Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Oct 30 - A 33-year-old man was struck at the intersection of Broadway and Canal Street. He suffered bruises and injuries to his elbow and lower arm. The pedestrian was left in shock. No driver errors or contributing factors were reported.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Broadway and Canal Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was in shock following the collision. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or reckless driving. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle type were provided. The pedestrian was in the roadway at the time of the crash. No safety equipment or other factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675136 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 28 - A 44-year-old male motorcycle driver was partially ejected on FDR Drive. He suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash involved driver inexperience. The rider was conscious but injured and unhelmeted.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old male motorcycle driver traveling north on FDR Drive was partially ejected during the crash. He sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inexperience as a contributing factor. The rider was not wearing any safety equipment. The motorcycle was going straight ahead at the time of impact, which occurred at an unspecified point. The driver was licensed in New York. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The crash resulted in serious injury but the rider remained conscious.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675477 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 25 - A 42-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and whiplash in a nighttime crash on Vesey Street. His 2022 Dodge SUV hit an object head-on. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. No ejection occurred.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old male driver operating a 2022 Dodge SUV was injured in a crash on Vesey Street in Manhattan at 11:25 p.m. The vehicle struck an object with its center front end. The driver, who was the sole occupant, sustained back injuries and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. He was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The crash caused center front end damage to the SUV. No pedestrians or other vehicles were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674478 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 25 - A 41-year-old man was struck emerging from behind a parked van at Liberty Street. The van was parked, the bus was moving east. The pedestrian suffered back injuries and shock. Limited view contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 41-year-old male pedestrian was injured while emerging from behind a parked van at an intersection on Liberty Street in Manhattan. The van was stationary, and a bus traveling east struck the pedestrian. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the van and the right rear quarter panel of the bus. The pedestrian suffered back injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver's limited visibility played a role. No other driver errors were specified. The pedestrian was not at fault, and no safety equipment or signals were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674479 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 24 - A 34-year-old man was struck while crossing outside a crosswalk near 280 Broadway in Manhattan. The vehicle hit him with its left front bumper. He suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but remained conscious. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured crossing outside a crosswalk near 280 Broadway in Manhattan. The 34-year-old man sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm and remained conscious after the collision. The vehicle was traveling south, going straight ahead, and struck the pedestrian with its left front bumper. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The report does not assign fault or blame to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673678 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 19 - A 37-year-old woman was hit by an SUV making a left turn on Park Row. She suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow. The vehicle showed no damage. The pedestrian was conscious but injured at the scene.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Park Row and Beekman Street in Manhattan. The crash occurred when a 2020 GMC SUV, traveling south and making a left turn, struck her with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to her lower arm and hand. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian's actions are unknown. No safety equipment or helmet use is noted. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and treated for serious arm injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674472 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 19 - A 68-year-old woman died after an SUV ran her down in a chaotic Williamsburg intersection. Police blamed her for tripping. The driver, with a record of speeding and red-light violations, faced no charges. Blood stained the street. The system failed again.

On October 19, 2023, police responded to a fatal crash at Broadway and Flushing Avenue in Williamsburg. The NYPD said a 68-year-old woman 'tripped and fell in front of an SUV driver who then ran right over her, dragging her body across a notoriously treacherous intersection.' The driver, a 72-year-old woman, did not stop until witnesses intervened. Despite the Jeep’s record—two school-zone speeding tickets and a red-light violation since August—police let her go without charges. The NYPD blamed the victim, Aurora Soto, for her own death. Streetsblog reports this is part of a 'long and sordid history of victim-blaming.' The intersection has seen 197 crashes and 49 cyclist and pedestrian injuries since 2019. The Department of Transportation did not comment.

