Crash Count for University Heights (South)-Morris Heights
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,505
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,044
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 230
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 13
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 8
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 15, 2025
Carnage in University Heights (South)-Morris Heights
Killed 8
Crush Injuries 3
Head 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Shoulder/upper arm 1
Amputation 1
Lower arm/hand 1
Severe Bleeding 4
Head 3
Lower arm/hand 1
Severe Lacerations 4
Head 3
Hip/upper leg 1
Concussion 5
Head 5
Whiplash 42
Neck 21
+16
Back 9
+4
Head 9
+4
Chest 3
Face 1
Shoulder/upper arm 1
Whole body 1
Contusion/Bruise 49
Lower leg/foot 15
+10
Shoulder/upper arm 9
+4
Head 6
+1
Back 5
Neck 5
Whole body 5
Face 3
Lower arm/hand 3
Abdomen/pelvis 2
Hip/upper leg 2
Eye 1
Abrasion 34
Lower leg/foot 17
+12
Lower arm/hand 7
+2
Head 5
Whole body 2
Face 1
Hip/upper leg 1
Neck 1
Shoulder/upper arm 1
Pain/Nausea 10
Whole body 4
Neck 2
Back 1
Face 1
Hip/upper leg 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 15, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in University Heights (South)-Morris Heights?

Preventable Speeding in University Heights (South)-Morris Heights School Zones

(since 2022)
Two young men die on the Bronx River Parkway. The night goes quiet, then sirens.

Two young men die on the Bronx River Parkway. The night goes quiet, then sirens.

University Heights (South)-Morris Heights: Jan 1, 2022 - Aug 25, 2025

Two men are dead.

Police say a 21‑year‑old in a Mercedes tried to pass on the Bronx River Parkway near Gun Hill Road around 1 a.m., clipped a Volkswagen, then hit two bikes. The riders were thrown to the road and later died at local hospitals. Officials named them as Manuel Amarantepenalo, 19, and Enrique Martinez, 21, both from the Bronx, in early reports from Monday. The southbound lanes closed for hours. One man was taken into custody at the scene. Later, prosecutors charged him with vehicular manslaughter and DWI. He is 21. His name is Mauricio Neyra Yuyes, of White Plains, according to charging documents and police briefings. He was released without bail as the case moves.

Gothamist wrote: “Police have arrested and charged a man with vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated in a multivehicle crash on a Bronx highway that killed two people.” It also reported a criminal complaint noting “a strong odor of alcohol on his breath” and that he stood unsteadily after the crash. Family members faced the court the next day. One sister said: “He was drunk. Think about how he took two lives.”

“Two men on motorcycles were killed,” NYPD told CBS. Police later clarified the machines as mopeds in early statements; other reports said scooters. Two lives, either way. The road did not care.

Night after night, the math does not bend

In University Heights (South)–Morris Heights, nights are when bodies break. From midnight to 2 a.m., crashes pile up, with two deaths logged in that window. Another fatal hour comes at 6 a.m., then 6 p.m., then 11 p.m. That drumbeat is in the city’s own ledger. Most injuries hit people inside cars. But pedestrians take the hardest blows: four killed here since 2022, 122 hurt. Bicyclists, 57 injured. Moped and other small‑motor riders, two dozen injured. No armor. No margin.

The worst corridors are named. The Major Deegan Expressway shows two deaths and 148 injuries. Jerome Avenue shows one death and 55 injuries. A man was killed walking on the Deegan in June 2024. Another pedestrian died at a Deegan ramp in 2023. A 44‑year‑old woman died on Macombs Road this month. Each case is a line in a spreadsheet. Each line is a life.

The city tags causes as “other” for most deaths here. Inattention is next. Speed is listed in a few injuries. Labels don’t stop steel.

Two riders down. A system shrugs

Police said the Parkway crash started with a pass that failed. Then a hit. Then two more. The men were ejected and died. The driver was charged and released pending the case. “My client is prepared to contest these charges,” his lawyer said. The highway reopened. Morning traffic filled the gap.

Families came to court. “Two people were killed,” a sister said. “He was drunk.” The words hung there. The case may change. The dead do not.

Where the Bronx breaks, what would actually stop it?

Pick the simple fixes first. Daylight corners so drivers can see. Harden turns. Give walkers a head start. Focus on the repeat hotspots: the Major Deegan and Jerome Avenue. Work the nights, when the bodies stack up.

Then do what the law already permits. Lower speeds. Everywhere. Albany gave the city that lever with Sammy’s Law. The city can set safer limits. It has not done so citywide. Start there.

