Longwood Bleeds: City Stalls, Streets Kill

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

Dec 29 - A moped rider suffered full-body abrasions when an SUV executing an improper U-turn struck the vehicle’s left rear quarter panel. The collision happened in the Bronx, leaving the moped driver injured but conscious, with no ejection reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:44 AM in the Bronx near Southern Boulevard. A 32-year-old male moped driver, holding a permit license, was traveling northeast going straight ahead when a 2008 SUV, also traveling northeast, made an improper U-turn. The SUV struck the moped on its left rear quarter panel, causing center front end damage to the moped. The moped driver sustained abrasions to his entire body and was injured but conscious. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, highlighting the SUV driver's error. The moped driver was not ejected and no other contributing factors were specified. This crash underscores the dangers posed by improper vehicle maneuvers in traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782212 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 25 - A 57-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured when an SUV making a left turn collided with him in the Bronx. The crash caused abrasions and lower leg injuries. Driver inattention was cited as the primary contributing factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:43 in the Bronx near Prospect Avenue. A 2009 SUV, traveling north and making a left turn, struck a northbound bicyclist at the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist, a 57-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as the primary contributing factors to the collision. The SUV driver was licensed and had two occupants in the vehicle. The bicyclist was not using any safety equipment at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. The impact caused damage to the SUV's right front bumper and the bike's center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781534 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 13 - A 58-year-old woman was injured crossing E 166 St in the Bronx. A southbound sedan hit her with its front center, damaging the vehicle’s right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg injuries, remaining conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 58-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing E 166 St outside an intersection or crosswalk. The collision occurred at 5:30 pm in the Bronx. A southbound 2017 Honda sedan, driven by a licensed male driver, struck the pedestrian with its center front end, causing damage to the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as moderate (injury severity 3), and was conscious after the impact. The report lists no specific driver contributing factors such as failure to yield or speeding, but the pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. Both contributing factors for the pedestrian are unspecified. The data highlights the dangers posed by vehicle movements outside controlled crossing areas, emphasizing the critical role of driver vigilance in such environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 13 - A taxi making a U-turn on Southern Blvd in the Bronx struck a southbound sedan. The sedan driver suffered back injuries and shock, reporting pain and nausea. The taxi’s left rear bumper and sedan’s front end were damaged in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:00 AM on Southern Blvd near Longwood Ave in the Bronx. The taxi, traveling north, was making a U-turn when it collided with a southbound sedan going straight ahead. The point of impact was the taxi’s left rear bumper and the sedan’s center front end. The sedan driver, a 45-year-old male, was injured with back pain and reported shock, nausea, and pain. He was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists the contributing factors for the sedan driver as 'Unspecified.' No explicit driver errors such as failure to yield are cited, but the taxi’s U-turn maneuver directly preceded the collision. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778721 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 12 - Two sedans collided on Southern Boulevard in the Bronx. The impact struck the right side doors of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other. A front-seat passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash, remaining conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:29 on Southern Boulevard in the Bronx. One sedan was traveling straight south when it was struck on the right side doors. The other sedan was making a U-turn, impacting the first vehicle with its left front bumper. Both vehicles sustained damage at their points of impact. The front-seat passenger in the first vehicle, a 53-year-old woman, was injured with back pain and whiplash but remained conscious. She was secured with a lap belt and harness. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors, but the collision involved a vehicle making a U-turn and another traveling straight, indicating a failure in maneuvering or yielding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778207 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 26 - A Toyota SUV crashed into a parked Honda on Hewitt Place. Flames erupted. The Honda’s driver, thirty-four, burned and injured, stayed conscious. Smoke and pain filled the Bronx street. Driver inattention marked the moment of impact.

According to the police report, a Toyota SUV traveling west on Hewitt Place in the Bronx struck a parked Honda SUV from behind. The collision caused a fire to break out in the Honda. The driver of the Honda, a 34-year-old man, suffered severe burns and back injuries but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The Honda was stationary at the time, and no victim actions are cited as contributing factors. The impact and subsequent fire transformed a quiet street into a scene of chaos and pain, underscoring the dangers posed by driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 22 - 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

Nov 21 - A BMW sedan struck a 28-year-old man crossing E 163 St. The driver failed to yield and sped. The pedestrian suffered hip and leg abrasions. The crash left the car undamaged. Danger cut through the Bronx dusk.

According to the police report, a BMW sedan traveling northeast on E 163 St near Intervale Ave in the Bronx struck a 28-year-old male pedestrian at 18:29. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection. The report lists the driver's failure to yield right-of-way and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to his hip and upper leg and remained conscious at the scene. The sedan showed no damage despite the impact at its center front end. Driver errors—failure to yield and unsafe speed—are cited as primary causes. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 17 - A 63-year-old man was struck by a northbound sedan on Southern Blvd while crossing a marked crosswalk without a signal. The impact to his head left him semiconscious with serious injuries. The crash exposed confusion and error by the pedestrian.

