No More Neighbors Dead: Streets Are Killing Us, Policy Can Stop It

A motorcycle struck a parked SUV on East 92nd. The rider, 34, suffered crushed legs. Police cite outside distraction and inexperience. The crash left the rider partially ejected but conscious.

A 34-year-old motorcycle driver was injured after colliding with a parked SUV on East 92nd Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the rider suffered crush injuries to the lower leg and foot and was partially ejected from the motorcycle but remained conscious. Police list 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The report notes the rider wore a helmet. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distraction and inexperience on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830611 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit a 29-year-old man at E 86th and 2nd. The car’s right front smashed his arm. Blood pooled. The driver, 75, stayed at the scene. View was blocked. The street did not forgive.

A 29-year-old pedestrian was struck by a sedan at the intersection of E 86th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the man suffered severe bleeding and a serious upper arm injury. The vehicle, a 2020 Mercedes sedan, was traveling straight when its right front quarter panel hit the pedestrian. The driver, a 75-year-old woman, was licensed and uninjured. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'View Obstructed/Limited' as contributing factors. No other errors or equipment issues are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830612 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A distracted driver crashed on E 78th and 3rd. He was ejected, hit his head, and bled badly. Helmet listed. Streets stayed busy. The system failed to protect.

A 33-year-old male driver of a motorized vehicle was injured on E 78th Street at 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The driver was ejected and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. Helmet use was noted in the report. No other injuries were listed. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, leaving vulnerable road users at risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826962 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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 motorcycle and sedan collided on East 76th. The crash left the motorcyclist with crushed hips and legs. Police cite improper lane use and passenger distraction as causes.

A motorcycle and a sedan crashed at 348 E 76th Street in Manhattan. The motorcyclist, a 54-year-old man, suffered crush injuries to his hip and upper leg. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Passenger Distraction' contributed to the crash. The sedan was parked before impact; the motorcycle was passing. No pedestrians were involved. The report lists no helmet or signal issues. The crash highlights the danger of improper lane use and distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV struck a parked car on FDR Drive. A man bled from the head. A baby was hurt. Two others shaken. Dawn broke over blood and glass. Driver distracted. Road was straight. He did not see.

An SUV crashed into a parked car on FDR Drive in Manhattan. According to the police report, a pedestrian suffered head injuries and crush wounds. A baby and two adults inside the vehicles were also hurt. The report states: “FDR Drive, near dawn—an SUV slammed into a parked car. A man lay bleeding from the head. A baby was hurt. Two others shaken. The driver, 21, wore his belt. He was conscious. The road was straight. He didn’t see.” Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The driver wore a lap belt and harness. No other factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806221 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 5440 targets reckless drivers. It makes car owners pay when their vehicles run red lights. Cameras catch the lawbreakers. The aim: fewer crashes, safer streets for all.

Assembly bill A 5440 was introduced on February 14, 2025, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled "Imposes owner liability for failure of an operator to comply with traffic control indicators within the city of New York," seeks to hold vehicle owners accountable when their cars violate traffic signals, using camera enforcement. Assembly Member Steven Raga sponsors the bill, joined by Rebecca Seawright, Tony Simone, Yudelka Tapia, Karines Reyes, and Marcela Mitaynes as co-sponsors. No safety analyst note is available. The bill aims to curb dangerous driving and protect vulnerable road users by making owners answer for violations caught on camera.

• File A 5440, Open States, Published 2025-02-14

A 90-year-old woman died on York Avenue. A cab made a U-turn and struck her. Another car hit her moments later. She was rushed to the hospital. Both drivers stayed. She did not survive.

According to the New York Post (published February 6, 2025), Frances Rickard, 90, was crossing York Avenue at East 72nd Street around 5:40 p.m. when a yellow taxi, driven by a 68-year-old man, made a U-turn and struck her. Police said, “Moments later, a 35-year-old woman driving a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also struck her.” Rickard was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died. Both drivers remained at the scene and have not been charged. The sequence highlights the dangers of U-turns and multi-lane crossings for pedestrians. The intersection saw two vehicles collide with a vulnerable road user in quick succession, underscoring persistent risks in city street design and driver behavior.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing York Avenue, New York Post, Published 2025-02-06

A ninety-year-old woman stepped off the curb on York Avenue. A taxi hit her head-on. An SUV rolled over her. Her skull crushed. She lay still. Two drivers kept straight. They did not see. She died on the street.

