Crash Count for SD 13
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 6,816
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 3,514
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 672
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 38
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 21
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jun 7, 2025
Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in SD 13?
SUVs/Cars 122 9 6 Bikes 9 0 0 Trucks/Buses 8 0 1 Motos/Mopeds 8 0 0
Queens Streets, Blood on Their Hands: Demand 20 MPH Now

Queens Streets, Blood on Their Hands: Demand 20 MPH Now

Written June 4, 2025 (Revised June 13, 2025 – Updated period stats)

SD 13: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025

The Toll: Lives Lost, Futures Stolen

In Senate District 13, the numbers do not lie. Twenty-one dead. Thirty-eight seriously injured. In three and a half years, 6,785 crashes tore through Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, North Corona, and Corona. Children, elders, workers—no one is spared. A child crossing with the light, crushed by a turning truck. A young man, Justin Diaz, killed on his way to work by a driver who ran a red at 83 miles per hour. His father said, “His life continues, no matter how much prison time he gets. My son Justin will no longer have a future.” CBS New York.

SUVs and cars do most of the killing. Trucks, motorcycles, and bikes add to the toll. The street is a gauntlet. The crosswalk is not safe. The numbers are not just numbers. They are families left with empty chairs.

Leadership: What Ramos Has Done

Senator Jessica Ramos has not been silent. She voted yes on bills to force safer street design S 9718 and to require speed limiters for repeat offenders S 4045. She called for a citywide strategy that puts safety through design first, not more blame on those walking or biking. She pledged 200 miles of protected bike lanes and closing network gaps Streetsblog NYC. She has demanded license revocation for reckless drivers and fully funded crossing guards.

But the carnage continues. Every delay, every loophole, every day without action means another family shattered.

The Next Fight: No More Waiting

Speed kills. A pedestrian hit at 30 mph is five times more likely to die than at 20. The city can lower speed limits now. Cameras that catch speeders and red-light runners are proven to save lives, but need constant defense in Albany. The work is not done. As Queens DA Melinda Katz said, “Drunk, drugged and reckless driving are dire threats to everyone on our shared roadways.” ABC7

Call your council member. Call Ramos. Demand 20 mph limits, more protected lanes, and real accountability. The dead cannot speak. The living must.

Citations

▸ Citations
▸ Other Geographies

SD 13 Senate District 13 sits in Queens, Precinct 115, District 21, AD 34.

It contains Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, North Corona, Corona, Queens CB3.

▸ See also
Boroughs
Queens
City Council Districts
District 21 District 22 District 25
Community Boards
Queens CB3 Queens CB4 Queens CB81
Neighborhoods
Jackson Heights East Elmhurst North Corona Elmhurst Corona Flushing Meadows-Corona Park
State_assembly_districts
AD 34 AD 35 AD 39

Traffic Safety Timeline for Senate District 13

Ramos Supports Safety Boosting Stop Super Speeders Bill
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Another joins Families for Safe Streets. Another life lost. The toll rises. Grief sharpens the call for change. Streets stay deadly. The city fails to shield its own. The group grows. The danger remains.

On June 3, 2025, Gersh Kuntzman issued an advocacy statement, reported by Streetsblog NYC. The statement reads, 'There's a new member of Families for Safe Streets, which is not good news.' Joe Jankoski, mourning Amanda Servedio, spoke out after her death by a recidivist speeder. The group’s ranks swell with each tragedy. No specific bill or committee is named in this event. Kuntzman’s statement underscores the relentless danger faced by pedestrians and cyclists. The safety analyst notes: the event describes a new member joining an advocacy group, which does not directly affect pedestrian or cyclist safety at the population level. The city’s streets remain perilous. The group’s growth is a grim measure of failure.

Ramos Opposes NYPD E Bike Crackdown Policy
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City will spend $550 million to remake Fifth Avenue. Cars keep two lanes. Buses lose out. Cyclists get nothing. Sidewalks widen, but most space stays with traffic. Critics say safety for walkers and riders is left behind.

On May 22, 2025, Streetsblog NYC covered the city's announcement of a $550 million redesign for Fifth Avenue. The plan, described as a 'much-compromised redesign,' keeps two car lanes, scraps a bus lane, and offers no space for cyclists. Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez called it a 'pedestrian-first corridor,' but critics, including Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein, slammed the move as a 'huge corporate giveaway at New Yorkers' expense.' The redesign widens sidewalks and adds planters and seating, but cars still dominate. Council members and advocates oppose the car-first approach. According to safety analysts, the event only mentions the redesign and its cost, without specifying design features or their effects on vulnerable road users; therefore, the safety impact cannot be determined from the information provided.

