Broadway to the Parkway: West Harlem’s Slow-Motion Crash Scene

• German tourist killed in hit-and-run was in NYC with husband to celebrate anniversary, NY Daily News, Published 2025-09-28

• Driver charged in fatal Midtown Manhattan hit-and-run, NYPD says, CBS New York, Published 2025-09-25

• German Woman Killed by Hit and Run Driver Near Bryant Park, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-09-24

Sep 11 - A late-night Riverside Drive crash at West 135th threw a motorcyclist. He was semiconscious with a head wound and minor bleeding. Police listed contributing factors as “Unspecified.”

On Riverside Drive at West 135th Street in Manhattan, a late-night crash left a motorcyclist injured. The 40-year-old driver was ejected. He was semiconscious, with a head injury and minor bleeding. Another 40-year-old male is listed as an occupant and registrant; his injury is “Unspecified.” "According to the police report, the motorcycle was traveling west and going straight before the crash." The report records contributing factors as “Unspecified.” No other vehicles or pedestrians are listed. Police noted a left-front point of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4841687 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

• Box cutter-wielding Mercedes driver slashes bike-riding dad in NYC road rage clash: cops, sources, New York Post, Published 2025-09-05

• Videos allegedly show ‘reckless’ NYC subway operator allowing minors to take MTA train out for a joyride, New York Post, Published 2025-09-03

• Man fatally struck by train at Harlem subway station, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-31

Aug 22 - Three southbound vehicles collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. A 39-year-old driver suffered neck injuries. A 38-year-old woman and two teenage girls were also hurt. Police cited distracted driving and an unsafe lane change.

According to the police report, three southbound vehicles collided on Henry Hudson Parkway and multiple occupants were injured. A 39-year-old male driver complained of whiplash and neck injury. The report also identifies a 38-year-old female rear-seat passenger, a 15-year-old rear passenger, and a 14-year-old front passenger as injured. Police listed "Driver Inattention/Distraction" for multiple drivers and "Unsafe Lane Changing" as contributing factors. Damage descriptions include the Honda sedan’s right rear bumper and front-end damage to the SUV and the Kia, consistent with a lane-change conflict. The report records driver inattention and an unsafe lane change as the causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836874 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Aug 15 - Southbound cyclist hits taxi on Amsterdam. Right front bumper marks the strike. Head injury. Ejected. Night air, hard street. Police cite driver distraction. The rider bleeds while traffic hums past.

A southbound bicyclist on Amsterdam Ave at W 133 St collided with a taxi and suffered a head injury and was ejected. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Driver Inattention/Distraction.” The cyclist was listed as injured; the taxi driver as an occupant with unspecified injury. Records show the taxi was parked before the crash, and the car’s right front bumper was the point of impact, consistent with a dooring or pull-out. Driver inattention stands out as the harmful act. Safety equipment for the cyclist was recorded as unknown, noted after driver error as required.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835365 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Aug 15 - A westbound SUV struck a parked SUV at 415 W 127th in Harlem. A 62-year-old man died at the scene; another person was injured. Police cited driver inattention and following too closely. Both front bumpers were crushed.

Two sport-utility vehicles collided at 415 W 127th Street in Manhattan. A 62-year-old male occupant suffered apparent death at the scene; another person sustained injuries. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The persons data also lists "Following Too Closely" alongside driver inattention for the injured driver. The crash involved one SUV going straight westbound and another recorded as parked and struck on its left front. Impact damaged the right front of the moving SUV and the left front of the parked SUV. No pedestrians or cyclists are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836666 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Aug 9 - A driver in an SUV passed too closely on Henry Hudson Parkway and hit a motorcycle. The 39-year-old rider was partially ejected and suffered a head injury. Police recorded improper passing as the cause.

A driver in an SUV passed too closely and struck a motorcycle on Henry Hudson Parkway at W 135 St. The motorcyclist, a 39-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered a head injury and contusion. According to the police report, the crash was caused by "Passing Too Closely" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." Both vehicles were traveling south. Police noted the SUV's right rear bumper impacted the motorcycle's center back end. The report lists the improper passing and lane-use errors by the driver as the contributing factors to the collision; no other serious injuries were recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834249 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Aug 8 - 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

Aug 7 - A stolen car tore through Canal and Bowery. Two lives ended. One sat on a bench. One rode a bike. The city now promises changes. Steel and speed met flesh. The street stays dangerous.

NY1 reported on August 7, 2025, that after a deadly crash at Canal Street and Bowery, the city will upgrade the intersection. On July 19, a stolen car, allegedly driven over 100 mph, killed Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok. Kwok was sitting on a bench. Cruickshank rode his bike on the sidewalk. The article quotes authorities: 'A stolen vehicle, allegedly driven at more than 100 miles per hour...crashed into them.' The crash highlights risks from reckless driving and exposes gaps in street design. The Department of Transportation now plans safety improvements.

• Deadly Crash Spurs Chinatown Upgrades, NY1, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 6 - A motorcycle and an SUV collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. A 20-year-old male motorcyclist suffered crush injuries to his entire body. Police listed driver inexperience and unsafe speed as contributing factors.

A motorcycle and a driver in an SUV, both traveling south on Henry Hudson Parkway, collided. According to the police report, a 20-year-old male motorcyclist was injured and suffered crush injuries to his entire body. Police listed "Driver Inexperience" as a contributing factor and recorded "Unsafe Speed" for the motorcyclist. The motorcycle showed center-front impact damage; the SUV showed damage to its right rear quarter panel. No other injured parties were specified in the report. The police narrative names driver errors rather than roadway conditions or victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834332 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Aug 6 - A man lay on Harlem tracks. The northbound 5 train struck him. He died at the scene. Police found no crime. His name remains unknown. Subway lines stalled. The system moved on.

NY Daily News (2025-08-06) reports a 47-year-old man was killed by a northbound 5 train at 125th St. station in Harlem. Police said, "The man was unconscious and unresponsive on the tracks." No arrests were made. The cause of his presence on the tracks is unclear. Police stated, "There was no criminality." The incident halted 4 and 5 trains. The case highlights ongoing dangers for people in subway spaces and the lack of platform barriers.

• Man Killed By Train At Harlem Station, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 3 - A driver struck a cyclist at West 181st and Cabrini. The driver fled. The cyclist went to the hospital. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

CBS New York (2025-08-03) reports a bicyclist was hospitalized after a hit-and-run at West 181st Street and Cabrini Boulevard in Washington Heights. The crash happened just after noon. The driver left the scene, leaving the cyclist injured. The article states, "A bicyclist was hospitalized after being injured in a hit and run." No details on the driver or vehicle were released. The incident highlights ongoing risks for cyclists and the persistent issue of drivers fleeing crash scenes in New York City.

• Cyclist Hospitalized After Hit-And-Run Uptown, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-03

Jul 29 - 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

Jul 27 - 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

Jul 24 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him and fled. He died at Bellevue. The driver did not stop. Police are investigating. No arrests. The city lost a rescuer. The road remains dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-07-24) reports that Matthew Goicochea, 31, fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive near East 25th Street and was struck by a vehicle that left the scene. Police said, "an unknown vehicle hit his motorcycle moments later and left the scene." The NYPD Highway Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The driver’s failure to remain highlights persistent hit-and-run risks on city highways. The incident underscores ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users and the need for systemic safety improvements.

• Firefighter Killed After FDR Drive Crash, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-24

Jul 24 - After two die at Canal Street, Kevin Duggan and advocates demand the city end car dominance. They call for fewer lanes, slower speeds, and space for people. The city stalls. Danger remains.

""We urge the DOT not to wait for more crashes and deaths on Canal Street to act."" -- Mark Levine

On July 24, 2025, Kevin Duggan issued a policy statement after a double fatal crash at the Manhattan Bridge's Canal Street entrance. The matter urges, "the city to redesign Canal Street to be less car-centric after decades of studies and delays." Duggan, joined by advocates and politicians, calls for lane reductions, speed cuts, and pedestrian-first changes. The Department of Transportation faces a 30-day deadline to release plans. The safety analyst notes the event text is too vague for a clear safety impact, as no concrete intervention is described. The push is loud, but action is uncertain.

• Fixing Canal Street Means Rethinking the Manhattan Bridge Itself: Experts, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-24