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

Happy Bloody New Year: Queens Pedestrian Killed

File photo: Dave Colon

The year 2020 is picking up right where bloody 2019 left off: a Queens pedestrian was killed on Northern Boulevard, and her killer was not charged.

According to the NYPD, 74-year-old Ok Kang was crossing the deadly roadway near Parsons Boulevard at around 6 p.m. on  New Year’s Day when she was hit by the driver of a 2015 Jeep Cherokee that was traveling westbound at a speed that the police did not release.

Kang was taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital, where she died. The driver, 43, remained on the scene and was not charged.

In 2019, New York City roadway deaths increased for the first time in the de Blasio adminstration, rising by nearly 10 percent to 219 deaths.

Queens seniors were particularly susceptible. Drivers are rarely charged, a Streetsblog analysis found.

Last year, Northern Boulevard earned the bitter nickname “The Boulevard of Death” after seven pedestrians had been killed between January, 2017, and September, 2018, including a man who was killed near the same location as Wednesday’s fatal crash.

Since then, at least three more pedestrians have been killed.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Open Street Program in Jeopardy As Mayor Adams Is Not Funding It

Open Streets is running out of money as a key federal grant gets ready to expire, and Mayor Adams isn't coming to the rescue.

April 3, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Streetsblog Stew Edition

Booze is back on the menu in outdoor dining set-ups. Plus more news.

April 3, 2025

‘Crashland’: As Demand Grows, DOT Still Won’t Finish Bike Lane on Dangerous Brooklyn Road

"A bike network is only as strong as its weakest link," said a safe cycling advocate about Ashland Place's missing bike lane.

April 3, 2025

Duffy Gives Senate Mixed Messages on ‘Woke’ Transportation Funding

The U.S. DOT secretary says he's drowning under a backlog of grants from the Biden administration — but somehow has time to uncover for its "woke" agenda.

April 2, 2025

Bottoms Up! State Liquor Bigs OK Booze for Outdoor Dining After All

The state swooped in to save the day for outdoor drinking.

April 2, 2025
See all posts