• Police Blame Woman for Her Own Death After She Trips in Front of SUV, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-19

Oct 17 - A 35-year-old man was struck at an intersection on Walker Street while crossing with the signal. The driver, heading north in a Jeep SUV, disregarded traffic control. The pedestrian suffered bruises and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Walker Street and Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. The 35-year-old man was crossing with the signal when a Jeep SUV traveling north struck him on the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver failed to obey traffic signals. The vehicle showed no damage, and no other driver errors or victim factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675391 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 17 - A 29-year-old pedestrian was struck at the intersection of Church and Worth Streets in Manhattan. The sedan, making a left turn, hit the pedestrian on the left rear quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered facial abrasions but was conscious and not ejected.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male pedestrian was injured when an Audi sedan making a left turn on Church Street struck him at the intersection with Worth Street in Manhattan. The point of impact was the vehicle's left rear quarter panel. The pedestrian was wearing a helmet and suffered abrasions to the face but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a driver contributing factor. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted as a contributing factor. The vehicle sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and traveling westbound at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672982 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 17 - Mayor Adams slammed his own DOT’s outreach, stalling bike and bus lane projects. He says communities need more input. Advocates warn this lets small groups block life-saving changes. The city falls behind on safety targets. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

On October 17, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams made a public statement criticizing the Department of Transportation’s community outreach for street redesigns. No council bill number applies; this is a mayoral policy stance. Adams said, “We have not done a good job of speaking to long-term residents on how they want the shaping of their streets to change.” He announced a new door-to-door engagement strategy on Underhill Avenue, after stalling a bike network project for over a year. Adams’s comments came as he defended delays and rollbacks of approved street safety improvements, citing the need for more community input. Advocates like Jon Orcutt (Bike New York) and Juan Restrepo (Transportation Alternatives) condemned the mayor’s approach, warning it gives veto power to small groups and leaves the city “rudderless” on street safety. DOT outreach has dropped to its lowest since Vision Zero began. The city is on pace to miss its bike and bus lane goals for the second year running. Vulnerable road users face continued danger as life-saving projects stall.

• Mayor Adams Blasts Mayor Adams’s DOT Community Outreach Efforts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-17

Oct 14 - A 33-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured in a crash with a sedan on Chambers Street. The cyclist suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The sedan showed no damage. Police cited failure to yield as the cause.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Chambers Street in Manhattan involving a sedan and a bicyclist. The 33-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, had no visible damage. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The bicyclist was conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors were specified. The crash highlights the dangers cyclists face when drivers fail to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4670465 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 11 - Mayor Adams orders lidded bins for small buildings. No more loose bags on sidewalks. The rule hits next fall. Bins stay on sidewalks, not in the curb. Advocates say it’s better, but not enough. Pedestrians still dodge obstacles. The curb remains for cars.

On October 11, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced a new sanitation rule: buildings with nine or fewer units must use lidded trash bins starting next fall. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) leads the rollout. The plan covers about 41% of city housing. The official summary states, 'New Yorkers living in smaller residential buildings will have to set out their garbage in lidded bins.' DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended sidewalk placement, saying, 'It is standard practice around the world to put wheelie bins out on the sidewalk rather than in the parking lane.' Advocate Christine Berthet countered, 'While the bags will be easy to move between cars, containers will be much harder. And therefore having them in the parking lane would be a major benefit.' The city will retrofit trucks for the new bins. For now, pedestrians must still navigate bins on crowded sidewalks. The curb stays reserved for parked cars.

• It’s Starting: City Unveils Trash Containerization for Smaller Buildings, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

Oct 11 - Mayor Adams backs taking 150,000 parking spots for garbage containers. He calls it a small price for cleaner streets. The plan shifts trash from sidewalks to bins, clearing paths for pedestrians. Council member Abreu supports the West Harlem pilot. Resistance remains.

On October 11, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced support for the Sanitation Department's plan to repurpose 150,000 parking spaces for containerized garbage collection. The policy, unveiled by DSNY, aims to move trash from sidewalks into closed bins, targeting cleaner streets and less sidewalk clutter. The mayor said, 'Everyday New Yorkers are tired of the rodents, they’re tired of the trash, and this is a small price to pay on ensuring that you can have cleaner streets.' Council member Shaun Abreu, representing West Harlem, voiced strong support, citing visible improvements from the local pilot. The plan requires smaller buildings to use wheeled bins on sidewalks, while larger buildings would get shared curbside containers. The city faces pushback from some residents, but Adams insists street cleanliness is a top concern. No formal safety analysis was provided, but the move could clear sidewalks for pedestrians and reduce hazards from trash piles.