According to the police report, a 63-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being hit by a 2021 Honda sedan traveling northbound on Southern Blvd near Longwood Ave in the Bronx. The vehicle struck the pedestrian with its right front bumper as he crossed a marked crosswalk without a crossing signal. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and was semiconscious at the scene, with an injury severity rated 3. The report cites 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. There is no mention of driver error such as failure to yield or speeding. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The collision highlights the dangers pedestrians face even when crossing marked crosswalks, especially when pedestrian error or confusion is involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772556 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 11 - A box truck struck the rear of a sedan traveling southwest on Prospect Avenue in the Bronx. The sedan driver, a 58-year-old man, suffered facial abrasions and shock. Police cite defective brakes and driver distraction as causes.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:22 on Prospect Avenue in the Bronx. A box truck traveling southeast collided with the center back end of a sedan moving southwest. The sedan's 58-year-old male driver was injured, sustaining facial abrasions and shock. The report identifies 'Brakes Defective' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan driver was not ejected and was using no safety equipment. The box truck driver was licensed in New York. The collision damage was concentrated at the center front end of the truck and the center back end of the sedan. The report highlights vehicle defects and driver distraction as key causes, with no indication of fault or contributing behavior from the sedan driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772325 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 28 - A distracted SUV driver made an improper U-turn in the Bronx, striking a 24-year-old e-bike rider. The rider suffered a hip and upper leg contusion but remained conscious. The impact occurred at the SUV’s left front bumper and the bike’s rear center.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:03 in the Bronx near Southern Blvd. The SUV driver, a licensed male, was making a U-turn when he struck a 24-year-old male e-bike rider traveling straight north. The report cites 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the SUV’s left front bumper and the e-bike’s center back end. The e-bike rider sustained a contusion to the hip and upper leg but was conscious and not ejected. The SUV carried four occupants, and the driver was not using any safety equipment. No contributing factors related to the victim’s behavior were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4767321 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 18 - A man on a bike was hit from behind on Home Street. He was thrown, his back broken. The crash came from following too close. The street stayed hard. The rider stayed conscious.

According to the police report, a 37-year-old male bicyclist was struck from behind while riding west on Home Street in the Bronx. The crash was caused by following too closely and unsafe speed. The impact hit the bike’s left rear bumper, throwing the rider and breaking his back. The bicyclist was partially ejected and suffered a fractured, distorted, and dislocated back. The report lists driver error—following too closely and unsafe speed—as the main causes. No other contributing factors were noted. The bicyclist was not wearing safety equipment. The victim remained conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765118 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 17 - A motorcycle hit a bus in the Bronx. Two riders hurt. Driver unlicensed, inexperienced, speeding. Both suffered leg injuries. Bus and its riders unharmed. Impact harsh, danger clear.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling east struck a bus on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx at 14:50. The bus was changing lanes when the crash happened. The motorcycle's unlicensed driver, age 23, and his 36-year-old passenger were both injured, suffering abrasions and lower leg wounds. The report lists driver inexperience and unsafe speed as contributing factors. The passenger wore a helmet. The bus, carrying nine people, was not damaged and no bus occupants were hurt. The police report highlights driver inexperience and unsafe speed as the main causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 4 - Two taxis crashed at East 163 Street and Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. The collision injured two passengers, including a child, both suffering concussions and upper body injuries. Driver distraction was cited as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, at 14:46 in the Bronx, two taxis collided at the intersection of East 163 Street and Westchester Avenue. One taxi was traveling south going straight ahead, while the other was making a left turn westbound. The point of impact was the right front bumper of both vehicles. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. Two passengers were injured: a 34-year-old male in the left rear seat with a back injury and concussion, and an 8-year-old male in the right rear seat with a shoulder and upper arm injury and concussion. Both passengers were conscious, wearing lap belts, and were not ejected. The drivers were licensed and operating taxis registered in New York. The crash caused damage to the right front bumper of one taxi and the left front bumper of the other.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761006 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 26 - 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

Sep 25 - A Ford SUV tore through Westchester Avenue, its right front bumper crushing a 56-year-old man in the marked crosswalk. He died instantly, the morning sun rising over broken bones and shattered calm at East 163rd Street.

A 56-year-old man was killed at the intersection of Westchester Avenue and East 163rd Street in the Bronx when a northbound Ford SUV struck him with its right front bumper, according to the police report. The report states the victim was crossing in a marked crosswalk when the collision occurred. The SUV was traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The narrative details that the pedestrian died at the scene from crush injuries to his entire body. No driver actions such as yielding or speed are specified in the report, but the impact location and the victim's presence in a marked crosswalk underscore the systemic dangers faced by pedestrians at Bronx intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758741 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 22 - A sedan collided with a bicyclist on East 167 Street in the Bronx, injuring the 55-year-old rider. The impact caused contusions and upper arm injuries. The crash was driven by the sedan driver's inattention and distraction, according to police.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on East 167 Street in the Bronx involving a sedan and a bicycle. The bicyclist, a 55-year-old male, sustained injuries to his shoulder and upper arm, described as contusions and bruises. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from his vehicle. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor, cited twice, indicating the sedan driver's failure to maintain focus. The sedan, a 2010 Dodge, struck the bicycle at the right rear bumper with its center front end. The bicyclist was traveling straight ahead and was the sole occupant of his bike. The sedan had two occupants and was also moving straight ahead. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758212 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 17 - A sedan struck a 17-year-old crossing Southern Boulevard. The teen suffered bruises and shock. Police cite driver inattention as a cause. The street stayed open. The car showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 17-year-old male pedestrian was injured at Southern Boulevard and Westchester Avenue in the Bronx at 9:00 AM. The teen was crossing without a signal when a sedan going northeast struck him. He suffered contusions to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was left in shock. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No damage was reported to the sedan. The collision highlights the danger posed by distracted drivers at busy Bronx intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758504 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 15 - A 14-year-old boy riding a bike was ejected and suffered head injuries after a sedan struck him from behind in the Bronx. The collision caused contusions and shock, highlighting the dangers of rear-end impacts involving vulnerable cyclists.

According to the police report, a 14-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a 2021 Acura sedan traveling north struck him from behind at 782 Hewitt Place in the Bronx. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained head injuries, including contusions and bruises, resulting in shock. The sedan's point of impact was the center front end, while the bike was hit at the center back end. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not attribute fault to the bicyclist. The crash underscores the risks posed by vehicle drivers failing to maintain safe distances or control, particularly when following vulnerable road users like cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757759 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19