E-Bike Rider Suffers Head Injury on Northern Blvd
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A 37-year-old e-bike rider crashed on Northern Blvd in Queens. He suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The crash left the rider conscious but hurt. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A 37-year-old man riding an e-bike was injured in a crash on Northern Blvd near 106th Street in Queens. According to the police report, the rider suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The e-bike sustained damage to the center front end. No other vehicles or people were involved. The rider was not using any safety equipment. The crash highlights the risks faced by vulnerable road users when driver attention lapses or experience is lacking.

S 4045
Ramos votes yes to require speed limiters, boosting street safety.
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Senate passes S 4045. Drivers with too many points or camera tickets must install speed assistance devices. Lawmakers move to curb reckless driving. The bill targets repeat offenders. The aim: fewer crashes, fewer deaths. Streets demand action.

Bill S 4045, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' advanced in the Senate on May 20, 2025, following a committee vote. The bill requires drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red-light camera tickets in twelve months, to install intelligent speed assistance devices. Primary sponsor Andrew Gounardes led the push, joined by co-sponsors Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, and others. The vote passed with support from senators including Jeremy Cooney, Pete Harckham, and Jessica Ramos. The measure aims to rein in repeat offenders and reduce deadly speeding. The bill’s language is blunt: 'Requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' No safety analyst note was provided.

Ramos Opposes Unworkable Outdoor Dining Regulations
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Four mayoral candidates vow to expand open streets and outdoor dining. They slam city red tape and call for year-round access. They promise to cut barriers for restaurants and keep sidewalks clear. Each frames the issue as vital for city life.

This policy statement, aired May 12, 2025, is not a formal bill but a public commitment from leading mayoral candidates. Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, and Zohran Mamdani all support expanding open streets and outdoor dining. Stringer pledges to 'loosen unnecessary design requirements' and simplify permits. Myrie promises a 'year-round outdoor dining program' and restoration of open streets, citing safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists. Ramos calls the current scheme 'unworkable' and urges consensus. Lander faults City Hall for 'over-regulating' and vows to speed up applications while 'respecting pedestrian traffic.' Mamdani highlights the economic and social benefits. All criticize current restrictions and bureaucratic hurdles. The candidates frame these programs as essential for small businesses, public space, and safer streets, but no formal safety analysis is attached.

Ramos Calls for Safe Bike Lanes and Clear Signage
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Mayoral candidates clashed over e-bike safety and street design. They called for more protected bike lanes, tighter rules on heavy e-bikes, and better delivery worker protections. Each pledged to cut car use and boost cycling. No one blamed riders. Streets remain dangerous.

On May 9, 2025, leading mayoral candidates aired their plans for e-bike safety and street reform. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, featured Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, and Whitney Tilson. Stringer demanded 'massive expansion of protected bike lanes.' Myrie backed S1047, a bill for 50-percent e-bike rebates. Ramos called for safe bike lanes and clear signage for all riders. Lander pushed for stricter rules on heavy e-bikes and a crackdown on illegal sales, saying, 'I support stricter regulations for the heaviest e-bikes, which can travel at higher speeds and are more likely to injure both riders and pedestrians.' Mamdani supported e-bike subsidies with safety checks. Tilson urged a 20 mph cap and mandatory registration for delivery e-bikes. All agreed: safer streets need better design, strong enforcement, and real protections for workers and vulnerable road users.

Ramos Supports Safety Boosting Repurposing of Parking Spaces
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Mayoral hopefuls clashed over parking and street space. Most backed cutting parking minimums and repurposing curb space for people, not cars. Only one vowed to keep free parking. The rest called for safer streets, more transit, and fewer cars.

At a May 8, 2025 forum, candidates for New York City mayor faced off on the future of parking and street space. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, featured Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, Zohran Mamdani, and Whitney Tilson. Stringer pledged to move the city away from car dependence and build infrastructure for biking and transit. Myrie called for removing parking mandates to boost housing and speed up buses. Ramos supported repurposing parking for safer streets and green space. Lander pushed for eliminating parking minimums citywide and dynamic curbside management. Mamdani criticized the vast space given to cars. Only Tilson promised to preserve free street parking. The candidates’ stances show a clear divide: most want to reclaim streets for people, not vehicles. The debate signals a shift toward policies that could reduce car dominance and improve safety for vulnerable road users.

