Simone Talks, Streets Bleed: Demand Action Before Another Body Hits the Asphalt

Tony Simone pushes a bill to force the MTA to install platform barriers citywide. He cites a near-fatal shove in his district. The plan uses congestion pricing funds. The goal: stop deadly falls and attacks. Riders demand safety. Simone wants action, not talk.

Bill number pending. On January 6, 2025, Council Member Tony Simone announced a legislative push to require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years. The bill, still in proposal stage, will move through the relevant council committee. Simone’s proposal comes after a spate of subway violence, including a recent shove onto tracks in his district. The bill summary states: 'My legislation will require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years.' Simone urges the use of congestion pricing revenue for these safety upgrades, arguing, 'No priority is higher on any rider's mind, including mine, than safety on the system.' Simone is the primary sponsor. The measure aims to prevent fatal and dangerous falls and shoves, focusing on protecting riders from harm.

• Spate of violence in NYC subways prompts call for more train platform barriers, amny.com, Published 2025-01-06

A Cadillac SUV barreled south through the intersection at W 37th Street and 9th Avenue. The bumper struck a 61-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She lay semiconscious, her body broken, the street marked by violence and disregard.

According to the police report, a Cadillac SUV drove south on 9th Avenue, proceeding straight through the intersection at W 37th Street. The vehicle struck a 61-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. The report states, 'The bumper struck her. She lay crushed and semiconscious, her body broken across the pavement.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her entire body and was left semiconscious at the scene. The police report notes the woman was crossing with the signal, and no contributing factors were attributed to her actions. The report lists the contributing factor for the driver as 'Unspecified,' but the narrative makes clear the SUV 'drove south, straight through the light,' highlighting a failure to obey the traffic signal. The impact and resulting injuries underscore the lethal consequences when drivers disregard traffic controls at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784464, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi veered off Sixth Avenue, mounted the curb, and struck a crowd near Herald Square. Three pedestrians and the driver landed in the hospital. Blood on the sidewalk. Police say a medical episode caused the crash. The street stayed open.

Gothamist reported on December 26, 2024, that a taxi driver 'jumped the curb and plowed into a crowd' near Sixth Avenue and West 34th Street on Christmas Day. The crash sent a 9-year-old boy, two women, and the driver to the hospital. NYPD officials stated, 'they did not suspect any criminality in the crash.' The driver reportedly suffered a medical episode, though police did not specify details, citing confidentiality laws. Four others refused medical attention at the scene. The incident highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians from vehicles leaving the roadway, regardless of intent or cause. No policy changes or enforcement actions were announced.

• Taxi Jumps Curb, Hits Midtown Pedestrians, Gothamist, Published 2024-12-26

A 54-year-old man on a bike slammed into a parked bus at West 39th and Ninth. He flew from the saddle, his skull cracking on the pavement. Blood pooled. The bus stood untouched. The man lay broken, head bleeding.

According to the police report, a 54-year-old male bicyclist traveling west on West 39th Street collided with a parked bus at the corner of 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The report states the cyclist was ejected from his bike, suffering a severe head injury with significant bleeding after his skull struck the pavement. The bus, a 2006 GMC, was parked and sustained no damage. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. No helmet was in use, as noted in the data, but this is mentioned only after the driver error. The narrative describes a violent impact and the aftermath: 'Blood pooled on the asphalt. The bus, untouched. The man, broken.' The crash underscores the consequences of distraction and the hazards that persist even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779708, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A yellow cab turned left on 10th Avenue, its front end smashing into a teenage cyclist’s head. The boy collapsed, unconscious, under the streetlights. The cab kept moving. The city’s cold geometry drew blood again.

A 16-year-old boy riding a bicycle was struck and seriously injured by a yellow taxi at the corner of 10th Avenue and West 33rd Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 22:40, when the taxi, described as a 2023 Ford, made a left turn and its front end hit the cyclist’s head. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor for the driver, highlighting a critical error that led to the collision. The cyclist suffered crush injuries to the head and was found unconscious at the scene. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and that the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but these are mentioned only after the primary driver error. The impact and resulting injuries underscore the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774296, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck rolled west on West 29th. Its right rear struck a 30-year-old man on the sidewalk. Blood pooled from his head. The driver’s view was blocked. The truck showed no damage. The man stayed conscious, wounded and bleeding.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling west on West 29th Street near Seventh Avenue struck a 30-year-old male pedestrian at the right rear of the vehicle. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time of the collision. The report notes that blood from the victim’s head pooled on the sidewalk, and he remained conscious after the impact, suffering severe bleeding and a head injury. The truck itself showed no visible damage. The police report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s limited visibility played a direct role in the incident. No driver actions beyond this are listed, and no contributing behaviors are attributed to the pedestrian. The crash underscores the persistent dangers posed by large vehicles and obstructed views in dense urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772774, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 75-year-old man stood off West 18th Street. An e-bike slammed into him head-on. His leg split open. Blood pooled on the curb. The rider vanished, leaving pain and silence behind.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old pedestrian was standing off the roadway near 351 West 18th Street in Manhattan when an e-bike traveling west struck him head-on. The report states the impact tore open the man's leg, causing severe bleeding. The e-bike rider did not stop and left the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time of the collision, according to the report. The focus remains on the e-bike operator's failure to yield and lack of attention, which directly led to the violent injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772262, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorcycle cut west on Broadway. The right front struck. A 34-year-old man, helmetless, flew partway out. Blood pooled from his head. He sat stunned under the cold, electric glare of Times Square.

According to the police report, a Sling motorcycle traveling west near 1585 Broadway was involved in a crash at 1:23 a.m. The right front of the motorcycle struck, causing a 34-year-old male passenger to be partially ejected. The report states the man suffered severe bleeding from the head and sat in shock beneath the lights of Times Square. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The passenger was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this detail follows the primary driver errors. The incident underscores the dangers posed when drivers fail to pay attention and change lanes unsafely, with devastating consequences for those riding with them.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768001, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 69-year-old man lay bleeding on West 55th. A bike, unlicensed and fast, hit him head-on at the corner with 7th Avenue. The street held witness to speed and impact. He stayed conscious, blood pooling beneath him.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old pedestrian was struck by a cyclist at the intersection of 7th Avenue and West 55th Street in Manhattan around 13:20. The report states the bike was 'fast and unlicensed' and identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The cyclist, a 27-year-old male driver, was operating without a license and traveling straight ahead when he hit the man head-on at the center front end of the bike. The victim suffered severe bleeding from the head but remained conscious at the scene. The cyclist sustained a contusion and upper arm injury but was wearing a helmet. The report notes the pedestrian stepped into the street against the light, but the primary driver errors cited are the cyclist's unsafe speed and unlicensed operation. The incident highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed, speeding cyclists in crowded city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766120, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Dodge SUV struck a 29-year-old man crossing West 30th Street. The impact crushed his chest. He lay conscious on the pavement. Police cite aggressive driving. The SUV rolled on, undamaged. The street bore the weight of violence.

According to the police report, a Dodge SUV traveling east on West 30th Street near 11th Avenue struck a 29-year-old man who was crossing without a signal. The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his chest and remained conscious at the scene. The report states, 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as the contributing factor, explicitly pointing to the driver’s actions as the cause. The SUV showed no damage and continued straight after the collision. The police narrative notes the pedestrian was crossing without a signal, but this is listed only after the driver’s aggressive behavior. The focus remains on the SUV driver's cited aggression and the resulting severe injury to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765081, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck slammed into a woman’s face as she crossed Avenue of the Americas with the signal. Blood spilled onto the street. The driver kept going. She stayed conscious, injured and bleeding, her right-of-way ignored in the city’s rush.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling east on Avenue of the Americas struck a 45-year-old woman at the intersection with West 52nd Street. The report states the pedestrian was 'crossing with the light' and had the right-of-way when the truck’s front end hit her face, causing severe bleeding. The woman remained conscious despite her injuries. The driver did not stop after the collision. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The victim’s behavior—crossing with the signal—is noted in the report, but the focus remains on the driver’s failure to yield, which directly led to the crash and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762719, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A woman pedaled west on 27th. She smashed into a parked sedan. Her face split on steel. Blood pooled. The car stood silent. She moved, then lay still. Inexperience listed. No helmet, but the street did not forgive.

A 29-year-old woman riding a bike westbound on West 27th Street in Manhattan collided with a parked sedan, according to the police report. The report states she suffered severe facial lacerations after striking the left side doors of the stationary vehicle. The sedan, registered in New Jersey, was parked and did not move before or during the crash. The police report cites 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor in the collision. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, a detail included in the narrative, but only after the primary driver error. The report describes the aftermath in stark terms: 'Her face split open on the steel. Blood pooled on the pavement. The car never moved. She did, and then didn’t.' The crash underscores the lethal consequences of inexperience and the unforgiving nature of city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757397, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi rear-ended a KIA SUV on 9th Avenue. Metal crumpled. The 65-year-old SUV driver bled from the head, held in by his belt. Flesh split. Southbound traffic moved on. Only one man left whole.

According to the police report, a taxi crashed into the rear of a KIA SUV at 9th Avenue and West 37th Street in Manhattan at 3:20 p.m. The report states, 'A taxi slammed into the back of a KIA SUV. The 65-year-old driver bled from the head. Lap belt held him in. Flesh split.' The SUV driver, a 65-year-old man, suffered severe head lacerations but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors in the crash. The taxi struck the center front end into the SUV’s left rear bumper, both vehicles traveling south. The data points to driver error—specifically inattention and aggression—as the cause of the violent impact. No evidence in the report attributes the crash to any action by the injured driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752017, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Jeep hit a young cyclist at 5th and East 29th. The rider flew, slammed headfirst, blood pooling on hot pavement. The SUV stood untouched. Silence swallowed the scene. The cyclist lay semiconscious, ejected, head bleeding under the Manhattan sun.

A 26-year-old cyclist was struck by a Jeep at the corner of 5th Avenue and East 29th Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The cyclist, traveling south, was ejected from his bike and landed headfirst, suffering severe bleeding and a semiconscious state. The report notes the SUV was undamaged, while the cyclist lay on the pavement. According to the police report, the collision involved 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as documented in the report, but this is listed after the driver-related contributing factors. The narrative describes a violent impact and aftermath, emphasizing the vulnerability of the cyclist and the lack of damage to the Jeep.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742604, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck blocked West 34th. The driver failed to yield. A young cyclist smashed into steel, head torn open, blood darkening the asphalt. The bike twisted. The truck stood silent. The cyclist stayed awake, pain sharp and present.

A 25-year-old cyclist suffered severe head lacerations after colliding with the side of a box truck on West 34th Street. According to the police report, the truck driver failed to yield the right-of-way, causing the cyclist to strike the truck's right side doors. The report states, 'A box truck failed to yield. A 25-year-old cyclist hit its side. Head split open. Blood pooled on blacktop.' The cyclist remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail appears only after the driver’s error in the report. The crash left the bicycle twisted beneath the truck, underscoring the danger when large vehicles disregard vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742639, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Chevy SUV struck a man riding with traffic on West 33rd Street. The driver, distracted by a passenger, crushed the cyclist’s leg. Steel met flesh. The city’s silence echoed. The pain was immediate. The street stayed straight. The wound stayed open.

