Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Mott Haven-Port Morris?
Who Dies Next? Streets Are Bleeding. City Hall Hits Snooze.
Mott Haven-Port Morris: Jan 1, 2022 - Aug 4, 2025
The Toll on the Streets
Three dead. Fourteen left with life-changing wounds. In the last twelve months, Mott Haven-Port Morris has seen 736 crashes. Children, elders, cyclists, and pedestrians—no one is spared.
A 57-year-old man on a bike was killed at East 149th and Brook Avenue. A 44-year-old on a moped died at East 149th and Grand Concourse. A 17-year-old boy was crushed by a truck on East 138th. These are not numbers. These are lives cut short, families left with empty chairs.
The Voices in the Aftermath
The pain does not fade. The city moves on. The street stays the same. “No one stops at these stop signs. We see people go through these red lights all the time,” a woman named Nita said after another crash just across the Harlem River.
“I really want there to be speed humps because it’s just terrifying,” resident Nina Schmidt added.
Leadership: Votes and Silence
State Senator Jose Serrano voted yes on the Stop Super Speeders Act—a bill to force repeat speeders to install devices that keep them from breaking the limit. Assembly Member Amanda Septimo co-sponsored the same bill. Council Member Diana Ayala has backed bills to ban parking near crosswalks and improve street markings. But the deaths keep coming. The fixes come slow.
Most crashes here involve cars, SUVs, and trucks. The city’s own data shows these vehicles are the main threat. The danger is not abstract. It is steel and speed and silence after impact.
What Now?
This is not fate. This is policy. Call your council member. Call your assembly member. Tell them: No more delays. No more deaths. Make every street safe for the most vulnerable.
Frequently Asked Questions
▸ Where does Mott Haven-Port Morris sit politically?
▸ What types of vehicles caused injuries and deaths to pedestrians in Mott Haven-Port Morris?
▸ Are these crashes just 'accidents'?
▸ What can local politicians do to stop traffic violence?
▸ What is CrashCount?
▸ How many people were killed or seriously hurt in the last year?
▸ What should I do if I want safer streets?
Citations
▸ Citations
- Cyclist Hospitalized After Hit-And-Run Uptown, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-03
- Cyclist Struck In Washington Heights Hit-And-Run, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-04
- File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-11
- File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4561730 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
- Cyclist Hit By Driver In Washington Heights, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-04
- Cyclist Hospitalized After Hit-And-Run Uptown, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-03
- Eight Injured As Cars Hit Scaffolding, ABC7, Published 2025-07-31
- Bronx Car Wash Worker Killed By Driver, New York Post, Published 2025-07-31
- NYC on pace for deadliest year for bike riders since 1999: Study, amny.com, Published 2023-10-17
- Legislators and Advocates Press Case For MTA Rescue And Six-Minute Service, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-11-17
Other Representatives
District 84
384 E. 149th St. Suite 202, Bronx, NY 10455
Room 536, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
District 8
105 East 116th Street, New York, NY 10029
212-828-9800
250 Broadway, Suite 1880, New York, NY 10007
212-788-6960
District 29
335 E. 100th St., New York, NY 10029
Room 418, Capitol Building 172 State St., Albany, NY 12247
▸ Other Geographies
Mott Haven-Port Morris Mott Haven-Port Morris sits in Bronx, Precinct 40, District 8, AD 84, SD 29, Bronx CB1.
▸ See also
Traffic Safety Timeline for Mott Haven-Port Morris
SUV Driver Distracted, Cyclist Ejected on Bruckner▸SUV struck cyclist on Bruckner. Driver distracted. Cyclist thrown, hip and leg hurt. Pain, shock. Streets unforgiving. System failed to protect.
A station wagon/SUV hit a cyclist on Bruckner Blvd at E 138 St in the Bronx. The cyclist, a 30-year-old man, was ejected and suffered hip and upper leg injuries, reporting pain and shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' were listed as contributing factors. The SUV’s center front end hit the cyclist, who had no safety equipment. The driver’s distraction and inexperience led to harm. The crash left the cyclist injured and vulnerable.
Defective Pavement Throws Moped Driver on Willis Ave▸Moped hit bad pavement on Willis Ave. Driver thrown, arm scraped. Passenger hurt. Helmet used. Road failed them. Danger in the Bronx, no warning.
