Seven Dead in Silence: Manhattan Streets Are Killing Fields

Jul 30 - Governor Hochul scraped up $54 million to restart the Second Avenue Subway. The MTA’s $15 billion hole remains. Lawmakers argue. Riders wait. The city’s future hangs on next year’s budget. Streets stay dangerous. The fix is not here.

On July 30, 2024, Governor Hochul announced $54 million in state funding to restart the stalled Second Avenue Subway project. The project had paused after Hochul halted congestion pricing, leaving a $15 billion gap in the MTA’s budget. State Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jeremy Cooney said, "I continue to believe this is an issue that can’t wait until next year’s session." The legislature ended its session without a plan to replace lost toll revenue. Hochul promised to address the shortfall in the 2025 budget. Assemblyman Eddie Gibbs praised Hochul’s commitment to East Harlem, while Rep. Adriano Espaillat thanked her for the funding. Critics warned the $54 million is a drop in the bucket. The MTA’s $70 billion capital plan hangs in the balance. No immediate relief for transit riders or vulnerable road users. The system remains at risk.

• Hochul finds $54M in state funding to restart Second Avenue Subway project stalled after congestion ‘pause’, nypost.com, Published 2024-07-30

Jul 29 - Taxi turned left. Struck cyclist riding north. Cyclist thrown, scraped head to toe. Faulty traffic signals. System failed. Blood on the street.

According to the police report, a taxi making a left turn on East 117 Street near 1 Avenue in Manhattan hit a northbound bicyclist at 8:34 PM. The 26-year-old male cyclist was ejected and suffered abrasions over his entire body. The report lists 'Traffic Control Device Improper/Non-Working' twice as a contributing factor, pointing to malfunctioning signals or signs at the intersection. The crash highlights driver error in the left turn maneuver amid failed traffic controls. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, as noted in the report. The scene underscores the danger when traffic systems break down.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744075 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 29 - Two sedans collided on 1st Avenue. One struck a man stepping from behind a parked car. His hip shattered. He died in the street. Alcohol and unsafe speed fueled the crash. The sun was still up. The city swallowed another life.

A 60-year-old man was fatally injured on 1st Avenue at East 105th Street in Manhattan when two sedans collided and one struck him, according to the police report. The report states, "A man stepped from behind a parked car. Two sedans collided. One struck him. His hip shattered. He died in the street." The crash occurred at 15:42 in daylight. Police explicitly cite "Alcohol Involvement" and "Unsafe Speed" as contributing factors. The sedan that struck the pedestrian was changing lanes at the time of the crash. The pedestrian's action is listed as "Emerging from in Front of/Behind Parked Vehicle," but the primary focus remains on driver errors: alcohol use and unsafe speed. These driver actions caused the deadly impact described in the police narrative.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744546 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 26 - A northbound sedan struck an eastbound e-bike at East 102 Street in Manhattan. The 26-year-old bicyclist was partially ejected, suffering knee and lower leg injuries. The driver was licensed; contributing factors remain unspecified in the police report.

According to the police report, a 2016 Hyundai sedan traveling northbound collided head-on with an eastbound e-bike at East 102 Street in Manhattan around 3:50 PM. The bicyclist, a 26-year-old male, was partially ejected from his e-bike and sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report notes the bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan driver, a licensed male, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. Both vehicles sustained center front end damage. The police report lists the bicyclist's and driver's contributing factors as unspecified, with no explicit driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding cited. The focus remains on the collision impact and resulting injuries without attributing fault to the bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744453 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 23 - A taxi made an unsafe lane change on East 121 Street, colliding with a northbound van. The van driver suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Both vehicles struck on their right front quarters, revealing driver error as the crash cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on East 121 Street near 3 Avenue in Manhattan at 1:45 p.m. A taxi traveling west was making a left turn when it executed an unsafe lane change, striking the right front quarter panel of a northbound van. The van driver, a 60-year-old male wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his entire body, including whiplash, and remained conscious after the collision. The taxi’s right side doors and the van’s center front end were damaged. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor, highlighting the taxi driver's error. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The van driver was not ejected and was the sole occupant of his vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742752 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 22 - A distracted moped driver struck a 33-year-old woman pedestrian outside an intersection. The impact caused a concussion and head injury. The pedestrian was conscious but injured, highlighting the dangers of driver inattention on city streets.