Stop the worst drivers from ever hitting this fast. The Senate moved a bill to force speed limiters on chronic violators. Assembly leaders have matching language. Sponsors say it targets those who rack up tickets and points and keep going. If a car can’t go 40 in a 30, a lot of funerals vanish.

The road keeps its count. Two young men this week. Others before them. The numbers don’t weep. People do.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Yudelka Tapia
Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia
District 86
District Office:
2175C Jerome Ave., Bronx, NY 10453
Legislative Office:
Room 551, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Pierina Ana Sanchez
Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez
District 14
District Office:
2065 Morris Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453
347-590-2874
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1816, New York, NY 10007
212-788-7074
Twitter: @PiSanchezNYC
Robert Jackson
State Senator Robert Jackson
District 31
District Office:
5030 Broadway Suite 701, New York, NY 10034
Legislative Office:
Room 306, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
Other Geographies

University Heights (South)-Morris Heights University Heights (South)-Morris Heights sits in Bronx, Precinct 46, District 14, AD 86, SD 31, Bronx CB5.

See also
Boroughs
City Council Districts
Community Boards
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for University Heights (South)-Morris Heights

7
Man struck and killed in deadly hit-and-run in the Bronx
19
Sedan rear-ends SUV on University Ave

Aug 19 - A sedan hit the center rear of an SUV on University Ave at W 174th in the Bronx. A 53-year-old driver suffered a neck injury and complained of whiplash. Police cited driver inattention/distraction.

A 2010 sedan struck the center back of a 2023 SUV while both vehicles traveled south on University Ave at West 174th in the Bronx. A 53-year-old driver was injured; neck injury and a complaint of whiplash were recorded. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Driver Inattention/Distraction." Police recorded the sedan’s center-front impact on the SUV’s center-back and noted damage at those points. Listed driver error: Driver Inattention/Distraction. One occupant was conscious and not ejected. No other contributing factors were recorded in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836158 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
11
Drunk Mercedes driver fatally strikes 2 motorcyclists on Bronx parkway: NYPD
9
Speeding SUV Kills Bronx Cab Driver

Aug 9 - A cab driver died after an SUV, moving at 77 mph in a 25 zone, struck his car in the Bronx. The driver ran. DNA on the airbag led to charges. The street stayed silent. The loss remains.

According to the New York Post (2025-08-09), Imani Williams was charged after her SUV hit a livery cab at 77 mph in a 25 mph zone, killing driver Robert Godwin. Prosecutors say Williams used a bus lane, ran a red light, and fled on foot. DNA from the airbag identified her. District Attorney Darcel Clark said, 'This defendant was allegedly driving three times the speed limit when her SUV slammed into a livery cab.' The case highlights the deadly risk of speeding and reckless driving in city streets.


6
Distracted Driver Kills Pedestrian on Macombs Road

Aug 6 - Distracted driver hit a 44-year-old woman on Macombs Road near W 174th Street. Center-front impact. Crush injuries. She was killed. She was not in the roadway. Police recorded driver inattention by the driver.

A driver traveling north on Macombs Road hit a 44-year-old woman near W 174th Street in the Bronx. The driver hit her with the center front end. The impact crushed her body. She was killed. She was not in the roadway. According to the police report, the pedestrian was off the roadway when the driver struck her with the center front end. According to the police report, police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction by the driver. No other contributing factors were listed. The vehicle type was not specified.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833327 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
5
Driver in westbound sedan rear-ends parked Ford

Aug 5 - The driver of a westbound sedan hit a parked Ford on the Cross Bronx Expressway. The 63-year-old driver suffered a shoulder and upper-arm injury and was in shock. Police listed "View Obstructed/Limited." Both sedans had right-side damage.

The driver of a westbound Toyota sedan struck a parked Ford on the Cross Bronx Expressway. The Toyota’s right front impacted the Ford’s center back end. A 63-year-old driver in the Toyota was injured in the shoulder and upper arm and was reported in shock. According to the police report, the listed contributing factor was "View Obstructed/Limited." Vehicle records show the moving sedan was going straight and the other vehicle was parked. Police logged damage to the moving sedan’s right front bumper and the parked Ford’s right rear. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported injured.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834647 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
3
Cyclist Hospitalized After Hit-And-Run Uptown

Aug 3 - A driver struck a cyclist at West 181st and Cabrini. The driver fled. The cyclist went to the hospital. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

CBS New York (2025-08-03) reports a bicyclist was hospitalized after a hit-and-run at West 181st Street and Cabrini Boulevard in Washington Heights. The crash happened just after noon. The driver left the scene, leaving the cyclist injured. The article states, "A bicyclist was hospitalized after being injured in a hit and run." No details on the driver or vehicle were released. The incident highlights ongoing risks for cyclists and the persistent issue of drivers fleeing crash scenes in New York City.