A moped crashed on Willis Ave near E 142 St in the Bronx. The driver, a 28-year-old man, was ejected and suffered an arm abrasion. His passenger was also hurt. According to the police report, 'Pavement Defective' was the main contributing factor. The driver wore a helmet. No other vehicles were involved. The crash shows the risk riders face when city streets break down.
City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul▸City targets 34th Street. Buses get priority. Cars must turn off. Goal: faster rides, fewer crashes. Officials cite 14th Street’s gains—speed up, crashes down. Change comes for Midtown. Riders wait for relief.
amNY reported on May 20, 2025, that New York City’s Department of Transportation proposed a dedicated busway for 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues. The plan aims to boost bus speeds by 15% for tens of thousands of daily riders. Private cars and taxis could enter but must turn off at the first legal opportunity. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'After seeing tremendous success on 14th Street where buses have sped up, traffic has virtually disappeared, and far fewer New Yorkers are getting hurt in crashes we are excited to propose a similar design on 34th Street.' The 14th Street busway, launched in 2019, increased bus speeds by up to 24% and reduced crashes. The 34th Street plan seeks similar safety and efficiency gains, with community input shaping the final design.
-
City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul,
amny,
Published 2025-05-20
3SUV and Sedan Crash on St Anns Avenue▸SUV and sedan collided at St Anns Ave. Three people suffered back injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Impact hit left side and front end. Streets turned dangerous in a blink.
A station wagon SUV and a sedan collided at St Anns Avenue and East 149th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, three occupants—two passengers and one driver—sustained back contusions. The SUV was traveling east, the sedan was making a left turn southbound. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV was struck on the left side doors; the sedan was hit at the center front end. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Lap belts and harnesses were used by the injured. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus.
SUV Strikes In-Line Skater on Morris Ave▸An SUV hit an in-line skater on Morris Ave. The skater suffered abrasions. The crash left the street marked by pain and steel. Police list no driver errors.
An SUV traveling south on Morris Ave struck a 40-year-old in-line skater, injuring him across his entire body. According to the police report, the skater was crossing outside an intersection. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The skater suffered abrasions. The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No other injuries were reported. The crash underscores the danger faced by vulnerable road users on Bronx streets.
4Distracted Drivers Collide on Grand Concourse▸SUV and pickup crashed on Grand Concourse. Three passengers, one driver hurt. Children in shock. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and glass, pain and fear. Streets unforgiving.
A station wagon SUV and a pickup truck collided at Grand Concourse and East 144th Street in the Bronx. Three passengers—a woman, a 9-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old boy—suffered neck and back injuries. One driver was also injured. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive and distracted. The crash left children and adults in shock, with whiplash and pain. Driver inattention and distraction were the only contributing factors listed in the report.
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets▸A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.
-
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-14
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets▸Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.
According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.
-
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets,
New York Post,
Published 2025-05-13
SUVs Collide at E 141 St and Concord Ave▸Two SUVs crashed in the Bronx. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.
Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 141 St and Concord Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, one driver, a 64-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma. Three others, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash involved a left turn and a vehicle traveling straight. No other causes were listed in the report.
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run▸A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.
NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.
-
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-11
Moped Strikes Pedestrian at Southern Blvd Intersection▸A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
SUV struck cyclist on Bruckner. Driver distracted. Cyclist thrown, hip and leg hurt. Pain, shock. Streets unforgiving. System failed to protect.
A station wagon/SUV hit a cyclist on Bruckner Blvd at E 138 St in the Bronx. The cyclist, a 30-year-old man, was ejected and suffered hip and upper leg injuries, reporting pain and shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' were listed as contributing factors. The SUV’s center front end hit the cyclist, who had no safety equipment. The driver’s distraction and inexperience led to harm. The crash left the cyclist injured and vulnerable.
Defective Pavement Throws Moped Driver on Willis Ave▸Moped hit bad pavement on Willis Ave. Driver thrown, arm scraped. Passenger hurt. Helmet used. Road failed them. Danger in the Bronx, no warning.
