FDNY fires firefighter accused of killing motorist in DWI crash — as its revealed he’s a beefcake OnlyFans model

New York Post - Mar 29th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Michael Pena, a probationary firefighter from NYC's FDNY, was fired following an incident where he allegedly drove under the influence and caused a fatal car crash in Queens, killing 23-year-old Justin Diaz. Pena, who was with the FDNY for less than 18 months, was accused of running a red light and hitting Diaz's car. Surveillance footage captured the crash, and Pena reportedly admitted to running the red light, citing his firefighter status to police. The victim's family criticized Pena for not assisting Diaz at the scene and expressed concern over receiving justice due to Pena's former status as a firefighter.

In an unusual twist, it was revealed that Pena also maintained an OnlyFans account under the handle “I’m Mike LV,” where he shared shirtless photos and charged for private content. The FDNY spokeswoman mentioned that Pena was fired for conduct that could discredit the department, but did not confirm if the OnlyFans account influenced the decision. The victim’s family highlighted Pena's double life as a firefighter and online model as indicative of his character, urging that he be held to a higher standard due to his oath to protect the public.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents a compelling narrative about a tragic incident involving a probationary NYC firefighter, Michael Pena, who is accused of causing a fatal crash while allegedly under the influence. It effectively combines factual reporting with emotional storytelling through the perspective of the victim's family, making it both engaging and impactful.

While the article is largely accurate, it relies on several claims that require further verification, particularly concerning the details of the crash and Pena's OnlyFans account. The story's balance could be improved by incorporating more perspectives, especially from Pena or his legal representatives.

The article's timeliness and public interest are strong, given its focus on issues of public safety, accountability, and the professional conduct of public servants. It has the potential to influence public opinion and spark meaningful discussions about the responsibilities and standards expected of those in public service roles.

Overall, the article is well-written and accessible, with a clear structure and language that make it easy to understand. However, it could benefit from additional source diversity and transparency to enhance its credibility and provide a more comprehensive view of the situation.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that appear to be largely accurate but require additional verification. For instance, the article states that Michael Pena was a probationary NYC firefighter involved in a fatal crash while allegedly under the influence. This claim is supported by references to his suspension and subsequent firing by the FDNY. However, the specific details of the crash, such as running a red light and the exact level of intoxication, need confirmation through official reports or court records.

The article accurately describes Justin Diaz as a victim and provides details about his background, such as his recent graduation and career aspirations, which are crucial to the story's emotional impact. These personal details would benefit from verification through educational or employment records.

The mention of Pena's OnlyFans account adds another layer to the narrative, but the specifics about the account, including its content and relevance to his dismissal, require confirmation. The FDNY's reasons for firing Pena are cited as conduct-related, yet the story does not clarify if the OnlyFans account directly influenced this decision.

Overall, the article presents a coherent narrative but relies on several claims that need further substantiation to ensure complete accuracy.

6
Balance

The article tends to focus predominantly on the perspective of the victim's family, particularly through quotes from Justin Diaz's brother, which emphasizes the emotional and personal impact of the incident. This focus is understandable given the tragic nature of the story, but it results in a somewhat one-sided narrative.

While the article provides a detailed account of the victim's family's views and fears about the legal process, it lacks an equivalent depth of perspective from Michael Pena or his representatives. The absence of comments from Pena's lawyer, who did not return calls, leaves a gap in the story's balance.

Additionally, the FDNY's viewpoint is represented through a spokesperson's statement regarding Pena's dismissal, but this is limited and does not fully explore the department's stance on the broader implications of the incident or the role of the OnlyFans account.

Overall, while the article offers a compelling narrative, it could benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives, particularly from Pena's side, to provide a fuller picture of the incident and its aftermath.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, presenting the key events and claims in a logical sequence. It effectively combines factual reporting with emotional narratives, particularly through quotes from the victim's family, which enhances the story's impact and readability.

The language used is straightforward and accessible, making the article easy to understand for a general audience. The use of specific details, such as the timeline of events and descriptions of the crash, helps readers grasp the severity and implications of the incident.

However, certain aspects of the story, such as the connection between Pena's OnlyFans account and his dismissal, could be explained more clearly. The article mentions this detail but does not fully explore its relevance or impact on the overall narrative.

In summary, the article's clarity is strong, with a coherent structure and language that effectively conveys the story's main points. Minor improvements in explaining specific details could further enhance its clarity.

5
Source quality

The article relies heavily on information from the victim's family and an unnamed FDNY spokesperson, which raises concerns about the breadth and reliability of the sources. The FDNY spokesperson provides some official insight into Pena's suspension and firing, lending credibility to those aspects of the story.

However, the absence of direct quotes or statements from law enforcement, legal representatives, or Pena himself limits the article's source quality. The reliance on a single viewpoint from the victim's family without corroborating details from independent or official sources weakens the overall credibility.

The article would benefit from including more authoritative sources, such as court documents, police reports, or statements from legal experts, to substantiate the claims made about the crash and the subsequent legal proceedings.

In summary, while the sources used provide a compelling narrative, the article's overall source quality could be improved by incorporating a wider range of authoritative and independent sources.

6
Transparency

The article provides a moderate level of transparency, offering specific claims about the incident and the parties involved. It clearly states the sources of its information, such as statements from the victim's family and an FDNY spokesperson. However, it lacks detailed explanations of how the information was obtained, particularly regarding the surveillance footage mentioned.

The article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that may affect its reporting, leaving readers uncertain about the full context behind the story. The absence of a response from Pena or his legal team is noted, but the article does not explore alternative methods to obtain their perspective.

Furthermore, while the article mentions the existence of surveillance footage, it does not provide details on how this footage was acquired or verified, which would enhance transparency and credibility.

Overall, the article could improve its transparency by providing more context on its information-gathering process and addressing potential biases or conflicts of interest.

Sources

  1. https://www.firehouse.com/careers-education/news/55272419/off-duty-fdny-firefighter-charged-in-fatal-crash-under-influence-of-drugs-alcohol-cops-say-l
  2. https://www.firehouse.com/careers-education/video/55271244/off-duty-fdny-firefighter-charged-with-manslaughter-dwi-after-crash
  3. https://abc7ny.com/post/off-duty-firefighter-arraigned-man-charged-allegedly-speeding-red-light-hitting-killing-driver-another-vehicle/15961421/
  4. https://www.instagram.com/thats_anthonycarlo/reel/DGjjNh8uSQz/