28
18-Year-Old Cyclist Hurt on Featherbed Lane

Jul 28 - An 18-year-old bicyclist was struck on Featherbed Lane at Macombs Road and suffered bruising to his lower leg and foot. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver of the other vehicle.

An 18-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Featherbed Lane at Macombs Road in the Bronx when a second vehicle struck his bike. He suffered a contusion to his lower leg and foot and remained conscious at the scene. "According to the police report," the crash involved a bike and another unspecified vehicle. Police recorded "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" by the driver as a contributing factor. The report lists the rider's injury as a contusion and does not list any cyclist errors. No driver details or vehicle descriptions are provided in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831871 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
25
Bronx Moped Rider Partially Ejected, Head Injured

Jul 25 - At W 174 St and Grand Ave, a driver in an SUV and a moped driver collided. The 25-year-old rider was partially ejected and suffered a head injury. Police recorded 'Traffic Control Disregarded'.

A driver in an SUV traveling north and a moped driver traveling east crashed at W 174 St and Grand Ave in the Bronx. The 25-year-old rider was partially ejected, semiconscious, and suffered a head injury. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was a contributing factor. Police recorded that error by the drivers. The SUV carried one male driver and showed damage to the left front quarter; its left side doors were listed as the point of impact. The moped had one male driver; its center front end was listed as the point of impact. No pedestrians were listed.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830859 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
22
Aggressive Driving Crash Injures Bronx Driver

Jul 22 - Two sedans collided on Cross Bronx Expressway. Aggressive driving fueled the crash. A 24-year-old woman suffered chest injuries. Metal twisted. Traffic snarled. The system failed to protect.

Two sedans crashed on the Cross Bronx Expressway. According to the police report, aggressive driving and road rage caused the collision. A 24-year-old female driver was injured, suffering chest trauma and whiplash. The crash involved both vehicles traveling west, one going straight, the other merging. The police report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as the contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose control and the system fails to shield those inside.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833425 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
19
Speeding Sedans Collide on Deegan Ramp

Jul 19 - Two sedans collided on the Major Deegan Expressway ramp in the Bronx. A 25-year-old woman driver suffered a neck injury and complained of whiplash. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction.

Two sedans crashed on the Major Deegan Expressway ramp in the Bronx. The driver of one sedan, a 25-year-old woman, suffered a neck injury and complained of whiplash. According to the police report, "Unsafe Speed" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction" were the main contributing factors. The driver of the striking sedan hit the rear center of the other vehicle; the striking car showed center-front damage and the struck car showed center-back-end damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured driver was conscious and not ejected. The report lists the vehicles as 2009 and 2024 sedans registered in VA and NY.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
14
Three-Vehicle Crash on Major Deegan Expressway

Jul 14 - Three vehicles collided on the Major Deegan Expressway. A 20-year-old driver suffered a head injury. A 19-year-old front passenger was semiconscious with a neck injury. Other occupants reported pain. Police listed contributing factors as "Unspecified."

A three-vehicle collision on the Major Deegan Expressway left multiple people hurt. According to the police report, two sedans and an SUV collided while traveling north; two vehicles were recorded as going straight and one as merging. A 20-year-old male driver suffered a head injury. A 19-year-old male front passenger was semiconscious with a neck injury; airbags deployed and lap belts were recorded. Other occupants reported pain or unspecified injuries. Police recorded contributing factors as "Unspecified." The report does not identify specific driver errors or external causes.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828074 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
12
Passenger Dies After Bronx Car Crash

Jul 12 - A 71-year-old passenger died. A 79-year-old driver struck two cars, then a pole. Metal twisted. Lives changed. The street stayed silent.

CBS New York (2025-07-12) reports a 71-year-old passenger died after a crash in Co-op City, Bronx. Police said a 79-year-old driver 'slammed into two cars before hitting a light pole.' The sequence ended in fatal injury. The article highlights the impact but does not detail causes. The crash underscores risks for passengers and raises questions about driver fitness and street design. No blame is assigned. The facts stand stark.


3
Mustang Plows Bronx Sidewalk, Six Hurt

Jul 3 - A Mustang jumped the curb in Melrose. Six pedestrians fell. Screams echoed. The driver fled. Scaffolding twisted. Blood on the sidewalk. No arrests. The city waits for answers.

