No More Excuses: Fordham Heights Bleeds While Leaders Stall

May 28 - Council pushes a bill to cut bike share costs for New Yorkers over 65. The measure aims to open city cycling to more seniors. The committee now weighs its next move.

Bill Int 1288-2025, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced May 28, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to a discounted bike share rate for seniors,' would require the Department of Transportation to mandate lower bike share rates for those 65 and older. Council Member Farah N. Louis leads as primary sponsor, joined by Marte, Powers, Lee, Nurse, Hanif, Brewer, Banks, Menin, Feliz, Hanks, Avilés, Gutiérrez, and Restler. The bill was re-referred to committee June 4. The move aims to make cycling more accessible for older New Yorkers.

• File Int 1288-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-28

May 21 - Two cars crashed on Grand Concourse. One driver hurt his back. Police cite failure to yield and improper turning. Metal twisted. Streets did not forgive.

A sedan and an SUV collided at Grand Concourse and East 187th Street in the Bronx. One driver, a 23-year-old man, suffered a back injury. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly.' Both vehicles were driven by licensed men. The sedan was making a U-turn when struck by the SUV going straight. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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

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 - 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.

• Ambulance Strikes Unconscious Bronx Man, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-29

Apr 28 - SUV turned left on Jerome Ave. Glare and failure to yield. Pedestrian crossing with signal hit. Leg bruised. System failed to protect the walker.

A 54-year-old man was hit by an SUV while crossing Jerome Ave at E 184 St in the Bronx. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the driver, a 38-year-old woman, made a left turn and struck him. The report lists 'Glare' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The pedestrian suffered a contusion to his leg. The driver was licensed and driving a 2018 Lexus SUV. The crash highlights the danger faced by those on foot, even when following the rules.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808771 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 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 24 - Council bill orders NYPD to check temp plates and VINs. Cops must publish parking enforcement reports. Bill sits in Public Safety. Streets stay risky while data hides in shadows.

Int 1252-2025, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, was introduced April 24, 2025. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to police department parking enforcement.' Council Members Farah N. Louis (primary), Oswald Feliz, Justin L. Brannan, Lincoln Restler, Robert F. Holden, and Chris Banks sponsor the measure. It forces NYPD to verify license plates and VINs on vehicles with temp tags or those ticketed for violations. NYPD must also publish quarterly parking enforcement reports. No safety analyst has assessed the bill's impact on vulnerable road users.

• File Int 1252-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-24

Apr 19 - A crash on E 183 St left a front passenger with a head injury. Aggressive driving fueled the impact. Two vehicles, a sedan and a motorcycle, collided. The street bore the brunt.

A collision on E 183 St at Grand Concourse in the Bronx involved a sedan and a motorcycle. One front passenger suffered a head injury and concussion. According to the police report, 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' was the contributing factor. The motorcycle driver was unlicensed. No helmet or signal issues were listed as factors. The crash left four others with unspecified injuries. The impact struck the right side doors of the sedan and the front end of the motorcycle. Systemic danger and driver aggression shaped the outcome.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806628 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 17 - A moped and sedan collided on West 183rd Street. Two teens hurt. Police cite improper lane use and inexperience. Metal and bodies thrown. Streets unforgiving. System failed the young.

A moped and a sedan crashed at West 183rd Street in the Bronx. Two teenage boys, ages 13 and 16, were injured. The 13-year-old was trapped with a leg fracture. The 16-year-old driver was ejected and reported leg pain. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inexperience' contributed to the crash. Both vehicles were traveling west. The moped struck the sedan’s right front bumper. No other factors were listed. The system put young riders at risk. The street did not protect them.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807208 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 12 - 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

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 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 3 - A stolen SUV crashed and burned in Inwood. Two NYPD officers chased, then left the scene. The driver died in the flames. The officers returned to their precinct, silent. Surveillance caught their exit. The city investigates. Policy on chases faces scrutiny.

NY Daily News (2025-04-03) reports two NYPD officers pursued a stolen Honda CR-V into Manhattan. The driver crashed at Dyckman St., and the car caught fire. The officers 'fled the scene, leaving him to die in the fiery wreck,' then returned to their Bronx precinct without reporting the crash. Surveillance footage showed their patrol car leaving. The NYPD suspended both officers and launched an investigation. This comes after new pursuit policies were enacted in February, restricting chases to felony or violent misdemeanor cases. The guidelines aimed to curb 'unnecessary police pursuits that lead to crashes and injure other motorists and pedestrians.' The incident raises questions about adherence to these policies and the risks of police chases in dense urban areas.

• NYPD Officers Flee Scene After Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Apr 2 - Two cars raced down Southern Boulevard. Gunshots cracked the air. A red sedan crashed, riddled with bullets. The driver called a cab, bleeding, desperate. He died at the hospital. The other car vanished. The street bore the scars.

According to NY Daily News (April 2, 2025), two drivers exchanged gunfire while speeding down Southern Blvd. near the Bronx Zoo. The 27-year-old victim, shot in the torso, crashed his red Hyundai into a stop sign at Southern Blvd. and Garden St. before calling a cab to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. A deli worker described, 'There were a whole lot of rounds... It was like a movie.' The other driver, in a black Honda CR-V, fled the scene. No arrests were made as police continued their investigation. The incident highlights the lethal mix of reckless driving and gun violence on city streets, endangering everyone nearby.

• Gunfire Erupts On Bronx Boulevard, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-02

Apr 1 - A car hit a 75-year-old man at E Fordham Rd and Morris Ave. He suffered a facial bruise. The crash left him conscious. No driver errors listed. Streets remain dangerous.

A 75-year-old man walking at the intersection of E Fordham Rd and Morris Ave in the Bronx was struck by a car. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not in the roadway when the crash occurred. He suffered a contusion to the face but remained conscious. The report does not list any specific driver errors or contributing factors. The vehicle’s center front end was damaged. No other injuries were reported. The data highlights the ongoing risk faced by pedestrians, especially older adults, even when not in the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803734 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18