Melrose: five pedestrians dead, and the street keeps moving

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 10 - Senate bill S 7336 pushes more speed cameras and targets hidden plates. Sponsors want sharper eyes on reckless drivers. School zones stay under watch. The city’s most vulnerable stay exposed.

Senate bill S 7336, now in sponsorship, aims to expand photo speed violation monitoring in New York City. The bill, titled 'Relates to the use of certain photo speed violation monitoring systems for the purposes of enforcement of license plate obstruction; repealer,' lets cameras catch drivers who hide or alter plates and extends speed camera use in school zones. Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill’s focus: more enforcement, less evasion. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear—more eyes on the street, more pressure on reckless drivers.

• File S 7336, Open States, Published 2025-04-10

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 6 - Inza Fofana left work, crossed E. 149th Street. A van hit him midblock. Two more cars struck as he lay in the road. Medics rushed him back to Lincoln Hospital. He died. His family mourns. The intersection stays dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 6, 2025, that Inza Fofana, a 52-year-old hospital cleaner and immigrant, was fatally struck after his shift at Lincoln Hospital. The crash occurred midblock at E. 149th St. and Morris Ave. Police said a 2019 Ford Transit van, turning left, hit Fofana as he crossed. The article quotes his sister-in-law: "He was going to buy socks. That's why he crossed the street." Police told the family that after the initial impact, two more vehicles struck Fofana. The driver remained at the scene and faced no immediate charges. Family members called for more safety measures at the busy intersection, noting, "There has to be a cross guard over there for the pedestrian to cross the street safely." The incident highlights ongoing risks for pedestrians at wide, high-traffic Bronx crossings.

• Bronx Hospital Worker Killed Crossing Street, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-06

Apr 5 - A van turned left. It struck Inza Fofana in the crosswalk. He died at Lincoln Hospital. The driver stayed. No arrest. The street stayed busy. The city stayed dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 5, 2025, that Inza Fofana, 52, was killed while crossing E. 149th St. and Morris Ave. in Mott Haven. The article states, "a 48-year-old man driving a 2019 Ford Transit van west on E. 149th St. struck Fofana as the driver attempted to make a left turn onto Morris Ave." Fofana was taken to Lincoln Hospital, where he died. The driver remained at the scene. No arrest has been made, and the investigation continues. The report highlights the persistent danger at intersections where turning vehicles meet pedestrians.

• Van Turns, Man Killed Crossing Bronx, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-05

Apr 2 - Three SUVs collided on E 149th. A 52-year-old man was crushed beneath their wheels. He died in the street. The crash left no room for escape. Daylight, metal, and weight ended a life.

A deadly crash unfolded on E 149th Street near Morris Avenue in the Bronx. Three SUVs collided. According to the police report, a 52-year-old pedestrian was crushed beneath the vehicles and died at the scene. The report states, “His body was crushed beneath the weight. He died there, in daylight, under wheels that did not stop in time.” No driver errors or contributing factors were specified in the data. The crash involved multiple drivers and passengers, but only the pedestrian suffered fatal injuries. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803347 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-14

Apr 1 - A man rides north on Melrose. Metal slams metal. He is thrown, torn open at the waist. Blood pools. He clutches wounds, conscious, waiting for help.

A 48-year-old man riding a bike north on Melrose Ave at E 157th Street was struck and ejected, suffering severe lacerations to his abdomen and pelvis. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. The cyclist wore a helmet. The report describes the man conscious at the scene, clutching his wounds. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the danger when lane usage breaks down.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805516 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-14

Mar 28 - A 36-year-old man suffered a hip and upper leg contusion after being struck by an eastbound SUV in the Bronx. The crash occurred outside an intersection, with driver inattention cited as the primary cause. The pedestrian was conscious and injured.

