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

A sedan crashed into a parked diesel truck on the Cross Bronx Expressway. Metal tore. A woman in the back seat suffered a bleeding head. She stayed conscious. The ride home ended in shattered glass and silence.

A violent collision unfolded on the Cross Bronx Expressway near 2333 when, according to the police report, a sedan 'slammed into a parked diesel truck.' The report describes the aftermath: 'Metal screamed. In the back seat, a 48-year-old woman bled from the head. She stayed awake.' The injured woman, a right rear passenger, suffered severe lacerations to her head but remained conscious. According to the police report, the sedan was 'going straight ahead' before striking the stationary truck, which was parked at the time of impact. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' but the sequence of events makes clear that the moving sedan collided with a non-moving vehicle. No victim actions are cited as contributing factors. The focus remains on the sedan's impact with a parked vehicle, leaving a passenger wounded amid twisted steel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758347, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A moped collided with a taxi making a U-turn on Westchester Avenue. The unlicensed rider, helmetless, was ejected, suffering a severe head injury. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe speed as key factors in the violent crash.

According to the police report, near 2511 Westchester Avenue in the Bronx, a moped traveling northbound struck a taxi making a U-turn southbound. The point of impact was the taxi's left front bumper and the moped's center front end. The 21-year-old moped rider, unlicensed and not wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained a severe head injury with significant bleeding. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors to the crash. The taxi driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the turn. The moped rider's unlicensed status and lack of helmet are noted but secondary to the primary driver errors. This collision underscores the dangers posed by distracted driving and unsafe speeds, especially to vulnerable road users in the Bronx.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4752940, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

The council passed a law forcing DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Protected lanes get tracked. The city must show where riders go and where danger lurks. Data goes public. Riders get seen.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity,' was introduced April 11, 2024. It passed committee and full council votes on August 15, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88 of 2024. Council Members Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary sponsor), Amanda Farías, Lynn C. Schulman, Crystal Hudson, Lincoln Restler, and others backed the measure. The law compels DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, including counts from automated sensors. DOT must also describe safety projects and analyze crash and usage data to guide improvements. This law forces transparency. It puts the movement and safety of vulnerable riders on record.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

A 2007 Yamaha motorcycle tore down Commerce Avenue, Bronx, turning left at unsafe speed. The unlicensed rider and his 13-year-old passenger, both helmetless, were ejected and struck the pavement headfirst. Both died instantly in the darkness.

According to the police report, a 2007 Yamaha motorcycle was traveling at unsafe speed on Commerce Avenue near Newbold Avenue in the Bronx. The motorcycle, operated by a 21-year-old unlicensed rider, attempted a left turn and lost control. The report states both the rider and his 13-year-old passenger were ejected from the motorcycle, striking the pavement headfirst. Both individuals suffered fatal head injuries and were pronounced dead at the scene. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. Neither the rider nor the passenger was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. The crash occurred in the early morning darkness, underscoring the lethal consequences of high speed and improper turning on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747427, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 26-year-old man on an e-bike struck a car’s side on Westchester Avenue. His head smashed. Blood pooled beneath the streetlights. No helmet. Right-of-way denied. He died where no one yielded.

A 26-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed after striking the side of a car near 1957 Westchester Avenue in the Bronx, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 21:55. The report states the bicyclist suffered fatal head injuries and internal bleeding, dying at the scene. Police cite 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, emphasizing that the right-of-way was not given. The narrative notes, 'No helmet. Head smashed. Internal bleeding. He died beneath the streetlights, where the right-of-way was not his, and no one yielded.' The police report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor prior to the collision. The focus remains on the failure to yield, a recurring danger on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742623, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Steel twisted in the Bronx night. Two sedans slammed together on Guerlain Street. A 46-year-old man, trapped and conscious, suffered crushing injuries as metal folded around him. His body bore the violence, his cries lost in the dark.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Guerlain Street near White Plains Road in the Bronx at 12:48 a.m. The crash left a 46-year-old male driver with severe crush injuries, conscious but pinned behind the wheel. The report describes the scene: 'A 46-year-old man, crushed and conscious, lay broken behind the wheel. His body screamed where no one answered, steel folded around him like a closing fist.' Both vehicles sustained significant damage, with one sedan's left rear bumper and the other's center front end absorbing the impact. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for both drivers, offering no further detail on the cause. No mention is made of victim behavior or safety equipment. The collision underscores the ever-present danger faced by vehicle occupants on city streets, especially in the absence of clear contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740754, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man crossing East Tremont Avenue was struck and left bleeding in the street. The driver vanished into the night. No tire marks. No words. Only pain and the echo of fleeing wheels in the Bronx darkness.

