Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Carnage

Motorists Have Killed at Least Three People Walking on Northern Boulevard in 2018

Westbound Northern Boulevard at 101st Street. Image: Google Maps

For the second time in three weeks, a driver has killed someone walking on Northern Boulevard in Queens.

A 24-year-old woman driving a Honda sedan struck and killed Carlos Gavilanes, 47, as he crossed Northern between 100th Street and 101st Street at around 12:37 a.m. today, according to NYPD.

Police said the victim was crossing the street south to north and the driver was westbound on Northern in the left lane. The NYPD public information office did not know who had the right of way, and had no more details on how the crash occurred, such as the driver's speed or whether investigators looked for evidence of motorist distraction.

Gavilanes was pronounced dead at Elmhurst Hospital. The driver, whose name was not released, was not charged or ticketed. NYPD said the investigation remains open.

Northern Boulevard is one of the most dangerous streets for walking in Queens. Between 2009 and 2013, motorists killed five pedestrians and severely injured 39 others along the 4.3 miles from Queens Plaza to 114th Street, according to DOT’s 2015 Queens pedestrian safety plan.

Including Gavilanes, motorists have killed at least three people walking on that segment of Northern in 2018, according to crash data tracked by Streetsblog. When a hit-and-run driver killed 9-year-old Giovanni Ampuero at Northern and 70th Street on April 28, local residents and elected officials called on DOT to install traffic-calming measures on the street.

DOT knows how dangerous Northern Boulevard is, but recent improvements in central Queens have mainly consisted of pedestrian islands and retimed signals, not a more substantial overhaul that repurposes car lanes.

Since 2012, at least four children have died in traffic on Northern Boulevard. After Giovanni Ampuero's death, DOT retimed the signal at the intersection where he was struck, but hasn't committed to physical changes to the streetscape that would protect people from reckless drivers. DOT will have to act with more urgency to prevent further loss of life.

Carlos Gavilanes was killed in the 115th Precinct, and in the City Council district represented by safe streets opponent Francisco Moya.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts