Night streets, hard numbers: Mott Haven’s toll

May 1 - 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

Apr 30 - SUV struck left front. Two inside hurt. Driver distracted. Passenger and driver both shocked, one with concussion, one with whiplash. Streets in the Bronx bear the cost.

A station wagon/SUV traveling south on Grand Concourse at East 138th Street crashed, injuring two occupants. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience.' The driver, a 43-year-old man, suffered a concussion and back injury. A 43-year-old female passenger sustained whiplash and a hip injury. Both were in shock. The SUV's left front bumper took the impact. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists driver distraction and inexperience as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810087 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 29 - An ambulance hit an unconscious man on a Bronx street and drove off. The victim, left bleeding, waited for help. Police and a second EMS crew arrived later. The man survived. The FDNY is investigating the ambulance crew’s actions.

According to NY Daily News (April 29, 2025), an FDNY ambulance driver struck an unconscious man lying in the roadway at E. 149th St. and Brook Ave., then left without rendering aid. The victim had been knocked out moments earlier during a road rage assault. The article states, 'The entire incident is under review,' quoting FDNY spokeswoman Amanda Farinacci. The ambulance crew was responding to another emergency at the time. The driver has been placed on modified duty while the department investigates whether the crew realized they struck the victim. A second EMS crew and police arrived minutes later, transporting the man to Lincoln Hospital. The incident highlights risks faced by vulnerable road users and raises questions about emergency response protocols.

• Ambulance Strikes Unconscious Bronx Man, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-29

Apr 28 - A 37-year-old man lay bleeding on E 149th Street. A westbound vehicle hit him. His head was torn open. He was not at an intersection. No one else was hurt. The street stayed silent.

A 37-year-old pedestrian was struck and left unconscious on E 149th Street near Brook Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, the man suffered severe head lacerations after a westbound vehicle continued straight and hit him. He was not at an intersection. No other injuries were reported. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. The victim was found in the roadway, bleeding and unresponsive.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809488 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 26 - A man clung to his car as a thief sped off. The driver sideswiped a parked car. The victim fell, suffering head trauma and a shattered leg. He faces amputation. The car was found abandoned. The street bears old scars.

NY Daily News reported on April 26, 2025, that a 32-year-old man in Pelham Bay, Bronx, was critically injured after trying to stop a carjacker. Surveillance video shows the victim sprinting to his double-parked Infiniti as a suspect entered and sped away. The suspect sideswiped a parked car, knocking the victim to the street. He suffered head trauma and a fractured leg, and may require amputation. The article quotes a local, 'This has absolutely happened before,' highlighting repeated car thefts in the area. The car was later found abandoned. The incident underscores persistent dangers for bystanders and the ongoing threat of vehicle theft in city neighborhoods.

• Bronx Carjacking Leaves Man Critically Injured, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-26

Apr 25 - A sedan struck an e-scooter on E 138th Street. The e-scooter rider suffered arm injuries. Police cite traffic control disregarded. Streets failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan and an e-scooter collided at E 138th Street and Willis Avenue in the Bronx. The 25-year-old e-scooter rider was injured, suffering a contusion to his arm. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as a contributing factor for both vehicles. No other injuries were specified. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls. No mention of helmet use or signals was listed as a factor. Vulnerable road users bear the brunt when systems fail.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811480 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 24 - Council pushes Albany to force speed limiters on chronic speeders. The move targets reckless drivers. Streets stay deadly while the bill sits in committee. Pedestrians and cyclists wait for action.

Resolution 0854-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, urges passage of S.7621/A.7979. The measure calls for 'requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by nine co-sponsors including Yusef Salaam and Shahana Hanif. The bill landed in committee on April 24, 2025, with no vote yet. If passed at the state level, it would force repeat speeders to install devices that block speeding. The Council’s action highlights the ongoing risk to vulnerable road users as reckless drivers remain unchecked.

• File Res 0854-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-24

Apr 24 - A man clung to his car as a thief sped off. The car crashed into parked vehicles. He was crushed and struck again by a fleeing SUV. Blood pooled on the Bronx street. He was left with critical head and leg injuries.

ABC7 reported on April 24, 2025, that a 32-year-old man suffered critical injuries while trying to stop a car thief on Wilkinson Avenue in the Bronx. Surveillance video captured the suspect entering the double-parked Infiniti as the owner ran to intervene. The man was dragged for a block and a half before the car crashed into parked vehicles. ABC7 notes, 'Witnesses described a bloody scene and severe leg injury.' After falling, the victim was also struck by the suspect’s SUV. Police said the suspect abandoned the stolen car and fled on foot. The incident highlights the dangers of vehicle theft and high-speed flight on city streets. No arrests have been made.

• Bronx Car Theft Leaves Man Critically Hurt, ABC7, Published 2025-04-24

Apr 22 - Two cars crashed on Madison Ave Bridge. A woman and a baby suffered head injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Metal hit metal. The city failed them.

Two vehicles, a sedan and an SUV, collided on the Madison Ave Bridge. According to the police report, both drivers were distracted. A 38-year-old woman driving the SUV and a 1-year-old girl riding as a passenger suffered head injuries. The sedan’s driver, a 34-year-old man, was also involved. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The baby was in a child restraint. The crash left metal twisted and lives shaken. No other factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810079 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 16 - Two sedans slammed together on Bruckner Expressway. One driver, age 67, took a hit to the shoulder. Metal crumpled. The street stayed hungry.

