Streets for Living, Not Dying: Hold Albany Accountable

A stolen car slammed into a Manhattan building. Flames followed. The driver, Francisco Guzman Parra, died on impact. His family waited days for answers. Police actions now face scrutiny. The city counts another life lost to speed and steel.

The New York Times (April 12, 2025) reports on the death of Francisco Guzman Parra after a stolen Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood, Manhattan. The crash followed a police chase; two officers involved were suspended pending investigation. The article notes, "The police are investigating whether the officers left the scene without reporting the crash." The medical examiner found Guzman Parra died from blunt impact and thermal injuries. The NYPD force investigation unit and state attorney general are reviewing the incident. The police have not disclosed why the chase began or details about the pursuit. The case highlights ongoing questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers that follow high-speed chases through city streets.

• Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-12

A stolen SUV crashed and burned at Dyckman Street. Two NYPD officers chased, then left. The driver died in flames. The cops returned to the Bronx, silent. Cameras caught their exit. The city investigates. Policy on police pursuits faces new scrutiny.

According to NY Daily News (April 3, 2025), two NYPD officers from the 50th Precinct pursued a stolen Honda CR-V into Manhattan. The driver crashed at Dyckman Street and Henry Hudson Parkway. The car burst into flames. The officers left the scene and did not report the crash, later returning to their precinct and finishing their shift. Surveillance footage captured their patrol car leaving. Both officers have been suspended. The article notes, 'Both officers have been suspended as the NYPD's Force Investigation Division investigates their actions.' The crash comes after NYPD restricted police pursuits, limiting them to cases involving felonies or violent misdemeanors. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the department now relies on 'advanced tools of modern-day policing' instead of risky chases. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the dangers of police pursuits and the need for strict adherence to new policies.

• Officers Flee Scene After Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Steel screamed on Henry Hudson Parkway. Two sedans, too fast, turned right and collided. Two young men slumped inside, heads bleeding, semiconscious. The echo of unsafe speed lingered in the wreckage, leaving blood and silence behind.

Two sedans collided on Henry Hudson Parkway in the early morning hours, leaving two 22-year-old men injured and semiconscious, both suffering severe head wounds. According to the police report, both vehicles were 'making right turn' when they crashed. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The narrative describes the scene: 'Steel kissed steel. The Honda's side split. The BMW's nose crushed. Two young men, both 22, slumped inside, heads bleeding. Semiconscious. Silent. The speed still echoed in the wreckage.' The data shows both drivers were licensed and neither occupant was ejected. The focus remains on driver actions—unsafe speed and improper turning—as the root causes of this violent crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798349, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A stolen minivan tore through Harlem. The driver ran from police. He struck Devon Hughley on a scooter. Hughley died at Harlem Hospital. The driver fled. Police used facial recognition. They arrested Enesin Delarosa. Grief lingers. Memorials remain.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-06), Enesin Delarosa, 26, was arrested for fatally striking Devon Hughley, 45, while fleeing an NYPD car stop in Harlem on November 2. The article reports Delarosa was driving a stolen minivan and "allegedly hit Hughley near W.155th St. and St. Nicholas Ave. while fleeing a traffic stop." Delarosa faces charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene, fleeing police, and possession of stolen property. The crash highlights the lethal risk of high-speed police pursuits and the dangers posed by stolen vehicles in dense urban areas. Memorial posters for Hughley remain in his building. The article quotes Hughley's sister, Yvette Palmer: "the arrest brought some peace."

• Scooter Rider Killed Fleeing Traffic Stop, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-06

A police car crossed the line. Metal struck flesh. Samuel Williams, riding his dirt bike, was thrown and killed. Body cam footage shows the officer’s move. Another NYPD car tried the same. The city sent Williams’ family a bill.

NY Daily News (2024-12-23) reports that NYPD body camera footage shows an officer veering into the path of Samuel Williams, a 36-year-old dirt bike rider, during a pursuit on the University Heights Bridge. Williams was struck, thrown, and died from his injuries. The article states, “An officer pursuing dirt bikers suddenly crossed the double yellow line into Williams' path, causing a collision.” Another NYPD vehicle attempted a similar maneuver. The family’s attorney called it a “deadly maneuver” for a minor violation. The city later billed Williams’ family for police vehicle damages. The NYPD has not commented, citing litigation. The case raises questions about police pursuit tactics and accountability.

• NYPD Officer Veers Into Dirt Biker’s Path, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-23

An SUV slammed head-on into an e-bike on W 155th Street. The rider flew from his bike, struck the pavement, and died from head trauma. Police cite driver distraction. The crash left a man lifeless on Manhattan asphalt.

