Highbridge’s Roads, Highbridge’s Reckoning

Jun 10 - Senate backs S 8117. Oneida County gets school speed zone cameras. Law sunsets in 2030. Lawmakers act. Streets near schools may slow. Children walk safer. Drivers face new eyes.

Senate bill S 8117, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the county of Oneida,' passed committee votes on May 27 and June 10, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joseph A. Griffo (District 53), sets up speed cameras near schools in Oneida County. The program ends December 31, 2030. The Senate voted yes, with only two no votes and several excused. The measure aims to slow drivers near schools and protect children. No safety analyst note was provided. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process.

• File S 8117, Open States, Published 2025-06-10

Jun 9 - Senate passes S 915. Bill demands safe roads for all. Complete street design at its core. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get a fighting chance. Vote split, but the message is clear: streets must serve people, not just cars.

Senate Bill S 915, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee on June 9, 2025. The bill, sponsored by Sean Ryan (District 61) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Samra Brouk, Leroy Comrie, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham, Robert Jackson, Liz Krueger, and Christopher Ryan, pushes for roads built for everyone. The Senate voted, with most in favor and a block opposed. The bill's language is blunt: roads must be safe for all, not just drivers. No safety analyst note was provided, but the intent is clear—prioritize vulnerable road users in every street plan.

• File S 915, Open States, Published 2025-06-09

May 28 - Council pushes cheaper bike share for students 16 and up. More teens on bikes. Streets shift. Danger remains. The bill sits in committee. Cyclists wait.

Int 1287-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill would require the Department of Transportation to set a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older. The matter title reads: "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for public school students aged 16 or older." Council Member Christopher Marte leads as primary sponsor, joined by Louis, Stevens, Brooks-Powers, Ossé, Restler, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, and Banks. The bill was referred to committee and awaits further action. No safety analysis has been provided.

• File Int 1287-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 25 - A 78-year-old woman crossed White Plains Road. An SUV struck her. She fell. Head trauma. Medics rushed her to Jacobi. She died. The driver stayed. No charges. Another night. Another life lost to traffic in Williamsbridge.

NY Daily News reported on May 25, 2025, that a 78-year-old woman was fatally struck while crossing White Plains Road at East 216th Street in the Bronx. The crash happened around 10:20 p.m. Saturday. The article states, 'The victim was crossing White Plains Road at E. 216th St. in Williamsbridge when a 56-year-old woman driving north in a 2024 Toyota RAV4 hit her.' The victim suffered severe head trauma and died at Jacobi Medical Center. The driver remained at the scene and faced no immediate charges. The incident highlights the ongoing dangers faced by pedestrians at Bronx intersections, especially after dark. No details were given about driver speed, visibility, or street design. The case underscores persistent risks for older New Yorkers on city streets.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing Bronx Street, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-25

May 11 - A black Mercedes struck Kelvin Mitchell as he crossed Webster Avenue. The driver fled. Mitchell died steps from home. Police have not caught the driver. The street stayed quiet. The loss cut deep. The danger remains.

NY Daily News reported on May 11, 2025, that Kelvin Mitchell, 43, was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Webster Ave. near E. 168th St. in the Bronx. The article states, "Mitchell was crossing Webster Ave. midblock... when he was mowed down by the driver of a black Mercedes-Benz." Surveillance video showed the Mercedes speeding in a bus lane before the crash. The driver did not stop. NYPD could not confirm if police were pursuing the car. Mitchell was a father and community figure. The crash highlights the lethal risk of speeding and hit-and-run drivers, and the lack of immediate accountability. No arrests have been made.

• Bronx Man Killed in Hit-and-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-11

May 10 - A man crossed East 160th Street. A black Mercedes hit him. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed the man to Lincoln Hospital. He died. Police search for the driver. The street holds silence. Another life lost to speed and steel.

ABC7 reported on May 10, 2025, that a 43-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run at East 160th Street and Webster Avenue in the Bronx. The article states, "A preliminary investigation found that the man was crossing the street when he was struck by a black Mercedes traveling southbound on Webster Ave." The driver did not stop and has not been apprehended. Emergency services transported the victim to Lincoln Hospital, where he died from his injuries. ABC7 quotes an area resident: "That was like my brother. He remember he was a good guy, a family guy. A whole father." The crash highlights the ongoing danger faced by pedestrians and the persistent issue of drivers fleeing crash scenes. No arrests have been made.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Bronx Pedestrian, ABC7, Published 2025-05-10

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 4804, Open States, Published 2025-05-06

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Apr 29 - A man lay on Bronx asphalt, battered by rage, then struck by an ambulance. Metal met flesh twice. Sirens and violence. The street offered no shelter. He left in critical condition. The city’s danger showed its teeth.

