Crash Count for Hamilton Heights-Sugar Hill
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,181
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 568
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 201
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 4
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 3
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Aug 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Hamilton Heights-Sugar Hill?

Hamilton Heights: Three Dead, Hundreds Hurt—Why Won’t the City Act?

Hamilton Heights: Three Dead, Hundreds Hurt—Why Won’t the City Act?

Hamilton Heights-Sugar Hill: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025

The Numbers Do Not Lie

Three dead. Four seriously hurt. In Hamilton Heights-Sugar Hill, from 2022 to June 2025, the toll is steady and grim. Over 500 people injured in just three and a half years. The dead do not speak. Their absence is felt in empty chairs and quiet rooms.

SUVs, sedans, bikes, vans. The machines change, the outcome does not. A cyclist struck by an SUV on St. Nicholas Avenue. A pedestrian killed at Riverside Drive. A moped rider left bleeding on W 145th. The numbers are not just numbers. They are people who did not come home.

Leadership: Words, Laws, and Waiting

City leaders say the right things. They promise safer streets. They pass laws. But the work is slow. Sammy’s Law passed in Albany, letting the city lower speed limits. The city can act now. It has not. The clock runs. The streets do not wait.

Speed cameras cut speeding by 63% where installed. Injuries drop 14%. But the law that keeps them running is always at risk. Each year, advocates must fight to keep them alive. Each year, the city hesitates. The cost is paid in blood.

The Human Cost

A family gets a bill for a police car after their son is killed. The city calls it policy. The family calls it cruelty. The Daily News reports the NYPD has no comment. The silence is heavy.

“Williams’ family is suing the NYPD and demanding criminal charges against the officer, identified as Perez.” NY Daily News

What Comes Next

This is not fate. Lower the speed limit. Keep the cameras on. Redesign the streets. Call your council member. Call the mayor. Do not wait for another name to be added to the list.

Take action now.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Al Taylor
Assembly Member Al Taylor
District 71
District Office:
2541-55 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., New York, NY 10039
Legislative Office:
Room 602, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Shaun Abreu
Council Member Shaun Abreu
District 7
District Office:
500 West 141st Street, New York, NY 10031
212-928-6814
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1763, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7007
Twitter: shaunabreu
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

Help Fix the Problem.

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Traffic Safety Timeline for Hamilton Heights-Sugar Hill

SUV Strikes Cyclist at Broadway and 155th

SUV hit cyclist at Broadway and 155th. Rider ejected. Man, 51, hurt in leg. Police list cause as unspecified. Metal against flesh. Another day, another wound.

A 51-year-old man riding a bike was struck by an SUV at Broadway and West 155th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist was ejected and suffered a leg injury. The SUV’s left front bumper hit the bike’s center front end. Police list the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this is noted only after the absence of driver errors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833641 - 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.


E-Bike Rider Injured in Sedan Collision on W 145th

A sedan struck an e-bike on W 145th Street. The cyclist, age 20, suffered leg injuries. The crash left the rider in shock. No driver errors listed. Streets remain dangerous for those outside cars.

A 20-year-old e-bike rider was injured when a sedan collided with him on W 145th Street at St Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the sedan was making a left turn while the e-bike was traveling straight. The cyclist suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. Both drivers were male. The crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by cyclists on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831925 - 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.


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.


Motorcycle Ejected on Henry Hudson Parkway

A motorcycle and sedan collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. The rider was ejected and injured. Center-front and back-end impacts marked the crash. Police list contributing factors as unspecified.

A motorcycle and a sedan crashed on Henry Hudson Parkway. The motorcycle rider, a 43-year-old man, was ejected and suffered back injuries and abrasions. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling south and collided, with the sedan striking the center front and the motorcycle hit at the center back. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The rider was wearing a helmet. No other injuries were reported.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830761 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Bus and Sedan Collide on Broadway, Passenger Hurt

A bus and sedan crashed on Broadway. Metal twisted. A 62-year-old passenger suffered arm injuries. Sirens cut through Manhattan. Another day, another wound in the city’s grid.

A bus and a sedan collided at Broadway and West 145th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash left a 62-year-old male passenger injured, suffering trauma to his arm. Both vehicles were going straight before impact. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data. The bus was struck on its left rear, the sedan on its right front. The injured passenger was in shock but not visibly bleeding. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830753 - 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.


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.


Abreu Backs Safety Boosting Delivery Worker Wage And Workplace Protections

Council moves to shield delivery workers. Wage floors, tipping rules, and safety gear on the line. Workers face street danger daily. New rules aim to cut risk and boost dignity.

On July 14, 2025, the NYC Council will vote on bills to protect delivery workers. The agenda includes wage floors, tipping requirements, and safety measures. Council Members Shaun Abreu, Jennifer Gutierrez, and Sandy Nurse sponsor key bills. Barbara Russo-Lennon supports the package. The matter summary states: 'Council members will vote on a list of legislative items that would benefit delivery app workers.' These protections can improve worker well-being and bargaining power, reducing pressure to take unsafe risks. The council’s action targets the daily hazards faced by delivery workers on city streets.


SUV Fails to Yield, Cyclist Injured on Broadway

SUV struck a cyclist on Broadway. The rider took a hard hit to the shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and blocked view. The street stayed busy. The cyclist was left bruised but conscious.

A cyclist riding northwest on Broadway at W 155th Street was hit by an SUV. The cyclist, a 40-year-old man, suffered a shoulder contusion but remained conscious. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'View Obstructed/Limited.' The cyclist was not ejected. The report also lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a factor. No helmet use was cited as a cause. The impact left the cyclist hurt, highlighting the dangers faced by riders on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827177 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Runaway SUV Slams Parked Cars on West 139th

A driverless SUV rolled down West 139th, smashing into stopped cars. One woman suffered a head injury. Shock rippled through the scene. Metal crumpled. The street held its breath.

A driverless SUV rolled into traffic on West 139th Street in Manhattan, striking several stopped vehicles. According to the police report, the crash was caused by a 'Driverless/Runaway Vehicle.' One woman, a driver, suffered a head injury and whiplash. She was not ejected and wore a lap belt. Other occupants and drivers reported unspecified injuries or shock. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no driver errors beyond the runaway vehicle.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827259 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Abreu Supports Safety Boosting Delivery Worker Pay Transparency Bills

Council ends Instacart loophole. All app delivery workers get minimum wage. Bills target pay, tips, and safety. Workers risk streets for every order. Law brings fairer pay, not safer roads.

On July 10, 2025, the City Council advanced Intro 1133 and 1135 to close the Instacart loophole and regulate app-based delivery. The bills, led by Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez, Sandy Nurse, and Shaun Abreu, require all apps to pay minimum wage and restore upfront tipping. The matter summary: 'regulate the app-based delivery industry.' Sophia Lebowitz supported the action. Advocates say the package strengthens 2023's pay law. A safety analyst notes: mandating minimum wage improves labor conditions but does not directly affect safety, mode shift, or street equity for pedestrians and cyclists.


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.