The Blood Won’t Wash Off: Demand Action for District 18

A motorcycle slammed into parked cars on East 174th Street. The rider, thrown from his bike, suffered severe bleeding and a hip injury. Police cite driver inexperience and unsafe speed. The street bore the scars. The system failed again.

A 56-year-old man riding a motorcycle westbound on East 174th Street in the Bronx crashed into parked vehicles, including a pickup truck and an SUV. According to the police report, the motorcyclist was ejected and suffered severe bleeding and a hip injury. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The rider wore a helmet, as noted in the data. No injuries were reported among the occupants of the parked vehicles. The police report highlights the dangers of inexperience and speed behind the handlebars. The crash left one man injured and the street marked by violence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816394, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council passed a bill forcing taxis and for-hire cars to post warnings on rear doors. The decals tell riders to watch for cyclists before swinging open. The law aims to cut dooring. Signs come free from the city. Cyclists face less risk.

Int 0193-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, moved through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed the Council on May 1, 2025. The bill reads: 'requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door.' Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Jennifer Gutiérrez and a long list of co-sponsors. The Council voted overwhelmingly in favor. The law orders all taxis and for-hire vehicles to post warning decals on rear passenger doors, alerting riders to check for cyclists before opening. The Taxi and Limousine Commission will provide the signs at no cost. The measure targets dooring, a common threat to cyclists. The bill takes effect 120 days after becoming law.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Council passed a law forcing DOT to post updates on every street safety project. Each month, the public will see which projects are planned, which are stalled, and which are done. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. Sunlight on every mile.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now on the Mayor's desk, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced November 13, 2024, and passed committee and full Council votes on April 10, 2025. The law, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan,' demands the Department of Transportation post annual and monthly updates on all benchmark projects—protected bike lanes, bus lanes, signals, and upgrades. Council Member Julie Won led as primary sponsor, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law requires public reporting on project status, funding, delays, and overruns. This measure brings hard oversight and transparency to the city’s street safety promises.

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

An 18-year-old woman crossing E Tremont Ave was struck and left bleeding on the Bronx asphalt. The driver fled. Her leg was crushed. No name, no face, just pain and the echo of vanishing wheels.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old woman was crossing E Tremont Ave near Fink Ave when she was struck by a vehicle. The report states her 'leg [was] crushed' and she was found 'conscious on the cold pavement.' The driver did not remain at the scene, vanishing without providing aid or identification. The police report describes the incident as a hit-and-run, noting there was 'no name, no face. Just blood on the Bronx asphalt.' The report does not list any contributing factors attributed to the driver, but the act of fleeing highlights a systemic danger: drivers leaving injured pedestrians behind. The report notes the pedestrian was 'crossing, no signal, or crosswalk,' but does not cite this as a contributing factor to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800524, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An 81-year-old man lay bleeding and unconscious beneath the streetlights at Westchester and Metcalf. No driver stopped. No car remained. Only silence and the old man alone in the dark, another pedestrian left behind in the Bronx night.

According to the police report, an 81-year-old pedestrian was struck while crossing at the corner of Westchester Avenue and Metcalf Avenue in the Bronx. The report states the man was found unconscious with a head injury and severe bleeding. No driver remained at the scene, and no vehicle description was provided. The report notes, 'No driver stayed. No car described.' The pedestrian was left alone, with no witnesses or aid from the motorist responsible. The absence of any driver information or vehicle details underscores the systemic danger faced by pedestrians, especially when drivers flee and accountability vanishes. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800199, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Honda Odyssey struck two teens on a bike in the Bronx. The 17-year-old boy died at the hospital. The 14-year-old girl survived. The driver stayed at the scene. No arrests. The street held the silence after impact.

ABC7 reported on February 25, 2025, that a 14-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were riding a bike at Metcalf Ave and E 172nd St in the Bronx when a Honda Odyssey driven by a 42-year-old man struck them. Police found both teens at the scene. The boy was later pronounced dead at Jacobi Hospital. The girl and the driver survived. According to ABC7, 'The driver remained at the scene and no arrests were made.' The investigation continues. No information was given about how the crash occurred or any contributing driver actions. The case highlights ongoing dangers for young cyclists in city streets and the need for thorough investigations into each crash.

• Teen Cyclist Killed In Bronx Collision, ABC7, Published 2025-02-25

A 17-year-old on a motorbike collided head-on with an SUV on Metcalf Avenue. He was thrown from his seat, his skull striking the street. He died there, broken and still, as dusk closed in over the Bronx.