According to the police report, a moped traveling east on East 111 Street collided with a 33-year-old female pedestrian who was not in the roadway and not at an intersection. The point of impact was the center front end of the moped. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and concussion but remained conscious. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash, emphasizing the driver's failure to maintain focus. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' is noted but only after the driver error. The moped was going straight ahead at the time of impact. This collision underscores the systemic danger posed by distracted driving in Manhattan, resulting in serious injury to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744418 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 21 - Two sedans crashed head-on in East Harlem. Five hurt, four of them children. Drivers distracted. Metal twisted, bodies thrown. Whiplash and pain for all. Streets scarred by inattention.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on near 2182 3 Avenue in Manhattan at 9:34 AM. Both drivers, men aged 35 and 57, were licensed. The crash left five people injured: both drivers and four children, ages 2, 4, and 12. All children were in child restraints; drivers wore lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. No victim actions contributed. The impact demolished one car’s front end. All occupants suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. The crash shows the harm caused when drivers lose focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741901 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 20 - An e-scooter driver suffered a severe leg injury after a collision with a sedan on Madison Avenue. The scooter rider was partially ejected and fractured his knee and lower leg. The sedan showed no damage despite impact to its right front quarter panel.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Madison Avenue involving an e-scooter and a sedan. The e-scooter driver, a 38-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained a fracture and dislocation to his knee and lower leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The sedan, traveling east with one licensed driver, impacted the e-scooter at its center front end while the sedan's right front quarter panel was the point of impact. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to maintain proper attention. No safety equipment was used by the e-scooter driver. The sedan sustained no visible damage despite the collision. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the e-scooter driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742583 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 19 - A 17-year-old female bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises after a southbound SUV hit her on East 103 Street in Manhattan. The impact damaged the SUV’s right side doors. The bicyclist remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 2022 Toyota SUV traveling south on East 103 Street struck a 17-year-old female bicyclist traveling east on an e-bike. The SUV’s point of impact was the right side doors, which sustained damage. The bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to her knee and lower leg but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor, but does not specify driver errors or violations. Both vehicles were moving straight ahead prior to the collision. The bicyclist’s safety equipment status is unknown, and no additional contributing factors were listed. The crash highlights the dangers faced by young cyclists navigating intersections with larger vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741525 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 15 - An 18-year-old man on foot was struck at East 116 Street and Madison Avenue. He bled from his knee and leg. No driver errors listed. The car showed no damage. Night fell. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of East 116 Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan at 10:10 p.m. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious at the scene. The vehicle involved traveled north and showed no damage or point of impact. The police report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. No mention of helmet use or signals appears in the data. The report centers the harm to the pedestrian. The cause remains unlisted, but the impact left a young man hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740977 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 15 - A sedan turned right and struck a 69-year-old man crossing Mount Morris Park West. The impact broke his arm. The street became a danger zone. Metal met flesh. The city failed to protect him.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Mount Morris Park West at West 123 Street in Manhattan when a sedan, making a right turn, struck him with its right front bumper. The crash happened at 13:17. The pedestrian suffered a fractured and dislocated elbow and lower arm. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The driver’s right turn directly preceded the impact. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but the report does not cite this as a cause. The collision left the pedestrian seriously hurt, showing the danger turning vehicles pose at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740579 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 15 - Two SUVs collided on FDR Drive. One struck the other from behind. The front driver suffered a neck injury. Both vehicles showed heavy center-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

According to the police report, two Teslas crashed on FDR Drive at 12:45. The lead SUV was going straight ahead. The rear SUV was slowing or stopping. The rear vehicle struck the center back end of the front SUV. The front driver, a 45-year-old man, was injured in the neck but stayed conscious and was not ejected. He wore a lap belt. The report lists unspecified contributing factors. No driver errors like failure to yield or speeding were noted. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left both vehicles with center-end damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741179 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 12 - A sedan traveling north struck a westbound bicyclist on Park Avenue in Manhattan. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered neck abrasions. The driver was using a hand-held cell phone, contributing to the crash. The cyclist was unlicensed and unhelmeted.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Park Avenue collided with a bicyclist traveling west at 18:49 in Manhattan. The point of impact was the sedan's center front end striking the left side doors of the bike. The bicyclist, a 42-year-old female, was ejected and sustained neck abrasions, classified as injury severity 3. The sedan's driver was cited for using a hand-held cell phone, a critical contributing factor in the crash. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not wearing a helmet, but these were not listed as contributing factors. Vehicle damage was noted on the sedan's left front bumper and the bike's left side doors. The crash underscores the dangers of distracted driving and the vulnerability of cyclists in vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 12 - A moped driver was ejected and suffered facial injuries after a taxi disregarded traffic control on East 104 Street in Manhattan. The taxi struck the moped’s left front, demolishing the vehicle. The injured driver remained conscious with a concussion.

