Crash Count for Van Cortlandt Park
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 566
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 438
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 95
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 5
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 3
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 14, 2025
Carnage in Van Cortlandt Park
Killed 3
Crush Injuries 2
Head 1
Hip/upper leg 1
Severe Bleeding 1
Head 1
Severe Lacerations 2
Lower leg/foot 1
Whole body 1
Concussion 4
Neck 2
Head 1
Whole body 1
Whiplash 20
Neck 9
+4
Back 4
Head 3
Whole body 2
Lower leg/foot 1
Shoulder/upper arm 1
Contusion/Bruise 15
Head 4
Lower leg/foot 4
Back 3
Hip/upper leg 2
Chest 1
Face 1
Neck 1
Whole body 1
Abrasion 5
Abdomen/pelvis 1
Back 1
Eye 1
Head 1
Hip/upper leg 1
Pain/Nausea 9
Back 3
Neck 2
Shoulder/upper arm 2
Head 1
Lower arm/hand 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Whole body 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Sep 14, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Van Cortlandt Park?

Preventable Speeding in Van Cortlandt Park School Zones

(since 2022)
Evening comes, and the street bleeds

Evening comes, and the street bleeds

Van Cortlandt Park: Jan 1, 2022 - Sep 17, 2025

Just after noon on Aug 3, 2025, at Broadway and W 242 St, a driver in a 2015 Lexus hit a 76-year-old man who was walking. Police logged him injured and conscious. The driver was going straight. The man went down in the street (NYC Open Data).

This Week

  • Aug 23: on the Major Deegan, a southbound SUV hit a parked ambulance; a 9-year-old in the SUV was logged unconscious and injured (NYC Open Data).
  • Aug 7: southbound on the Major Deegan, a BMW changing lanes hit a Ford pickup; the BMW’s driver was injured (NYC Open Data).
  • Jul 19: on the Major Deegan at night, a person on an e‑bike and a sedan were in a crash; the person on the bike was injured (NYC Open Data).

Nights on the Deegan

This neighborhood has seen one person killed while walking since 2022, and ten more people walking injured. People on bikes were hurt five times. Police logged 323 injuries to vehicle occupants. These counts come from the city crash database for Van Cortlandt Park (NYC Open Data).

The heat map is the highway. The Major Deegan Expressway is the top harm zone here, with one death and 182 injuries. Henry Hudson Parkway follows with 39 injuries. Broadway at W 242 St shows injuries too (NYC Open Data).

Injuries spike after work. The worst hours are evenings: 6 PM, 7 PM, and 11 PM post the highest tallies in this area’s record since 2022. Night falls; the numbers rise (NYC Open Data).

Known fixes, delayed

Simple moves save lives at corners like Broadway and W 242 St: daylight the curb, give walkers a head start, harden turns, slow the approach. On the highways’ edges and ramps, cut speeds and protect the merge zones at the neighborhood seams. Evenings need lighting, visibility, and targeted enforcement where the data says it hurts.

The policy tools exist. Albany extended school‑zone protections in 2025 (S 8344). In City Hall, a bill would let ambulettes drive and double‑park in bus lanes. Council Member Eric Dinowitz signed on (Int 1339‑2025). More double‑parking and blocked bus lanes push people walking and using mobility aids into traffic.

Who stands where

State Senator Gustavo Rivera co‑sponsors a bill to force speed limiters on repeat speeders (S 4045). That targets the drivers who keep breaking the rules.

Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz and Council Member Eric Dinowitz opposed a protected lane on Bailey Avenue, part of the Harlem River Greenway. “We support bike lanes,” Assembly Member Dinowitz said, while fighting a design that would remove 46 parking spots (Streetsblog). The crashes keep coming.

Do the work

The harm is mapped. The hours are known. One woman walking is gone. Ten more people walking were hurt. Five people on bikes were hurt. The Deegan and Henry Hudson mark the worst of it here (NYC Open Data).

Pass the repeat‑speeder bill. Build the protected lane. Fix the corners at Broadway and W 242 St. Then keep going. If you want this to move faster, tell City Hall and Albany what you want. Start here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is this happening?
This report covers Van Cortlandt Park (Bronx CB26 / Precinct 50 / Council District 11 / AD 81 / SD 33) from Jan 1, 2022 through Sep 16, 2025.
What do the numbers show for people walking and biking?
Since 2022 in this area, police records show 1 person walking was killed and 10 people walking were injured; 5 people on bikes were injured. These counts come from the city’s crash database for this neighborhood.
When are crashes worst here?
Evenings. The hours with the highest injuries are 6 PM, 7 PM, and 11 PM in the local record since 2022, with the Major Deegan Expressway and Henry Hudson Parkway topping the harm locations.
How were these numbers calculated?
We used NYC Open Data’s Motor Vehicle Collisions datasets (Crashes h9gi-nx95; Persons f55k-p6yu; Vehicles bm4k-52h4). We filtered for the Van Cortlandt Park neighborhood and dates 2022-01-01 to 2025-09-16, and grouped by mode, hour, and location. You can start from the Crashes dataset here and apply the same filters.
What is CrashCount?
We’re a tool for helping hold local politicians and other actors accountable for their failure to protect you when you’re walking or cycling in NYC. We update our site constantly to provide you with up to date information on what’s happening in your neighborhood.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz

District 81

Council Member Eric Dinowitz

District 11

State Senator Gustavo Rivera

District 33

Other Geographies

Van Cortlandt Park Van Cortlandt Park sits in Bronx, Precinct 50, District 11, AD 81, SD 33, Bronx CB26.

