Melrose Bleeds—City Shrugs

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

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

A taxi veered off Sixth Avenue, mounted the curb, and struck a crowd near Herald Square. Three pedestrians, including a child, landed in the hospital. The driver stayed at the scene. Metal, flesh, and concrete met in Midtown’s holiday rush.

Gothamist (2024-12-26) reports a Midtown crash where a taxi driver, experiencing a medical episode, drove onto the sidewalk at Sixth Avenue and West 34th Street, injuring a 9-year-old boy and two women. Police said, 'they did not suspect any criminality in the crash.' The driver, 58, remained at the scene and was taken for evaluation. Four others declined medical attention. The article notes, 'the driver was driving northbound on Sixth Avenue around 3 p.m. on Wednesday when he jumped the curb and plowed into a crowd.' The incident highlights the persistent risk posed by vehicles in crowded pedestrian zones, regardless of intent or driver health. No policy changes were announced.

• Taxi Jumps Curb, Hits Midtown Pedestrians, Gothamist, Published 2024-12-26

A 64-year-old man suffered upper arm injuries after a dump truck made a left turn and struck him at an intersection in the Bronx. The driver’s inattention caused the collision despite the pedestrian crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, a dump truck traveling south on E 149 St in the Bronx made a left turn and struck a 64-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection near Courtlandt Ave. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his shoulder and upper arm and was in shock. The report identifies the primary contributing factor as driver inattention or distraction. The dump truck, a 2018 Mack model, showed no vehicle damage and had two occupants. The driver was licensed in New York. The pedestrian was not cited with any contributing factors. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782576 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A police car crossed the line. Metal struck flesh. Samuel Williams, riding his dirt bike, was thrown and killed. Body cam footage shows the officer’s move. Another NYPD car tried the same. The city sent Williams’ family a bill.

NY Daily News (2024-12-23) reports that NYPD body camera footage shows an officer veering into the path of Samuel Williams, a 36-year-old dirt bike rider, during a pursuit on the University Heights Bridge. Williams was struck, thrown, and died from his injuries. The article states, “An officer pursuing dirt bikers suddenly crossed the double yellow line into Williams' path, causing a collision.” Another NYPD vehicle attempted a similar maneuver. The family’s attorney called it a “deadly maneuver” for a minor violation. The city later billed Williams’ family for police vehicle damages. The NYPD has not commented, citing litigation. The case raises questions about police pursuit tactics and accountability.

• NYPD Officer Veers Into Dirt Biker’s Path, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-23

A moped and bus collided on 3rd Avenue in the Bronx. The unlicensed moped driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited unsafe speed as a contributing factor. Both drivers were in shock but not ejected from their vehicles.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 16:46 on 3 Avenue near E 156 Street in the Bronx involving a moped and a bus, both traveling north. The moped driver, a 25-year-old male, was unlicensed and driving at an unsafe speed, which the report lists as a contributing factor. The moped struck the bus at the center front end, while the bus was impacted on its right front quarter panel. The moped driver sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with minor bleeding and was not ejected from the vehicle. The bus driver, also 25 and male, was injured and in shock but not ejected. Vehicle damage was reported as none. The report explicitly identifies unsafe speed by the moped driver as a key factor, without attributing fault to the bus driver or any victim behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779129 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An 18-year-old pedestrian suffered a fractured leg after a speeding SUV struck him at night in the Bronx. The vehicle hit the pedestrian’s right side, causing serious lower limb injuries. The crash exposed dangerous driver behavior on city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 11:45 p.m. near 592 Trinity Ave in the Bronx. An 18-year-old male pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk when he was struck by a northbound Honda SUV. The vehicle’s right front bumper made impact, causing a fracture and dislocation to the pedestrian’s knee, lower leg, and foot. The pedestrian was conscious but seriously injured. The report cites "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor, highlighting the driver’s failure to control speed in a hazardous environment. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. This collision underscores the lethal consequences of speeding in urban areas where pedestrians are present.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774830 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 44-year-old male driver suffered shoulder and whiplash injuries when his SUV struck an object during a right turn on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. The vehicle's left front bumper was damaged. The driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:56 on Westchester Avenue near Tinton Avenue in the Bronx. The driver, a 44-year-old man, was operating a 2024 Chrysler SUV traveling east and making a right turn when the impact occurred at the vehicle's left front bumper. The driver sustained upper arm and shoulder injuries and complained of whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. He was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists the driver's contributing factors as unspecified, with no mention of failure to yield or other driver errors. The vehicle sustained damage to the left front bumper. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774734 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council weakened Adams’s zoning plan. Parking mandates stay in low-density zones. Central areas lose mandates. Housing projections drop. Some neighborhoods bear the burden. Car-centric rules persist. Vulnerable road users see little relief. The city’s streets remain dangerous.

