Melrose Bleeds—City Shrugs

Blood pooled on 149th Street. A man, beaten by a group after a roadside argument, lay with head trauma. The attackers fled. Police searched the night. The victim survived, but the scars of violence lingered in Mott Haven.

CBS New York reported on April 28, 2025, that a 37-year-old man was hospitalized after a violent road rage incident in the Bronx. The confrontation began as an argument between occupants of two cars near 149th Street and Brook Avenue. According to police, 'both parties got out of their cars,' and a group then 'started kicking and punching the 37-year-old victim, causing him to sustain significant head trauma.' The attackers fled before officers arrived. The victim was taken to Lincoln Hospital in critical condition. The incident occurred near a police precinct, highlighting ongoing dangers when disputes escalate on city streets. Police are searching for the suspects.

• Bronx Road Rage Leaves Man Hospitalized, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-28

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

A man clung to his car as a thief sped off. The vehicle dragged him down the street. Police found him battered, head and leg broken. The car, abandoned, bore scars of violence. The thief vanished. The city’s system failed to stop it.

According to the New York Post (April 25, 2025), a 32-year-old man was critically injured after being dragged by his own car during a daylight theft on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. The article reports, 'Officers found the victim badly injured with trauma to his head and leg a block away.' Surveillance footage shows the man trying to stop the thief by grabbing the car window as it sped away. The Infiniti was later found abandoned with heavy damage. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the Bronx 'the absolute best place' in New York City to steal a car, citing a 3.6% rise in thefts in the borough, despite a citywide decrease. The incident highlights ongoing gaps in car theft prevention and prosecution.

• Man Dragged By Stolen Car In Bronx, New York Post, Published 2025-04-25

Motorscooter and SUV collided on Westchester Ave. Rider thrown, arm fractured. Police cite following too closely. Wrecked scooter, shaken passengers. Streets stayed hard and unforgiving.

A motorscooter and an SUV crashed on Westchester Ave at Tinton Ave in the Bronx. An 18-year-old motorscooter rider was ejected and suffered a fractured arm. Two other men, aged 27 and 39, were listed as occupants and reported unspecified injuries. According to the police report, 'Following Too Closely' was the contributing factor for all involved. The motorscooter was demolished. No other contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808448 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A new floating freight dock opens at Hunts Point. One thousand trucks a month will vanish from Bronx streets. Boats and cargo bikes will haul food across the city. Less diesel. Fewer big rigs. The city shifts freight off the road, onto water.

On April 23, 2025, city officials and Con Agg Global announced a new floating freight dock at the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. The project, backed by the Economic Development Corporation and Council Member Rafael Salamanca, aims to move food by boat and e-cargo trike instead of trucks. The matter summary states: 'Replacing truck trips with boat trips and cargo bikes is a key feature of the city's urgent push to shift cargo trips out of big trucks.' EDC President Andrew Kimball said, 'The goal is, over time, to move more and more of this food out of Hunts Point not by truck, but by water with e-cargo trikes.' The dock will remove one thousand trucks per month from South Bronx streets. Officials plan to expand docks citywide. The bill’s status is an active infrastructure rollout, not a legislative vote. No direct safety analyst assessment was provided, but the shift promises fewer trucks where people walk and ride.

• ‘Blue Highways’ Moves Forward With New Freight Dock At Hunts Point Market, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-23

A woman crossing 3rd Avenue with the signal was hit by a speeding SUV. She suffered a head injury. Unsafe speed and lane changing led to the crash. The street turned violent in a blink.

A 41-year-old woman was crossing 3rd Avenue at E 152nd Street with the signal when a station wagon/SUV struck her. She suffered a head abrasion. According to the police report, unsafe speed and unsafe lane changing were contributing factors. The driver, a 37-year-old woman, was traveling south in the SUV. The report lists no errors by the pedestrian. The crash left the pedestrian injured at the intersection, underscoring the danger posed by driver actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811053 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Sedan slammed into SUV’s rear on Westchester Ave. Three men hurt. Police cite driver distraction. Metal twisted. Neck injury reported. Streets stay dangerous.

A sedan struck the back of an SUV at 644 Westchester Ave in the Bronx. Three men were injured, including a driver who suffered neck pain. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The SUV was hit in the center back end; the sedan’s front was crushed. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No helmet or signal use was listed as a factor. The toll: pain, confusion, and another mark in the city’s crash ledger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808831 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi and SUV collided on East 149th Street. Three passengers, ages 7, 15, and 71, suffered neck injuries. Impact struck the taxi’s right side and the SUV’s front. No driver errors listed. Streets stayed dangerous.

A taxi and an SUV crashed at 329 E 149th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, three passengers—a 7-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy, and a 71-year-old woman—sustained neck injuries and whiplash. The taxi was hit on its right side doors; the SUV’s left front bumper took the impact. Both vehicles were traveling west. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The crash left vulnerable passengers hurt, underscoring the risks on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807609 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

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

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

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

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 2025-08-04

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 2025-08-04

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 2025-08-04

A Mercedes slammed into Darryl Mathis Jr.'s stalled car on the Major Deegan. Mathis called for help, then for an ambulance. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed Mathis to the hospital. He died. The killer behind the wheel vanished into the night.

NY Daily News reported on March 24, 2025, that Darryl Mathis Jr. was killed when a Mercedes-Benz rear-ended his disabled Ford on the Major Deegan Expressway. Mathis, stranded after his battery died, called friends for help. As one friend recounted, 'He called to get a jump, and after that, he got hit from behind, a hit-and-run.' The Mercedes driver fled the scene and has not been caught. Mathis was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. The crash highlights the dangers faced by stranded motorists on city highways and the deadly consequences when drivers flee. No policy changes or enforcement actions were detailed in the article.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Stranded Bronx Motorist, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-24

A black Mercedes slammed into a Ford on the Major Deegan. Both cars spun out. The Mercedes driver ran. The Ford driver died at St. Barnabas. Police closed the highway for hours. No arrests. The city’s roads stay deadly.

NY Daily News reported on March 22, 2025, that a 39-year-old driver was killed after a black Mercedes-Benz rear-ended his Ford Crown Victoria on the Major Deegan Expressway. The article states, “The hit-and-run driver responsible escaped on foot, police said.” Both vehicles lost control and crashed. Emergency services transported the victim to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. The Mercedes driver fled the scene, and no arrests have been made. Police closed the southbound lanes for several hours during the investigation. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of rear-end collisions and the persistent risk posed by hit-and-run drivers on New York City highways.

• Bronx Highway Hit-And-Run Kills Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-22

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 2025-08-04