Crash Count for University Heights (South)-Morris Heights
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,540
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,071
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 234
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 14
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 8
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Oct 31, 2025
Carnage in University Heights (South)-Morris Heights
Detailed breakdowns aren’t yet available for this year slice; totals below reflect the selected window.
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 5
Head 3
Hip/upper leg 1
Whole body 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 50
Lower leg/foot 16
+11
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 36
Lower leg/foot 18
+13
Lower arm/hand 7
+2
Head 5
Whole body 2
Chest 1
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 Oct 31, 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

12
S 5677 Jackson votes yes on school speed cameras, boosting safety for children.

Jun 12 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Schenectady schools. The bill passed both chambers. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. The program ends in 2030. Streets near schools may get safer. The vote was not unanimous.

Senate Bill S 5677, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The Senate passed it on June 12, with primary sponsor James Tedisco (District 44) and co-sponsor Patricia Fahy (District 46) leading the push. The Assembly approved it on June 13. The bill sets up automated speed enforcement near schools and sunsets December 31, 2030. The measure aims to catch speeding drivers near children. Some lawmakers voted no, but most supported the move. No formal safety analyst note was provided, but the bill targets a known danger zone for vulnerable road users.


12
S 6815 Jackson votes yes to exempt some employees from bus lane rules.

Jun 12 - Senate and Assembly clear S 6815. MTA workers get a pass for driving in bus lanes while on duty. Law shields agency vehicles from tickets. Streets grow more crowded. Vulnerable users face more risk.

Bill S 6815, titled 'Relates to bus lane restrictions in New York city,' passed the Senate on June 12, 2025, and the Assembly on June 13, 2025. The bill states, 'it shall be a defense to any prosecution for a violation of a bus lane restriction ... when an employee of the metropolitan transportation authority is performing authorized duties.' Sponsored by Senator Leroy Comrie and co-sponsored by Nathalia Fernandez, the measure exempts MTA employees from bus lane tickets while working. No safety analysis was provided. The bill opens bus lanes to more agency vehicles, crowding space meant for buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.


11
S 4045 Jackson co-sponsors bill to boost street safety with speed limiters.

Jun 11 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.


11
S 7678 Jackson votes yes to expand school speed cameras, boosting pedestrian safety.

Jun 11 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.


11
S 7785 Jackson votes yes to weaken bus rules, increasing pedestrian and cyclist risk.

Jun 11 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.


10
S 8117 Jackson votes yes on school speed cameras, boosting safety for children.

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.


9
S 915 Jackson co-sponsors bill boosting street safety for all users.

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.


9
S 915 Jackson votes yes, boosting street safety and access for everyone.

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.


6
Failure to Yield Injures Driver on Major Deegan

Jun 6 - Two sedans collided on Major Deegan Expressway. One driver suffered neck injuries. A child and another adult were hurt. Police cite failure to yield. Metal twisted. Lives changed in a moment. The road stayed open. The danger remained.

Two sedans crashed on the Major Deegan Expressway northbound at Exit 8 in the Bronx. According to the police report, the collision involved a Toyota and an Infiniti, both registered in Pennsylvania. Three people were hurt: a 29-year-old male driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash, while another adult and a child occupant sustained unspecified injuries. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The impact struck the left front of one car and the right rear of the other. No other contributing factors were listed. The crash left injuries and exposed the ongoing risk on this stretch of highway.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818750 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
2
Pedestrian Killed In RFK Bridge Hit-Run

Jun 2 - A man stood on the RFK Bridge. A car hit him. The driver fled. Police found the man, lifeless, on the Manhattan-bound roadway. No arrests. The bridge stayed open. The city kept moving. The investigation drags on.

ABC7 reported on June 2, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run on the RFK Bridge near 125th Street. Police said the man, identity unknown, was struck by a vehicle 'as it was exiting the RFK Bridge.' The driver did not stop. Officers responded just before 1 p.m. and found the victim on the Manhattan-bound roadway. He was pronounced dead at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem. No arrests have been made. The incident highlights the persistent danger for pedestrians on major city crossings and the ongoing problem of drivers fleeing crash scenes.


22
Taxi Passenger Suffers Neck Injury in Bronx Crash

May 22 - A taxi and sedan collided on Andrews Avenue South. A 52-year-old woman in the taxi’s rear seat took the worst of it. She suffered neck pain, whiplash. The crash left her conscious but hurt. The driver was not reported injured.

A collision involving a taxi and a sedan occurred on Andrews Avenue South near West Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, a 52-year-old female passenger riding in the right rear seat of the taxi was injured, suffering neck pain and whiplash. The taxi was making a right turn when the crash happened. The driver, a 64-year-old man, was not reported injured. Both vehicles were traveling southeast. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were cited in the data. The injured passenger was wearing a lap belt at the time of the crash.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815305 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
10
Alcohol-Fueled Crash Injures Child, Woman in Bronx

May 10 - SUV and sedan collided on West 175th. Alcohol played a role. A woman and a child suffered back injuries. The street went silent. Metal and glass. Hurt, not heard.

