Thirteen Dead. Two Thousand Wounded. Still No Action.

A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. It hit a man on a bike. He died there, on the street. Police are investigating. The crash happened in Middle Village, Queens. Metal met flesh. The city keeps moving.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The collision happened as the truck was 'turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street.' The victim, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating the incident. The article notes the truck's turning movement but does not detail further driver actions. This fatal crash highlights the risks at intersections where large vehicles and cyclists cross paths. No information was provided about charges or policy changes.

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

A firetruck struck a cyclist on Juniper Boulevard. The truck turned with lights and sirens. The cyclist was crushed under the rear wheels. Sheets covered the scene. Firefighters stood by, shaken. The victim died instantly. The investigation continues.

According to the New York Post (April 19, 2025), an FDNY Rescue Company 4 firetruck fatally struck a cyclist near Juniper Valley Park in Queens while responding to a call. The article states, "The truck was making a turn onto Juniper Boulevard...when the fatal accident occurred." Police reported the truck had lights and sirens activated. The cyclist ended up beneath the rear wheels and was pronounced dead at the scene. Photos showed emergency sheets covering the area. Witness Miguel Vega described firefighters as "shaken, like shocked." The incident highlights the dangers at intersections, especially when emergency vehicles turn. The crash is under investigation, with no details yet on policy or procedural changes.

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

An SUV backed unsafely into a moped on 74th Street at 31st Avenue. Two moped riders were ejected and suffered leg fractures. The crash left both conscious but hurt.

An SUV and a moped collided on 74th Street at 31st Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the SUV was 'Backing Unsafely' when it struck the moped. Two people on the moped—a 33-year-old male driver and a 23-year-old female passenger—were ejected and suffered leg fractures and dislocations. Both were conscious after the crash. The police report lists 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor. No other errors or helmet use were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807464 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs crashed on 112th Street in Queens. One driver, age 63, suffered a bruised leg. Police cite driver inattention for both vehicles. Metal struck metal. Passengers shaken. Streets stay dangerous.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at 112th Street and 34th Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, both drivers were distracted at the time of the crash. One driver, a 63-year-old man, was injured with a contusion to his lower leg. Passengers, including a child, were present but not reported injured. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. No other causes are cited. The crash highlights the ongoing risk posed by driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806391 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A former firefighter sped through a red light in Queens. He struck Justin Diaz’s car at 83 mph. Diaz died a block from home. The driver was drunk, high, and unregistered. The court revoked his bail. Diaz’s family mourns.

ABC7 reported on April 17, 2025, that ex-FDNY firefighter Michael Peña faces manslaughter and DWI charges after a deadly crash in Queens. Prosecutors allege Peña was drunk, high, and speeding at 83 mph—three times the limit—when he ran a red light and T-boned 23-year-old Justin Diaz’s car. Surveillance and body camera footage show Peña admitting to running the light. Five hours after the crash, tests confirmed intoxication by alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. Peña’s record includes prior arrests and 25 school zone speeding tickets. He also drove an unregistered vehicle with an obstructed plate and tinted windshield. The victim, Diaz, was headed to work and had just graduated college. The case highlights repeated driver violations and systemic failures in enforcement.

• Ex-Firefighter Charged In Queens Fatal Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-17

Two sedans collided on Northern Blvd. A distracted driver struck a parked car. A child and a woman suffered chest and head injuries. Metal twisted. Sirens followed. The street did not forgive mistakes.

A crash on Northern Blvd in Queens involved two sedans. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' caused the collision. One sedan, going straight, struck a parked car. A 10-year-old boy suffered chest injuries. A 38-year-old woman in the front passenger seat suffered a head injury and whiplash. Both were conscious after the crash. Other occupants had unspecified injuries. The report lists driver inattention as the contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804427 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a cyclist on 94th Street in Queens. The cyclist, 36, suffered an arm injury. Police cite failure to yield. The driver was unhurt. The street stayed open. The crash left the cyclist in shock.

A sedan traveling south on 94th Street collided with a cyclist heading east at 31st Avenue in Queens. The 36-year-old cyclist was injured in the upper arm and reported shock. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The sedan driver, age 52, was not injured. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary factor was the driver's failure to yield. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A BMW and motorcycle collided on Woodhaven Boulevard. Both vehicles burned. The motorcyclist died at the scene. The BMW driver survived. No arrests. Police are investigating. Another life lost on a wide, fast Queens road.

According to NY Daily News (April 5, 2025), a fatal crash occurred at 60th Drive and Woodhaven Blvd. in Rego Park, Queens. A BMW SUV and a motorcycle, both heading south, collided around 9:22 a.m. Both vehicles caught fire. Police said, 'only the car driver survived the collision.' EMS pronounced the motorcycle rider dead at the scene. The BMW driver was hospitalized in stable condition. No arrests have been made, and police continue to investigate. The crash highlights the persistent dangers on major Queens thoroughfares, where high speeds and heavy traffic put vulnerable road users at risk.

