Midtown’s Blood Price: How Many More Must Die Before We Act?

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834712 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A bus parked on Seventh Avenue was hit by a turning vehicle. Two men, both 65, were hurt. Police cite driver inattention. Metal crumpled. Shock followed. The street stayed loud.

A bus parked near 712 7th Avenue in Manhattan was struck by a vehicle making a left turn. Two male occupants, both age 65, suffered unspecified injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The bus took damage to its left rear bumper. One occupant was partially ejected and reported in shock. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834502 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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.

• DOT Lowers Speed, Adds Barriers On Canal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08

Officials and advocates raced the M34 bus in Midtown. Walking beat the bus. The street choked with traffic. Buses crawled. Riders waited. The city failed its most vulnerable. Cars ruled. Transit lost.

"It’s time to get buses moving faster, and the busway will do just that. I’m proud to have fought for the busway, and I look forward to faster service on 34th Street." -- Keith Powers

On August 8, 2025, Council Member Barbara Russo-Lennon and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani joined transit advocates in Midtown. They raced the M34 bus across 34th Street to expose slow bus speeds. The event asked: 'Is it faster to walk across town or take the bus?' Russo-Lennon and others backed bus improvements, highlighting how cars choke streets and trap riders. The demonstration drew support from Council Members Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers, and city officials. The safety analyst notes this was a demonstration, not a policy change, so it does not directly affect pedestrian or cyclist safety or system-wide outcomes.

• Victory on 34th Street: Transit groups, Manhattan pols leave bus in the dust in bustling Midtown, AMNY, Published 2025-08-08

A limo hit a man crossing Broadway. He went down hard, neck hurt, unconscious. Police list causes as unspecified. The street swallowed him. Metal and flesh met at the intersection.

A 35-year-old man was struck and injured by a limo while crossing at the intersection of West 49th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered neck injuries and was found unconscious. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. The limo’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No other injuries were reported among the vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833488 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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.

• Two Indicted After Chinatown Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-07

A sedan turned left on West 38th, hitting a standing scooter driver. The scooter driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield. No damage to vehicles. System failed the vulnerable.

A sedan making a left turn on West 38th Street collided with a standing scooter driver. The scooter driver, a 55-year-old man, was injured in the neck and suffered a contusion. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' No vehicle damage was reported. The sedan driver and another occupant were not injured. The data lists no other contributing factors. The system left the scooter driver exposed in Manhattan traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833572 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

City revives 34th Street busway. Cars lose ground. Buses and trucks get priority. Council pushes for safer, faster travel. Public input next. Streets shift for people, not traffic.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-08-06) reports the Adams administration will restart the 34th Street busway as part of a Midtown rezoning deal. The city promises a 'car-free 34th Street Busway' after public engagement. The plan restricts cars, giving buses and trucks priority, aiming to cut congestion and improve safety. Council Members Keith Powers and Erik Bottcher secured the commitment, linking it to 10,000 new homes. The article notes, 'Busways grant buses and trucks priority by restricting through movement for other vehicles.' Advocates welcome the move but warn other bus projects remain stalled by City Hall.

• 34th Street Busway Returns With Rezoning, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-06

Council clears Midtown South rezoning. 9,535 new homes. 34th Street busway goes car-free. Streets shift. Cars lose ground. Public space returns to people. Pedestrians and cyclists gain safety.

Bill: Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan. Status: Approved August 6, 2025, by City Council land use committee and zoning subcommittee. Covers 42 blocks, 9,535 new homes over 10 years. Council Members Keith Powers and Erik Bottcher led negotiations. Bottcher called it 'bold, balanced and long overdue.' The plan includes a car-free busway on 34th Street and a $325 million pedestrian-focused Broadway rebuild. Safety analysts note: higher-density housing and car-free streets shift space from cars to people, boosting safety for pedestrians and cyclists through street equity and safety in numbers.