ABC7 reported on July 3, 2025, that a Ford Mustang struck six pedestrians after mounting the curb at East 149th Street and Courtlandt Avenue in the Bronx. Surveillance showed the car turning left while people crossed with the right of way. The driver accelerated, hit a woman, then continued under scaffolding, injuring five more. Witnesses described panic and pain: "People were yelling, were in pain," said Vivian Cole. The suspects abandoned the damaged car and fled. All victims were hospitalized with minor injuries. The Buildings Department confirmed the crash damaged the shed but not the vacant building. No arrests have been made.


30
Int 0857-2024 Sanchez votes yes to remove abandoned vehicles, boosting street safety.

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.


29
Pierina Sanchez Supports Vendor Permit Cap Lift and Reform

Jun 29 - Council bill targets permit caps and harsh crackdowns. Vendors crowd curbs. More feet on the street. Pedestrian presence rises. City weighs who belongs on the sidewalk.

On June 29, 2025, the City Council debated a bill to lift street vendor permit caps and decriminalize violations. Bronx Democrat Pierina Sanchez introduced the measure, stating, 'I am the daughter and granddaughter of street vendors.' The bill aims to replace criminal charges with fines and remove barriers for thousands of vendors. Mayor Eric Adams opposes lifting the cap, citing sidewalk crowding. The matter summary: 'change may be coming for the thousands of street vendors operating in New York City.' Safety analysts note that easing restrictions can boost pedestrian activity and street presence, creating 'safety in numbers' and calming traffic. This could improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.


28
Bronx Crash Leaves Pedestrian Critical

Jun 28 - A driver fleeing police tore through a red light in the Bronx. Two cars spun onto the sidewalk. Three pedestrians hit. One man clings to life. Metal, glass, blood on Bruckner Boulevard.

According to NY Daily News (2025-06-28), an unlicensed driver sped from an NYPD stop, ran a red light, and crashed into another car at Bruckner Blvd. and Hunts Point Ave. Both vehicles spun onto the sidewalk, striking three pedestrians. The article states, "Jenkins slammed on the gas and sped off east on Hunts Point Ave., blowing through a red light." Police charged the driver with vehicular assault, reckless endangerment, and fleeing. The crash highlights the risks when drivers evade police and ignore signals. One pedestrian remains in critical condition.


25
Sedan Collision Injures Driver on Cross Bronx

Jun 25 - A sedan struck on the Cross Bronx Expressway. The driver, 23, suffered whiplash. Passengers escaped serious harm. No driver errors listed. The toll continues.

A crash on the Cross Bronx Expressway involved a sedan and left the 23-year-old male driver injured with whiplash. According to the police report, the sedan was merging southbound when it was struck on the left front bumper, damaging the left side doors. No contributing factors or driver errors were listed in the report. Other occupants, including a 22-year-old female passenger, were not seriously hurt. The report does not mention helmet or signal use as factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823181 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19
22
Seven Hurt In Hutchinson Parkway Crash

Jun 22 - Metal struck metal before dawn. A car hit another, then slammed a scooter. Two riders flew off. An 18-year-old woman lay critical. Sirens cut the Bronx dark. Seven hurt. The road stayed open. Danger did not end.

ABC7 reported on June 22, 2025, that a multi-vehicle crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx left seven injured, including one woman in critical condition. The article states, 'The Honda Accord collided with the Honda Pilot. The Honda Pilot then collided with the Razor Scooter, causing the 24-year-old man operating the scooter and an 18-year-old woman to be ejected.' Six others from the cars suffered minor injuries. The crash happened before 4 a.m. near Throggs Neck. Police are investigating the sequence of impacts. The incident highlights the risks faced by scooter riders and the dangers of high-speed, multi-vehicle traffic on city parkways.


21
Scooter Crash Leaves Teen Critical in Bronx

Jun 21 - A scooter slammed into a Honda Pilot before dawn. The passenger, eighteen, hit the road hard. The driver fled. Three more hurt in the cars. Sirens wailed. No arrests. The street stayed cold and dangerous.

According to the New York Post (published June 21, 2025), an 18-year-old scooter passenger was left in critical condition after a crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx. Police said the scooter collided with a Honda Pilot around 4 a.m., triggering a chain reaction that involved a Honda Accord. The article reports, "The moped's driver fled with the bike before cops arrived." Three passengers in each car were also injured and taken to Jacobi Hospital. No arrests had been made by Saturday afternoon. The incident highlights the dangers faced by vulnerable road users and raises questions about driver accountability and the effectiveness of current enforcement on city parkways.