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

Apr 6 - Metal tears at dusk on Broadway. A truck and sedan, too close, too fast. Two men, both thirty-two, take blows to the head. Blood stains seats. Parked cars left gashed and silent. The street grows cold.

A truck and a sedan collided on West 146th Street at Broadway. Two men, both age thirty-two, suffered head injuries and concussions. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' The impact left parked cars damaged, their doors torn open. The report lists no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when vehicles pass too close and change lanes unsafely. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Evening fell as the street filled with broken glass and blood.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804083 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Apr 5 - Two SUVs and a sedan collided on Riverside Drive. Three people hurt. Head and shoulder injuries. Police cite reaction to another vehicle. Metal twisted. Sirens wailed.

Two SUVs and a sedan collided on Riverside Drive near West 119th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, three people were injured: two drivers suffered head injuries and a rear passenger reported shoulder pain. The crash involved a reaction to an uninvolved vehicle, as noted in the police report. No driver-specific errors like speeding or failure to yield were listed. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as contributing factors. The impact left metal bent and lives disrupted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803732 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Apr 5 - SUV hit cyclist at unsafe speed. Rider ejected, head injured. Police cite driver inattention and speed. Blood on the street. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A station wagon/SUV struck a 22-year-old cyclist on Amsterdam Avenue at West 126th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' contributed to the crash. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but these factors followed the driver’s errors. The crash left the cyclist conscious but hurt. The system exposed the rider to danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803731 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Apr 4 - A police chase tore through Upper Manhattan. The Honda crashed, flames swallowed it. The driver died inside. Officers were suspended. The street fell silent. Charred metal marked the spot. The city’s pursuit rules failed to stop the wreck.

The New York Times (2025-04-04) reports two NYPD officers were suspended after chasing a stolen Honda CRV that crashed and burned on Dyckman Street, killing its driver. The article notes the police are investigating if officers left the scene without reporting the crash. The incident came three months after NYPD restricted car chases for low-level offenses. Commissioner Tisch said, “Our officers deserve clear guidance and smart protocols when determining whether to engage in a vehicle pursuit on our streets.” The pursuit was reportedly justified under new policy, which still allows chases for serious crimes. The fatal fire highlights the ongoing risks of police pursuits and questions the effectiveness of recent reforms.

• Police Chase Ends In Fatal Fire, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 3 - A man, 28, hit at Broadway and West 143rd. He suffered a bruised leg. The crash left him conscious but hurt. No driver errors listed. The street stays dangerous.

A 28-year-old man walking at the intersection of Broadway and West 143rd Street in Manhattan was struck and injured. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a contusion to his knee and lower leg but remained conscious at the scene. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The vehicle type and details remain unspecified. The crash highlights the ongoing risk faced by pedestrians on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Apr 1 - Sedans collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. One driver suffered back injury and concussion. Police cite following too closely. Metal, glass, pain. System failed to protect.

Two sedans collided on Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan. According to the police report, one driver suffered a back injury and concussion. The crash involved a rear-end impact, with the front of one sedan striking the back of another. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. No other errors or factors are cited. The toll: one injured, others shaken. The system left a gap, and the gap closed fast.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802973 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Mar 29 - A 58-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn on W 142 St. The impact caused a head contusion. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, according to the police report, leaving the pedestrian injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:30 AM on W 142 St near Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan. A 58-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal at an intersection when she was hit by a northbound SUV making a left turn. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the vehicle driver. The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and was conscious at the scene. The SUV showed no vehicle damage despite striking the pedestrian with its center front end. The driver was licensed and operating a 2024 SUV registered in New Jersey. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Mar 28 - A 32-year-old male bicyclist suffered chest injuries and shock after a collision with a northbound SUV on St. Nicholas Avenue. The SUV was parked before impact. Police cite improper lane usage and driver distraction as causes. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:28 on St. Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. A 32-year-old male bicyclist traveling north was injured when struck by a northbound Honda SUV that was parked prior to the collision. The bicyclist sustained chest injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the left front bumper of the bike. The report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and from Pennsylvania. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior or equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802075 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Mar 27 - SUV turned left on St Nicholas Ave. Struck a woman crossing with the signal. Both driver and pedestrian injured. Driver failed to yield. Impact left the pedestrian bruised and in shock.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV made a left turn at St Nicholas Ave and W 150 St in Manhattan and struck a 36-year-old woman crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock. The 39-year-old driver was also injured and reported in shock. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. The SUV had no visible damage despite a center front impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802009 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Mar 27 - A speeding SUV struck the rear of a sedan traveling north on Henry Hudson Parkway. The sedan’s driver suffered chest injuries and whiplash. Airbags deployed and seat belts restrained the driver, who remained conscious after the violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on Henry Hudson Parkway. A 50-year-old male driver of a sedan was injured when a 2023 SUV traveling north at unsafe speed rear-ended his vehicle. The point of impact was the left rear bumper of the SUV hitting the center front end of the sedan. The sedan driver sustained chest injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. Safety equipment including airbags and lap belts deployed and restrained the driver. The report cites "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver’s failure to control speed led to the collision. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801478 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Mar 26 - Albany has no plan. The MTA faces a $35-billion hole. City lawmakers reject a payroll tax hike unless suburbs pay too. Federal officials blast subway decay. Riders wait. The capital plan hangs in limbo. Danger grows with every delay.

