Blood on the Asphalt: Manhattan’s Streets Still Kill

A 57-year-old woman was struck by an SUV backing up near West 24th Street. The driver’s inattention and unsafe backing caused knee and lower leg injuries. The pedestrian was conscious and suffered bruising but no severe trauma.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 1:50 PM near West 24th Street in Manhattan. A 57-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2016 Honda SUV backed into her. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk at the time of impact. She sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at 3. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The SUV showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. This incident underscores the dangers of inattentive backing maneuvers in dense urban areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791186 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 90-year-old woman died on York Avenue. A cab made a U-turn and struck her. Another car hit her moments later. She was rushed to the hospital. Both drivers stayed. She did not survive.

According to the New York Post (published February 6, 2025), Frances Rickard, 90, was crossing York Avenue at East 72nd Street around 5:40 p.m. when a yellow taxi, driven by a 68-year-old man, made a U-turn and struck her. Police said, “Moments later, a 35-year-old woman driving a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also struck her.” Rickard was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died. Both drivers remained at the scene and have not been charged. The sequence highlights the dangers of U-turns and multi-lane crossings for pedestrians. The intersection saw two vehicles collide with a vulnerable road user in quick succession, underscoring persistent risks in city street design and driver behavior.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing York Avenue, New York Post, Published 2025-02-06

Tesla tore north on FDR. It struck a guardrail, flipped, split, burned. The woman driver died at the scene. Her passenger flew from the wreck. Firefighters battled battery flames. Northbound lanes shut. Metal, fire, speed, and loss marked the night.

NY Daily News (2025-02-04) reports a deadly crash on Manhattan's FDR Drive. A Tesla, traveling at high speed—witnesses estimated 'at least 120, 130 [mph]'—lost control near E. 70th St. The car struck a guardrail, overturned, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The driver died at the scene; her passenger survived. Firefighters and a hazmat team responded to extinguish the burning lithium-ion battery. The crash shut down northbound lanes. The article highlights excessive speed and the dangers of high-performance vehicles in urban settings. Emergency response was extensive, with 60 firefighters on scene.

• Tesla Crash Kills Woman On FDR Drive, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-04

A 22-year-old woman suffered hip and upper leg injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a right turn. The collision occurred at a Manhattan intersection, leaving the pedestrian in shock with visible trauma but no immediate complaint.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old female pedestrian was crossing 10 Avenue at the intersection with W 36 Street in Manhattan, following the crossing signal. The driver of a 2019 Jeep sedan, traveling northeast and making a right turn, struck her with the vehicle's right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor, highlighting the driver's error in yielding to the pedestrian. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity 3, and was in shock at the scene. There was no visible complaint from the victim, and no contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were noted beyond the driver’s failure to yield. The incident underscores the dangers posed by driver errors at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791183 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Transit advocates and officials rallied at Grand Central. They demanded Governor Hochul fill a $33 billion gap in the MTA capital plan. Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal called transit vital for the region. Advocates stressed accessibility and equity. The state’s budget leaves riders exposed.

On February 2, 2025, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal joined transit advocates at Grand Central Terminal to push for full funding of the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan. The rally targeted Governor Hochul’s $252 billion budget, which omits $33 billion needed for transit upgrades. The event, covered by amny.com, highlighted the matter: 'NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This is about the economic engine for the entire region.' Assembly Member Tony Simone and others demanded investment in transportation deserts and accessible stations. Advocates cited the MTA’s ADA settlement, noting only a quarter of stations are wheelchair-accessible, with the fewest in low-income areas. The rally underscored that without full funding, vulnerable riders—especially those with disabilities—face continued barriers and danger.

• NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue, amny.com, Published 2025-02-02

Transit advocates and officials rallied at Grand Central. They demanded Governor Hochul fill a $33 billion gap in the MTA capital plan. Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal called transit vital for the region. Advocates stressed accessibility and equity. The state’s budget leaves riders exposed.