According to the police report, at 3:00 AM on East 104 Street in Manhattan, a collision occurred involving a taxi and a moped. The moped driver, a 29-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained facial injuries including a concussion. The taxi, traveling east, struck the moped, which was going south, with its left front bumper, demolishing the moped. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor, indicating the taxi driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. The moped driver was injured but conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The taxi driver held a valid New York license, but the failure to comply with traffic control led to this severe impact and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739694 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - An SUV traveling east collided with a parked van on Manhattan’s 1 Avenue. The impact struck the van’s left rear bumper and injured a 38-year-old male passenger in the SUV. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, at 19:04 on 1 Avenue in Manhattan, an SUV traveling east struck a parked van, impacting the van’s left rear bumper. The SUV’s right side doors sustained damage. A 38-year-old male passenger in the SUV suffered chest abrasions and was injured but remained conscious. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the collision. The van was stationary before the crash, indicating the SUV driver failed to maintain proper attention. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739723 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - A sedan and a wagon collided on East 116 Street at 7:25 a.m. The wagon driver, a 33-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited traffic control disregard and unsafe lane changing as causes. Airbags deployed; no ejections occurred.

According to the police report, at 7:25 a.m. on East 116 Street, a collision occurred involving a sedan and a wagon traveling northbound. The wagon driver, a 33-year-old female, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash but remained conscious. The report identifies the primary contributing factors as 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' by the wagon driver. The wagon was changing lanes when impact occurred on its left side doors, while the sedan was traveling straight and struck the wagon's left side with its right front quarter panel. The wagon driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness, and the airbag deployed. No ejections were reported. These details highlight driver errors in lane management and traffic control compliance as the critical causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740424 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - An unlicensed, intoxicated driver sped an SUV into parked vehicles on Park Avenue. Metal screamed as the SUV tore through the street. A 26-year-old rear passenger suffered a bleeding arm injury but stayed conscious amid the wreckage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred near 1399 Park Avenue in Manhattan at 12:48 a.m. An unlicensed driver operating a 2015 Toyota SUV at unsafe speed collided with multiple parked cars. The report states, "an unlicensed driver in a speeding SUV plowed through parked cars. Metal screamed." Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor. The SUV carried three occupants; the right rear passenger, a 26-year-old man, sustained a severe bleeding injury to his upper arm but remained conscious. The police report explicitly identifies the driver as "unlicensed" and lists "Alcohol Involvement" and "Unsafe Speed" as key contributing factors. No errors or contributing factors were attributed to the injured passenger. This crash highlights the deadly consequences of unlicensed, impaired, and reckless driving in Manhattan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739686 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - A 53-year-old woman suffered head injuries when an SUV making a left turn hit her at an intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. Impact occurred at the vehicle's right front bumper.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of East 104 Street and 3 Avenue in Manhattan around 4:54 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2022 GMC SUV, traveling north and making a left turn, struck her with the vehicle's right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor by the driver. The pedestrian sustained a head contusion and remained conscious. No damage was reported to the vehicle. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The collision highlights the driver's failure to yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 3 - A 34-year-old woman suffered abrasions and arm injuries when an SUV making a left turn struck her in a marked crosswalk. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing impact at the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian was conscious.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing 2 Avenue in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The crash occurred at 15:40 when a Hyundai SUV traveling south made a left turn and struck her with its left front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor attributed to the vehicle driver. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The collision highlights the danger posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections, as documented in this incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737788 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 2 - A 21-year-old bicyclist suffered full-body abrasions after being partially ejected in a collision with an SUV on Lexington Avenue. The SUV driver, making a right turn, followed too closely, causing the crash. The bicyclist was conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:36 on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. The SUV driver was making a right turn when the collision with the southbound e-bike happened. The bicyclist, a 21-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained abrasions over his entire body. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors to the crash. The SUV showed no damage, while the e-bike sustained damage to its center front end. The bicyclist was conscious at the scene. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers and close following distances in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737523 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19