Blood on the Crosswalk: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 4 - A sedan struck a cyclist on Broadway. The cyclist, 53, suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver inattention and faulty brakes. The cyclist wore a helmet. Streets remain dangerous.

A sedan hit a cyclist at Broadway and Rector Street in Manhattan. The 53-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering abrasions and arm wounds. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Brakes Defective.' The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No injuries were reported for the sedan occupants. The crash highlights the ongoing risk for cyclists when drivers are distracted or vehicles are not maintained.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810586 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 4 - A sedan struck an e-bike on West Street near Canal. The cyclist was ejected and left unconscious with a head injury. Police cite traffic control disregarded. The car’s front end took the hit.

A sedan traveling north on West Street collided with an e-bike moving west near Canal Street. The e-bike rider, a 31-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a head injury, left unconscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as a contributing factor. The sedan’s center front end was damaged. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but the report highlights driver error as the primary cause. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812661 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - A van door swung open. The e-biker hit it, thrown into the street. A truck rolled over him. He died in the gutter, Broome and Centre. The city lost a musician. The street stayed the same.

NY Daily News reported on May 3, 2025, that George Smaragdis, known as synthwave artist Starcadian, died after being doored by a Mercedes van while riding his e-bike westbound on Broome Street in Manhattan. The impact threw him into the path of a red delivery truck, which ran him over. Police said Smaragdis suffered severe head trauma and died at Bellevue Hospital. The article notes, 'The man who died after being doored while riding an e-bike and then run over by a passing truck...was a popular and influential synthwave artist.' The crash highlights the ongoing danger of dooring and the lethal consequences when street design and driver actions fail to protect cyclists. No mention of charges or policy changes followed.

• E-Biker Doored, Killed in Soho Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-03

May 1 - E-bike struck a woman crossing at Chambers and Church. She fell, hit her head, bled badly. The rider failed to yield. The street stayed loud and bright.

A 58-year-old woman was hit by an e-bike at the intersection of Chambers Street and Church Street in Manhattan. She suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was found unconscious. According to the police report, the e-bike operator failed to yield the right-of-way. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the main contributing factor. No other causes were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814321 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Apr 29 - A sedan turned left into an e-scooter on Church Street. The scooter rider took a blow to the head. Unsafe speed played a role. The street stayed busy. The bruise lingered.

A sedan and an e-scooter collided at Church Street and Thomas Street in Manhattan. The e-scooter rider, a 37-year-old man, suffered a head contusion. According to the police report, contributing factors included 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The sedan was making a left turn when the crash occurred. The e-scooter rider was wearing a helmet. No injuries were reported for the sedan driver or passenger. The crash highlights the risk when turning vehicles and vulnerable road users cross paths at speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809955 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 29 - A sedan hit a cyclist on Canal Street. The cyclist, age 65, suffered a leg injury. Both vehicles moved east. Police cite confusion as a factor. Metal met flesh. The street stayed busy.

A sedan and a bicycle collided on Canal Street at Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. The 65-year-old cyclist was injured, sustaining a contusion to his lower leg. According to the police report, both the driver and the cyclist were traveling east when the crash occurred. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor for both parties. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No other injuries were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814604 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 27 - Francisco Guzman Parra died in a burning car after a police chase in Inwood. Officers left the scene unreported. Family demands answers. Two investigations run. Streets stay dangerous. System failed to protect. The dead remain silent.

CBS New York reported on April 27, 2025, that Francisco Andres Guzman Parra, 31, died after crashing a stolen vehicle on Dyckman Street in Manhattan following an NYPD pursuit. The article states, "NYPD sources said the two officers in pursuit returned to their stationhouse without reporting the crash." The FDNY later found Guzman Parra dead in the burning car. Patrick Hendry of the Police Benevolent Association claimed officers "lost sight of the car and did not know it crashed," but the family's attorney, Jeremy Feigenbaum, said their investigation "has not corroborated the officers' claim." The officers remain on leave as both the NYPD and the New York attorney general's office investigate. The case raises questions about police pursuit protocols and reporting failures.

• NYPD Pursuit Ends In Fatal Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-27

Apr 23 - A sedan crowded a cyclist on Pearl Street. The car struck. The rider flew off. Arm torn, body scraped. Police cite passing too closely. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan and a bicycle collided on Pearl Street at Frankfort Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 43-year-old man, was ejected and injured, suffering abrasions and arm wounds. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Passing Too Closely.' The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No injuries were reported for the sedan driver or occupants. The report highlights the danger when drivers fail to give cyclists space. The system left the cyclist exposed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807707 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 22 - A taxi door swung open on Broadway. A cyclist struck it, thrown hard, bruised and hurt. Police cite driver distraction. The street swallowed another body. The city keeps moving.

A cyclist, age 29, was injured after colliding with the right-side doors of a stopped taxi on Broadway at Barclay Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The cyclist was ejected and suffered bruises to the entire body. The taxi was stopped in traffic when the crash occurred. No other injuries were reported among the taxi's occupants. The data lists no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the risk posed by inattentive driving and sudden door openings on crowded city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807924 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 21 - A distracted driver sped east on Canal. Impact struck the center back end. One man suffered neck whiplash. Unsafe speed and inattention fueled the crash.

A sedan traveling east on Canal Street collided with another vehicle, striking its center back end. According to the police report, driver inattention and unsafe speed contributed to the crash. One 36-year-old male occupant suffered a neck injury, described as whiplash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured man was conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807525 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 16 - Assembly bill A 7997 lets speed cameras catch drivers hiding or altering plates. It extends camera use in school zones. Lawmakers push to close loopholes that shield reckless drivers from accountability.

