Blood on Webster: Salamanca Must Choose Sides—Victims or Vehicles

A moped struck head-on on Elder Avenue. The 38-year-old rider was hurled from the machine, torn open, and left bleeding on the quiet Bronx street. Blood pooled beneath him. The night stood still. He remained conscious amid the wreckage.

According to the police report, a moped was struck head-on near Elder Avenue and East 172nd Street in the Bronx at 11:37 p.m. The 38-year-old rider was ejected from the moped, suffering severe lacerations to his entire body. The report describes the rider as 'conscious' but left bleeding on the pavement, with blood pooling beneath him. Both vehicles sustained damage to their center front ends, indicating a direct collision. The police report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors, and no other vehicle types or parties are identified. The narrative underscores the violence of the impact and the vulnerability of the moped rider, who was the only person injured in this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751161, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Steel shrieked on Manida Street. Two sedans collided in the dark. One ran the light. A 21-year-old woman in the front seat died, her body broken in silence. The parked box truck watched, untouched, useless.

According to the police report, two sedans collided near Manida Street and Viele Avenue in the Bronx at 2:40 a.m. The report states that 'one ran the light.' The contributing factor listed is 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' This means a driver ignored a traffic signal, a critical error that led to the crash. The impact was severe: a 21-year-old woman, riding as a front passenger, was killed. Her injuries were described as affecting her entire body, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The report notes a parked box truck was present but was not involved in the collision. No driver or vehicle errors are attributed to the victim. The fatal outcome stemmed from a driver’s failure to obey traffic controls, as documented by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741599, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi turned left at East 163rd and Cauldwell. An SUV, moving too fast, smashed its front into the cab. Steel twisted. Two men, trapped and conscious, suffered crush injuries as sirens cut through the night.

At the intersection of East 163rd Street and Cauldwell Avenue in the Bronx, a violent collision left two men injured and trapped in the wreckage. According to the police report, a taxi was making a left turn when a station wagon/SUV, traveling west, struck the cab at the center front end. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor, underscoring the role of excessive speed in the crash. Both the right rear passenger and the driver, men aged 50 and 37, were conscious but suffered crush injuries to their entire bodies and required extrication. Airbags deployed, but the force of the impact left both men trapped in the twisted metal. The police report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The collision highlights the danger posed by vehicles traveling at unsafe speeds on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739588, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi struck a 61-year-old man crossing East 149th Street. The driver, distracted, kept his hands on the wheel. The man’s head hit the pavement. He lay still. He died there, another life ended by inattention behind the wheel.

A 61-year-old pedestrian was killed on East 149th Street when a taxi hit him with its right front quarter panel, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 1:46 a.m. The report states the man was crossing the street when the taxi, traveling east, struck him. The impact caused the pedestrian’s head to hit the pavement, leaving him unconscious and fatally injured. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was cited as the primary contributing factor. The driver remained at the wheel after the collision. No evidence in the report suggests any pedestrian error contributed to the crash. The data underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction for people on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4735638, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An ambulance slammed left-front on East 149th. Inside, a woman’s arm was crushed. Blood pooled beneath red lights. She stayed conscious, seatbelt tight, pain sharp. Sirens cut the night. Metal and flesh bore the cost.

A 30-year-old woman riding as a front passenger in a westbound ambulance on East 149th Street in the Bronx suffered severe crush injuries to her arm when the vehicle was struck on its left front quarter panel. According to the police report, the woman was belted and remained conscious as blood pooled beneath the flashing lights. The report lists her injury as 'Elbow-Lower-Arm-Hand' with a severity of 4 and describes her complaint as 'Crush Injuries.' The ambulance, a Ford truck, was traveling straight ahead when the impact occurred. The police report does not specify contributing factors or driver errors, instead listing them as 'Unspecified.' No mention is made of passenger behavior contributing to the crash. The incident underscores the persistent danger even inside emergency vehicles when systemic risks and collision forces converge.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724398, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford sedan sat parked on Southern Boulevard. Impact caved its right front bumper. Inside, a driver took a blow to the chest. His passenger’s shoulder pinned. Both conscious. Both belted. Metal pressed flesh. The street swallowed their calm.

