Crash Count for Melrose
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,340
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 755
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 187
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 18
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 6
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Nov 2, 2025
Carnage in Melrose
Detailed breakdowns aren’t yet available for this year slice; totals below reflect the selected window.
Killed 6
Crush Injuries 5
Head 1
Lower arm/hand 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Shoulder/upper arm 1
Whole body 1
Severe Bleeding 5
Head 4
Whole body 1
Severe Lacerations 7
Lower leg/foot 4
Face 2
Abdomen/pelvis 1
Concussion 2
Chest 1
Head 1
Whiplash 28
Neck 12
+7
Back 7
+2
Head 6
+1
Whole body 3
Lower leg/foot 2
Shoulder/upper arm 1
Contusion/Bruise 49
Lower leg/foot 18
+13
Head 9
+4
Shoulder/upper arm 6
+1
Hip/upper leg 5
Back 3
Lower arm/hand 3
Whole body 3
Chest 1
Face 1
Abrasion 30
Lower leg/foot 9
+4
Shoulder/upper arm 5
Head 4
Lower arm/hand 4
Whole body 3
Face 2
Eye 1
Hip/upper leg 1
Neck 1
Pain/Nausea 14
Head 3
Neck 3
Shoulder/upper arm 3
Lower leg/foot 2
Back 1
Lower arm/hand 1
Whole body 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Nov 2, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Melrose?

Preventable Speeding in Melrose School Zones

(since 2022)
Melrose: five pedestrians dead, and the street keeps moving

Melrose: five pedestrians dead, and the street keeps moving

Melrose: Jan 1, 2022 - Aug 26, 2025

Melrose is small. The toll is not.

Since 2022, five pedestrians are dead here. Another 136 are hurt. Bicyclists: 91 injuries. The crashes keep coming. The street keeps moving. The people don’t. The numbers come from city data covering 2022–2025.

  • Pedestrians killed: 5
  • Total injuries: 582 across crashes since 2022
  • Peak injury hours run from mid‑afternoon into night, with the worst between 15:00 and 22:00.

The worst corners are named. 3rd Avenue and East 149th Street each rack up harm. So does Melrose Avenue. These are not one‑offs. They are patterns. The dataset lists them as top sites by injuries.

Dead is precise. So are the case files. On April 2, 2025, an SUV going straight on 149th hit a 52‑year‑old pedestrian midblock. He died. Three SUVs were involved. The record is CrashID 4803347. On June 25, 2024, a taxi on East 149th struck a 61‑year‑old man crossing without a signal. He died too. That is CrashID 4735638. On January 13, 2024, at Melrose and East 157th, a woman crossing at the intersection was hit and killed. CrashID 4695464. On April 12, 2023, a 70‑year‑old man was struck and killed at 305 East 149th. CrashID 4623120.

Heavy machines do heavy damage. Buses and trucks show fewer total crashes but more severe harm to walkers. SUVs and sedans kill most.

Where it breaks

Injury spikes hit the late hours. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. stays hot. So does the afternoon school let‑out to rush hour. The count peaks near 4 p.m. and 8–10 p.m., then flares again at 9–10 p.m. The bodies are local. The danger is routine.

Contributing factors are listed. “Other” leads the death count. “Vulnerable road user error” shows up, but the dead are still on foot. “Disregarded traffic control” and “alcohol involvement” appear too. Distraction is there. So is aggressive driving. These are boxes checked after the fact. The result is the same.

Streets named, fixes known

Harm clusters on East 149th Street and 3rd Avenue. Melrose Avenue too. Daylight these corners. Give walkers a head start with leading pedestrian intervals. Harden left turns so wide swings can’t knife through the crosswalk. Protect bike space where riders keep going down.

Target the late‑day hours with enforcement that sticks. Keep trucks out of narrow residential blocks. Slow the turns. Narrow the lanes.

The wider frame

Speed is the lever. Citywide, the tools exist. Albany passed Sammy’s Law; the city can set lower limits. Advocates are pushing for a default 20 mph. Our own coverage lays it out and cites the numbers on repeat offenders. The state is also moving on speed limiters for the worst drivers. The Senate bill S 4045 advanced in June; local senators voted yes in committee. Those devices cap speed to the limit plus five for drivers with long violation records.

  • The push to drop speeds and stop repeat speeders is detailed in our action guide, including the data on how a small group of drivers cause outsized harm.
  • State bill S 4045 drew yes votes in committee from Senators in this area; see the file and vote records here.