""Taking into account the apprehensions of our constituents, the City Council balanced these concerns against the very real need to respond to the housing crisis this City is indisputably facing," said Council Member Rafael Salamanca of The Bronx. "In the process, we secured $5 billion in investments [in] a plan that makes New York City more affordable and sustainable."" -- Rafael Salamanca, Jr.

Bill: City of Yes zoning reform. Status: Amended and advanced by City Council on November 22, 2024. The Council’s action, described as 'watering down' the mayor’s plan, keeps mandatory parking in low-density neighborhoods while ending it in central areas. The matter summary states: 'ending mandatory parking in areas with the best transit while keeping the costly mandate in low-density neighborhoods where it most hinders development.' Council Member Crystal Hudson voted yes, urging all neighborhoods to share the housing burden. Council Member Kevin Riley defended single-family zones. Council Member Rafael Salamanca cited balancing concerns and securing $5 billion for affordable housing. Borough President Antonio Reynoso warned of increased housing pressure elsewhere. The Council’s changes preserve car-centric zoning, leaving vulnerable road users exposed and limiting progress on safer, less car-dependent streets.

• Analysis: Mayor Gets the ‘W,’ But Council Turns His Zoning Plan into ‘City Of Yes … Sort Of’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-22

A 47-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by a westbound vehicle on E 156 St. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, disregarding traffic control. The pedestrian suffered a contusion and elbow injury but remained conscious.

According to the police report, at 10:50 AM on E 156 St in the Bronx, a pedestrian was injured when a vehicle traveling west failed to yield right-of-way and disregarded traffic control. The pedestrian, a 47-year-old male, was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the vehicle, described as passing and impacting with its right front bumper, struck him. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and injury to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity 3, but remained conscious. The report explicitly cites the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and traffic control disregard as contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage and had no occupants besides the driver. No victim behavior was listed as contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772310 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Steel rolled north on Bergen Avenue. A man stood in the road. The bus merged, its weight crushing his shoulder. He stayed awake as pain filled the street. The bus rolled on, unmarked, leaving flesh and bone behind.

A 36-year-old man suffered crush injuries to his shoulder after being struck by a northbound bus on Bergen Avenue near Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, the collision occurred as the bus was merging and the pedestrian was in the roadway. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, highlighting a failure in visibility or driver awareness. The bus sustained no damage and continued on, while the pedestrian remained conscious despite severe injuries. The police narrative states, 'Steel met flesh. His shoulder crushed beneath the weight. He stayed awake. The bus rolled on, unmarked.' The data does not cite any pedestrian behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the systemic danger posed by limited visibility and the actions of the bus driver in a merging maneuver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766969 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 23-year-old female passenger suffered a neck fracture and dislocation after an SUV traveling east struck a sedan backing west on East 149 Street. The crash caused shock and deployed airbags, highlighting driver distraction as a key factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:22 in the Bronx near East 149 Street. A 2023 Ford SUV traveling east collided with a 2018 Dodge sedan that was backing west. The point of impact was the right side doors of the SUV and the left front bumper of the sedan. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. A 23-year-old female occupant in the SUV, seated in the right rear passenger position, sustained a neck fracture and dislocation and was not ejected. Airbags deployed during the crash. The injured passenger was in shock following the collision. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's behavior. The collision underscores the dangers posed by driver distraction and vehicle maneuvers like backing in busy urban streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759521 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided in the Bronx while stopped in traffic. The impact injured a 57-year-old female front passenger, who suffered neck pain and shock. Both vehicles sustained front and rear center damage, highlighting a rear-end collision scenario.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling westbound on East 149 Street in the Bronx were stopped in traffic when the collision occurred. The first vehicle, a 2009 BMW with one occupant, was impacted in the center front end. The second vehicle, a 2021 Dodge with two occupants, was struck in the center back end. The crash injured a 57-year-old female front passenger in the Dodge, who experienced neck pain and shock and was not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers held valid New York licenses. The report lists no explicit contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or distracted driving. The collision dynamics and damage suggest a rear-end impact while both vehicles were stopped. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760047 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 27-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered severe fractures after a Ford SUV made a right turn and struck him in the Bronx. The crash occurred at Park Avenue and East 151 Street during morning hours. The driver disregarded traffic control.