At 1490 Southern Boulevard in the Bronx, a parked Ford sedan suffered severe damage to its right front bumper, according to the police report. Two occupants were inside: a 57-year-old male driver and a 50-year-old female passenger. Both were wearing seat belts and remained conscious after the crash. The police report states the driver sustained chest injuries while the passenger was trapped by her shoulder, both suffering crush injuries. The vehicle was stationary at the time of the incident, with the impact focused on the right front bumper. The report lists contributing factors as 'unspecified' and does not cite any driver errors or external causes. No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The event underscores the vulnerability of vehicle occupants even when parked, as metal and force converge without warning.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722659, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Abandoned cars choke sidewalks and crossings. Int 0857-2024 orders city crews to tow vehicles that block streets or hide their plates. Council pushes for swift removal—seventy-two hours after notice. Streets clear. Danger drops for those on foot and bike.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced April 18, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to towing vehicles that are an encumbrance on the street.' It requires the Department of Sanitation to remove vehicles blocking the street within 72 hours of notice. The NYPD must tow cars with missing, obscured, or improper plates and stickers. Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Salamanca, Brannan, Feliz, Ayala, Louis, Brewer, Avilés, Mealy, Ung, Restler, Farías, Hudson, Riley, and Schulman. The bill targets vehicles that endanger pedestrians and cyclists by blocking sightlines and crossings. It aims to clear hazards fast, making streets safer for all vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Council bill Int 0853-2024 calls for DOT teams in every borough. Staff must answer traffic requests fast—within three months if possible. The bill aims to cut delays, bring action, and address dangers that linger on city streets.

Int 0853-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after its introduction on April 18, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to creating borough-based traffic request response teams," demands that the Department of Transportation assign staff to each borough, matching staff numbers to the volume of local traffic requests. Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary sponsor), Amanda Farías, and Rafael Salamanca, Jr. back the measure. Their bill requires DOT to respond to each traffic request in three months, if practicable. The goal is clear: end the backlog, speed up fixes, and address hazards that put pedestrians and cyclists at risk. The bill was referred to committee on the day of introduction. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0853-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Council bill Int 0856-2024 would hike fines for illegal ATV and dirt bike use. First offense: $375 to $750. Repeat: $750 to $1,500. The bill sits in the Public Safety Committee. Lawmakers say it targets reckless riders who endanger city streets.

Int 0856-2024, now in the Committee on Public Safety, was introduced April 18, 2024. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to increasing the fines for the unlawful use of all-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes.' Prime sponsor: Carmen N. De La Rosa. Co-sponsors: Salamanca Jr., Gennaro, Brannan, Louis, Ung, Restler, Farías. The bill would raise fines for operating ATVs and dirt bikes illegally—$375 to $750 for a first offense, $750 to $1,500 for repeat offenses. Council referred the bill to committee on April 18. Lawmakers frame the measure as a crackdown on vehicles that threaten pedestrians and cyclists, aiming to curb dangerous street behavior.

• File Int 0856-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

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 moves to outlaw driving with fake or expired plates. The bill sets fines and a short grace period for expired tags. Lawmakers say this targets scofflaws who dodge accountability. The measure now sits with the Public Safety Committee.

Int 0177-2024, now in the Committee on Public Safety, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle with fraudulent or expired license plates.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Salamanca, Powers, Restler, Won, Brewer, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Avilés, De La Rosa, and the Brooklyn Borough President. The bill makes it unlawful to drive with fake or expired plates, including temporary ones. Civil penalties apply, but drivers with expired plates get a 10-day window to fix the issue. The bill aims to close loopholes that let reckless drivers evade detection and accountability. It awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 0177-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

A young man on an e-bike crashed into a parked Jeep on Melrose Avenue. He flew from his seat, helmet on, and died before dawn. The SUV never moved. The street claimed him. Speed and control lost him to the Bronx night.

A 24-year-old man riding an e-bike died after colliding with a parked Jeep near Melrose Avenue and East 161st Street in the Bronx, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:58 a.m. The report states the e-bike rider was traveling at 'unsafe speed' and 'disregarded traffic control.' The narrative details that the rider 'hit a parked Jeep at speed,' was 'ejected,' and 'died before dawn.' The police report notes the victim was wearing a helmet. The Jeep, registered in Pennsylvania, was parked and unoccupied at the time of the crash. The e-bike was described as 'demolished.' The police report centers contributing factors on 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' No driver error from the SUV is cited, as the vehicle was stationary. The focus remains on the systemic dangers of speed and control loss on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4705065, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two SUVs slammed together at East 167th and Fox. One turned left, one barreled straight. Alcohol in the mix. A 36-year-old woman thrown from her vehicle, leg torn, blood pooling. Airbag burst. She stayed awake as the city roared on.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided head-on at the corner of East 167th Street and Fox Street in the Bronx at 21:35. One vehicle, a 2018 Honda SUV, was making a left turn while the other, a 2005 Toyota SUV, was traveling straight. The report explicitly lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor in the crash. The impact was severe: a 36-year-old woman, driving one of the vehicles, was ejected and suffered severe lacerations to her leg. She remained conscious at the scene, with blood visible on the street and her airbag deployed. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the lethal consequences when alcohol and driver error intersect on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4703076, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 53-year-old woman entered the Melrose Avenue crosswalk. Two Jeeps, steel and speed, converged from opposite sides. She was struck and killed at the intersection. The street claimed her life in the cold Bronx night.