A 56-year-old man was crossing East Tremont Avenue near 2380 when a vehicle struck him and fled the scene, according to the police report. The report describes the victim as lying conscious in the dark, pelvis shattered, blood pooling on the asphalt. The driver did not stop, leaving no tire marks and offering no aid or explanation. The police report does not list any contributing factors for the driver or the pedestrian, but it makes clear the driver’s actions: striking a pedestrian and fleeing. The victim suffered severe bleeding and a broken pelvis. The report’s narrative underscores the violence and abandonment: 'No tire marks. No words. Just pain.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738307, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council calls for five mile per hour speed cap on Open Streets. The move aims to slow cars where people walk, bike, and gather. Resolution passes. Streets may breathe easier. The city pushes Albany to let it set its own pace.

Resolution 0079-2024, adopted June 6, 2024 by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, urges the State Legislature and Governor to pass S.315/A.1416. The measure would let New York City set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets in the Open Streets program. The matter title reads: 'authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on streets participating in the Open Streets program.' Council Member Shahana K. Hanif led as primary sponsor, joined by Amanda Farías, Crystal Hudson, Julie Won, and Carlina Rivera. The committee approved the resolution with strong support. The bill targets streets where pedestrians and cyclists mix with traffic. Lower speeds mean fewer crashes and less severe injuries. The council’s action puts pressure on Albany to give the city the power to protect people where they are most exposed.

• File Res 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-06-06

A sedan hit a baby girl on Westchester Avenue near Commonwealth. She lay conscious, her head bleeding, skin torn. The night swallowed her cries. Metal and dark streets bore down. No driver error listed. Only silence and injury remain.

A sedan struck a baby girl pedestrian on Westchester Avenue near Commonwealth Avenue in the Bronx, according to the police report. The report states the child was left conscious but suffering from severe head lacerations and torn skin. The narrative reads: 'A sedan struck a baby girl. She lay conscious, head bleeding, skin torn. No name. No voice but the cry swallowed by dark streets and steel.' The police report does not list any specific driver errors or contributing factors for this crash. No information is provided about the actions of the victim prior to the collision. The focus remains on the impact and the resulting injuries to the vulnerable pedestrian, as documented by responding officers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725285, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 22-year-old woman riding an e-scooter north on White Plains Road collided with a Ford’s side. Metal struck flesh. Her body was crushed. The police report cites driver inattention. The street fell silent after the impact.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old woman operating an e-scooter was traveling straight north on White Plains Road near Bruckner Boulevard when she collided with the left side doors of a westbound 2022 Ford. The report states the e-scooter rider suffered crush injuries to her entire body. The crash occurred at 19:58. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the collision. Both vehicles were reported to be going straight at the time of impact. The narrative describes, 'Her body was crushed. She was going straight. So was he. One moment of inattention. Then metal. Then silence.' The police report does not list any contributing victim behaviors. The focus remains on driver distraction as a systemic danger on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723435, 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

A sedan turned left on East Tremont. An e-bike crashed into its side. Two men flew from the bike. Bones broke. Blood pooled. Sirens screamed. The street held the aftermath—crumpled metal, shattered bodies, silence before the ambulance.

According to the police report, a sedan was making a left turn near 2040 East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx when an e-bike traveling straight struck the car's left side. The impact ejected both men from the e-bike, leaving them with crush injuries to their entire bodies. The narrative states, 'Two men flew. Bones broke. The bike crumpled. The car split. Blood pooled on the street.' Both injured individuals were listed as ejected and suffered severe injuries. The sedan's point of impact and damage were to the left side doors, consistent with a broadside collision. The report does not specify contributing factors beyond the sedan's left turn and the e-bike's straight path. No victim behavior is listed as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when turning vehicles cross the path of vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4713914, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council wants signs at every school door. Paint on the street. Metal overhead. Drivers warned: children cross here. The bill sits in committee. Kids walk. Cars speed. The city waits.

