Prosecutors Say Off-Duty Firefighter Killed Driver on Northern Blvd
Prosecutors say off-duty FDNY firefighter Michael Pena drove 83 mph while impaired and ran a red light at Northern Boulevard and 107th Street, where the official record says a 23-year-old driver was killed and two motorists were injured.
What We Know
Just after 4:12 a.m. on February 26, 2025, a crash at Northern Boulevard and 107th Street in Queens killed a 23-year-old driver and injured two other motorists. Prosecutors identified the victim as Justin Diaz and said Michael Pena, an off-duty FDNY firefighter, drove a Mercedes-Benz 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a steady red light, and hit Diaz's BMW as Diaz drove north with the right of way. The official crash record lists alcohol involvement and disregarding traffic control as contributing factors. Pena was charged with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault, impaired driving, and related offenses; the Daily News later reported that he had been fired from the FDNY and sent to Rikers after a judge revoked his bond.
Prosecutors described a high-speed red-light crash
The crash happened at about 4:12 a.m. on February 26, 2025, at Northern Boulevard and 107th Street in East Elmhurst. Prosecutors said Michael Pena drove a Mercedes-Benz 83 mph in a 25 mph zone, ran a red light, and hit Justin Diaz, who was driving a BMW north on 107th Street with the right of way.
The official record says one motorist was killed and two motorists were injured. It lists two sedans in motion and a parked Toyota SUV; the Daily News described the parked Toyota as a Sienna minivan.
Northern Boulevard has seen repeated serious harm
The crash location is Northern Boulevard and 107th Street in Queens. Along Northern Boulevard in Queens, CrashCountNYC counted 3,399 crashes, 2,139 injuries, 137 serious injuries, and 11 deaths from 2022 through June 1, 2026.
Justin Diaz was on his way to work
The Daily News reported that Diaz, 23, was driving to his job at LaGuardia Airport. He was studying for an aeronautics degree at Vaughn College in Flushing; according to the paper, his diploma arrived days after his death and was placed in his casket.
Diaz died after being taken to Elmhurst Hospital. His family attended court, where his father, Frank Diaz, said he would never be able to share in his son's future.
Alcohol, drugs, speed, and a red light are central to the case
The official crash record lists alcohol involvement and traffic-control disregard as contributing factors. ABC7 reported that a police officer observed Pena with signs of intoxication after the crash, and prosecutors said a breath test showed a blood-alcohol content of 0.156 percent with drugs in his system.
Prosecutors also said Pena had 25 school-zone speeding violations between 2023 and 2024. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said he was accused of driving under the influence, running a steady red light, and driving more than three times the posted speed limit.
A judge revoked Pena's bond
Pena was arraigned on charges including manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, assault, impaired driving, speeding, and related offenses. Prosecutors said he faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
The Daily News reported in April that Judge Michael Hartofilis revoked Pena's $100,000 bond and sent him to Rikers Island after prosecutors argued he could make money online from anywhere. The paper also reported that Pena had been fired from the FDNY after his arrest.