicensed, and the other was properly restrained.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling in opposite directions collided at the center front end on Rockaway Blvd in Queens at 2:50 AM. The 48-year-old male driver of a Colorado-registered sedan, traveling northbound, sustained neck injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity 3. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The other vehicle, a New York-registered Nissan sedan traveling southbound, was driven by an unlicensed female driver. Police identified driver inattention and distraction as the primary contributing factors to the crash. The collision caused damage to the front center end of the Colorado sedan, while the Nissan sustained no damage. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798580, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 51-year-old woman suffered serious hip and upper leg injuries after a sedan struck her outside an intersection in Queens. The driver’s inexperience and distraction caused the crash, impacting the pedestrian’s right side with the vehicle’s front quarter panel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:08 in Queens near 130-06 135 Place. A sedan traveling north struck a 51-year-old female pedestrian who was in the roadway but not at an intersection. The point of impact was the vehicle’s right front quarter panel, causing injuries to the pedestrian’s hip and upper leg. The pedestrian remained conscious and complained of internal injuries. The report cites driver inexperience and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead before the collision. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors, specifically inexperience and distraction, in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794423, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A southbound SUV struck an eastbound sedan at Lefferts Blvd in Queens. The SUV's left front bumper hit the sedan's left rear quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 43-year-old man, suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:59 on Lefferts Blvd in Queens involving a 2016 Chevrolet SUV traveling south and a 2011 Nissan sedan traveling east. The SUV impacted the sedan on its left front bumper, striking the sedan's left rear quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 43-year-old male occupant, was injured with a head abrasion but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error related to ignoring traffic signals or signs. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No ejections occurred. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the sedan driver beyond unspecified factors, focusing on the SUV driver's failure to comply with traffic control as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794422, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two sedans traveling north collided on Liberty Avenue. The driver of one vehicle suffered a back injury and contusion. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. Both vehicles sustained front and rear-end damage in the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling north on Liberty Avenue collided at 22:33. The impact occurred at the center front end of one vehicle and the right rear bumper of the other. The driver of the second sedan, a 28-year-old female occupant, was injured with a back contusion and bruising but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly attributes the crash to driver inattention and distraction, listing this as the sole contributing factor for the collision. Both vehicles sustained damage consistent with a rear-end type impact. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793048, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 35-year-old man crossing Rockaway Blvd was struck by a vehicle making a right turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, hitting the pedestrian at the intersection. The man suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm injury.

According to the police report, a vehicle traveling south on Rockaway Blvd was making a right turn when it struck a 35-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection near 114 St. The pedestrian sustained a fracture, dislocation, and distortion to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The report identifies the driver's failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its center front end but sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior. This incident highlights the dangers posed by drivers neglecting to yield to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791695, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 28-year-old woman suffered back injuries and whiplash after a sedan made a left turn and struck her at an intersection. Glare impaired the driver's vision, leading to a collision despite the pedestrian crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Rockaway Blvd in Queens was making a left turn at 7:56 AM when it struck a 28-year-old female pedestrian crossing the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained back injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. The report identifies glare as a contributing factor impairing the driver's ability to see the pedestrian. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle, indicating the pedestrian was hit directly by the front of the sedan. The driver was licensed and operating a 2006 Honda sedan with one occupant. The collision underscores the danger posed by environmental conditions like glare affecting driver perception and decision-making during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790335, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi struck the rear of an SUV traveling south on Cross Bay Blvd in Queens. The taxi driver suffered a neck injury, conscious and restrained. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely as causes. Both vehicles damaged front and rear center ends.

