Blood on Lenox, Silence at City Hall

A sedan swung right on West 144th. Its bumper struck a man crossing with the signal. Bones broke. He stayed conscious. The street bore the wound. The driver failed to yield. The city’s danger showed its teeth.

According to the police report, a 2023 Honda sedan turned right at the corner of West 144th Street and 7th Avenue in Manhattan. The vehicle's center front bumper struck a 33-year-old man who was crossing the intersection with the signal. The impact crushed the pedestrian’s hip and upper leg, leaving him injured but conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The pedestrian’s action—'Crossing With Signal'—is noted in the report, but only after the driver’s failure to yield. The sedan sustained no damage, but the man suffered severe crush injuries. The incident underscores the persistent danger faced by those on foot when drivers disregard the right-of-way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701162, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Councilman Yusef Salaam faced scrutiny for traffic violations as he pushed to override the mayor’s veto on police stop documentation. Critics questioned his credibility. The debate exposed rifts in public safety leadership and the fight for police accountability.

On February 3, 2024, the City Council debated the How Many Stops Act, a bill requiring police to document all public encounters. The bill faced a mayoral veto. Councilman Yusef Salaam, chair of the public safety committee, supported overriding the veto, stating, "If these laws were in place in 1989," before choking up. Salaam’s recent traffic violations—speeding in a school zone, blocking a bus lane, and driving with out-of-state plates—drew criticism from Councilman Bob Holden, who argued Salaam undermined public safety. Salaam’s supporters cited the stop as proof of the need for police accountability. The mayor and police union praised the officer’s conduct. The council’s debate highlighted deep divisions over leadership and the safety of vulnerable New Yorkers.

• ‘Central Park 5’ Councilman Yusef Salaam was a scofflaw long before latest traffic stop — including fines for speeding in a school zone and blocking a bus lane, nypost.com, Published 2024-02-03

A man crossed 8th Avenue with the signal. A vehicle hit him. His leg was crushed. He lay silent on the cold street. The car showed no damage. The light turned green. No one moved.

A 42-year-old man was struck while crossing 8th Avenue at West 147th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, he crossed with the signal when a vehicle hit him, crushing his leg and leaving him unconscious in the intersection. The report states, 'A man, 42, crossed with the signal. A vehicle struck him. He fell, leg crushed, silent on the cold street.' The car showed no visible damage. The police listed the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed in the data. The pedestrian suffered serious crush injuries to his lower leg and foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692571, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Two bikes collided head-on on West 125th. Metal struck metal. A woman, 33, hit the ground hard. Her head split. Blood pooled. She lay still, unconscious. The street went silent. The crash left her broken and bleeding.

Two bicycles crashed head-on near 215 West 125th Street in Manhattan. A 33-year-old woman riding east was thrown from her bike. She suffered a severe head injury and lost consciousness. According to the police report, 'Two bikes, head-on. East met west. A woman, 33, hit the pavement. Head split. Blood pooled. She lay unconscious.' The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Lost Consciousness' as contributing factors. The woman was partially ejected from her bike and severely bleeding. No mention is made of helmet use or signaling as a factor. The crash left one cyclist gravely hurt, the street stained and silent.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4674001, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

An unlicensed e-bike struck a man mid-block on West 125th. Blood streaked his face. The Audi’s bumper cracked. The man stayed conscious. Harlem traffic rolled on. The street bore witness. The wound ran deep.

A 44-year-old man was injured when an unlicensed e-bike struck him mid-block on West 125th Street in Harlem. According to the police report, the man was crossing outside the crosswalk when the crash occurred. The e-bike rider was unlicensed. The Audi SUV, parked nearby, suffered a cracked bumper. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian sustained severe facial lacerations but remained conscious at the scene. No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield were listed in the data. The report does not mention helmet use or signals as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4661426, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A moped clipped a parked taxi on West 143rd. The rider’s arm was torn off. Blood pooled on the street. He stayed awake. The taxi’s doors crumpled. No helmet. No license. Passing too close cost flesh and bone.

A moped rider was gravely injured on West 143rd Street in Manhattan after striking a parked taxi. According to the police report, 'A moped clipped a parked taxi. No helmet. No license. The rider’s arm torn off at the elbow. He stayed awake. Blood pooled on the asphalt. The taxi’s side doors folded like paper.' The crash involved a moped and a taxi, with the moped passing too closely and colliding with the taxi’s left side doors. The rider, a 39-year-old man, suffered an arm amputation. The police report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The moped operator was unlicensed and wore no helmet, as noted in the report. The taxi was parked and unoccupied at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655659, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A man on an e-bike crashed into a parked sedan on East 125th Street. He wore no helmet. Thrown from the bike, his head struck hard. Blood pooled. He lay unconscious, heat rising off Harlem’s asphalt. The bike’s front end crumpled.

