No More Bodies for the Road—Set the Limit, Save a Life

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 man died on the RFK Bridge exit at 125th Street. The crash crushed his body. He was not at an intersection. The driver’s actions remain unspecified. The street claimed another life. The system failed to protect him.

A male pedestrian was killed on the RFK Bridge exit at 125th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the victim suffered crush injuries to his entire body and was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred while the vehicle was going straight ahead. The pedestrian was not at an intersection but was in the roadway. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817511, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two SUVs collided on West 77th. Metal slammed metal. One driver, a man, died. Three others, including another driver and two passengers, were hurt. Police cited driver inattention. The street stayed quiet after the crash. The danger was clear.

A deadly crash unfolded at 152 West 77th Street in Manhattan. Two station wagons, both SUVs, collided. According to the police report, four people were involved. One driver, a 79-year-old man, was killed. Three others, including a 62-year-old woman driver and two passengers aged 62 and 79, suffered unspecified injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. Both vehicles were parked before the crash, and both sustained damage to the right side doors. The police report makes no mention of helmet use or turn signals as factors. The crash highlights the lethal risk when drivers lose focus, as documented by the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817015, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.

According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.

• E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-03

A cyclist died on Broome Street. A box truck and SUV stood in the mix. The crash hit hard. The man, 44, was ejected. Head trauma ended his ride. No driver errors listed. The street claimed another life.

A 44-year-old male bicyclist was killed in a crash involving a box truck and a parked SUV on Broome Street at Centre Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The crash involved a box truck traveling west and a parked SUV. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction are noted in the data. The cyclist's use of safety equipment is listed as 'Unknown,' but this is not cited as a contributing factor. The collision resulted in the death of a vulnerable road user while all vehicle occupants reported only unspecified or no injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809521, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man on an e-bike struck a van door on Broome Street. The door swung open. He fell into the path of a box truck. The truck ran him over. Medics tried to save him. He died at Bellevue Hospital.

NY Daily News reported on May 1, 2025, that an e-bike rider died in Manhattan after being doored by a Mercedes van and then run over by a box truck. The crash happened around 10:10 a.m. on Broome Street near Centre Street. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy. I only saw the accident." The collision forced the cyclist into the path of a red delivery truck, which then struck him. The 54-year-old truck driver stayed at the scene. Police had not determined if charges would be filed. The article highlights the lethal risk of dooring and the vulnerability of cyclists in mixed traffic. The incident underscores systemic dangers at curbside and the consequences of inattentive door opening.

• E-Bike Rider Killed After Van Door Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-01

A 74-year-old man rides east on West 70th. He wears a helmet. Illness seizes him. His bike hits a parked bus. The impact crushes his chest. He dies there, in the afternoon, beneath the city’s hard light.

A 74-year-old cyclist was killed on West 70th Street at West End Avenue in Manhattan, according to the police report. The crash occurred in the afternoon as the man rode his bike eastbound, helmet strapped on. The police report states, 'Illness takes him. The bus is parked. The bike strikes metal. Chest injury. The man dies there, in the afternoon light.' The bus, a 2016 IC CORP, was parked at the time of the collision and sustained no damage. The report lists 'Illnes' as a contributing factor, with no driver errors or moving vehicle violations cited. The cyclist's helmet use is noted in the report, but only after the sequence of events leading to his fatal chest injury. No evidence of driver error or systemic road design failure is cited in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807979, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Ford SUV moved east on West 86th. A man crossed Broadway. The front of the vehicle hit him. His body broke beneath the wheels. The street was quiet. The man, age 57, died at the scene. The driver remained unharmed.

A fatal collision unfolded at West 86th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 2012 Ford SUV traveling east struck a 57-year-old man as he crossed the intersection. The narrative states, 'The SUV moved east. A man, 57, crossed against the signal. The front of the Ford struck him. His body broke beneath the wheels.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his entire body and was pronounced dead. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian. The police report notes the pedestrian was 'Crossing Against Signal,' but does not cite any specific driver errors or violations. The driver, a woman licensed in New York, wore her seatbelt and was uninjured. The quiet street and lack of additional contributing factors highlight the stark impact of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807749, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck struck a man sitting in the street at West 40th and 9th. The man died at the scene. The driver stayed. Police are investigating. No arrests. The victim’s name is not known.

Patch reported on April 7, 2025, that a man was killed by a box truck at West 40th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The article states, “Police determined that a box truck, operated by a 75-year-old man, was traveling southbound on 9 Avenue when the vehicle collided with the victim, who was sitting in the roadway.” The driver remained at the scene and was not injured. No arrests have been made. The victim’s identity has not been released. The incident highlights the persistent risk to people in city streets and the need for scrutiny of how large vehicles interact with vulnerable road users. The investigation is ongoing.

• Box Truck Kills Man In Hell's Kitchen, Patch, Published 2025-04-07

A box truck struck a man in the street near West 40th. Steel met bone. He died alone before dawn. The truck rolled on, unscathed. The city’s dark streets claimed another life.