On February 2, 2025, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal joined transit advocates at Grand Central Terminal to push for full funding of the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan. The rally targeted Governor Hochul’s $252 billion budget, which omits $33 billion needed for transit upgrades. The event, covered by amny.com, highlighted the matter: 'NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This is about the economic engine for the entire region.' Assembly Member Tony Simone and others demanded investment in transportation deserts and accessible stations. Advocates cited the MTA’s ADA settlement, noting only a quarter of stations are wheelchair-accessible, with the fewest in low-income areas. The rally underscored that without full funding, vulnerable riders—especially those with disabilities—face continued barriers and danger.

• NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue, amny.com, Published 2025-02-02

A 59-year-old woman suffered bruises and arm injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn on West 42nd Street. The driver’s inattention and failure to yield caused the collision at a busy Manhattan intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:56 on West 42nd Street in Manhattan. A 59-year-old female pedestrian, crossing with the signal at the intersection, was struck by a sedan making a left turn. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its right front bumper, causing contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report identifies the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The driver, a licensed female operating a 1998 Honda sedan traveling west, did not yield to the pedestrian legally crossing the street. The pedestrian was conscious and sustained injury severity level 3. No victim fault or behavior contributed to the crash according to the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791182 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate bill S 3832 orders advanced safety tech in all New York vehicles. DMV must set rules. Sponsors push for stricter standards. No direct safety impact analysis for pedestrians or cyclists yet.

Senate bill S 3832, now in sponsorship, demands advanced safety technology in all vehicles statewide. The bill instructs the DMV commissioner to create new rules. Filed January 30, 2025. The matter: 'Mandates the use of advanced safety technology in vehicles in the state.' Sponsors are Brad Hoylman-Sigal (primary), Michael Gianaris, and Kristen Gonzalez. No safety analyst has reviewed the bill's impact on vulnerable road users. The measure aims to raise standards but leaves details to future regulations.

• File S 3832, Open States, Published 2025-01-30

Senate bill S 3387 demands complete street design in all DOT projects with state or federal funds. Streets must serve walkers, cyclists, and riders. No more car-first roads. Sponsors push for safer, fairer streets.

Senate bill S 3387, now in sponsorship, sits before the New York State Senate. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring inclusion of complete street design for state and local transportation projects subject to oversight by the department of transportation,' would force all DOT projects using state or federal funds to include complete street design. Senator Andrew Gounardes leads as primary sponsor, joined by Patricia Fahy, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and Liz Krueger. Their action aims to end car dominance and put vulnerable road users first. The bill was introduced January 27, 2025. No safety analyst note is available.

• File S 3387, Open States, Published 2025-01-27

Two vehicles crashed at West 41st Street and 10th Avenue in Manhattan. Both drivers suffered injuries, including neck pain and shock. Police cited driver inattention and traffic control disregard as key factors in the violent collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:22 on West 41st Street near 10th Avenue in Manhattan. The collision involved a 2019 sedan traveling north and a 2024 SUV traveling west. Both drivers were distracted, with the report listing 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for each. Additionally, one driver disregarded traffic control, compounding the risk. The sedan's driver, a 61-year-old male, suffered neck injuries and was in shock, restrained by a lap belt. The impact struck the sedan's center front end and the SUV's left side doors. The report highlights driver errors—distraction and traffic control disregard—as the cause, with no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788586 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senator Hoylman-Sigal pushes a bill to force state cars to obey speed limits. Agencies must plan and install speed control tech. No loopholes. No delay. The city’s streets demand it.

Senate bill S 3042, introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), requires all state agencies to develop and execute a plan to equip their vehicles with active intelligent speed assistance systems. The bill was introduced on January 23, 2025, and is in the sponsorship stage. The matter title reads: 'Requires state agencies to prepare an active intelligent speed assistance system plan for the equipment of all state agency vehicles with active intelligent speed assistance systems.' Hoylman-Sigal leads the charge to rein in reckless state driving. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 3042, Open States, Published 2025-01-23

A pick-up truck traveling west struck an e-scooter heading north on 11 Ave. The e-scooter driver, a 28-year-old woman, was ejected and suffered abrasions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The truck’s left front bumper was damaged.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 11 Ave near W 33 St involving a 2016 Ford pick-up truck and a Turboant e-scooter. The truck was traveling west and the e-scooter north, both going straight ahead. The point of impact was the truck’s left front bumper and the e-scooter’s center front end. The e-scooter driver, a 28-year-old female, was ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error on the part of the truck operator. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The truck driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The collision caused visible damage to the truck’s left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787307 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 2642 orders new safety tech in every car. The DMV must set rules. Lawmakers push for change. Streets could see fewer crashes. The fight for safer roads moves to Albany.

