No More Blood for Parking: Make Streets Safe Now

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

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 2025-08-04

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

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 2025-08-04

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.

• Bronx Road Rage Leaves Man Hospitalized, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-28

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

A man clung to his car as a thief sped off. The vehicle dragged him down the street. Police found him battered, head and leg broken. The car, abandoned, bore scars of violence. The thief vanished. The city’s system failed to stop it.

According to the New York Post (April 25, 2025), a 32-year-old man was critically injured after being dragged by his own car during a daylight theft on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. The article reports, 'Officers found the victim badly injured with trauma to his head and leg a block away.' Surveillance footage shows the man trying to stop the thief by grabbing the car window as it sped away. The Infiniti was later found abandoned with heavy damage. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the Bronx 'the absolute best place' in New York City to steal a car, citing a 3.6% rise in thefts in the borough, despite a citywide decrease. The incident highlights ongoing gaps in car theft prevention and prosecution.

• Man Dragged By Stolen Car In Bronx, New York Post, Published 2025-04-25

SUV hit a 19-year-old man in the Bronx. He took the impact to his hip and leg. Police say the crash happened during a pursuit. The street stayed hard and cold.

A 19-year-old pedestrian was injured at the intersection of W Tremont Ave and University Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, a Ford SUV struck the man during a police pursuit. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and hip and upper leg injuries but remained conscious. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors beyond the pursuit. No other injuries were reported. The driver was licensed and wore a lap belt. The crash underscores the danger faced by people on foot when cars and police chases meet on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826380 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

Two box trucks crashed on the Major Deegan. Both drivers hurt. One struck in the head, the other in the back. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and flesh met at speed.

Two box trucks collided on the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx. According to the police report, both drivers were injured—one suffered a head injury, the other a back injury. The crash was caused by driver inattention or distraction, as listed in the report. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report does not mention any other contributing factors. The force of the impact left both drivers conscious but hurt. The data lists no further details about safety equipment or signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806757 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A stolen car slammed into a Manhattan building. Flames followed. The driver, Francisco Guzman Parra, died on impact. His family waited days for answers. Police actions now face scrutiny. The city counts another life lost to speed and steel.

The New York Times (April 12, 2025) reports on the death of Francisco Guzman Parra after a stolen Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood, Manhattan. The crash followed a police chase; two officers involved were suspended pending investigation. The article notes, "The police are investigating whether the officers left the scene without reporting the crash." The medical examiner found Guzman Parra died from blunt impact and thermal injuries. The NYPD force investigation unit and state attorney general are reviewing the incident. The police have not disclosed why the chase began or details about the pursuit. The case highlights ongoing questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers that follow high-speed chases through city streets.

• Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-12

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

Two sedans struck on Major Deegan. One driver suffered head injury and shock. Police cite driver inattention. Metal, glass, pain. The system failed to protect.

Two sedans crashed on the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx. One driver, a 42-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and concussion, and was in shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. Three other occupants, including another driver and two passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. The report details damage to the right rear bumper of one sedan and the center front end of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The only listed contributing factor is driver inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803727 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan turned wrong on the Major Deegan Expressway ramp. The driver, a 50-year-old woman, suffered a back contusion. Police cite improper turning as the cause. The crash left her bruised but conscious.

A crash on the Major Deegan Expressway ramp in the Bronx left a 50-year-old woman, driving a sedan, injured with a back contusion. According to the police report, the collision was caused by 'Turning Improperly.' The driver was conscious at the scene and wore a lap belt. No other injuries were reported. Police listed 'Turning Improperly' as the main contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use was made in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806461 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 35-year-old male bicyclist was injured on West Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. The crash involved improper passing or lane usage. The rider suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but remained conscious and helmeted at the time of impact.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a crash on West Tremont Avenue in the Bronx at 8:57 pm. The bicyclist, who was the sole occupant of his bike, sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm and remained conscious after the collision. The report identifies "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a primary contributing factor to the crash, highlighting driver error related to lane control. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but no victim behavior was cited as a contributing factor. The vehicle's pre-crash action was "Avoiding Object in Roadway," and impact occurred at the bike's center front end. This incident underscores the dangers posed by improper lane usage in urban cycling environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803240 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV dodged debris, struck moped. Impact flipped the bike. Seventeen-year-old passenger thrown, left with leg wounds. Driver inattention and road hazards fueled the crash.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV on Harrison Avenue in the Bronx struck a northbound moped while trying to avoid debris. The SUV's left front bumper hit the moped's center front end. The moped overturned, ejecting a 17-year-old male passenger. He suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Obstruction/Debris' as contributing factors. The passenger rode without safety equipment, but the crash stemmed from driver inattention and roadway hazards.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801842 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Mercedes slammed into Darryl Mathis Jr.'s stalled car on the Major Deegan. Mathis called for help, then for an ambulance. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed Mathis to the hospital. He died. The killer behind the wheel vanished into the night.

NY Daily News reported on March 24, 2025, that Darryl Mathis Jr. was killed when a Mercedes-Benz rear-ended his disabled Ford on the Major Deegan Expressway. Mathis, stranded after his battery died, called friends for help. As one friend recounted, 'He called to get a jump, and after that, he got hit from behind, a hit-and-run.' The Mercedes driver fled the scene and has not been caught. Mathis was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. The crash highlights the dangers faced by stranded motorists on city highways and the deadly consequences when drivers flee. No policy changes or enforcement actions were detailed in the article.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Stranded Bronx Motorist, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-24

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

A bicyclist riding east on West Burnside Avenue was struck from behind by a reversing SUV. The cyclist suffered injuries to his entire body and was left in shock. The SUV was stationary before impact, indicating driver error in vehicle movement.

According to the police report, at 12:23 PM on West Burnside Avenue, a 45-year-old male bicyclist traveling east was hit in the center back end by a 2017 Ford SUV that was parked before the crash. The bicyclist sustained injuries to his entire body and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The point of impact on the SUV was its center back end, indicating the vehicle moved backward into the cyclist. The report lists no contributing factors from the bicyclist but notes unspecified contributing factors overall. The SUV driver’s action of reversing or moving while parked caused the collision. No helmet or other safety equipment was used by the bicyclist, but this was not cited as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the danger posed by driver errors involving parked vehicles moving unexpectedly into vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799540 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck the left rear quarter panel of a slowing vehicle on University Avenue in the Bronx. The driver of the struck vehicle suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cite following too closely and pedestrian confusion as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:36 on University Avenue in the Bronx. A 2019 Chevrolet sedan traveling north was slowing or stopping when it was hit on the left rear quarter panel by another sedan. The impact caused damage to the left rear bumper of the slowing vehicle and the right front bumper of the striking vehicle. The driver of the struck vehicle, a 59-year-old man, sustained back injuries and complained of whiplash. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as a driver error contributing to the collision. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' is noted as a contributing factor, though it is unclear how this influenced the crash. Both drivers were licensed. The report does not assign blame to the injured driver but highlights driver error and confusion as key elements in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798917 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04