Castle Hill Bleeds While Drivers Speed—Who Will Stop the Killing?

Aug 22 - A driver followed too close and rear-ended another SUV on Bruckner Blvd. A 40-year-old rear passenger suffered whiplash. A child rode in the right rear seat. Two other SUVs showed rear and side damage at the scene.

According to the police report, the driver of a Florida-registered SUV struck the rear of a New York-registered SUV while both traveled south on Bruckner Blvd near Brush Ave. A 40-year-old female left-rear passenger complained of whiplash and was listed as injured; a child occupied the right rear seat. Police recorded Following Too Closely as the contributing factor. Vehicle damage noted a center-front impact to the striking SUV and center-back damage to the struck SUV; a third SUV suffered left-side-door damage. The report lists Following Too Closely by the driver; no other contributing factors are specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837690 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 14 - A Kia turned left by 2140 Westchester Ave and struck a 15-year-old on a bike. The boy was ejected and hurt. The car’s front quarter took the hit. Driver inexperience marked the file. The street bore the impact.

A Kia sedan making a left turn by 2140 Westchester Ave in the Bronx hit a westbound teen bicyclist. The 15-year-old was ejected and suffered arm injuries. According to the police report, the contributing factor listed was “Driver Inexperience.” The crash data show the sedan turned left while the bike was going straight. Driver errors came first. Only after that does the record note the bicyclist had no safety equipment. No blame is assigned to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835817 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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.

• Speeding SUV Kills Bronx Cab Driver, New York Post, Published 2025-08-09

Aug 7 - A speeding SUV tore through a red light, crushed a cab. The driver fled. The cabbie died, bloodied and alone. Police found the suspect two years later. The street stayed dangerous.

NY Daily News (2025-08-07) reports Imani Williams was arrested for a 2022 Bronx crash that killed livery cab driver Robert Godwin. Williams drove 77 mph in a 25-mph bus lane, ran a red, and T-boned Godwin, who had the right of way. The SUV pushed the cab 70 feet into parked cars. Williams and her passengers fled. DNA evidence linked her to the scene. Charges include manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and reckless driving. The case highlights deadly speed and red-light running, raising questions about enforcement and street design.

• Bronx Cab Driver Killed In Hit-And-Run, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 5 - The driver of a sedan made a U-turn and hit a motorcycle on Westchester Ave in the Bronx. Two motorcycle riders, a 24-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower-leg injuries. Police cited failure to yield and improper turning.

A driver in a sedan made a U-turn and collided with a motorcycle carrying two people. The motorcycle driver, 24, and the passenger, 26, were injured with knee and lower-leg trauma and contusions. According to the police report, the sedan was making a U-turn when the crash happened. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver and noted turning improperly as contributing factors. Point of impact was the sedan’s left side doors; the motorcycle hit center front. The report lists the two riders as injured and conscious. The record attributes the crash to driver errors listed by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833821 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 31 - A driver in an SUV reversed on Hutchinson River Parkway and hit a Carry All. One driver hurt. Shoulder and upper arm. Whiplash. Bronx morning.

A crash on Hutchinson River Parkway near 815 in the Bronx left one driver injured. A driver in an SUV reversed and hit a Carry All. The injured driver, a 47-year-old man, suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury and whiplash; he was conscious. According to the police report, the collision was caused by 'Backing Unsafely.' Police recorded driver error as the contributing factor. The SUV was reversing; the Carry All was traveling south. Both vehicles had rear-corner damage. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832642 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 15 - A taxi driver was shot in the Bronx after a fare dispute. The driver survived. The shooter fled but was arrested. Violence erupted over a $40 ride. Police acted fast. The street was left scarred.

According to ABC7 (2025-07-15), a 27-year-old taxi driver, Alusine Barrie, was shot in the abdomen during a fare dispute on Nelson Avenue, Bronx. The shooter, Joseph Meeks, 76, tried four credit cards before the argument escalated. ABC7 reports, "Mr. Barrie asked him to get out of the car and pay him, instead of paying him he shot him in the stomach." Meeks, with about 60 prior arrests, was charged with attempted murder. The United Federation of Taxi Drivers urged the district attorney to deny bail. The incident highlights risks faced by drivers and exposes gaps in passenger screening and fare enforcement.

• Taxi Driver Shot Over Fare Dispute, ABC7, Published 2025-07-15

Jul 13 - A car struck two vehicles and a pole on Bartow Ave. Eight people hurt. Stella Nyarko-Dei, 71, died. Metal twisted. Sirens wailed. The street bore the scars. All drivers stayed. Police investigate.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-13), a 79-year-old driver crashed into two cars and a light pole in the Bronx, killing his 71-year-old passenger, Stella Nyarko-Dei, and injuring seven others. The article states, "The impact sent the Hyundai careening into an unoccupied parked car." All drivers remained at the scene. Police said, "The cause of the crash was not immediately known." No arrests were made. The crash highlights the dangers of multi-vehicle collisions and the vulnerability of passengers. Authorities continue to investigate the sequence and cause of the crash.

• Bronx Crash Kills Passenger, Hurts Seven, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-13

Jul 4 - A pickup truck hit a woman crossing Havemeyer Ave. She suffered severe head cuts. The driver failed to yield. Both were hurt. The street stayed raw and dangerous.

