Crash Count for Harlem (North)
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 2,050
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,093
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 278
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 28
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 4
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Aug 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Harlem (North)?

Harlem’s Streets Bleed—It’s Time to End the Killing Field

Harlem’s Streets Bleed—It’s Time to End the Killing Field

Harlem (North): Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 10, 2025

The Toll in Harlem (North)

A child’s shoe in the crosswalk. Blood on the curb. In the last twelve months, two people died and nine were seriously injured on the streets of Harlem (North). Another 261 were hurt. The dead include a three-year-old girl, struck by an SUV while crossing with the signal at Lenox and 135th. Her mother survived, injured and alone. The SUV was making a left turn. The girl was crossing with the light. The driver kept his license. The girl lost her life. NYC Open Data

A 59-year-old man on a bike was killed by a bus at Lenox and 138th. He was crushed. The bus kept going straight. The cyclist did not. NYC Open Data

Most victims are not in cars. They are walking. They are riding. They are children, elders, workers. They are not protected by steel or speed.

What Leaders Have Done—and Not Done

Council Member Yusef Salaam has voted for laws to legalize jaywalking, co-sponsored bills for more protected bike lanes, and pushed for speed humps and safer crossings. He voted yes to let pedestrians cross where they need to, ending the city’s war on so-called jaywalkers. The law’s aim: streets for people, not just cars. The law requires the Department of Transportation to educate all road users about these new rights.

Salaam also co-sponsored a bill to force the city to build 100 miles of protected bike lanes each year. The bill’s summary is plain: protected lanes increase cycling and ensure the safety of New Yorkers.

But the danger does not wait for new paint. SUVs and cars still do the most harm. In this region, they killed one, seriously injured four, and hurt 166 more. Trucks and buses killed one and injured 18. Bikes and mopeds injured eight and five, but killed no one. NYC Open Data

The Disaster Is Slow, But It Is Not Fate

Every crash is a choice made upstream. Streets built for speed. Laws that let repeat speeders keep driving. These are not accidents.

Protected lanes increase cycling and ensure the safety of New Yorkers.

The law requires the Department of Transportation to educate all road users about these new rights.

What You Can Do

Call your council member. Call the mayor. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand protected bike lanes. Demand action, not delay.

Every day you wait, someone else pays.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Jordan Wright
Assembly Member Jordan Wright
District 70
District Office:
163 W. 125th St. Suite 911, New York, NY 10027
Legislative Office:
Room 532, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Yusef Salaam
Council Member Yusef Salaam
District 9
District Office:
163 Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10026
212-678-4505
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1776, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7397
Twitter: CMYusefSalaam
Cordell Cleare
State Senator Cordell Cleare
District 30
District Office:
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building 163 W. 125th St., Suite 912, New York, NY 10027
Legislative Office:
Room 905, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247

Traffic Safety Timeline for Harlem (North)

SUV Strikes Motorized Scooter on Frederick Douglass Blvd

SUV hit a motorized scooter at night. The scooter driver bled from the face, semiconscious, partly ejected. Police list causes as unspecified. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A station wagon SUV collided with a motorized scooter on Frederick Douglass Blvd near West 132nd Street in Manhattan. The 32-year-old male scooter driver was partially ejected and suffered facial bleeding, left semiconscious. According to the police report, both vehicles had licensed drivers. The SUV was making a right turn; the scooter was going straight. Police list contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. No mention of helmet use or signals as factors. The crash left the scooter driver injured while the SUV driver and another occupant were unhurt.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834526 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
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.


Improper Lane Use Sedan Injures Cyclist on Lenox

Sedan merged on Lenox. Cyclist struck. Knee and leg bruised. Police cite improper lane use. Streets failed to protect the rider.

A sedan merged on Lenox Avenue at West 132nd Street in Manhattan and struck a cyclist traveling straight. The cyclist, a 34-year-old man, suffered a contusion to his knee and lower leg. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The sedan's right front bumper hit the cyclist. No helmet or signal use was listed as a factor. The system allowed a dangerous merge, leaving the cyclist hurt.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833044 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Sedans Collide on W 145 St, One Hurt

Two sedans crashed on W 145 St at Bradhurst Ave. One driver suffered neck injuries. Three others listed with unspecified injuries. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

Two sedans collided on W 145 St at Bradhurst Ave in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 27-year-old male driver was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash. Three other occupants, ages 51, 51, and 64, were listed with unspecified injuries. The report does not specify any driver errors or contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in the crash. The injured driver was using a lap belt and harness. The crash involved vehicles traveling east, with one parked at the time of impact.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832342 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Sedan Crash on Harlem River Drive Injures Driver

A sedan struck its right rear on Harlem River Drive. The driver suffered a back contusion. Police list the cause as unspecified. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

A sedan traveling south on Harlem River Drive crashed, damaging its right rear quarter panel. The 32-year-old male driver was injured, suffering a back contusion. According to the police report, the contributing factors were 'Unspecified.' No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no specific driver errors or external causes. The second occupant, a 32-year-old female, was not reported injured. The crash highlights the persistent dangers on city roads, even when causes remain unclear.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832343 - 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.


Alcohol-Fueled Sedan Crash Injures Driver, Child

A BMW sedan slammed into the Harlem River Drive ramp. Alcohol played a role. The driver and a child were hurt. Metal twisted. Sirens cut the night.

A BMW sedan crashed on the Harlem River Drive ramp in Manhattan. According to the police report, alcohol was a contributing factor. The driver, a 32-year-old woman, suffered head and internal injuries. A child occupant was also injured. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as the main cause. The sedan took the impact on its right front quarter panel. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left two people hurt and exposed the danger of impaired driving.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831052 - 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.


SUV Driver Fails to Yield, E-Bike Rider Injured

SUV pulled from parking. E-bike rider struck. Arm torn. Police cite failure to yield. Blood on St. Nicholas Avenue. System failed the cyclist.

An SUV driver started from parking on St. Nicholas Avenue and struck a 27-year-old e-bike rider. The cyclist suffered an arm injury. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was a contributing factor. The SUV driver was licensed; the e-bike rider wore a helmet. The report lists no vehicle damage. The crash left the cyclist hurt and exposed the danger of driver inattention.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830389 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Taxi Fails to Yield, Driver Injured on St Nicholas Ave

Taxi struck standing vehicle on St Nicholas Ave. Driver suffered head injury. Police cite failure to yield and keep right. Streets remain hazardous for all.

A taxi heading north on St Nicholas Ave collided with a standing vehicle. One driver suffered a head injury and concussion. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Failure to Keep Right.' The report also lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured driver was conscious at the scene. Systemic driver errors led to harm on a busy Manhattan street.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831172 - 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.


Van Driver Distracted, Cyclist Injured on Lenox

A van struck a cyclist on Lenox Avenue. The cyclist suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver inattention. The street saw blood and metal. No escape for the vulnerable.

A van hit a cyclist at Lenox Avenue and West 137th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 41-year-old man, was injured in the arm. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. The van was making a right turn when the crash happened. The cyclist had no safety equipment. The crash left the cyclist hurt and exposed. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827609 - 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.


2
SUV Driver Passes Too Close, Injures Teen Cyclist

SUV struck 14-year-old cyclist on W 127 St. Both cyclist and pedestrian suffered leg injuries. Police cite passing too closely and driver distraction. System failed to protect the young.

A station wagon/SUV hit a 14-year-old bicyclist on W 127 St near Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd in Manhattan. The cyclist and a 14-year-old pedestrian both suffered knee and foot injuries. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The SUV's left front bumper struck the bike's right front quarter panel. No helmet use was listed as a contributing factor. The data shows clear driver error, with vulnerable road users paying the price.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830240 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18