QUEENS — Two pedestrians were injured when two green cabs crashed Sunday near the Rego Center Mall, on the corner of 63rd Drive and Queens Boulevard, one of the busiest intersections in the neighborhood, authorities said.
Police said they believe that the accident, which took place around 10:30 a.m., happened when a green boro taxi driver went through a red light. The cab struck another boro cab that jumped the curb and hit two pedestrians, fire and police officials said.
A 33-year-old woman and 55-year-old man were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries, officials said.
Police have not charged anyone and no summonses were issued after the crash, officials said.
2 Green #taxicab lost control on 63rd Dr & Queens Blvd. Hit two pedestrians 1 man 1 woman #RegoPark pic.twitter.com/ucLYON9VXf
— Rego Park (@RegoParkQueens) June 19, 2016
The busy intersection is known to pose danger to pedestrians and drivers alike, locals said.
“There have been numerous crashes at this very wide and busy intersection, where there is very heavy pedestrian traffic going to and from the malls, subway and buses which stop there," said Peter Beadle, a member of Transportation Alternatives Queens Activist Committee and the Community Board 6 Transportation Committee, who lives in Rego Park.
During a 5-day ticketing blitz in Forest Hills and Rego Park in 2014, the largest number of tickets — 192 out of 360 — were issued at that intersection, for violations including failure to yield to pedestrians, talking on cellphones while driving and making improper turns.
Beadle said the crash Sunday is proof that this portion of Queens Boulevard requires numerous changes that would make it safer.
“As DOT's redesign of the Boulevard pushes East, this intersection has to be a priority to make safer for everyone to ensure these types of crashes do not happen again," he said. "Narrowing the width of the intersection, expanding space for pedestrians and using a protected bike lane to calm traffic in that area would all be very welcome changes, which are needed as soon as possible."
Local police officials said they are committed to reducing the number of traffic crashes at the intersection.
