No More Excuses: Streets Are Killing Us—Who Will Stop the Bleeding?

StreetsPAC picks Brad Lander for mayor. They praise his sweeping plan for safer streets and better transit. The group rejects weak promises. They demand bold action to protect people outside cars. Lander vows real change for New Yorkers.

On June 11, 2025, StreetsPAC, a political action committee for livable streets, endorsed Brad Lander for New York City mayor. The endorsement, reported by Streetsblog NYC and covered by Gersh Kuntzman, followed a review of candidate plans. StreetsPAC called Lander’s proposal 'by far the most comprehensive blueprint ... we've ever seen from a candidate for any office.' Lander promised more protected bike lanes, a citywide Bus Rapid Transit network, and using congestion pricing revenue for busways and bikeways. He pledged six-minute service on subways and buses and action on street homelessness. StreetsPAC’s endorsement signals strong support for policies that prioritize vulnerable road users. Their safety analyst noted: 'A comprehensive plan for safer streets and better public transit typically prioritizes vulnerable road users, supports mode shift, and aligns with best practices for population-level safety improvements.'

• StreetsPAC Ranks Lander #1 for Mayor, Offers Other Picks for Comptroller, Beeps and Council, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-11

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

A Ford SUV crashes head-on along Charles J Crimi Road near Pelham Parkway. The 42-year-old driver dies at the wheel, harness still buckled. Another man survives. Night air thickens with sirens. The road bears witness to sudden loss.

A fatal crash unfolded on Charles J Crimi Road near Pelham Parkway when a Ford SUV struck head-on, according to the police report. The driver, a 42-year-old man, was found dead behind the wheel, his lap belt and harness still fastened. The report states the vehicle was traveling straight ahead with a center front-end impact, and the driver was licensed. Another man, also 42, survived the crash. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor, offering no further detail on the precise cause. No evidence in the report points to any error or action by the victim beyond his role as driver. The narrative underscores the violence of the collision and the abruptness of loss, while the data leaves the systemic danger and unanswered questions hanging in the night air.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808167, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man clung to his car as a thief sped off. The vehicle dragged him down the street. Police found him battered, head and leg broken. The car, abandoned, bore scars of violence. The thief vanished. The city’s system failed to stop it.

According to the New York Post (April 25, 2025), a 32-year-old man was critically injured after being dragged by his own car during a daylight theft on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. The article reports, 'Officers found the victim badly injured with trauma to his head and leg a block away.' Surveillance footage shows the man trying to stop the thief by grabbing the car window as it sped away. The Infiniti was later found abandoned with heavy damage. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the Bronx 'the absolute best place' in New York City to steal a car, citing a 3.6% rise in thefts in the borough, despite a citywide decrease. The incident highlights ongoing gaps in car theft prevention and prosecution.

• Man Dragged By Stolen Car In Bronx, New York Post, Published 2025-04-25

A man lies broken on Wilkinson Avenue, his body crushed by metal and rage. Blood stains the Bronx street. Two vehicles, one parked, one battered. Two women stand silent. The city’s indifference echoes in the aftermath.

A 32-year-old man suffered severe crush injuries to his entire body after being struck on Wilkinson Avenue in the Bronx, according to the police report. The incident involved a 2017 Infiniti sedan and a parked 2024 Toyota SUV. The police report describes the pedestrian as 'semiconscious' and 'broken' in the street, with blood marking the scene. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors, explicitly pointing to dangerous driver behavior as the cause of the crash. The parked SUV was unoccupied, while two women present at the scene were unharmed. The focus remains on the aggressive actions of the sedan’s driver, as documented by police. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior are cited in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808056, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man clung to his car as a thief sped off. The car crashed into parked vehicles. He was crushed and struck again by a fleeing SUV. Blood pooled on the Bronx street. He was left with critical head and leg injuries.

ABC7 reported on April 24, 2025, that a 32-year-old man suffered critical injuries while trying to stop a car thief on Wilkinson Avenue in the Bronx. Surveillance video captured the suspect entering the double-parked Infiniti as the owner ran to intervene. The man was dragged for a block and a half before the car crashed into parked vehicles. ABC7 notes, 'Witnesses described a bloody scene and severe leg injury.' After falling, the victim was also struck by the suspect’s SUV. Police said the suspect abandoned the stolen car and fled on foot. The incident highlights the dangers of vehicle theft and high-speed flight on city streets. No arrests have been made.

