No More Waiting in the Dark: Demand Safe Streets Now

A sedan hit a man on Jerome Avenue. The crash left him bleeding, his leg torn. The driver passed too close. The street was dark. The city failed to protect him. Metal met flesh. The wound remains.

A 40-year-old man walking on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx was struck by a sedan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection and suffered severe bleeding to his lower leg and foot. The driver, a 48-year-old man, was traveling straight ahead in a 2021 Mitsubishi sedan. Police listed 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The vehicle showed no damage, but the pedestrian was left injured and conscious at the scene. The crash highlights the danger faced by people on foot along busy Bronx corridors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816344, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Ford van turned right onto University Avenue. Its bumper struck a 65-year-old man crossing with the signal. He died on the pavement, body broken. The van showed no damage. The street swallowed another life.

According to the police report, a Ford van made a right turn at University Avenue and West Kingsbridge Road in the Bronx. The van's right front bumper struck a 65-year-old man who was crossing the intersection with the pedestrian signal. The report states the man suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. The van sustained no damage. Police cite 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The victim's action—'Crossing With Signal'—is noted in the report, but only after the driver's failure to yield. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when drivers fail to respect pedestrian priority at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801942, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Mercedes slammed into Darryl Mathis Jr.’s stalled car on the Major Deegan. Mathis called for help. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed Mathis to the hospital. He died. The hit-and-run driver remains at large. The highway stayed deadly, silent.

NY Daily News reported on March 24, 2025, that Darryl Mathis Jr. was killed after his disabled car was rear-ended on the Major Deegan Expressway. Mathis, stranded after a battery failure, called friends for help. As he waited, a Mercedes-Benz struck his vehicle from behind. According to the article, 'He called to get a jump, and after that, he got hit from behind, a hit-and-run.' The Mercedes driver fled the scene and has not been caught. Mathis was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. The crash highlights the lethal risk faced by stranded motorists and the ongoing danger of hit-and-run drivers on city highways.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Stranded Bronx Motorist, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-24

A black Mercedes slammed into a Ford on the Major Deegan. Both cars spun out. The Mercedes driver ran. The Ford driver died at St. Barnabas. Police closed the highway for hours. No arrests. The city counts another loss.

NY Daily News reported on March 22, 2025, that a 39-year-old driver was killed in a hit-and-run crash on the Major Deegan Expressway near West Fordham Road in the Bronx. According to police, a black Mercedes-Benz rear-ended the victim’s Ford Crown Victoria around 3:45 a.m., causing both vehicles to lose control and crash. The Mercedes driver fled the scene on foot. The article states, 'EMS rushed the victim to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died.' The southbound lanes were closed for several hours during the investigation. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed impacts and the ongoing problem of drivers fleeing crash scenes.

• Bronx Highway Hit-And-Run Kills Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-22

A 60-year-old e-bike rider crashed headfirst into a parked SUV on Jerome Avenue. Blood streaked his face. He stayed conscious, but the impact left him with severe head lacerations. The SUV never moved. The crash was sudden, brutal, and avoidable.

According to the police report, a 60-year-old man riding an e-bike on Jerome Avenue near East 190th Street collided headfirst with the left side doors of a parked SUV. The narrative states, 'An e-bike struck the side of a parked SUV. A 60-year-old man hit headfirst. Blood ran down his face. He stayed conscious.' The police report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The SUV was stationary and unoccupied at the time, while the e-bike was traveling straight ahead before the collision. The cyclist suffered severe lacerations to the head but remained conscious at the scene. No mention is made of helmet use or other cyclist behavior as a contributing factor. The report underscores the role of inattention and improper lane usage in this violent impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792914, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council bill Int 1138-2024 would ban parking and standing within 20 feet of crosswalks. It forces the city to install daylighting barriers at 1,000 intersections each year. The bill sits in committee. Sponsors include Bottcher, Won, and the Public Advocate.

Int 1138-2024, introduced December 5, 2024, is under review by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill is 'Laid Over in Committee.' Its title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting standing or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.' Council Member Erik D. Bottcher is the primary sponsor, joined by Julie Won, Jumaane Williams, and others. The bill prohibits standing or parking within 20 feet of crosswalks and mandates the Department of Transportation to install daylighting barriers at a minimum of 1,000 intersections per year. The law also requires citywide outreach and reporting. This measure aims to keep sightlines clear at crossings, a known danger zone for people on foot and bike. The bill has not yet received a vote.

