Seven Dead in Silence: Manhattan Streets Are Killing Fields

Jun 12 - Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

• File S 6815, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

Jun 11 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.

• File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 11 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-11

Jun 10 - Two vehicles collided at Park Avenue and East 120th. A woman suffered a bruised leg. Police cite driver inattention. Metal struck metal. The street bore the mark. No pedestrians or cyclists involved. The system failed to protect its own.

A crash involving a sedan and a van occurred at Park Avenue and East 120th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 44-year-old woman driving one of the vehicles was injured, sustaining a contusion to her lower leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact damaged the right front bumper of the van and the left front bumper of the sedan. The police report does not mention any helmet or signal violations. The crash highlights the persistent danger posed by driver distraction on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819455 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 10 - Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.

• File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-06-10

Jun 9 - Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

Jun 8 - A sedan and a bus crashed at 2262 1st Avenue. Two women suffered injuries—one to the head, one to the shoulder. Both felt shock. Metal twisted. Pain followed. The police listed no clear cause. Streets stayed dangerous.

A sedan and a bus collided at 2262 1st Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 34-year-old woman riding as a front passenger in the sedan suffered a head injury and shock. A 30-year-old woman, driving the sedan, was also injured, reporting pain in her shoulder and shock. The bus driver, a man, was not reported injured. The report lists 'Unspecified' for contributing factors, offering no clear explanation for the crash. No helmet or signal issues were cited. The impact left two women hurt and the vehicles damaged, with the sedan struck on its left front and the bus on its right front. The cause remains unclear in the official record.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - A sedan moving too fast hit a woman on E 120 St. She was not in the roadway. She suffered whiplash and injuries to her entire body. Unsafe speed played a role. The street bore the impact.

A woman, age 45, was injured when a sedan struck her on E 120 St near 5 Ave in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash involved two sedans, with unsafe speed listed as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time of the collision. She suffered whiplash and injuries to her entire body. The report does not specify further details about the drivers or any other contributing factors. Unsafe speed stands out as the key driver error in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820503 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - SUV hit two pedestrians at East 103rd and Lexington. Both walkers injured. Driver and passenger hurt. Police cite driver inattention. Steel met flesh. Pain followed.

Two pedestrians, a 30-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, were injured when a station wagon/SUV struck them at East 103rd Street and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash involved driver inattention or distraction. The pedestrians suffered injuries to the leg and back. The SUV driver and a passenger were also hurt. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other contributing factors are noted for the pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820035 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 8 - City wants cars off 34th Street. Residents fear traffic will flood side streets. Bus riders crawl at five miles an hour. Officials tout safety gains from 14th Street. Tension rises between speed, safety, and neighborhood calm.

The New York Post (2025-06-08) reports that the city proposes restricting cars on 34th Street to create a busway between 3rd and 9th Avenues. Residents worry rerouted vehicles will jam local streets and worsen safety. Jessica Lavoie of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association warns, "diverting traffic from this critical corridor onto narrow residential streets would lead to increased congestion, safety hazards, and diminished quality of life." The Department of Transportation aims to replicate the 14th Street busway, which "reduced congestion, sped up bus travel and curbed accidents." The article highlights the ongoing struggle to balance efficient transit, tunnel access, and neighborhood safety. No specific driver errors are cited, but the plan underscores the systemic risks of shifting car traffic onto residential blocks.

• City Eyes 34th Street Car Ban Plan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-08

Jun 7 - A drunk driver tore through Gramercy. He struck Abdulhekim Esiyok in the crosswalk. Bars kept pouring drinks for the driver. Blood alcohol soared. Esiyok died at Bellevue. The driver hit more people before stopping. The city’s system failed again.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-07), Abdulhekim Esiyok, a 23-year-old Turkish immigrant, was killed while crossing Third Avenue after Mahbub Ali, allegedly intoxicated, drove into him. Prosecutors say Ali drank for nearly six hours at three Manhattan bars, reaching a blood alcohol content of .158, almost twice the legal limit. After hitting Esiyok, Ali continued, injuring a cyclist, two more pedestrians, and crashing into a van. The family’s lawsuit cites New York’s Dram Shop Act, which holds bars liable for serving visibly drunk patrons who later cause harm. The article quotes the family’s lawyer: “The family is devastated. They’re still in disbelief.” The case highlights failures in both driver responsibility and alcohol-serving oversight.

• Drunk Driver Kills Immigrant Pedestrian in Manhattan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-07

Jun 5 - A taxi and a sedan crashed at Park Avenue and East 120th. Three people suffered injuries. Police cite traffic control ignored and unsafe speed. Metal twisted. Pain followed. The street bore the cost.

