Blood on Cabrini: Manhattan’s Streets Still Built for the Kill

Dumbo’s speed limit drops to 20 mph. Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone targets crowded streets. Ten severe injuries and one death in five years haunt the area. Council Member Restler and DOT push for slower traffic. Lives hang in the balance.

On March 19, 2025, Council Member Lincoln Restler announced the lowering of Dumbo’s speed limit to 20 mph, making it Brooklyn’s first Regional Slow Zone. The measure follows the passage of Sammy’s Law, which lets the city set its own speed limits. The Department of Transportation cited ten severe injuries and one death in Dumbo over five years. The new zone covers streets packed with pedestrians, from Furman to Navy and Hudson, and John to Sands and the BQE. Restler said, 'Data has shown that a one mile per hour increase in speed results in a nearly three percent increase in mortality.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez added, 'Lowering vehicle speed limits by even a few miles per hour could be the difference between life or death in a traffic crash.' The change will take effect after a public comment period. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso called for more slow zones in high-crash neighborhoods. The city plans to expand 20 mph limits to over 250 locations by the end of 2025.

• Speed limit in Dumbo to be lowered to 20 mph as nabe becomes Brooklyn’s first ‘Regional Slow Zone’, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-19

A 2023 Chevrolet SUV made an improper left turn on West 207th Street in Manhattan. The driver and front passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cite failure to yield and improper turning as contributing factors to the crash.

According to the police report, a 2023 Chevrolet SUV traveling west on West 207th Street in Manhattan was making a left turn when the crash occurred. The driver, a 30-year-old male, and the front passenger, a 38-year-old male, were both injured, sustaining back injuries and whiplash. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected from the vehicle. The report explicitly lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors to the crash. The impact was to the vehicle's left front bumper. No other vehicles or pedestrians were reported injured. The data highlights driver errors as the primary cause of the crash, with no victim behaviors cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803627 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A 36-year-old woman suffered hip and upper leg injuries after a sedan made a left turn and passed too closely while she crossed with the signal. Driver inattention and distraction contributed to the collision, leaving the pedestrian in shock.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southeast on Fort Washington Avenue made a left turn at W 178 Street around 6:00 AM in Manhattan. The vehicle passed too closely to a 36-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3, and was reported to be in shock. The report explicitly cites driver errors including "Passing Too Closely" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as contributing factors. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not identified as a contributing factor. No other vehicle occupants were involved. This crash highlights the dangers posed by inattentive drivers failing to maintain safe passing distances in intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801167 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A Dodge Charger slammed into a street sweeper, spun out, and pinned an NYPD officer against his patrol car. The officer tried to escape but was struck. Both men survived. No charges yet. Speed and lane change led to chaos.

According to the NY Daily News (March 14, 2025), a Dodge Charger struck a street sweeper and lost control at W. 13th St and Seventh Ave. The car spun several times, then pinned a uniformed NYPD officer between the Charger and his patrol car. Surveillance footage reviewed by a witness showed the Charger 'appeared to be speeding.' The officer tried to run but 'didn’t have enough time to avoid being struck.' Both the officer and the driver were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. No charges have been filed. The incident highlights the risks of high speed and abrupt lane changes in dense urban streets.

• Officer Pinned By Charger In West Village, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-14

Two occupants suffered serious injuries when a sedan struck the rear of another sedan on Broadway in Manhattan. The driver’s failure to maintain safe distance caused the collision. Both victims experienced shock and head or back injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Broadway near W 204 St in Manhattan at 6:30 pm. A 58-year-old female driver, licensed in New York, was cited for 'Following Too Closely,' which led her sedan to collide with the rear of another sedan traveling northbound. The impact caused injuries to both vehicle occupants: a 23-year-old male front passenger sustained head injuries, and the driver suffered back injuries. Both victims were not ejected but experienced shock. The report highlights the driver error of failing to maintain a safe following distance as the primary contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800572 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

City will let mopeds use Brooklyn and Queensboro bridge roadways. Mopeds banned from bike lanes. Cyclists and pedestrians get relief. DOT will not lower speed limits. Mopeds must be registered. Advocates want safer roads. Public hearing set for April 14.

