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 16 - A sedan making a left turn struck a 36-year-old pedestrian crossing Vernon Boulevard outside an intersection. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the victim injured and conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Vernon Boulevard was making a left turn when it struck a 36-year-old male pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk or signal. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report explicitly cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision and did not contribute to the crash according to the report. The vehicle showed no damage despite the center front end impact. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793785 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 15 - A sedan starting from parking struck a moped traveling east on 45th Street in Queens. The moped driver, partially ejected and injured in the lower leg, suffered shock and pain. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the moped’s right side doors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:50 on 45th Street in Queens. A sedan, traveling north and starting from parking, collided with a moped going straight east. The point of impact was the sedan’s center front end against the moped’s right side doors. The moped driver, a 38-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was reported to be in shock and complained of pain or nausea. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors on the part of the sedan driver. The moped driver wore a helmet, but no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s left front bumper was damaged, indicating the force and location of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792843 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 12 - A 22-year-old woman suffered hip and upper leg injuries after a taxi failed to yield right-of-way at a marked crosswalk in Queens. The driver’s inattention and distraction led to the collision, leaving the pedestrian in shock and pain.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on 27 Avenue in Queens struck a 22-year-old female pedestrian at a marked crosswalk near 3-24 27 Avenue around 11:48 PM. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal when the taxi impacted her with its left front bumper. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, experienced shock, and complained of pain or nausea. The taxi showed no vehicle damage, and the driver was licensed in New York. The incident highlights the dangers posed by driver errors such as failure to yield and distraction in intersections, endangering vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792312 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 11 - A 22-year-old man was injured when a sedan failed to yield while making a right turn on 28 Rd in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without signal. Impact to the right front bumper caused contusions to his hip and upper leg.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on 28 Rd in Queens struck a 22-year-old male pedestrian at approximately 5:30 AM. The driver was making a right turn and impacted the pedestrian with the vehicle's right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk but without a crossing signal. The victim sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the collision. The vehicle sustained damage to its right front bumper. The driver was licensed and operating a 1997 Nissan sedan. No other contributing factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792311 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 10 - Pickup driver distracted. Fails to brake. Hits sedan turning right. Sedan driver hurt. Shock and pain follow. Metal crunches. Queens street, morning. System fails to protect.

According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling east on 34th Street near Astoria Boulevard South in Queens struck the left rear bumper of a sedan making a right turn. The pickup driver was cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction,' a key factor in the crash. The sedan driver, a 40-year-old woman, suffered injuries and was in shock, reporting pain or nausea. The sedan was hit on its left rear bumper; the pickup sustained front-end damage. Both drivers were licensed. No actions by the injured driver contributed to the crash. The report underscores the danger of driver distraction in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792068 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 8 - Two SUVs collided on Astoria Boulevard around 2 p.m. Both drivers sustained abrasions and injuries to the elbow and face. The crash involved a failure to maintain safe distance, causing significant vehicle damage and passenger harm.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Astoria Boulevard involving two sport utility vehicles traveling north. The driver of a 2015 Jeep was going straight ahead, while the driver of a 2020 Kia was passing. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the Jeep and the right front quarter panel of the Kia. The contributing factor cited was "Following Too Closely," indicating driver error in maintaining safe distance between vehicles. Two occupants were injured: the male Jeep driver suffered abrasions to his elbow, and a female passenger in the Jeep sustained abrasions to her face. Both were conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not list any contributing factors related to victim behavior. The collision caused notable damage to both vehicles' front quarter panels.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791316 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 8 - A 39-year-old man crossed Ditmars Boulevard before dawn. An eastbound Toyota SUV hit him with its left front bumper. Blood pooled from his head. The street was empty. He remained conscious, wounded and alone in the early morning dark.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old pedestrian was crossing Ditmars Boulevard near 35th Street in Queens when a 2013 Toyota SUV, traveling east, struck him with its left front bumper. The crash occurred before dawn, on an empty street. The report states the man suffered a head injury and severe bleeding but was conscious at the scene. The police narrative notes the pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing with no signal or crosswalk present. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and pedestrian, providing no further detail on driver actions. The impact location and vehicle trajectory underscore the danger faced by pedestrians on wide, empty streets, especially when driver errors are left unaddressed or unreported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792677 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 garbage truck ran a control and struck an SUV in Queens. Two teenage passengers inside suffered severe internal injuries. The truck driver ignored traffic signals. The crash left both teens badly hurt.

