Queens SD 15: Another week, another body

Apr 20 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard. The driver struck a man on a bicycle. He died at the scene. Police closed the street. Another life ended in the crosswalk’s shadow. The city investigates. The street stays dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 20, 2025, that an FDNY truck struck and killed a bicyclist in Middle Village, Queens. The crash happened as the truck turned onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street. According to police, 'the truck was turning onto Juniper Boulevard from 80th Street in Middle Village when the collision occurred.' The cyclist, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene. The NYPD is investigating. The incident highlights the risks faced by cyclists at intersections and the dangers of large vehicles turning across paths. Policy questions remain about intersection design and vehicle operation in dense neighborhoods.

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

Apr 19 - A box truck turned right on Juniper Blvd North, crushing a cyclist. The rider, helmeted, died from crush injuries. Six truck occupants survived. The driver was injured. Traffic control was disregarded.

A box truck struck and killed a bicyclist while turning right at Juniper Blvd North and 80th Street in Queens. According to the police report, 'a box truck turned right and crushed a bicyclist. The bike was demolished. The rider, ejected and helmeted, died from crush injuries. Six truck occupants survived. One man, the driver, was injured.' The police listed 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor. The cyclist wore a helmet, but the primary cause was the truck driver's failure to obey traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807280 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 19 - A fire truck turned onto Juniper Blvd North. It struck a cyclist. The crash happened by the park. The man died at the scene. No arrests. The investigation continues. The street stayed quiet. The loss is final.

According to NY Daily News (April 19, 2025), an FDNY fire truck collided with a cyclist near 80th St. and Juniper Blvd North in Middle Village, Queens. The article states, "An FDNY fire truck fatally struck a cyclist Saturday afternoon in Queens, police said." The cyclist, an unidentified man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not made any arrests. It remains unclear if the fire truck was responding to an emergency call. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The crash highlights risks at intersections and the dangers faced by cyclists near large vehicles, especially in busy city corridors.

• Fire Truck Kills Cyclist Near Queens Park, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-19

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

Mar 29 - A 58-year-old man on an e-bike slammed into a parked sedan on 80th Street. He flew from his seat, arm crushed against steel. Blood marked the door. The helmet offered no shield. The street stayed quiet, danger lingering.

According to the police report, a 58-year-old man riding an e-bike was traveling north on 80th Street near 67th Drive in Queens when he struck the left side doors of a parked sedan. The impact ejected the rider, who suffered crush injuries to his arm. The report states the contributing factor as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The sedan was unoccupied and legally parked at the time of the crash. The e-bike rider was wearing a helmet, but the report notes that it did not prevent injury. The sequence of events underscores the persistent danger posed by inattentive operation, even in the absence of moving vehicles. The police report makes no mention of any errors or contributing behaviors by the injured e-bike rider beyond the cited inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 28 - A Ford SUV veered sharply on 87th Street as its driver lost consciousness. Two men, aged 31 and 67, were struck mid-block and killed. Parked cars shattered. The street fell silent. The deadly crash exposed the peril of driver incapacitation.

According to the police report, at 10:31 a.m. on 87th Street near Atlantic Avenue in Queens, a Ford SUV traveling south veered off course when the driver lost consciousness. The vehicle struck two men, aged 31 and 67, walking mid-block, killing them both with injuries to their entire bodies. The report highlights 'Lost Consciousness' as the primary contributing factor on the part of the SUV driver. Parked cars were also hit and damaged in the crash. No other driver errors or pedestrian behaviors were cited as contributing factors. This incident underscores the lethal risk posed by sudden driver incapacitation and the vulnerability of pedestrians outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 24 - A bus swung left on Yellowstone. A sixteen-year-old girl crossed with the signal. The bumper tore her leg. Blood pooled on Burns Street. She stayed conscious. The driver, distracted, never saw her.

According to the police report, a bus making a left turn at the corner of Yellowstone Boulevard and Burns Street struck a sixteen-year-old pedestrian. The girl was crossing with the light when the right front bumper hit her leg, causing severe lacerations and significant bleeding. The report states, 'The driver never saw her.' The contributing factor listed is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The pedestrian's actions—crossing with the signal at the intersection—are noted, but the primary cause identified is the bus driver's failure to pay attention while turning. No vehicle damage was reported. The incident underscores the danger posed by inattentive driving, especially when large vehicles turn through crosswalks occupied by people with the right of way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800898 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 23 - A Ford pickup hit a 29-year-old man on 133rd Street near Liberty Avenue. Blood spilled onto the asphalt. The man stood, stunned, his leg torn open. The driver never stopped. No brake lights, no pause, just a truck vanishing west.