On March 13, 2025, the NYC Department of Transportation announced a new policy permitting mopeds on the Brooklyn Bridge and the lower roadway of the Queensboro Bridge. The policy aims to move mopeds out of bike lanes and onto motor vehicle lanes, addressing hazardous mixing of modes. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, “This proposed rule change is about expanding safe, practical options for moped users.” The change responds to rising moped use, especially among delivery workers, and ongoing conflicts with cyclists and pedestrians. Advocates like Jon Orcutt of Bike New York support removing mopeds from bikeways but urge DOT to do more for moped safety. The DOT will not lower speed limits as part of the policy. Mopeds remain banned from the Queensboro’s upper roadway. A public hearing is scheduled for April 14. The city recorded 1,496 injury-causing moped crashes in 2024, with only one on an East River Bridge.

• EXCLUSIVE: City Will Let Mopeds Use Queensboro and Brooklyn Bridge Roadways, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-13

Dozens gathered in Midtown. They demanded e-bike registration and license plates. Priscilla’s Law, named for a pedestrian killed by an e-bike, drove the call. Council Member Holden and Assembly Member Rajkumar led. Advocates want accountability. They say e-bike chaos endangers walkers and cyclists.

On March 12, 2025, Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30) joined Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and advocates in Midtown to rally for Priscilla’s Law (A339). The bill would require all e-bikes to have license plates and be registered with the DMV or DOT. The rally, held near Governor Hochul’s office, drew support from the NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance. The matter title: 'New Yorkers rally in Midtown to combat “lawless” e-bike riding in NYC.' Holden supports both city and state versions, stating, 'We need the state DMV to issue license plates for e-bikes.' Rajkumar declared, 'We will usher in a new era free of e-bikes blasting through red lights.' The bill is named for Priscilla Loke, killed by an e-bike in 2023. Advocates say e-bike collisions often end in hit-and-runs. They demand rules and consequences to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

• New Yorkers rally in Midtown to combat “lawless” e-bike riding in NYC, amny.com, Published 2025-03-12

Two SUVs slammed together on 10 Ave. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. Both drivers suffered head wounds and shock. Pain and nausea followed. Airbags burst. Lap belts held. Manhattan street turned violent.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided at 3:15 AM on 10 Ave near W 206 St in Manhattan. One SUV was making a left turn southeast, the other heading north. Police cited aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors. Both drivers suffered head injuries and shock, with complaints of pain and nausea. Airbags deployed and lap belts were used by the occupants. The impact struck the left front bumper and center front end. The report does not mention any pedestrian involvement or victim error. Aggressive driving stands out as the key factor in this violent street crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796957 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Steel screamed on Henry Hudson Parkway. Two sedans, too fast, turned right and collided. Two young men slumped inside, heads bleeding, semiconscious. The echo of unsafe speed lingered in the wreckage, leaving blood and silence behind.

Two sedans collided on Henry Hudson Parkway in the early morning hours, leaving two 22-year-old men injured and semiconscious, both suffering severe head wounds. According to the police report, both vehicles were 'making right turn' when they crashed. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The narrative describes the scene: 'Steel kissed steel. The Honda's side split. The BMW's nose crushed. Two young men, both 22, slumped inside, heads bleeding. Semiconscious. Silent. The speed still echoed in the wreckage.' The data shows both drivers were licensed and neither occupant was ejected. The focus remains on driver actions—unsafe speed and improper turning—as the root causes of this violent crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798349 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Community Board 1 voted 18-15 to cut speed limits in Greenpoint and Williamsburg to 20 mph. Residents and officials demand action after deadly crashes. DOT has yet to respond. The fight pits safety against drivers. Lives hang in the balance.