A moped crashed on Willis Ave near E 142 St in the Bronx. The driver, a 28-year-old man, was ejected and suffered an arm abrasion. His passenger was also hurt. According to the police report, 'Pavement Defective' was the main contributing factor. The driver wore a helmet. No other vehicles were involved. The crash shows the risk riders face when city streets break down.
City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul▸City targets 34th Street. Buses get priority. Cars must turn off. Goal: faster rides, fewer crashes. Officials cite 14th Street’s gains—speed up, crashes down. Change comes for Midtown. Riders wait for relief.
amNY reported on May 20, 2025, that New York City’s Department of Transportation proposed a dedicated busway for 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues. The plan aims to boost bus speeds by 15% for tens of thousands of daily riders. Private cars and taxis could enter but must turn off at the first legal opportunity. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'After seeing tremendous success on 14th Street where buses have sped up, traffic has virtually disappeared, and far fewer New Yorkers are getting hurt in crashes we are excited to propose a similar design on 34th Street.' The 14th Street busway, launched in 2019, increased bus speeds by up to 24% and reduced crashes. The 34th Street plan seeks similar safety and efficiency gains, with community input shaping the final design.
-
City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul,
amny,
Published 2025-05-20
3SUV and Sedan Crash on St Anns Avenue▸SUV and sedan collided at St Anns Ave. Three people suffered back injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Impact hit left side and front end. Streets turned dangerous in a blink.
A station wagon SUV and a sedan collided at St Anns Avenue and East 149th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, three occupants—two passengers and one driver—sustained back contusions. The SUV was traveling east, the sedan was making a left turn southbound. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV was struck on the left side doors; the sedan was hit at the center front end. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Lap belts and harnesses were used by the injured. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus.
SUV Strikes In-Line Skater on Morris Ave▸An SUV hit an in-line skater on Morris Ave. The skater suffered abrasions. The crash left the street marked by pain and steel. Police list no driver errors.
An SUV traveling south on Morris Ave struck a 40-year-old in-line skater, injuring him across his entire body. According to the police report, the skater was crossing outside an intersection. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The skater suffered abrasions. The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No other injuries were reported. The crash underscores the danger faced by vulnerable road users on Bronx streets.
4Distracted Drivers Collide on Grand Concourse▸SUV and pickup crashed on Grand Concourse. Three passengers, one driver hurt. Children in shock. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and glass, pain and fear. Streets unforgiving.
A station wagon SUV and a pickup truck collided at Grand Concourse and East 144th Street in the Bronx. Three passengers—a woman, a 9-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old boy—suffered neck and back injuries. One driver was also injured. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive and distracted. The crash left children and adults in shock, with whiplash and pain. Driver inattention and distraction were the only contributing factors listed in the report.
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets▸A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.
-
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-14
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets▸Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.
According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.
-
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets,
New York Post,
Published 2025-05-13
SUVs Collide at E 141 St and Concord Ave▸Two SUVs crashed in the Bronx. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.
Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 141 St and Concord Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, one driver, a 64-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma. Three others, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash involved a left turn and a vehicle traveling straight. No other causes were listed in the report.
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run▸A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.
NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.
-
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-11
Moped Strikes Pedestrian at Southern Blvd Intersection▸A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
Moped hit bad pavement on Willis Ave. Driver thrown, arm scraped. Passenger hurt. Helmet used. Road failed them. Danger in the Bronx, no warning.
A moped crashed on Willis Ave near E 142 St in the Bronx. The driver, a 28-year-old man, was ejected and suffered an arm abrasion. His passenger was also hurt. According to the police report, 'Pavement Defective' was the main contributing factor. The driver wore a helmet. No other vehicles were involved. The crash shows the risk riders face when city streets break down.
City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul▸City targets 34th Street. Buses get priority. Cars must turn off. Goal: faster rides, fewer crashes. Officials cite 14th Street’s gains—speed up, crashes down. Change comes for Midtown. Riders wait for relief.
amNY reported on May 20, 2025, that New York City’s Department of Transportation proposed a dedicated busway for 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues. The plan aims to boost bus speeds by 15% for tens of thousands of daily riders. Private cars and taxis could enter but must turn off at the first legal opportunity. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'After seeing tremendous success on 14th Street where buses have sped up, traffic has virtually disappeared, and far fewer New Yorkers are getting hurt in crashes we are excited to propose a similar design on 34th Street.' The 14th Street busway, launched in 2019, increased bus speeds by up to 24% and reduced crashes. The 34th Street plan seeks similar safety and efficiency gains, with community input shaping the final design.
