Bronx Park: Seven Dead, 540 Hurt Since 2022

Jun 3 - Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

May 9 - A Ford SUV cut across Pelham Parkway. Metal screamed. Six cars smashed. A young woman, trapped, bled from her arm, her hand refusing to clot. She stayed awake as chaos reigned. Unsafe lane change left blood and twisted steel behind.

According to the police report, a Ford SUV made an unsafe lane change on Pelham Parkway near Bronx River Parkway, triggering a six-vehicle pileup. The report states, 'A Ford SUV cut lanes. Six cars hit. Metal folded.' The violence of the crash left a 21-year-old woman, trapped behind the wheel, bleeding severely from her arm and hand. She remained conscious throughout, as noted in the report: 'Her hand would not stop bleeding. She stayed conscious.' The police report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the primary contributing factor. No victim actions are listed as contributing to the crash. The chain reaction of impacts and the scale of injury underscore the systemic danger when drivers disregard lane discipline.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724467 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 8 - Three sedans smashed at Bronx Park East and Allerton Avenue. Metal twisted. A 26-year-old man, strapped by a lap belt, took the brunt. He stayed conscious, pain radiating through his broken body. The street echoed with the aftermath.

According to the police report, three sedans collided at the intersection of Bronx Park East and Allerton Avenue in the Bronx. The crash left a 26-year-old male driver, who was wearing a lap belt, with severe crush injuries to his entire body. The report describes the scene: 'Metal screamed. A 26-year-old man, strapped by a lap belt, crushed behind the wheel. His body broke. He stayed awake.' All three vehicles were traveling straight or stopped in traffic before the collision, with one sedan impacting the center front end and another struck at the right side doors. The police report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for the crash, offering no further detail on specific driver errors. No mention is made of victim behavior as a contributing factor. The violence of the impact and the resulting injuries underscore the persistent danger at New York City intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4722884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 28 - Two sedans traveling north on Bronx River Parkway collided head-on at 4:25 a.m. Driver inattention caused impact to left front quarter panel and right front bumper. A rear passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash, restrained by lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling north on Bronx River Parkway collided at 4:25 a.m. Both drivers were going straight ahead when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of one sedan and the right front bumper of the other. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both vehicles. A 57-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of one vehicle was injured, suffering neck injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. The collision caused damage to the front panels of both vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720502 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 19 - A 2007 Jeep sped north on Bronx River Parkway. The unlicensed driver lost control at unsafe speed. Ejected from the SUV, she died with shattered pelvis and torn flesh. The vehicle lay demolished, a brutal testament to reckless velocity.

According to the police report, a 2007 Jeep SUV driven by an unlicensed 30-year-old woman crashed on Bronx River Parkway at 3:17 AM. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. The driver was traveling northbound and lost control, resulting in a catastrophic impact that demolished the vehicle and twisted its frame beyond saving. The driver, who wore no seat belt, was ejected from the SUV and suffered fatal injuries including a shattered pelvis and severe lacerations. The police report explicitly notes the driver's unlicensed status and unsafe speed as causes of the crash. A front-seat passenger, a 34-year-old man wearing a lap belt and harness, was injured with internal complaints and shoulder-upper arm trauma but was not ejected. No victim behaviors contributed to the crash according to the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718704 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned and unplated cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. Police target vehicles with missing or fake plates. Fewer hazards for those on foot and bike.

Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 18, 2024. The bill states: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation.' Sponsored by Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (primary) and co-sponsored by over a dozen council members, it forces the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours and empowers NYPD to tow cars with missing or obscured plates or stickers. The law aims to clear street hazards fast, reducing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-18

Apr 17 - A sedan struck an SUV on Bronx River Parkway. Two women inside the SUV suffered whiplash and head or neck injuries. Police cite driver distraction as the cause. The crash left both injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a sedan hit the left rear quarter panel of an SUV on Bronx River Parkway. The crash happened at 3:30 PM. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The SUV’s driver, a 25-year-old woman, and a 50-year-old female rear passenger were both injured, suffering whiplash and head or neck trauma. Both were conscious and wearing lap belts. The sedan driver, a licensed man, was going straight but distracted, leading to the collision. No other contributing factors or victim actions were reported. The crash shows the danger of driver distraction on city parkways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718071 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - Council orders DOT to reveal bike and micromobility numbers. Streets and bridges get counted. Riders’ paths mapped. City must show where safety fails and where it works. Data goes public. No more hiding the truth.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and became law September 14, 2024, as Local Law 88. The law’s title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Schulman, Hudson, Restler, and others. The law forces DOT to publish monthly and annual data on bike and micromobility use, plus crash and safety project details. The city must show where riders go, where danger lurks, and what it does to fix it. The mayor returned the bill unsigned, but it stands.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Apr 11 - Council targets hidden plates. Bill makes it a crime to park, stop, or drive with covered tags. Fines reach $1,000. Jail time possible. Committee weighs action. Streets demand accountability.

Int 0766-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on April 11, 2024. The bill reads: “prohibiting the parking, standing, stopping, or operation of a motor vehicle with obscured or defaced license plates.” Council Member Oswald Feliz leads, joined by Holden, Bottcher, Gennaro, Marte, Restler, Ung, and Paladino. The bill sets fines up to $1,000 and possible jail for violators. Each offense is a misdemeanor. The council aims to strip cover for reckless drivers, making it harder to dodge tickets and accountability. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear: end the shield for lawless driving.