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

Traffic Safety Timeline for Van Cortlandt Park

7
Northbound driver kills man on Mosholu Parkway

Sep 7 - A northbound sedan driver went straight on Mosholu Parkway and hit a 30-year-old man in the roadway. The impact crushed him. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction.

A 23-year-old driver traveled north on Mosholu Parkway, going straight, and hit a 30-year-old man in the roadway, not at an intersection. The man suffered crush injuries and died. A front-seat passenger was in the car. "According to the police report, the northbound driver was going straight on Mosholu Parkway and hit a 30-year-old pedestrian, who died from crush injuries." Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction by the driver. The point of impact was the right front bumper. The vehicle was listed as a sedan. The borough was not listed.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4840200 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
7
Man struck and killed in deadly hit-and-run in the Bronx
23
SUV rear-ends parked ambulance on Deegan

Aug 23 - A southbound SUV struck the rear of a parked ambulance on the Major Deegan Expressway. A 9-year-old rear passenger was knocked unconscious with a head injury. The SUV driver and other occupants were injured. Police cited Unsafe Speed and distraction.

An SUV traveling south struck the center back of a parked ambulance on the Major Deegan Expressway. A 9-year-old girl, a left rear passenger in the SUV, suffered a head injury and was reported unconscious. The SUV driver and other occupants were injured; vehicle damage was to the SUV's center front and the ambulance's center back end. According to the police report, contributing factors included "Unsafe Speed" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The report notes the ambulance was parked and that the SUV driver held a permit. Police documented Unsafe Speed and Driver Inattention/Distraction by the driver.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837045 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
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.


7
Lane change crash injures Bronx driver

Aug 7 - Southbound on the Deegan. A BMW cut lanes. A Ford held straight. Metal bit metal. The truck’s right front hit the BMW’s left side. The BMW driver was hurt. The road kept moving. The blame sits with the lane change.

Two southbound vehicles collided on the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx. A 2020 BMW sedan was changing lanes when a 2023 Ford pickup traveling straight struck the BMW’s left side, injuring the 44-year-old BMW driver. According to the police report, both drivers were licensed and headed south; impacts were to the Ford’s right front and the BMW’s left doors and rear quarter. The report lists contributing factors as Unspecified, but the pre-crash actions show the BMW was changing lanes while the truck proceeded straight. Driver error is evident in the lane change that led to contact. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834648 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
7
Bronx Cab Driver Killed In Hit-And-Run

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.


3
Convertible strikes elderly man on Broadway

Aug 3 - A northbound convertible hit a 76‑year‑old man by Broadway at West 242nd. The right front bumper took him down. He suffered a hip and leg injury. He stayed conscious. The driver was unhurt. The street did not forgive.

A northbound 2015 Lexus convertible struck a 76-year-old pedestrian near West 242nd Street and Broadway in the Bronx. The man suffered a hip and upper-leg injury and was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, contributing factors were listed as “Unspecified.” The vehicle’s right front bumper was the point of impact, and the driver was going straight. Driver errors were not detailed in the data, and no specific violations such as Failure to Yield were recorded. The driver was uninjured. No other contributing factors were documented.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837934 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
28
Improper Lane Use at Deegan Exit Injures Driver

Jul 28 - Two drivers in sedans collided on the Major Deegan at Exit 11 in the Bronx. A 63-year-old woman driver suffered a neck injury and stayed conscious. Police recorded improper lane use and other vehicular factors.

Two drivers in sedans crashed on the Major Deegan Expressway northbound at Exit 11 in the Bronx. According to the police report, a 63-year-old woman driving a Toyota and a 21-year-old man driving a Tesla were involved. The woman driver suffered a neck injury and remained conscious at the scene. Police recorded “Passing or Lane Usage Improper” and “Other Vehicular” by the drivers. The Toyota driver was merging. The Tesla driver was going straight. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The record lists licensed drivers and notes one injury to the woman driver. The crash happened on the northbound exit approach.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831135 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
19
E-Bike Rider Injured in Major Deegan Crash

Jul 19 - A sedan struck a 22-year-old e-bike rider on Major Deegan. The cyclist bled from the arm. Both vehicles showed no damage. Police listed no clear cause. The road stayed dangerous. The city counted another wound.

