Night streets, hard numbers: Mott Haven’s toll

Apr 3 - A stolen SUV crashed and burned in Inwood. Two NYPD officers chased, then left the scene. The driver died in the flames. The officers returned to their precinct, silent. Surveillance caught their exit. The city investigates. Policy on chases faces scrutiny.

NY Daily News (2025-04-03) reports two NYPD officers pursued a stolen Honda CR-V into Manhattan. The driver crashed at Dyckman St., and the car caught fire. The officers 'fled the scene, leaving him to die in the fiery wreck,' then returned to their Bronx precinct without reporting the crash. Surveillance footage showed their patrol car leaving. The NYPD suspended both officers and launched an investigation. This comes after new pursuit policies were enacted in February, restricting chases to felony or violent misdemeanor cases. The guidelines aimed to curb 'unnecessary police pursuits that lead to crashes and injure other motorists and pedestrians.' The incident raises questions about adherence to these policies and the risks of police chases in dense urban areas.

• NYPD Officers Flee Scene After Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Apr 2 - A sedan turned wrong on E 149 St. The car struck a 22-year-old cyclist. The cyclist was ejected and hurt his arm. Police cite improper turning. The street stayed dangerous.

A sedan making a U-turn on E 149 St at Brook Ave hit a 22-year-old man riding a bike. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a shoulder injury with a fracture and dislocation. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Turning Improperly.' The sedan’s right front quarter panel struck the cyclist, who was traveling straight. The data lists no driver errors for the cyclist. The police report does not mention helmet use as a factor. The crash left the cyclist injured and exposed the risk of improper turns on Bronx streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803031 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 2 - Two cars raced down Southern Boulevard. Gunshots cracked the air. A red sedan crashed, riddled with bullets. The driver called a cab, bleeding, desperate. He died at the hospital. The other car vanished. The street bore the scars.

According to NY Daily News (April 2, 2025), two drivers exchanged gunfire while speeding down Southern Blvd. near the Bronx Zoo. The 27-year-old victim, shot in the torso, crashed his red Hyundai into a stop sign at Southern Blvd. and Garden St. before calling a cab to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. A deli worker described, 'There were a whole lot of rounds... It was like a movie.' The other driver, in a black Honda CR-V, fled the scene. No arrests were made as police continued their investigation. The incident highlights the lethal mix of reckless driving and gun violence on city streets, endangering everyone nearby.

• Gunfire Erupts On Bronx Boulevard, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-02

Mar 25 - A 32-year-old woman suffered head injuries after an SUV traveling north hit her as she emerged from behind a parked vehicle. The impact caused contusions and bruises, leaving her conscious but injured at the scene in the Bronx.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2017 Jeep SUV traveling north struck her with its center front end. The pedestrian was emerging from in front of or behind a parked vehicle outside an intersection on 3rd Avenue in the Bronx. The collision caused head injuries described as contusions and bruises, with the victim conscious at the scene. The report lists no specific contributing factors for the driver, but the pedestrian's location and action indicate the danger of emerging from behind parked vehicles. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. Vehicle damage was limited to the center front end. No helmet or crossing signal factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801562 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 25 - A westbound SUV collided with a sedan making a right turn in the Bronx. The SUV’s right side doors took the impact. The sedan driver suffered back injuries and whiplash, enduring shock. Police cited failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on E 135 St near Willis Ave in the Bronx at 16:29. A 2021 Kia SUV traveling west struck the right side doors of a 2014 Chrysler sedan making a right turn southwest. The sedan driver, a 32-year-old male, was injured with back pain and whiplash and was reported to be in shock. The driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The police report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The impact and injuries highlight the dangers of driver errors in yielding during turns in busy urban streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804539 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 22 - A sedan traveling north on the Major Deegan Expressway struck its own rear passengers. Two occupants, semiconscious with abdomen and pelvis injuries, suffered serious harm despite wearing lap belts and harnesses. The driver held only a permit license.

According to the police report, a 2011 Subaru sedan traveling north on the Major Deegan Expressway impacted its right front bumper against the right side doors, injuring two rear passengers. Both victims, aged 18 and 24, were semiconscious with abdomen and pelvis injuries classified as severity level 3. They were secured with lap belts and harnesses and were not ejected. The driver, a male with a New York permit license, was operating the vehicle going straight ahead. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the driver’s permit status as a notable detail. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash caused damage to the sedan’s right side doors. The incident underscores risks related to driver licensing and vehicle control on expressways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800771 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 22 - A black Mercedes struck a southbound driver from behind on the Major Deegan. The Mercedes driver fled on foot. The victim died at St. Barnabas. Police closed lanes to investigate. The search for the fleeing driver continues.