Ramos Advocates Safety Boosting Street Design Citywide
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Six mayoral candidates vow to fight reckless driving. They promise more bike lanes, busways, and open streets. Some call for automated enforcement and less NYPD control. All focus on design, not blame. The city’s most vulnerable demand real change.

This policy statement, published May 7, 2025, gathers responses from six mayoral candidates—Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, Whitney Tilson, Zellnor Myrie, and Zohran Mamdani—on street safety. The forum, hosted by Streetsblog NYC, asked candidates how they would address reckless driving. Scott Stringer said, 'The best way to curtail reckless driving is to make less room for reckless drivers on the road.' Zellnor Myrie promised 'physically separated bus lanes' and expanded automated enforcement. Jessica Ramos called for 'a citywide strategy that prioritizes safety through design.' Zohran Mamdani wants to move traffic enforcement from NYPD to DOT, ending biased stops. Whitney Tilson supports more police and cameras. The candidates back protected bike lanes, busways, daylighting, and automated enforcement. Their plans center on street redesign and accountability, not blaming victims. Each pledges to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders from systemic danger.

Ramos Commits to Safety Boosting 200 Mile Bike Lane Plan
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Mayoral hopefuls vow to overhaul city streets. They promise more protected bike lanes, daylighting, and bus lanes. Each pledges to close deadly gaps and enforce Vision Zero. Their words center safety for people walking, biking, and riding transit.

On May 6, 2025, Streetsblog NYC published 'Decision 2025: Mayoral Candidates Answer Our Question 3.' The piece asked candidates how they would make streets safer for walking and biking. Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, and Zohran Mamdani all responded. Stringer highlighted his push for protected bike lanes and daylighting. Myrie promised to meet or exceed the Streets Master Plan’s 50-mile annual bike lane goal and to end delays. Ramos pledged 200 miles of physically separated bike lanes and to close network gaps. Lander committed to the Streets Master Plan and fixing greenway connections. Mamdani vowed to use all mayoral powers for Vision Zero. Each candidate supports redesigning streets to protect vulnerable road users. Their plans focus on proven changes—protected lanes, pedestrian islands, daylighting, and bus lanes—to cut injuries and deaths.

Ramos Advocates Safety Boosting Bus Lanes and Signal Priority
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Candidates faced the facts. Buses crawl. Streets choke. Each hopeful promised faster rides, more lanes, tougher enforcement. Riders wait. Streets stay clogged. No action yet. No relief for those on foot or bike. Words, not change.

On May 5, 2025, Streetsblog NYC hosted a mayoral forum focused on bus service. The event, titled 'Decision 2025: Mayoral Question 2 Seeks Answers on Slow Buses,' asked candidates how they would fix New York’s slowest-in-the-nation bus system. Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, Whitney Tilson, Zellnor Myrie, and Zohran Mamdani answered. They called for more bus lanes, stronger enforcement, and faster service. No council bill was introduced; this was a public policy test, not legislation. According to the safety analyst, the event discussed bus speeds but did not specify any policy action affecting pedestrians or cyclists, so no direct safety impact can be assessed. The debate showed urgency but left vulnerable road users waiting for real change.

Ramos Demands DOT Exceed Dedicated Bus Lane Targets
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Six mayoral hopefuls vow to fix New York’s crawling buses. They promise more bus lanes, tougher enforcement, and faster boarding. Each candidate slams City Hall’s slow pace. Riders wait. Cars clog the lanes. The city’s most vulnerable pay the price.

Mayoral Question 2, posed to 2025 candidates, asks how they will address New York City’s slow bus system. The candidates—Brad Lander, Jessica Ramos, Scott Stringer, Whitney Tilson, Zellnor Myrie, and Zohran Mamdani—support more dedicated bus lanes, stronger enforcement, and faster boarding. Scott Stringer calls for 'dedicated bus lanes, more enforcement, more shelters, better curbs, more transit signal priority, all-door boarding, and more frequent off-peak services.' Ramos blasts DOT for building only 23 of 150 mandated bus miles. Myrie pledges to exceed the city’s 30-mile annual target. Lander wants immediate all-door boarding and new busways. Mamdani promises rapid expansion and free buses. Each candidate frames bus reform as urgent, with vulnerable riders suffering most from delays and car dominance. The city’s next mayor will shape the streets—and the safety of those who use them.

