Blood on Targee Street, Silence in Albany

Sanitation crews crushed hundreds of mopeds and e-bikes on Staten Island. Smoke rose as batteries burned. Officials called it a crackdown on unregistered vehicles. A Citi Bike was smashed too. The mayor watched. No word on why it was there.

Gothamist reported on June 12, 2025, that New York City officials destroyed around 200 unregistered mopeds and e-bikes at a Staten Island sanitation facility. Mayor Eric Adams said over 100,000 'ghost vehicles' have been seized since 2022, including cars with fake or missing plates. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated, 'This morning is not just about crushing mopeds. It is about crushing the criminal activity and quality of life activities that come with them.' The crackdown targets vehicles often used by delivery workers but also linked by officials to traffic violations and other offenses. A Citi Bike was destroyed among the pile, though officials did not explain why. The event highlighted ongoing enforcement actions and raised questions about policy impacts on vulnerable road users.

• City Destroys Mopeds, E-Bikes En Masse, Gothamist, Published 2025-06-12

A man crossing Targee Street was struck and killed by an e-bike moving at unsafe speed. The impact crushed his chest. The e-bike driver, ejected in the crash, suffered back injuries. Parked cars lined the block. The street stayed silent.

A 58-year-old man was killed while crossing Targee Street near Pierce Street in Staten Island. According to the police report, an e-bike traveling north at unsafe speed struck the pedestrian, causing fatal chest injuries. The e-bike driver, a 25-year-old man, was ejected and suffered back injuries. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. Parked vehicles, including a sedan and a pickup truck, were present but not involved in the movement. No driver errors other than unsafe speed are cited. The police report does not mention helmet use or signaling as contributing factors. The crash left one dead and another injured, underscoring the lethal consequences of speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813412, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck reversed in the dark, crushing a man behind an Amazon warehouse. Paramedics rushed him to the hospital. He died. The driver stayed. Police investigate. The night swallowed another worker on Staten Island’s industrial edge.

According to amNY (April 10, 2025), a deadly crash occurred at 546 Gulf Ave., Staten Island, when a box truck backed up and struck 34-year-old Leony Salcedo-Chevalier, a pedestrian and Amazon subcontractor. The article states, “a 40-year-old man, while operating a box truck, backed the vehicle up at the location but wound up striking a pedestrian.” Both the driver and victim worked for Amazon subcontractors. The driver remained at the scene and has not been charged. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. The incident highlights risks in warehouse zones, especially during night operations, and raises questions about vehicle movement and worker safety protocols on industrial sites.

• Box Truck Backs Over Worker At Warehouse, amny, Published 2025-04-10

A box truck backed up in the darkness near 546 Gulf Avenue. A man, thirty-four, was crushed in the roadway. The truck showed no damage. The street fell quiet, the life lost in a moment of steel and silence.

According to the police report, a box truck was backing up near 546 Gulf Avenue when a thirty-four-year-old man was crushed in the roadway. The incident occurred at 22:58. The narrative states, 'A box truck backed up in the dark. The driver sat behind the wheel. A man, age thirty-four, was crushed in the roadway.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The report does not cite any actions by the pedestrian as contributing factors. The truck showed no damage, and the street was quiet after. The driver’s action—backing the truck—placed a vulnerable road user in fatal danger. No further details on systemic factors or environmental conditions are provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804882, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Honda SUV barrels east on Steuben Street. The driver’s view is blocked. An old man crosses with the signal. Metal hits flesh. Blood pools, deep cuts mark his head. A woman and child inside the car are also hurt, both conscious.

According to the police report, a Honda SUV traveling east on Steuben Street near Hylan Boulevard struck a 76-year-old man as he crossed the intersection with the signal. The report states the driver’s view was obstructed and explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to the head and was conscious at the scene. The impact also injured a woman and child inside the vehicle, both of whom remained conscious. The narrative describes the collision in stark terms: 'Metal strikes flesh. Blood on the head, deep cuts.' The report makes clear the pedestrian was crossing legally, with the signal, when the SUV’s center front end struck him. Driver error and limited visibility are directly cited as causes, underscoring the systemic dangers faced by those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804886, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Chevy SUV veered too close on Davis Ave, smashing three parked cars. Metal shrieked. A 32-year-old man, belted in, struck his head and bled. He stayed conscious, sprawled on the pavement as sirens wailed through Staten Island.