On March 6, 2025, Brooklyn Community Board 1 voted 18-15 to request a 20 mph speed limit for Greenpoint and Williamsburg. The measure, supported by 40 groups and nearly all local elected officials, marks the first neighborhood-wide slow zone request since the passage of Sammy's Law. The board's action follows letters from Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, Assembly Member Emily Gallagher, Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez, and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. They cited CB1's high fatality rate—3.27 deaths per 10,000 residents, above the city average. The board's vote was contentious, with pro-driving members opposing the change. DOT spokesperson Mona Bruno acknowledged the support and promised more information on slow zones for outer boroughs. Council Member Lincoln Restler later joined the call for lower speeds. The measure now awaits DOT action.

• Greenpoint and Williamsburg Beg DOT for 20MPH Slow Zone, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-06

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

Four miles of new protected bike lane now run up 6th Avenue. Cyclists ride from the Village to Central Park without fear. The city took a lane from cars. Pedestrians cross faster. The street is safer. Bottcher calls it a step forward.

On March 5, 2025, the city finished a four-mile protected bike lane on 6th Avenue, stretching from Lispenard to West 13th Streets. The project, part of the city’s Streets Plan, was announced by DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. Council Member Erik Bottcher, representing District 3, praised the completion, saying, “By completing the Sixth Avenue bike lane, we are not only improving the safety of cyclists but also enhancing the overall experience for pedestrians and drivers alike.” The new lane replaces a car lane, widens space for bikes, and redesigns intersections to shorten pedestrian crossings and slow turning vehicles. Transportation advocates and Manhattan Community Board 2 support the project. DOT data shows protected bike lanes cut total deaths and serious injuries by 18.1%, and pedestrian deaths and serious injuries by 29.1%.

• 6th Avenue’s four-mile protected bike lane corridor completed, amny.com, Published 2025-03-05

A sedan making a left turn struck the left rear bumper of a parked bus on W 218 St in Manhattan. The sedan driver, a 53-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and shock. Alcohol involvement was noted as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:33 on W 218 St near 9 Ave in Manhattan. A sedan traveling northeast was making a left turn when it collided with the left rear bumper of a parked bus. The bus was stationary and unoccupied at the time. The sedan driver, a 53-year-old man, was injured with neck trauma and experienced shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. He was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report cites alcohol involvement as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver impairment. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were specified. The impact damaged the left rear quarter panel of the sedan and the left rear bumper of the bus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798179 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A northbound sedan struck a parked car on W 215 St in Manhattan. The female driver suffered a head injury and shock. Police cited alcohol involvement and driver distraction as key factors in the collision. Airbags deployed; no ejections occurred.

According to the police report, a female driver traveling north on W 215 St collided with a parked sedan, impacting the left front bumper of her vehicle against the center back end of the parked car. The driver, a 30-year-old woman, was injured with a head injury and experienced shock. The report highlights 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was properly restrained with a lap belt and harness, and the airbag deployed. There were no ejections. The parked vehicle had no occupants at the time. This collision underscores the dangers posed by impaired and distracted driving in Manhattan's streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799702 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

Weigh-in-motion sensors slashed overweight trucks on the BQE by 60%. City officials want Albany to extend the program. Councilmember Restler and DOT Commissioner Rodriguez call for more enforcement. The tech fines violators, cuts danger, and protects crumbling roads.

On March 4, 2025, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez urged state lawmakers to extend and expand the weigh-in-motion truck enforcement program on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The program, launched in fall 2023, uses sensors to detect overweight trucks and issue $650 fines. According to the city, 'Weigh-in-Motion technology has successfully eliminated 60% of the overweight truck traffic on the Queens bound BQE.' Restler said he hopes for similar results on the Staten Island-bound lanes. The bill authorizing the program is set to expire, prompting calls for urgent legislative action. Rodriguez called the technology a 'national model.' Lawmakers want to expand the system to other sites, including the Washington Bridge. The crackdown aims to reduce illegal truck loads, which threaten road safety and infrastructure.