• Motorcyclist Killed In Queens Collision Blaze, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-05

SUV hit a woman crossing with the signal. She took a blow to the head. The street stayed loud. No driver errors listed. The system failed her.

A 54-year-old woman crossing 35 Ave at 79 St in Queens was struck by an SUV making a left turn. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal and suffered a head injury. The driver and a passenger were not hurt. No driver errors were listed in the report. The only contributing factors noted were 'Unspecified.' The crash left a pedestrian injured while those inside the vehicle walked away unharmed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803543 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

Two women in a pickup truck suffered head injuries and whiplash in Queens. Driver inattention and inexperience led to the crash. Both victims remained conscious. The sedan struck the truck’s rear. Systemic driver errors caused harm.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 79th Street near 37th Avenue in Queens at 5:01 AM. A pickup truck and a sedan, both heading north, collided. The sedan struck the center back end of the pickup truck. Two female passengers in the pickup, ages 28 and 36, suffered head injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. No victim actions contributed to the crash. The incident highlights the danger posed by driver errors behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802943 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 36-year-old man driving west on 37 Ave crashed into a parked SUV’s left side doors. The impact caused bruising and injury to his lower arm. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, at 16:25 in Queens, a 36-year-old male driver traveling west on 37 Ave collided with a parked 2016 Ford SUV. The driver struck the left side doors of the stationary vehicle, sustaining a contusion bruise to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The driver was conscious and not ejected, but injured. The collision caused damage to the center front end of the striking vehicle and the left side doors of the parked SUV. The driver was not using any safety equipment at the time. The incident highlights driver errors related to distraction and unsafe following distance, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801883 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A 48-year-old male bicyclist was injured in Queens after a failure to yield right-of-way. The cyclist suffered a shoulder contusion and bruising. The crash involved impact to the bike’s right rear quarter panel, highlighting driver error and systemic risk.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 96 Street near 30 Avenue in Queens at 8:50 p.m. The injured party was a 48-year-old male bicyclist traveling north, operating his bike straight ahead when the collision happened. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating a clear driver error. The impact point was the bike’s right rear quarter panel, causing upper arm and shoulder injuries classified as contusions and bruises. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. No safety equipment was reported in use. The data focuses on the failure to yield right-of-way by the driver, underscoring systemic dangers faced by vulnerable road users in Queens.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801471 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a moped stopped in traffic on 97th Street in Queens. The moped driver, a 30-year-old man, was ejected and suffered severe whole-body injuries. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as the primary cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:21 on 97th Street near 34th Avenue in Queens. A sedan traveling north struck the center back end of a moped that was stopped in traffic, impacting with its right front bumper. The moped driver, a 30-year-old man, was ejected from his vehicle and suffered injuries to his entire body, classified as severe (injury severity 3). The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated twice for emphasis. The sedan driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. There is no mention of victim fault or contributing victim behavior. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 42-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries when a sedan backing west on 79th Street in Queens hit him outside the roadway. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe backing as causes. The pedestrian was conscious and sustained abrasions.

According to the police report, at 22:50 in Queens near 31-17 79th Street, a 2020 BMW sedan backing west struck a 42-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian was located outside the roadway and was not at an intersection. The collision caused abrasions and injuries to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at 3. The vehicle sustained damage to its right side doors, the point of impact. The report explicitly lists 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, indicating driver error during the backing maneuver. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. No other victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798948 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Kia SUV traveling south struck a westbound motorscooter on 112 Street in Queens. Two motorscooter occupants suffered abrasions and injuries to head and leg. Police cite driver inattention and traffic control disregard as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 112 Street near 34 Avenue in Queens at 3:33 PM. A 2025 Kia SUV driven by a licensed female driver was going straight south when it collided front-center with a westbound 2023 motorscooter carrying two occupants. The motorscooter driver, a 17-year-old male, sustained head injuries and abrasions, while the 18-year-old female passenger suffered abrasions and knee-lower leg-foot injuries. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors linked to the SUV driver. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted for the motorscooter driver. Neither occupant was ejected, and both were conscious after the crash. The collision caused center front-end damage to both vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798939 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Two SUVs crashed on Astoria Boulevard in Queens. One driver suffered neck injuries and shock. The collision involved improper lane usage. Both vehicles sustained front and side damage. The incident exposed dangerous driver errors on a busy city street.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:02 on Astoria Boulevard in Queens. Two station wagons/SUVs collided, one traveling east going straight ahead, the other making a left turn southwest. The point of impact was the center front end of the eastbound SUV and the right side doors of the turning SUV. The contributing factor cited was 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper,' indicating driver error in lane management. One driver, a 45-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt and harness, suffered neck injuries and was in shock. Both vehicles sustained damage consistent with the described impact points. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing solely on driver errors and improper lane usage as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797869 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04