According to the police report, a Chevy SUV traveling south on Davis Ave near Delafield Ave 'clipped too close,' striking three parked vehicles. The report states that the crash resulted in 'metal screamed' and left a 32-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt, with severe head lacerations. He remained conscious at the scene. The police report cites 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The SUV's right front quarter panel was damaged, and the impact involved the left side doors. No evidence in the report suggests any error or action by the parked vehicles or their occupants. The crash underscores the danger posed by improper passing and lane usage on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802335, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Jeep turned left on Victory Blvd as a moped passed west. Metal screamed. A 12-year-old boy clung outside, helmetless. He struck pavement hard, his leg split open. He lay semiconscious beside the crushed moped.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV was making a left turn near 2084 Victory Blvd while a moped traveled west, attempting to pass. The crash's contributing factor is listed as 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The report states: 'A Jeep turned left. A moped passed west. Metal screamed.' A 12-year-old boy, riding outside the moped without a helmet, was thrown to the pavement, suffering a severe leg laceration and lying semiconscious at the scene. The moped was described as 'crushed.' The report highlights driver errors—improper lane usage during passing and the Jeep's left turn—as the cause. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The collision's violence and injuries underscore the dangers posed by driver mistakes and systemic traffic risks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797622, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Steel tore on Victory Boulevard as a bus and a box truck slammed head-on. Four people, ages 23 to 66, were pulled from the wreckage, conscious but broken. Blood pooled, bones snapped, the street marked by violence and impact.

A violent head-on collision between a bus and a box truck on Victory Blvd near Canterbury Ave left four people injured, according to the police report. The crash occurred as both vehicles were 'going straight ahead' when they struck each other, their left front bumpers colliding. The police report lists 'Illnes' as a contributing factor. Four occupants—two drivers and two passengers, ages 23, 36, 52, and 66—suffered crush injuries to their legs and backs. All were conscious but badly hurt when pulled from the wreckage. The report details the scene: 'Steel screamed. Four people inside were crushed.' The data does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The police report does not specify further details about the nature of the illness or any other driver actions. The focus remains on the catastrophic impact and the systemic dangers of large vehicles colliding head-on.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792500, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan tore down Goethals Road North, smashing into an SUV mid-turn. Steel twisted. A 30-year-old man took the impact headfirst, blood streaking the dash. He stayed conscious. The road stayed cold. Speed left its mark.

A violent crash unfolded on Goethals Road North near Western Avenue as a speeding sedan collided with a station wagon/SUV that was making a right turn, according to the police report. The report states, 'A speeding sedan slammed an SUV mid-turn. Steel crumpled.' The impact left a 30-year-old male occupant with severe head lacerations; he remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. The sedan was traveling straight ahead, while the SUV was turning, and the crash resulted in significant damage to both vehicles. The injured man was not wearing a seatbelt, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor to the crash itself. The focus remains on the excessive speed of the sedan, which led to the violent collision and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782462, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A school bus turned left on Slosson Avenue. Its blocked view met a 61-year-old man crossing with the light. The bus hit him head-on. Blood pooled on broken pavement. He stayed conscious, injured and bleeding, as the street bore witness.

According to the police report, a school bus traveling north on Slosson Avenue near Reon Avenue made a left turn and struck a 61-year-old man head-on. The pedestrian was crossing at the intersection with the signal when the collision occurred. The report states the driver’s view was obstructed or limited, and the pavement was defective. The pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The police report explicitly lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, highlighting the danger created by impaired visibility during the bus’s left turn. The pedestrian’s action—crossing with the signal—is noted only after the driver’s error, underscoring the systemic hazards faced by those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759155, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Yamaha motorcycle struck a turning Lexus on North Gannon Avenue. The unlicensed rider, helmeted, was ejected and left bleeding, body shattered. The sedan’s side caved in. Speed too high. Silence followed the scream. Staten Island’s roads bear the scars.

According to the police report, a Yamaha motorcycle traveling west on North Gannon Avenue collided with the left side doors of a Lexus sedan as it made a right turn near Mountainview Avenue. The report states the motorcycle was operated by an unlicensed male rider, age 35, who was wearing a helmet. The contributing factor listed is 'Unsafe Speed.' The narrative describes the rider being ejected from the motorcycle, suffering severe bleeding and injuries to his entire body. The sedan’s side was heavily damaged. The crash occurred at 18:23. The police report makes clear that excessive speed was a primary factor, with the motorcycle slamming into the turning vehicle. No contributing factors are attributed to the sedan driver. The report does not cite any victim behavior as contributing to the crash, focusing solely on speed and licensing violations.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747510, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 28-year-old cyclist crashed into the rear of a parked Toyota on Forest Avenue. Ejected, his head struck pavement. Blood pooled as he lay conscious, staring skyward. The police report cites driver inexperience. No helmet was worn.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old man riding a bike on Forest Avenue near Brighton Avenue collided with the rear of a parked Toyota sedan. The cyclist was ejected from his bike, suffering a severe head injury with heavy bleeding. The report states the cyclist was conscious at the scene. 'Driver Inexperience' is listed as the primary contributing factor in the crash. The narrative details, 'Head split open on the pavement. Blood pooled. He lay conscious, staring up at the sky.' The report also notes that the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned after the driver error. The sedan was parked and unoccupied at the time of the collision. The incident underscores the dangers present when inexperience meets the unforgiving city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734245, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A young rider lost control on Richmond Avenue. His Yamaha struck head-on. Thrown from the seat, his helmet split. Head trauma ended his life before help arrived. The road fell silent, marked by speed and inexperience.