A 56-year-old man riding an e-bike crashed into a parked sedan near East 125th Street and 111th in Manhattan. According to the police report, the e-bike rider was unlicensed and wore no helmet. The impact threw him from the bike, causing a severe head injury and leaving him unconscious with heavy bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. The sedan was parked and unoccupied at the time. The e-bike’s front end was heavily damaged. The crash highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable road users in Harlem’s busy streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654284, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A helmetless man on an e-bike hit a turning SUV. He flew off, struck the pavement, and bled from the head. He stayed conscious. The street rang with the sound of blood. Children and adults in the SUV watched, stunned.

A crash on Edgecombe Avenue involved a turning SUV and a southbound e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 41-year-old man, struck the SUV's front bumper and was ejected, suffering a head injury with severe bleeding. According to the police report, 'A helmetless man on an e-bike struck the front bumper of a turning SUV. He flew, hit pavement, and bled from the head. He was conscious.' The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The e-bike rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary listed factors were driver and vehicle actions. Passengers in the SUV, including children, were uninjured but witnessed the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646209, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford convertible crept too close on West 128th. Its bumper struck a 61-year-old man in the intersection. He fell. Blood pooled from his head. He stayed conscious. The street stayed cold. The driver followed too closely. The man was badly hurt.

A Ford convertible hit a 61-year-old man at the intersection of West 128th Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the car 'crept too close' and its left front bumper struck the pedestrian, causing him to fall and suffer severe bleeding from his head. The man remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors. The driver was going straight ahead when the crash occurred. No mention is made of any actions by the pedestrian contributing to the crash. The impact left the man injured and the street stained with blood.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4645729, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Dodge sedan hit a 64-year-old man riding south on his bike at East 125th and 5th Avenue. Blood poured from his arm. The car’s bumper bent. The cyclist stayed conscious. The street swallowed the sound.

A Dodge sedan struck a 64-year-old man riding a bike southbound at East 125th Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered severe bleeding from his arm but remained conscious at the scene. The sedan’s left front bumper was damaged. The report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted after the absence of identified driver errors. The crash left the cyclist injured and the vehicle damaged, underscoring the danger faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644355, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pick-up truck crowded a teenage cyclist on 8th Avenue. The boy fell. Blood pooled on the pavement. Deep cuts tore his leg. He stayed awake, staring up into the sun. The truck kept going. The street stayed hot.

A 16-year-old boy riding a bike on 8th Avenue was injured when a pick-up truck passed too closely. According to the police report, the truck's action caused the cyclist to fall hard, resulting in severe lacerations to his leg. The report lists 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor. The narrative describes blood on the pavement and the boy remaining conscious after the crash. The police report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor, but the primary driver error remains the truck's dangerously close pass. No helmet or signaling issues are cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4644580, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A limo jumped from the curb in Harlem. It struck a woman crossing 8th Avenue. Her leg was crushed. She stayed conscious. The driver showed no sign of care. The street was quiet. The city’s danger was clear.

A 28-year-old woman was crossing the intersection near 2850 8th Avenue in Manhattan when a limo lurched from the curb and struck her. According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:51 a.m. and left the pedestrian with crush injuries to her knee and lower leg. The report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The woman remained conscious after the impact. The data shows no mention of helmet or signal use as a factor. The driver’s aggressive actions stand out as the primary cause. The street remained silent as another New Yorker suffered under the weight of reckless driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677493, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Assembly Member Inez Dickens stands firm against Sammy’s Law, lower speed limits, and more bike lanes in Harlem. She rejects congestion pricing, bus upgrades, and traffic calming. Her stance leaves vulnerable road users exposed. Other candidates back safety. Dickens does not.

Assembly Member Inez Dickens, leading the Harlem Council race, opposes bill 'Sammy’s Law,' which would let New York City set its own speed limits. At a June 2023 NY1 debate, Dickens said, 'I do not support it,' arguing that speeders will speed regardless. She also rejected more bike lanes, congestion pricing, bus improvements, and traffic calming. The matter summary states: 'Assembly Member Inez Dickens...does not support lowering the speed limit.' Her challengers, Assembly Member Al Taylor and Yusef Salaam, support Sammy’s Law and more bike lanes. Mayor Adams, a supporter of Sammy’s Law, has endorsed Dickens. Dickens’s stance blocks proven safety measures for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. No safety analyst note was provided.