• File Int 0766-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-04-11

Apr 3 - A 28-year-old man was struck and suffered a severe head injury while crossing East Gun Hill Road with the signal. He was found unconscious with internal complaints. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle. Driver errors were not identified in the report.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of East Gun Hill Road and Bronx River Parkway in the Bronx at 9:20 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when he was struck by an unspecified vehicle. The victim suffered a severe head injury and was found unconscious with internal complaints. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the driver or the vehicle, nor does it cite any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The vehicle involved was unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle actions were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715674 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 29 - Two sedans crashed hard on Bronx River Parkway. Unsafe speed and aggressive driving shattered metal and bodies. Two young men, both passengers, suffered broken bones and dislocations. Night left them hurt, cars ruined.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Bronx River Parkway at 10:30 PM. The impact crushed the left rear quarter panel of one car and demolished the front of the other. Two male passengers, both 26, were injured. One in the front seat suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The other, in the right rear, had abdomen and pelvis injuries. Both were conscious and restrained. The report lists unsafe speed and aggressive driving as contributing factors. These driver errors led directly to the crash and the serious injuries suffered by the passengers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4714900 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Mar 20 - Two pedestrians suffered injuries at a Bronx intersection on East Gun Hill Road. One was crossing with the signal. Both were left in shock with serious injuries to arm and back. The crash involved an unspecified vehicle with no driver details reported.

According to the police report, two pedestrians were injured at the intersection of East Gun Hill Road and Bronx River Parkway in the Bronx at 9:43 PM. The victims, a 17-year-old female and a 38-year-old female, were both at the intersection when struck. The 38-year-old was crossing with the signal. Both sustained serious injuries—one to the lower arm and hand, the other to the back—and were reported in shock. The vehicle involved is listed as unspecified, with no driver information or contributing factors noted in the report. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. The report does not assign any contributing factors to the pedestrians. The lack of driver details and contributing factors highlights systemic issues in crash reporting and accountability.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716300 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 20 - Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-03-20

Mar 19 - Council wants bold signs at every school entrance. Paint on pavement. Metal overhead. The aim: warn drivers, shield kids. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait. Danger does not.

Bill Int 0714-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced March 19, 2024. The bill reads: 'installing safety signs near schools.' Council Member Susan Zhuang leads, joined by Rivera, Gennaro, Won, Hanif, Gutiérrez, Louis, Cabán, Restler, Farías, Banks, Riley, and Feliz. The bill orders the Department of Transportation to paint and hang school safety signs on every street with a school entrance. The goal: alert drivers to children and pedestrians. The bill awaits further action. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0714-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-19

Mar 7 - Council wants every e-bike and scooter tagged and tracked. Plates on wheels. Riders face new rules. Lawmakers say it’s about order. The bill sits in committee. Streets wait.

Int 0606-2024 was introduced on March 7, 2024, in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...requiring that every bicycle with electric assist, electric scooter and other legal motorized vehicle be licensed and registered," would force all e-bikes, e-scooters, and similar vehicles not covered by DMV rules to register with DOT and display visible plates. Council Member Inna Vernikov is the primary sponsor, joined by 26 co-sponsors including Holden, Farías, Riley, and others. The bill was laid over in committee and has not advanced. No safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• File Int 0606-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-03-07

Feb 28 - Council moves to outlaw fake plates. Fraud hides reckless drivers. Bill targets sellers, sets fines. Streets need truth. Law aims to strip shields from danger.

Bill Int 0178-2024 sits with the Committee on Public Safety after introduction on February 28, 2024. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting the sale or distribution of fraudulent license plates," makes it illegal to sell or distribute fake or temporary plates, with civil penalties for violators. Council Member Lincoln Restler leads as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Schulman, Ung, Marte, Hudson, Brewer, Brannan, and Avilés. The bill was referred to committee the same day. Fraudulent plates let reckless drivers vanish. This measure aims to close that escape, exposing those who endanger lives.

• File Int 0178-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council moves to expand Open Streets on busy holidays. More hours. More car-free blocks. Pedestrians and cyclists get space when crowds surge. Streets shift from traffic to people. Danger drops. The city listens to neighborhoods.

Bill Int 0270-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 28, 2024, it amends city code to require the Department of Transportation to expand Open Streets hours on holidays with heavy foot traffic—Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, and others. The bill reads: 'special activation of the Open Streets program on certain holidays and time periods with significant pedestrian traffic.' Council Member Shekar Krishnan leads as primary sponsor, joined by Rivera, Brooks-Powers, Louis, Nurse, Ossé, Sanchez, Cabán, Banks, Avilés, Riley, Salaam, Hanif, Feliz, Won, Restler, and Joseph. Community groups can suggest more dates. The city must review all requests under the same standards as regular Open Streets. This bill aims to give people the street when they need it most.

• File Int 0270-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council eyes bigger NYPD tow pounds. Bill demands enough space to haul away law-breaking cars. Public reports would track towing. Committee shelves action. Streets wait.

Int 0179-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Public Safety, would require the NYPD to run tow pounds with enough capacity to deter illegal driving. The bill, introduced February 28, 2024, and discussed again on April 28, 2025, reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to police department tow pound capacity.' Council Member Kamillah Hanks led as primary sponsor, joined by Feliz, Farías, Narcisse, Restler, Hudson, Louis, and Holden. The bill also calls for public reports on towing operations. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users.

• File Int 0179-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28

Feb 28 - Council wants 100 miles of protected bike lanes each year. Cyclists need steel and concrete, not paint. The bill sits in committee. Streets could change. Lives hang in the balance.

Int 0271-2024, now in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 28, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the installation of protected bicycle lanes.' Council Member Lincoln Restler leads, joined by Rivera, Louis, Hanif, Ossé, Brewer, Cabán, Nurse, Hudson, Salaam, Bottcher, Gutiérrez, Feliz, Won, and Joseph. The bill demands the Department of Transportation install 100 miles of protected bike lanes per year for six years. The aim: real protection for cyclists and a safer city grid.

• File Int 0271-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-28