According to the police report, an SUV collided head-on with an e-bike at W 155th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. The SUV struck the e-bike directly, throwing the male rider from his bike. The report states the victim suffered fatal head trauma and was found with no pulse. The narrative specifies, 'The driver was distracted.' The only contributing factor listed is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The e-bike rider was ejected and killed on impact. The police report notes the rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is not cited as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction, with the SUV's actions directly leading to the cyclist's death.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768346, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A cyclist crashed into the rear of a parked sedan on Amsterdam Avenue. Blood streaked his face. He stayed upright, then slumped. The car never moved. The street was silent except for the sound of breathing.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old man riding a bike struck the rear of a parked sedan near 1785 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan at 1:23 a.m. The sedan, registered in New Jersey, was stationary and unoccupied at the time of the crash. The report notes the cyclist suffered severe bleeding to his face but remained conscious. The narrative states, 'He stayed upright, then slumped. The car never moved.' The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as the primary contributing factor. No driver errors or vehicle movement were cited in this incident. The focus remains on the collision's impact and the resulting injury to the cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752337, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man’s skull split on Harlem asphalt before dawn. Blood pooled beneath the streetlight. The city silent, the crosswalk absent. He lay in shock, wounded and alone, the impact echoing through empty streets.

A 63-year-old man was struck head-on by a vehicle on West 145th Street near Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan at 4:10 a.m., according to the police report. The victim suffered severe head injuries and was found semiconscious, lying on the cold asphalt with blood pooling beneath a flickering streetlight. The crash occurred away from any intersection or crosswalk, with the vehicle’s center front end striking the pedestrian directly. The police report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors, nor does it indicate any victim behaviors as factors. The absence of safe crossing infrastructure and the direct collision highlight systemic dangers faced by pedestrians in this area.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750337, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Dodge sedan veered head-on into a southbound pickup on Henry Hudson Parkway. Steel folded. Two men in the truck died crushed. The Dodge driver held no license. The road stayed dark. Impact and error left only silence.

According to the police report, at 2:25 a.m. on Henry Hudson Parkway, a Dodge sedan veered and struck a southbound pickup truck head-on. The report states, "Steel folded. Two men inside the truck, ages 38 and 40, died crushed." The contributing factor cited is "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." The Dodge driver was unlicensed at the time of the crash, as documented in the vehicle data. The collision resulted in fatal crush injuries to both the driver and front passenger of the pickup. The police report makes no mention of any contributing actions by the victims. The report highlights the unlicensed status of the Dodge driver and improper lane usage as key factors in this deadly crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750210, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 29-year-old cyclist slammed into a parked Jeep on West 136th Street. Steel met bone. Blood pooled on the pavement. The SUV stood untouched. The cyclist stayed conscious, his arm shattered in the morning silence.

A 29-year-old cyclist was injured after striking a parked Jeep on West 136th Street near Riverside Drive in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:25 a.m. The narrative states, 'A 29-year-old cyclist struck a parked Jeep. No helmet. His arm crushed against steel. The SUV stood untouched. He stayed conscious. Blood on the pavement. Silence in the morning light.' The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The cyclist suffered crush injuries to his arm and remained conscious at the scene. No injuries were reported for the SUV, which was parked and undamaged. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the contributing factors. The focus remains on the collision and the resulting harm to the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741682, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man on an e-bike rode east on West 181st Street and collided with the rear of a parked diesel truck. His chest was crushed. He wore a helmet. There was no movement, only silence in the dark.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old man riding an e-bike eastbound on West 181st Street struck the right rear bumper of a parked diesel tractor truck. The report states the crash occurred in darkness and notes the cyclist was wearing a helmet. The narrative describes the impact as crushing the rider's chest and causing internal bleeding, with no skid marks at the scene. The e-bike's front end was damaged. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The parked truck, registered in Indiana, was unoccupied at the time. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor beyond noting helmet use after listing driver error. The collision left the cyclist motionless and silent, underscoring the lethal consequences of distraction and systemic street danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729767, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A cyclist’s arm split open against the side of a stopped taxi at Fort Washington and 161st. Blood marked the pavement. The helmeted rider stayed awake. The taxi sat untouched. The street fell silent, holding the aftermath in its grip.

A cyclist suffered severe lacerations to his arm after striking the side of a stopped taxi at Fort Washington Avenue and 161st Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 10:12 a.m. The report states, 'A cyclist struck the side of a stopped taxi. His arm split open. Blood on pavement. He wore a helmet. He stayed awake. The taxi sat untouched.' The taxi was stopped in traffic and sustained no damage, while the cyclist’s bike impacted the right side doors of the vehicle. The police report lists no specific contributing factors and does not cite any driver errors. The only victim behavior noted is helmet use, which is mentioned after the description of the crash. The focus remains on the physical impact and aftermath, with the police narrative emphasizing the silence and gravity that followed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729960, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan swung wide on West 155th. An e-scooter rider, straight ahead, collided and flew. Blood pooled on the blacktop. The man, gasping, lay conscious, his skull split. Driver inattention and unsafe lane change carved the night.

According to the police report, a sedan making a U-turn on West 155th Street collided with a man riding an e-scooter who was traveling straight. The report states the sedan driver engaged in 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The impact ejected the 39-year-old e-scooter rider, sending him headfirst onto the pavement. The narrative describes him as lying conscious, gasping, with severe head lacerations and a split skull. The police report notes the e-scooter rider was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is listed after the primary driver errors. The collision underscores the danger posed by inattentive driving and improper lane changes, which left a vulnerable road user grievously injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725932, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A runaway BMW fleeing police tore down Amsterdam Avenue. Its left bumper smashed into a 29-year-old man. His leg split open. Blood pooled on the asphalt. The car did not stop. The man stayed awake, wounded and alone.

