Second Avenue Bleeds, City Leaders Blink

A 31-year-old motorcyclist died on FDR Drive. He was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as causes.

A 31-year-old man riding a motorcycle northbound on FDR Drive was killed after a crash. According to the police report, the rider was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The motorcycle sustained damage to the right front quarter panel. No other injuries were specified. The rider was wearing a helmet, but the report centers on driver inattention as the cause. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830014 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A firefighter died on FDR Drive. The driver fled. At Port Authority, a bus crash left over two dozen hurt. No arrests. The city’s streets remain brutal for those on foot and in transit.

Patch reported on July 24, 2025, that an FDNY firefighter was killed in a hit-and-run on FDR Drive. The driver left the scene. No arrests have been made. The article also notes, 'More Than 2 Dozen Injured In Bus Crash At Port Authority Bus Terminal.' Both incidents highlight ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users and point to gaps in enforcement and street safety. Investigations continue, but the city’s traffic violence persists.

• Firefighter Killed, Dozens Hurt In Crashes, Patch, Published 2025-07-24

A sedan turned left on E 41st. The car struck a cyclist. The rider suffered crush injuries to his leg. The street ran red with pain. Metal met flesh. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan making a left turn at E 41st Street and 1st Avenue struck a cyclist going straight. The cyclist, a 48-year-old man, suffered crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, the crash involved a sedan and a bike. The cyclist was injured, while the sedan driver was not. No specific driver errors were listed in the data. The police report notes both drivers' actions but does not specify contributing factors. The cyclist’s safety equipment was unknown. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826200 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A convertible hit a young boy crossing with the signal. He suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. The driver was in shock. The crash happened at East 14th in Manhattan.

A convertible struck a male child pedestrian at the intersection of East 14th Street in Manhattan. The boy was crossing with the signal when he was hit. According to the police report, the child suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was found unconscious. The driver, a 25-year-old woman, was making a left turn and was in shock after the crash. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness. No driver-specific errors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825362 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Voters chose candidates who back bike lanes, open streets, and transit. Opponents lost. The message is clear: New Yorkers want safer roads. No new laws yet, but the council’s direction is set. Vulnerable road users watch and wait.

On June 25, 2025, New York City held local elections with major implications for street safety. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, saw candidates who championed 'the importance of bike lanes, public transit, and open streets' win across the city. Council members Lincoln Restler, Shahana Hanif, Shekar Krishnan, Chi Oss, Crystal Hudson, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams all prevailed on platforms supporting safer streets. Mark Levine, who called for bold highway changes, won the Comptroller race. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text is a vague statement of support for livable streets but does not describe a specific policy action or legislative change, so its direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists cannot be determined.' The victories signal a mandate for people-first streets, but concrete safety gains depend on future action.

• Down-Ballot Recap: A Great Night for the Livable Streets Movement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-25

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

A bus struck and killed a man at E 28th and 3rd. Police cite driver inattention. The pedestrian suffered fatal crush injuries. The bus hit with its right front bumper. Another life lost to distraction.

A 49-year-old man walking at the intersection of E 28th Street and 3rd Avenue was killed when a northbound bus struck him with its right front bumper. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered fatal crush injuries to his entire body. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The bus driver and two occupants were not seriously hurt. The crash again highlights the deadly risk posed by large vehicles and inattentive driving on Manhattan streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820937 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

A drunk driver tore through Gramercy. He struck Abdulhekim Esiyok in the crosswalk. Bars kept pouring drinks for the driver. Blood alcohol soared. Esiyok died at Bellevue. The driver hit more people before stopping. The city’s system failed again.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-07), Abdulhekim Esiyok, a 23-year-old Turkish immigrant, was killed while crossing Third Avenue after Mahbub Ali, allegedly intoxicated, drove into him. Prosecutors say Ali drank for nearly six hours at three Manhattan bars, reaching a blood alcohol content of .158, almost twice the legal limit. After hitting Esiyok, Ali continued, injuring a cyclist, two more pedestrians, and crashing into a van. The family’s lawsuit cites New York’s Dram Shop Act, which holds bars liable for serving visibly drunk patrons who later cause harm. The article quotes the family’s lawyer: “The family is devastated. They’re still in disbelief.” The case highlights failures in both driver responsibility and alcohol-serving oversight.

• Drunk Driver Kills Immigrant Pedestrian in Manhattan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-07

A cyclist suffered crush injuries to his leg at E 23rd Street and 3rd Avenue. Two cars and a bike collided. The cyclist wore a helmet. Police cited confusion as a factor. The street saw pain and metal. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

A crash on E 23rd Street at 3rd Avenue in Manhattan left a 61-year-old male cyclist injured with crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, a convertible, a pick-up truck, and a bicycle were involved. The cyclist was conscious and wore a helmet. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver-specific errors were cited in the data. Other vehicle occupants reported unspecified injuries. The crash underscores the risks faced by cyclists on city streets, where even routine turns can end in harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816863 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A cyclist struck the back of a parked USPS truck on 2nd Avenue. He suffered severe head lacerations. Unsafe speed played a role. The truck showed no damage. The street bore the mark of impact.

A 25-year-old male bicyclist was injured after colliding with the rear of a parked USPS truck at 579 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, unsafe speed was a contributing factor in the crash. The cyclist suffered severe lacerations to the head and was conscious at the scene. The truck was parked and showed no damage. The report lists no other contributing factors from the cyclist. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812789 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A taxi turned left on 1st Avenue. A woman crossed with the signal. Metal hit flesh. She fell, torn and bleeding. The driver stayed put. Blood marked the street.