Two sedans crashed on Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx. According to the police report, a 67-year-old male driver suffered a shoulder injury and abrasion. The vehicles struck center front to center back. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No helmet or signal issues were noted. The crash left one person hurt and exposed the danger of high-speed traffic on city expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807234 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 16 - Garbage truck and sedan crashed on Bruckner. One driver suffered back injury. Unsafe lane change and failure to yield led to impact. Metal and bodies jarred. Streets stayed dangerous.

A garbage truck and a sedan collided on Bruckner Blvd at St Anns Pl in the Bronx. One driver, age 28, was injured with back pain. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' were listed as contributing factors. Both vehicles had a single occupant. The sedan was struck on its left rear quarter panel; the truck was damaged on its right front bumper. The crash underscores the risks when drivers change lanes unsafely and fail to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810032 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 15 - Steel met steel at dawn. The box truck flipped. Three people hurt—two in the ambulance, one in the truck. Sirens wailed. All went to Jacobi. The cause is still a question. The Bronx street stayed dangerous.

ABC7 reported on April 15, 2025, that an ambulance and a box truck collided at Pelham Parkway South and Williamsbridge Road in the Bronx just after 6:30 a.m. The article states, "The box truck overturned in the crash. Three people were hurt: the box truck driver and two ambulance workers." All were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The cause remains under investigation. The crash highlights risks at busy intersections and the potential for severe outcomes when large vehicles collide. No driver actions have been detailed yet. The incident underscores ongoing safety concerns for workers and drivers on city streets.

• Ambulance, Truck Crash Injures Three Bronx, ABC7, Published 2025-04-15

Apr 12 - Two sedans crashed head to tail on Major Deegan. One driver suffered back injuries. Three others were shaken but not seriously hurt. No clear cause named. Metal and bodies took the blow.

Two sedans crashed on the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling north when they collided, with one sedan striking the center back end of the other. One driver, a 35-year-old man, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Three other occupants, including a 72-year-old woman, reported unspecified injuries. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data. Both drivers were licensed and wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807233 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 12 - A stolen car slammed into a Manhattan building. Flames followed. The driver, Francisco Guzman Parra, died on impact. His family waited days for answers. Police actions now face scrutiny. The city counts another life lost to speed and steel.

The New York Times (April 12, 2025) reports on the death of Francisco Guzman Parra after a stolen Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood, Manhattan. The crash followed a police chase; two officers involved were suspended pending investigation. The article notes, "The police are investigating whether the officers left the scene without reporting the crash." The medical examiner found Guzman Parra died from blunt impact and thermal injuries. The NYPD force investigation unit and state attorney general are reviewing the incident. The police have not disclosed why the chase began or details about the pursuit. The case highlights ongoing questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers that follow high-speed chases through city streets.

• Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-12

Apr 11 - Including Thursday's deadly crash, 25 people have been killed in New York City sightseeing helicopter accidents in the last 40 years.

• Lawmakers aim to make changes after New York City sightseeing helicopter crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-11

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 9 - Two vehicles turned left on E 138 St. Metal struck metal. A woman suffered neck injuries. Police cite improper lane use. The street bore the weight.

A chassis cab and a sedan collided while both made left turns on E 138 St at Gerard Ave in the Bronx. One driver, a 62-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' was a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact hit the sedan's left side doors and the truck's right front bumper. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805504 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 7 - A box truck struck a man sitting in the street at West 40th and 9th. The man died at the scene. The driver stayed. Police are investigating. No arrests. The victim’s name is not known.

Patch reported on April 7, 2025, that a man was killed by a box truck at West 40th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The article states, “Police determined that a box truck, operated by a 75-year-old man, was traveling southbound on 9 Avenue when the vehicle collided with the victim, who was sitting in the roadway.” The driver remained at the scene and was not injured. No arrests have been made. The victim’s identity has not been released. The incident highlights the persistent risk to people in city streets and the need for scrutiny of how large vehicles interact with vulnerable road users. The investigation is ongoing.

• Box Truck Kills Man In Hell's Kitchen, Patch, Published 2025-04-07

Apr 4 - A cyclist hit a four-year-old girl crossing E 147 St with the signal. She suffered a fractured leg. Police cite driver inattention. The street saw pain and confusion. The city failed to protect its smallest.

A four-year-old girl was struck by a cyclist while crossing E 147 St at St Anns Ave in the Bronx. She was crossing with the signal when the bike, traveling north, hit her. According to the police report, the child suffered a fracture and dislocation to her lower leg and foot. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the danger faced by pedestrians, especially children, even when following traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805501 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 4 - A box truck hit a man on West 59th. The driver dragged him, then left. A yellow cab struck the wounded man as he lay in the street. Medics rushed him to the hospital. He survived. The truck driver now faces charges.

According to the NY Daily News (April 4, 2025), a 59-year-old truck driver, Luis Cedeno Pluas, struck a pedestrian near Central Park on August 31, 2024. The victim, standing in the right-most lane of W. 59th St., was dragged for several feet by the Isuzu box truck. The driver "kept going" after the impact, leaving the man critically injured in the street. A yellow cab then hit the victim as he lay on the roadway. Police charged Cedeno Pluas with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injuries. The article notes the victim's condition has improved and he is expected to recover. The incident highlights the danger of hit-and-run crashes and the vulnerability of people on foot in busy Manhattan corridors.

• Truck Strikes, Drags Man Near Central Park, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-04