Second Avenue Bleeds—Hold Leaders to Account Before More Bodies Hit the Street

Aug 30 - The driver of a southbound sedan on FDR injured a 24-year-old front passenger. She suffered severe facial lacerations. Police cited "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Unsafe Speed." The driver was unlicensed.

A driver traveling south on Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive near East 36th Street crashed a 2013 sedan. The left front bumper was the point of impact and the vehicle sustained center front damage. A 24-year-old female front passenger suffered severe facial lacerations and is listed as injured. According to the police report, the crash involved "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Unsafe Speed," and the driver was recorded as unlicensed. Police noted the driver's pre-crash action as going straight ahead. Driver errors cited are distraction and unsafe speed, compounded by an unlicensed driver behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4838455 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 30 - A Nissan struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider fell, hit his head, and lay critical as the red light blinked. The unlicensed driver fled. Police arrested him two hours later.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver hit a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. near 14th St., leaving the rider with serious head trauma. The driver fled, but police arrested him two hours later, charging him with "leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license." The crash shut down Second Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The article highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and the consequences of fleeing crash scenes.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-30

Jul 29 - Driver in an SUV heading south on 2 Avenue hit a 65-year-old e-bike rider at East 15 Street in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected and left unconscious with head injuries. Police recorded traffic control disregarded by the driver.

A driver in a 2024 Nissan SUV, traveling south on 2 Avenue, hit a 65-year-old man riding an e-bike at East 15 Street in Manhattan. The impact threw the cyclist. He was left unconscious with head injuries and reported crush injuries. According to the police report, police recorded 'Traffic Control Disregarded' for the driver. After noting the driver error, police also recorded 'Traffic Control Disregarded' for the cyclist. Vehicle damage and point of impact were listed at the SUV’s center front end. Injuries for the SUV occupants were not specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831391 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 25 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. Police investigate. No arrests. The road claimed another life.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-25) reports Matthew Goicochea, 31, was killed after falling from his motorcycle and being struck by a car near E. 25th St. on FDR Drive. The driver did not remain at the scene. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The article states, "He was then struck by an unknown vehicle shortly thereafter, which did not remain on the scene." No arrests have been made. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users on high-speed city highways and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers.

• Firefighter Killed in FDR Drive Collision, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-25

Jul 24 - 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 2025-09-18

Jul 7 - A sedan turned left into a cyclist at E 41st and 1st Avenue. The 48-year-old man suffered crush injuries to his knee, lower leg and foot. The sedan driver was not injured. Police recorded the collision.

One sedan made a left turn and hit a bicyclist at East 41st Street and 1st Avenue. The bicyclist, a 48-year-old man, suffered crush injuries to his knee, lower leg and foot. The sedan driver was not injured. According to the police report, the crash involved a sedan and a bike. The report lists the sedan's pre-crash action as "Making Left Turn" and the bike's as "Going Straight Ahead." Police did not list any specific driver errors or contributing factors. The cyclist's contributing factors are recorded as "Unspecified." Point of impact was the sedan's left front bumper and the bike's center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826200 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 1 - 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 2025-09-18

Jun 25 - 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

Jun 17 - 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

Jun 16 - 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 2025-09-18

Jun 7 - 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

May 30 - 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 2025-09-18

May 11 - 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 2025-09-18

Apr 28 - 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 2025-09-18

Apr 20 - 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 2025-09-18

Feb 2 - 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

Jan 16 - 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

Jan 13 - 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 2025-09-18

Nov 11 - 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 2025-09-18

Nov 6 - 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 2025-09-18