Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

Aug 17 - The city’s KSI metric counts bodies, not danger. Thirty-seven killed on the Upper West Side in a decade. Streets stay deadly. A new, community-centered metric maps risk before blood is spilled. DOT must act before the next crash, not after.

On August 17, 2023, a Streetsblog NYC policy critique challenged the Department of Transportation’s reliance on the KSI (Killed or Severely Injured) metric. The article, titled 'Beyond KSI: How DOT Can Identify Unsafe Streets Before Tragedy Strikes,' exposes how KSI misses hidden dangers and fails to prevent future deaths. No council bill number is attached; this is a public call to action, not legislation. The critique highlights that, despite 37 road deaths on the Upper West Side in ten years, DOT’s 2023 plan ignored these corridors. The author mapped safety features and hazards, proposing a new, proactive metric based on accessibility, comfort, and livability. The piece urges DOT to shift from counting casualties to preventing them, stating, 'we need a different metric to fix the underlying problem of safety on city streets—one that is community-centered and doesn’t reduce our assessment of a certain street’s needs to grim numbers.'

• Beyond ‘KSI’: How DOT Can Identify Unsafe Streets Before Tragedy Strikes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-17

Aug 15 - A sedan struck a bicyclist on John Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The driver was distracted. The bike showed no damage. The rider remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a sedan parked on John Street in Manhattan was involved in a collision with a bicyclist traveling west. The bicyclist, a 29-year-old man, sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. The sedan's right rear quarter panel was damaged, while the bike showed no damage. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The driver was licensed and operating a 2017 sedan. The cyclist was going straight ahead when the collision occurred. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654532 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 13 - Two SUVs collided on Battery Place. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe speed. Metal twisted. Sirens cut the night. The street bore the mark.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Battery Place in Manhattan. One driver, a 34-year-old man, was injured with neck trauma but remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. One SUV was stopped in traffic heading west, while the other traveled east going straight. The impact struck the left front bumper and quarter panel of the stopped vehicle. The injured driver was not ejected and wore a lap belt. The crash underscores driver errors of distraction and unsafe speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653897 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 13 - An 18-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured after being struck by a left-turning SUV on Church Street. The rider was ejected and suffered upper leg and hip contusions. The SUV’s left front quarter panel was damaged in the crash.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male e-scooter driver was injured when a 2018 Jaguar SUV made a left turn and collided with the scooter traveling north on Church Street. The e-scooter driver was ejected and sustained contusions to his hip and upper leg. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error related to lane use or passing maneuvers. The SUV’s left front quarter panel was damaged, while the e-scooter showed no vehicle damage. The e-scooter driver was conscious after the crash. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - A 40-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and injured in a crash with a northbound sedan on Pearl Street. The cyclist suffered bruises and lower leg injuries. Both vehicles struck each other’s front quarters. The bicyclist wore a helmet.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old female bicyclist traveling east on Pearl Street collided with a northbound sedan. The impact occurred at the right front quarter panel of the bike and the left front bumper of the sedan. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. Both drivers were licensed. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors for the crash. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. The sedan was registered in Virginia, and the bicyclist was the sole occupant of her vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4658108 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 10 - A 44-year-old man was injured crossing outside a crosswalk on South End Avenue. The SUV was backing northbound when its left rear bumper hit the pedestrian. He suffered bruises and lower leg injuries. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old male pedestrian was crossing South End Avenue outside a crosswalk when he was struck by a 2021 Jeep SUV backing northbound. The point of impact was the vehicle's left rear bumper. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle while backing. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were noted. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision and did not use any listed safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656340 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 9 - A dump truck driver turned right, struck Mariano Leonardo Victoriano on his e-bike, and fled. No charges. The Bronx bleeds: 21 cyclists dead this year, the most since Vision Zero began. Protected bike lanes are rare. City promises, broken. Cyclists pay.

""The administration cannot fall further behind on the NYC Streets Plan’s legal requirements to build protected places for people to bike in every neighborhood of our city."" -- Charles Fall

On August 9, 2023, a cyclist was killed by a hit-and-run dump truck driver in Council District 17, Bronx. The incident marks the 21st cyclist death this year, the highest since Vision Zero began in 2014. The matter highlights that only 1.64% of district streets have protected bike lanes, far below the city average. Jada Yeboah, Bronx/Uptown Organizer for Transportation Alternatives, condemned the city's failure: "Inaction is killing New Yorkers of color." She demanded Mayor Adams meet legal requirements for protected bike lanes, noting only five miles have been built in the Bronx out of 50 required citywide this year. The Bronx ranks third in traffic fatalities, eighth in injuries among 51 districts. The city's inaction leaves cyclists exposed. The toll mounts.

