Crash Count for Harlem (South)
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,323
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 699
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 188
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 10
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Aug 15, 2025

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

Who Bleeds Next? Harlem’s Streets Won’t Wait

Harlem (South): Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 17, 2025

The Toll in Blood and Bone

One death. Nine left with life-changing wounds. In Harlem (South), the numbers do not tell the whole story, but they do not lie. Since 2022, cars, SUVs, trucks, bikes, and mopeds have crashed 1,225 times. Pedestrians and cyclists bear the brunt. In the last year alone, 159 people were injured—one a child, left with a serious injury. The street does not care about age. It takes the young and the old, the walker and the rider.

A 67-year-old cyclist was left incoherent and bleeding after a taxi struck him on 8th Avenue. The crash report lists only two words: “Driver Inattention.” No one else paid the price. (NYC crash report)

On West 125th, a pedestrian was slashed across the face by a passing e-bike. The record says “severe lacerations.” The street remembers the blood, not the reason. (NYC crash report)

Leadership: Votes, Bills, and the Waiting

Local leaders have moved, but the street moves faster. State Senator Cordell Cleare voted yes on the Stop Super Speeders Act, a bill to force repeat speeders to install speed limiters. She also backed the extension of school speed zones, a small shield for children crossing the street. Council Member Yusef Salaam sponsored a pilot for high-visibility pavement markings, demanding the city mark the places where blood has already been spilled.

But the work is slow. The pain is not. “We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue,” said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. “We need to do something to make sure bicyclists feel safer.”

The Street Remembers What We Forget

SUVs, sedans, taxis, bikes, trucks, mopeds—each leaves its mark. The city counts the wounds. It does not count the fear. The sidewalk is not safe. The crosswalk is not safe. The bike lane is not safe. The only thing that changes is who bleeds next.

Call your council member. Call your senator. Demand a 20 mph speed limit. Demand real protection for people, not just promises. The street will not wait. Why should you?

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 (South)


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834814 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
SUV Rear-End Crash on Lenox Avenue Injures Driver

Two SUVs collided on Lenox Avenue. One driver suffered back injuries. Police cite driver inexperience. The street saw impact, pain, and the cost of inexperience.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed on Lenox Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling west when one SUV, going straight, struck the other, which was stopped in traffic. The 42-year-old driver of the stopped SUV suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police list 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one driver hurt and exposed the danger of inexperience behind the wheel.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833829 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
3
Rear-End Taxi Crash Injures Passengers in Harlem

Two taxis collided on West 112th. Three passengers hurt. Neck and head injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Metal and glass, sharp and sudden. The street did not forgive.

Two taxis collided near 41 West 112th Street in Manhattan. Three passengers, ages 6, 40, and 63, suffered neck and head injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling east; one was stopped in traffic when struck from behind. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. Passengers bore the brunt. The crash left metal twisted and bodies shaken.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834363 - 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.


SUV Strikes Cyclist on Lenox Avenue

SUV hit a stopped cyclist on Lenox Avenue. The rider suffered a back injury. Police cite driver inattention and other vehicular factors. Streets remain dangerous for those outside cars.

A cyclist was struck by an SUV while stopped in traffic on Lenox Avenue in Manhattan. The 39-year-old rider suffered a back injury and a contusion. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Other Vehicular' factors and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The SUV's left front bumper hit the center back end of the bike. No helmet use was listed as a contributing factor. The report highlights driver error as a key cause. Vulnerable road users continue to face risk on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Sedan and Motorcycle Crash on West 125th

A sedan and motorcycle collided on West 125th. One man ejected, injured. Police cite driver inexperience. Metal hit flesh. Streets stayed hard.

A sedan and a motorcycle crashed at 307 West 125th Street in Manhattan. One man, age 39, was ejected and injured across his entire body. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. Police list 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor for both drivers. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left one man hurt and others shaken. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833301 - 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.


Driver Inexperience Injures Motorist on Adam Clayton Powell

A distracted, inexperienced driver struck another vehicle on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd. One man ejected, bleeding, hip injured. The street stayed dangerous. Metal and flesh met hard.

A crash on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd at W 114 St in Manhattan left a male motorist injured and ejected, suffering hip and leg wounds with minor bleeding. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the collision. The injured man was driving a motorized vehicle and was not using safety equipment. The crash involved a sedan making a left turn and another vehicle traveling straight. No pedestrians or cyclists were listed among the injured. The report highlights driver error as the main cause.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830086 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18
Sedans Collide on West 125th, Passengers Hurt

Two sedans crashed at West 125th. Four men injured—shoulders, necks, knees. Police cite following too closely. Metal and glass, pain and confusion. Manhattan street, another wound.

Two sedans collided at West 125th Street in Manhattan. Four male occupants suffered injuries to the neck, shoulders, and legs. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' Both drivers and passengers were hurt. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The force of the impact left several with pain and whiplash. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to maintain safe distance.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829628 - 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.


Distracted Sedan Driver Hits Pedestrian at Lenox

A distracted sedan driver struck a pedestrian crossing with the signal on Lenox. The impact ejected the victim, causing severe bleeding and arm injuries. Systemic inattention left blood on the street.

A sedan traveling north on Lenox Avenue struck a pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The 20-year-old male pedestrian was ejected and suffered severe bleeding and upper arm injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the victim. No other major injuries were reported. The crash highlights the danger posed by driver distraction. The data lists no helmet or signal issues for the pedestrian.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830423 - 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.


SUV Driver Distracted, Motorcyclist Ejected on W 116th

SUV turned left on Frederick Douglass. Motorcycle struck hard. Rider ejected, neck injured, concussion. Police cite driver inattention and distraction. Streets do not forgive mistakes.

A crash on W 116th Street at Frederick Douglass Blvd involved an SUV and a motorcycle. The SUV, driven by an unlicensed driver, turned left as the motorcycle went straight. The motorcyclist, age 25, was ejected and suffered a neck injury and concussion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed. Both drivers lost consciousness. The motorcyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but driver errors came first. The crash left one person injured and exposed the risks of distraction behind the wheel.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-18