CBS New York reported on April 29, 2025, that a man in the Bronx was critically injured after a road rage assault left him lying in the street, where he was then struck by a passing ambulance. The article states: “Authorities say a man injured in a road rage assault in the Bronx was also hit by a passing ambulance while lying on the street.” The sequence highlights multiple failures: violent driver behavior escalated to physical harm, then emergency response vehicles encountered a vulnerable person in the roadway. The incident underscores gaps in street safety and emergency protocols, exposing risks faced by those left exposed on city pavement.

• Bronx Man Struck After Road Rage, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-29

Apr 28 - A man was attacked in Mott Haven. The beating followed a road rage incident. Police search for suspects. The street became a scene of sudden violence. Another day, another danger for New York’s vulnerable.

CBS New York reported on April 28, 2025, that a man was beaten during an apparent road rage incident in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The NYPD is searching for suspects after 'a man was beaten in what police are calling an apparent road rage attack.' The article highlights the eruption of violence linked to driver aggression, turning a city street into a crime scene. No details on the victim’s actions or condition were provided. The incident underscores the risks faced by people on New York streets and points to the ongoing threat posed by unchecked driver behavior. No charges or arrests have been made at this time.

• Man Beaten In Bronx Road Rage, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-28

Apr 26 - 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

Apr 25 - Two sedans crashed on Major Deegan Expressway. One driver suffered back injuries. Police list causes as unspecified. The road remains unforgiving.

Two sedans collided on the Major Deegan Expressway northbound exit 7. According to the police report, a 27-year-old male driver suffered back injuries and shock. The other occupant’s injuries were unspecified. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors or other factors were identified in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810320 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Apr 24 - A man clung to his car as a thief sped off. The car crashed into parked vehicles. He was crushed and struck again by a fleeing SUV. Blood pooled on the Bronx street. He was left with critical head and leg injuries.

ABC7 reported on April 24, 2025, that a 32-year-old man suffered critical injuries while trying to stop a car thief on Wilkinson Avenue in the Bronx. Surveillance video captured the suspect entering the double-parked Infiniti as the owner ran to intervene. The man was dragged for a block and a half before the car crashed into parked vehicles. ABC7 notes, 'Witnesses described a bloody scene and severe leg injury.' After falling, the victim was also struck by the suspect’s SUV. Police said the suspect abandoned the stolen car and fled on foot. The incident highlights the dangers of vehicle theft and high-speed flight on city streets. No arrests have been made.

• Bronx Car Theft Leaves Man Critically Hurt, ABC7, Published 2025-04-24

Apr 15 - 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

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 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

Mar 28 - An SUV collided with a moped on Edward L Grant Hwy in the Bronx. The moped driver, ejected and unconscious, suffered an eye injury. Police cite SUV driver inattention and unsafe speed as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:51 AM on Edward L Grant Hwy in the Bronx. A 2016 SUV traveling southwest struck a 2023 moped traveling northwest. The moped had two occupants; the 18-year-old male driver was ejected, rendered unconscious, and sustained an eye injury. The report identifies the SUV driver's contributing factors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The moped driver was unlicensed, but no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The SUV's point of impact was the center front end, while the moped was hit on its left front bumper. The collision highlights driver errors—specifically inattention and speeding—leading to severe injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802342 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Mar 22 - 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

Feb 25 - A Honda Odyssey struck two teens on a bike in the Bronx. The 17-year-old boy died at the hospital. The 14-year-old girl survived. The driver stayed at the scene. No arrests. The street held the silence after impact.

ABC7 reported on February 25, 2025, that a 14-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy were riding a bike at Metcalf Ave and E 172nd St in the Bronx when a Honda Odyssey driven by a 42-year-old man struck them. Police found both teens at the scene. The boy was later pronounced dead at Jacobi Hospital. The girl and the driver survived. According to ABC7, 'The driver remained at the scene and no arrests were made.' The investigation continues. No information was given about how the crash occurred or any contributing driver actions. The case highlights ongoing dangers for young cyclists in city streets and the need for thorough investigations into each crash.

• Teen Cyclist Killed In Bronx Collision, ABC7, Published 2025-02-25

Feb 22 - Two vehicles collided on the Major Deegan Expressway at night. Unsafe speed and lane changing caused injuries to three occupants. Passengers suffered whiplash and bruises, all conscious and restrained. The crash left front-end damage on both vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:06 on the Major Deegan Expressway involving a sedan and an SUV traveling south. The sedan driver was changing lanes unsafely at an unsafe speed, striking the SUV which was going straight ahead. The sedan's left front quarter panel and the SUV's right front quarter panel were points of impact. Three occupants were injured: a 24-year-old female rear passenger with a contusion on her elbow and lower arm, a 50-year-old male sedan driver with whiplash and back pain, and a 49-year-old female front passenger with whiplash and shoulder injury. All were conscious, wearing lap belts and harnesses, and none were ejected. The police report cites unsafe speed and unsafe lane changing as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors as the cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794523 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03