According to the police report, a crash occurred on Cross Bay Blvd in Queens at 16:20 involving a taxi and an SUV, both traveling south. The taxi driver, a 58-year-old male, was injured with a neck complaint but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors for the taxi driver. The taxi impacted the center front end of the SUV, which sustained damage to its center back end. The SUV driver was not reported injured. The collision resulted from the taxi driver's failure to maintain a safe distance and attention, causing the rear-end collision. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789949, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 16-year-old girl crossing with the signal suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a Queens driver failed to yield right-of-way. The impact struck the pedestrian at an intersection on 109 Ave, leaving her bruised but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:20 on 109 Ave in Queens. A 16-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal at an intersection when she was struck by a vehicle traveling east. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor on the driver's part. No damage was noted on the vehicle, and the pedestrian was conscious after the collision. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions beyond the driver’s failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789352, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan traveling south overturned after the driver reacted to an uninvolved vehicle. The 32-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained. The crash highlights driver error in responding to traffic conditions, causing severe vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male driver in a 2011 Nissan sedan was traveling south on 165 Avenue near Cross Bay Boulevard in Queens at 6:17 AM. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report states the contributing factor as "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle," indicating the driver’s response to another vehicle not involved in the crash caused the accident. The sedan struck with its center front end and overturned, resulting in vehicle damage. The driver sustained neck injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3, but remained conscious. This crash underscores the danger of driver errors reacting to external traffic stimuli, leading to loss of vehicle control and serious occupant injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789205, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 23-year-old man crossing a marked crosswalk in Queens was struck by an SUV making a left turn. The impact injured his lower leg and foot. Police cite driver inexperience and failure to yield as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6 p.m. in Queens on 120 Street near Linden Boulevard. A 2018 Mazda SUV was making a left turn when it struck a 23-year-old male pedestrian crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front quarter panel, causing injuries to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian remained conscious but suffered internal complaints. The report explicitly identifies driver errors including 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. There is no mention of pedestrian fault or contributing behaviors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789118, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A northbound SUV collided with a parked vehicle’s right rear quarter panel on 135 St in Queens. The sedan driver suffered a head contusion and bruising. The crash involved multiple vehicles and caused significant damage to the parked SUV’s side doors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:30 a.m. on 135 St near 109 Ave in Queens. A 39-year-old female sedan driver, licensed in New York, was injured with a head contusion and bruising. The report identifies the contributing factor as 'Other Vehicular,' indicating driver error related to vehicle movement. The northbound Honda SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, struck the right side doors of a parked Tesla SUV, which was stationary before impact. The Tesla SUV was hit on its right rear quarter panel by the sedan traveling westbound. The sedan driver was conscious and restrained with a lap belt. The collision caused damage to the parked SUV and injured the sedan driver, highlighting risks from vehicle interactions and driver errors in multi-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788439, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Toyota SUV flipped on 135th Avenue. A 23-year-old woman, thrown from the back seat, lay unconscious and bleeding. A BMW struck head-on. A parked Dodge crumpled. Someone ran the light. Metal twisted. Lives upended in Queens before dawn.

According to the police report, a violent collision unfolded on 135th Avenue near Lefferts Boulevard in Queens at 2:55 a.m. A Toyota SUV, traveling north, overturned after a driver disregarded traffic control. The report states, 'A Toyota SUV flipped. A 23-year-old woman, unbelted in back, was thrown out. She lay bleeding, unconscious.' The SUV collided head-on with a BMW sedan, while a parked Dodge truck was struck and crumpled. The police report explicitly cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, pointing to a driver running a red light. The 23-year-old woman, a rear passenger in the SUV, suffered severe injuries after being ejected from the vehicle. No actions by the victim are listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the deadly consequences when drivers ignore traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788430, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan traveling south struck a parked vehicle's left rear quarter panel on 131st Street in Queens. The driver suffered neck injuries and shock, wearing a lap belt. Slippery pavement contributed to the collision, according to the police report.

According to the police report, at 2:53 AM in Queens, a sedan traveling southbound collided with the left rear quarter panel of a parked vehicle on 131st Street. The driver, a 27-year-old woman, was injured with neck contusions and experienced shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists slippery pavement as a contributing factor to the crash. The collision involved two sedans and a parked SUV, with damage focused on the left rear quarter panels and right front bumper. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were explicitly cited, but road conditions played a role in the impact. The victim was the driver of the moving sedan and was injured in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788424, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15