According to the police report, a ninety-year-old woman was killed on York Avenue near East 72nd Street when she was struck by a taxi and then run over by an SUV. The crash occurred at 17:41 in Manhattan. The report states, 'she stepped off the curb, alone, no signal. A taxi hit her head-on. An SUV rolled over her. Her skull crushed.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. Both vehicles, a taxi and an SUV, were traveling straight ahead. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The drivers 'did not see' her, according to the narrative. The victim suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. No driver errors beyond inattention/distraction are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790720 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Tesla tore down FDR Drive at unsafe speed. Metal screamed. A baby girl, unbelted, was thrown from the car and killed. The sedan crumpled. The road bore witness. No warning, no mercy, only silence and wreckage.

According to the police report, a Tesla sedan traveling north on FDR Drive crashed at 2:44 a.m. The report states the vehicle was moving at 'unsafe speed.' The impact left the sedan demolished. A baby girl, listed as an occupant, was ejected from the vehicle and died on impact, her injuries described as affecting her 'entire body.' The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. No seatbelt was used, as noted in the report. The narrative describes the scene as the Tesla 'slammed at speed,' resulting in the infant's death. The focus remains on the excessive speed and the catastrophic consequences that followed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790343 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Tesla tore north on FDR. It struck a guardrail, flipped, split, burned. The woman driver died at the scene. Her passenger flew from the wreck. Firefighters battled battery flames. Northbound lanes shut. Metal, fire, speed, and loss marked the night.

NY Daily News (2025-02-04) reports a deadly crash on Manhattan's FDR Drive. A Tesla, traveling at high speed—witnesses estimated 'at least 120, 130 [mph]'—lost control near E. 70th St. The car struck a guardrail, overturned, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The driver died at the scene; her passenger survived. Firefighters and a hazmat team responded to extinguish the burning lithium-ion battery. The crash shut down northbound lanes. The article highlights excessive speed and the dangers of high-performance vehicles in urban settings. Emergency response was extensive, with 60 firefighters on scene.

• Tesla Crash Kills Woman On FDR Drive, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-04

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

A Ford taxi swung left at East 80th and 3rd. The driver did not yield. Steel bumper hit a woman’s shoulder as she crossed with the light. Bone crushed. She stayed conscious. The cab showed no damage. The street swallowed her pain.

A 47-year-old woman was injured at the corner of East 80th Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan when a Ford taxi making a left turn struck her in the shoulder, according to the police report. The collision occurred as the pedestrian was 'crossing with the light,' placing her lawfully in the intersection. The report states the 'driver did not yield' and lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The impact from the taxi’s left front bumper caused crush injuries to the woman’s upper arm and shoulder. The police report notes the victim remained conscious after the crash. There was no reported damage to the cab. The data makes clear: driver failure to yield and inattention directly led to the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760573 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A box truck struck a parked sedan on East 82nd Street. Metal screamed. A 42-year-old man suffered a shattered arm, blood soaking his sleeve. The truck remained undamaged. The street fell silent after the sudden impact.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling south on East 82nd Street near 2nd Avenue collided with a parked sedan. The report states, 'A box truck struck a parked sedan. Metal screamed. A 42-year-old man clutched his shattered arm, blood soaking his sleeve.' The injured man, a pedestrian at the intersection getting on or off the vehicle, suffered crush injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was in shock. The sedan sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel, while the truck showed no damage. The police report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' providing no clear driver error such as failure to yield or distraction. No victim behavior was noted as contributing. The crash highlights the danger posed by moving vehicles striking stationary cars and the severe injuries inflicted on vulnerable individuals nearby.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan blasted through the light at 2nd Avenue and East 74th. The bike hit hard. The cyclist flew, head split, blood pooling. He lay semiconscious on the pavement. The car sat untouched. The night air thick with sirens and shock.

