Bronx CB1: Death on East 149th, and a line of stretchers

May 13 - Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.

According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.

• Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets, New York Post, Published 2025-05-13

May 12 - A Fisker SUV making a U-turn hit a 19-year-old cyclist on Westchester Ave. The cyclist suffered a head injury. No injuries reported for the SUV occupants. The crash left the bike and SUV undamaged.

A Fisker Ocean SUV collided with a 19-year-old woman riding a bike at 700 Westchester Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, the SUV was making a U-turn when it struck the cyclist, causing a head injury and contusions. The cyclist was conscious at the scene. The SUV driver and another occupant, both 27, were not injured. The police report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor. No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction are specified in the data. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment, as noted after the contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 12 - A sedan hit an 85-year-old woman crossing E 161 St at St Anns Ave. She suffered leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention. The street stayed open. The pain lingered.

An 85-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing E 161 St at St Anns Ave in the Bronx. She was in a marked crosswalk, crossing without a signal, and suffered injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan, driven by a 62-year-old man, was making a right turn when the crash occurred. No injuries were reported for the driver or a young male passenger. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812786 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 12 - Two SUVs crashed in the Bronx. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 141 St and Concord Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, one driver, a 64-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma. Three others, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash involved a left turn and a vehicle traveling straight. No other causes were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813282 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 11 - A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.

NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.

• Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-11

May 10 - A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.

A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812782 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 10 - A man crossed East 160th Street. A black Mercedes hit him. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed the man to Lincoln Hospital. He died. Police search for the driver. The street holds silence. Another life lost to speed and steel.

ABC7 reported on May 10, 2025, that a 43-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run at East 160th Street and Webster Avenue in the Bronx. The article states, "A preliminary investigation found that the man was crossing the street when he was struck by a black Mercedes traveling southbound on Webster Ave." The driver did not stop and has not been apprehended. Emergency services transported the victim to Lincoln Hospital, where he died from his injuries. ABC7 quotes an area resident: "That was like my brother. He remember he was a good guy, a family guy. A whole father." The crash highlights the ongoing danger faced by pedestrians and the persistent issue of drivers fleeing crash scenes. No arrests have been made.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Bronx Pedestrian, ABC7, Published 2025-05-10

May 8 - A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.

A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814293 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.

NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.

• Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-07

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 3 - A van door swung open. The e-biker hit it, thrown into the street. A truck rolled over him. He died in the gutter, Broome and Centre. The city lost a musician. The street stayed the same.

NY Daily News reported on May 3, 2025, that George Smaragdis, known as synthwave artist Starcadian, died after being doored by a Mercedes van while riding his e-bike westbound on Broome Street in Manhattan. The impact threw him into the path of a red delivery truck, which ran him over. Police said Smaragdis suffered severe head trauma and died at Bellevue Hospital. The article notes, 'The man who died after being doored while riding an e-bike and then run over by a passing truck...was a popular and influential synthwave artist.' The crash highlights the ongoing danger of dooring and the lethal consequences when street design and driver actions fail to protect cyclists. No mention of charges or policy changes followed.

• E-Biker Doored, Killed in Soho Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-03

May 1 - SUV struck e-scooter at Westchester Ave. Three injured. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. Head, leg, and back injuries. Pain and whiplash. Streets remain hostile for the unprotected.

An SUV collided with an e-scooter at 654 Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. Three people were injured: the SUV driver suffered head injuries, the front passenger had back injuries, and the e-scooter rider sustained leg injuries. According to the police report, 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' was a contributing factor. The SUV's right front bumper hit the e-scooter. No helmet or signal use was listed as a factor. The crash left all injured but conscious. The data points to driver aggression as the cause, underscoring the danger faced by those outside cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810049 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Apr 30 - SUV struck left front. Two inside hurt. Driver distracted. Passenger and driver both shocked, one with concussion, one with whiplash. Streets in the Bronx bear the cost.

A station wagon/SUV traveling south on Grand Concourse at East 138th Street crashed, injuring two occupants. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience.' The driver, a 43-year-old man, suffered a concussion and back injury. A 43-year-old female passenger sustained whiplash and a hip injury. Both were in shock. The SUV's left front bumper took the impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists driver distraction and inexperience as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810087 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 28 - A 37-year-old man lay bleeding on E 149th Street. A westbound vehicle hit him. His head was torn open. He was not at an intersection. No one else was hurt. The street stayed silent.

A 37-year-old pedestrian was struck and left unconscious on E 149th Street near Brook Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, the man suffered severe head lacerations after a westbound vehicle continued straight and hit him. He was not at an intersection. No other injuries were reported. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. The victim was found in the roadway, bleeding and unresponsive.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809488 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 28 - A man was attacked in Mott Haven. The beating followed a road rage incident. Police search for suspects. The street became a scene of sudden violence. Another day, another danger for New York’s vulnerable.

CBS New York reported on April 28, 2025, that a man was beaten during an apparent road rage incident in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The NYPD is searching for suspects after 'a man was beaten in what police are calling an apparent road rage attack.' The article highlights the eruption of violence linked to driver aggression, turning a city street into a crime scene. No details on the victim’s actions or condition were provided. The incident underscores the risks faced by people on New York streets and points to the ongoing threat posed by unchecked driver behavior. No charges or arrests have been made at this time.

• Man Beaten In Bronx Road Rage, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-28

Apr 27 - Francisco Guzman Parra died in a burning car after a police chase in Inwood. Officers left the scene unreported. Family demands answers. Two investigations run. Streets stay dangerous. System failed to protect. The dead remain silent.

CBS New York reported on April 27, 2025, that Francisco Andres Guzman Parra, 31, died after crashing a stolen vehicle on Dyckman Street in Manhattan following an NYPD pursuit. The article states, "NYPD sources said the two officers in pursuit returned to their stationhouse without reporting the crash." The FDNY later found Guzman Parra dead in the burning car. Patrick Hendry of the Police Benevolent Association claimed officers "lost sight of the car and did not know it crashed," but the family's attorney, Jeremy Feigenbaum, said their investigation "has not corroborated the officers' claim." The officers remain on leave as both the NYPD and the New York attorney general's office investigate. The case raises questions about police pursuit protocols and reporting failures.

• NYPD Pursuit Ends In Fatal Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-27

Apr 26 - A man clung to his car as a thief sped off. The driver sideswiped a parked car. The victim fell, suffering head trauma and a shattered leg. He faces amputation. The car was found abandoned. The street bears old scars.

NY Daily News reported on April 26, 2025, that a 32-year-old man in Pelham Bay, Bronx, was critically injured after trying to stop a carjacker. Surveillance video shows the victim sprinting to his double-parked Infiniti as a suspect entered and sped away. The suspect sideswiped a parked car, knocking the victim to the street. He suffered head trauma and a fractured leg, and may require amputation. The article quotes a local, 'This has absolutely happened before,' highlighting repeated car thefts in the area. The car was later found abandoned. The incident underscores persistent dangers for bystanders and the ongoing threat of vehicle theft in city neighborhoods.

• Bronx Carjacking Leaves Man Critically Injured, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-26

Apr 25 - A sedan struck an e-scooter on E 138th Street. The e-scooter rider suffered arm injuries. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Streets failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan and an e-scooter collided at E 138th Street and Willis Avenue in the Bronx. The 25-year-old e-scooter rider was injured, suffering a contusion to his arm. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as a contributing factor for both vehicles. No other injuries were specified. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls. No mention of helmet use or signals was listed as a factor. Vulnerable road users bear the brunt when systems fail.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811480 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 24 - Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.

Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.

• File Res 0854-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-24