Blood on Their Hands: Slow Streets Now or Count More Bodies

Morning light cut through Broadway as a tractor truck slammed into the back of a sedan near West 165th Street. The sedan’s driver, a 51-year-old man, suffered a head injury and whiplash. Sirens echoed as first responders arrived at the scene.

A sedan and a tractor truck collided on Broadway near West 165th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the sedan was slowing or stopping when it was struck from behind by the southbound tractor truck. The sedan’s driver, a 51-year-old man, sustained a head injury and whiplash. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both drivers, with no further detail on the cause. No other injuries were reported. The data does not mention helmet use or turn signals as factors in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807868, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Morning light on West 165th. A sedan’s left front bumper slams into a woman crossing with the signal. She falls, pain radiating from her leg. Sirens echo. Blood and confusion on the pavement. The driver waits as first responders arrive.

A 37-year-old woman was hit by a northbound sedan while crossing West 165th Street at Fort Washington Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was in the intersection and crossing with the signal when the sedan, making a right turn, struck her with its left front bumper. She suffered a fractured and dislocated lower leg. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both the driver and the crash, providing no further detail on driver actions. No mention of helmet use or signal compliance appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809080, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 64-year-old man lay on the intersection at W 170 St and Audubon Ave, his lower leg twisted and fractured. The northbound Lexus SUV’s left front bumper bore the mark of impact. Sirens echoed as the injured pedestrian remained conscious, pain etched on his face.

According to the police report, a 64-year-old male pedestrian was struck and injured at the intersection of W 170 St and Audubon Ave in Manhattan. The collision involved a 2018 Lexus SUV registered in Connecticut, traveling north when its left front bumper hit the pedestrian. The report states the pedestrian suffered a fracture and dislocation to his knee, lower leg, and foot, but remained conscious at the scene. Police identified 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the crash. No other contributing factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were listed in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809061, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorscooter, racing down Edgecombe, flipped and tore through a boy’s skull. Blood pooled. The rider half-flung, a baby silent in the wreck. Speed wrote pain in flesh and concrete. The avenue held its breath.

A motorscooter traveling at unsafe speed overturned on Edgecombe Avenue near West 165th Street, according to the police report. The crash left a 9-year-old boy, a pedestrian, with severe head lacerations and in shock. The report states, 'A motorscooter, moving too fast, flipped. A 9-year-old boy struck, head bleeding. Rider half-thrown, bleeding. A baby inside the wreck, silent.' The only contributing factor listed is 'Unsafe Speed.' The data shows the motorscooter was going straight ahead before losing control and overturning, with the center front end damaged. The report does not cite any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the driver’s unsafe speed, which led directly to the collision and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809048, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Metal scraped and glass cracked on Audubon Avenue at West 186th Street. A 20-year-old driver suffered leg injuries and whiplash after a northbound sedan struck a parked car. Sirens echoed as first responders arrived. The street bore fresh scars from the impact.

A crash on Audubon Avenue at West 186th Street in Manhattan left a 20-year-old male driver injured. According to the police report, a northbound Ford sedan collided with the left rear bumper of a parked Mercedes sedan. The injured driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained injuries to his lower leg and foot, along with whiplash. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor in the collision. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signal failure were cited. The parked vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807414, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A moped slammed into a vehicle on West 170th Street near Audubon Avenue. The 24-year-old moped driver hit the ground, clutching his leg in pain. Sirens echoed as bystanders watched, the rider stunned and shaken, his knee and foot injured.

According to the police report, a crash occurred on West 170th Street at Audubon Avenue in Manhattan involving a moped and another vehicle. The moped driver, a 24-year-old man, was injured in the knee and foot and reported pain and shock at the scene. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as a contributing factor. The second vehicle was changing lanes at the time of the collision. No information about helmet use or turn signals is mentioned in the report. The incident highlights the dangers posed by improper lane changes on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809071, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

On Broadway, an SUV plowed into a young woman on an e-bike. She lay bleeding from the head, incoherent, helmetless. The SUV’s front left crumpled. The driver and passenger inside the SUV were unhurt. Metal and flesh collided, leaving one body broken.

According to the police report, a 63-year-old driver operating a station wagon/SUV struck a 20-year-old woman riding an e-bike on Broadway near West 181st Street in Manhattan at 8:38 p.m. The report states the SUV's front left quarter panel was damaged, while the e-bike was overturned. The bicyclist suffered severe head bleeding and was described as incoherent at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The SUV driver and a 79-year-old passenger were both uninjured, belted inside the vehicle. The report notes the e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after citing driver errors. The impact of driver inattention and close following left the vulnerable road user gravely hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806217, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A stolen car slammed into a Manhattan building. Flames followed. The driver, Francisco Guzman Parra, died on impact. His family waited days for answers. Police actions now face scrutiny. The city counts another life lost to speed and steel.