Int 0714-2024 sits before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced March 19, 2024, the bill would require the Department of Transportation to paint and install overhead school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, and Riley as co-sponsors. The bill aims to alert drivers to the presence of school-aged children and pedestrians. It remains in committee, with no vote or enactment date set. The measure targets a simple truth: children cross streets, drivers often do not see them. Signs alone will not stop cars, but they mark danger.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

A woman riding west on Story Avenue was hit from behind. She stayed upright, but her knee split open. Blood soaked her jeans. She did not fall, but her body buckled. One moment riding, the next—broken, bleeding, still.

According to the police report, a 39-year-old woman operating a moped westbound on Story Avenue near Metcalf Avenue in the Bronx was struck from behind. The report states, 'A moped struck from behind. The woman stayed upright. Her knee split open. Blood soaked her jeans.' The impact caused severe lacerations to her knee, though she did not fall from the vehicle. The moped sustained damage to the center back end, consistent with a rear impact. The police report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified,' but the collision's nature—center back end impact—points to a failure by the striking vehicle to maintain safe distance or control. No victim behavior is cited as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the danger posed to vulnerable road users by rear-end collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4709878, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Council pushes DOT to post clear bus lane signs on every block. Hours and days must be public, online and on the street. Riders and walkers get clarity. No more guessing. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait for answers.

Int 0647-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 7, 2024. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to post signs on every block with bus lane restrictions, showing exact hours and days. DOT must also keep this information updated online. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to bus lane restrictions.' Council Members Althea V. Stevens (primary sponsor), Kevin C. Riley, Chris Banks, Chi A. Ossé, Nantasha M. Williams, Carmen N. De La Rosa, Amanda Farías, and Yusef Salaam co-sponsored. The bill aims to end confusion for all street users. Clear rules mean fewer surprises. The measure awaits further action in committee.

• File Int 0647-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Council moves to form an advisory board on school crossing guard deployment. NYPD, DOT, and DOE must join. The board will send reports twice a year to city leaders. The aim: track, review, and recommend guard placement. Streets near schools stay dangerous.

Bill Int 0448-2024 sits in the Committee on Public Safety. Introduced February 28, 2024, it calls for an advisory board on school crossing guard deployment. The board would include the NYPD, Department of Transportation, and Department of Education. According to the bill summary: 'Such advisory board would be responsible for submitting biannual reports, relating to recommended deployment of school crossing guards, to the Mayor, the City Council Speaker and the Police Commissioner.' Council Member Kamillah Hanks leads as primary sponsor, joined by Stevens, Schulman, Salaam, Won, Cabán, Riley, Farías, Restler, Williams, Narcisse, Banks, Louis, Brooks-Powers, Marmorato, and the Bronx Borough President. The bill demands city agencies work together, but it does not guarantee more guards or safer crossings. The danger for children at city intersections remains.

• File Int 0448-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council members push for a new DOT unit to crack down on illegal parking. The bill sits in committee. Streets choke with blocked lanes. Pedestrians and cyclists pay the price. The city waits for action.

Bill Int 0264-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The measure, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the establishment of a parking enforcement unit within the department of transportation,' would require DOT to create a dedicated parking enforcement unit. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Joseph, Feliz, Louis, Marte, Won, Salaam, Farías, Riley, Bottcher, and Hudson. The bill aims to enforce laws and rules on parking violations. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The bill remains under committee review, with no vote or enactment date set.

• File Int 0264-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Council moves to create a parking permit enforcement unit. The bill targets misuse of city-issued permits. Sponsors say the new unit will enforce rules long ignored. The measure sits with the Transportation Committee. Streets wait for action.

Int 0173-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the establishment of a parking permit enforcement unit within the department of transportation.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Louis, Hudson, Joseph, Won, and Bottcher. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to create a unit dedicated to enforcing laws against misuse of city-issued parking permits. The measure was referred to committee on the day of introduction. Lawmakers say the unit will focus on a problem that endangers pedestrians and cyclists by allowing illegal parking and blocked sightlines. No safety analyst has yet assessed the direct impact on vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0173-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28