Astoria’s stop sign. Two men. No time.

Aug 26 - A northbound BMW on Cross Island Parkway hit hard on the right front. A 24-year-old male passenger suffered crush injuries and died. The driver survived. Police recorded Unsafe Speed by the driver.

A northbound BMW sedan struck with right-front force on the Cross Island Parkway. A 24-year-old male passenger suffered crush injuries and was killed; the driver survived. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Unsafe Speed." Police recorded Unsafe Speed as the driver’s error. The vehicle showed right-front bumper damage consistent with a high-speed impact. The report lists no other roadway users involved. Crash ID 4837610 and a 2:30 a.m. time stamp appear in the file; no narrative was provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 22 - Two SUVs hit. A parked sedan takes the blow. A woman driver suffers crush injuries to her arm. Northbound on 121st Street at 20th Avenue in Queens. Steel meets steel. The street absorbs it. People pay.

Two SUVs traveling north on 121st Street at 20th Avenue in Queens struck a parked sedan. One female driver, 33, sustained crush injuries to her arm. Others were listed with unspecified injuries. According to the police report, the parked vehicle was impacted at the center back end, while the SUVs showed front-end damage. The report lists contributing factors as “Unspecified.” Driver errors were not detailed in the data, but moving vehicles striking a parked car show impact from drivers in motion. No factors related to the injured woman’s equipment or signaling were recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837396 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 17 - Eastbound Jeep on Grand Central Parkway changes lanes and hits. Back end crushed. Driver, 57, hurt. Night on the parkway. Metal, speed, and pain in Queens.

An eastbound 2010 Jeep SUV changed lanes on the Grand Central Parkway in Queens and struck another vehicle, with impact and damage to the Jeep’s center back end. The 57-year-old male driver was injured with neck and crush injuries. According to the police report, the Jeep was “Changing Lanes” before the crash and the point of impact was the “Center Back End.” The data lists no pedestrian or cyclist victims, but a driver was hurt. The report does not list specific contributing factors like Failure to Yield or Unsafe Lane Change, yet the maneuver and rear impact show the danger in this move. No other contributing factors are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836152 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 12 - A northbound sedan struck two men outside the crosswalk on 42 St near 19 Ave. Both pedestrians died. A driver in a left‑turning SUV was involved. The sedan driver, 84, was also killed. Parked cars were damaged at the scene.

Two pedestrians were killed after a northbound sedan struck them on 42 St near 19 Ave in Queens. According to the police report, contributing factors were listed as "Unspecified." The report records the sedan as "Going Straight Ahead" and the SUV as "Making Left Turn." Two men — one age 70 and one listed with unknown age — died of crush injuries. The 84‑year‑old driver of the sedan is also recorded as killed. Parked vehicles sustained damage from secondary impacts. Police data show no pedestrian contributing factors assigned in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834594 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 11 - A southbound driver turned left at Hazen Street and 19th Avenue and blew the signal. The westbound cyclist rode straight. Metal met flesh. The rider went down with head wounds and deep cuts. The street failed him. The driver failed the law.

A crash at Hazen Street and 19th Avenue in Queens injured a 31-year-old male bicyclist. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Traffic Control Disregarded.” The southbound turning vehicle was making a left while the cyclist was traveling west, straight ahead. The cyclist suffered head injuries and severe lacerations and was listed as injured and conscious. Driver error led the sequence: Traffic Control Disregarded during a left turn. Only after that does equipment appear: the report notes “None” for the cyclist’s safety equipment. No other factors are cited beyond the listed driver violation and unspecified factors for the cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835156 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 2 - SUV veered on Cross Island Parkway. Driver killed. Two occupants hurt. Police cite illness as cause. Metal twisted. Lives changed in seconds.

A Lexus SUV traveling south on Cross Island Parkway crashed. The driver, a 51-year-old man, was killed. Two other occupants suffered unspecified injuries. According to the police report, 'Illnes' was listed as the contributing factor. The right front bumper took the impact. No other vehicles or road users were involved. The report notes the driver wore a lap belt and harness. No mention of helmet or signals as factors. The crash left one dead and two injured, all inside the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824810 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 16 - A moped struck a taxi in Queens. Two riders hurt. One teen suffered severe face wounds. Police cite unsafe speed and lane changes.

A moped crashed into a taxi on Hillside Avenue at 170th Street in Queens. Two people on the moped were injured. A 16-year-old passenger suffered severe facial lacerations. The 21-year-old moped driver had head injuries and minor bleeding. According to the police report, the crash was caused by unsafe speed and unsafe lane changing. Both vehicles were traveling west. The taxi was starting from parking when struck. No pedestrians were involved. No helmet use was listed as a contributing factor. The report highlights driver errors as the main cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821714 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 13 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 13 - A Chevy Tahoe struck a 74-year-old man crossing Northern Blvd. Hours later, a BMW hit a moped rider turning in Brooklyn. Both victims died. Both drivers stayed. No charges. The Tahoe had a record of violations. The city streets stayed deadly.

NY Daily News (June 13, 2025) reports two fatal crashes in New York City within 24 hours. Eric Wexler, 74, was hit by a 2017 Chevy Tahoe while crossing Northern Blvd. in Queens. Police said the Tahoe had 'six speeding and one red light violation,' though it was unclear who drove during those incidents. The driver stayed at the scene; no charges were filed. Less than a day later, Rino El-Saieh, 42, was killed when a 17-year-old BMW driver struck his moped during a left turn in Brooklyn. The BMW then crashed into parked cars. The teen also remained at the scene and faced no immediate charges. Both crashes highlight persistent dangers for pedestrians and riders, and raise questions about enforcement and vehicle histories.