According to the police report, a sedan disregarded a traffic control at the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 74th Street. The report states the sedan 'ran the light.' A cyclist, traveling south, struck the car's side and was ejected, landing hard and suffering a severe head injury with heavy bleeding. The cyclist was described as semiconscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The sedan sustained no damage, while the bike impacted the right side doors. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but the report cites driver errors—specifically, ignoring the traffic signal and inattention—as the primary causes. No mention is made of any actions by the cyclist contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737814 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A rabbi crossing Third Avenue was struck by a wrong-way e-bike. His leg broke. The driver fled. Assemblywoman Seawright demanded stricter laws, registration, and penalties for reckless e-bike and moped use. City leaders promised a summer crackdown on illegal vehicles.

On June 5, 2024, Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright (District 76) called for increased regulation and enforcement of e-bikes and mopeds after Rabbi Michael Miller was hit and injured by a hit-and-run e-bike driver on Third Avenue. The incident sparked public outcry. Seawright visited Miller and advocated for a legislative package to increase penalties for leaving crash scenes and to require registration, inspection, insurance, and license plates for e-bikes. The matter summary states: 'No New Yorker should have to fear suffering collisions while walking in their own neighborhood from the epidemic of e-vehicles causing horrible injuries and even fatalities.' Mayor Eric Adams and the NYPD announced a summer enforcement blitz to seize illegal, unregistered vehicles. Seawright’s push centers on holding reckless drivers accountable and removing dangerous, unlicensed vehicles from city streets.

• NYC rabbi suffers broken leg after being run over by rogue e-bike driver: ‘Lucky to be alive’, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-05

Two sedans collided on York Avenue. A woman crossing the street was struck down. Blood pooled on the asphalt. Head trauma ended her life beneath the streetlight. Engines ticked. Sirens wailed too late. The city claimed another pedestrian.

A deadly crash unfolded on York Avenue near East 87th Street in Manhattan, where, according to the police report, two sedans collided and a 30-year-old woman crossing the street was struck. The report states she suffered head trauma and severe bleeding, dying at the scene. The narrative describes, 'Blood pooled on the asphalt. She died beneath the streetlight. The cars sat still. Engines ticking. Sirens too late.' Police data lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor for one of the sedan drivers. The woman was at the intersection when struck. The report does not cite any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The tragedy centers on driver actions and the lethal consequences of speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714580 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 25-year-old woman stepped into the crosswalk with the light. An e-scooter rider, inattentive and inexperienced, struck her head-on. Blood pooled on East 78th Street. The rider fled. The woman’s leg split open, pain pulsing through the city’s grid.

A 25-year-old woman was seriously injured on East 78th Street when an e-scooter rider struck her head-on as she crossed with the signal, according to the police report. The impact left her with severe lacerations to her lower leg, and blood pooled at the scene. The report states the e-scooter’s front end was damaged and the rider did not stop. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The pedestrian’s actions—crossing with the light in the marked crosswalk—are noted in the report, but only after the driver’s failures. The collision underscores the consequences of inattentive and unskilled operation of motorized vehicles in city crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713969 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Chevy SUV hit a 77-year-old woman at dawn on York Avenue. The front end struck her full. She bled from the head, conscious on the street. The driver’s view was blocked. Steel met flesh in the cold morning light.

According to the police report, a 2022 Chevy SUV traveling north on York Avenue near 92nd Street struck a 77-year-old woman who was crossing alone at dawn. The report states, 'The front end hit her full. She lay bleeding from the head. The driver’s view was blocked. She was conscious.' The pedestrian suffered a head injury with severe bleeding, but remained conscious at the scene. The official contributing factor listed is 'View Obstructed/Limited,' indicating the driver’s line of sight was compromised. The data does not cite any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the lethal risk when drivers proceed with limited visibility, especially in areas where vulnerable road users cross.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695105 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04