• File Int 1138-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-05

A parked pickup truck struck a 56-year-old cyclist on W Tremont Avenue. The man flew, helmet cracked, hand severed. Blood pooled on the street. The truck never moved, but the cyclist’s life changed in an instant.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old man was riding his bicycle southbound on W Tremont Avenue at University Avenue in the Bronx when a parked pickup truck struck him. The narrative states, 'A 56-year-old man pedaled south. A parked pickup struck. He flew. His helmet cracked. His hand did not follow. Blood on the street. The truck never moved. But his life did.' The cyclist suffered an amputation injury to his hand and was ejected from his bike. The report lists the pickup truck as parked at the time of the crash, with the point of impact and vehicle damage noted at the center front end. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, which cracked on impact. Contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified.' The police report does not cite any victim behavior as contributing to the crash. The focus remains on the parked vehicle’s involvement and the catastrophic outcome for the cyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774978, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A parked Ford van on Jerome Avenue was struck with violent force. The front passenger, age 39, suffered a shattered shoulder. Metal screamed. Flesh gave. The lap belt held him. The street stayed silent after the impact.

According to the police report, a parked 2012 Ford van was struck hard on Jerome Avenue in mid-afternoon. The collision left the front passenger, a 39-year-old man, with severe crush injuries to his shoulder and upper arm. The report states the van was stationary ('Parked') when it was hit, and the impact targeted the right front quarter panel. The narrative describes the violence of the crash: 'The front passenger, 39, crushed in his seat. His shoulder shattered. The lap belt held. Metal screamed. Flesh gave.' No driver errors or contributing factors are listed in the police data. The focus remains on the devastating outcome for the passenger, who was restrained by a lap belt but still suffered grave injuries. The report does not cite any passenger actions as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766037, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorbike slammed into a sedan’s rear on Cross Bronx Expressway. The rider, helmetless, flew headfirst and gashed her neck. She lay conscious, bleeding on the asphalt as traffic moved on. The crash left her broken, the city unchanged.

According to the police report, a motorbike collided with the rear of a sedan on the Cross Bronx Expressway near Monroe Avenue at 13:42. The report states the rider, a 32-year-old woman, was ejected and suffered severe neck lacerations, remaining conscious but bleeding on the roadway. The police cite 'Following Too Closely' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors to the crash. Both vehicles were traveling south and going straight ahead when the motorbike struck the sedan’s right rear quarter panel. The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary focus remains on the cited driver errors. The incident underscores the dangers of close following and unsafe passing on city expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761236, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man crossed with the light on Grand Concourse. A right front bumper slammed into his head. Blood pooled in the crosswalk. He stayed awake, face torn, the signal still green.

A 27-year-old man was injured while crossing Grand Concourse at East 198th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was 'crossing with the light' when a vehicle’s right front bumper struck his head. The narrative states, 'Blood pooled in the crosswalk. He stayed awake. His face torn open. The signal still green.' The point of impact and vehicle damage were both listed as the right front bumper. The report does not cite any contributing factors or driver errors, nor does it mention any victim behavior as a cause. The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to the head but remained conscious at the scene. The data underscores the persistent danger faced by pedestrians, even when following traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761396, 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 62-year-old cyclist, helmeted and westbound on Albany Crescent, struck headfirst and was ejected. He suffered crush injuries to the head. The bike’s front end bore the mark. Confusion clouded the cause, pain marked the aftermath.

According to the police report, a 62-year-old man riding a bike westbound on Albany Crescent near Bailey Avenue was involved in a violent crash. The report states he was 'struck headfirst' and 'ejected,' suffering 'crush wounds to the head.' The cyclist was wearing a helmet and remained conscious after the impact. The front of the bike was damaged, described as bearing 'the scar.' The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, explicitly noting confusion as a cause. No other vehicles or persons are cited in the report. The data does not indicate any driver errors by a motor vehicle operator, and mentions helmet use only after describing the crash and injury. The focus remains on the confusion that led to the cyclist’s severe injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4749147, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 13-year-old boy bled in the Bronx night, struck head-on by a speeding SUV. His arm split open. He stayed conscious, pain echoing down Undercliff Avenue. Steel met flesh. The street bore witness. The driver’s speed left no room for mercy.

A 13-year-old pedestrian was struck by a Station Wagon/Sport Utility Vehicle on Undercliff Avenue near 1501 in the Bronx at 10:40 p.m., according to the police report. The report states the boy was crossing the street outside a crosswalk and without a signal when the SUV, traveling at an unsafe speed, hit him head-on. The impact caused severe bleeding from his arm, but he remained conscious at the scene. Police explicitly cite 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor for the crash. The driver was traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred, and the vehicle’s center front end struck the boy. The police report does not list any pedestrian actions as contributing factors, focusing solely on the driver’s unsafe speed. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of excessive speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4750128, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Three SUVs slam together in Bronx darkness. Steel crushes a 34-year-old man behind the wheel. His belt holds him, but the force is absolute. The night stays silent. One life ends, pinned by metal and momentum.