• UPDATE: Another Cyclist — 21st of the Year — Has Been Killed by a Driver, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-09

Aug 4 - A 35-year-old woman was hit by an SUV making a left turn on Water Street. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal. The driver’s view was obstructed. The woman suffered a shoulder contusion and remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing against the signal at an intersection on Water Street. The driver, a licensed male operating a 2020 SUV, was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the vehicle’s left front bumper. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s limited visibility played a role. The pedestrian sustained an upper arm contusion and remained conscious. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian’s crossing against the signal is noted but the report emphasizes the driver’s impaired view as a key factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4651622 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 3 - Council passed Intro. 289. The bill forces DOT to map every bike lane and show disruptions. Cyclists will see closures, detours, and hazards in real time. No more guessing. No more dead ends. Riders get the same alerts drivers do. Streets get safer.

On August 3, 2023, the New York City Council passed Intro. 289, a bill requiring the Department of Transportation to create a searchable map of every city bike lane. The map must show disruptions, detours, hazards, and closures in real time. The bill summary states: 'Cyclists deserve the same attention and information already given to the city's drivers and transit riders in the form of notifications, updates, and well-marked detours.' Council Member Carlina Rivera sponsored the bill and led its passage. Rivera and Bike New York’s Jon Orcutt wrote, 'Disruption of any city bikeway requires public information, working detours and operational attention—not just an unheralded shut-down.' The law aims to end the chaos and danger of sudden bike lane closures, giving half a million daily riders the information they need to stay safe and keep moving.

• OPINION: A Cycling ‘Current Conditions’ Report Will Keep Biking New Yorkers Safe and Informed, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-03

Aug 3 - Rep. Adriano Espaillat worked behind closed doors to stall Fordham Road bus lane improvements. Bronx lawmakers, once supportive, fell silent or opposed. The project, meant to speed up buses for 85,000 riders, now faces more delays. Vulnerable riders remain stuck in slow, dangerous traffic.

On August 3, 2023, Rep. Adriano Espaillat quietly lobbied Bronx officials against proposed Fordham Road bus lane upgrades. The project, under city review since 2022, aimed to speed up buses for 85,000 daily riders by installing dedicated busways or offset lanes. According to Streetsblog, Espaillat leaned on younger electeds to align with Council Member Oswald Feliz, a vocal critic. 'He defers to the local elected officials, and all of them seem to be in agreement,' said Espaillat’s chief of staff, Aneiry Batista. Lawmakers who once supported the upgrades grew silent or opposed them after Espaillat’s intervention. The Department of Transportation, MTA, and governor’s office met with Espaillat to discuss the project, but delays persisted. The opposition from Feliz and business groups led DOT to scrap the most ambitious safety options. Riders, many without cars, remain exposed to slow, hazardous conditions as cars block bus lanes and traffic crawls.

• Rep. Adriano Espaillat Rallying Bronx Pols Against Fordham Road Bus Lane Fixes: Sources, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-03

Aug 1 - New York City will mount automated cameras on over 30 school buses this fall. The six-month pilot aims to catch drivers who ignore stopped buses. No fines yet, but a proposal is pending. Advocates say cameras save lives. Council pushed for action.

Bill: Automated Traffic Cameras Coming to Some NYC School Buses. Status: Pilot program launching fall 2023. Committee: Led by Department of Transportation, with Education and Finance. Key dates: Announced August 1, 2023; Finance Department hearing on fines pending. The matter targets 'drivers who fail to stop behind a school bus stopped to pick up or drop off passengers.' City Council members requested the trial last year, overcoming initial city reluctance. DOT spokesperson Vin Barone said, 'This effort will provide valuable information on reckless driving near schools.' D'Shandi Coombs of Transportation Alternatives called automated enforcement 'a proven tool to protect New Yorkers from crashes' and said expanding it to school buses is 'an important step to keeping our children safe.' The pilot collects data, but fines are not yet in place. Advocates praise the move as overdue.

• PASS, FAIL: Automated Traffic Cameras Coming to Some NYC School Buses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-01

Jul 31 - A 38-year-old male SUV driver suffered neck injuries after unsafe lane changing caused a collision with a taxi on Broadway. The SUV struck the taxi’s right front bumper with its left rear quarter panel. The driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old male driver of a 2019 SUV was merging southbound on Broadway when he collided with a southbound taxi. The point of impact was the SUV’s left rear quarter panel and the taxi’s right front bumper. The SUV driver was injured, sustaining a neck injury described as whiplash. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The taxi driver held a permit license, while the SUV driver was licensed. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4650354 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 31 - Manhattan lawmakers want electric cars to pay less under congestion pricing. They argue EVs cut smog, so drivers deserve a break. Critics warn this move keeps streets clogged. Fewer cars mean fewer crashes. The fight pits clean air against crowded roads.

