No More Names on the List: Act Now to Stop the Street Toll

Apr 22 - Two SUVs slammed together on Bruckner Expressway. Three people injured. Unsafe lane changing listed as the cause. Metal twisted. Traffic stopped. The Bronx felt the impact.

Two SUVs crashed on the Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx. According to the police report, unsafe lane changing caused the collision. Three people were injured: a 47-year-old male driver with chest injuries, a 22-year-old male front passenger with back injuries, and a 29-year-old male driver with arm injuries. All were listed as conscious. The report states, “Unsafe Lane Changing” as the contributing factor. No other errors or factors were cited. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left metal bent and lives shaken.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807669 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 15 - Steel met steel at dawn. The box truck flipped. Three people hurt—two in the ambulance, one in the truck. Sirens wailed. All went to Jacobi. The cause is still a question. The Bronx street stayed dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 15, 2025, that an ambulance and a box truck collided at Pelham Parkway South and Williamsbridge Road in the Bronx just after 6:30 a.m. The article states, "The box truck overturned in the crash. Three people were hurt: the box truck driver and two ambulance workers." All were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The cause remains under investigation. The crash highlights risks at busy intersections and the potential for severe outcomes when large vehicles collide. No driver actions have been detailed yet. The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns for workers and drivers on city streets.

• Ambulance, Truck Crash Injures Three Bronx, ABC7, Published 2025-04-15

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 7 - SUVs slammed together on Hutchinson River Parkway. Unsafe speed sent metal flying. One driver suffered neck injury. Others shaken. The road turned brutal in a flash.

Multiple SUVs and sedans crashed on Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx. According to the police report, unsafe speed was the listed contributing factor. One driver, a 38-year-old woman, sustained a neck injury and whiplash. Several other occupants, including drivers and passengers, reported unspecified injuries. All vehicles were traveling straight before impact. The report highlights unsafe speed as the cause. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805677 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 6 - Convertible and SUV collide on Hutchinson River Parkway. Metal twists. A woman suffers back pain. A man bleeds from his head. Children and elders shaken. Following too closely leads to chaos.

On Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx, a convertible and an SUV collided while heading north. According to the police report, 'Metal crushes metal. A convertible and SUV strike. A woman grips the wheel, pain shooting through her back. A man bleeds from his head.' Two people were injured: a 30-year-old woman with back pain and whiplash, and a 46-year-old man with head bleeding. The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. No other driver errors are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Apr 6 - Inza Fofana left work, crossed E. 149th Street. A van hit him midblock. Two more cars struck as he lay in the road. Medics rushed him back to Lincoln Hospital. He died. His family mourns. The intersection stays dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 6, 2025, that Inza Fofana, a 52-year-old hospital cleaner and immigrant, was fatally struck after his shift at Lincoln Hospital. The crash occurred midblock at E. 149th St. and Morris Ave. Police said a 2019 Ford Transit van, turning left, hit Fofana as he crossed. The article quotes his sister-in-law: "He was going to buy socks. That's why he crossed the street." Police told the family that after the initial impact, two more vehicles struck Fofana. The driver remained at the scene and faced no immediate charges. Family members called for more safety measures at the busy intersection, noting, "There has to be a cross guard over there for the pedestrian to cross the street safely." The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians at wide, high-traffic Bronx crossings.

• Bronx Hospital Worker Killed Crossing Street, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-06

Mar 25 - A sedan driver suffered a facial injury and concussion after crashing on City Island Rd. The driver was semiconscious and injured due to unsafe speed and improper turning. The vehicle sustained front-end damage in the collision.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male driver operating a 2004 Honda sedan on City Island Rd was injured in a crash at 21:06. The driver was semiconscious with a facial injury and concussion, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors to the crash. The sedan was traveling north and impacted with center front end damage. The driver was not ejected and held a valid New York license. The data highlights driver errors—unsafe speed and improper turning—as the causes of this crash and injury. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved or injured according to the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802065 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Mar 22 - A black Mercedes struck a southbound driver from behind on the Major Deegan. The Mercedes driver fled on foot. The victim died at St. Barnabas. Police closed lanes to investigate. The search for the fleeing driver continues.

ABC7 reported on March 22, 2025, that a deadly hit-and-run occurred around 3:45 a.m. on the Major Deegan Expressway near West Fordham Road in the Bronx. According to the NYPD, 'a 39-year-old man was driving southbound on the expressway when he was struck by a black Mercedes Benz sedan from behind.' The Mercedes driver exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot, leaving the victim critically injured. First responders took the victim to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. All southbound lanes were closed for the investigation. The incident highlights the ongoing danger of hit-and-run crashes and the challenges police face in holding fleeing drivers accountable.

• Hit-and-Run Kills Driver on Deegan, ABC7, Published 2025-03-22

Feb 25 - A motorbike slammed into a minivan at a Bronx corner. An 18-year-old boy died. A 14-year-old girl survived. Both were thrown from the bike. The driver stayed. The street held the wreckage. Police are still investigating.

According to the New York Post (published February 25, 2025), an 18-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl were riding a motorbike east on East 172nd Street when they collided with a northbound Honda Odyssey at Metcalf Avenue in the Bronx. The article states: “Both teens were thrown from the bike and rushed to Jacobi Hospital. The older victim succumbed to his injuries while the girl was in stable condition.” The 42-year-old minivan driver remained at the scene. No arrests were made as police continued to investigate the crash circumstances. The report highlights the violent impact at a city intersection and shows the aftermath: a cracked windshield and a bike on its side. The cause and contributing factors remain under review.