According to the police report, a 53-year-old woman was killed while crossing Melrose Avenue at East 157th Street in the Bronx. The incident occurred at 19:11, when two Jeeps—one traveling south, the other north—approached the intersection. Both vehicles struck the woman as she was in the crosswalk. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both drivers, providing no evidence of evasive action or yielding. The narrative states, 'Steel met flesh. She died where she fell.' The victim's action is noted as 'Crossing Against Signal,' but this is mentioned only after the absence of any driver error cited in the data. The report underscores the lethal danger at this intersection, with two vehicles converging and a pedestrian left dead in the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695464, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man lost control on Bruckner Boulevard. His sedan slammed into two parked cars. Metal crumpled. Glass flew. He died alone in the driver’s seat. The Bronx kept moving. No other injuries reported.

A 69-year-old man died after losing consciousness behind the wheel on Bruckner Boulevard near 653. According to the police report, his sedan veered into two parked vehicles. The impact folded metal and scattered glass. The driver died at the scene. No pedestrians, cyclists, or passengers were hurt. The police report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as the contributing factor. No other driver errors are noted. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The crash left two parked cars damaged but no other injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690552, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan struck a moped from behind on Fox Street near Intervale Avenue. The 23-year-old moped rider was thrown to the pavement, bleeding and unconscious. The sedan’s front end crumpled. The street held the rider’s body as daylight faded.

A deadly crash unfolded on Fox Street near Intervale Avenue. According to the police report, a sedan traveling south struck a moped from behind. The 23-year-old moped rider was ejected and landed on the pavement, suffering severe bleeding and losing consciousness. He died from his injuries. The sedan’s front end was crushed in the impact. Police cited 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The report notes the moped rider was not wearing a helmet, but only after listing the driver’s errors. The crash highlights the lethal consequences when drivers ignore speed limits and traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683237, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A young man rode north on Southern Boulevard before dawn. He wore a helmet. He had alcohol in his blood. The motorcycle smashed front-first. He flew from the seat. He died. The street fell silent.

A 23-year-old man was killed while riding a motorcycle north on Southern Boulevard at 3:35 a.m. According to the police report, he was unlicensed and had alcohol in his blood. The 2023 Fly E motorcycle struck hard, crushing the front end. The rider, wearing a helmet, was ejected and died from injuries to his entire body. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Unspecified' as contributing factors. No other vehicles or people were involved. The street remained quiet after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679916, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 34-year-old man struck a parked Honda on East 167th Street. The crash was hard. He stayed inside the car. He did not survive. The street was quiet. The sedan did not move. The man’s life ended there.

A 34-year-old man died after his vehicle collided with the rear bumper of a parked 2013 Honda sedan near 1025 East 167th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, 'A 34-year-old man died after crashing into the rear bumper of a parked 2013 Honda sedan. He was not thrown from the car. He stayed inside. He did not survive.' The crash involved only the man’s vehicle and the stationary sedan. No contributing factors or driver errors were listed in the police data. The parked Honda was unoccupied at the time of the crash. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673208, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A drunk, unlicensed man crashed his Honda into a city bus on 3rd Avenue. Doors buckled. A Hyundai struck next. Blood ran down his legs. No seatbelt. Steel screamed. The street held its breath. One man suffered severe leg wounds.

A violent crash unfolded near 3rd Avenue and East 149th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, a drunk, unlicensed man driving a Honda sedan slammed into a city bus. The bus doors buckled from the impact. A Hyundai SUV then struck the scene. The unlicensed sedan driver, a 34-year-old man, was not wearing a seatbelt and suffered severe lacerations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The police report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. The driver’s lack of a license and absence of safety equipment are also noted. No injuries to bus passengers or other drivers are reported in the data. The crash left blood on the street and steel twisted, underscoring the danger when impaired, unlicensed drivers operate vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663738, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A dump truck turned right on Tiffany Street. An e-bike rider kept straight. The truck’s bumper crushed his head. He was 29. He died there, half thrown, on the street. No helmet. No time. The Bronx claimed another life.

A 29-year-old e-bike rider was killed at Tiffany and Barry Streets in the Bronx when a dump truck turned right and struck him. According to the police report, 'A dump truck turned right. An e-bike kept straight. The truck’s bumper crushed the rider’s head. No helmet. No time. He was 29. He died there, half thrown, on the street.' The crash involved a dump truck making a right turn and an e-bike traveling straight. The point of impact was the truck’s right front bumper and the e-bike’s left front quarter panel. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Unspecified' as contributing factors. The e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary danger came from the truck’s movement and impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4652722, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15