According to the police report, a man riding with traffic on West 33rd Street was struck by the rear quarter of a Chevy SUV. The collision left the cyclist with a broken leg and crush injuries. The report states the driver was distracted by a passenger at the time of the crash, listing 'Passenger Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The SUV was traveling east and had two occupants. The cyclist was wearing a helmet and was not at an intersection. The police report does not cite any cyclist behavior as contributing to the crash. The impact occurred on a straight stretch of street, with the SUV’s right rear quarter panel making contact. The report does not mention any evasive action or hazardous conditions, focusing solely on the driver’s distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740066, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Dualtron e-scooter, unlicensed and fast, tore up Avenue of the Americas. Two women fell. One bled from the face. The other’s skull shattered. The street, lit and busy, became a field of wounds and sirens.

According to the police report, an unlicensed man operating a MINIMOTORS Dualtron Thunder e-scooter traveled north on Avenue of the Americas near West 34th Street. The report states the e-scooter struck two women, ages 43 and 51, who were not at an intersection. One woman suffered severe facial lacerations and remained conscious; the other sustained crush injuries to the head and was found unconscious. The narrative describes the scene as the e-scooter 'tore through the night,' leaving both victims injured in its wake. The police report highlights that the driver was unlicensed, a critical factor in the crash. No driver errors beyond the lack of a license are specified in the report. The victims’ actions are listed only as 'other actions in roadway,' with no indication from the report that these contributed to the collision. The focus remains on the unlicensed operation and the resulting harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737136, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Steel struck flesh in the heart of Times Square. A scooter, northbound, collided head-on with a cyclist. Blood pooled on the pavement. The cyclist’s face torn open. Tourists recoiled. The city’s lights flashed, but the street did not yield.

A 24-year-old cyclist was seriously injured in a head-on collision with a northbound scooter at 3 Times Square, according to the police report. The report states the cyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered severe facial injuries and heavy bleeding after being struck by the scooter. The police report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor for the crash, highlighting a failure in lane discipline by at least one vehicle operator. The narrative describes the moment: 'Face split open. Blood on the pavement. Steel met skin.' The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, but places primary emphasis on improper lane usage. The collision left the cyclist conscious but badly hurt, underscoring the dangers vulnerable road users face amid chaotic Midtown traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736621, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

City leaders cut the ribbon on Plaza33. Once a car-choked block, now a pedestrian haven. Trees, tables, and open space replace exhaust and noise. Years of work. A new chapter for Midtown. People walk, sit, and breathe. Cars banished. Safety reclaimed.

On June 27, 2024, city officials and civic leaders marked the completion of Plaza33, a pedestrian plaza on 33rd Street by Penn Station. The event capped years of transformation, turning a block once 'full of cars and trucks' into a car-free space. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Assembly Member Tony Simone, and Council Member Erik Bottcher attended the ribbon-cutting. Levine recalled, 'I remember the battle over transforming this space and all the people who said that it would clog up traffic all over Midtown if we turned this street over to people and here we are and it's gorgeous.' Vornado Realty Trust funded the $65-million project with the Department of Transportation. The plaza, now permanent, offers 16,000 square feet for pedestrians, with trees, seating, and public programming. The change removes cars from a busy Midtown block, giving vulnerable road users safe, open ground.

• Penn Station Block Completes Years-Long Transformation into ‘Plaza33’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-27

A car moving east on West 58th Street struck a 29-year-old woman head-on before sunrise. Her body was crushed. She died alone in the street, unnamed, as the city slept. The impact left silence and loss in its wake.

According to the police report, a woman was walking in the roadway near West 58th Street and Ninth Avenue in Manhattan at 3:41 a.m. when an eastbound car struck her head-on. The report states her body was crushed and she died at the scene, 29 years old, alone in the dark. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, and the car was traveling straight ahead. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian. No information is provided about the vehicle type or the driver. The victim's actions are described as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but the report does not cite any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The deadly force of the car and the lack of identified driver error in the report highlight the systemic dangers faced by pedestrians on city streets, especially in the early hours.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735641, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14