• Two Killed In Separate NYC Crashes, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-13

Jun 12 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.

• File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 8 - A motorcycle struck a sedan’s rear on Whitestone Expressway. One man suffered crush injuries. Two sedans and a motorcycle tangled. The crash left a driver semiconscious. Police cited following too closely. Metal twisted. Lives changed in seconds.

A crash on Whitestone Expressway involved two sedans and a motorcycle. One male driver, age 39, was injured with crush injuries and found semiconscious. According to the police report, the collision was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' The motorcycle, traveling north and changing lanes, hit the right rear quarter panel of a northbound sedan. The impact damaged the right side doors of the sedan and the motorcycle’s front end. Two other occupants, a 42-year-old female driver and a 29-year-old male, were listed with unspecified injuries. No helmet or signal use was cited as a contributing factor. The report highlights driver error as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 8 - A sedan struck with force on Hillside Avenue. The driver, a 26-year-old man, died at the scene. A 25-year-old passenger suffered unspecified injuries. The crash left the car’s left front bumper mangled. No contributing factors were listed by police.

A deadly crash unfolded on Hillside Avenue at 256th Street in Queens. According to the police report, a sedan traveling south was involved in a collision that left its left front bumper damaged. The driver, a 26-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 25-year-old female passenger sustained unspecified injuries. Police listed no contributing factors for the crash. The report does not mention any actions by the driver or other vehicles. No helmet or signal use was cited as a factor. The cause remains officially unspecified in the police data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818924 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 18 - A sedan backed up on 73rd Avenue. The driver lost focus. The car struck a 72-year-old woman. She suffered crush injuries to her abdomen. The street turned violent in a blink.

A 72-year-old pedestrian was struck and injured by a sedan backing southbound on 214-24 73rd Avenue in Queens. According to the police report, the driver was distracted and inattentive. The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her abdomen and pelvis and was found unconscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. No driver injuries were specified. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, especially near vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813812 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 7 - A driver fell asleep on 25 Ave, striking two pedestrians. Both suffered serious injuries. Metal met flesh. Blood on asphalt. System failed the walking. Cars ruled the night.

Two pedestrians, a 24-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, were struck and injured on 25 Ave at 124 St in Queens. According to the police report, the crash involved sedans and was caused by a driver who 'Fell Asleep.' The woman suffered fractures and dislocations to her entire body. The man sustained severe lacerations to his arm. Both were conscious after impact. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the sole contributing factor. No actions or errors are attributed to the pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812049 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 18 - A sedan turned left on Hillside Avenue. Its right front hit a 71-year-old man crossing. Blood ran from his head. He stayed conscious. The driver, 76, walked away. A baby rode in the car. Only the pedestrian was hurt.

A 71-year-old man was struck and injured by a sedan making a left turn at Hillside Avenue and 202nd Street. According to the police report, 'the right front struck a 71-year-old man crossing. Blood ran from his head. He was conscious.' The driver, age 76, and a baby passenger were not hurt. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. No other errors or factors are cited. The pedestrian suffered severe bleeding to the head but remained conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 14 - A motorbike and SUV collide on 188th Street. The bike shatters. A 19-year-old is thrown, crushed, killed. The SUV driver, sixty, survives with pain. Sirens echo. The street holds the silence of death.

A deadly crash unfolded at 188th Street and 90th Avenue in Queens. A 19-year-old motorbike rider was ejected and killed after a head-on collision with an Audi SUV. The SUV driver, a 60-year-old woman, suffered pain but survived. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor for both vehicles. The motorbike was demolished. The report notes the rider wore a helmet. No blame is placed on the victims. The crash left one dead and one injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805902 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 2 - A sedan slammed into a moped on Hillside Avenue, metal grinding metal. A 20-year-old man, helmeted, was crushed, pain radiating through his body. He stayed conscious. The street bore witness to the violence of careless force.

A violent collision unfolded on Hillside Avenue near 185th Street in Queens when a sedan struck a moped, according to the police report. The impact left a 20-year-old male moped passenger with severe crush injuries to his entire body. The report states he wore a helmet and did not lose consciousness, but the pain was overwhelming. Both vehicles were reported as going straight ahead before the crash. The police report does not specify contributing factors or assign blame, listing them as 'Unspecified.' However, the narrative details the sedan striking the moped, with the moped absorbing the force at its center back end and the sedan’s left front bumper taking the hit. The violence of the impact underscores the ever-present danger vulnerable road users face when sharing streets with heavier vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795796 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 24 - A Ford sedan turned left on College Point Blvd, striking a southbound cyclist. Steel hit flesh. The rider, 32, fell. Legs crushed. The street fell silent except for pain. Police cite driver distraction. Systemic danger left another body broken.

A collision occurred on College Point Blvd near 14th Road in Queens at 5:49 a.m., involving a Ford sedan and a southbound cyclist. According to the police report, the sedan was 'making left turn' when it struck the cyclist, who was 'going straight ahead.' The report states, 'Steel met skin. The rider, 32, fell hard. Legs crushed.' The cyclist suffered crush injuries to the lower legs and remained conscious at the scene. Police explicitly list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both the sedan and the crash overall. The sedan’s left front bumper struck the bike’s center front end. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after driver distraction is cited as the cause. The crash underscores the persistent risk posed by inattentive drivers to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794907 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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