A 17-year-old male riding a motorbike was killed in a violent head-on collision with an SUV on Metcalf Avenue near East 172nd Street in the Bronx, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 18:44, with both vehicles listed as 'Going Straight Ahead' before impact. The police report states the motorbike struck the SUV's right front quarter panel, resulting in the teen being ejected and suffering fatal head injuries. The report notes the rider was not wearing a helmet at the time. Both contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified' in the official documentation. The narrative describes the aftermath: 'He flew from the seat. His skull met the street. He died there, broken and still, as dusk closed in.' No driver errors are specifically cited in the police report, and no mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor beyond the absence of a helmet.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794705, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

City Council passed a law forcing DOT to repaint pavement markings within five days after resurfacing. Streets stripped bare by fresh asphalt must get lines back fast. Delays require public notice. The law aims to keep crosswalks and lanes visible, protecting walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced January 8, 2025, passed March 15, and became Local Law 28 of 2025. The bill's 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 orders DOT to install pavement or temporary markings within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must post notices explaining the delay and set a new timeline. DOT must also report yearly on compliance. The law responds to a simple fact: missing markings mean danger for people on foot and bike. With this law, the city moves to close that deadly gap.

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

A BMW SUV turned through White Plains Road, striking a 75-year-old man crossing with the signal. The impact crushed him. He died in the street. The driver did not stop. The SUV showed no damage. The street kept moving.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old man was crossing White Plains Road near Wood Avenue in the Bronx, walking with the signal, when a BMW SUV made a left turn and struck him with its front end. The report states the pedestrian suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene. The driver did not remain, and the vehicle showed no visible damage. Police cite 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The victim's behavior—'Crossing With Signal'—is noted in the report, but only after the documented driver errors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver failure to yield and inattention at Bronx intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790185, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 71-year-old woman crossing Boynton Avenue in a marked crosswalk was struck and left bleeding by a fleeing driver. Blood pooled on the pavement. She suffered head wounds and deep cuts. The driver vanished, leaving only silence behind.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old woman was crossing Boynton Avenue near 1030 in the Bronx, using a marked crosswalk. The incident occurred at approximately 16:50. The narrative states she was struck by a vehicle while crossing, resulting in severe head wounds and deep lacerations. Blood pooled on the pavement. The driver did not remain at the scene; the report notes, 'The driver vanished. Only silence remained.' The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified' and provides no details about the vehicle or driver. The pedestrian's actions are described as 'Crossing, No Signal, Marked Crosswalk,' but the report does not cite any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the driver’s failure to remain at the scene and the systemic danger posed by hit-and-run incidents.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786004, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

An 18-year-old e-scooter rider bled onto Lafayette Avenue. The street did not yield. He stayed conscious, his face torn open. The pavement, unmoving, marked his southbound path with blood.

An 18-year-old male riding an e-scooter southbound on Lafayette Avenue near White Plains Road in the Bronx sustained a severe facial injury, according to the police report. The report states the rider was not wearing a helmet and was traveling straight ahead when the crash occurred. The narrative describes, 'Blood ran from his face. He stayed awake. The pavement did not move.' Police classified the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No other vehicles or persons were involved, and there is no indication of driver error by another party. The report notes the rider's lack of helmet use, but lists this detail only after describing the incident and does not attribute it as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the physical consequences and the environment, with no blame assigned to the injured rider.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784508, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

City Council passed a law forcing DOT to check with FDNY before approving open streets, bike lanes, or big street changes. Firehouses get notified. Council members and boards get updates. The law aims for more eyes, more voices, but adds hurdles for street redesigns.

Bill Int 0104-2024, now Local Law 6 of 2025, was enacted by the City Council on January 18, 2025, after passing both the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the full Council in December 2024. The law requires the Department of Transportation to consult with the Fire Department before approving open street applications, bicycle lane projects, or major transportation projects. The official matter title states the law amends the city code to require DOT to consult with FDNY and notify affected firehouses before moving forward. Primary sponsor Kalman Yeger, with co-sponsors including Joann Ariola, Robert Holden, Lynn Schulman, and others, pushed the bill through. The law expands notification and comment rights for firehouses and community boards, adding new steps before any street or lane changes. No safety analyst assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users. The law’s effect: more agencies weigh in, but the process for safer streets grows longer and more complex.

• File Int 0104-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-12-19

A Jeep, westbound on Bruckner, struck a 64-year-old man in the intersection. The SUV’s right front bumper broke his head. He died beneath the streetlamps. Police cite driver inattention. The city’s streets claim another life.

A 64-year-old man was killed at the corner of Bruckner Blvd and Castle Hill Ave when a westbound Jeep SUV struck him with its right front bumper, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 20:03. The pedestrian died at the scene, suffering fatal head injuries. The police report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the collision. The vehicle, a 2022 Jeep registered in New Jersey, was traveling straight ahead when it struck the man in the intersection. The report also notes the pedestrian was 'crossing against the signal,' but this detail follows the primary fault of driver inattention. The deadly impact underscores the ongoing danger posed by inattentive drivers on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775096, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan ran a red light on Castle Hill Avenue, colliding head-on with an SUV. A 27-year-old woman, belted in the front seat, died as the airbag deployed. The crash shattered her body. The Bronx night fell silent after the impact.