-
City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul,
amny,
Published 2025-05-20
3SUV and Sedan Crash on St Anns Avenue▸SUV and sedan collided at St Anns Ave. Three people suffered back injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Impact hit left side and front end. Streets turned dangerous in a blink.
A station wagon SUV and a sedan collided at St Anns Avenue and East 149th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, three occupants—two passengers and one driver—sustained back contusions. The SUV was traveling east, the sedan was making a left turn southbound. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV was struck on the left side doors; the sedan was hit at the center front end. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Lap belts and harnesses were used by the injured. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus.
SUV Strikes In-Line Skater on Morris Ave▸An SUV hit an in-line skater on Morris Ave. The skater suffered abrasions. The crash left the street marked by pain and steel. Police list no driver errors.
An SUV traveling south on Morris Ave struck a 40-year-old in-line skater, injuring him across his entire body. According to the police report, the skater was crossing outside an intersection. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The skater suffered abrasions. The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No other injuries were reported. The crash underscores the danger faced by vulnerable road users on Bronx streets.
4Distracted Drivers Collide on Grand Concourse▸SUV and pickup crashed on Grand Concourse. Three passengers, one driver hurt. Children in shock. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and glass, pain and fear. Streets unforgiving.
A station wagon SUV and a pickup truck collided at Grand Concourse and East 144th Street in the Bronx. Three passengers—a woman, a 9-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old boy—suffered neck and back injuries. One driver was also injured. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive and distracted. The crash left children and adults in shock, with whiplash and pain. Driver inattention and distraction were the only contributing factors listed in the report.
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets▸A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.
-
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-14
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets▸Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.
According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.
-
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets,
New York Post,
Published 2025-05-13
SUVs Collide at E 141 St and Concord Ave▸Two SUVs crashed in the Bronx. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.
Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 141 St and Concord Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, one driver, a 64-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma. Three others, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash involved a left turn and a vehicle traveling straight. No other causes were listed in the report.
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run▸A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.
NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.
-
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-11
Moped Strikes Pedestrian at Southern Blvd Intersection▸A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
City targets 34th Street. Buses get priority. Cars must turn off. Goal: faster rides, fewer crashes. Officials cite 14th Street’s gains—speed up, crashes down. Change comes for Midtown. Riders wait for relief.
amNY reported on May 20, 2025, that New York City’s Department of Transportation proposed a dedicated busway for 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues. The plan aims to boost bus speeds by 15% for tens of thousands of daily riders. Private cars and taxis could enter but must turn off at the first legal opportunity. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'After seeing tremendous success on 14th Street where buses have sped up, traffic has virtually disappeared, and far fewer New Yorkers are getting hurt in crashes we are excited to propose a similar design on 34th Street.' The 14th Street busway, launched in 2019, increased bus speeds by up to 24% and reduced crashes. The 34th Street plan seeks similar safety and efficiency gains, with community input shaping the final design.
- City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul, amny, Published 2025-05-20
3SUV and Sedan Crash on St Anns Avenue▸SUV and sedan collided at St Anns Ave. Three people suffered back injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Impact hit left side and front end. Streets turned dangerous in a blink.
A station wagon SUV and a sedan collided at St Anns Avenue and East 149th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, three occupants—two passengers and one driver—sustained back contusions. The SUV was traveling east, the sedan was making a left turn southbound. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV was struck on the left side doors; the sedan was hit at the center front end. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Lap belts and harnesses were used by the injured. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus.
SUV Strikes In-Line Skater on Morris Ave▸An SUV hit an in-line skater on Morris Ave. The skater suffered abrasions. The crash left the street marked by pain and steel. Police list no driver errors.
An SUV traveling south on Morris Ave struck a 40-year-old in-line skater, injuring him across his entire body. According to the police report, the skater was crossing outside an intersection. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The skater suffered abrasions. The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No other injuries were reported. The crash underscores the danger faced by vulnerable road users on Bronx streets.
