Recent severe crashes

1. Driver Fatally Struck Queens Hospital Worker in Astoria Crosswalk 2026-06-15T01:05:00+00:00
   Queens
   A southbound driver in a Chevrolet Malibu fatally struck 55-year-old Jihang Ortega in a crosswalk at 38th Street and 34th Avenue in Astoria.
   Jihang Ortega, 55, was walking home after a 13-hour shift at Flushing Hospital when a southbound driver in a Chevrolet Malibu struck her in a crosswalk at 38th Street and 34th Avenue in Astoria on June 14, 2026. Medics took Ortega to Elmhurst Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The Daily News reported that the 58-year-old woman driving the Malibu stayed at the scene, was not charged with a crime, and that the crash remained under investigation.
2. Driver charged in Astoria scooter rider's death 2026-01-04T01:45:00+00:00
   CRESCENT ST
   A 54-year-old scooter rider, a Queens mother of four, died after a driver turned left at Crescent St and 30th Dr in Astoria a little before 2 AM; official crash records list alcohol involvement.
   At about 1:45 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2026, a crash at Crescent Street and 30th Drive in Queens left a 54-year-old woman dead. City records list alcohol involvement and describe a sedan making a left turn and a northbound stand-up scooter going straight. Prosecutors later accused Ryan Rampersaud of driving a 2009 Honda Civic while intoxicated, failing to yield at 30th Drive and hitting the scooter rider in a designated bike lane. Press accounts identified the woman as Blanca Arias and Blanca Arias-Miranda, said she was a mother of four, and reported that she died after being placed on life support at Elmhurst Hospital.
3. Driver tailed a cyclist, sent him out 2026-05-11T16:57:00+00:00
   23-11 BROADWAY
   A driver followed too closely near 23-11 Broadway and hit a 30-year-old cyclist. The rider wound up unconscious with a head injury.
   According to the police report, a driver in a 2022 Porsche Macan SUV was going straight near 23-11 Broadway in Queens when they followed too closely and hit a 30-year-old bicyclist. Police recorded “Following Too Closely.” The cyclist suffered a head injury, was listed as unconscious, and had minor bleeding. Another occupant was listed; the report does not describe their injuries.
4. Distracted BMW driver hits e-bike rider 2026-03-31T16:47:00+00:00
   32-44 31 ST
   A distracted driver in a BMW hit a 41-year-old e-bike rider on 31st Street. He was left semiconscious, hurt in the back, and reported pain or nausea.
   According to the police report, a driver in a BMW and a 41-year-old man riding an e-bike were both traveling south near 32-44 31st Street in Queens when the driver hit the rider. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction, and the rider’s record also lists aggressive driving/road rage. The rider was semiconscious and injured, with back pain and a complaint of pain or nausea.
5. Driver backing up breaks man’s leg 2026-03-24T15:00:00+00:00
   32 ST
   A driver backed up on 32nd Street near 30th Avenue and hit a 49-year-old pedestrian. Police recorded backing unsafely. The man suffered a fracture/dislocation to his lower leg.
   According to the police report, a driver was backing on 32nd Street at 30th Avenue in Queens around 3 p.m. on March 24, 2026, and hit a 49-year-old man walking as a pedestrian not at an intersection. Police recorded backing unsafely. The pedestrian was injured with a lower-leg injury described as fracture, distortion, or dislocation.