A crash on West 175th Street at University Avenue in the Bronx involved a sedan and an SUV. According to the police report, alcohol involvement was a contributing factor for both drivers. A 7-year-old boy and a 33-year-old woman, both passengers, suffered back injuries and whiplash. Other occupants, including both drivers, were listed as uninjured or with unspecified injuries. The report highlights alcohol involvement as the key driver error. No other contributing factors were listed.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812494 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
10
Pedestrian Killed In Bronx Hit-And-Run

May 10 - A driver struck a pedestrian in the Bronx. The driver fled. The victim died. Police search for answers. The street holds the mark. Another life lost to speed and steel.

CBS New York reported on May 10, 2025, that a pedestrian was killed in the Bronx by a driver who fled the scene. The article states, 'Police are searching for a driver who allegedly fled after striking and killing a pedestrian in the Bronx early Saturday morning.' The incident highlights the lethal risk faced by people on foot and the ongoing problem of hit-and-run crashes in New York City. The driver’s failure to remain at the scene is a clear violation of traffic law. The case underscores the need for stronger enforcement and systemic changes to protect vulnerable road users.


8
Unlicensed Driver Kills Bronx Coach

May 8 - A BMW driver without a license struck and killed Dwight Downer outside his Bronx home. Police charged the driver with manslaughter. Speeding violations followed the crash. Downer’s family mourns. The street remains unchanged. The danger persists.

NY Daily News reported on May 8, 2025, that Sheydon McClean, an unlicensed BMW driver, was charged with manslaughter after a November 30 crash killed Dwight Downer, a retired correction officer and football coach, in Baychester. McClean remained at the scene, but police only charged him after further investigation. The article notes McClean’s BMW received at least three speeding violations from city cameras after the fatal crash. Downer’s mother said, 'These arrests cannot bring back my child. Still, something has to be done.' The case highlights the ongoing risks posed by unlicensed and repeat speeding drivers, and the limits of enforcement in preventing deadly crashes.


6
S 4804 Jackson votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.

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.


2
Moped Driver Hits Child on Harrison Avenue

May 2 - A moped struck a six-year-old girl off the roadway on Harrison Avenue. Aggressive driving and unsafe speed left her bruised and conscious. The street bore the mark of reckless force.

A moped traveling north on Harrison Avenue in the Bronx struck a six-year-old girl who was not in the roadway. She suffered facial bruising but remained conscious. According to the police report, aggressive driving, road rage, and unsafe speed contributed to the crash. The moped’s right front bumper took the impact. The report lists no other contributing factors. The child was a pedestrian, injured by the driver’s actions.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811316 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
1
Int 0193-2024 Sanchez votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.

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.


29
SUV Rear-Ended Sedan on Major Deegan

Apr 29 - SUV slammed into sedan’s rear. Passenger hurt. Police cite tailgating and distraction. Metal crumpled. Whiplash followed. System failed to protect the vulnerable inside.

A station wagon/SUV struck the rear of a sedan on Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx. One passenger, a 29-year-old woman, suffered back injuries and whiplash. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' Both vehicles were traveling south. The SUV hit the sedan’s left rear bumper, crumpling metal and injuring the passenger. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report highlights driver error as the main cause. Helmet use and signaling were not listed as factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809711 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
29
Ambulance Strikes Unconscious Bronx Man

Apr 29 - An ambulance hit an unconscious man on a Bronx street and drove off. The victim, left bleeding, waited for help. Police and a second EMS crew arrived later. The man survived. The FDNY is investigating the ambulance crew’s actions.

According to NY Daily News (April 29, 2025), an FDNY ambulance driver struck an unconscious man lying in the roadway at E. 149th St. and Brook Ave., then left without rendering aid. The victim had been knocked out moments earlier during a road rage assault. The article states, 'The entire incident is under review,' quoting FDNY spokeswoman Amanda Farinacci. The ambulance crew was responding to another emergency at the time. The driver has been placed on modified duty while the department investigates whether the crew realized they struck the victim. A second EMS crew and police arrived minutes later, transporting the man to Lincoln Hospital. The incident highlights risks faced by vulnerable road users and raises questions about emergency response protocols.


28
Bronx Road Rage Leaves Man Hospitalized

Apr 28 - Blood pooled on 149th Street. A man, beaten by a group after a roadside argument, lay with head trauma. The attackers fled. Police searched the night. The victim survived, but the scars of violence lingered in Mott Haven.

CBS New York reported on April 28, 2025, that a 37-year-old man was hospitalized after a violent road rage incident in the Bronx. The confrontation began as an argument between occupants of two cars near 149th Street and Brook Avenue. According to police, 'both parties got out of their cars,' and a group then 'started kicking and punching the 37-year-old victim, causing him to sustain significant head trauma.' The attackers fled before officers arrived. The victim was taken to Lincoln Hospital in critical condition. The incident occurred near a police precinct, highlighting ongoing dangers when disputes escalate on city streets. Police are searching for the suspects.