4Distracted Drivers Collide on Grand Concourse▸SUV and pickup crashed on Grand Concourse. Three passengers, one driver hurt. Children in shock. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and glass, pain and fear. Streets unforgiving.
A station wagon SUV and a pickup truck collided at Grand Concourse and East 144th Street in the Bronx. Three passengers—a woman, a 9-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old boy—suffered neck and back injuries. One driver was also injured. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive and distracted. The crash left children and adults in shock, with whiplash and pain. Driver inattention and distraction were the only contributing factors listed in the report.
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets▸A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.
-
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-14
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets▸Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.
According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.
-
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets,
New York Post,
Published 2025-05-13
SUVs Collide at E 141 St and Concord Ave▸Two SUVs crashed in the Bronx. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.
Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 141 St and Concord Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, one driver, a 64-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma. Three others, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash involved a left turn and a vehicle traveling straight. No other causes were listed in the report.
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run▸A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.
NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.
-
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-11
Moped Strikes Pedestrian at Southern Blvd Intersection▸A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
SUV and sedan collided at St Anns Ave. Three people suffered back injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Impact hit left side and front end. Streets turned dangerous in a blink.
A station wagon SUV and a sedan collided at St Anns Avenue and East 149th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, three occupants—two passengers and one driver—sustained back contusions. The SUV was traveling east, the sedan was making a left turn southbound. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV was struck on the left side doors; the sedan was hit at the center front end. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Lap belts and harnesses were used by the injured. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus.
SUV Strikes In-Line Skater on Morris Ave▸An SUV hit an in-line skater on Morris Ave. The skater suffered abrasions. The crash left the street marked by pain and steel. Police list no driver errors.
An SUV traveling south on Morris Ave struck a 40-year-old in-line skater, injuring him across his entire body. According to the police report, the skater was crossing outside an intersection. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The skater suffered abrasions. The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No other injuries were reported. The crash underscores the danger faced by vulnerable road users on Bronx streets.
4Distracted Drivers Collide on Grand Concourse▸SUV and pickup crashed on Grand Concourse. Three passengers, one driver hurt. Children in shock. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and glass, pain and fear. Streets unforgiving.
A station wagon SUV and a pickup truck collided at Grand Concourse and East 144th Street in the Bronx. Three passengers—a woman, a 9-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old boy—suffered neck and back injuries. One driver was also injured. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive and distracted. The crash left children and adults in shock, with whiplash and pain. Driver inattention and distraction were the only contributing factors listed in the report.
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets▸A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.
-
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-14
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets▸Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.
According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.
-
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets,
New York Post,
Published 2025-05-13
SUVs Collide at E 141 St and Concord Ave▸Two SUVs crashed in the Bronx. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.
Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 141 St and Concord Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, one driver, a 64-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma. Three others, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash involved a left turn and a vehicle traveling straight. No other causes were listed in the report.
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run▸A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.
NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.
-
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-11
Moped Strikes Pedestrian at Southern Blvd Intersection▸A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
An SUV hit an in-line skater on Morris Ave. The skater suffered abrasions. The crash left the street marked by pain and steel. Police list no driver errors.
An SUV traveling south on Morris Ave struck a 40-year-old in-line skater, injuring him across his entire body. According to the police report, the skater was crossing outside an intersection. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The skater suffered abrasions. The SUV’s right front quarter panel took the impact. No other injuries were reported. The crash underscores the danger faced by vulnerable road users on Bronx streets.
4Distracted Drivers Collide on Grand Concourse▸SUV and pickup crashed on Grand Concourse. Three passengers, one driver hurt. Children in shock. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and glass, pain and fear. Streets unforgiving.
A station wagon SUV and a pickup truck collided at Grand Concourse and East 144th Street in the Bronx. Three passengers—a woman, a 9-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old boy—suffered neck and back injuries. One driver was also injured. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive and distracted. The crash left children and adults in shock, with whiplash and pain. Driver inattention and distraction were the only contributing factors listed in the report.
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets▸A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.
-
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-14
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets▸Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.
According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.
-
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets,
New York Post,
Published 2025-05-13
SUVs Collide at E 141 St and Concord Ave▸Two SUVs crashed in the Bronx. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.
Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 141 St and Concord Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, one driver, a 64-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma. Three others, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash involved a left turn and a vehicle traveling straight. No other causes were listed in the report.