On March 26, 2025, state budget talks stalled over the MTA's 2025-29 capital plan. The $35-billion gap remains. The matter, described as a 'lack of a concrete plan from New York State leaders,' sits unresolved. Assembly Member Micah Lasher calls for regional funding, arguing suburbs benefit most. City lawmakers oppose a payroll tax hike limited to New York City. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie offers only vague assurances. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber warns the capital plan is as vital as Medicare. Federal officials, including U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, criticize subway neglect and demand improvements before aid. Gov. Hochul’s office claims progress and urges fair federal funding. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The system’s decay puts riders at risk. The clock ticks. Lawmakers stall.

• CAPITOL DISPATCH: Albany Has No Plan, the Feds are Fuming and Transit Riders Are Facing a True ‘Shithole’ If MTA Cash Isn’t Raised, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-26

Mar 17 - A bus merging northbound struck a minivan traveling straight on Henry Hudson Parkway. The impact hit the bus’s left front quarter panel and the minivan’s right front quarter panel. A passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:38 on Henry Hudson Parkway. A northbound bus was merging when it collided with a northbound minivan going straight ahead. The point of impact was the bus’s left front quarter panel and the minivan’s right front quarter panel. The report cites driver errors including Failure to Yield Right-of-Way, Aggressive Driving/Road Rage, and Unsafe Lane Changing. A 27-year-old male passenger in the minivan was injured, sustaining back injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The bus had four occupants, and the minivan had two. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The crash highlights dangerous merging and aggressive driving behaviors leading to serious passenger injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799993 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Mar 6 - A stolen minivan tore through Harlem. The driver ran from police. He struck Devon Hughley on a scooter. Hughley died at Harlem Hospital. The driver fled. Police used facial recognition. They arrested Enesin Delarosa. Grief lingers. Memorials remain.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-06), Enesin Delarosa, 26, was arrested for fatally striking Devon Hughley, 45, while fleeing an NYPD car stop in Harlem on November 2. The article reports Delarosa was driving a stolen minivan and "allegedly hit Hughley near W.155th St. and St. Nicholas Ave. while fleeing a traffic stop." Delarosa faces charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene, fleeing police, and possession of stolen property. The crash highlights the lethal risk of high-speed police pursuits and the dangers posed by stolen vehicles in dense urban areas. Memorial posters for Hughley remain in his building. The article quotes Hughley's sister, Yvette Palmer: "the arrest brought some peace."

• Scooter Rider Killed Fleeing Traffic Stop, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-06

Mar 3 - A 20-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured when an SUV driver distracted by inattention collided with him on Riverside Drive. The impact caused abrasions and lower leg injuries, highlighting the dangers of driver distraction in Manhattan traffic.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Riverside Drive in Manhattan at 16:16. A 20-year-old male bicyclist traveling north was struck by a northbound 2017 Ford SUV. Both vehicles were going straight ahead when the SUV's right front quarter panel collided with the bike's center front end. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity 3. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for the crash, pointing to the SUV driver's failure to maintain attention. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not wearing safety equipment, but these were not cited as contributing factors by the police. This collision underscores the systemic danger posed by distracted driving in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796588 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Feb 24 - Upper Manhattan will swap sidewalk garbage bags for curbside bins. Nearly 80% of apartments join the pilot. Parking gives way to cleaner streets. Council Member Abreu backs the move. Advocates say bins clear paths for walkers. The city aims for citywide rollout.

On February 24, 2025, Council Member Shaun Abreu announced support for a pilot in Manhattan’s Community Board 9, replacing sidewalk garbage bags with curbside containers. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will launch the program by June 1, 2025, with nearly 80% of apartments participating. The pilot, which follows earlier bin tests, repurposes parking spots for stationary bins. Abreu, co-sponsoring a bill with Council Member Crystal Hudson, called the shift 'a necessary public good' despite the loss of parking. The bill would require on-street containers for buildings with 10 or more units citywide by 2032. Advocates and DSNY officials highlight the benefit for pedestrians: 'People don’t want garbage on the sidewalk, and it makes perfect sense to put it in the roadway.' The pilot will run for a year, aiming to clear sidewalks and improve safety for those on foot.

• ‘Trash Revolution’: Curbside Containers Coming to Most Apartments in Uptown Pilot, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-24

Feb 13 - A 3-year-old girl playing in the roadway was struck by an eastbound SUV on W 146 St. She suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The driver, proceeding straight, made contact with the pedestrian at the right front bumper with no vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 3-year-old female pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2018 Jeep SUV traveling eastbound on W 146 St near Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan. The report states the pedestrian was playing in the roadway at the time of the collision. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, indicating the child’s presence in the roadway contributed to the crash. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report does not mention any other contributing factors or safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793100 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 9 - SUV veered, struck cyclist on Amsterdam. Rider thrown, scraped up. Police blame improper lane use by driver. Crash left cyclist hurt and exposed the danger on city streets.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a northbound Porsche SUV struck him on Amsterdam Avenue near La Salle Street at 4 p.m. The SUV hit the cyclist with its right front quarter panel, ejecting the rider and causing abrasions to his back. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but the primary cause was the SUV driver's improper lane use. The crash damaged the SUV's front bumper and the bike's left side. The cyclist was conscious but suffered significant injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791438 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Feb 6 - 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

Feb 4 - 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