On July 31, 2023, a group of Manhattan elected officials—including Assembly Members Alex Bores, Eddie Gibbs, Deborah Glick, Harvey Epstein, Rebecca Seawright; State Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Liz Krueger, Kristen Gonzalez; and Borough President Mark Levine—sent a letter to the Traffic Mobility Review Board. They urged a congestion pricing discount for electric vehicles, claiming EVs 'do not contribute significantly to the smog and pollution of the Central Business District.' Assembly Member Bores led the effort, stating, 'when it comes to the environmental case, an electric vehicle is just a different profile than a gas-guzzling one.' The officials oppose credits for bridge and tunnel crossings. Congestion pricing advocates and environmental groups counter that EV discounts undermine the core goal: fewer cars, less traffic, safer streets. They note other cities are ending such breaks. The proposal highlights a tension—cleaner air versus safer, less crowded roads for all.

• Manhattan Elected Officials Urge Congestion Pricing Discount For Electric Cars, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-31

Jul 28 - A 57-year-old man was struck by an SUV making a left turn on Pearl Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian suffered a head abrasion but remained conscious. The driver’s view was obstructed, and failure to yield right-of-way contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Pearl Street and Madison Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian sustained a head abrasion and was conscious after the collision. The crash involved a 2023 Ford SUV traveling north and making a left turn. The point of impact was the vehicle’s right front bumper. Contributing factors listed include 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the driver. The pedestrian's actions are unknown, and no safety equipment was noted. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The collision caused damage to the SUV’s right front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649390 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 22 - A motorcycle struck a bike on Washington Street. The bike rider, a 53-year-old man, suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The motorcyclist was distracted. Both vehicles showed damage at their centers.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling east collided with a bike traveling south on Washington Street. The bike rider, a 53-year-old man wearing a helmet, was injured with abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The motorcyclist was going straight ahead while the bike was passing when the collision occurred. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The bike sustained damage to its center back end, and the motorcycle was damaged at its center front end. The bike rider was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648592 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 22 - A 22-year-old woman suffered a head contusion as an SUV struck the right side of a sedan on West Street. The passenger was belted but injured. Police cited traffic control disregard and failure to yield as causes.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on West Street in Manhattan involving a sedan traveling south and an SUV traveling west. The SUV struck the sedan on its right side doors. A 22-year-old female occupant in the sedan's right rear seat was injured, sustaining a head contusion. She was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The SUV driver failed to yield, disregarding traffic controls, which led to the impact. The injured passenger was conscious and suffered a contusion bruise to the head.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647568 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 21 - A 25-year-old woman was hit by a taxi on Broadway near Vesey Street. She was crossing with the signal when the taxi, traveling east, failed to yield. The pedestrian suffered bruises and injuries to her lower leg and foot.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on Broadway struck a 25-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection near Vesey Street. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred. The report lists driver errors including Failure to Yield Right-of-Way and Driver Inattention/Distraction. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The taxi showed no vehicle damage and was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions or safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4647562 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 20 - MTA leaders press Mayor Adams to revive Fordham Road bus lane plans. Council Member Feliz stands opposed. Business groups resist. Eighty-five thousand daily riders face slow, crowded buses. City’s promise for safer, faster transit stalls. DOT offers compromise. Vulnerable commuters wait.

On July 20, 2023, the MTA called on Mayor Eric Adams and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to support renewed bus lane expansion on Fordham Road. The city had canceled a planned busway after pushback from business owners and Council Member Oswald Feliz, who remains a vocal critic. MTA New York City Transit President Richard Davey said, "Our hope is that we DOT stays with us and we're implementing this, hopefully, later this year." MTA CEO Janno Lieber stressed, "We can't deemphasize and under-prioritize the lives of people of the Bronx and also Upper Manhattan who are trying to get east and west across this incredibly busy corridor." DOT spokesperson Vin Barone described a new proposal with dedicated curbside loading and minimal traffic diversions. The city’s earlier pledge for 20 new miles of bus lanes per year has not been met. Eighty-five thousand daily bus riders, many vulnerable, remain at risk on slow, crowded streets. No formal safety analysis was provided.

• MTA’s ‘Hope’ for Eric Adams: ‘Stay With Us’ On Fordham Road, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-07-20

Jul 18 - Two sedans traveling north on Rector Street collided. The left front quarter panel of one hit the right rear quarter panel of the other. A 33-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and shock. Both drivers were licensed. Driver errors caused the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Rector Street in Manhattan. The 33-year-old male driver of the Florida-registered vehicle was injured, sustaining back injuries and shock. The collision involved the left front quarter panel of one sedan striking the right rear quarter panel of the other. The report lists driver errors as contributing factors, specifically "Passing Too Closely" and "Following Too Closely." Both drivers were traveling straight ahead and were licensed. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness. No other factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted. The crash resulted from driver misjudgment in vehicle spacing and proximity.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646794 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - A 35-year-old woman was hit by an SUV making a left turn on Spruce Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. She suffered bruises and injuries to her hip and upper leg. The driver failed to yield and was distracted.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Spruce Street at an intersection with the signal. The driver of a 2022 Ford SUV was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her hip and upper leg. The report lists the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The vehicle struck the pedestrian with its left front bumper. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646792 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19