• Adams: Eliminating ‘Parking’ for Trash is ‘Small Price to Pay’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

Oct 11 - Council Member Holden’s e-bike license bill piles red tape on riders but leaves pedestrians exposed. The proposal skips real fixes—wider sidewalks, protected lanes, safer work rules. It targets e-bikes, not the cars and street chaos that truly endanger walkers.

Council Member Robert Holden introduced a bill, co-sponsored by a Council majority, to require licenses for all e-bikes. The bill, discussed in October 2023, has not specified a streamlined process for licensing. The matter’s summary states: 'Holden's bill does nothing to rectify the fundamental issues of inadequate space and dangerous workplace practices.' Holden and his colleagues push regulation, but critics say the bill ignores the real threats: narrow sidewalks, blocked crosswalks, and unsafe delivery work. The proposal would burden riders and discourage micromobility, while failing to address illegal mopeds or car dominance. State Senator Brad Hoylman’s employer-provided ID plan is cited as a better alternative. The opinion calls for protected bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and fair enforcement, not more bureaucracy. Holden’s bill, critics argue, misses the mark for pedestrian safety.

• Opinion: Holden’s E-Bike License Proposal Misses the Mark on Pedestrian Safety, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

Oct 5 - A Nissan SUV struck a parked Honda on Nassau Street in Manhattan. The impact hit the right rear bumper of the Honda and the center back end of the SUV. A 45-year-old male passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash.

According to the police report, a 2017 Nissan SUV traveling north on Nassau Street rear-ended a parked 2017 Honda. The collision impacted the right rear bumper of the Honda and the center back end of the SUV. A 45-year-old male occupant in the right rear seat of the Honda was injured, sustaining neck pain and whiplash. The police identified driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor to the crash. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669127 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 5 - Two sedans collided on Canal Street. The rear vehicle struck the front car’s center back end. The front driver, a 35-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles showed no damage. Driver distraction caused the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling west on Canal Street were involved in a collision. The rear sedan, driven by a licensed female driver, struck the center back end of the front sedan, which was stopped in traffic. The front driver, a 35-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but remained conscious and was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. Neither vehicle sustained damage. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669126 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 3 - SUV hit a 27-year-old man crossing Pine Street. Impact at left rear bumper. Pedestrian suffered fractured knee and leg. No driver errors listed. No vehicle damage. Serious injuries at the scene.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a southbound SUV while crossing Pine Street at an intersection. The impact occurred at the vehicle's left rear bumper. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The SUV, a 2018 Chevrolet, was undamaged. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene and suffered serious lower limb injuries. No mention of helmet use or signaling is included in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669017 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 3 - A sedan struck a turning vehicle on Varick Street in Manhattan. The front passenger in the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved improper lane usage by the sedan driver. Both vehicles sustained front quarter panel damage.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on Varick Street collided with a vehicle making a right turn. The front passenger in the sedan, a 42-year-old man, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain proper lane discipline. The sedan's right front quarter panel and the turning vehicle's left front quarter panel were damaged. The sedan driver was licensed in New Jersey, and the turning vehicle's driver was licensed in New York. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4676321 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 3 - Two vehicles crashed on Varick Street. The SUV started in traffic and hit the sedan head-on. The SUV driver, a 41-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg bruises. Both drivers were distracted. The SUV bore left front damage; the sedan, right front.

According to the police report, a 2017 SUV and a 2023 sedan collided on Varick Street. The SUV was starting in traffic, and the sedan was traveling straight ahead. The SUV driver, a 41-year-old man, was injured with contusions to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. Both drivers were cited for driver inattention or distraction, which contributed to the crash. The SUV sustained damage to its left front bumper, and the sedan was damaged on its right front bumper. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667512 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 29 - An inexperienced driver reversed into a moving SUV on Canal Street. The impact left a 58-year-old woman with back injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a 58-year-old woman driving an SUV on Canal Street in Manhattan was injured when another SUV, operated by an inexperienced driver, backed unsafely into her vehicle. The report lists driver inexperience and backing unsafely as contributing factors. The injured driver was conscious, not ejected, and wore a lap belt and harness. She suffered back injuries and whiplash. The crash damaged the center front end of the moving SUV and the center back end of the reversing vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4667976 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19