Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Nov 4 - A 13-year-old girl died after an SUV struck her at W. 110th and Manhattan. She was walking to catch a bus for her birthday. The driver stayed. No arrest. The intersection is wide, with poor sight lines. Advocates blame city inaction.

""This intersection was designed to be dangerous, and it's time for the city to prioritize New Yorkers instead of falling even further behind on the daylighting promises it made when another child was killed only a year ago."" -- Charles Fall

On November 4, 2024, a fatal crash claimed the life of 13-year-old Niyell McCrorey at W. 110th Street and Manhattan Avenue. The incident, reported by Streetsblog NYC, highlights a dangerous intersection: wide, two-way, with cars parked to the corner and no daylighting. Transportation Alternatives, represented by Philip Miatkowski, condemned the city for failing to deliver promised safety upgrades, stating, "This intersection was designed to be dangerous." Niyell is the 15th child killed by drivers this year, the second-highest toll since Vision Zero began. Advocates demand urgent action to protect vulnerable pedestrians and end the city's deadly neglect.

• Slaughter of the Innocents: SUV Driver Kills Upper West Side Teen, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-04

Nov 4 - Roadside dining sheds fall. Cars reclaim the curb. Restaurants balk at new rules, costs, and storage. Streets once alive with people now serve as free parking. The city’s new code ends a brief era of public space for people.

On November 4, 2024, New York City enforced new outdoor dining regulations, requiring restaurants to remove pandemic-era dining sheds unless they met updated design standards. The measure, shaped by a Council law passed last year, forced all businesses to clear curbside setups by November 29. The Department of Transportation banned enclosed structures, allowing only temporary, open designs. As the city’s Dining Out NYC program shifts to seasonal operation, many owners, like John Kastanis of Casita and Jerry Hsu of Alimama Tea, chose to dismantle their sheds early, citing high fees and storage hurdles. Fred Kent, co-founder of the Placemaking Fund, lamented, “We’ve lost a whole era that could have been evolved into something far more significant for neighborhood main streets to thrive.” The curb returns to cars, erasing space once claimed by pedestrians and diners.

• Parking? Lots! Outdoor Dining Structures Are Coming Down Across the City, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-04

Nov 2 - A 60-year-old woman crossing Fulton Street was struck by a sedan traveling east. The impact fractured her knee and lower leg. The driver failed to yield and improperly used the lane, causing serious injury at a busy Manhattan intersection.

According to the police report, a 60-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Fulton Street at an intersection near Broadway in Manhattan. The sedan, driven by a licensed female driver from New Jersey, was traveling east and struck the pedestrian with its right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered a fracture and dislocation to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as a severe injury. The report cites the driver's errors as 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way,' directly contributing to the crash. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This incident highlights driver failure to yield and improper lane use as critical causes of serious pedestrian injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768588 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 30 - MTA scraps its plan to run the Interborough Express on city streets. Instead, it will study tunneling under All Faiths Cemetery. Advocates cheer. The move keeps trains off dangerous roads. The future of the project hangs on funding.

On October 30, 2024, the MTA announced it will abandon the street-running segment of the Interborough Express (IBX) light rail project. The agency now plans to study a tunnel under All Faiths Cemetery at Metropolitan Avenue. MTA President of Construction and Development Jamie Torres-Springer said, "We're looking at a tunnel at Metropolitan Avenue, which will allow us to avoid street running to make the [Interborough Express] faster and more reliable." Transit advocates, including Blair Lorenzo of the Effective Transit Alliance, praised the decision, calling it a win for speed and reliability. The MTA will assess expanding the existing freight tunnel or building a new one. The engineering and environmental review will take about two years. Funding for the IBX remains uncertain, as MTA CEO Janno Lieber warned that expansion projects could be at risk if the 2025-2029 capital plan falls short. The move removes a threat to vulnerable road users by keeping trains off city streets.

• Tunnel Vision! MTA Abandons Flawed Plan To Run IBX Partly on Street, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-30

Oct 29 - DOT’s Smart Curbs pilot drags its feet. Free parking remains king. Promised microhubs for deliveries delayed. Only a sliver of free spaces become paid. Advocates call the effort timid. The city leaves most curb space untouched. Vulnerable users wait.

The Department of Transportation’s Smart Curbs pilot, updated October 29, 2024, aims to convert free parking to paid meters and add delivery microhubs on the Upper West Side. The plan, first proposed in June, promised about 200 new metered spots and 27 loading zones, but only 175 free spaces—one-tenth of the area’s 1,700—will be removed. Microhubs, meant to reduce double-parking and delivery chaos, are delayed until next year. DOT spokespersons Vin Barone and Mona Bruno confirmed most changes are just reassignments, not true removals of free parking. Carl Mahaney of StreetopiaUWS called the slow pace disappointing: “We’ve been super eager to see these changes, see what their impact is and start measuring and observing, so it’s a little disappointing.” Parking expert Donald Shoup urged the city to reinvest meter revenue locally, but DOT declined. The pilot leaves most curb space for cars, not people. Vulnerable road users see little relief.

• DOT’s Upper West Side ‘Smart Curbs’ Struggles to Claw Back Free Parking, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-29

Oct 29 - The MTA will tunnel the IBX light rail under All Faiths Cemetery, dropping a street-running plan. Council Member Holden, once opposed, now backs the project. The move keeps trams off busy roads, sparing pedestrians and cyclists from new risks.

On October 29, 2024, the MTA announced it will route the Interborough Express (IBX) through a tunnel beneath All Faiths Cemetery in Queens, abandoning a previous plan to run trams on local streets. The project, covered in committee and public statements, is described as 'transformative for so many New Yorkers.' Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30), who represents the area, had threatened to oppose the IBX if it included street-running. After the MTA’s shift to tunneling, Holden stated, 'Addressing the biggest issue by forgoing light rail on 69th Street is crucial to earning our support.' The plan eliminates a dangerous section where trams would have mixed with cars, reducing exposure for pedestrians and cyclists. The MTA has issued a request for proposals to design the line and guide it through federal review. The $5.5 billion project’s funding remains uncertain, but the tunnel plan removes a major safety concern for vulnerable road users.

• MTA looking to dig tunnel underneath Queens cemetery for IBX light rail project, amny.com, Published 2024-10-29

Oct 26 - A 70-year-old man was injured crossing Broadway with the signal when a sedan making a left turn struck him. The driver faced glare conditions, impacting visibility. The pedestrian suffered lower leg injuries and shock at the intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:37 on Broadway near Chambers Street in Manhattan. A 2021 Hyundai sedan, traveling east and making a left turn, struck a 70-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot and was reported to be in shock. The report identifies glare as a contributing factor affecting the driver's visibility. The vehicle's point of impact was the center front end, and no vehicle damage was reported. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The report does not list any pedestrian errors; the pedestrian was crossing lawfully with the signal. The crash highlights the danger posed by glare conditions impairing driver awareness during turning maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767664 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 25 - Alex Morano calls out City Hall for failing to daylight intersections. He cites a child’s death and demands state action. The mayor’s promises fall short. Exemptions leave pedestrians exposed. Morano urges lawmakers to enforce daylighting everywhere. Lives hang in the balance.

On October 25, 2024, Alex Morano published an opinion piece demanding an end to New York City’s exemption from state daylighting law. The article, titled 'It’s Past Time to Daylight Every Corner in New York City,' criticizes Mayor Adams’s pledge to daylight 1,000 intersections per year as inadequate and misleading. Morano references the death of Kamari Hughes as a tragic example of the city’s failure. He writes, 'New York City should no longer be an exception when it comes to intersection safety.' Morano urges state lawmakers to enforce daylighting standards citywide, arguing that the current exemption leaves pedestrians at risk. He calls for universal daylighting, citing benefits like stormwater mitigation and safer community spaces. The piece is a direct challenge to City Hall’s slow pace and lack of legal accountability.

• Opinion: It’s Past Time to Daylight Every Corner in New York City, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-25

Oct 23 - State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says the MTA cannot borrow its way out. More debt means higher fares or slashed service. Riders face the threat. Congestion pricing was key. Now, the gap grows. The system’s future hangs on real funding, not empty promises.

On October 23, 2024, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a report warning the MTA against borrowing to fill massive holes in its 2020-2024 and 2025-2029 capital plans. The report, not tied to a council bill but crucial for transit policy, states: 'The MTA can't take on any more debt to fill the hole...without dramatically jacking up fares or cutting service.' DiNapoli’s analysis shows that borrowing $15 billion now, plus $13 billion more for the next plan, would force a 16 percent fare hike by 2037. He notes the MTA’s finances are already strained by weak real estate taxes and slow ridership recovery. DiNapoli opposes fare hikes and service cuts, backing congestion pricing and state support instead. He stresses that without new, reliable revenue, vulnerable riders will pay the price. The warning is clear: more debt means danger for those who depend on transit.

• MTA Can’t Borrow Its Way Out Of Hochul’s Capital Plan Gaps: Comptroller, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-23

Oct 16 - A sedan driver fell asleep at the wheel, crashing into the rear of another sedan on Walker Street in Manhattan. The impact injured the sleeping driver, causing neck contusions. Both vehicles were traveling north when the collision occurred at 8:19 p.m.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:19 on Walker Street in Manhattan. Two sedans were traveling north when the driver of the rear vehicle fell asleep, leading to a rear-end collision. The point of impact was the center front end of the rear sedan striking the center back end of the lead sedan. The driver who fell asleep was a 29-year-old female occupant, who sustained neck injuries described as contusions and bruises. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time of the crash. The police report explicitly cites 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor for the collision. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764374 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 15 - Two vehicles collided at night on Centre Street in Manhattan. A sedan making a right turn struck an armored truck turning left. The front passenger in the sedan suffered chest injuries and shock. Police cited failure to yield as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:40 PM on Centre Street near Canal Street in Manhattan. A sedan traveling north was making a right turn when it collided with an armored truck also traveling north but making a left turn. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the right front bumper of the truck. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The sedan carried two occupants; the front passenger, a 27-year-old male, sustained chest injuries and was in shock but was not ejected. He was restrained by a lap belt. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768462 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 15 - Electric cars are not the clean break promised. A new NBER study finds EVs only 10 percent less harmful than gas vehicles. Heavier batteries mean deadlier crashes. Smokestack pollution from charging outweighs tailpipe gains. The toll on life and air remains high.

On October 15, 2024, researchers from Duke, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and the University of Chicago published a working paper through the National Bureau of Economic Research. The report, titled 'The Effects of 'Buy American': Electric Vehicles and the Inflation Reduction Act,' analyzes the full societal costs of electric vehicles (EVs) versus gasoline vehicles (GVs). The study finds, 'U.S. electric vehicles are only slightly less harmful to the environment and society than conventional gasoline cars.' The analysis aggregates climate damage, crash deaths, and pollution. It reveals that EVs’ heavier weight leads to more fatal crashes, and their battery production is energy-intensive. Charging EVs on carbon-heavy grids causes six times more harmful pollution than gas tailpipes. The authors conclude that, factoring in all harms, EVs are only 10 percent less damaging than GVs. The report urges policymakers to reconsider subsidies and warns that the real-world toll of cars—electric or not—remains immense.

• EVs — What Are They Good For?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-15

Oct 13 - Two sedans collided on Canal Street at 11:30 AM. Impact struck the right side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. Two female passengers suffered neck injuries and minor burns, both in shock, airbags deployed.

According to the police report, at 11:30 AM on Canal Street, two sedans traveling north and west collided. The northbound sedan was struck on its right side doors by the westbound sedan's center front end. The collision injured two female passengers: a 63-year-old front passenger and a 60-year-old right rear passenger. Both suffered neck injuries classified as moderate (injury severity 3) and minor burns. Both passengers were in shock, and airbags deployed alongside lap belts and harnesses. The drivers were licensed New York men, each traveling straight ahead before impact. The report does not specify contributing factors or driver errors, listing them as unspecified. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763625 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 11 - A 23-year-old male motorbike driver suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after a crash on FDR Drive. According to the police report, driver inattention caused the collision. The rider remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle.

At 10:42 AM on FDR Drive, a 23-year-old male motorbike driver was injured when his vehicle collided with an object or surface, impacting the right front quarter panel. According to the police report, the crash resulted from "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The rider, who was the sole occupant of the 2024 KAWK-MCL motorbike traveling north and going straight ahead, sustained abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor, with no other contributing factors or victim behaviors noted. The motorbike sustained damage to the left front quarter panel. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 11 - The 11th Edition of the MUTCD brings overdue changes. It allows more crosswalks, green bike lanes, and transit lanes. But it still puts cars first. Pedestrians and cyclists remain at risk. The rules demand human perfection, not safer streets. The danger continues.

On December 2023, the Federal Highway Administration released the 11th Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the first update since 2009. This federal document, over 1,000 pages, sets the standards for road markings, signals, and signs nationwide. The update, described as 'important steps toward a safer, more people-focused transportation system,' modernizes speed zone setting and allows more crosswalks, green bike lanes, and red transit lanes. But it still falls short. The MUTCD expects pedestrians and cyclists to act 'alertly and attentively,' ignoring human error and the diversity of street users. It keeps high barriers for pedestrian signals and prioritizes car movement over safety. The new section on autonomous vehicles raises concerns about streets being built for machines, not people. No council members are named; this is a federal action. Advocates and cities submitted over 25,000 comments demanding stronger reforms. The next update is due by December 2027.

• The 1,000-Page Document That Decides Your Street Designs Just Got a Refresh, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-11

Oct 5 - A northbound SUV struck the rear of a flatbed truck on Canal Street in Manhattan. The SUV driver, distracted and following too closely, suffered a head injury and concussion. No damage was reported to either vehicle despite the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:30 on Canal Street, Manhattan. A Ford SUV traveling north struck the center back end of a northbound flatbed truck. The SUV driver, a 58-year-old man, was injured with a head injury and concussion but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report cites driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Following Too Closely" as contributing factors. The flatbed truck sustained no damage, and the SUV also showed no vehicle damage despite the collision. The SUV driver held a valid New Jersey license, while the flatbed truck driver had a permit from Arizona. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted driving and tailgating in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762938 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 5 - A northwestern-bound SUV struck a sedan turning right on Canal Street in Manhattan. Two passengers in the sedan, including a child and a young woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash exposed critical driver failure to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Canal Street near Greenwich Street in Manhattan at 9:15 AM. A 2024 Toyota SUV traveling northwest collided with a 2015 Lexus sedan making a right turn northeast. The point of impact was the SUV's center front end against the sedan's right side doors. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver did not yield to the turning sedan. Two sedan passengers, a 5-year-old boy and a 19-year-old woman, both restrained with lap belts and harnesses, sustained head injuries and whiplash. Both were conscious and not ejected. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the passengers. The crash highlights a critical driver error causing serious injuries to vulnerable vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761505 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 3 - Transit union boss John Samuelsen turned against congestion pricing. He blasted the MTA for failing to boost service before tolls hit. His opposition helped stall a plan meant to cut traffic and fund transit. Riders and streets remain at risk.

On October 3, 2024, John Samuelsen, president of TWU Local 100 and TWU International, publicly opposed New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, covered by Streetsblog NYC, details Samuelsen’s resignation from the Traffic Mobility Review Board on November 30, 2023, the day tolling recommendations were released. He argued, 'Congestion pricing alone will not reduce traffic to its fullest potential. Central business district tolling should absolutely be coupled with massive increases and improvements in public transit service.' Samuelsen criticized the MTA for not expanding service and called the toll 'classist.' His stance shifted from earlier support in 2019 to strong opposition, citing unmet promises and risks to transit funding. No council bill or committee action is noted. The union’s move leaves vulnerable road users facing the same old dangers: crowded streets, slow buses, and stalled safety reforms.

• Stop Making Sense: TWU’s Head-Scratching Opposition to Congestion Pricing Doesn’t Add Up, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-03

Oct 2 - City will cut McGuinness Boulevard from four lanes to two. DOT reversed course after backlash. Advocates and Assembly Member Gallagher cheered the move. Fewer lanes mean slower cars, fewer crashes. The fight for safety on the rest of the boulevard continues.

On October 2, 2024, the Adams administration reversed its earlier decision and restored the road diet for McGuinness Boulevard between Calyer Street and Meeker Avenue. The Department of Transportation (DOT) will reduce the street from four lanes to two. The DOT cited community and elected officials' feedback as the reason for the change. Assembly Member Emily Gallagher said, "I'm just really grateful to the better angels of the Adams administration for coming back with this." The advocacy group Make McGuinness Safe called it a win for safety and vowed to keep pushing for improvements. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi praised the city's willingness to listen. Local business Broadway Stages, which had opposed the plan, said it respects the process. Removing car lanes will slow traffic and protect all users, according to advocates.

• FLIP-FLOP: City Brings Back Road Diet For McGuinness Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-10-02

Sep 30 - A bicyclist suffered back contusions and shock after an SUV struck him on Liberty Street in Manhattan. The cyclist was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The SUV was parked at impact, with no reported vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male bicyclist traveling east on Liberty Street in Manhattan was injured when a 2024 Ford SUV, registered in New Jersey and parked at the time, struck him on the left side doors. The bicyclist sustained back contusions and was in shock but was not ejected from his bike. The report notes no damage to either vehicle. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The police report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The SUV driver was licensed and stationary before the crash. The collision highlights the dangers posed by parked vehicles and their interactions with cyclists in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760172 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19