• Teen Killed, Girl Hurt In Bronx Crash, New York Post, Published 2025-02-25

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

Feb 2 - A sedan crashed head-on at unsafe speed on Bruckner Expressway. The driver suffered an eye abrasion. Police cited speeding and alcohol. No others were hurt. The road bore the brunt of reckless force.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old man driving a 2024 Hyundai sedan crashed on Bruckner Expressway at 3:15 AM. The driver was injured, suffering an eye abrasion. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Alcohol Involvement' as contributing factors. The car struck head-on, damaging the center front end. No passengers, pedestrians, or other vehicles were involved. The driver was licensed in New York and not ejected. This crash highlights the danger when speed and alcohol mix behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789808 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 18 - A Toyota pickup tore into the night on Hutchinson River Parkway. Metal crumpled. The driver, alone, stayed conscious, blood streaming from his head. Distraction ruled the cab. Airbag burst. The road kept moving. He did not.

A single-vehicle crash occurred on Hutchinson River Parkway, southbound, involving a 2023 Toyota pickup truck. According to the police report, the driver, a 49-year-old man, was alone in the vehicle and suffered severe head lacerations. The report states the driver was 'conscious' at the scene, with the airbag deployed and seatbelt fastened. The narrative describes the truck slamming 'head-on into the dark,' with the front end caved in and the right front bumper damaged. Police explicitly cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No mention is made of any pedestrian or cyclist involvement, and no victim behaviors are listed as contributing factors. The crash underscores the persistent danger posed by driver distraction on city parkways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786682 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jan 17 - A city bus teetered over a Bronx overpass after swerving to dodge a double-parked car. Steel scraped concrete. Debris rained down. No one was hurt. The wall broke. The rules broke first.

NY1 reported on January 17, 2025, that a BxM1 MTA bus nearly plunged from the Henry Hudson Parkway overpass after the driver swerved to avoid an illegally double-parked car. The bus crashed into the wall, leaving it hanging over the edge. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said, "We’re told by the MTA that the bus was trying to get around an illegally double-parked car, and he hit the wall and went through it." No injuries were reported, but the crash caused structural damage and scattered debris below. City Councilman Eric Dinowitz noted, "It speaks to the importance of enforcing our parking rules because it was going around a double-parked car." The incident highlights the danger posed by lax parking enforcement and infrastructure vulnerable to impact.

• MTA Bus Hangs Off Bronx Overpass, NY1, Published 2025-01-17

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 5 - Businesses in Manhattan’s toll zone pass new $9 congestion fee to customers. Councilman Holden calls it a scam tax. Residents pay even if they don’t drive. Gridlock grows near the border. Critics warn of rising costs and slower emergency response.

On January 5, 2025, New York City began enforcing congestion pricing below 60th Street, charging drivers $9 during peak hours. The measure, discussed in the article 'NYC residents slapped with congestion pricing ‘surcharge’ by fed-up companies paying new toll: ‘Hochul inflation’,' has sparked backlash. Queens Councilman Robert F. Holden, representing District 30, condemned the move, stating, 'It’s no surprise that businesses will pass the Congestion Scam Tax on to consumers.' Companies like CompuVoip and Dream Events & Decor now add surcharges for customers in the zone. Holden’s criticism joins that of Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato and others, who warn of higher costs and increased gridlock. Emergency unions claim response times will suffer. The bill’s impact on vulnerable road users was not assessed.

• NYC residents slapped with congestion pricing ‘surcharge’ by fed-up companies paying new toll: ‘Hochul inflation’, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-05

Jan 3 - Congestion pricing hits Manhattan at midnight. Cars pay to cross south of 60th. Lawmakers split. Some call it a burden. Others hail cleaner air, safer streets, and better transit. The toll stirs anger, hope, and a fight over who pays and who breathes.

On January 3, 2025, congestion pricing (no bill number cited) will begin in Manhattan after a federal judge allowed the toll to proceed. The policy charges most drivers $9 to enter south of 60th Street during peak hours. The matter, titled 'Congestion pricing set to begin at midnight Sunday as federal judge clears path for Manhattan toll,' has drawn sharp lines. Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30, Queens) opposes the toll, warning, 'I don't know how my district is going to be impacted.' He fears more cars parking in Queens and unclear pollution risks. Council Member Kristy Marmorato (Bronx) calls it a 'cash grab.' In contrast, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas support the measure, citing cleaner air, safer streets, and transit upgrades. González-Rojas says, 'Congestion pricing isn't about penalizing anyone—it's about modernizing our transportation system and tackling climate change.' The judge ordered further study on environmental impacts, but the toll begins as scheduled.

• Congestion pricing set to begin at midnight Sunday as federal judge clears path for Manhattan toll, amny.com, Published 2025-01-03

Jan 3 - As congestion pricing begins, unions and politicians rage. They claim tolls hurt workers and raise costs. Facts show most commuters use transit. Fewer cars mean faster emergency response. The toll funds transit upgrades. The drama masks real safety gains for all.

On January 3, 2025, public debate erupted as New York City prepared to activate congestion pricing in Manhattan. The measure, set to fund $15 billion in subway and rail improvements, drew fierce opposition from unions and Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, who called it a 'cash grab' that would 'increase all costs in our daily lives.' The union for FDNY EMTs argued the toll would burden low-wage workers, but data shows 90% of commuters already use public transit. City officials, including mayoral spokesperson Liz Garcia, insisted emergency response would not suffer. The measure's summary notes that reducing car traffic will speed up emergency vehicles and protect passengers. The uproar highlights the tension between entrenched driving privileges and the urgent need to make streets safer for vulnerable road users.

• Congestion Pricing Is Happening: Cue the Irrational Drama from the Placard Elite and the Suburbs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-03