A Ram pickup truck struck a 55-year-old woman as she crossed Havemeyer Ave at Quimby Ave in the Bronx. According to the police report, the driver was making a left turn and failed to yield the right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered severe lacerations to her head. The driver, a 27-year-old man, was also injured. Both injuries were linked to the driver’s failure to yield, as listed in the report. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825753 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 3 - Two SUVs crashed on Bruckner Expressway. One driver suffered back injuries. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Sirens followed.

Two sport utility vehicles collided on the Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx. One driver, a 36-year-old man, was injured in the crash, suffering back pain and whiplash. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor. The impact struck the center front end of one SUV and the rear of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes both drivers were licensed and wearing seat belts. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825220 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 3 - A Mustang jumped the curb in Melrose, struck six pedestrians, shattered scaffolding, then the driver fled. Screams echoed. Blood on the sidewalk. Police hunt for suspects. Steel and flesh collided. No arrests.

ABC7 reported on July 3, 2025, that a Ford Mustang struck six pedestrians after mounting the curb and crashing into scaffolding at East 149th Street and Courtlandt Avenue in the Bronx. The driver, stopped at a turn, accelerated into a crosswalk where 'people in the crosswalk had the right of way.' Witnesses described panic and pain. The suspects abandoned the damaged car and fled. All victims were hospitalized with minor injuries. The incident highlights risks at busy intersections and the danger when drivers disregard pedestrian priority. No arrests have been made.

• Bronx Mustang Plows Into Scaffolding, Six Hurt, ABC7, Published 2025-07-03

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.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

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.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Jun 29 - Sedan slammed into stopped car on Cross Bronx Expressway. Three people hurt, including a toddler. Metal twisted. Whiplash. No clear cause. Police list all factors as unspecified.

A northbound sedan struck another sedan stopped in traffic on the Cross Bronx Expressway at Castle Hill Avenue. Three people were injured: a 2-year-old girl, a 29-year-old woman, and a 53-year-old woman. According to the police report, all contributing factors are listed as "Unspecified." The crash caused whiplash and injuries to the entire body for those hurt. The report notes both vehicles were sedans, with the striking car hitting the center back end of the stopped vehicle. No driver errors or external factors are specified in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824964 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 28 - Five hospitalized after Bronx crash. Pedestrians struck. Driver fled. Police made arrest. Metal and bodies met on city streets. System failed to shield the vulnerable.

CBS New York (2025-06-28) reports a Bronx man was arrested after a multivehicle crash sent five people, including pedestrians, to the hospital. The article states, "The suspect allegedly fled the scene after the crash, which injured several pedestrians." The incident highlights the danger of hit-and-runs and the failure to protect those on foot. The crash underscores persistent risks for pedestrians and the urgent need for safer streets.

• Bronx Crash Injures Pedestrians, Driver Flees, CBS New York, Published 2025-06-28

Jun 21 - A moped crash on Hutchinson River Parkway left an 18-year-old woman sprawled on the asphalt, clinging to life. The driver fled. Metal and bodies scattered. Six others hurt. The road stayed open. The danger stayed real.

NY Daily News reported on June 21, 2025, that an 18-year-old woman was critically injured after being thrown from a moped in a multi-vehicle crash on the Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx. According to police, 'the moped driver sped away from the 3:45 a.m. crash,' leaving the woman on the road. The crash began when a Honda Accord hit a Honda Pilot, which then struck the moped from behind, ejecting the passenger. The moped operator stopped briefly but fled before first responders arrived. Six others from the involved vehicles were hospitalized with minor injuries. The incident highlights the risks of multi-vehicle collisions and the consequences when drivers abandon crash scenes, leaving vulnerable road users exposed and unprotected.

• Moped Passenger Critically Hurt in Bronx Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-21

Jun 20 - Two SUVs crashed on Watson Avenue. Passengers hurt. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Faces bruised. Arms scraped. Streets stay dangerous.

Two SUVs collided at Watson Avenue and White Plains Road in the Bronx. According to the police report, both drivers were distracted. A 27-year-old woman in the front seat suffered an arm abrasion. A 24-year-old woman in the rear seat was bruised in the face. Both drivers, aged 22 and 63, were uninjured. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main cause. No other contributing factors are noted. The crash left passengers injured and vehicles damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821789 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 16 - A road rage clash in the Bronx turned deadly. Keino Campbell, a Navy veteran, was shot three times while driving. He crashed a few blocks away and died at the hospital. Police arrested Michael Aracena for murder.

NY Daily News reported on June 16, 2025, that Michael Aracena, 20, was arrested for the murder of Keino Campbell, 27, during a road rage incident in the Bronx. According to police, Campbell was driving near Co-op City at 2 a.m. when a confrontation escalated. Aracena allegedly shot Campbell three times in the chest. The wounded Campbell drove off but lost consciousness and crashed near Givan and Palmer Avenues. He died shortly after at Jacobi Medical Center. The article states, 'Campbell was shot three times in the chest as the quarrel escalated.' This case highlights the lethal risks of armed confrontations on city streets and raises questions about gun access and road conflict escalation.

• Navy Veteran Killed In Bronx Shooting, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-16

Jun 16 - 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.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16