Ramos Backs Safety Boosting Bus Rapid Transit Expansion
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Mayoral hopefuls call for more bus lanes, protected bike lanes, and pedestrian space. They defend congestion pricing. They want fewer cars, more transit, and safer streets. Each promises to fight federal threats and push for citywide changes that put people first.

This is a candidate policy statement for the 2025 mayoral race, published May 2, 2025, by Streetsblog NYC. The questionnaire asks, 'Now that congestion pricing is operating in New York City, what should the city government do to build on its success in reducing Manhattan traffic?' Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, and Whitney Tilson all support congestion pricing, bus rapid transit, protected bike lanes, and pedestrianization. Stringer promises a full bus network overhaul and more protected lanes. Myrie vows to defend congestion pricing from federal attacks. Ramos pushes for Bus Rapid Transit in all boroughs. Lander calls for pedestrianizing Lower Manhattan. Tilson wants dynamic pricing and expansion citywide. The candidates agree: fewer cars, more transit, safer streets for all.

Ramos Supports Safety-Boosting Bus Rapid Transit Expansion
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Streetsblog grilled mayoral hopefuls on congestion pricing. The question was sharp. Congestion pricing cuts traffic. What comes after? Candidates must answer. Streets stay deadly. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action. The city’s future hangs in the balance.

On May 2, 2025, Streetsblog NYC launched a mayoral policy debate, pressing candidates on congestion pricing. The event was not a council bill, but a public challenge. Streetsblog asked: 'Now that congestion pricing is operating in New York City, what should the city government do to build on its success in reducing Manhattan traffic?' Scott Stringer, Zellnor Myrie, Jessica Ramos, Brad Lander, and Whitney Tilson responded, each supporting congestion pricing and further transit investment. Streetsblog’s demand was clear—protect vulnerable road users. The safety analyst notes that congestion pricing reduces car traffic, lowers crash risk for pedestrians and cyclists, encourages mode shift, and opens the door for street redesigns that put vulnerable users first. The debate underscores urgency: congestion pricing helps, but more must be done to make streets safe for all.

Improper Lane Use Throws Motorcyclist Bleeding in Queens
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A sedan turns left on 71st Street. A motorbike charges straight. Metal collides. The rider, thirty-four, is hurled onto the street, leg pouring blood. No helmet. Sirens echo. The city’s lanes betray the vulnerable again.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 71st Street and 32nd Avenue in Queens involving a sedan making a left turn and a motorbike traveling straight. The report states, 'A sedan turns left. A motorbike goes straight. Metal strikes metal.' The motorbike driver, age 34, was ejected and suffered severe bleeding from the leg, remaining conscious at the scene. Police cite 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The impact was to the right side doors of the motorbike and the left front bumper of the sedan. The report notes the motorbike rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is listed after the driver errors. The crash underscores the dangers posed by improper lane usage and driver inexperience on city streets.

SUV Driver Fails to Yield, Elderly Pedestrian Injured
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A Ford SUV struck a 75-year-old man crossing with the signal at 75th Street and 37th Avenue. The impact tore open his leg. The SUV’s front bumper remained clean. Inside, a baby watched. The driver failed to yield.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV traveling north struck a 75-year-old man who was crossing at the intersection of 75th Street and 37th Avenue. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report states the man suffered severe lacerations to his knee and lower leg. The SUV’s point of impact was the right front bumper, which showed no visible damage. The contributing factor listed by police is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' on the part of the SUV driver. The narrative notes that inside the vehicle, a baby sat unhurt. The report does not cite any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor, except to confirm the victim was crossing with the signal. The focus remains on the driver’s failure to yield, as documented by police.

Speeding Ex-Firefighter Kills Queens Driver
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A fired firefighter sped through a red light, high and drunk, slamming into a young man’s car. The victim died. The driver had 25 school-zone speeding tickets. The system let him drive until it was too late.

