Harlem’s kill zones: nine dead, hundreds hurt, and a city that still won’t slow down

Oct 25 - A 44-year-old woman suffered full-body injuries after a pick-up truck failed to yield while making a right turn at W 145 St and Amsterdam Ave. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian in shock with no visible complaints.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling northwest made a right turn at the intersection of W 145 St and Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan around 3:00 PM. The driver, a licensed male, failed to yield the right-of-way to a 44-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The point of impact was the truck’s left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her entire body and was reported to be in shock, though she had no visible complaints. The report cites driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal was noted but not listed as a contributing factor to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766595 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 25 - A 55-year-old bicyclist suffered hip and upper leg injuries after colliding with a parked sedan on West 125 Street in Manhattan. The impact struck the bike’s front center and the car’s left side doors. The cyclist remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:20 AM on West 125 Street in Manhattan. A 55-year-old male bicyclist traveling eastbound struck a parked 2013 sedan. The bike’s point of impact was the center front end, while the sedan was hit on the left side doors. The bicyclist sustained contusions and bruises to the hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The sedan was parked at the time of impact, indicating no pre-crash movement by the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. There is no mention of victim behavior contributing to the crash. The collision highlights risks posed by parked vehicles obstructing bike travel lanes or paths.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766419 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 24 - A male pedestrian suffered injuries and shock after a collision with a northbound bike on West 151 Street in Manhattan. The bike showed no damage, and the pedestrian’s injury severity was recorded as moderate. Contributing factors remain unspecified.

According to the police report, a male pedestrian was injured in a collision involving a northbound bike on West 151 Street near Riverside Drive in Manhattan at 13:24. The pedestrian sustained injuries classified as severity level 3 and was reported to be in shock. The bike, operated by a licensed male driver from New Jersey, was traveling straight ahead and showed no damage or point of impact. The report lists the pedestrian’s contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors or contributing factors were identified in the data. The absence of vehicle damage suggests a low-impact collision, but the pedestrian still suffered injuries. The report does not assign fault or blame to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 24 - A tractor truck hit a 24-year-old man on Broadway near West 145th. The pedestrian suffered leg injuries. The truck kept moving north. No driver errors listed. The street stayed cold and hard.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a northbound diesel tractor truck on Broadway near West 145th Street in Manhattan at 2:08 AM. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing against the signal. He suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited in the data. The truck showed no damage, with the impact at the left rear quarter panel. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766589 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 23 - A box truck making a right turn struck a bicyclist and his young passenger on West 145 Street in Manhattan. Both suffered full-body injuries and shock. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing partial ejection of the adult cyclist.

According to the police report, at 16:05 on West 145 Street near Amsterdam Avenue, a 2013 Ford box truck was making a right turn when it collided with a bike traveling eastbound. The adult bicyclist, aged 43, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his entire body, entering shock. His 3-year-old passenger, secured by a harness, also suffered full-body injuries and shock. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the truck driver as the primary contributing factor, repeated twice, alongside 'Other Vehicular' factors. The truck's center front end impacted the bike's left front quarter panel. Both victims were injured but no contributing victim behaviors were noted. The truck driver was licensed and operating the vehicle westbound. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769043 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 23 - A 53-year-old man crossing against the signal was struck by a southbound pick-up truck on West 145 Street. The pedestrian suffered upper leg injuries and shock. The driver faced limited visibility due to obstructed views, contributing to the collision.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2021 RAM pick-up truck traveling south on West 145 Street near Broadway in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection when the collision occurred. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s limited visibility played a role in the crash. The point of impact was the center front end of the truck, which sustained no damage. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his hip and upper leg and was in shock at the scene. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report. This crash highlights the dangers posed by obstructed views for vehicle operators in busy intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766048 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 21 - A bus traveling south struck a bicyclist heading east on West 124 Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 37-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police report no vehicle damage and list unspecified contributing factors without victim fault.

