Melrose: five pedestrians dead, and the street keeps moving

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 2025-09-19

Jul 22 - A driver tore through Midtown, smashing cars and fleeing police. Metal scraped. Horns blared. The chase ended at Lexington and 50th. Police drew guns. The driver was arrested. Streets bore the scars.

According to ABC7 (2025-07-22), a driver struck multiple vehicles—including a police cruiser—while fleeing police through Midtown Manhattan. The pursuit began after a hit at Park Ave and ended at 50th and Lexington. The suspect, Jose Foster, faces charges including assault, reckless endangerment, and fleeing police. Witness Martina Minor said, "It felt like he was scratching like big noise and I was honking like stop and he kept doing it." The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases in dense city streets, with property damage and potential harm to bystanders.

• Police Chase Wrecks Cars In Midtown, ABC7, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 21 - A speeding rental car tore through Chinatown. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died at the scene. The car was overdue. Guns were found in the trunk. Charges followed. Debris scattered the street.

Gothamist (2025-07-21) reports a deadly crash at Canal Street and Bowery. A blue Chevrolet Malibu, rented but never returned, sped off the Manhattan Bridge and struck cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died instantly. Prosecutors say the car was moving at a 'high rate of speed.' Police found two 9mm pistols and ammunition in the trunk. The driver faces murder and manslaughter charges. The passenger faces charges for unauthorized use and weapons. The crash highlights risks from unreturned rentals and high-speed driving in dense city streets.

• Overdue Rental Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - A stolen car tore through Chinatown. Two dead. The driver, unlicensed, had fled a Brooklyn crash months before. System failed. Streets stayed deadly.

NY Daily News (2025-07-20) reports a 23-year-old, unlicensed driver killed two people in Chinatown while driving a stolen rental. Three months earlier, she allegedly hit a pedestrian in Brooklyn and fled. Police charged her with leaving the scene and aggravated unlicensed operation, but she was released without bail, as the charges were not bail-eligible under state law. The article notes, "The out-of-control driver... had been freed without bail in April after she was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash that badly injured a pedestrian." The case highlights gaps in bail policy and enforcement for unlicensed, repeat dangerous driving.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-20

Jul 19 - A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.

Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.

• Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-19

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 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - A van crashed in Midtown. Inside: dozens of propane tanks. The street held its breath. Danger rode in silence, hidden until metal met metal.

CBS New York reported on July 17, 2025, that 'dozens of propane tanks were found in a van in Midtown Manhattan after a car crash Tuesday night.' The article does not detail injuries or the cause of the crash. The presence of hazardous cargo in a crash raises questions about vehicle safety checks and enforcement. Storing large amounts of propane in a van on city streets exposes bystanders and road users to hidden risks. The incident highlights the need for stricter oversight of hazardous material transport in dense urban areas.

• Propane Tanks Discovered After Midtown Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 16 - A DOT worker fixing a sign was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near miss in lower Manhattan. The cyclist fled. The worker bled on the street. Police are searching. No arrests. Another morning, another wound.

NY Daily News (2025-07-16) reports a city DOT worker was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near collision at Broadway and Cedar St. The worker was fixing a street sign when the cyclist nearly hit his truck. Witnesses said, 'They weren't even in the bike lane, they were parked on the corner.' After the argument, the cyclist cut the worker's arm with a box cutter and fled. The DOT worker was treated and released. Police are searching for the cyclist. The incident highlights the dangers of street work and the tense interactions between vehicles and vulnerable road users.

• DOT Worker Slashed After Near Collision, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-16

Jul 12 - A 71-year-old passenger died. A 79-year-old driver struck two cars, then a pole. Metal twisted. Lives changed. The street stayed silent.

CBS New York (2025-07-12) reports a 71-year-old passenger died after a crash in Co-op City, Bronx. Police said a 79-year-old driver 'slammed into two cars before hitting a light pole.' The sequence ended in fatal injury. The article highlights the impact but does not detail causes. The crash underscores risks for passengers and raises questions about driver fitness and street design. No blame is assigned. The facts stand stark.

• Passenger Dies After Bronx Car Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-12

Jul 6 - A high-speed electric unicycle struck a cyclist on Central Park’s crowded West Drive. The unicycle rider landed in critical condition. Congestion and speed collided. Chaos followed. Bystanders watched. Sirens wailed.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-06) reports a crash on Central Park’s West Drive, where an illegal electric unicycle hit a cyclist. The unicycle, capable of speeds over 40 mph, struck Carolyn Backus, who was riding a standard bike. The unicycle operator was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. NYPD initially charged Backus with leaving the scene, but the charge was dropped. A spokesperson clarified, 'She also remained on scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics.' The incident highlights risks from high-speed, illegal vehicles in crowded park spaces.

• Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-06

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 2025-09-19

Jul 3 - A Mustang jumped the curb in Melrose. Six pedestrians fell. Screams echoed. The driver fled. Scaffolding twisted. Blood on the sidewalk. No arrests. The city waits for answers.

ABC7 reported on July 3, 2025, that a Ford Mustang struck six pedestrians after mounting the curb at East 149th Street and Courtlandt Avenue in the Bronx. Surveillance showed the car turning left while people crossed with the right of way. The driver accelerated, hit a woman, then continued under scaffolding, injuring five more. Witnesses described panic and pain: "People were yelling, were in pain," said Vivian Cole. The suspects abandoned the damaged car and fled. All victims were hospitalized with minor injuries. The Buildings Department confirmed the crash damaged the shed but not the vacant building. No arrests have been made.

• Mustang Plows Bronx Sidewalk, Six Hurt, ABC7, Published 2025-07-03

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.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

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.

• Bronx Crash Leaves Pedestrian Critical, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-28

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 2025-09-19

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 2025-09-19

Jun 23 - SUV turned left on E 159 St, struck moped. Rider ejected, injured. Police cite traffic control ignored. Streets silent, danger loud.

A crash on E 159 St at Brook Ave in the Bronx involved a moped and an SUV. The SUV, making a left turn, collided with a moped going straight. According to the police report, both drivers disregarded traffic control. The moped rider, a 34-year-old man, was ejected and suffered hip and leg injuries. Two SUV occupants and one passenger had unspecified injuries. Police list 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the main contributing factor. The moped rider wore a helmet, as noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 22 - Metal struck metal before dawn. A car hit another, then slammed a scooter. Two riders flew off. An 18-year-old woman lay critical. Sirens cut the Bronx dark. Seven hurt. The road stayed open. Danger did not end.

ABC7 reported on June 22, 2025, that a multi-vehicle crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx left seven injured, including one woman in critical condition. The article states, 'The Honda Accord collided with the Honda Pilot. The Honda Pilot then collided with the Razor Scooter, causing the 24-year-old man operating the scooter and an 18-year-old woman to be ejected.' Six others from the cars suffered minor injuries. The crash happened before 4 a.m. near Throggs Neck. Police are investigating the sequence of impacts. The incident highlights the risks faced by scooter riders and the dangers of high-speed, multi-vehicle traffic on city parkways.

• Seven Hurt In Hutchinson Parkway Crash, ABC7, Published 2025-06-22

Jun 21 - A scooter slammed into a Honda Pilot before dawn. The passenger, eighteen, hit the road hard. The driver fled. Three more hurt in the cars. Sirens wailed. No arrests. The street stayed cold and dangerous.

According to the New York Post (published June 21, 2025), an 18-year-old scooter passenger was left in critical condition after a crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx. Police said the scooter collided with a Honda Pilot around 4 a.m., triggering a chain reaction that involved a Honda Accord. The article reports, "The moped's driver fled with the bike before cops arrived." Three passengers in each car were also injured and taken to Jacobi Hospital. No arrests had been made by Saturday afternoon. The incident highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable road users and raises questions about driver accountability and the effectiveness of current enforcement on city parkways.

• Scooter Crash Leaves Teen Critical in Bronx, New York Post, Published 2025-06-21

Jun 19 - A cyclist swerved to avoid a pedestrian in Central Park. He fell. His head struck the curb. He died at the hospital. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries. The crash happened at a crosswalk near 96th Street. The case is under investigation.

ABC7 reported on June 19, 2025, that Salvador Nico-Garcia, 43, died after colliding with a pedestrian while riding an e-bike in Central Park. According to police, Nico-Garcia swerved to avoid a 41-year-old pedestrian crossing at the crosswalk near 96th Street and East Drive. He fell, struck his head on the curb, and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital. The pedestrian sustained minor abrasions. ABC7 notes, 'Officials say Nico-Garcia was on an e-bike and was not wearing a helmet at the time he was thrown.' New York City does not require cyclists over 14 to wear helmets. In Central Park, pedestrians have the right of way at all times. The incident remains under investigation, highlighting ongoing risks at crosswalks and the lack of helmet mandates for adult cyclists.

• Cyclist Killed Dodging Pedestrian In Park, ABC7, Published 2025-06-19