• Assembly Member in Harlem Council Race Opposes ‘Sammy’s Law,’ More Bike Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-06-20

Two SUVs smashed together on East 121st and Park. Steel buckled. Airbags burst. A 46-year-old man bled from the neck, his limb torn away. Distraction behind the wheel turned a bright afternoon into carnage.

Two sport utility vehicles collided head-on at East 121st Street and Park Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, both vehicles struck front-to-front. A 46-year-old male driver suffered severe injuries, including neck wounds and an amputation. The report states, 'Distraction and a missed yield carved bone from flesh in the bright afternoon.' The listed contributing factor is 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Both drivers were licensed. Airbags deployed. The crash left one driver grievously wounded. The police report highlights distraction as the key factor in this violent collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4633218, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A diesel truck lurched forward on East 125th Street. A 53-year-old man crossed in a marked crosswalk. The truck struck him head-on. His body was crushed beneath the wheels. He died there, in the street. The driver stayed at the scene.

A 53-year-old man was killed while crossing East 125th Street in a marked crosswalk. According to the police report, a diesel tractor truck lurched forward and struck the pedestrian head-on. The impact crushed the man’s body, causing fatal injuries at the scene. The driver, a 38-year-old man, was operating the truck and was not reported injured. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were cited in the data. The report does not blame the pedestrian. There is no mention of helmet or signal use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4631780, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A car going west on 125th hit a 23-year-old woman crossing with the signal. Her head split. Blood pooled. She stayed conscious. The driver, distracted, kept going. She did not.

A 23-year-old woman was struck head-on by a westbound car while crossing West 125th Street with the signal. According to the police report, 'A 23-year-old woman, crossing with the signal, struck head-on by a westbound car. Her head split. Blood pooled. She stayed conscious. The driver, distracted, kept going. She did not.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The woman suffered a severe head injury and severe bleeding but remained conscious. The crash highlights the danger of driver distraction at intersections. No information about the driver was provided in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4629126, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan turned into a 72-year-old woman on an e-scooter. Her legs tore open. Blood pooled on West 135th Street. She stayed conscious. The car showed no damage. Failure to yield marked the crash. The street fell silent.

A 72-year-old woman riding an e-scooter was struck by a sedan on West 135th Street. According to the police report, the sedan turned into her path, causing severe lacerations to her legs. She remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The sedan showed no visible damage. No helmet use or signaling issues were cited. The impact left the woman bleeding on the street. No injuries were reported for the sedan's occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4620925, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Ford sedan struck a 71-year-old man riding north on his bike along West 131st Street. His head bled. He lay in shock. The car’s left side crumpled. Driver inattention marked the crash. The street fell silent.

A 71-year-old man rode his bike north on West 131st Street. A Ford sedan hit him. According to the police report, 'His head bled. He lay in shock. The car’s left side crumpled. The street held silence.' The cyclist suffered a head injury with severe bleeding and was in shock. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The Ford sedan’s left side doors took the impact. No injuries were reported for the car’s occupants. The data does not mention any cyclist error or helmet use. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4619436, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Toyota sedan veered into a parked Chevy SUV on West 139th Street. The driver died at the scene. Nine people sat inside the SUV, unhurt. Morning light caught twisted metal. Distraction behind the wheel proved fatal in Harlem.

A Toyota sedan crashed into a parked Chevy SUV on West 139th Street in Harlem. The driver of the sedan, a 40-year-old man, died at the scene. According to the police report, 'Distraction was all it took.' Nine people were inside the SUV but were not reported injured. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The sedan struck the SUV's left rear quarter panel, crumpling steel and ending a life. The driver wore a seatbelt. The crash highlights the deadly consequences of driver distraction, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611630, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A moped rider swerved from a phantom car. He flew from his seat and landed beneath a box truck. His arm shattered. He lay conscious and pinned. The truck did not move. No one else was present.

A man riding a moped on 7th Avenue was ejected and crushed beneath a stationary box truck. According to the police report, the unlicensed rider 'swerved from a ghost car, flew from the seat, and landed beneath a box truck. His arm shattered. He lay conscious and crushed. The truck did not move. No one else was there.' Crash data lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The moped rider suffered severe crush injuries to his arm. No other people were involved, and no other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609024, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15