According to the police report, a 2016 STARC bus was traveling straight south on West 124 Street when it collided with a bicyclist traveling east. The bicyclist, a 37-year-old female wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions to her knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The bus driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. The point of impact was the right front bumper of both vehicles. No vehicle damage was reported. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no explicit driver errors cited. The bicyclist’s helmet use is noted but not identified as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the collision caused by the bus and the resulting injury to the vulnerable bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766617 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 21 - A sedan driver, distracted, hit a helmeted cyclist on West 124 Street. The rider, 24, suffered knee and leg injuries. The sedan was undamaged. The crash left the cyclist hurt and exposed.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on West 124 Street near Saint Nicholas Avenue struck a southbound bicyclist at 10:31 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. The 24-year-old male cyclist, wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and not ejected. The sedan, occupied by two men, showed no damage. No contributing factors were listed for the cyclist. The crash underscores the danger distracted drivers pose to people on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766612 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 12 - A helmeted e-scooter rider suffered a knee and lower leg injury after a taxi struck his vehicle’s right rear bumper while passing on Broadway late at night. The rider remained conscious and was not ejected from the scooter.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male e-scooter driver, helmeted and conscious, was injured when a taxi traveling east passed and struck the right rear bumper of his northbound e-scooter on Broadway at 11:01 PM. The e-scooter sustained no damage, but the taxi’s right rear quarter panel was damaged. The rider suffered contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the taxi’s passing maneuver as the point of impact. The rider was not ejected and was wearing protective equipment. No pedestrian or cyclist errors were cited; the focus remains on the taxi’s passing action leading to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763032 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Oct 6 - Three rear-seat passengers suffered bruises in a midnight SUV pileup on Broadway. Parked vehicles took the hit. Impact slammed the back ends. No ejections. Injuries cut deep but spared lives.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction crash struck multiple parked SUVs near 3428 Broadway in Manhattan just after midnight. The impact centered on the back ends of the vehicles. Three passengers, seated in the rear, were injured. Their wounds included bruises to the head, arms, and hands. All injuries were moderate. None of the passengers were ejected. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no mention of driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The focus remains on the force of the collision and the harm to vulnerable passengers inside the parked vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761848 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 30 - Two sedans crashed head-to-tail on Henry Hudson Parkway. Both drivers were men traveling southwest. One driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:51 on Henry Hudson Parkway involving two sedans traveling southwest. Both vehicles were going straight ahead when the collision happened, with impact at the center front end of one sedan and the center back end of the other. The driver of the BMW, a 63-year-old male, sustained neck injuries and complained of whiplash. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both drivers. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision resulted in injury but no ejection. Both drivers were licensed, with one holding a Florida license and the other unspecified. This crash highlights the dangers of driver distraction on busy roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760447 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 26 - Council bill slashes legal parking time for big rigs. Ninety minutes max for tractor-trailers. Three hours for other commercial trucks. Streets clear faster. Heavy metal moves on.

Int 1069-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced September 26, 2024. The bill reads: "reducing the maximum time commercial vehicles may park." Sponsored by Kevin C. Riley and 23 others, it limits parking to three hours for most commercial vehicles, and 90 minutes for tractor-trailers, unless signs say otherwise. The law takes effect 120 days after passage. Council aims to keep streets less clogged by oversized trucks. No safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets long-term truck storage on city streets.

• File Int 1069-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 26 - Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

Sep 25 - City detour shoves cyclists onto steep, dangerous streets. No warning. No protection. Riders dodge cars, cross highway ramps, and face confusion. Injuries mount. Signs offer little help. Council Member Abreu calls plan shortsighted. Cyclists forced to risk lives or break rules.

On September 25, 2024, the city rerouted the Hudson River Greenway, sending 7,000 daily cyclists onto hilly, crash-prone streets. The detour, implemented with scant notice, lacks protected bike lanes and clear signage. Cyclists must share space with cars, cross highway ramps, and navigate steep slopes. The matter, described as 'shortsighted' by Council Member Shaun Abreu, repeats failures from a similar closure four years ago. Abreu urged the city to create a 'sustainable, workable detour' for vulnerable riders. Cyclists voiced frustration and fear, with some riding on pedestrian paths or even the highway to avoid danger. The city’s reliance on 'Share the Road' signs and sharrows leaves riders exposed. The detour has led to nearly one injury per week, highlighting the city’s disregard for cyclist safety during infrastructure work.

• Eyes On The Street: Greenway Detour is a Hilly, Confusing Danger Zone, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-25

Sep 23 - A sedan struck a male pedestrian crossing West 125 Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian suffered abdomen and pelvis injuries and was in shock. The driver showed no vehicle damage. Passenger distraction was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2009 BMW sedan traveling east on West 125 Street struck a male pedestrian crossing at the intersection near Amsterdam Avenue. The pedestrian sustained injuries to the abdomen and pelvis and was reported to be in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report lists 'Passenger Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating the driver’s attention was compromised. There is no indication of pedestrian fault or other contributing victim behaviors. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758251 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 21 - A lone BMW tore north on West 125th, driver drunk and belted. Metal screamed. Concrete took the blow. The man behind the wheel wore the crash on his face. Night swallowed the rest. No passengers. No mercy.