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run▸A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.
NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.
-
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-11
Moped Strikes Pedestrian at Southern Blvd Intersection▸A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
SUV and pickup crashed on Grand Concourse. Three passengers, one driver hurt. Children in shock. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and glass, pain and fear. Streets unforgiving.
A station wagon SUV and a pickup truck collided at Grand Concourse and East 144th Street in the Bronx. Three passengers—a woman, a 9-year-old girl, and a 6-year-old boy—suffered neck and back injuries. One driver was also injured. According to the police report, both drivers were inattentive and distracted. The crash left children and adults in shock, with whiplash and pain. Driver inattention and distraction were the only contributing factors listed in the report.
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets▸A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.
-
Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets,
Streetsblog NYC,
Published 2025-05-14
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets▸Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.
According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.
-
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets,
New York Post,
Published 2025-05-13
SUVs Collide at E 141 St and Concord Ave▸Two SUVs crashed in the Bronx. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.
Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 141 St and Concord Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, one driver, a 64-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma. Three others, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash involved a left turn and a vehicle traveling straight. No other causes were listed in the report.
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run▸A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.
NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.
-
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-11
Moped Strikes Pedestrian at Southern Blvd Intersection▸A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.
Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.
- Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-14
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets▸Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.
According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.
-
Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets,
New York Post,
Published 2025-05-13
SUVs Collide at E 141 St and Concord Ave▸Two SUVs crashed in the Bronx. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.
Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 141 St and Concord Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, one driver, a 64-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma. Three others, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash involved a left turn and a vehicle traveling straight. No other causes were listed in the report.
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run▸A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.
NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.
-
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-11
Moped Strikes Pedestrian at Southern Blvd Intersection▸A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.
According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.
- Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets, New York Post, Published 2025-05-13
SUVs Collide at E 141 St and Concord Ave▸Two SUVs crashed in the Bronx. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.
Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 141 St and Concord Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, one driver, a 64-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma. Three others, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash involved a left turn and a vehicle traveling straight. No other causes were listed in the report.
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run▸A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.
NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.
-
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-11
Moped Strikes Pedestrian at Southern Blvd Intersection▸A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
Two SUVs crashed in the Bronx. One driver suffered neck injuries. Police cite failure to yield and inexperience. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.
Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 141 St and Concord Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, one driver, a 64-year-old woman, was injured with neck trauma. Three others, including both drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cited 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The crash involved a left turn and a vehicle traveling straight. No other causes were listed in the report.
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run▸A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.
NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.
-
Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-11
Moped Strikes Pedestrian at Southern Blvd Intersection▸A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.
NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.
- Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-11
Moped Strikes Pedestrian at Southern Blvd Intersection▸A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
A moped hit a man crossing with the signal on Southern Blvd. He took the blow to his shoulder. Police cite failure to yield and unsafe speed. The street stayed loud. The man stayed conscious.
A 43-year-old man was injured when a moped struck him as he crossed Southern Blvd in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the moped, traveling north, hit him. The man suffered a shoulder injury and whiplash but remained conscious. Police list 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash.
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run▸A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
-
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run,
CBS New York,
Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.
CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.
- Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run, CBS New York, Published 2025-05-10
Sedan Door Strikes Cyclist on E 138th▸A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
A sedan door swung open on E 138th. A 78-year-old cyclist hit hard, thrown, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay dangerous for those outside steel.
A sedan and a bicycle collided on E 138th Street at Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The 78-year-old cyclist suffered a leg injury and minor bleeding after being partially ejected. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The sedan's left side doors were struck as the cyclist traveled straight ahead. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash stemmed from driver distraction. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants.
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach▸A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
-
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.
NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.
- Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-08
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River▸Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
-
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.
NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.
- Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-07
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
- File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06
S 4804Serrano votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.▸Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
-
File S 4804,
Open States,
Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.
Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.
- File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers▸Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
-
Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers,
amny,
Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.
amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.
- Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers, amny, Published 2025-05-04
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho▸A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
-
E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho,
NY Daily News,
Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.
According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.
- E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-03
Int 0193-2024Ayala votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.▸Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
-
File Int 0193-2024,
NYC Council – Legistar,
Published 2025-05-01
Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.
Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.
- File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01