According to the police report, a garbage truck traveling east on 35 Avenue struck the left side doors of a northbound SUV on 12 Street in Queens at 23:56. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, showing the truck driver failed to obey signals or signs. Two male passengers, aged 16 and 17, were injured inside the SUV. One was unconscious with head trauma; the other suffered injuries to his entire body but remained conscious. Both sustained severe internal injuries. No contributing factors are listed for the passengers. The crash was caused by the truck driver's failure to follow traffic control.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791837 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 1 - A 38-year-old unlicensed rider sped west on Grand Central Parkway. He passed a taxi, struck its front, and was thrown from his bike. The motorcycle shattered. He died on the asphalt. The taxi stopped. The road bore the mark.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old man riding a motorcycle westbound on Grand Central Parkway attempted to pass a taxi at high speed. The report states he was unlicensed but wore a helmet. The motorcycle struck the taxi's right front quarter panel, causing the rider to be ejected and thrown onto the roadway. The motorcycle was demolished. The taxi, operated by a licensed driver, stopped after the collision. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. The rider died at the scene, suffering injuries to his entire body. The report does not cite any contributing victim behavior beyond helmet use. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when unlicensed, inexperienced drivers operate powerful vehicles on city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792295 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 29 - A distracted driver slammed into a stopped pick-up truck on 30 Ave in Queens. The impact involved multiple SUVs and left the driver in shock with unspecified injuries. The collision exposed dangers of inattention and tailgating on city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 30 Ave in Queens around 1:00 PM. The driver of a 2019 Dodge SUV was traveling westbound when he rear-ended a stopped 2023 Ford pick-up truck. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The impact was centered on the front end of the Dodge SUV and the back end of the pick-up truck. Another parked 2018 Toyota SUV was also struck on its left front bumper. The driver of the Dodge SUV, a 52-year-old male, was wearing a lap belt and suffered unspecified injuries and shock but was not ejected. The report highlights driver errors—distraction and tailgating—as primary causes, without attributing fault to any other parties.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791152 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 29 - A 66-year-old man suffered back injuries and whiplash after an SUV failed to yield while making a left turn in Queens. The pedestrian was crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal when the collision occurred at 6:35 AM.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:35 AM in Queens near 20-55 42 Street. A 2006 Nissan SUV, traveling south and making a left turn, struck a 66-year-old male pedestrian crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained back injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the vehicle driver as a contributing factor. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian's crossing without a signal was noted but not identified as a contributing factor. The collision highlights driver error in yielding to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790318 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 26 - A sedan turning right struck a 49-year-old woman crossing Crescent Street outside a crosswalk. She suffered hip and upper leg injuries and shock. The driver’s inattention caused the crash. No vehicle damage was reported despite the impact.

According to the police report, a 2019 Acura sedan driven by a licensed male driver from New Jersey was making a right turn on Crescent Street in Queens at 2:25 p.m. when the collision occurred. The pedestrian, a 49-year-old woman, was crossing the street outside a crosswalk or signal. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg and was in shock, with a minor burn also noted. The vehicle sustained no damage and the point of impact was recorded as 'No Damage.' The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s actions. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in areas with vulnerable pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788836 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 25 - A moving SUV struck a parked SUV on 31 Ave in Queens. The front passenger of the moving vehicle suffered an elbow abrasion. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage in the collision.

According to the police report, a 2024 SUV traveling east on 31 Ave collided with a parked 2024 SUV. The point of impact was the center front end of the moving vehicle striking the center back end of the parked vehicle. The crash occurred at 6:37 AM in Queens, zip code 11377. The moving vehicle had two occupants; the front passenger, a 46-year-old female, was injured with an abrasion to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The police report identifies driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. There is no indication of victim fault or other contributing factors. The collision caused damage to both vehicles at their respective impact points.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788264 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 24 - Two eastbound vehicles collided on 34th Street in Queens. The sedan struck the SUV on the right side doors, injuring the female sedan driver with back injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inexperience and distraction as causes.

According to the police report, at 8:11 AM on 34th Street in Queens, a collision occurred involving a 2025 Acura sedan and a 2004 GMC SUV, both traveling eastbound. The sedan impacted the right side doors of the SUV, which sustained damage to its left front bumper. The sedan's female driver, aged 37, was injured with back pain and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. The report identifies 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision's point of impact and the cited driver errors highlight systemic risks related to driver skill and focus, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789174 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 22 - A sedan making a left turn struck a 61-year-old woman in Queens. She suffered bruises across her body. The car showed no damage. The crash left the pedestrian conscious but injured.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old female pedestrian was struck by a sedan at 19 Ave and Hazen St in Queens at 17:47. The sedan, driven by a licensed woman, was making a left turn when it hit the pedestrian. The impact left the woman with contusions and bruises over her entire body. She remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists no driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No other contributing factors or safety equipment are cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787804 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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