A single-vehicle crash unfolded on West 125th Street near 12th Avenue when a 2015 BMW, traveling northbound, struck with force in the early morning darkness. According to the police report, the 38-year-old male driver was the only occupant. He suffered facial crush injuries and was described as incoherent at the scene. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, highlighting clear driver errors. The sedan's left front bumper absorbed the impact, and no other vehicles or road users were involved. The narrative underscores the severity of the collision and the role of impaired driving. No mention is made of any victim behaviors contributing to the crash; the focus remains on the driver's actions and the systemic danger posed by driving under the influence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758247 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 13 - A motorcycle and an SUV collided head-on on West 150 Street in Manhattan. The motorcycle driver suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injuries, sustaining shock. The crash involved a failure to obey traffic controls, according to the police report.

At 7:01 PM on West 150 Street near Broadway in Manhattan, a collision occurred between a northbound motorcycle and an eastbound SUV. According to the police report, the crash involved a 'Traffic Control Disregarded' contributing factor, indicating a failure to obey traffic signals or signs. The motorcycle driver, a 47-year-old man wearing a helmet, was injured with fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg and experienced shock. Both vehicles sustained damage to their center front ends. The report does not specify any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior, focusing instead on driver error related to traffic control disregard.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758641 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 5 - A 30-year-old man riding south on Amsterdam Avenue struck defective pavement. He crashed hard. Fractures and dislocations followed. The street’s broken surface caused the harm.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male bicyclist traveling southbound on Amsterdam Avenue at 22:06 was injured after hitting defective pavement. The report lists 'Pavement Defective' as a contributing factor. The bicyclist suffered injuries to his entire body, including fractures and dislocations. He remained conscious. No other vehicles were involved. No driver errors were cited. The report notes the rider was not using any safety equipment, but the primary cause was hazardous road conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753562 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Sep 5 - Upper West Side residents and Council Member Shaun Abreu push back on a 96th Street bus lane. DOT aims to speed up slow buses for 15,000 daily riders. Locals cite residential concerns. Debate pits transit needs against curb access. No clear resolution.

On September 5, 2024, Council Member Shaun Abreu of District 7 joined Upper West Side residents in questioning the Department of Transportation's plan for a 24/7 offset bus lane on 96th Street. The DOT proposal, intended to speed up the M96 bus for 15,000 daily riders, would repurpose a travel lane in each direction while preserving curb parking. Abreu stated, "I wouldn’t say I’m opposed or in favor at this point," but called for more clarity and adjustments from DOT. The matter, described as a push to 'torpedo planned bus lane on 96th Street,' has drawn support from East Side's Community Board 8 and opposition from West Side locals and Council Member Gale Brewer, who suggested alternatives like bus signal priority. The debate centers on balancing transit improvements with residential curb access. No formal committee action or safety analysis has been reported.

• Upper West Side locals seek to torpedo planned bus lane on 96th Street, amny.com, Published 2024-09-05

Sep 5 - Council Member Gale Brewer stood with opponents against a 96th Street bus lane. She cited parking and speed concerns. DOT said parking stays. Advocates called her out for ignoring slow buses and 15,000 daily riders. Brewer claimed support for bus lanes elsewhere.

On September 5, 2024, Council Member Gale Brewer publicly opposed a dedicated bus lane on West 96th Street at a rally. The matter, described as a 'City Council member public statement/rally regarding bus lane project,' saw Brewer call on DOT to remove two blocks from the crosstown bus lane plan, citing the area's 'residential character' and questioning the need due to 'current bus speeds.' Brewer, who once backed bus lanes on 14th, 34th, and 181st Streets, now argued for alternatives and said, 'I'm a bus rider who takes this bus every day. It's not slow.' DOT countered that parking would be preserved and loading zones added. Transit advocates criticized Brewer for ignoring data on slow westbound buses and the needs of 15,000 daily riders. Council Member Shaun Abreu, who represents the district, did not attend and stated he does not oppose the bus lane. No formal safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Self-Proclaimed Bus Lane Champion Gale Brewer Tries To Tank Bus Lane, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-05