Voices from the aftermath

“Two people were killed. He was drunk,” said a sister after a Bronx parkway crash that took two young riders. She asked why he walked free. “How could they let him go?” The case is not in Melrose, but it is in the Bronx, and it is now. The names were Manuel Amarantepenalo, 19, and Enrique Martinez, 21. Police charged the driver with vehicular manslaughter and DWI. The family’s words stand. NY Daily News and Gothamist reported them.

This is not numbers. It is the walk to the store that ends in the road. It is the last call that goes to voicemail.

What must change

  • Set a default 20 mph limit on city streets. Use the power Albany granted. Fewer bodies hit the ground when the cars slow. See the case for it in our guide.
  • Shut down repeat speeders with speed limiters. S 4045 is built for them. Senators advanced it in June; read the bill file and vote records on the state site.
  • Fix the local kill zones: daylighting, LPIs, hardened turns, protected bike space on 149th, 3rd Ave, and Melrose Ave, with late‑day enforcement where injuries peak.

One block at a time. One law at a time. The clock is loud.

Take one step now. Add your name, make the calls, and push the city to slow the cars. Start here: Take Action.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Chantel Jackson
Assembly Member Chantel Jackson
District 79
District Office:
780 Concourse Village West Ground Floor Professional, Bronx, NY 10451
Legislative Office:
Room 547, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Rafael Salamanca Jr.
Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr.
District 17
District Office:
1070 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10459
718-402-6130
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1776, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7505
Jose Serrano
State Senator Jose Serrano
District 29
District Office:
335 E. 100th St., New York, NY 10029
Legislative Office:
Room 418, Capitol Building 172 State St., Albany, NY 12247
Other Geographies

Melrose Melrose sits in Bronx, Precinct 40, District 17, AD 79, SD 29, Bronx CB1.

See also
Boroughs
City Council Districts
Community Boards
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Melrose

27
Failure to Yield Injures Elderly Passenger

Jul 27 - Two drivers collided at E 158 St and Trinity Ave in the Bronx. An 84-year-old passenger took the hit. Crush injuries to her abdomen and pelvis. Police recorded failure to yield and aggressive driving.

At 2:09 pm, the driver of an SUV and the driver of a sedan collided at E 158 St and Trinity Ave in the Bronx. An 84-year-old woman riding in the sedan’s front seat suffered crush injuries to her abdomen and pelvis. The sedan’s 67-year-old male driver reported neck pain. According to the police report, “Failure to Yield Right-of-Way” and “Aggressive Driving/Road Rage” contributed to the crash. Damage reports list center-front damage to the SUV and right-front damage to the sedan. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead before impact. The 67-year-old driver is listed as licensed in Alabama.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831836 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-06
27
Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be

Jul 27 - A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.


25
Firefighter Killed in FDR Drive Collision

Jul 25 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. Police investigate. No arrests. The road claimed another life.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-25) reports Matthew Goicochea, 31, was killed after falling from his motorcycle and being struck by a car near E. 25th St. on FDR Drive. The driver did not remain at the scene. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The article states, "He was then struck by an unknown vehicle shortly thereafter, which did not remain on the scene." No arrests have been made. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users on high-speed city highways and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers.


24
Cyclist Ejected, Injured on 3rd Avenue

Jul 24 - A 24-year-old cyclist was ejected and injured on 3rd Avenue in the Bronx. He suffered contusions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. Police recorded contributing factors as 'Unspecified'.

At 04:40 a.m. a 24-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured at 2835 3rd Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered contusions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report records contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No other vehicles or persons were involved and the bike showed no damage. Vehicle records list the bike's pre-crash status as 'Parked.' The police report does not identify a specific driver error or further cause.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832514 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-06
23
Taxi Strikes Child Crossing at Tinton Avenue

Jul 23 - A taxi hit a six-year-old boy in the Bronx. The child was crossing against the signal. He suffered a facial injury. The street stayed loud and cold. Metal met flesh. The city moved on.

A taxi traveling north on Tinton Avenue struck a six-year-old boy at the intersection with East 161st Street. According to the police report, the child was crossing against the signal and suffered a facial injury. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No injuries were reported among the taxi’s occupants. The crash underscores the danger faced by children on city streets, especially at intersections.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-06
22
Elderly Pedestrian Fractured by Distracted Driver

Jul 22 - A 70-year-old man at Melrose Avenue was hit by a driver. His elbow and lower arm were fractured and distorted. He was conscious at the scene. Police cited driver inattention/distraction.