Assembly Bill A 2642, now in sponsorship, would require advanced safety technology in all vehicles statewide. The bill, introduced January 21, 2025, directs the DMV commissioner to set rules and regulations. The matter reads: 'Mandates the use of advanced safety technology in vehicles in the state; requires the commissioner of motor vehicles to promulgate certain rules and regulations.' Brian Cunningham leads as primary sponsor, joined by Steven Raga, Chris Burdick, Tony Simone, Manny De Los Santos, Jen Lunsford, and Jo Anne Simon. The bill aims to force carmakers and drivers to adopt life-saving tech. No safety analyst has yet assessed its direct impact on vulnerable road users.

• File A 2642, Open States, Published 2025-01-21

A box truck struck a 38-year-old male bicyclist traveling west on West 53rd Street in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected and suffered severe full-body injuries including fractures and dislocations. The truck driver’s improper lane usage caused the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:15 AM on West 53rd Street near Manhattan’s 10019 zip code. A box truck and a bicycle, both traveling west, collided. The bicyclist, a 38-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and sustained severe injuries to his entire body, including fractures and dislocations. The report identifies the truck driver’s 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The box truck showed no damage, indicating the impact was primarily harmful to the bicyclist. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by truck drivers’ lane violations to vulnerable cyclists in the city.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790124 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A forklift making a left turn struck a bicyclist traveling north, injuring her knee, lower leg, and foot. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The bicyclist suffered shock and complained of pain and nausea at the scene.

According to the police report, a forklift operated by an unlicensed male driver was making a left turn on West 30th Street in Manhattan at 2:45 a.m. The forklift struck a 40-year-old female bicyclist traveling north. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot and was not ejected but experienced shock and complained of pain and nausea. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, indicating the forklift driver did not yield to the bicyclist. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report. The forklift’s driver license status was unlicensed, highlighting a critical driver error contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788581 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Sedan driver without license turned left, struck 83-year-old man crossing with signal. Pedestrian suffered whiplash, full-body injuries. Driver failed to yield on busy Manhattan street.

According to the police report, at 21:33 on W 24 St near 10 Ave in Manhattan, an unlicensed male driver in a 2012 Nissan sedan made a left turn and struck an 83-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The vehicle showed no damage, suggesting a low-speed impact but significant harm to the pedestrian. No blame is assigned to the pedestrian. The report highlights the danger of unlicensed drivers failing to yield in dense city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785084 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 1236 hits Albany. It targets drivers who block bike lanes. The bill adds a mandatory surcharge. Money goes to the court. Cyclists get no relief until cars clear the lane.

Assembly bill A 1236 was introduced on January 9, 2025. It sits at the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Relates to violations and a mandatory surcharge for parking in a bicycle lane,' would require drivers who block bike lanes to pay a mandatory surcharge to the court that finds them liable. Jo Anne Simon (District 52) leads as primary sponsor, joined by Deborah Glick (District 66) and Tony Simone (District 75) as co-sponsors. The bill aims to penalize drivers who endanger cyclists by blocking bike lanes, but its impact depends on enforcement and driver behavior. No safety analyst note is available.

• File A 1236, Open States, Published 2025-01-09

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly crossings for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, forces the Department of Transportation to install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. The bill, sponsored by Farah N. Louis (primary) and co-sponsored by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, Ariola, and others, passed on March 15, 2025. The law demands annual reporting on compliance and reasons for any delay. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Quick, visible lines cut confusion and protect people crossing or riding. The law took effect immediately.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-01-08