Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
1 Dead, 1 Injured After Driverless Van Rolls Onto Astoria Sidewalk
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 1, 2016
Modified Sep 1, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 1, 2016
Modified Sep 1, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
An empty van rolled through a Queens intersection and up over the curb, killing a woman and injuring a man who were on the sidewalk. One witness tells WCBS 2, "The back left wheel and the front right wheel rolled over this old lady’s neck and then hit an older gentleman, knocked the souvlaki stand, and it was just devastating."
The collision occurred around 2 p.m., at the intersection of 32nd Street and Broadway in Astoria. Police say that a 29-year-old man parked a white Ford van at the corner, but then the van "began to roll backward on 32nd Street," hitting the two pedestrians and then a food cart.
The van first hit an 80-year-old woman who was crossing the street with her groceries. Then, NBC New York reports, "A 71-year-old food cart vendor was also critically injured when he was hit by the out-of-control van. His co-worker pushed him out of the way, likely saving his life. The vehicle then crashed into a wall, authorities said.
Another witness said the crash happened very quickly—"it happened before anyone could even react.” Slowed down surveillance video shows the van moving across the street:
One witness told WCBS 2 the driver "thought he put the car in park. But he actually put it in reverse... And so he got out. He got out and it just started picking up speed. Went across Broadway. Got onto the sidewalk. Hit the old lady. Hit the worker and pushed the cart 20 feet to where it is now.”
The woman was taken to Elmhurst General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The male victim was also taken there and is listed in stable condition.
The driver was not charged.
Tagged
astoria
pedestrian fatality
queens
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
New York Public Radio CEO steps down after 8 months on job
Chief executive Christy Tanner is resigning after just eight months at the helm. New York Public Radio is the parent organization for WNYC and Gothamist.
By
Liam Quigley
Published Oct 13, 2026 at 9:03 a.m. ET
Early Addition: Can't stop the sticker bombers
Because the one influencer who tried removing them got dragged, here are your early links: Upper West Side woman adopts a lot of dogs, Big Apple Triathlon returned, "NCIS" lands in New York and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: Can't stop the sticker bombers
Because the one influencer who tried removing them got dragged, here are your early links: Upper West Side woman adopts a lot of dogs, Big Apple Triathlon returned, "NCIS" lands in New York and more.
By
James Ramsay
Cyclist dies in wrong-way crash with an ambulance on Staten Island
By
Brittany Kriegstein
With election 3 weeks away, Hochul and Blakeman to square off in lone NY governor debate
By
Jon Campbell
NYC's taxi union teams with Uber, hedge fund demand healthcare after 4 driver deaths
By
Stephen Nessen
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .