Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Jul 18 - A southbound SUV struck the rear of a box truck on West Street. The truck driver suffered elbow and arm abrasions. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage. The truck driver was restrained and not ejected.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on West Street at 15:20 when a southbound SUV collided with the center back end of a box truck traveling in the same direction. The box truck driver, a 49-year-old man, was injured with abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report identifies driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor to the collision. Both vehicles sustained damage at their center ends—the SUV at the front and the truck at the rear. The SUV driver held a valid New York license. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742228 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 15 - A 70-year-old woman driving a sedan in Manhattan lost consciousness, causing a crash that injured her head. The vehicle struck an object with its right front bumper. The driver was not ejected but suffered shock and head injury.

According to the police report, a 70-year-old female driver operating a 2019 Subaru sedan traveling north on William Street in Manhattan lost consciousness while driving. This medical event, cited as the primary contributing factor, led to a collision impacting the vehicle's right front bumper. The driver sustained a head injury and was in shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as the key driver error, with no other contributing factors noted. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead before the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741732 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 9 - Sedans and an ambulance collided on FDR Drive. An 86-year-old woman in the front seat suffered head injuries and shock. Police cite driver inattention and close following as causes. Metal crumpled. Pain followed.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction crash on FDR Drive at 12:18 involved multiple sedans and an ambulance. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as the main contributing factors. An 86-year-old female passenger, restrained by a lap belt and harness in the middle front seat, suffered head injuries and was in shock. She was not ejected but complained of pain and nausea. Vehicles were traveling northbound, with impacts to the center front and back ends, showing a rear-end collision sequence. The ambulance had damage to its left front bumper, while sedans showed damage to their center front and back ends. The report highlights driver inattention and close following as the causes, with no fault assigned to the injured passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739298 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - A taxi making a left turn struck a northbound bicyclist on Centre Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered head injuries and bruising. Police cited the taxi driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:50 on Centre Street near Reade Street in Manhattan. A taxi, traveling north and making a left turn, collided with a northbound bicyclist going straight ahead. The point of impact was the taxi’s left front bumper and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old male, was injured with head trauma and contusions but was conscious and not ejected from his bike. The report explicitly lists the taxi driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment, but this was not cited as a contributing factor. The taxi driver was licensed and operating a 2020 vehicle registered in New York. This collision highlights the dangers posed by turning vehicles failing to yield to cyclists traveling straight.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738010 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - DOT aims to extend protected bike and bus lanes on Third Avenue in Harlem. The corridor is deadly—430 injuries in four years. Some want parking. Others want safety. The design is not final. DOT returns to the board in fall.

On July 5, 2024, the Department of Transportation proposed extending the 'complete street' redesign of Third Avenue from 96th to 128th Street in Harlem. The plan, discussed before the Community Board, would add a bus lane and a protected bike lane. DOT calls the corridor a Vision Zero Priority Corridor, citing 430 injuries from 2019 to 2023, including deaths and serious harm to cyclists and pedestrians. DOT's Rosy Doud said, 'We’re really seeing a need here to make some safety improvements.' Board member Kenneth Crouch supported protected lanes, while Chair Jose Altamirano pushed to limit parking loss. Delivery worker Naquan described drivers 'always trying to run me off the road.' The design is not final. DOT will return in the fall for further review.

• DOT Plans Third Avenue Complete Street Expansion in Harlem, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-05

Jul 3 - A southbound SUV driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries in a multi-vehicle collision on Broadway near Canal Street. Police cite driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes. The driver was conscious and restrained during the crash.

According to the police report, at 7:13 AM on Broadway near Canal Street in Manhattan, a chain-reaction collision involved a station wagon/SUV, a Mercedes Benz Sprinter van, and a Chrysler van. The SUV driver, a 62-year-old male, was injured with contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors as contributing causes, highlighting driver errors rather than victim fault. The SUV was stopped in traffic when struck from behind, sustaining damage to its center back end. The Sprinter van, traveling southbound, impacted the SUV's rear with its center front end. The Chrysler van was also stopped in traffic and was hit on its left rear quarter panel. The collision underscores systemic dangers from driver inattention and multi-vehicle interactions in congested traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 2 - Albany stalls. The MTA faces a $15 billion hole. Lawmakers argue over reviving congestion pricing with a lower toll. Transit hangs in the balance. Streets stay clogged. Riders and walkers wait for answers. No fix. No funding. Danger lingers.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), debated the future of congestion pricing and MTA funding. The matter, reported as 'MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls,' highlights confusion and division. Hoylman-Sigal supports lowering the toll, saying, 'The goal should be mend it don’t end it.' He urges keeping the program alive to save mass transit. Sen. Liz Krueger is open to tweaks if goals are met. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow opposes any revival. The MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall after the program’s pause. Policy experts warn that lowering the toll could weaken congestion relief and transit funding. No clear plan exists. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as gridlock and uncertainty persist.

• MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls: ‘I don’t know anything’, nypost.com, Published 2024-07-02

Jun 29 - A sedan turning left on West Broadway struck two pedestrians crossing at a marked crosswalk without a signal. Both pedestrians, aged 67 and 72, suffered abrasions and injuries to limbs. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing the collision.

According to the police report, a 2016 Honda sedan traveling west on West Broadway was making a left turn when it struck two pedestrians at a marked crosswalk. Both pedestrians, a 67-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man, were crossing without a signal and sustained abrasions and injuries to their limbs, including elbow, lower arm, hand, knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor attributed to the driver. The pedestrians were conscious and injured but not ejected. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact on its left front quarter panel. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor, but the driver’s failure to yield was the critical cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737352 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 28 - City Council raised Fair Fares eligibility. Now, more low-income New Yorkers get half-price MetroCards. The move adds $10 million to the program. Over one million people now qualify. Councilmember Brannan calls it a step for equity. Advocates want more.

On June 28, 2024, the City Council expanded the Fair Fares MetroCard program, raising eligibility from 120% to 145% of the federal poverty line. The change, part of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, was championed by Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan. The bill increases access for individuals earning up to $21,837 and families of four earning $45,240. The council added $10 million in funding, bringing the total to over $100 million annually. Brannan and economist James Parrott wrote, 'By expanding the reach of Fair Fares, we can ensure that all New Yorkers—particularly those who are already struggling during a crisis of affordability—can fully participate in the economic, social, and cultural opportunities of our city.' The expansion boosts eligibility from 932,000 to just over 1 million people. Advocates and Speaker Adrienne Adams say it is a win, but still short of the 200% threshold they seek.

• First On amNY: Eligibility for city’s half-price MetroCard program boosted to 145% of federal poverty line in city budget: sources, amny.com, Published 2024-06-28

Jun 27 - A 42-year-old woman was injured crossing a marked crosswalk at an intersection in Manhattan. The sedan struck her with its left front bumper. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive, causing abrasions to the pedestrian's elbow and lower arm.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old female pedestrian was crossing a marked crosswalk at an intersection near Hogan Place in Manhattan when a 2016 Toyota sedan traveling west struck her with its left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to her elbow and lower arm and was conscious at the scene. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision caused damage to the sedan's left front bumper. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver inattention and failure to yield to pedestrians legally crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736687 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 26 - Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing. The MTA slashed $16 billion in upgrades. Subway signals, elevators, new trains, and electric buses now wait. Riders face old, broken systems. Promised fixes vanish. Vulnerable New Yorkers lose safe, reliable transit. The crisis deepens.

On June 26, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul announced an 'indefinite pause' on congestion pricing, derailing the $40-billion 'Fast Forward' plan for subway and bus improvements. The MTA board approved the pause, forcing a $16 billion cut in capital spending. Projects delayed include modern signals, station accessibility, new trains, and electric buses. The plan, crafted by former NYC Transit President Andy Byford, aimed to fix decades of neglect. Byford said, 'The Fast Forward plan we created in 2018 is as necessary today as it was then.' MTA board member Norman Brown lamented, 'We're turning the clock back.' The pause leaves vulnerable riders—especially low-income New Yorkers—exposed to unreliable, unsafe transit. No new funding is secured. The system’s future hangs in the balance.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Kicks Transit Fixes to the Next Crisis, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-26

Jun 24 - DOT will build nearly a mile of protected bike lanes on Seventh Avenue in Dyker Heights. The stretch is notorious for speeding, crashes, and one recent fatality. The plan adds sidewalk space, bus islands, and closes slip lanes. Some locals protest lost parking.

On June 24, 2024, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) announced plans to install protected bike lanes on Seventh Avenue in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. The project, pitched as a school safety upgrade, will replace painted bike lanes with a two-way protected lane, add sidewalk extensions, and close two slip lanes. DOT cited 110 injury crashes and one fatality in four years along the corridor. The redesign also includes concrete bus boarding islands and pedestrian improvements near schools and hospitals. DOT staffer Alex Ussery said, 'We’ve received some concerns from the community and various elected officials specifically regarding safety around students.' Community board attendees voiced anger over the loss of 28 parking spots, but some residents and advocates praised the safety upgrades, calling them 'desperately needed.' Installation will begin this summer and finish in the fall. No council member directly sponsored or voted on this DOT action.

• Protected Bike Lanes Are (Finally) Coming To Car-Centric Dyker Heights, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-24

Jun 22 - An SUV overturned on Centre Street after the driver, a 56-year-old man, fell asleep while making a left turn. The driver sustained head injuries and whiplash but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Centre Street in Manhattan when a 56-year-old male driver operating a 2021 Toyota SUV attempted a left turn. The vehicle overturned at the point of impact. The report cites driver inexperience and falling asleep as contributing factors. The driver was the sole occupant, was wearing a lap belt and harness, and sustained head injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity 3. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The report highlights the driver's failure to maintain control due to inexperience and fatigue, leading to the overturn. No other road users were involved or injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739073 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A motorcycle hit a parked sedan on Battery Place. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old man, suffered knee and leg injuries. The motorcycle’s front end crumpled. The sedan stood undamaged. Sudden violence, silent street.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling south struck the left side doors of a parked Ford sedan on Battery Place in Manhattan. The sedan was stationary. The crash injured the sedan’s 33-year-old driver, leaving him with trauma to his knee and lower leg. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The motorcycle’s front end took the brunt of the impact. The sedan showed no damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver but does not cite any explicit driver errors or victim actions. The collision underscores the danger moving vehicles pose to people inside parked cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734272 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A sedan turning right on Pearl Street struck a pedestrian at Dover Street. The impact shattered the man’s lower leg. Glare blinded the driver. The street stayed loud with sirens.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Pearl Street in Manhattan made a right turn onto Dover Street and struck a male pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including fractures and dislocations. The report lists glare as a contributing factor that impaired the driver’s vision. The point of impact was the vehicle’s right front bumper. The driver, licensed in Maryland, was the only occupant and reported no vehicle damage. No pedestrian actions contributed to the crash. The collision underscores the danger when drivers fail to detect people in the crosswalk, especially under hazardous conditions like glare.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736317 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - DOT wants a two-way busway on Tremont Avenue. Cars and taxis must turn off. Buses crawl at 4.5 mph here. Most travelers ride the bus. Council members urge careful planning. Committee backs the plan. DOT will study traffic and consult the community.

On June 18, 2024, the Department of Transportation proposed an 11-block, 0.6-mile two-way busway on Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. The plan, discussed in the Municipal Services Committee, would force cars and taxis to turn off, leaving the lane for buses, trucks, and emergency vehicles. The matter summary notes, 'The Bx36 bus, which travels this corridor, is among the slowest in the Bronx, with speeds dropping to as low as 4.5 miles per hour.' Council Members Pierina Sanchez and Oswald Feliz, who represent the area, expressed cautious optimism and called for community engagement. Committee Chair Lucia Deng reported, 'There was zero pushback on the concept of busways or bus lanes.' The committee even pushed for a longer route. DOT will conduct further analysis and present detailed plans to local boards in the fall. No formal safety assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.

• City Proposes Short Busway For Clogged Cross-Bronx Roadway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-18

Jun 15 - A 27-year-old cyclist crashed into a sedan’s side on Fulton Street. His face struck steel. Blood pooled on the pavement. He stayed conscious. The car showed no damage. The cyclist was left with severe lacerations and no helmet.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male cyclist collided with the right side doors of a Toyota sedan while both were traveling west on Fulton Street. The report states, 'A cyclist, 27, struck a sedan’s side. No helmet. His face hit steel. Blood marked the pavement. He stayed conscious. The car was fine. He was not.' The cyclist suffered severe facial lacerations but remained conscious at the scene. The sedan sustained no damage and its occupants were unharmed. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors or vehicle violations are cited in the data. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the contributing factor. The crash underscores the raw physical risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733458 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 15 - After congestion pricing’s defeat, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow pushes casinos to fill the MTA’s budget gap. An editorial slams the plan, calling it reckless and corrupt. The piece urges Governor Hochul to hold the line. Riders and streets remain at risk.

On June 15, 2024, an editorial criticized a push by Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (District 89) to use casino licenses as a quick fix for lost MTA revenue after congestion pricing failed. The editorial, titled 'After congestion toll win, Gov. Hochul must say ‘No’ to casino-crutch revenue plan,' warns that casino funding is unreliable and prone to corruption. Pretlow, along with state Sen. Joe Addabo, is vocal about expediting casino approvals. The editorial quotes, 'The MTA may need cash, but ramming through casino deals... has got to be among the worst ideas yet.' It urges Governor Hochul to reject the casino plan, praising her past opposition to congestion pricing rollbacks. No direct safety analysis was provided, but the editorial highlights systemic risk: without stable transit funding, vulnerable road users face greater danger from increased car traffic and unreliable public transit.

• After congestion toll win, Gov. Hochul must say ‘No’ to casino-crutch revenue plan, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-15

Jun 12 - A motorcycle struck a bicyclist on Centre Street in Manhattan. The 18-year-old rider was ejected, suffering abrasions and injuries to his knee and lower leg. The crash involved disregard of traffic control, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Centre Street involving a motorcycle traveling south and a bike traveling west. The motorcyclist and bicyclist were both going straight ahead when the impact happened. The bicyclist, an 18-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error on the part of one or both vehicle operators. The motorcyclist's front center end and the bike's right front bumper were damaged. The bicyclist was conscious but injured, with no other contributing factors listed. The report does not attribute fault to the bicyclist beyond noting his helmet use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732330 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 11 - A 24-year-old woman was struck by a sedan making a left turn on Water Street in Manhattan. The driver failed to yield right-of-way as the pedestrian crossed with the signal. The victim suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:09 on Water Street near Maiden Lane in Manhattan. A 24-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal when she was hit by a 2021 BMW sedan traveling east and making a left turn. The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, resulting in shock. The vehicle showed no damage. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally but failed to yield to the pedestrian at the intersection, directly causing the injury. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4732208 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19