Bronx Blood on Their Hands: Lower the Speed or Count the Dead

A Toyota sedan struck a baby boy on Grand Concourse. His hip shattered. He lay broken and incoherent in the street. The night was silent. The dark pressed in. No driver error listed. The child suffered. The city watched.

A Toyota sedan hit a baby boy near Grand Concourse and East 183rd Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, the child’s hip was crushed. He lay in the street, incoherent, with severe injuries. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The boy, a pedestrian, suffered crush injuries to his hip and upper leg. No information is given about the driver’s actions or the circumstances leading up to the crash. The police report does not mention any helmet or signal use. The facts remain stark: a child was struck and gravely hurt by a car in the Bronx.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4637236 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A moped carrying two men struck an SUV making a right turn on West Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. Both men on the moped suffered abrasions and lower limb injuries. The moped driver was distracted and followed too closely. No helmets were worn.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old male moped driver and his 42-year-old male passenger were injured when their moped collided with a Buick SUV making a right turn on West Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. The moped driver suffered abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, while the passenger sustained abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction, as well as following too closely, as contributing factors on the moped driver's part. Both occupants were riding without safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling westbound. The collision occurred at the left front bumper of the moped and the right front bumper of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636968 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Two vehicles crashed on East 183 Street in the Bronx. Three occupants suffered neck and shoulder injuries. Drivers distracted and speeding. Impact damaged front bumpers. Passengers wore seat belts. Shock and injury marked the scene.

According to the police report, a 2015 Nissan SUV traveling south on East 183 Street collided with a 2017 Subaru sedan traveling east. The crash involved driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors. Three occupants were injured: the female SUV driver and front passenger, and the male sedan driver. Injuries included neck and shoulder trauma, all occupants were restrained with lap belts and harnesses and none were ejected. The point of impact was the right front bumper of the SUV and the left front bumper of the sedan. The report highlights driver distraction and unsafe speed as key causes, with no mention of victim fault or other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636970 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Bronx Zoo and Botanical Garden fight bus lane upgrades on Fordham Road. They claim to support transit but lobby against changes that would speed buses for 85,000 riders. Most locals walk or ride. Advocates call out hypocrisy. Powerful voices stall safer streets.

On June 9, 2023, Bronx institutions—the Zoo and the Botanical Garden—joined others to oppose the Department of Transportation’s Fordham Road busway plan. The matter: 'Bus Advocates Target Anti-Busway ‘Hypocrites’ at Bronx Zoo and Botanical Garden.' Council Member Pierina Sanchez noted 70 percent of her district’s residents lack cars. The institutions sent a private letter to Mayor Adams, urging him to block all bus improvements. Riders Alliance and local residents accused them of hypocrisy, citing their public support for transit and environmental causes. The Botanical Garden’s representative demanded an Environmental Impact Statement, citing fears of more car traffic and pollution. Surveys show most Fordham Road shoppers walk or use transit. The opposition delays upgrades that would protect pedestrians and speed up commutes for thousands.

• Bus Advocates Target Anti-Busway ‘Hypocrites’ at Bronx Zoo and Botanical Garden, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-09

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-08

A 43-year-old male e-bike rider crashed into a vehicle traveling north on East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. He suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash involved driver distraction and following too closely.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old male bicyclist on an e-bike was injured after colliding with a vehicle ahead on East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. The rider sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with following too closely. The e-bike rider was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle was traveling straight north and was struck at its center front end by the e-bike's center back end. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4636062 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Two SUVs slammed together on West Tremont Avenue. One driver took a hit, neck hurt, whiplash. Metal twisted. No pedestrians. No cyclists. Only drivers, only pain.

According to the police report, two SUVs collided while heading east on West Tremont Avenue at Andrews Avenue in the Bronx. The right front bumper of one SUV struck the left rear bumper of the other. A 29-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and strapped in with a lap belt and harness. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The report lists unspecified contributing factors and does not cite driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left both vehicles damaged at the points of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4635928 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

DOT scrapped the Fordham Road busway. Bowed to business and institutional pressure. Riders lose. Offset bus lanes will replace the plan. Bus speeds will rise less. Bronx transit users, mostly car-free, get crumbs. Political muscle wins. Streets stay dangerous.