A taxi struck a 31-year-old woman as she crossed 1st Avenue at East 22nd Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the woman was crossing with the signal when the taxi, making a left turn, hit her. She suffered severe lacerations and was in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The driver remained at the scene. The crash left the pedestrian injured across her entire body.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808952 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Pickup turned left at Avenue C. Bumper hit 87-year-old woman crossing. She fell. Blood pooled on the street. Head injury. No driver belt. City street, hard impact.

An 87-year-old woman was struck by a pickup truck turning left at the corner of East 6th Street and Avenue C in Manhattan. According to the police report, the truck's bumper hit the woman as she crossed the intersection. She suffered a head injury, with blood pooling on the pavement. The driver, a 65-year-old man, wore no seat belt. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but the data does not cite this as a contributing factor. The crash left the woman with severe lacerations to her head.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806893 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Transit advocates and officials rallied at Grand Central. They demanded Governor Hochul fill a $33 billion gap in the MTA capital plan. Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal called transit vital for the region. Advocates stressed accessibility and equity. The state’s budget leaves riders exposed.

On February 2, 2025, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal joined transit advocates at Grand Central Terminal to push for full funding of the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan. The rally targeted Governor Hochul’s $252 billion budget, which omits $33 billion needed for transit upgrades. The event, covered by amny.com, highlighted the matter: 'NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This is about the economic engine for the entire region.' Assembly Member Tony Simone and others demanded investment in transportation deserts and accessible stations. Advocates cited the MTA’s ADA settlement, noting only a quarter of stations are wheelchair-accessible, with the fewest in low-income areas. The rally underscored that without full funding, vulnerable riders—especially those with disabilities—face continued barriers and danger.

• NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue, amny.com, Published 2025-02-02

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Glass burst at E 34th and 1st. A convertible struck a sedan’s rear. A young woman, seatbelted, bled from the face. Police flagged alcohol and traffic control disregard. The city’s night offered no mercy.

A crash at the corner of East 34th Street and 1st Avenue left a 22-year-old woman with severe facial lacerations, according to the police report. The incident involved a convertible traveling north striking the right rear bumper of a westbound sedan. The police report states, 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The woman, riding as a front passenger and secured by a lap belt and harness, was injured when the convertible hit the sedan, shattering glass. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on driver actions: alcohol use and failure to obey traffic controls. The crash, late at night, underscores the ongoing danger posed by reckless driving and systemic failures on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786302 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A taxi’s right bumper tore into a woman’s pelvis as she walked southbound with traffic on FDR Drive. She bled and stayed conscious. The cab kept moving. No one stopped. The city’s arteries pulsed on, indifferent to the wound.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling southbound on FDR Drive struck a woman walking with traffic. The impact from the taxi’s right front bumper caused severe lacerations to her pelvis. The report states she remained conscious and bleeding at the scene. The narrative notes, 'The cab kept straight. The road kept moving. No one stopped.' Driver inattention or distraction is listed as a contributing factor, highlighting systemic danger for pedestrians on high-speed corridors. The police report also cites 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, but only after noting the driver’s inattention. The woman was not at an intersection, according to the report. The collision underscores the lethal risks faced by those on foot when drivers fail to notice or yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771255 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A box truck turned left at 2nd Avenue and East 45th. The driver, unlicensed, struck an 83-year-old woman crossing with the light. Her legs were crushed. She lay unconscious on the street. The truck showed no damage. The city’s danger persists.

At the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 45th Street in Manhattan, a box truck making a left turn struck an 83-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian’s legs were crushed and she was found unconscious at the scene. The report states the driver of the box truck had no license. The truck, registered in New Jersey, bore no visible damage after the collision. The police narrative confirms the woman was crossing with the light, placing the responsibility on the driver’s actions. The data highlights the systemic danger posed by unlicensed drivers operating large vehicles in dense urban intersections. No driver errors beyond the lack of a license are specified in the report, and no victim behaviors are listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769464 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A bicycle, racing west on East 31st, slammed into a six-year-old girl crossing with the signal. Her head hit pavement. Blood pooled. She stayed conscious, bleeding, as the city roared around her.

According to the police report, a bicycle traveling west on East 31st Street near Madison Avenue struck a six-year-old girl in the crosswalk. The report states she was 'crossing with the signal' when the collision occurred. The cyclist was cited for 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The narrative details that the girl's head struck the pavement and she suffered severe bleeding but remained conscious. The police report makes no mention of any victim behavior contributing to the crash. The data centers the cyclist's excessive speed as the primary cause, underscoring the dangers posed by reckless riding even on non-motorized vehicles. The incident highlights the vulnerability of pedestrians, especially children, in city crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764628 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A cyclist cut through Gramercy dusk and struck a man crossing with the light. Blood spilled on the crosswalk. The rider looked away. The man did not. Flesh torn, arm gashed, the city kept moving.

A man crossing Gramercy Park South and 17th Street with the signal was struck by a cyclist, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 p.m. The report states the cyclist was traveling east and hit the pedestrian’s arm with the front wheel, causing severe lacerations. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The narrative details: 'A man stepped into the crosswalk, light in his favor. A bike cut through the dusk. Its front wheel struck his arm. Skin tore. Blood spilled.' The pedestrian, age 38, suffered injuries to the elbow and lower arm and remained conscious at the scene. The police report explicitly notes the pedestrian was 'Crossing With Signal.' The focus remains on the cyclist’s failure to yield and inattention, which led to the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766079 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31