ABC7 reported on March 22, 2025, that a deadly hit-and-run occurred around 3:45 a.m. on the Major Deegan Expressway near West Fordham Road in the Bronx. According to the NYPD, 'a 39-year-old man was driving southbound on the expressway when he was struck by a black Mercedes Benz sedan from behind.' The Mercedes driver exited the vehicle and fled the scene on foot, leaving the victim critically injured. First responders took the victim to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. All southbound lanes were closed for the investigation. The incident highlights the ongoing danger of hit-and-run crashes and the challenges police face in holding fleeing drivers accountable.

• Hit-and-Run Kills Driver on Deegan, ABC7, Published 2025-03-22

Mar 18 - A sedan traveling north on the Major Deegan Expressway ramp crashed at unsafe speed. The female driver suffered head injuries and incoherence. The vehicle sustained front-end damage, highlighting the dangers of excessive speed on high-speed ramps.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female driver was injured in a crash on the Major Deegan Expressway ramp around 12:30 a.m. The sedan, traveling north and going straight ahead, impacted with its left front bumper, causing center front end damage. The report cites "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor to the collision. The driver was not ejected but suffered head injuries and was incoherent at the scene, with minor bleeding reported. The driver was licensed in New York and the vehicle was a 2025 Kia sedan. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The crash underscores the critical role of driver error, specifically unsafe speed, in causing serious injury on high-speed expressway ramps.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799504 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 14 - A box truck changed lanes unsafely on Bruckner Blvd, striking the left rear quarter of an SUV. The SUV driver, a 65-year-old man, suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash exposed critical driver inattention and unsafe lane changing on Bronx streets.

According to the police report, at 11:49 AM on Bruckner Blvd in the Bronx, a box truck traveling west engaged in unsafe lane changing and collided with the left rear quarter panel of a westbound SUV. The SUV driver, a 65-year-old man, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was not ejected. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors from the truck driver. The SUV sustained damage to its left rear quarter panel. The injured driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness and remained conscious. This collision highlights the dangers posed by inattentive driving and improper lane changes in urban traffic, with the truck driver’s errors directly causing injury to the SUV occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799239 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 10 - A distracted, unlicensed motorbike driver struck a 40-year-old woman crossing with the signal in the Bronx. The impact caused contusions and a serious hip injury. The driver disregarded traffic controls, compounding the danger at the intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:24 PM on E 138 St near St Anns Ave in the Bronx. A male motorbike driver, unlicensed and traveling east, struck a 40-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the motorbike hit her center front end, causing a contusion and serious injury to her hip and upper leg. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The driver was unlicensed, which adds a critical layer of risk. The pedestrian was conscious but injured, suffering a level 3 injury severity. The collision highlights the systemic danger posed by distracted, unlicensed drivers ignoring traffic controls, placing vulnerable pedestrians at grave risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797825 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 7 - A 57-year-old woman crossing a marked crosswalk in the Bronx was struck by a backing SUV distracted by driver inattention. The impact caused neck injuries and shock, highlighting dangers of inattentive vehicle maneuvers near pedestrians.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old female pedestrian was injured at 8:11 AM in the Bronx near East 138th Street. The pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when a 2007 Volvo SUV, traveling west and backing up, struck her with its right rear bumper. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered neck injuries and was in shock, with no visible complaints noted. The SUV driver was licensed in New York and operating the vehicle alone. The vehicle sustained no damage. This crash underscores the risks posed by driver distraction during backing maneuvers in areas with pedestrian activity.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797544 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 6 - A stolen minivan tore through Harlem. The driver ran from police. He struck Devon Hughley on a scooter. Hughley died at Harlem Hospital. The driver fled. Police used facial recognition. They arrested Enesin Delarosa. Grief lingers. Memorials remain.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-06), Enesin Delarosa, 26, was arrested for fatally striking Devon Hughley, 45, while fleeing an NYPD car stop in Harlem on November 2. The article reports Delarosa was driving a stolen minivan and "allegedly hit Hughley near W.155th St. and St. Nicholas Ave. while fleeing a traffic stop." Delarosa faces charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene, fleeing police, and possession of stolen property. The crash highlights the lethal risk of high-speed police pursuits and the dangers posed by stolen vehicles in dense urban areas. Memorial posters for Hughley remain in his building. The article quotes Hughley's sister, Yvette Palmer: "the arrest brought some peace."

• Scooter Rider Killed Fleeing Traffic Stop, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-06

Mar 1 - A 16-year-old bicyclist was ejected after a northbound SUV struck him on E 149 St in the Bronx. The impact injured his hip and upper leg, causing minor bleeding. Driver inexperience was cited as a key factor in the crash.