According to the police report, a 2016 BMW sedan, described as a 'runaway vehicle' and 'fleeing police,' struck a 29-year-old pedestrian on Amsterdam Avenue near 152nd Street at 1:30 a.m. The report states the vehicle was traveling at an 'unsafe speed' and was involved in a police pursuit. The BMW's left front bumper hit the pedestrian low, causing severe lacerations to his knee and lower leg. The man remained conscious as blood pooled around him. The report notes the driver was unlicensed and did not stop after the collision. The primary contributing factors listed are 'Driverless/Runaway Vehicle' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was engaged in 'other actions in roadway,' but the report attributes fault to the vehicle's dangerous movement and the driver's actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718935, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle skids on slick Harlem River Drive pavement, slamming head-on into an SUV. The rider, helmeted, is thrown hard, suffering fatal head trauma. Blood stains the asphalt. The bike lies shattered. Morning breaks over a silent road.

A 42-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a violent crash on Harlem River Drive, according to the police report. The incident occurred early in the morning when the motorcycle, traveling south, lost control on slippery pavement and collided head-on with a southbound SUV. The police report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as a contributing factor. The rider, who was helmeted, was ejected from the motorcycle and suffered severe head trauma, resulting in apparent death at the scene. The motorcycle was described as 'demolished,' and blood was visible on the road. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage. No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield are cited in the report, but the hazardous road surface is explicitly noted. The victim's helmet use is mentioned in the police report after the primary contributing factor of the slick pavement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712117, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man crossed 8th Avenue with the signal. A vehicle hit him. His leg was crushed. He lay silent on the cold street. The car showed no damage. The light turned green. No one moved.

A 42-year-old man was struck while crossing 8th Avenue at West 147th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, he crossed with the signal when a vehicle hit him, crushing his leg and leaving him unconscious in the intersection. The report states, 'A man, 42, crossed with the signal. A vehicle struck him. He fell, leg crushed, silent on the cold street.' The car showed no visible damage. The police listed the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed in the data. The pedestrian suffered serious crush injuries to his lower leg and foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692571, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 76-year-old man crossed Broadway at West 161st. A Dodge sedan, windows dark, sped south. Steel struck flesh. The man fell. His head hit the pavement. Blood pooled. He died there, under the evening sky.

A 76-year-old pedestrian was killed at Broadway and West 161st Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the man was crossing at the intersection when a southbound Dodge sedan with tinted windows struck him. The report lists 'Tinted Windows' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The impact caused fatal head injuries. The police narrative states, 'He hit the pavement, skull split, blood pooling. He died there, under the evening sky.' The data highlights driver errors: unsafe speed and illegal window tint. The man died at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672150, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 46-year-old man rode south on Henry Hudson Parkway. He was unlicensed. No helmet. He struck the right front of his Vespa. Thrown from the moped, his skull hit hard. He died alone in the dark. No other vehicles involved.

A 46-year-old man was killed while riding a Vespa southbound on Henry Hudson Parkway. According to the police report, 'A 46-year-old man, unlicensed and bareheaded, was thrown from his southbound Vespa. The right front struck. His skull bore the blow. He died alone in the dark. Crush injuries. No one else involved.' The report lists the driver as unlicensed and not wearing any safety equipment. The only contributing factors noted are 'Unspecified.' No other vehicles or people were involved in the crash. The man was ejected from the moped and suffered fatal head injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4668759, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle slammed southbound on Henry Hudson Parkway. The rider flew. Two sedans struck. One driver had no license. The man, forty-two, died from head wounds. Helmet on. It did not matter. The road fell silent.

A deadly crash unfolded on Henry Hudson Parkway. According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling southbound struck hard, ejecting its forty-two-year-old rider. Two sedans then hit. One sedan driver was unlicensed. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor for both the motorcycle and sedans. The motorcyclist wore a helmet, but suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. The narrative states, 'Southbound on Henry Hudson Parkway, a motorcycle hit hard and the rider flew. He wore a helmet. It didn’t matter. Two sedans struck. One driver had no license. The man, 42, died from head wounds. The road stayed quiet.' The crash highlights the lethal consequences of unsafe speed and unlicensed driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651573, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A limo jumped from the curb in Harlem. It struck a woman crossing 8th Avenue. Her leg was crushed. She stayed conscious. The driver showed no sign of care. The street was quiet. The city’s danger was clear.

A 28-year-old woman was crossing the intersection near 2850 8th Avenue in Manhattan when a limo lurched from the curb and struck her. According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:51 a.m. and left the pedestrian with crush injuries to her knee and lower leg. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The woman remained conscious after the impact. The data shows no mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The driver’s aggressive actions stand out as the primary cause. The street remained silent as another New Yorker suffered under the weight of reckless driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677493, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14