Sixteen Dead, Zero Excuses: Precinct 116’s Streets Are Killing Us

Apr 9 - Metal twisted on Belt Parkway. An SUV struck a stopped sedan from behind. Two drivers hurt, arms and head. A baby among the shaken. Police cite tailgating and bad lane use.

On Belt Parkway in Queens, an SUV crashed into a stopped sedan, pushing metal and bodies. According to the police report, 'A flatbed parked. A sedan stopped in traffic. An SUV struck from behind. Metal crumpled. Two drivers, a woman and a man, hurt in the arms and head. A baby listed among the occupants.' Police list 'Following Too Closely' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. Both drivers suffered injuries. The impact left a baby and other occupants at risk. Systemic danger persists on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804987 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 8 - A distracted SUV driver struck a man crossing 249th Street. The pedestrian suffered a head injury. Police cite driver inattention and obstructed view as causes.

A 57-year-old man was hit by a Honda SUV while crossing 141-38 249th Street in Queens. He suffered a head contusion. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and had a limited view. The driver, a 21-year-old woman, was going straight when the crash occurred. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was not at an intersection or marked crosswalk. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804397 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 7 - Four cars slam westbound. Metal buckles. Three people hurt—head, arm, whiplash. Blood stains the shoulder. Distraction rules. Silence after the crash.

Four vehicles collided on Belt Parkway in Queens. Three people suffered injuries: a 26-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman with head trauma and whiplash, and a 44-year-old man with a bruised arm. According to the police report, 'Metal crumples into metal. A Lexus, a Nissan, a Honda, a Toyota. Three heads snap forward. Blood on the shoulder, bruises on the arm, whiplash ringing in the skull. Silence follows distraction.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor for all involved drivers. No other factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804341 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 5 - 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

Apr 4 - A car mounted the sidewalk at Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard. Metal twisted. Glass shattered. Nine people hurt—pedestrians, bus riders, car passengers. The bus stop became a scene of chaos. Sirens wailed. All survived. The street held the scars.

According to ABC7 (published April 4, 2025), a crash at Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard in Queens left at least nine people injured. Police said a 79-year-old woman, turning left, 'allegedly veered onto the sidewalk' to avoid a stopped Q10 bus, striking both the bus and its shelter. Four people waiting at the bus stop were hurt, as well as two bus passengers and three people inside the car. The article notes, 'Police stated that none of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries.' All were taken to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition. The incident highlights the danger when vehicles enter pedestrian space and the risks at crowded bus stops. The investigation continues.

• Car Jumps Curb, Injures Nine In Queens, ABC7, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 1 - Bus struck stopped SUV’s rear on North Conduit. One driver suffered neck injury. Police cite driver inattention. Metal, glass, pain. Streets hold the mark.

A bus crashed into the back of a stopped SUV at 241-09 North Conduit Avenue in Queens. One driver, a 21-year-old man, suffered a neck injury and whiplash. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The SUV was stopped in traffic when the bus, heading straight, hit its center back end. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left four others with unspecified injuries. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803338 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 1 - A sedan turned right on Merrick Blvd and hit a cyclist going straight. The cyclist suffered leg injuries. Police cite failure to yield. The driver was unlicensed.

A sedan struck a cyclist at Merrick Blvd and Pineville Ln. The cyclist, a 33-year-old man, was riding straight when the sedan, driven by an unlicensed man, turned right and hit him. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Other Vehicular' factors. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan's right front bumper hit the cyclist. The driver’s lack of a license and failure to yield are listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802783 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 25 - Two SUVs collided on Francis Lewis Blvd. The rear vehicle struck the left rear bumper of the front vehicle. A front passenger suffered a head injury and concussion. Driver inattention caused the crash, highlighting dangers of distracted driving in traffic.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:10 on Francis Lewis Blvd involving two SUVs traveling south. The front vehicle was stopped in traffic when the rear vehicle, which was slowing or stopping, impacted the left rear bumper of the front SUV. The rear driver’s error was identified as driver inattention or distraction. A 27-year-old female front passenger in the rear vehicle sustained a head injury and concussion, wearing a lap belt and remaining conscious. The report explicitly cites driver inattention as the contributing factor, with no mention of victim fault or contributing victim behaviors. This collision underscores the systemic danger posed by distracted driving in congested traffic conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 24 - Three vehicles collided head-on and rear-end on Sunrise Highway. A 34-year-old male driver suffered upper arm and shoulder injuries. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as the primary cause. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash involved three vehicles traveling westbound on Sunrise Highway near Francis Lewis Boulevard. The collision included a sedan, a 2024 Toyota sedan, and a 2027 Jeep SUV. The point of impact was the center front end and center back end of the vehicles. The 34-year-old male driver, an occupant of one vehicle, was injured with upper arm and shoulder trauma and complained of whiplash. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, repeated twice for emphasis. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing victim behavior. The crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction on busy roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800992 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 24 - Three vehicles collided eastbound on Belt Parkway. A front-seat passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. The impact involved center front and rear ends, with no ejections reported.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction collision occurred on Belt Parkway involving three eastbound vehicles: a 2020 SUV, a 2024 sedan, and a 2016 sedan. The crash happened around 3:00 PM. The point of impact was primarily center front and center rear ends of the vehicles. The front passenger in one vehicle, a 52-year-old woman, sustained neck injuries and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt. Police identified driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. The collision caused damage to the center back ends and front ends of the involved vehicles, with no ejections reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801866 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 23 - Two SUVs collided on Belt Parkway when one followed too closely. The rear passenger, an 82-year-old woman, suffered chest injuries and shock. Both vehicles were traveling eastbound, impacting center front and back ends. Driver error caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Belt Parkway at 19:56, involving two eastbound SUVs. The driver of the rear vehicle failed to maintain a safe distance, resulting in a rear-end collision. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The impact occurred at the center front end of the trailing SUV and the center back end of the leading SUV. An 82-year-old female occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of the lead vehicle sustained chest injuries and was in shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The crash highlights the dangers of tailgating and driver inattention on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801676 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - Two sedans traveling south collided on Laurelton Parkway late at night. The impact struck the center back end of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. A 21-year-old male driver suffered abrasions and injuries to his elbow and lower arm.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling south on Laurelton Parkway collided at 11:10 p.m. The point of impact was the center back end of a 2014 Ford and the center front end of a 2021 BMW. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. A 21-year-old male occupant driving one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision caused damage to both vehicles at the points of impact. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801462 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - A 65-year-old woman crashed her SUV into a parked SUV on 130 Avenue. She suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention. The crash happened mid-morning in Queens. No other injuries reported.