NY Daily News (2025-04-17) reports Michael Pena, a former FDNY firefighter, killed Justin Diaz in Queens while driving 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, running a red light, and driving under the influence of cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol. Pena had '25 tickets for speeding in school zones' in recent years, according to prosecutors. Surveillance showed Pena t-boned Diaz, who was heading to work. Pena faces 14 charges, including manslaughter and DWI. His bail was revoked due to flight risk concerns. The article highlights repeated driver violations and questions about enforcement and policy. Diaz’s family called for laws to reflect 'criminal intent,' not just bail reform. Pena’s license was suspended after the crash.

Ramos Supports Bike Lanes Including E‑Bikes for Safety
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A Siena poll shows most New Yorkers fear for their lives on city streets. Women, seniors, Bronx residents feel it most. Candidates split: some push for safer street design, others target e-bikes. Cars and trucks remain the deadliest threat. Voters want action.

On April 15, 2025, a Siena College poll revealed that 77% of New York City voters rank pedestrian safety as a top concern. The poll, highlighted in Streetsblog NYC, found deep worry among women, seniors, and Bronx residents. The matter summary reads: '77% of NYC voters consider pedestrian safety a serious issue.' Mayoral candidates responded. Ben Furnas (Transportation Alternatives) called for universal daylighting and laws against super speeders, urging street redesign and enforcement. Zellnor Myrie backed robust street designs to separate bikers, pedestrians, and drivers. Jessica Ramos supported protected bike lanes for both analog and e-bikes, calling e-bikes 'a vital tool for reducing car dependency.' Whitney Tilson demanded speed caps and insurance for e-bike riders. Despite some focus on e-bikes, advocates and data point to car and truck drivers as the main source of injury and death. The poll signals a mandate: fix the streets, protect the vulnerable.

Sedan U-Turn Crushes Cyclist on Junction Blvd
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A sedan making a U-turn struck a southbound cyclist head-on near Junction Blvd. The rider, 27, suffered crushing head injuries. The car failed to yield. The street was quiet. Then it wasn’t. Blood on the asphalt, metal twisted, silence broken.

According to the police report, a sedan struck a 27-year-old bicyclist head-on near 59-17 Junction Blvd in Queens. The crash occurred at 4:40 a.m. Both vehicles were making U-turns when the sedan failed to yield right-of-way, as stated in the report’s contributing factors. The cyclist, traveling south, suffered severe crush injuries to the head and was conscious at the scene. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the sedan driver’s failure to yield. The narrative describes the street as quiet before the collision, emphasizing the sudden violence of the impact. The police report centers the driver’s failure to yield as the primary cause, with no evidence of cyclist error contributing to the crash.

Firefighter Runs Red, Kills Queens Motorist
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A speeding firefighter ran a red light on Northern Boulevard. He slammed into Justin Diaz’s car. Diaz died. The driver was drunk, high, and off duty. He did not help. The city fired him. The family mourns and demands justice.

According to the New York Post (published March 29, 2025), probationary firefighter Michael Pena was fired after he drove drunk and high, ran a red light, and crashed into Justin Diaz’s car in Queens on February 26, 2025. Surveillance footage showed Pena’s Mercedes striking Diaz’s BMW at high speed, sending it skidding down the street. Diaz, 23, died. Pena admitted at the scene, 'I hit him. I ran the red light. And I'm a firefighter.' The FDNY cited conduct rules in his dismissal. The article highlights Pena’s failure to render aid and notes his attempt to invoke his firefighter status. The case raises questions about accountability for city employees and the dangers of impaired, reckless driving on city streets.

Firefighter Kills Worker In Queens Crash
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A speeding Mercedes ran a red light in Queens. It struck a BMW. The driver, drunk and high, killed a young airport worker. The victim had the right-of-way. Two passengers were hurt. The firefighter behind the wheel now faces charges.

NY Daily News (2025-03-28) reports that FDNY probationary firefighter Michael Pena was fired after being charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and drug use. On February 26, Pena drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and crashed into Justin Diaz’s BMW. Diaz, 23, died after being rushed to the hospital. Prosecutors say Pena’s blood-alcohol content was 0.156% and he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. Surveillance footage shows Diaz had the right-of-way. The article states, “The victim had the right-of-way, and Pena ran a steady red light, prosecutors say.” Two passengers in Pena’s car were also injured. The case highlights the lethal consequences of high-speed, impaired driving and raises questions about enforcement and accountability.