According to the police report, at 22:09 on E 149 St in the Bronx, a 2023 Tesla SUV traveling north collided with a westbound bicycle. The 16-year-old male bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg, with minor bleeding and shock noted. The SUV sustained damage to its left side doors, the point of impact. The report explicitly cites driver inexperience as a contributing factor to the collision. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not wearing safety equipment, but these were not listed as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed. This crash highlights the systemic danger posed by driver inexperience leading to severe injuries for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796545 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 28 - A southbound SUV turned left on St. Anns Avenue, its front end smashing into a man crossing with the light. His body crumpled, bleeding, crushed beneath the weight. The car stood undamaged. The man did not.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old man was crossing St. Anns Avenue at East 135th Street in the Bronx, with the signal, when a southbound Honda SUV made a left turn and struck him with its right front quarter panel. The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his entire body and was left conscious but bleeding on the street. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor for the crash. The SUV sustained no damage, while the pedestrian bore the full force of the impact. The police report notes the pedestrian was 'crossing with signal,' but lists only driver error as a cause. The incident underscores the lethal consequences of driver failure to yield to people in the crosswalk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796005 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 27 - SUV turned right on E 135 St, struck sedan going straight. Five occupants bruised. Failure to yield listed. Impact hard, injuries across bodies and limbs. System failed to protect riders.

According to the police report, a westbound SUV making a right turn on E 135 St collided with a sedan traveling straight. The SUV's right side doors and the sedan's front end took the hit. Five people were injured: the SUV driver, two SUV passengers, the sedan driver, and a sedan passenger. All suffered contusions and bruises to the body, shoulder, or leg. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor, specifically for the SUV. No victim actions contributed. All injured remained conscious and were not ejected. The crash shows driver failure to yield as the key cause of harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795380 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 26 - A city bus turned onto Brook Avenue. The driver struck a cyclist. The man died at the scene. Police stayed. No charges filed. Another crash in Queens left one dead, one charged. The city’s streets remain hostile to the unprotected.

Gothamist reported on February 26, 2025, that an MTA bus driver fatally struck a 57-year-old cyclist while turning from East 149th Street onto Brook Avenue in the Bronx. The crash happened around 10:45 p.m. The bus, running as a subway replacement shuttle, was empty. The driver stayed at the scene and was not charged. NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The article also details a separate fatal crash in Queens involving a suspected drunk driver. As Gothamist notes, 'Police are investigating two fatal crashes in the Bronx and Queens.' The Bronx crash highlights the persistent risks at intersections where turning vehicles endanger cyclists. No policy changes were announced.

• MTA Bus Turns, Cyclist Killed Bronx, Gothamist, Published 2025-02-26

Feb 25 - A bus swung left on Brook Ave. An e-bike rider, 57, kept straight. Metal struck flesh. He flew, pelvis shattered, and died beneath the streetlights. Police cite improper lane usage. No helmet. No chance. Another life ended on Bronx asphalt.

According to the police report, a bus making a left turn collided with a man riding an e-bike who was traveling straight on Brook Ave near East 149th Street in the Bronx. The report states the cyclist, age 57, was struck mid-frame by the bus, ejected, and suffered fatal pelvic injuries, dying at the scene. The police report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor, highlighting a critical driver error in the crash. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail is mentioned only after the primary fault attributed to improper lane usage by the vehicle operator. The collision underscores the lethal consequences of driver mistakes and the vulnerability of those outside steel and glass.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795059 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 25 - A dirt bike and minivan collided in Soundview. Two teens thrown. Juan Alexander Quizhpi Naranjo died. His passenger survived. The driver stayed. No charges. The street claimed another young life. Family left to mourn. The city moves on.

According to NY Daily News (published February 25, 2025), 17-year-old Juan Alexander Quizhpi Naranjo died after his dirt bike collided with a Honda Odyssey minivan at Metcalf Ave and E. 172nd St. in the Bronx. The crash happened around 6:45 p.m., with both Naranjo and his 14-year-old passenger thrown from the bike. The girl is expected to recover. The article notes, 'The 42-year-old man driving the Honda Odyssey remained at the scene. No charges were immediately filed as police continued to investigate.' The report highlights the ongoing investigation and the lack of immediate charges, pointing to systemic risks at the intersection. Family members shared memories and grief, underscoring the human toll of traffic violence.

• Bronx Teen Killed In Dirt Bike Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-25

Feb 22 - A sedan traveling south on Bruckner Expressway was struck in the right rear quarter panel. The 58-year-old male driver suffered chest injuries and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. No driver errors were cited.

According to the police report, a 58-year-old male driver was injured in a collision on Bruckner Expressway at 7:35 a.m. The driver, restrained by a lap belt and harness, suffered chest injuries and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The crash involved a sedan traveling south that was impacted on its right rear quarter panel by another unspecified vehicle also traveling south. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision appears to be a rear-end impact with no explicit driver fault documented.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794880 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13