On June 7, 2023, the Department of Transportation (DOT) canceled the Fordham Road busway plan, citing 'community concerns.' The matter, discussed with the community advisory board on May 31, shifted focus to extending offset bus lanes instead. Council Member Pierina Sanchez, representing Kingsbridge, criticized the move: "My concern with the offset bus lane is that we're not going to see significant improvements." DOT's own studies showed a busway would have improved speeds by 30 percent, but the agency predicts only a 20 percent gain with the new plan. The decision followed lobbying from business groups and institutions, despite surveys showing most Bronx residents rely on transit. Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Pearlstein called the cancellation a disservice to bus riders. The change leaves 85,000 daily commuters with slower buses and no real safety or speed gains.

• DOT Nixes Fordham Road Busway Due To ‘Community Concerns’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-07

Mothers starve for Sammy’s Law. Hochul offers sympathy, not action. Heastie keeps the bill off the floor. The law would let New York City lower speed limits. Assembly support grows. Vulnerable road users wait. Streets stay deadly. Lawmakers stall. Lives hang in the balance.

Sammy’s Law, stalled in the New York State Assembly, would let New York City set speed limits below 25 mph. On June 7, 2023, Governor Hochul expressed sympathy for hunger-striking mothers but refused to pressure Speaker Carl Heastie, who blocks the bill from a vote. The bill passed the Senate and has City Council and mayoral support. The matter summary: 'Hochul has previously expressed support for Sammy's Law, which would allow New York City to set its speed limits below 25 miles per hour.' Amy Cohen, a mother and advocate, demanded action, showing Heastie photos of victims. Seven new Assembly members, including Yudelka Tapia, Al Taylor, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, and Brian Cunningham, now back the bill, giving it majority support among NYC Assembly members. Still, the Speaker’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users exposed to speeding drivers and systemic danger.

• Hunger Strike Day 2: Gov. Hochul is ‘Sympathetic,’ But Won’t Pressure Heastie on Sammy’s Law, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-07

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

Albany gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers pass A 7043. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program runs until 2028. Streets near schools face new watchful eyes.

Bill A 7043, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Albany,' moved forward after committee votes in June 2023. The Assembly passed it on June 6, the Senate on June 8. Patricia Fahy sponsored the bill. The measure allows speed cameras in school zones, aiming to catch drivers who speed near children. The program ends December 31, 2028. Many lawmakers voted yes, some no. The bill targets driver behavior in Albany school zones, putting enforcement where kids walk and cross.

• File A 7043, Open States, Published 2023-06-06

A 70-year-old man was hit by an unlicensed, distracted SUV driver on East Tremont Avenue. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his entire body. The crash exposed the danger of driver inattention in the Bronx.

According to the police report, a 70-year-old male pedestrian was struck at the intersection of East Tremont Avenue and Grand Concourse in the Bronx. The driver, operating a 2014 Jeep SUV, was unlicensed and distracted. The vehicle hit the pedestrian with its center front end while traveling east and going straight. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his entire body and was classified with injury severity level 3. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was in the roadway performing 'Other Actions' at the time of impact. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634350 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

A moped traveling west on East Tremont Avenue hit a 65-year-old woman crossing the street. The impact injured her entire body, causing bruises. The driver was speeding and distracted. The pedestrian was conscious but hurt badly.

According to the police report, a moped with two occupants struck a 65-year-old female pedestrian crossing East Tremont Avenue without a signal or crosswalk. The pedestrian suffered injuries to her entire body, including contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the crash. The moped was traveling west, going straight ahead, and impacted the pedestrian with its left front bumper, damaging that part of the vehicle. The report lists the driver’s unsafe speed and inattention or distraction as contributing factors. No other safety equipment or pedestrian actions were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4634913 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-14

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-06-01

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2023-06-01

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31

Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2023-05-31