• Bronx Car Theft Leaves Man Critically Hurt, ABC7, Published 2025-04-24

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

A sedan struck a box truck pulling from the curb. The woman driving crushed her shoulder. The man beside her pinned by the seat. Both awake. Both broken. Distraction behind the wheel. Metal and flesh torn in the Bronx dusk.

On Van Nest Avenue near 606 in the Bronx, a sedan collided with a box truck that was pulling from the curb. According to the police report, the sedan's driver, a 34-year-old woman, suffered crush injuries to her shoulder, while her 33-year-old male passenger was pinned and injured in the back. Both were conscious but sustained serious injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both the driver and the passenger. The sedan's left front bumper struck the right side doors of the box truck, which sustained no damage. The box truck was starting from parking, while the sedan was going straight ahead. The focus remains on driver distraction as the systemic danger leading to this violent crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797413, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Metal screamed on the Cross Bronx Expressway. An Audi’s left side caved in. The lone driver, 25, was held by his belt but lost part of his leg. He did not wake. The car kept its silence.

A severe crash on the Cross Bronx Expressway left a 25-year-old Audi driver with an amputated leg, according to the police report. The incident occurred as the sedan traveled west, its left side absorbing the impact. The report states, 'An Audi took the hit on its left side. Metal screamed. The driver, 25, alone, lost part of his leg. The lap belt held him. He did not wake.' The driver was found unconscious, suffering a traumatic injury to the lower leg and foot. The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified,' offering no further detail on the cause or involvement of other vehicles. The focus remains on the catastrophic outcome and the systemic dangers present on high-speed corridors like the Cross Bronx Expressway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786044, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

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

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

Before dawn on Bronxdale Avenue, two cars collided head-on. Five young adults, semiconscious, crushed in metal. Parked cars struck, glass and blood on the street. Speed and alcohol tore silence, leaving bodies broken where the morning began.

On Bronxdale Avenue near Cruger Avenue in the Bronx, two vehicles collided head-on, according to the police report. The crash occurred before dawn and left five young adults semiconscious and pinned inside the wreckage, suffering head, chest, and neck injuries. The police report states, 'Five young adults, semiconscious, pinned in twisted steel. Head, chest, neck—broken. Parked cars struck.' The report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, and also notes the presence of alcohol at the scene. Multiple parked vehicles were hit in the aftermath. The data shows all injured persons were vehicle occupants, with no evidence of pedestrian or cyclist involvement. The violence of the impact and the resulting injuries underscore the danger when speed and impairment intersect on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781384, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council wants autism warning plaques on city streets. Parents could request signs. The bill sits in committee. Sponsors say it alerts drivers. No proven safety gain for children. The city keeps counting on signs. Streets stay dangerous.

Int 1142-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced December 19, 2024. The bill is titled, "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing child with autism warning plaques on streets." Council Member Kevin C. Riley is the primary sponsor, joined by Ariola, Joseph, Moya, Won, Banks, Narcisse, Paladino, and Marmorato. Their action: referral to committee. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to install warning plaques at the request of a parent or guardian. It details the process for requesting, installing, and removing these signs. The stated aim is to alert motorists to the presence of a child with autism. There is no evidence these plaques reduce crashes or protect children. The city continues to rely on signage, not street redesign, to address systemic danger.

• File Int 1142-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

A sedan slammed hard on Throgs Neck Bridge. The driver, alone, was hurled from the car. Blood pooled. Her body battered. Alcohol in her system. The bridge fell silent, broken glass and twisted steel left behind.

A violent crash unfolded on Throgs Neck Bridge at 21:22, according to the police report. A 36-year-old woman, driving a sedan northbound, was ejected from her vehicle after a severe impact crushed the car's left side. The report states, 'The driver, 36, flew from the car. Helmet useless. Blood poured. Her body broken. Eyes wide with shock. Alcohol in her blood.' The driver was the sole occupant and suffered injuries to her entire body, with severe bleeding and shock noted by responders. Police explicitly cite 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. No other vehicles or people were involved, and no victim behaviors are listed as contributing factors. The report underscores the lethal consequences of impaired driving and the systemic danger it poses on New York City roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781799, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A car struck a 13-year-old girl as she crossed Allerton Avenue with the signal. Her neck crushed, she lay semiconscious on the cold pavement. No driver stopped. Sirens broke the silence. The street swallowed her pain.