A 39-year-old man was killed when a box truck traveling south on 9th Avenue near West 40th Street struck him head-on, according to the police report. The incident occurred in the pre-dawn hours, with the report stating, 'A man stood in the street. A box truck came, head-on. His skull broke under steel. He died there, alone in the dark. The truck rolled on, untouched.' The pedestrian suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further details on the cause. The truck sustained no damage, and the driver continued on without stopping. The report notes the pedestrian was not at an intersection and was engaged in 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but does not cite this as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the lethal impact and the unanswered questions surrounding the driver's actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803350, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 67-year-old man pedaled west on W 51st. The door of a parked SUV swung open. His bike crashed. His head struck hard. Blood pooled. The SUV stood untouched. The man died on the street, another life ended by steel and carelessness.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old man riding a bike westbound on W 51st Street at 5th Avenue collided with the door of a parked SUV. The narrative states, 'A 67-year-old man on a bike hit the door of a parked SUV. No helmet. His head struck hard. He flew, then fell. Blood spread. The SUV was untouched. He died.' The police report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors, marking them as 'Unspecified.' The SUV was parked, and the cyclist was ejected upon impact, suffering fatal head injuries. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but does not cite this as a contributing factor to the crash. The focus remains on the lethal interaction between vulnerable road users and parked vehicles in Manhattan’s dense streetscape.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796322, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An SUV turned left on W 58th Street and crushed an 83-year-old woman crossing with the signal. The left bumper struck her head. She died in the crosswalk, beneath the city’s cold lights. The street swallowed her name.

An 83-year-old woman was killed while crossing W 58th Street at Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. According to the police report, she was 'crossing with the signal' when a northbound SUV made a left turn and struck her with its left front bumper. The impact crushed her head, and she died at the scene, in the crosswalk. The vehicle involved was a 2020 Mazda SUV, operated by a licensed male driver. The police report lists the driver’s pre-crash action as 'making left turn.' No driver errors are explicitly cited beyond the vehicle’s movement, but the victim’s lawful crossing is clear. The report notes her position as 'Pedestrian at Intersection' and her action as 'Crossing With Signal.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792095, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck, left parked on Avenue of the Americas, lurched forward and struck a 33-year-old man behind the wheel of another vehicle. He wore a harness. He did not move again. Cold air hung over the still street.

According to the police report, a box truck parked near 851 Avenue of the Americas suddenly lurched north and struck a 33-year-old man who was behind the wheel of another vehicle. The man, identified as the driver and sole occupant, wore a lap belt and harness but was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred at 8:10 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, highlighting a critical lapse in driver vigilance. The truck, registered in Ohio and operated by a licensed driver from Louisiana, was supposed to be stationary but instead moved forward, causing fatal impact. No contributing factors related to the victim's behavior are cited in the report. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction and the dangers posed by large vehicles left unattended on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792075, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

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, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

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, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

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

A city bus struck a 59-year-old man on an e-bike at Lenox Avenue and West 138th Street. His head was crushed. He died there, unconscious, in the dark, while the city slept. The street claimed another life.

A 59-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed when a northbound bus struck him at Lenox Avenue and West 138th Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The report states, 'A 59-year-old man on an e-bike was struck by a northbound bus. His head was crushed. He died there, unconscious, in the dark, as the city slept around him.' The bus and e-bike were both reported as going straight ahead before the crash. The police report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are specified in the data, but the fatal impact between the bus and the vulnerable cyclist resulted in a deadly head injury. The e-bike rider was not using any safety equipment, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the absence of specified driver errors. The crash took place just after midnight, underscoring the ongoing danger faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789910, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A southbound bus slammed into a 39-year-old man near East 51st Street. The right front bumper hit with force. The man, not in the roadway, died at the scene. Steel and speed left no chance. The city’s danger is relentless.

A 39-year-old man was killed when a southbound bus struck him near Fifth Avenue and East 51st Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 21:34. The report states, 'A southbound bus struck a 39-year-old man who was not in the roadway. The right front bumper hit him. He died at the scene. His body bore the full weight of steel and speed.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The bus was traveling straight ahead when its right front bumper made contact with the pedestrian. The victim was not in the roadway at the time of impact. No driver errors are specified in the report, but the lethal outcome underscores the ever-present risk posed by large vehicles in dense urban environments. Victim behavior is not cited as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788709, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 53-year-old man crossed Harlem River Drive before dawn. An unlicensed SUV driver struck him with the left front bumper. The man died at the scene, his body broken beneath the gray sky. No crosswalk. No signal. Just impact.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old man was crossing Harlem River Drive early in the morning when a southbound SUV struck him with its left front bumper. The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk or at a signal. The report states the driver was unlicensed, operating a 2019 Nissan SUV registered in Connecticut. The impact caused fatal crush injuries, and the man died at the scene. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The narrative details the pedestrian's location as 'not at intersection' and 'crossing, no signal or crosswalk,' but does not cite these as contributing factors. The focus remains on the unlicensed status of the driver and the fatal outcome on a major city roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788419, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14