Assembly bill A 7997, now in sponsorship, aims to expand photo speed violation monitoring in New York City. The bill, sponsored by Deborah Glick with co-sponsors Jo Anne Simon, John Zaccaro Jr., Linda Rosenthal, and Tony Simone, was introduced on April 16, 2025. It 'permits the use of photo speed violation monitoring systems in New York City for the purposes of enforcement of license plate obstruction, concealment, and/or distortion; extends provisions permitting the use of speed cameras in certain school zones.' By targeting plate obstruction, the bill seeks to stop drivers from dodging speed camera enforcement, a move that could help protect pedestrians and cyclists from repeat offenders.

• File A 7997, Open States, Published 2025-04-16

Apr 12 - A stolen car slammed into a Manhattan building. Flames followed. The driver, Francisco Guzman Parra, died on impact. His family waited days for answers. Police actions now face scrutiny. The city counts another life lost to speed and steel.

The New York Times (April 12, 2025) reports on the death of Francisco Guzman Parra after a stolen Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood, Manhattan. The crash followed a police chase; two officers involved were suspended pending investigation. The article notes, "The police are investigating whether the officers left the scene without reporting the crash." The medical examiner found Guzman Parra died from blunt impact and thermal injuries. The NYPD force investigation unit and state attorney general are reviewing the incident. The police have not disclosed why the chase began or details about the pursuit. The case highlights ongoing questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers that follow high-speed chases through city streets.

• Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-12

Apr 11 - Including Thursday's deadly crash, 25 people have been killed in New York City sightseeing helicopter accidents in the last 40 years.

• Lawmakers aim to make changes after New York City sightseeing helicopter crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-11

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 9 - Federal lawyers bark. The MTA stands firm. The U.S. DOT demands New York end congestion pricing by April 20. The state refuses. Threats fly. No action lands. Meanwhile, Manhattan streets see fewer crashes, faster buses, and more people on foot.

On April 9, 2025, federal lawyers told Judge Lewis Liman that the U.S. Department of Transportation still demands New York stop congestion pricing by April 20. The case, rooted in the MTA’s lawsuit against the feds, remains unresolved. The DOT’s attorney, Dominika Tarczynska, said, "The Department of Transportation maintains the position that New York City should stop charging tolls by April 20." MTA attorney Robert Kaplan countered, "Congestion pricing is in effect, we believe it's working, and ... we don't intend to turn it off unless there's an order from your honor." Governor Hochul and the MTA refuse to comply. The federal government threatens vague consequences but takes no concrete steps. The MTA’s November agreement with the Biden-era DOT did not allow for unilateral federal withdrawal. As the legal fight drags on, congestion pricing continues. Streets south of 60th Street see fewer crashes. Bus speeds rise. Foot traffic grows. Vulnerable road users benefit while politicians bicker.

• Feds Insist They’ll Find A Way To Enforce Fake 4/20 Congestion Pricing Deadline, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 8 - Community Board 3 backed the Canal Street open street, but hours got slashed. Residents packed the meeting. Supporters spoke of safety, space, and life without cars. Detractors cited noise and mess. The board voted 13-1 to keep the street open.

""In response to listening to our community, we ve made meaningful changes to the program over this year."" -- Charles Fall

On April 8, 2025, Manhattan Community Board 3 voted 13-1 to continue the Canal Street open street program, despite a reduction in its operating hours and days. The matter, discussed in the Transportation, Public Safety, Sanitation & Environment Committee, drew strong turnout. The meeting's summary: 'A large number of Lower Manhattan residents turned out to support the Canal Street open street, but organizers reduced the program's operating times in response to complaints from some residents.' Chairperson Vincent Cirrito said, 'This is an open space for our residents, for our kids... where they don’t have to worry about vehicles and cars.' Council Member Chris Marte and some residents pushed for further cutbacks, while others defended the open street as vital for safety, accessibility, and local business. The board sided with vulnerable road users, keeping two blocks of Canal Street open to people, not cars.

• Supporters of Open Street Come Out in Droves to Fight Canal Street Cutback, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-08

Apr 7 - A box truck struck a man sitting in the street at West 40th and 9th. The man died at the scene. The driver stayed. Police are investigating. No arrests. The victim’s name is not known.

Patch reported on April 7, 2025, that a man was killed by a box truck at West 40th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The article states, “Police determined that a box truck, operated by a 75-year-old man, was traveling southbound on 9 Avenue when the vehicle collided with the victim, who was sitting in the roadway.” The driver remained at the scene and was not injured. No arrests have been made. The victim’s identity has not been released. The incident highlights the persistent risk to people in city streets and the need for scrutiny of how large vehicles interact with vulnerable road users. The investigation is ongoing.

• Box Truck Kills Man In Hell's Kitchen, Patch, Published 2025-04-07

Apr 3 - A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Bridge. Two men, 61 and 79, suffered back injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Metal twisted. Shock followed. The city’s danger showed its teeth.

A taxi and a sedan crashed on the Brooklyn Bridge. Two men, ages 61 and 79, were injured, both suffering back injuries and shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The impact struck the left front of the taxi and the right rear of the sedan. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes lap belts were used by those injured. The crash highlights the persistent risk of driver distraction on city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803418 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19