A 25-year-old man riding a Yamaha motorcycle was killed on Richmond Avenue after losing control at speed, according to the police report. The report states the motorcycle struck head-on, ejecting the rider from the seat. He was wearing a helmet, which cracked upon impact. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors in the crash. The victim suffered fatal head trauma and died before emergency services could arrive. No other vehicles or persons were involved, and the report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of inexperience and excessive speed, as documented in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709149, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A BMW slams nose-first on Goethals Road North. The right rear door bursts open. A 26-year-old man is thrown from the car, striking his head on the street. He dies there, under the late-night sky.

A fatal crash unfolded on Goethals Road North when a 2011 BMW sedan, traveling west, struck nose-first, according to the police report. The impact forced the right rear door open, ejecting a 26-year-old male passenger into the street. The police report states, 'A 2011 BMW slams nose-first. The right rear door flings open. A 26-year-old man, no belt, is hurled into the dark. His head hits hard. He dies there, on the cold street.' The victim suffered fatal head injuries and apparent death was noted at the scene. No driver errors or contributing factors are listed in the police report, and no mention is made of other vehicles being involved. The narrative centers on the violence of the impact and the vulnerability of passengers in such crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709276, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Yamaha motorcycle crashed into the rear of a Jeep on the Staten Island Expressway. The rider, 30, helmeted, was thrown from the bike. He struck his head and lay unconscious. The road was silent. The night pressed in.

A violent collision unfolded on the Staten Island Expressway when a Yamaha motorcycle struck the back of a Jeep, according to the police report. The 30-year-old motorcycle rider, helmeted, was ejected from his bike and rendered unconscious after his head hit the pavement. The report details that the crash occurred as both vehicles traveled straight ahead. The impact left the rider with severe head injuries, described as 'crush injuries' in the report. Police note the rider was 'ejected' and 'unconscious' at the scene. The contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified' in the official data, and no driver errors are explicitly cited. The report confirms the rider wore a helmet but does not attribute any victim behavior as a cause. The focus remains on the violent impact and the vulnerability of those on two wheels amid larger vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4706979, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An SUV hit an 82-year-old woman in a Forest Avenue crosswalk. She suffered head wounds. The driver did not stop. The woman died. Blood marked the street. The Nissan’s front end bore the impact. The city lost another pedestrian.

An 82-year-old woman was killed while crossing Forest Avenue near Bard Avenue. According to the police report, the SUV struck her head-on in the crosswalk, causing fatal head injuries and internal bleeding. The driver did not stop after the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The Nissan SUV’s center front end showed damage from the impact. The woman never regained consciousness. No other contributing factors were cited in the report. The crash marks another deadly toll for pedestrians on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673459, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 2016 Audi tore north on Steuben Street. The driver, alone, slammed into something hard. His chest crushed. He died in the seat as dawn broke. Unsafe speed ended his life. Metal and flesh met with fatal force.

A single-car crash on Steuben Street, Staten Island, killed a 30-year-old man driving a 2016 Audi sedan. According to the police report, the Audi sped north before striking an object. The driver, belted in and alone, suffered fatal chest injuries and was found unconscious. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The impact crushed the front of the vehicle and the driver's chest. No other people were involved or injured. The data shows the driver was licensed and wearing a seatbelt. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of unsafe speed, as documented in the police report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661428, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan turned left on Chestnut Avenue. The driver failed to yield. She struck a 67-year-old man on an e-bike. His head was crushed. He was thrown from the bike. He died on the pavement. Alcohol was in the driver’s blood.

A 67-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed when a sedan struck him on Chestnut Avenue near Bay Street in Staten Island. According to the police report, the sedan was making a left turn and hit the cyclist mid-ride. The impact crushed the cyclist’s head and threw him from the bike. He was found unconscious and died at the scene. The police report states, “The driver failed to yield. Alcohol was in her blood.” The listed contributing factors are Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Alcohol Involvement. The data also notes driver inattention or distraction. No helmet use is mentioned as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of driver error and impairment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657218, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan crashes head-on into an MTA bus on Victory Boulevard. Glass scatters. A 14-year-old boy in the back seat bleeds from the head. He stays conscious. Sirens cut the morning. Driver inattention and inexperience mark the scene.

A sedan collided head-on with an MTA bus on Victory Boulevard near Forest Avenue in Staten Island. According to the police report, a 14-year-old boy riding in the left rear seat of the sedan suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. The crash occurred at 4:27 a.m. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The sedan struck the bus's left rear bumper, causing significant front-end damage. No injuries were reported among bus occupants. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The crash underscores the risks posed by driver error and distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4640018, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A young man on an e-scooter crashed on Continental Place. He flew from the scooter. His head hit the pavement. He lay still, unconscious. The scooter stood untouched. The street held the mark of impact. His skull did not.

A 23-year-old man riding an e-scooter on Continental Place near Lockman Avenue was thrown from his vehicle and suffered a severe head injury. According to the police report, 'A 23-year-old man, helmetless on an e-scooter, was thrown to the pavement. His head struck hard. He lay unconscious in the street. The scooter stood upright, untouched. His skull did not.' The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data, but no driver errors or external causes are identified. The crash left the rider unconscious with crush injuries to his head.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4638679, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14