A 22-year-old e-bike rider suffered arm injuries and minor bleeding after a crash with a sedan on the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling north and collided front-to-front. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The cyclist was in shock but not ejected. Both vehicles had no visible damage. No helmet use was recorded for the cyclist, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The crash left the cyclist hurt, adding to the toll on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829682 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
15
Passengers Hurt in Major Deegan SUV Crash

Jul 15 - Two people were injured when multiple southbound vehicles collided on the Major Deegan Expressway. Impact struck front occupants hard. Passengers and a driver complained of whiplash and body injuries. Police cited driver inattention, following too closely, and other vehicular factors.

Several vehicles collided while traveling south on the Major Deegan Expressway. Two occupants were injured: a 33-year-old front passenger with whole-body complaints and whiplash, and a 60-year-old driver who complained of neck pain and whiplash. According to the police report, investigators listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. The report also records 'Following Too Closely' for one driver and notes one SUV's pre-crash action as 'Avoiding Object in Roadway.' Police recorded the listed contributing factors; no pedestrians or cyclists were involved in the crash.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829562 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18
15
Taxi Driver Shot Over Fare Dispute

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.


14
Int 1339-2025 Dinowitz co-sponsors bill that reduces street safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Jul 14 - Council bill lets ambulettes drive and double-park in bus lanes. More vehicles in bus lanes mean more risk for people walking, biking, and waiting at curbs. Danger grows where curb chaos reigns.

Bill Int 1339-2025 sits with the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure since July 14, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...exempting ambulettes from certain bus lane restrictions and allowing them to double park to assist passengers,' would let ambulettes drive, stop, and double-park in bus lanes to help passengers. Council Member Julie Menin sponsors, joined by Linda Lee, Frank Morano, Eric Dinowitz, Lynn C. Schulman, Kamillah Hanks, Carlina Rivera, and Chris Banks. Allowing more vehicles to double-park and block bus lanes increases risk for pedestrians and cyclists at the curb. The city’s most vulnerable will face more conflict and less safe space.


13
Bronx Crash Kills Passenger, Hurts Seven

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.


8
Dinowitz Supports Bike Lanes Opposes Safety-Boosting Bike Lane Plan

Jul 8 - Dinowitzes fight the Harlem River Greenway bike lane. They defend parking. Cyclists and walkers wait for safe passage. DOT says protected lanes save lives. The Bronx stays exposed.

""We support bike lanes."" -- Jeffrey Dinowitz

On July 8, 2025, Assembly Member Jeff Dinowitz and Council Member Eric Dinowitz publicly opposed the city's plan for a protected bike lane on Bailey Avenue, part of the Harlem River Greenway. The matter, described as an 'anti-car crusade,' centers on the removal of 46 parking spots. The Dinowitzes claim the redesign ignores community voices. DOT and local advocates argue the project will cut injuries and deaths, citing crash data. A safety analyst notes the Greenway will create safe, separated space for pedestrians and cyclists, reducing harm and boosting active travel. The Dinowitzes support bike lanes in principle but resist changes that reduce parking.


8
Eric Dinowitz Backs Safety‑Boosting Bike Lanes Opposing Parking Loss

Jul 8 - Dinowitzes fight the Harlem River Greenway bike lane. They defend parking. Cyclists and walkers wait for safe passage. DOT says protected lanes save lives. The Bronx stays exposed.

On July 8, 2025, Assembly Member Jeff Dinowitz and Council Member Eric Dinowitz publicly opposed the city's plan for a protected bike lane on Bailey Avenue, part of the Harlem River Greenway. The matter, described as an 'anti-car crusade,' centers on the removal of 46 parking spots. The Dinowitzes claim the redesign ignores community voices. DOT and local advocates argue the project will cut injuries and deaths, citing crash data. A safety analyst notes the Greenway will create safe, separated space for pedestrians and cyclists, reducing harm and boosting active travel. The Dinowitzes support bike lanes in principle but resist changes that reduce parking.


3
Bronx Mustang Plows Into Scaffolding, Six Hurt

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.


30
Int 0857-2024 Dinowitz 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.


28
Bronx Crash Injures Pedestrians, Driver Flees

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.


21
Moped Passenger Critically Hurt in Bronx Crash

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.


18
Dinowitz Highlights Safety Boosting Bronx Station Accessibility Upgrades

Jun 18 - Crews will gut and rebuild Williams Bridge and Woodlawn stations. Four new elevators will rise. Three Harlem Line stops in the Bronx will open to all. The city’s transit spine grows stronger for those left waiting longest.

On June 18, 2025, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced a sweeping accessibility project for three Metro-North Harlem Line stations in the Bronx: Williams Bridge, Woodlawn, and Botanical Garden. According to the MTA, crews will completely rebuild Williams Bridge and Woodlawn, installing four new elevators—two at each station—to ensure full accessibility. The matter summary states: 'comprehensive renovation and accessibility project at three Metro-North Railroad Harlem Line stations in the Bronx.' Christian Murray reported the announcement. No council bill number or committee applies, as this is an agency initiative, not legislation. The upgrades promise to open transit to riders long shut out by stairs and barriers. Improving station accessibility encourages more walking and cycling to transit, supports mode shift away from driving, and benefits vulnerable users by making the built environment more inclusive and safer.