According to the police report, three SUVs collided near Major Deegan Expressway and West 230th Street in the Bronx at 2:01 a.m. A 34-year-old male driver, strapped in with a lap belt and harness, died from crush injuries to the head. The report states, 'Three SUVs collide in the dark. A man, 34, strapped in the driver's seat, dies from crush wounds to the head. The belt held him. The steel closed in.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for all involved drivers, providing no further detail on the precise errors that led to the crash. No evidence in the report points to victim behavior as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the lethal consequences when multiple large vehicles converge at speed, leaving a driver dead and the cause unresolved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738193, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A moped cut right on University Avenue. An SUV turned. A girl, fifteen, flew from the back seat. She struck the pavement, motionless. No helmet. The street claimed her before the day could finish.

According to the police report, a moped attempted to pass on the right at University Avenue and West 192nd Street as a Honda SUV made a right turn. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. The moped's male driver was unlicensed. The collision ejected a fifteen-year-old girl riding as a rear passenger on the moped. She was not wearing a helmet, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The narrative states, 'The girl on the back flew off. No helmet. Fifteen years old. She hit the pavement and lay still.' The impact killed her. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of improper passing and unlicensed operation, as documented by the responding officers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728164, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 35-year-old man sped north on Grand Concourse, lost control of his motorcycle, and was violently ejected. He landed headfirst, unconscious with severe crush injuries. Blood pooled under streetlights as the city moved on, indifferent and roaring.

According to the police report, at 8:50 p.m. on Grand Concourse near East 180th Street in the Bronx, a 35-year-old unlicensed male driver operated a 2023 Fengyuan motorcycle northbound at an unsafe speed. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The rider was ejected after striking hard, landing headfirst, resulting in unconsciousness and severe crush wounds to his head. Blood was noted pooling under the streetlights. The driver was not wearing a helmet, a fact mentioned only after the driver errors. No other victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The motorcycle sustained damage to its center front end. The crash highlights the dangers of unlicensed, distracted, and speeding motorcycle operation in the Bronx.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726471, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Nissan SUV slammed head-on into stillness on Jerome Avenue. The driver, alone, drifted asleep and never woke. Smoke curled above the wreck. No other lives touched. The morning street bore witness to a solitary fatal mistake.

According to the police report, a 27-year-old man driving a Nissan SUV on Jerome Avenue near 1709 lost control of his vehicle after he 'fell asleep at the wheel.' The SUV struck head-on, resulting in the driver’s death. The report states the crash occurred in the early morning, with the street described as 'still' and 'nothing moved but the smoke.' The only person involved was the driver, who died alone in the vehicle. The police report explicitly lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor, underscoring the critical role of driver inattention and fatigue in this fatal incident. No other vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists were involved or harmed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724137, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council bill Int 0504-2024 orders DOT to fix NYCHA sidewalks first, starting with senior housing. The bill demands public reports on repairs and timelines. Lawmakers push for faster, clearer action where broken concrete endangers lives.

Int 0504-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on March 7, 2024. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to establishing priority for sidewalk repairs at developments operated by the New York city housing authority.' Council Members Alexa Avilés (primary sponsor), Shaun Abreu, Farah N. Louis, Rafael Salamanca, Jr., Lincoln Restler, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Jennifer Gutiérrez, Sandy Nurse, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, and Shahana K. Hanif back the measure. The bill forces DOT to fix sidewalks at NYCHA senior housing first, then other NYCHA sites. DOT must also publish repair lists and schedules. The move targets dangerous, crumbling sidewalks where NYCHA residents—especially seniors—face daily risk.

• File Int 0504-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council bill pushes DOT to open streets wider and longer on busy holidays. Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July Fourth, Labor Day, Halloween—cars barred, people free. Community groups get a say. Streets shift from danger to refuge, if the city acts.

Int 0270-2024 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it amends city law to require the Department of Transportation to expand Open Streets hours on holidays with heavy foot traffic. The bill’s summary reads: 'special activation of the Open Streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rivera, Brooks-Powers, Louis, Nurse, Ossé, Sanchez, Cabán, Banks, Avilés, Riley, Salaam, Hanif, Feliz, Won, Restler, and Joseph. The bill directs DOT to seek community input for more activation days. Applications for these special activations follow the same review as regular Open Streets. The measure aims to give pedestrians and cyclists more space and time, cutting car risk when crowds surge.

• File Int 0270-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council bill Int 0255-2024 demands NYPD track every time officers use cars as weapons. No more hiding behind vague reports. The city must count each incident. Data will show the toll. Vulnerable New Yorkers deserve the truth.

Int 0255-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to use of force incidents involving police department use of a motor vehicle," forces the NYPD to add 'use of a motor vehicle to gain control of a subject' as a specific reporting category in quarterly and annual use of force reports. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Hudson, Won, Hanif, Bottcher, Brewer, Avilés, Abreu, Ossé, Krishnan, Williams, Cabán, Nurse, Sanchez, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The bill targets a gap: current NYPD reports do not name motor vehicles as a means of force. This change brings police violence by car into the light, exposing patterns that endanger pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0255-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28