The New York Times (April 12, 2025) reports on the death of Francisco Guzman Parra after a stolen Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood, Manhattan. The crash followed a police chase; two officers involved were suspended pending investigation. The article notes, "The police are investigating whether the officers left the scene without reporting the crash." The medical examiner found Guzman Parra died from blunt impact and thermal injuries. The NYPD force investigation unit and state attorney general are reviewing the incident. The police have not disclosed why the chase began or details about the pursuit. The case highlights ongoing questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers that follow high-speed chases through city streets.

• Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-12

Metal scraped metal at the corner of 9th Avenue and West 206th Street. Two people suffered neck injuries inside their vehicles. Sirens echoed as dusk settled over Inwood, the air thick with the sharp scent of coolant and fear.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 9th Avenue and West 206th Street involving a Honda SUV and a Toyota sedan. Both vehicles were traveling south when they collided, resulting in neck injuries for a 29-year-old female passenger and a 45-year-old male driver. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor in the crash. Both injured parties complained of whiplash. The impact points were the left front bumper of the SUV and the right front quarter panel of the sedan. No other contributing factors, such as helmet use or signal failure, were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805560, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Metal crumpled and glass scattered on Amsterdam Avenue near West 190th Street. A 44-year-old man in the front seat suffered neck pain after sedans collided during a botched U-turn. Sirens echoed as first responders reached the scene.

According to the police report, a crash involving multiple sedans occurred on Amsterdam Avenue at West 190th Street in Manhattan. A 44-year-old male passenger, seated in the front, sustained a neck injury described as whiplash. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor, indicating that a driver executed an unsafe U-turn. No other driver errors or contributing factors are specified. The injured passenger was conscious at the scene. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The incident highlights the consequences when drivers fail to execute turns safely, endangering vehicle occupants and others nearby.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805219, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Night air split by metal and glass on Audubon Avenue. An ambulance and SUV crashed at the intersection with West 173rd Street. Sirens echoed as first responders tended to a bruised driver, shaken but conscious in the harsh streetlight.

According to the police report, an ambulance traveling north on Audubon Avenue collided with an SUV heading east on West 173rd Street in Manhattan. The crash occurred at 9:50 p.m. and left the 40-year-old male ambulance driver injured with contusions to his entire body. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor in the collision. Both vehicles sustained significant front-end and side damage. No mention of helmet or signal violations appears in the data. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804865, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 70-year-old man pedaled south on Fort Washington Avenue when an SUV’s left front bumper slammed into him. He hit the pavement, bruised and shaken, clutching his upper arm. Sirens echoed as he remained conscious, helmeted, and injured on the street.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on Fort Washington Avenue at W 180th Street in Manhattan between a station wagon/SUV and a bicycle. The 70-year-old male cyclist was ejected and suffered a contusion and upper arm injury but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors on the part of the SUV driver. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the data, but helmet use was not cited as a contributing factor. No injuries to vehicle occupants were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803663, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A stolen SUV crashed and burned at Dyckman Street. Two NYPD officers chased, then left. The driver died in flames. The cops returned to the Bronx, silent. Cameras caught their exit. The city investigates. Policy on police pursuits faces new scrutiny.

According to NY Daily News (April 3, 2025), two NYPD officers from the 50th Precinct pursued a stolen Honda CR-V into Manhattan. The driver crashed at Dyckman Street and Henry Hudson Parkway. The car burst into flames. The officers left the scene and did not report the crash, later returning to their precinct and finishing their shift. Surveillance footage captured their patrol car leaving. Both officers have been suspended. The article notes, 'Both officers have been suspended as the NYPD's Force Investigation Division investigates their actions.' The crash comes after NYPD restricted police pursuits, limiting them to cases involving felonies or violent misdemeanors. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the department now relies on 'advanced tools of modern-day policing' instead of risky chases. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the dangers of police pursuits and the need for strict adherence to new policies.