According to the police report, a 36-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2007 Lexus SUV traveling eastbound struck him outside an intersection near East 151st Street in the Bronx. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruising to his hip and upper leg and remained conscious after the collision. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle was reported to have no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. The pedestrian's presence in the roadway was noted as 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but no pedestrian fault or contributing behavior was listed. The driver’s failure to maintain attention directly led to the collision, underscoring systemic dangers posed by distracted driving in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802793 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-14

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 21 - A 70-year-old man was struck while crossing Melrose Avenue with the signal. The driver, making a left turn, failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered a head contusion but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Melrose Avenue near East 152nd Street in the Bronx at 3:10 PM. A 70-year-old male pedestrian was crossing the intersection with the signal when a vehicle traveling east and making a left turn failed to yield right-of-way. This driver error directly contributed to the collision. The pedestrian sustained a head injury described as a contusion and was conscious after the impact. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, emphasizing driver responsibility. There is no indication that the pedestrian's actions contributed to the crash beyond crossing with the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800733 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-14

Mar 16 - A southbound SUV parked on Melrose Avenue was struck on its left rear bumper by another southbound SUV making a right turn. The driver of the parked SUV suffered neck injuries and whiplash, entering shock after the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:11 AM on Melrose Avenue in the Bronx. A 34-year-old male driver of a 2018 Tesla SUV was parked when he was hit on the left rear bumper by a 2022 Honda SUV making a right turn. The Tesla driver, secured with a lap belt and harness, sustained neck injuries and whiplash, resulting in shock. The report lists no specific contributing factors but notes unspecified driver errors. The collision involved two SUVs traveling southbound. The impact point and damage indicate the moving Honda SUV struck the parked Tesla SUV from behind during the turn. No victim behaviors or pedestrian involvement were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-14

Mar 9 - Two sport utility vehicles crashed at Brook Avenue and East 156th Street in the Bronx. The female driver of the eastbound SUV suffered a hip and upper leg injury. Police cited illegal drug use as a contributing factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:08 AM on Brook Avenue near East 156th Street in the Bronx. Two SUVs, one traveling south and the other east, collided with impact on the front center of the southbound vehicle and the left side doors of the eastbound vehicle. The female driver of the eastbound SUV, aged 29, was injured with contusions to her hip and upper leg and was conscious at the scene. The report identifies illegal drug use as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver impairment. Both drivers were licensed, and no ejections occurred. The collision highlights the dangers posed by impaired driving in vehicle-to-vehicle crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798673 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-14

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 3 - Senate bill S 5801 demands licenses and insurance for e-scooter riders. No license, no sale. Sponsors push manuals and safety lessons. The city’s streets stay risky for those outside cars.

Senate bill S 5801, sponsored by Luis R. Sepúlveda and co-sponsored by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., sits at the sponsorship stage. Filed March 3, 2025, it aims to 'establish a bicycle and electric scooter operator's safety manual' and require licenses and insurance for e-scooter riders in New York City. The bill bars sales to unlicensed, uninsured buyers. It also folds scooter safety into driver education. No safety analyst has weighed in on the impact for vulnerable road users. The measure’s focus is paperwork, not street design or driver accountability.

• File S 5801, Open States, Published 2025-03-03

Feb 28 - Two SUVs collided on East 158th Street in the Bronx. The impact struck the left side doors of one vehicle and the front center of the other. A six-year-old rear passenger suffered whiplash and was injured in the crash.

According to the police report, two station wagons/SUVs collided on East 158th Street near Elton Avenue in the Bronx at 18:21. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead—one eastbound, the other southbound—when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the left side doors of the eastbound SUV and the center front end of the southbound SUV. The report cites 'Illness' as a contributing factor, indicating a possible medical issue affecting one driver. A six-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of one vehicle sustained whiplash and was injured but remained conscious. Both drivers were licensed females from New York. Vehicle damage was concentrated on the left side doors and front center end, underscoring the force and angle of impact. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796521 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-14

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 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 23 - A 19-year-old male e-scooter driver was ejected and injured in a Bronx collision. The crash caused abrasions to his face. According to the police report, unspecified contributing factors led to the impact, with damage centered on the scooter's front end.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male operating an e-scooter in the Bronx was involved in a crash around 18:53. The driver was ejected from the vehicle and sustained abrasions to his face, classified as injury severity level 3. The scooter, traveling north and going straight ahead, suffered damage to its center front end, indicating a frontal impact. The report lists unspecified contributing factors related to the driver but does not specify pedestrian or other vehicle involvement. No safety equipment was used by the driver. The crash highlights risks faced by vulnerable e-scooter riders and the potential for serious injury when control is lost or collisions occur.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795710 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-14