Melrose: five pedestrians dead, and the street keeps moving

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 2025-12-15

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

Feb 6 - A 90-year-old woman died on York Avenue. A cab made a U-turn and struck her. Another car hit her moments later. She was rushed to the hospital. Both drivers stayed. She did not survive.

According to the New York Post (published February 6, 2025), Frances Rickard, 90, was crossing York Avenue at East 72nd Street around 5:40 p.m. when a yellow taxi, driven by a 68-year-old man, made a U-turn and struck her. Police said, “Moments later, a 35-year-old woman driving a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also struck her.” Rickard was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died. Both drivers remained at the scene and have not been charged. The sequence highlights the dangers of U-turns and multi-lane crossings for pedestrians. The intersection saw two vehicles collide with a vulnerable road user in quick succession, underscoring persistent risks in city street design and driver behavior.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing York Avenue, New York Post, Published 2025-02-06

Feb 4 - Tesla tore north on FDR. It struck a guardrail, flipped, split, burned. The woman driver died at the scene. Her passenger flew from the wreck. Firefighters battled battery flames. Northbound lanes shut. Metal, fire, speed, and loss marked the night.

NY Daily News (2025-02-04) reports a deadly crash on Manhattan's FDR Drive. A Tesla, traveling at high speed—witnesses estimated 'at least 120, 130 [mph]'—lost control near E. 70th St. The car struck a guardrail, overturned, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The driver died at the scene; her passenger survived. Firefighters and a hazmat team responded to extinguish the burning lithium-ion battery. The crash shut down northbound lanes. The article highlights excessive speed and the dangers of high-performance vehicles in urban settings. Emergency response was extensive, with 60 firefighters on scene.

• Tesla Crash Kills Woman On FDR Drive, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-04

Jan 26 - A 47-year-old man was struck while crossing with the signal at an intersection in the Bronx. The vehicle hit him head-on, causing severe leg injuries. The driver proceeded straight westbound, impacting the pedestrian at the center front end.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of E 153 St and Courtlandt Ave in the Bronx around 8:30 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a vehicle traveling westbound went straight ahead and struck him at the center front end. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The report does not list any contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield, nor does it indicate any pedestrian fault. The driver’s actions, moving straight through the intersection and colliding with a pedestrian crossing legally, highlight systemic dangers at this location.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789992 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

Jan 24 - A 15-year-old boy suffered abrasions and elbow injuries after a sport utility vehicle with a defective accelerator struck him off the roadway in the Bronx. The crash involved multiple parked SUVs and left the pedestrian conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on East 156 Street in the Bronx at 16:05. A 15-year-old male pedestrian was injured with abrasions and lower arm injuries after being struck by a sport utility vehicle. The report identifies a defective accelerator as the contributing factor in the crash. Multiple SUVs were involved, all initially parked or stopped, with damage noted on their left front bumpers and right rear quarter panel. The pedestrian was not in the roadway and was conscious after the collision. The report highlights the vehicle driver error of operating a vehicle with a defective accelerator, which led to the collision and injury. No pedestrian actions were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788648 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

Jan 22 - Two female drivers collided while both making left turns on E 156 St in the Bronx. The impact struck the left front bumper of a sedan and the center front end of an SUV. One driver suffered back injuries and whiplash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:15 on E 156 St near Tinton Ave in the Bronx. Both involved vehicles—a 2024 sedan and a 2018 SUV—were driven by licensed female drivers making left turns. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the center front end of the SUV. The sedan driver, a 51-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and whiplash, wearing a lap belt and remaining conscious. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any pedestrian involvement or victim fault. The collision highlights the dangers when multiple vehicles execute left turns simultaneously, increasing the risk of side-impact crashes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787770 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

Jan 17 - A city bus teetered over a Bronx overpass after swerving to dodge a double-parked car. Steel scraped concrete. Debris rained down. No one was hurt. The wall broke. The rules broke first.

NY1 reported on January 17, 2025, that a BxM1 MTA bus nearly plunged from the Henry Hudson Parkway overpass after the driver swerved to avoid an illegally double-parked car. The bus crashed into the wall, leaving it hanging over the edge. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz said, "We’re told by the MTA that the bus was trying to get around an illegally double-parked car, and he hit the wall and went through it." No injuries were reported, but the crash caused structural damage and scattered debris below. City Councilman Eric Dinowitz noted, "It speaks to the importance of enforcing our parking rules because it was going around a double-parked car." The incident highlights the danger posed by lax parking enforcement and infrastructure vulnerable to impact.

• MTA Bus Hangs Off Bronx Overpass, NY1, Published 2025-01-17

Jan 16 - Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

Jan 15 - A 23-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan, driven aggressively, hit him outside an intersection in the Bronx. The pedestrian was conscious and sustained abrasions. The crash exposed the dangers of road rage behind the wheel.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old male pedestrian was injured in the Bronx when a 2025 Volvo sedan traveling north struck him outside an intersection near 524 Morris Avenue. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The report explicitly cites 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error as the primary cause. The vehicle showed no damage, and the pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The pedestrian's location was described as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Not at Intersection' with 'Other Actions in Roadway' noted, but no victim behavior was listed as a contributing factor. This incident underscores the lethal consequences of aggressive driving in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788667 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-12-15

Jan 13 - Senate bill S 1675 would force carmakers to face the facts. Every vehicle gets a pedestrian safety score. The public sees it. No more hiding danger behind steel and glass.

Senate bill S 1675, now at the sponsorship stage, sits with the New York State Senate. Filed January 13, 2025, it aims to 'create a pedestrian safety rating system for motor vehicles which shall be posted on the department of motor vehicles' website.' Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Leroy Comrie, Michael Gianaris, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, Zellnor Myrie, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, Luis R. Sepúlveda, and Toby Ann Stavisky. The bill demands transparency. It would show the public which cars endanger walkers and which spare them. No safety analyst has yet weighed in, but the intent is clear: expose the risk, protect the vulnerable.

• File S 1675, Open States, Published 2025-01-13

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly Bill 1060 demands public hearings before any bike lane or rack is built or removed. The city must face the people. Cyclists and pedestrians get a voice. No change without warning.

Assembly Bill A 1060 was introduced on January 8, 2025, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Relates to notification and hearings for proposed construction or removal of bicycle lanes or racks,' requires the Department of Transportation to present at a public hearing before constructing or removing any bike lane or rack. Assembly Member Chantel Jackson (District 79) is the primary sponsor. The measure aims to ensure transparency and public input on street changes that affect vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 1060, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Jan 8 - Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08