Crash Count for Melrose
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,017
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 579
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 149
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 14
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 6
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Aug 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Melrose?

Melrose Bleeds—City Shrugs

Melrose Bleeds—City Shrugs

Melrose: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025

The Deaths Keep Coming

In Melrose, the street is a gauntlet. Six people killed. Twelve left with serious injuries. In the past year alone, three more lives ended and three more bodies were broken. The numbers are steady. The pain does not fade.

In April, Inza Fofana, a hospital cleaner, crossed E. 149th Street after his shift. He was going to buy socks. A van turned left. He never made it home. “He was going to buy socks. That’s why he crossed the street,” said his sister-in-law. The driver stayed. No arrest. The street stayed the same.

Fofana’s family stood at the corner and asked for what should be basic. “There has to be a cross guard over there for the pedestrian to cross the street safely and for the loved one of everybody to get home with no problem, for something like Inza to never happen again,” said Nanssira Cisse.

The Pattern Is the Policy

SUVs, sedans, vans, taxis, motorcycles. They all kill here. The dead are not just numbers. They are the old and the young. A 52-year-old man, a 61-year-old man, a 53-year-old woman, a 21-year-old rider. Most were walking. Most were hit by drivers going straight or turning. The street is wide. The crossings are long. The danger is routine.

What Has Been Done—And What Has Not

City leaders talk about Vision Zero. They say one death is too many. They point to new laws like Sammy’s Law, which lets the city lower speed limits. But in Melrose, the speed stays high. The crossings stay wide. The cameras are not everywhere. The deaths keep coming.

No local leader has stood at this corner and said, ‘Enough.’ No law has forced the street to change. The families wait. The bodies pile up.

Act Now—Or Wait for the Next Name

Call your council member. Call the mayor. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand real changes to crossings. Demand cameras that never go dark.

Every day of delay is another day someone does not come home. The street will not fix itself. The dead cannot speak. You must.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Chantel Jackson
Assembly Member Chantel Jackson
District 79
District Office:
780 Concourse Village West Ground Floor Professional, Bronx, NY 10451
Legislative Office:
Room 547, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Rafael Salamanca Jr.
Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr.
District 17
District Office:
1070 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10459
718-402-6130
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1776, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7505
Twitter: CMsalamancaJr
Jose Serrano
State Senator Jose Serrano
District 29
District Office:
335 E. 100th St., New York, NY 10029
Legislative Office:
Room 418, Capitol Building 172 State St., Albany, NY 12247

Traffic Safety Timeline for Melrose

Speeding SUV Kills Bronx Cab Driver

A cab driver died after an SUV, moving at 77 mph in a 25 zone, struck his car in the Bronx. The driver ran. DNA on the airbag led to charges. The street stayed silent. The loss remains.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-09), Imani Williams was charged after her SUV hit a livery cab at 77 mph in a 25 mph zone, killing driver Robert Godwin. Prosecutors say Williams used a bus lane, ran a red light, and fled on foot. DNA from the airbag identified her. District Attorney Darcel Clark said, 'This defendant was allegedly driving three times the speed limit when her SUV slammed into a livery cab.' The case highlights the deadly risk of speeding and reckless driving in city streets.


DOT Lowers Speed, Adds Barriers On Canal

A driver sped at 109 mph. Concrete barriers now ring the crash site. DOT will shrink lanes and cut speed limits. Change comes slow. Pedestrians and cyclists paid the price.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-08-08) reports DOT will install concrete barriers and narrow lanes at Manhattan Bridge's Canal Street exit after a driver killed a cyclist and pedestrian at 109 mph. DOT plans to lower the speed limit from 35 to 20 mph, pending public comment. The article notes, 'the bridge currently functions like a Mario Kart-style speed boost.' DOT will also 'fast-track community engagement on a full redesign.' The crash highlights the danger of wide lanes and high speeds at a busy pedestrian crossing. Policy changes lagged until tragedy forced action.


Two Indicted After Chinatown Crash

Two women face indictment after a deadly Chinatown crash. The toll is real. The system failed to protect. Streets remain dangerous for those on foot.

CBS New York reported on August 7, 2025, that two women were indicted following a deadly crash in Chinatown, Manhattan. The article states, 'Two women charged in connection with a deadly crash in Chinatown have now been indicted.' Details on the crash itself are limited, but the indictment signals potential driver error or negligence. The case highlights ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in dense city neighborhoods and underscores the need for stronger traffic safety measures.


Bus Turns Left, Strikes Pedestrian at 3rd Ave

A bus making a left turn hit a 21-year-old man crossing with the signal. His leg broke. Blood on the street. The bus kept rolling. The city failed to keep him safe.

A bus struck a 21-year-old man at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and East 152nd Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the bus, traveling east and making a left turn, hit him with its left front bumper. The man suffered a fractured and dislocated leg. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed. The bus showed no damage. The victim was conscious at the scene.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834323 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene

A Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider flew to the pavement. The driver fled. The bike’s red light blinked in the dark. Police arrested the unlicensed driver two hours later. The rider remains critical.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-31) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver in a Nissan SUV struck a 65-year-old e-bike rider on Second Ave. near 15th St., leaving the cyclist with serious head trauma. The driver fled, drove on the sidewalk, and later took the SUV to a car wash. He confessed to police after turning himself in two hours later, saying he fled because he lacked a license. The article notes, 'He now faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license.' The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The crash highlights persistent dangers from unlicensed drivers and gaps in enforcement.


Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene

A Nissan struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider fell, hit his head, and lay critical as the red light blinked. The unlicensed driver fled. Police arrested him two hours later.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver hit a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. near 14th St., leaving the rider with serious head trauma. The driver fled, but police arrested him two hours later, charging him with "leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license." The crash shut down Second Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The article highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and the consequences of fleeing crash scenes.


City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street

City, BIDs, and agencies plan a $3 million study to reshape 14th Street. The goal: safer space for walkers, cyclists, and buses. The busway may become permanent. Cars lose ground. Change moves slow.

New York Magazine - Curbed (2025-07-29) reports city officials and business groups will fund a $3 million, two-year study to redesign 14th Street. The plan aims for a 'complete street'—space for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and limited cars. The article notes, 'Their (mostly) shared goal is to make 14th into what's often called a complete street.' The study will assess traffic flow and street dynamics. The busway, which restricts cars, may become permanent. No crash or injury data is cited, but the focus is on systemic street changes, not individual driver actions.


SUV and Sedan Crash Leaves Elderly Passenger Injured

SUV slammed into sedan at E 158 St and Trinity Ave. Elderly woman in front seat crushed. Driver failed to yield. Aggressive driving fueled the wreck.

An SUV and a sedan collided at E 158 St and Trinity Ave in the Bronx. An 84-year-old woman riding in the sedan’s front seat suffered crush injuries to her abdomen and pelvis. The 67-year-old male driver of the sedan reported neck pain. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' contributed to the crash. Both injured occupants wore lap belts. The impact struck the sedan’s right front, showing the force of the collision. No pedestrians were involved.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831836 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be

A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.


Cyclist Ejected and Injured on 3rd Avenue

A 24-year-old cyclist was ejected and injured on 3rd Avenue in the Bronx. He suffered a bruised leg. No other vehicles were involved. The police report lists the cause as unspecified.

A 24-year-old man riding a bike was ejected and injured at 2835 3rd Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a contusion to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No other vehicles or persons were involved. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment. The crash resulted in no vehicle damage. The police report does not specify further details about the cause or circumstances.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832514 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Taxi Strikes Child Crossing at Tinton Avenue

A taxi hit a six-year-old boy in the Bronx. The child was crossing against the signal. He suffered a facial injury. The street stayed loud and cold. Metal met flesh. The city moved on.

A taxi traveling north on Tinton Avenue struck a six-year-old boy at the intersection with East 161st Street. According to the police report, the child was crossing against the signal and suffered a facial injury. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No injuries were reported among the taxi’s occupants. The crash underscores the danger faced by children on city streets, especially at intersections.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Elderly Pedestrian Fractured by Distracted Driver

A 70-year-old man was struck at Melrose Avenue. His arm broke. The driver was distracted. Blood on the crosswalk. The city failed to protect him.

A 70-year-old male pedestrian suffered a fractured arm after being struck at the intersection of 610 Melrose Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The victim was conscious but injured, with a dislocated and distorted arm. The report lists no other contributing factors. The vehicle type was unspecified. The crash highlights the danger posed by distracted drivers to people crossing city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831834 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Improper Lane Use Injures Bronx E-Bike Rider

A sedan struck a 60-year-old e-bike rider at E 149th Street. The cyclist suffered severe leg cuts. Police cite improper lane use by both drivers. Streets remain perilous for Bronx cyclists.

A sedan and an e-bike collided at 346 E 149th Street in the Bronx. The 60-year-old e-bike rider suffered severe lacerations to his lower leg. According to the police report, both drivers engaged in 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The sedan was starting from parking; the e-bike was traveling straight. The crash left the cyclist injured while the sedan occupants were unhurt. Driver error—improper lane use—was the key factor cited by police. No other contributing factors were listed.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829665 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown

A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.


Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two

A stolen car tore through Chinatown. The driver jumped the curb. Two lives ended—one on a bench, one on a bike. Guns found in the wreck. The street holds the scars.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu crashed at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Cruickshank, 55. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascension Romero, faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. Police said she "jumped a curb in Chinatown and killed two people." Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for weapon possession and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Two pistols and ammunition were found in the trunk. The article notes Romero had been freed without bail after a prior hit-and-run. The crash exposes gaps in bail and rental car oversight.


Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter

A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.


Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge

A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.

Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.


2
Distracted Driver Hits Pedestrian on Westchester Ave

A distracted driver struck a 64-year-old woman crossing with the signal. Both suffered arm injuries. The street saw blood and confusion. Distraction left its mark.

A 16-year-old operating a motorized vehicle struck a 64-year-old woman as she crossed Westchester Ave at Tinton Ave in the Bronx. Both were injured in the shoulder and upper arm. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The crash left the woman with a fracture and dislocation, while the driver suffered a contusion. Systemic danger and driver distraction converged at the intersection, injuring two people.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828906 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes

Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.


Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park

A high-speed electric unicycle struck a cyclist on Central Park’s crowded West Drive. The unicycle rider landed in critical condition. Congestion and speed collided. Chaos followed. Bystanders watched. Sirens wailed.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-06) reports a crash on Central Park’s West Drive, where an illegal electric unicycle hit a cyclist. The unicycle, capable of speeds over 40 mph, struck Carolyn Backus, who was riding a standard bike. The unicycle operator was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. NYPD initially charged Backus with leaving the scene, but the charge was dropped. A spokesperson clarified, 'She also remained on scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics.' The incident highlights risks from high-speed, illegal vehicles in crowded park spaces.