A 70-year-old male pedestrian was struck and injured at the intersection of 610 Melrose Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, the crash was caused by "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The driver hit the man at the intersection. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his elbow, lower arm and hand listed as fracture, distortion and dislocation and was conscious at the scene. Police recorded the contributing factor as Driver Inattention/Distraction. The report lists the vehicle type as unspecified and records the pedestrian’s complaint as "Fracture - Distorted - Dislocation."


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831834 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-06
22
Improper Lane Use Injures Bronx E-Bike Rider

Jul 22 - A sedan struck a 60-year-old e-bike rider at E 149th Street. The cyclist suffered severe leg cuts. Police cite improper lane use by both drivers. Streets remain perilous for Bronx cyclists.

A sedan and an e-bike collided at 346 E 149th Street in the Bronx. The 60-year-old e-bike rider suffered severe lacerations to his lower leg. According to the police report, both drivers engaged in 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The sedan was starting from parking; the e-bike was traveling straight. The crash left the cyclist injured while the sedan occupants were unhurt. Driver error—improper lane use—was the key factor cited by police. No other contributing factors were listed.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829665 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-06
22
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian in Chinatown

Jul 22 - A stolen car tore through Bowery and Canal. Two lives ended in seconds. Blood, wreckage, tequila, guns left behind. The driver ran. Bystanders paid the price.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-22), a stolen rental car struck and killed May Kwok, 63, and Kevin Scott Cruickshank, 55, at Bowery and Canal. Prosecutors said the driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, fled the scene, leaving 'an open bottle of tequila and two 9mm guns in the wreck.' Surveillance video captured the car plowing into a woman on a bench and a passing cyclist. Romero faces murder, manslaughter, and vehicular homicide charges. Passenger Kennedy Lecraft faces charges for possession of stolen property. The crash highlights the lethal risk of unchecked speeding and stolen vehicles on city streets.


21
Chinatown Crash Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian

Jul 21 - A speeding car tore through Chinatown. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died at the scene. The driver faces murder charges. The car was a long-overdue rental. Debris scattered. Lives ended in seconds.

Gothamist (2025-07-21) reports a driver faces murder and manslaughter charges after a deadly Chinatown crash. The car, a weeks-overdue rental, sped off the Manhattan Bridge and struck a cyclist and a pedestrian, killing both. Police found two 9mm pistols in the trunk. The article states, "the car was traveling westbound off the Manhattan Bridge at a high rate of speed" and "struck Cruickshank, Kwok and an unoccupied NYPD vehicle." The passenger faces charges for unauthorized use and weapons possession. The crash highlights risks from unreturned rentals and high-speed driving in dense city streets.


20
Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter

Jul 20 - A stolen Chevy Malibu tore through Bowery and Canal, crushing a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, silence. The driver fled. Two lives ended in seconds. The street swallowed them whole.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a stolen Chevy Malibu jumped a median at Bowery and Canal, striking cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died. The car, driven by Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, crashed into an NYPD van. Romero and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article notes Romero faces a separate charge from a previous crash. The incident highlights the lethal risk of stolen vehicles and the failure of current safeguards to protect people outside cars.


19
Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two in Chinatown

Jul 19 - A car sped off the Manhattan Bridge, jumped the curb, struck a cyclist and a pedestrian. Both died. The driver and passenger tried to flee. Police caught them. Metal, speed, and chaos at Canal and Bowery.

ABC7 reported on July 19, 2025, that a Chevy Malibu jumped the curb near Canal Street and Bowery, killing a cyclist in his 30s and a pedestrian in her 60s. The two women in the car attempted to flee but were arrested. Mayor Eric Adams cited 'the rate of speed was pretty high' and called for action against reckless driving. The car also struck a parked police van. Charges are pending as police investigate. The crash highlights ongoing dangers at busy intersections and the deadly impact of speed.


18
Distracted Driver Hits Pedestrian on Westchester Ave

Jul 18 - A distracted driver struck a 64-year-old woman crossing with the signal. Both suffered arm injuries. The street saw blood and confusion. Distraction left its mark.

A 16-year-old operating a motorized vehicle struck a 64-year-old woman as she crossed Westchester Ave at Tinton Ave in the Bronx. Both were injured in the shoulder and upper arm. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The crash left the woman with a fracture and dislocation, while the driver suffered a contusion. Systemic danger and driver distraction converged at the intersection, injuring two people.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828906 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-06
17
Van Crash Reveals Fuel Stockpile In Midtown

Jul 17 - A van crashed on 42nd and 10th. Inside: 75 gallons of gasoline, 10 of diesel, dozens of propane tanks. The driver tried to hide the keys. Hazmat teams cleared the danger. Police made an arrest.