• 42-block Midtown South housing plan clears hurdle as Council trims some units, Crain's New York Business, Published 2025-08-06

City lifts the pause. 34th Street busway returns. Cars lose ground. Buses and trucks get priority. Streets calm. Pedestrians and cyclists gain safer passage. Change comes to Midtown’s core.

""I'm glad that we were able to secure a commitment on the 34th Street busway move ahead to invest in one of our busiest corridors,"" -- Keith Powers

On August 6, 2025, the Adams administration agreed to revive the 34th Street busway as part of a Midtown South rezoning deal. The matter states: "The Administration commits to establishing a car-free 34th Street Busway." Council Members Keith Powers and Erik Bottcher secured the commitment, with Powers saying, "We are recreating the success of 14th Street in Midtown." Public engagement is set for 2025. Safety analysts note busways cut private traffic, calm streets, and open space for safer walking and cycling, shifting travel away from cars and reducing risk for vulnerable road users.

• It’s Back! 34th Street Busway Revived In Midtown Rezoning Deal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-06

SUV struck pedicab near 7th Avenue. Two men injured. Aggressive driving and traffic control ignored. Blood on the street. Shock and bruises. System failed the vulnerable.

An SUV hit a pedicab on West 44th Street near 7th Avenue in Manhattan. Two men, a pedicab driver and a passenger, suffered arm injuries and shock. Another man working in the roadway was bruised. According to the police report, aggressive driving and traffic control disregarded led to the crash. The SUV's center front end struck the pedicab's left rear bumper. The data lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. No mention of helmet or signal use as a cause. The crash left vulnerable road users hurt in the heart of the city.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833138 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan hit a cyclist on W 37th. The cyclist, a 20-year-old woman, suffered arm injuries. Police cite traffic control disregarded. System failed to protect the rider.

A sedan traveling west on W 37th Street struck a southbound cyclist at 7th Avenue in Manhattan. The 20-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering burns and arm trauma. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as a contributing factor. The sedan’s front end hit the cyclist, who was left in shock. No helmet use was noted for the cyclist, but the report does not list this as a cause. The crash highlights the danger when drivers disregard traffic controls. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833115 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

SUV hit cyclist on West 39th. Cyclist ejected, head injury, semiconscious. Police cite improper lane use. Streets remain hostile to the unprotected.

A station wagon/SUV and a bike collided on West 39th Street in Manhattan. The 24-year-old cyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury, left semiconscious. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' was a contributing factor. The SUV driver and an occupant were also involved but had unspecified injuries. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, as noted in the report, but this followed the cited driver error. The crash underscores the risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833113 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A cyclist crashed on slick Broadway. His leg broke. Pavement gave no grip. No cars struck. The city’s surface failed him.

A 42-year-old cyclist suffered a fractured and dislocated leg after crashing near 1604 Broadway in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Pavement Slippery.' No other vehicles were involved. The cyclist was conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Pavement Slippery' as the main contributing factor. No driver errors or helmet issues were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832235 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-31

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.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-30

SUV driver opened door into cyclist. Rider hit hard. Hip bruised. Police cite driver inattention. Streets stay cruel for those on two wheels.

A 26-year-old woman riding a bike was injured when an SUV driver opened a door into her path at 206 W 40th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. The cyclist suffered a hip contusion. The SUV was parked at the time. No injuries were reported for the SUV driver. The report highlights driver inattention as the cause. No mention of helmet use or signals as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831841 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

A sedan merging on Avenue of the Americas hit a motorized scooter. The scooter driver suffered facial bruises. Police cite driver inattention as the cause.

A sedan collided with a motorized scooter at Avenue of the Americas and West 42nd Street in Manhattan. The 31-year-old scooter driver was injured, sustaining a facial contusion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the primary contributing factor. The sedan was merging when it struck the scooter, which was traveling straight. The report does not mention any errors by the scooter driver. Helmet use was noted for the scooter driver, but only after driver inattention was cited as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831254 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18

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.

• City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-29

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.

• Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be, New York Post, Published 2025-07-27