According to the police report, the crash happened at 7:20 AM on Park Avenue near East 151 Street in the Bronx. A 27-year-old male bicyclist was traveling southbound when a Ford SUV, traveling northeast, made a right turn and collided with him. The point of impact was the SUV's right front bumper and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his entire body, including fractures and dislocations. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating driver error. The SUV driver was licensed and operating the vehicle during the turn. The bicyclist's safety equipment status is unknown, and no victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to obey traffic controls, resulting in severe injury to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759560 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A moped driver, unlicensed and helmeted, suffered severe leg injuries after a northbound collision with a sedan on Union Avenue. Impact struck the moped’s left side doors. The driver remained conscious but fractured and dislocated knee and foot bones.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old male moped driver traveling north on Union Avenue in the Bronx collided with a sedan also traveling north. The point of impact was the moped's left side doors, causing significant damage and severe injuries to the moped driver. The driver, wearing a helmet, was not ejected and remained conscious but sustained fractures, distortions, and dislocations to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies the moped driver as unlicensed. Both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of the crash. No contributing factors were specified in the report, but the unlicensed status of the moped driver is a critical detail. The sedan driver’s information, including license status, was not provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759553 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

A 37-year-old moped driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a high-speed crash on Westchester Avenue. The rider was partially ejected and sustained contusions. Police cited unsafe speed and improper turning as key factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:15 on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. The sole occupant, a 37-year-old male moped driver, was partially ejected during the collision and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with contusions noted. The vehicle's center front end was damaged, indicating a frontal impact. The report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors to the crash. The driver was wearing a helmet at the time, but the police report does not attribute any victim behavior as contributing to the crash. The incident highlights the dangers posed by excessive speed and improper vehicle maneuvers in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758757 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A collision on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx involved a sedan and an SUV. The sedan driver, unlicensed and impaired by alcohol, crashed while merging. The driver suffered neck injuries but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:45 on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. The collision involved a 2013 sedan and a 2023 SUV, both traveling west. The sedan driver, a 27-year-old male, was unlicensed and had alcohol involvement, contributing to the crash. The driver was merging when the collision occurred, impacting the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the right front bumper of the sedan. The driver was injured, sustaining neck injuries and internal complaints, but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report cites unsafe speed and alcohol involvement as contributing factors, highlighting critical driver errors that led to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4756269 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 34-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn on East 152 Street in the Bronx. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The crash involved the driver following too closely, causing impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:50 AM on East 152 Street near Jackson Avenue in the Bronx. A Nissan SUV, traveling northeast and making a right turn, struck a 34-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper, which also sustained damage. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating driver error. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were cited. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver behavior in urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760444 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An unlicensed driver traveling east on East 158 Street struck multiple parked SUVs. The crash injured a 61-year-old female front-seat passenger, causing an eye abrasion. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as the primary contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:25 on East 158 Street in the Bronx. A 2023 Ford SUV, driven by an unlicensed male driver, was traveling east when it collided with parked vehicles, including a 2021 Toyota SUV and a 2015 Nissan SUV. The point of impact was the center front end of the Ford and the center back ends of the parked SUVs. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The front passenger, a 61-year-old female, sustained an eye abrasion and was conscious with an airbag deployed. The driver’s unlicensed status and failure to maintain attention led to the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4754095 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04