A Ford pickup truck struck a 29-year-old man on 133rd Street near Liberty Avenue, according to the police report. The man, described as 'playing in the roadway,' suffered severe lacerations to his lower leg and stood in shock as blood spilled onto the street. The report states the pickup did not stop after the collision—'No brake lights. Just gone.' The vehicle, registered in New Jersey, showed no reported damage and was traveling west. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a central fact. The victim’s behavior is noted as 'playing in roadway,' but this is only mentioned after the driver’s actions. The collision left the pedestrian injured and abandoned, underscoring the lethal consequences when drivers fail to stop after striking a person.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800723 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 19 - A 23-year-old cyclist lay still on Queens Boulevard, struck by a Ford and a Mercedes. His head hit hard. Two hoods crumpled. Eastbound traffic rolled on. Police cite drivers disregarding traffic control. Another life lost to steel and speed.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male cyclist was killed on Queens Boulevard near 63rd Drive after being struck by both a Ford SUV and a Mercedes sedan. The crash occurred as the cyclist traveled north and the vehicles moved eastbound. The report states, 'A 23-year-old cyclist, no helmet, struck by a Ford and a Mercedes. His head hit. He died in the street. Two crumpled hoods. One still body. Eastbound traffic kept moving.' Police explicitly cite 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The cyclist suffered fatal head injuries. The report does not list any cyclist behavior as a contributing factor; the focus remains on the actions of the drivers and the systemic dangers present on Queens Boulevard.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799953 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 6 - A Tesla sedan hit a 17-year-old boy in Queens as he crossed 99th Street with the light. Steel crushed his arm. He stayed awake. The car showed no damage. The street fell silent after the impact.

According to the police report, a Tesla sedan traveling northwest on 99th Street at 62nd Drive struck a 17-year-old pedestrian who was crossing at the intersection with the signal. The report states the teen suffered crush injuries to his arm but remained conscious at the scene. Police cite 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors in the crash. The vehicle sustained no damage, but the impact left the boy with serious injuries. The report notes the pedestrian was 'Crossing With Signal,' indicating he had the right of way. The collision underscores the consequences of improper lane usage and driver inexperience behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778801 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 16 - A sedan’s front bumper smashed a woman’s leg near Jamaica Avenue. Blood pooled on the street. The driver looked away. Metal screamed. A parked Ford shuddered. The woman, conscious, lay torn and bleeding in the gutter.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old woman was struck by a Hyundai sedan near 127-03 Jamaica Avenue in Queens at 1:27 a.m. The report states she was outside the crosswalk when the vehicle hit her, splitting open her leg and causing severe lacerations. The impact was so forceful that a parked Ford SUV was also slammed. The police report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, indicating the driver looked away before the crash. The sedan’s right front bumper bore the brunt of the collision. The woman was conscious at the scene, her injury classified as severe. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior are cited in the report. The crash underscores the danger posed by distracted drivers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772041 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 15 - A Ford pickup swung left on 107th Avenue. Its right bumper caught a 64-year-old woman crossing. Blood spilled from her head. The truck stood unmarked. She stayed conscious. The street fell silent, danger written in metal and flesh.

According to the police report, a Ford pickup truck made a left turn on 107th Avenue near 88th Street in Queens. The truck’s right front bumper struck a 64-year-old woman who was crossing the street. She suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The report notes the vehicle was an 'Oversized Vehicle,' listing this as a contributing factor. The pickup showed no visible damage after the collision. The pedestrian was not in a marked crosswalk or at a signal, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor—driver error and the oversized nature of the vehicle are explicitly highlighted. The incident underscores the lethal risk oversized vehicles pose to vulnerable road users in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772092 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 1 - A 39-year-old man on a Suzuki motorcycle, helmeted but unlicensed, slammed into a turning KIA at Eliot Avenue and 69th Street. He flew from the wreck, landing headfirst. Crush injuries ended his life in the street.

A deadly crash unfolded at the corner of Eliot Avenue and 69th Street in Queens. According to the police report, a 39-year-old man, helmeted but unlicensed, was riding a Suzuki motorcycle southbound when he struck a KIA sedan making a left turn. The report states, 'He flew. Headfirst to pavement. Crush injuries. Death in the street.' The motorcyclist was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The KIA's right front quarter panel was damaged, indicating the point of impact during the left turn. The police report lists the motorcyclist as unlicensed but does not specify any driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified.' The focus remains on the lethal outcome of the collision and the systemic dangers present at this intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768223 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 22 - A Toyota SUV turned left at 80th Street and Myrtle Avenue, crushing a 17-year-old girl’s leg as she crossed with the signal. The driver’s license remained intact. The SUV showed no scars. Her knee did.