• Officers Flee Scene After Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

A 37-year-old woman was hit by a westbound SUV on West 175th Street in Manhattan. She suffered a bruised lower leg. The driver’s inattention caused the collision away from any intersection. The SUV showed no damage; the pedestrian was injured.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old female pedestrian was struck by a 2023 Toyota SUV traveling westbound on West 175th Street in Manhattan at 19:52. The pedestrian was not at an intersection when the vehicle impacted her on the left side doors. She sustained a contusion to her lower leg. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No other factors such as pedestrian behavior or helmet use were noted. The SUV sustained no damage, and its sole occupant was uninjured. This incident underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving to pedestrians, even outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804403, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 36-year-old man on a new motorcycle crashed head-on on Harlem River Drive exit. He was ejected, sustaining abrasions and injuries across his entire body. Alcohol involvement was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Harlem River Drive Exit 24 northbound at 1:26 a.m. A 36-year-old male motorcyclist was ejected from his vehicle after a head-on collision, suffering abrasions and injuries across his entire body. The motorcycle sustained damage to its center front end. The report explicitly cites alcohol involvement as a contributing factor to the crash. The rider was conscious but hurt, with emergency sirens responding to the scene. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved, and the driver held a valid New Jersey license. The report highlights the role of alcohol impairment in the crash, emphasizing driver error without attributing fault to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805097, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An SUV executing an improper U-turn struck two sedans traveling north on Sherman Avenue in Manhattan. Both drivers suffered chest and head contusions. The SUV’s center front end and one sedan’s right front bumper bore the brunt of the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Sherman Avenue in Manhattan at 2:30 PM. A 2021 Nissan SUV was making a U-turn when it collided with two sedans traveling straight northbound. The report cites "Turning Improperly" as a contributing factor for the SUV driver. The SUV sustained center front end damage, while one sedan suffered right front bumper damage. Both sedan drivers, ages 31 and 61, were injured with contusions to the head and chest respectively. Neither occupant was ejected, and both remained conscious. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the sedans or their drivers. This collision highlights the dangers posed by improper turning maneuvers in busy urban streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801551, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan making a left turn struck two pedestrians crossing Fort Washington Avenue with the signal. Both suffered serious injuries to head and hip. Police cite driver failure to yield right-of-way and inattention as causes. Victims were in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a 2017 Subaru sedan traveling south on Fort Washington Avenue was making a left turn when it struck two pedestrians at the intersection. Both pedestrians, a 67-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman, were crossing with the signal and suffered serious injuries—head trauma for the man and upper leg injuries for the woman. Both complained of pain or nausea and were in shock. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The sedan sustained damage to its center front end at the point of impact. The driver, a licensed female from New Jersey, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. No victim actions were cited as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801559, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 23-year-old female motorcyclist suffered severe leg injuries after a collision on Harlem River Drive. The rider was partially ejected and fractured her knee and lower leg. The crash involved a reaction to an uninvolved vehicle, causing impact to the motorcycle’s right front.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old female motorcycle driver traveling north on Harlem River Drive was involved in a crash at 7:00 PM. The motorcycle sustained damage to the right front bumper, indicating the point of impact. The rider was partially ejected and sustained fractures and dislocations to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as the primary contributing factor, highlighting a driver error in response to external traffic conditions. The rider was licensed and conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. The crash underscores the dangers motorcyclists face from sudden traffic reactions on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800780, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A westbound sedan struck multiple vehicles stopped in traffic on W 207 St, Manhattan. Alcohol involvement and unsafe speed contributed. Two male occupants suffered moderate injuries including facial contusions and whiplash. Impact damaged front and side vehicle sections.

According to the police report, a 2023 Chevrolet sedan traveling west on W 207 St collided with several vehicles stopped in traffic, including a 2019 Hyundai sedan, a 2021 Toyota sedan, and a 2018 Ford pick-up truck. The sedan's center front end and the left side doors of the Hyundai sustained damage. The crash occurred around 12:22 a.m. Two male occupants in the Chevrolet were injured: a 43-year-old front passenger with facial contusions and a 36-year-old driver with whiplash. The report identifies alcohol involvement and unsafe speed as contributing factors for the passenger's injuries. The driver’s contributing factors remain unspecified. The collision demonstrates driver errors related to impaired operation and excessive speed, causing a chain reaction among stopped vehicles. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801309, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 23-year-old man suffered head injuries after an SUV struck him at a Manhattan intersection. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the impact occurred, leaving him semiconscious.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of W 179 St and Broadway in Manhattan around 6 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2016 Ford SUV, traveling westbound, struck him. The report cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and was semiconscious with complaints of pain or nausea. The SUV showed no damage upon impact. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. The collision highlights critical driver errors, specifically failure to yield and distraction, as the cause of the pedestrian's serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801402, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15