A 13-year-old girl was struck while crossing Allerton Avenue near Williamsbridge Road in the Bronx, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 8:00 a.m. The report states the girl was 'crossing with the signal' at the intersection when a vehicle hit her, crushing her neck and leaving her semiconscious on the pavement. The police report notes, 'No car stopped.' The girl suffered serious injuries, including crush injuries to her neck. The report does not list any contributing factors for the driver, but it documents that the pedestrian was lawfully crossing with the signal. The driver’s failure to stop after the collision is a central fact. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772718, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 26-year-old e-bike rider slammed into a turning SUV on Bronxdale Ave. His head split open. Blood streaked the frame. The SUV turned left. The e-bike went straight. The street fell silent.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old man riding an e-bike was severely injured when he collided with the front quarter panel of a Honda SUV making a left turn on Bronxdale Ave near White Plains Rd. The report states the SUV was 'Making Left Turn' while the e-bike was 'Going Straight Ahead.' The e-bike rider suffered severe head lacerations and was not wearing a helmet. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The narrative describes the SUV turning left and the e-bike proceeding straight, resulting in a violent impact that left the rider's head split open and blood on the frame. The data highlights the danger faced by vulnerable road users when drivers turn across their path.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4769860, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan plowed into a slowing Mack truck on Bruckner Expressway. Metal shrieked. The driver’s chest crushed, his arm torn. He stayed conscious as silence followed. Police cite inattention and tailgating. The road swallowed another body.

A violent rear-end collision unfolded on Bruckner Expressway when a sedan, traveling north, crashed into the back of a slowing Mack tractor truck. According to the police report, the sedan driver suffered severe injuries, including chest trauma and an arm amputation, but remained conscious at the scene. The report states the sedan 'slammed into the back of a slowing Mack truck,' with the impact crushing the driver’s chest and folding the bumper 'like paper.' Police explicitly cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The truck was slowing or stopping when struck. The report makes no mention of any actions by the truck driver contributing to the crash. The focus remains on the sedan driver’s failure to pay attention and maintain a safe distance, as detailed in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760999, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council passed a law letting pedestrians cross streets anywhere, at any time. Jaywalking is now legal. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks or against signals. The law shifts blame from walkers to drivers. Streets belong to people again.

Int 0346-2024, now Local Law 98 of 2024, was enacted by the City Council on October 26, 2024, after passing the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way," lets pedestrians cross roadways at any point, even against traffic signals. It erases penalties for so-called jaywalking. Sponsors include Tiffany Cabán (primary), Lincoln Restler, Crystal Hudson, Shahana K. Hanif, Julie Won, Mercedes Narcisse, Darlene Mealy, Erik D. Bottcher, and Farah N. Louis. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor. The law requires the Department of Transportation to educate all road users about these new rights. By ending jaywalking enforcement, the city removes a tool often used to blame victims and target the vulnerable. The law marks a shift: streets are for people, not just cars.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

A man sprawled on East Tremont Avenue, head gashed, blood pooling in the Bronx night. No car lingered. Sirens cut the silence. The street bore witness to violence, leaving a lone pedestrian broken beneath the city’s indifferent lights.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old man was found bleeding with severe head lacerations on East Tremont Avenue near 3675 in the Bronx. The narrative describes the pedestrian lying in the roadway, his head torn open, with no vehicle present at the scene. The report states the incident occurred away from an intersection and outside a crosswalk. No vehicle type, driver information, or contributing factors were listed in the police data. The silence of the street, the absence of a car, and the presence of severe injury underscore the vulnerability of pedestrians and the persistent dangers that haunt city roads. The report does not cite any pedestrian actions or behaviors as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758507, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Parking mandates choke streets, raise rents, and trap New Yorkers in car dependence. Council Member Marmorato and Borough President Richards defend these rules, blocking safer, more vibrant neighborhoods. Ending mandates means more housing, cleaner air, and safer streets for people, not cars.

This opinion, published September 3, 2024, in Streetsblog NYC, calls out Council Member Kristy Marmorato and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for defending parking mandates. Richards opposes lifting mandates in Queens, citing poor transit. Marmorato lobbied to restore mandates in a Bronx rezoning near new Metro North stations, arguing, 'We live in a transit desert where cars are a necessity for daily activities.' The editorial rebukes this logic, stating, 'We should not cling to parking mandates when we know they encourage car ownership, make streets less vibrant, increase rents, and pollute our air.' The piece urges officials to break the cycle of car-first policy, invest in transit, and end mandates that block affordable housing and safer streets. No safety analyst assessment was provided, but the editorial centers the harm parking mandates inflict on vulnerable road users and the city’s livability.

• Opinion: It’s Time to Say ‘No’ to Car Drivers and ‘Yes’ to Ending Parking Mandates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-03