• Weigh-in-motion tech has cut overweight trucks on BQE by 60%, city says, urging state to extend program, amny.com, Published 2025-03-04

Weigh-in-motion sensors slashed overweight truck crossings on the BQE by 60%. Councilmember Lincoln Restler backs the tech and calls for state lawmakers to extend the program. The city wants expansion before the enabling law expires. DOT hails the results.

On March 4, 2025, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) urged state lawmakers to extend the weigh-in-motion truck enforcement program on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). The program, launched in fall 2023, uses sensors to detect overweight trucks and issue $650 fines. According to the city, overweight truck crossings on the Queens-bound BQE dropped from 7,920 daily to about 3,041 per month—a 60% reduction. The sensors are set to expand to the Staten Island-bound side this year. Restler said, "Weigh-in-Motion technology has successfully eliminated 60% of the overweight truck traffic on the Queens bound BQE." The Department of Transportation and Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez praised the program's impact and called it a potential national model. With the authorizing law set to expire, city officials are pressing Albany to extend and expand the program.

• Weigh-in-motion tech has cut overweight trucks on BQE by 60%, city says, urging state to extend program, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2025-03-04

A 62-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a northbound vehicle on W 158 St. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and drove at unsafe speed. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and upper leg injuries.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of W 158 St and Broadway in Manhattan around 11:00 AM. The 62-year-old male pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a northbound vehicle struck him on the left front bumper. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The vehicle’s front center end was damaged. No information about the vehicle type or driver license status was provided. The report focuses on the driver’s errors, specifically failure to yield and unsafe speed, as the cause of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796360 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

A sedan making a left turn struck a 59-year-old woman crossing Broadway with the signal. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries, enduring shock. The driver failed to yield right-of-way amid limited visibility, causing a harsh front-end impact.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Broadway and W 156 St in Manhattan around 9:40 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2013 Toyota sedan, traveling north and making a left turn, struck her with the center front end of the vehicle. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a primary contributing factor, compounded by obstructed or limited view conditions. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The sedan had two occupants, and the driver held a valid New York license. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front end, confirming the point of impact. The report does not assign any contributing fault to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795727 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

An 18-year-old male bicyclist suffered a head injury in a crash on West 176th Street near Audubon Avenue. The collision involved an unspecified vehicle striking the bike’s front center. The rider remained conscious but sustained internal injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:00 AM on West 176th Street in Manhattan. An 18-year-old male bicyclist traveling south was involved in a collision with an unspecified vehicle. The point of impact was the center front end of both the bike and the other vehicle. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious but suffered a head injury classified as severity level 3, with internal complaints. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No safety equipment or victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The other vehicle involved had no reported damage or occupants. The data focuses on the impact and injuries sustained by the bicyclist without assigning fault to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800099 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-05

DOT slowed Third Avenue’s traffic lights from 25 to 15 mph. Drivers fumed. E-bikes surged. Councilmember Julie Menin said she got no warning. Residents felt blindsided. DOT claims safety, but the street churns with tension. No crash deaths since the 2023 redesign.

On February 19, 2025, the Department of Transportation retimed traffic signals on Third Avenue between 60th and 96th Streets, dropping the pace from 25 mph to 15 mph. The DOT called it a 'minor adjustment' to make the street safer for pedestrians and more comfortable for cyclists and drivers. Councilmember Julie Menin (District 5) said, 'We received no communication whatsoever about these very significant changes.' Menin wrote to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, demanding answers and citing a lack of community input. Residents and drivers complained the change slowed cars and let e-bikes speed unchecked. DOT data shows no crash deaths since a 2023 redesign added bike and bus lanes. The move sparked debate over safety, transparency, and the balance between driver convenience and vulnerable road user protection.

• NYC’s Third Avenue traffic light slowdown sparks fury as locals complain of e-bike ‘racetrack’, nypost.com, Published 2025-02-19