A taxi and a sedan collided at Park Avenue and East 120th Street in Manhattan. Three people were hurt, including a 53-year-old male driver who complained of back pain and shock. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed.' These driver errors are listed as contributing factors for all involved. The report does not mention any helmet or signal violations. The impact left metal bent and bodies shaken. No blame is placed on those injured. The facts point to systemic danger where speed and ignored signals meet.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818404 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 4 - Taxi struck stopped sedan from behind on East 129th. Woman driver suffered neck injury. Both vehicles damaged. Police list contributing factors as unspecified.

A taxi traveling west on East 129th Street crashed into the back of a stopped sedan. The sedan's driver, a 55-year-old woman, suffered a neck injury. According to the police report, both vehicles were damaged at their center ends. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the danger for vehicle occupants even when stopped in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818325 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 4 - Box truck struck e-bike on E 115 St. Cyclist ejected, hit head, left unconscious. Police cite faulty traffic signal and alcohol. System failed. Streets remain brutal.

A box truck and an e-bike collided on E 115 St in Manhattan. The 34-year-old male cyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury with concussion, left unconscious. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Device Improper/Non-Working' and 'Alcohol Involvement' contributed to the crash. The truck’s right front bumper struck the e-bike. The cyclist wore no helmet, as noted after the driver errors. Two truck occupants were unhurt. Systemic failures in traffic control and driver behavior led to injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817786 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 2 - An e-scooter and a bike crashed head-on at East 103rd Street. The scooter rider, eighteen, suffered a concussion. The crash left the street marked by confusion and pain. The night air held the echo of impact.

An e-scooter and a bicycle collided at 315 East 103rd Street in Manhattan. The eighteen-year-old e-scooter rider was injured, suffering a concussion to the head. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight, one west and one east, when they struck each other head-on. No other injuries were reported. The police report lists no driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction, but cites confusion among the road users. No mention of helmet use or signaling appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817504 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 2 - A man died on the RFK Bridge exit at 125th Street. The crash crushed his body. He was not at an intersection. The driver’s actions remain unspecified. The street claimed another life. The system failed to protect him.

A male pedestrian was killed on the RFK Bridge exit at 125th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the victim suffered crush injuries to his entire body and was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred while the vehicle was going straight ahead. The pedestrian was not at an intersection but was in the roadway. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by pedestrians on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817511 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 2 - Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They protested NYPD’s push to criminalize minor bike infractions. Delivery riders, many undocumented, face court summonses for sidewalk riding and red lights. Judges toss charges. Police say it’s about compliance. Riders say it’s about targeting.

West Side Spirit reported on June 2, 2025, that hundreds of cyclists protested in Manhattan against the NYPD’s new policy of issuing criminal court summonses for minor bike infractions. The crackdown targets delivery workers, especially undocumented riders, for offenses like sidewalk riding and nonstandard bike setups. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the move, stating, 'When it comes to traffic safety, compliance is not optional.' Protesters and advocates argue the policy is discriminatory and escalates minor violations, risking severe consequences for vulnerable workers. Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives called it 'really inappropriate escalation.' The article highlights confusion over traffic rules and the risk of criminalization for actions previously handled as civil matters, raising questions about enforcement priorities and the impact on immigrant communities.

• Cyclists Rally Against NYPD Crackdown, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-02

Jun 1 - Two cars crashed on FDR Drive. The SUV flipped. Passengers and drivers suffered neck and arm injuries. Children were inside. Distraction outside the car played a role. The night was broken by metal and pain.

Two vehicles, a Honda SUV and a Toyota sedan, collided while heading north on FDR Drive in Manhattan. According to the police report, the SUV overturned after impact. Nine people were involved, including several children. Two drivers and at least two passengers were injured, suffering neck and shoulder injuries. The police report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus, especially with children in the car. The toll: bruises, whiplash, and fear, all in a moment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817929 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 31 - An SUV turned right on East 125th. An e-scooter kept straight. Metal struck flesh. The rider, a woman, was trapped and hurt in the leg. Police blamed blocked views. The street stayed busy. The danger stayed real.

A crash unfolded on East 125th Street at Park Avenue in Manhattan. An SUV, heading north, made a right turn. An e-scooter, also northbound, went straight. The two collided. According to the police report, the e-scooter rider, a 60-year-old woman, was trapped and suffered a leg injury and abrasions. She was listed as in shock. The SUV driver, a 50-year-old man, was not reported injured. Police cited 'View Obstructed/Limited' as the main contributing factor. No other driver errors were listed. The report did not mention helmet use or signals as factors. The crash left one vulnerable road user hurt, another unscathed, and the street unchanged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816834 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19