ABC7 (2025-07-17) reports NYPD found 75 gallons of gasoline, 10 gallons of diesel, and 76 propane cylinders in a van after a Manhattan crash. The driver "tried to get rid of his keys" and claimed he couldn't open the vehicle. Hazmat teams removed the fuel. The driver faces charges for reckless endangerment and fire code violations. The Manhattan DA is handling the case. The incident highlights risks from hazardous cargo on city streets and gaps in enforcement.


15
Taxi Driver Shot Over Fare Dispute

Jul 15 - A taxi driver was shot in the Bronx after a fare dispute. The driver survived. The shooter fled but was arrested. Violence erupted over a $40 ride. Police acted fast. The street was left scarred.

According to ABC7 (2025-07-15), a 27-year-old taxi driver, Alusine Barrie, was shot in the abdomen during a fare dispute on Nelson Avenue, Bronx. The shooter, Joseph Meeks, 76, tried four credit cards before the argument escalated. ABC7 reports, "Mr. Barrie asked him to get out of the car and pay him, instead of paying him he shot him in the stomach." Meeks, with about 60 prior arrests, was charged with attempted murder. The United Federation of Taxi Drivers urged the district attorney to deny bail. The incident highlights risks faced by drivers and exposes gaps in passenger screening and fare enforcement.


13
Bronx Crash Kills Passenger, Hurts Seven

Jul 13 - A car struck two vehicles and a pole on Bartow Ave. Eight people hurt. Stella Nyarko-Dei, 71, died. Metal twisted. Sirens wailed. The street bore the scars. All drivers stayed. Police investigate.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-13), a 79-year-old driver crashed into two cars and a light pole in the Bronx, killing his 71-year-old passenger, Stella Nyarko-Dei, and injuring seven others. The article states, "The impact sent the Hyundai careening into an unoccupied parked car." All drivers remained at the scene. Police said, "The cause of the crash was not immediately known." No arrests were made. The crash highlights the dangers of multi-vehicle collisions and the vulnerability of passengers. Authorities continue to investigate the sequence and cause of the crash.


3
Sedan Strikes Seven Pedestrians on Courtlandt Ave

Jul 3 - A Ford sedan making a left turn hit seven pedestrians in the Bronx. Victims suffered broken bones, pain, and trauma. Police cite driver inattention as the cause.

A Ford sedan, registered in Florida, struck seven pedestrians while making a left turn at Courtlandt Ave and E 149 St in the Bronx. According to the police report, all injured pedestrians ranged in age from 30 to 79. Injuries included fractures, pain, and trauma to the body and limbs. Two vehicle occupants also reported unspecified injuries. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. One pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The crash underscores the danger posed by distracted driving.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825473 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-06
30
Int 0857-2024 Salamanca votes yes to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.


28
Bronx Crash Leaves Pedestrian Critical

Jun 28 - A driver fleeing police tore through a red light in the Bronx. Two cars spun onto the sidewalk. Three pedestrians hit. One man clings to life. Metal, glass, blood on Bruckner Boulevard.

According to NY Daily News (2025-06-28), an unlicensed driver sped from an NYPD stop, ran a red light, and crashed into another car at Bruckner Blvd. and Hunts Point Ave. Both vehicles spun onto the sidewalk, striking three pedestrians. The article states, "Jenkins slammed on the gas and sped off east on Hunts Point Ave., blowing through a red light." Police charged the driver with vehicular assault, reckless endangerment, and fleeing. The crash highlights the risks when drivers evade police and ignore signals. One pedestrian remains in critical condition.


26
Distracted Drivers Collide on E 160 St Bronx

Jun 26 - Two sedans crashed at E 160 St and Tinton Ave. A passenger and a driver suffered head and leg injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Metal and glass, pain and shock, all in seconds.

Two sedans collided at E 160 St and Tinton Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, driver inattention and distraction led to the crash. One right rear passenger, age 23, suffered knee and foot injuries. A 45-year-old driver sustained a head injury. Both reported whiplash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact left metal twisted and lives changed in an instant.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823441 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-06
26
Cyclist Thrown in Melrose Avenue Collision

Jun 26 - A cyclist struck at Melrose Avenue. Head injury. Thrown from bike. Shock. Police list cause as unspecified. Streets remain dangerous for those outside cars.

A 35-year-old woman riding a bike on Melrose Avenue in the Bronx was injured in a crash. According to the police report, she suffered a head contusion and was partially ejected from her bike, experiencing shock. The crash involved another vehicle, type unspecified, both traveling straight. Police list the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, as noted after the lack of identified driver error.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827159 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-06