Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

City, BIDs, and agencies plan a $3 million study to reshape 14th Street. The goal: safer space for walkers, cyclists, and buses. The busway may become permanent. Cars lose ground. Change moves slow.

New York Magazine - Curbed (2025-07-29) reports city officials and business groups will fund a $3 million, two-year study to redesign 14th Street. The plan aims for a 'complete street'—space for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and limited cars. The article notes, 'Their (mostly) shared goal is to make 14th into what's often called a complete street.' The study will assess traffic flow and street dynamics. The busway, which restricts cars, may become permanent. No crash or injury data is cited, but the focus is on systemic street changes, not individual driver actions.

• City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-29

A car sped off Manhattan Bridge, killing cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and bench sitter May Kwok. Police found guns, alcohol, and an overdue rental. The city faces calls to fix a deadly intersection.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-28) reports two women face charges after a car, speeding off Manhattan Bridge, killed cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Police found guns, alcohol, and an overdue rental at the scene; one driver refused a breathalyzer. Council Member Marte criticized the Department of Transportation for 'ongoing neglect.' The crash site, long known as dangerous, drew protests and renewed calls for city action. The indictment remains sealed until the next court date.

• Manhattan Bridge Crash Kills Two Bystanders, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-28

A taxi struck a sedan in Manhattan. Two passengers hurt. Police cite driver distraction. Metal, glass, pain. The city keeps moving.

A taxi and a sedan collided at Reade Street and West Broadway in Manhattan. Two passengers, a 12-year-old girl and a 36-year-old woman, suffered injuries to the head and arm. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor in the crash. Both vehicles were going straight before impact. The force hit the sedan's right rear and the taxi's right front. No pedestrians were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830870 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.

• Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be, New York Post, Published 2025-07-27

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 driver tore through Midtown, smashing cars and fleeing police. Metal scraped. Horns blared. The chase ended at Lexington and 50th. Police drew guns. The driver was arrested. Streets bore the scars.

According to ABC7 (2025-07-22), a driver struck multiple vehicles—including a police cruiser—while fleeing police through Midtown Manhattan. The pursuit began after a hit at Park Ave and ended at 50th and Lexington. The suspect, Jose Foster, faces charges including assault, reckless endangerment, and fleeing police. Witness Martina Minor said, "It felt like he was scratching like big noise and I was honking like stop and he kept doing it." The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases in dense city streets, with property damage and potential harm to bystanders.

• Police Chase Wrecks Cars In Midtown, ABC7, Published 2025-07-22

A driver sped off the Manhattan Bridge, killed a cyclist and a woman on a bench. The intersection stayed dangerous. Another crash hit the same spot the next day. City action lags. Lives end. Cars keep coming.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-21) reports a driver with a history of hit-and-run plowed off the Manhattan Bridge, killing cyclist Kevin Scott Cruickshank and May Kwok, who sat on a bench. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, had been charged for a prior hit-and-run while unlicensed but was released pending trial. The article notes, 'New Yorkers have been begging for years for city officials to make Canal Street safer.' The intersection's highway design and delayed Department of Transportation safety plans leave it perilous. The day after the fatal crash, another car sped off the bridge and crashed at the same spot, underscoring systemic danger.

• Deadly Canal Street Bridge Collision, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-21

A stolen car tore through Bowery and Canal. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died. The driver fled but was caught. Police found booze and drugs in the car. Systemic failures left danger unchecked.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a 23-year-old woman drove a stolen, drug-filled car into a cyclist and a woman on a bench at Bowery and Canal, killing both. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, had faced charges for a previous crash but was released without bail. The article reports, 'Romero was behind the wheel of a booze- and drug-filled stolen blue Chevy Malibu when it plowed into a man on a bicycle and a 63-year-old woman on a bench.' Police said the car was packed with pills, marijuana, and alcohol. Romero and her passenger fled but were quickly caught. The case highlights gaps in bail reform and vehicle oversight.

• Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian in Chinatown, New York Post, Published 2025-07-20

SUV reversed on Ryders Aly. Pedestrian in crosswalk struck. Arm bruised. Driver failed to yield. Unsafe backing. System failed to protect the walker.

A 28-year-old woman crossing Ryders Aly in a marked crosswalk was hit by a reversing SUV. According to the police report, the driver backed unsafely and failed to yield the right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered a contusion to her arm. The driver and another occupant were uninjured. The report lists 'Backing Unsafely' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. No mention of pedestrian error or equipment. The crash highlights the danger when drivers reverse without care in busy Manhattan streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830475 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Mayor Adams stalled Third Avenue’s redesign. He once called it urgent. Now, cyclists and walkers face the same deadly street. Cars dominate. Promises break. Blood stains linger.

On July 17, 2025, Mayor Eric Adams delayed Brooklyn’s Third Avenue safety redesign. The project, once 'at the top of our list,' now sits idle. Streetsblog NYC reported the mayor’s reversal. No council vote or committee action is recorded. Adams’s move keeps pedestrians and cyclists exposed to known hazards. A safety analyst notes: Delaying redesign postpones critical improvements, keeps dangers in place, and discourages walking and biking. The city’s inaction leaves Third Avenue deadly for all outside a car.

• Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-17

A van crashed in Midtown. Inside: dozens of propane tanks. The street held its breath. Danger rode in silence, hidden until metal met metal.

CBS New York reported on July 17, 2025, that 'dozens of propane tanks were found in a van in Midtown Manhattan after a car crash Tuesday night.' The article does not detail injuries or the cause of the crash. The presence of hazardous cargo in a crash raises questions about vehicle safety checks and enforcement. Storing large amounts of propane in a van on city streets exposes bystanders and road users to hidden risks. The incident highlights the need for stricter oversight of hazardous material transport in dense urban areas.

• Propane Tanks Discovered After Midtown Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-17

Ex-Commissioner Tom Donlon says Adams insiders fueled deadly NYPD chases. Cyclists, kids, and bystanders paid. Streets turned chaotic. Policy ignored. Trust shattered. Vulnerable road users left exposed.

""The NYPD is led by the best, brightest and most honorable professionals in the nation — and their results speak for themselves: crime continues to fall across the city, with shootings at the lowest level in recorded history. We will respond in court, where we are confident these absurd claims will be disproven."" -- Charles Fall

On July 16, 2025, former NYPD Commissioner Tom Donlon filed a civil racketeering suit, alleging 'deadly and unconstitutional high-speed vehicle chases' under Mayor Adams. The complaint, reported by Streetsblog NYC, claims the NYPD's Community Response Team operated as a rogue unit, answerable only to City Hall, with Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry allowing reckless pursuits. Donlon cites deaths and injuries, including cyclist Amanda Servedio. The suit alleges 398 crashes and 315 injuries in 2024—a 47% jump. Donlon's allegations highlight how high-speed chases increase risk to pedestrians and cyclists, introducing unpredictable, dangerous driving and eroding public trust in safe, equitable enforcement. No council bill or committee action is tied to this event.

• Former NYPD Boss Says Deadly High Speed Chases Were Result Of ‘Rogue’ Adams Insiders, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-16

A sedan hit a cyclist on West Street. The cyclist suffered arm injuries. Police cite confusion as a factor. The car’s front bumper took the impact. The street stayed dangerous.

A sedan and a bicycle collided on West Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 45-year-old man, was injured in the arm and suffered a contusion. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' contributed to the crash. The sedan’s left front bumper struck the cyclist. No driver errors were listed in the data. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this was not cited as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827840 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

SUV turned left. Cyclist rode straight. Impact at Church and Reade. Cyclist hit, leg scraped, stayed conscious. View blocked. Confusion listed. Streets failed to protect.

A collision on Church Street at Reade Street in Manhattan left a 37-year-old male cyclist injured. According to the police report, an SUV making a left turn struck the cyclist, who was traveling straight. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his leg but remained conscious. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash highlights the dangers faced by cyclists in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829201 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan slammed into another car’s rear on Hubert Street. Two people inside suffered bruises. Police cite following too closely. Impact struck hard, left faces and backs marked.

A sedan traveling north on Hubert Street struck another vehicle from behind. According to the police report, both the driver and front passenger in the sedan were injured, suffering contusions to the face and back. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor in the crash. The impact hit the center back end of the lead vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829199 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A 16-year-old on an e-scooter died after a collision with a Hyundai in Staten Island. Head trauma proved fatal. Police are investigating. The driver stayed at the scene. No arrests. Another scooter death followed days later.

The Brooklyn Paper (2025-07-13) reports a fatal crash on June 29 in Staten Island. Sixteen-year-old Nacere Ellis, riding an electric scooter, collided with a westbound Hyundai Tucson. The article states, 'Ellis suffered head trauma as a result of the crash.' The 79-year-old driver remained at the scene. NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. No charges have been filed. The report notes a similar fatal scooter crash days earlier in Queens. The incidents highlight ongoing risks for micromobility users and the need for systemic safety measures.

• Teen E-Scooter Rider Killed In Crash, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-07-13

Two sedans collided on Canal Street. Obstructed views led to impact. A rear passenger suffered back injuries. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

Two sedans crashed at 224 Canal Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, both vehicles had their view obstructed or limited. One rear passenger, a 37-year-old man, was injured with back pain and whiplash. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the contributing factor for both drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827447 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Years pass. Bus speeds crawl. City dodges real bus rapid transit. Riders wait. Streets choke. Vulnerable users stuck with slow, crowded, unsafe options. Nothing changes. Safety stands still.

On July 11, 2025, Dave Colon spotlighted two reports slamming New York City’s failure to deliver real bus rapid transit. The reports state, 'Years of bus priority projects have barely improved speeds because New York City leaders have not implemented real bus rapid transit (BRT).' Colon, reporting for Streetsblog NYC, supports comprehensive BRT and opposes the city’s piecemeal fixes. Mayor Adams and city agencies have not acted on key recommendations. The safety analyst notes: the lack of real BRT means missed chances for mode shift and street equity, but does not directly worsen conditions for pedestrians and cyclists; the status quo remains unchanged.

• Why No BRT For NYC? Two New Reports Tackle Why Your Bus Service Sucks, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-11

A sedan and bike collided on Park Place. The cyclist, 25, suffered leg abrasions. Unsafe speed and improper lane use listed. The car’s left side struck. The bike hit head-on. No damage to vehicles. System failed the vulnerable.

A collision between a sedan and a bicycle on Park Place in Manhattan left a 25-year-old cyclist injured, with abrasions to the lower leg. According to the police report, contributing factors included 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The sedan was entering a parked position when the crash occurred, striking the cyclist at the left side doors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but driver errors were primary. No vehicle damage was reported. The incident highlights the danger faced by cyclists amid improper lane use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827125 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan turned left on Centre Street. A cyclist, riding north, was struck. She suffered arm abrasions. Police cite obstructed view. The street failed her.

A northbound sedan made a left turn from Centre Street onto Leonard Street and struck a northbound cyclist. The 24-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions to her arm. According to the police report, 'View Obstructed/Limited' was a contributing factor. No injuries were reported for the sedan's driver or occupant. The crash highlights the danger when drivers' views are blocked. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829640 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31