According to the police report, at 12:49 a.m. on Castle Hill Avenue near Randall Avenue in the Bronx, a sedan disregarded a traffic control signal and caused a fatal head-on collision with a station wagon/SUV. The report states: 'A sedan ran the light. Steel screamed.' The 27-year-old female front-seat passenger, who was wearing a seatbelt and protected by an airbag, suffered fatal injuries to her entire body. The contributing factor listed is 'Traffic Control Disregarded,' highlighting the driver's failure to obey the traffic signal. No victim behavior was cited as contributing to the crash. This collision underscores the deadly consequences when drivers ignore traffic controls in New York City.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771632, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan turns left on Pugsley Avenue. Its bumper slams a young woman’s neck as she crosses with the light. Blood pools on the dark street. The driver looked away. The car is untouched. The woman is not.

According to the police report, a sedan making a left turn on Pugsley Avenue near Seward Avenue struck a 24-year-old woman as she crossed the intersection with the signal. The report states she suffered a neck injury and severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. Police attribute the crash to 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' The driver, licensed and operating a 2015 Honda sedan, looked away during the turn, according to the narrative. The vehicle sustained no damage. The woman’s action—'Crossing With Signal'—is noted in the report, but only after the driver’s errors are cited as contributing factors. The collision underscores the persistent danger left-turning vehicles pose to pedestrians in city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768704, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Council passed a law forcing DOT to show traffic device and speed reducer requests on its website. Now, every case number, status, and decision must be public. The move cracks open city data, exposing delays and denials that shape street danger.

Int 0468-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Council passed it on October 23, 2024; it became law November 22, 2024, as Local Law 113. The bill’s title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the department of transportation posting information on traffic-control device and speed reducer requests on its website.” Council Member Kalman Yeger led as primary sponsor, joined by dozens of co-sponsors. The law orders DOT to publish every request for traffic signals and speed humps—case number, subject, status, resolution, reason for approval or denial, and timeline if approved. The public can now track what the city does, or fails to do, when streets need taming. This transparency exposes the machinery behind every crosswalk, signal, and speed bump—vital for anyone who walks, bikes, or rides in New York.

• File Int 0468-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-10-23

A distracted driver’s right front bumper struck a 19-year-old man walking alone on Bruckner Expressway. The impact broke his body. He died beneath the Bronx sky, silent. The system failed him. The driver’s inattention ended a life.

A 19-year-old pedestrian was killed on Bruckner Expressway when a driver, described in the police report as 'distracted,' struck him with the vehicle’s right front bumper. According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:35 a.m. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was engaged in 'other actions in roadway' when the collision happened. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The impact caused fatal injuries to the pedestrian’s entire body. No evidence in the police report suggests any contributing behavior by the victim prior to the crash. The driver’s failure to pay attention behind the wheel is the only cited cause, underscoring the persistent danger drivers pose to people on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765230, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 66-year-old man pedaled east on Commonwealth. A northbound GMC pickup hit him head-on. He flew from his bike, skull cracking on Bronx concrete. Blood pooled in the late morning sun. He died there, alone, on the street.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old man was riding his bike eastbound at the corner of Commonwealth and Westchester Avenues in the Bronx when a northbound GMC pickup truck struck him head-on. The report states, 'He flew from the bike, landed hard. His skull hit Bronx concrete. Blood on the street. He died there, alone, in the late morning sun.' The police narrative lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, but does not cite any driver-specific errors or violations. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered fatal head injuries. The report does not mention helmet use or any other cyclist behavior as a contributing factor. The deadly impact underscores the vulnerability of people on bikes when confronted by heavy vehicles in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764528, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two unlicensed riders collided head-on on Story Avenue. One, sixty-five, bled from the face, helmeted and half-thrown. Distraction ruled the street. Center-front impacts left scars and pain. The Bronx pavement bore witness to inattention’s cost.

According to the police report, two unlicensed men—one operating an e-bike, the other an e-scooter—collided head-on near 1755 Story Avenue in the Bronx. Both vehicles struck center-front. The report states, 'Distraction guided them,' and lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for both operators. One rider, age 65, suffered severe facial bleeding and was partially ejected from his vehicle, though he wore a helmet. The report also notes 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor for this injured rider. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before the crash. The data highlights the systemic danger posed by distracted operation and improper lane use, especially when riders are unlicensed. The crash left both machines and bodies marked by the consequences of inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4762317, 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