At the intersection of 80th Street and Myrtle Avenue in Queens, a 17-year-old pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her knee and lower leg when a Toyota SUV turned left and struck her. According to the police report, the girl was 'crossing with the light' at the time of the collision. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as the primary contributing factor, highlighting a critical driver error. The SUV, described as a 2015 Toyota, sustained no visible damage, and the driver retained his license after the crash. The pedestrian remained conscious at the scene. The police report makes clear that the victim was in the intersection and had the signal in her favor when the SUV made its left turn, resulting in her injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765708 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 20 - A motorscooter crashed into a sedan’s rear on Austin Street. The unlicensed rider, helmetless and exposed, suffered a crushed leg. Steel met flesh. The scooter’s front crumpled. He stayed awake, pain burning through the afternoon in Queens.

A violent collision unfolded on Austin Street near 67th Road in Queens, where a motorscooter struck the rear of a sedan, according to the police report. The report states the rider, a 30-year-old man, was unlicensed and wore no helmet or protective gear. The impact crushed his leg, leaving him conscious but in severe pain. The police report describes the scene: 'A motorscooter slammed into a sedan’s rear. The rider, unlicensed and unarmored, crushed his leg on impact. No helmet. Just flesh meeting steel.' The scooter’s front end folded from the force. The sedan sustained damage to its right rear bumper. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The focus remains on the systemic danger of unlicensed, unprotected operation and the unforgiving violence of car-dominated streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757789 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 10 - A sedan slammed into a parked car on Cross Bay Boulevard. Metal buckled. In the back seat, a 52-year-old woman’s spine folded under the force. She wore her belt. The street did not forgive. The city’s danger pressed in.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Cross Bay Boulevard near 135th Avenue struck a parked sedan from behind. The impact targeted the left rear quarter panel of the stationary vehicle. Inside, a 52-year-old woman, belted in the back seat, suffered severe crush injuries to her back. The report states the collision occurred at 14:38 in Queens. Police cite 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, placing the onus on the driver who failed to maintain a safe distance. No victim behavior is listed as a contributing factor. The narrative underscores the violence of the impact: 'Two tons of steel kissed too close. Her spine folded.' This crash highlights the persistent threat posed by driver inattention and systemic risk on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 1 - A 28-year-old man riding east on Jackie Robinson Parkway was crushed and killed. A lane change ended him. His motorcycle struck head-on. He was ejected, his body broken. The road stayed still. His life did not.

A fatal crash on Jackie Robinson Parkway claimed the life of a 28-year-old man riding a FENGYUAN motorcycle, according to the police report. The collision occurred as the motorcycle, traveling east, was struck head-on during a lane change. The report states the rider was ejected and suffered crush injuries to his entire body, resulting in death. The police narrative describes the impact as sudden and violent: 'A lane change ended him. The road stayed still. His body did not.' The contributing factor listed in the police report is 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' with no specific driver error cited for the other vehicle. The report notes the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the description of the crash mechanics and contributing factors. The focus remains on the deadly consequences of a lane change on a high-speed parkway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752246 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 29 - A cyclist’s face smashed into the steel rear of a parked van on 108th Street near 62nd Drive. Blood streaked his cheek. He stayed conscious, upright, torn open. The van never moved. The man did.

A 32-year-old cyclist was injured on 108th Street near 62nd Drive in Queens when he collided with the back of a parked Chevrolet van, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 18:55. The report states the cyclist 'struck the rear of a parked van. His face met steel. Blood ran down his cheek. He stayed upright, conscious, torn open.' The police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. The van was stationary at the time, with no occupants. The cyclist suffered severe facial lacerations but remained conscious. The data does not cite any cyclist behavior as a contributing factor. The incident underscores the persistent danger of parked vehicles and inattention on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752176 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 29 - A turning car’s door caught a 15-year-old riding an e-bike. The boy slammed, flew, landed hard. Crush injuries racked his body. He stayed conscious, pain burning through him. Driver inattention and an improper turn paved the way.

A 15-year-old boy riding an e-bike was severely injured near 127th Street and 109th Avenue when he collided with the side of a car making a left turn. According to the police report, the e-bike struck the turning vehicle’s left side doors, sending the boy flying and causing crush injuries to his entire body. The report states the boy was not wearing a helmet, but emphasizes that 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' were the primary contributing factors. The car was making a left turn while the e-bike was going straight ahead. The boy remained conscious after the crash, despite significant pain. The police report centers the driver’s lack of attention and improper maneuver as key causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19