According to the police report, a 65-year-old woman driving a 2021 Toyota SUV struck the rear of a stationary 2016 Toyota SUV near 225-21 130 Avenue at 10:45 a.m. The moving SUV hit the parked vehicle's center back end. The driver suffered neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious, wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim actions were noted. Both vehicles were registered in New York and driven by licensed female drivers. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 20 - A speeding unlicensed driver crashed head-on into an SUV on Brookville Blvd. The impact fractured his face. Police cite unsafe speed and ignored traffic controls. Systemic danger, reckless driving, hard consequences.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old unlicensed male driver in a BMW sedan crashed into a station wagon/SUV near 146-49 Brookville Blvd at 18:30. The sedan struck the SUV's left rear bumper while traveling southbound at unsafe speed. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver suffered a facial fracture and was conscious at the scene. No safety equipment was used by the driver. This crash shows the severe risks when unlicensed drivers ignore traffic controls and speed, putting everyone in harm’s way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800424 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 19 - A moped carrying two eastbound riders collided with an eastbound SUV on S Conduit Ave. The SUV struck the moped’s left front bumper with its right front quarter panel. The moped passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries, conscious and bruised.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:54 on S Conduit Ave involving a 2010 Honda SUV and a 2023 JIAJU moped. The SUV was traveling east going straight ahead, while the moped was making a left turn eastbound. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front quarter panel striking the moped’s left front bumper. The moped carried two occupants, including a 41-year-old female passenger who sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries classified as contusions and bruises. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, highlighting driver error. The moped driver was unlicensed, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The SUV had no occupants besides the driver, who was licensed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 18 - A 37-year-old man on a motorcycle slammed the front end and suffered leg injuries on Francis Lewis Boulevard. He stayed conscious. No driver errors reported. The street left him wounded.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old male motorcycle driver from Pennsylvania was traveling eastbound on Francis Lewis Boulevard when he crashed at 17:50. The 2024 KAWK-MCL motorcycle took a hard hit to its center front end. The rider suffered abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured. The crash underscores the risks faced by motorcyclists on city streets, even when no clear driver error is recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799767 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 16 - SUV hit sedan head-on late at night. Woman driver hurt, back injured, stayed conscious. Police cite other vehicular factors. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a 2016 Nissan SUV and a 2013 Toyota sedan collided at 11:20 p.m. on Sunrise Highway. Both vehicles traveled west. The SUV struck the sedan’s front. The 46-year-old woman driving the sedan suffered back injuries and internal complaints but was not ejected and remained conscious. Police list 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes, pointing to driver or vehicle-related errors without further detail. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not mention any victim actions as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799492 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 15 - Two sedans collided head-on on 150 Street near Belt Parkway. The driver and a six-year-old passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries with whiplash. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:30 on 150 Street near Belt Parkway involving two sedans traveling eastbound. The driver, a 37-year-old woman, and a six-year-old female passenger were injured, both sustaining knee and lower leg injuries and complaints of whiplash. The driver was wearing a lap belt and conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factors for both injured occupants. The vehicles impacted at the left front bumper and center back end, indicating a collision likely caused by failure to maintain control at speed and distracted driving. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by speeding and driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 14 - A 13-year-old boy on a bike took a hit to the front. He stayed conscious. His knee and leg bruised. No helmet. No car damage. The street stayed quiet. The crash left the boy hurt and shaken.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old male bicyclist was injured while riding north on Ridgedale Street at 14:37. The boy suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He remained conscious and was not ejected from the bike. The crash involved an impact to the bike's center front end, with no reported damage to the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No helmet or safety equipment was used by the bicyclist, as noted after the absence of driver errors. The police report does not assign blame to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801633 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19