Bronx Streets Run Red While City Sleeps

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 2024-02-13

A 76-year-old woman suffered a head injury and whiplash as a passenger in an SUV struck on the rear quarter panel by a taxi. The crash occurred on Bronx River Parkway at 7:20 p.m., caused by unsafe lane changing by the SUV driver.

According to the police report, the crash happened on Bronx River Parkway at 19:20. A station wagon/SUV traveling northeast and a taxi traveling north collided. The SUV driver committed an unsafe lane change, striking the taxi's right rear quarter panel with the SUV's left rear quarter panel. The SUV carried four occupants; a 76-year-old female passenger in the rear suffered a head injury and whiplash, classified as injury severity 3. She was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The taxi had one male driver, licensed in New York, who was going straight ahead. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor, highlighting driver error as the cause. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701043 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 2024-01-30

SUV rolled over on Allerton Avenue. Driver impaired by alcohol, ignored traffic controls. One injured. Parked cars and a sedan struck. Metal twisted. Streets scarred. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, a 2007 Lincoln SUV traveling north on Allerton Avenue in the Bronx overturned after a collision at 16:02. The 50-year-old male driver was injured and found incoherent, complaining of pain or nausea. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, highlighting driver error. The crash damaged the SUV, a westbound Hyundai sedan, and two parked vehicles, all struck on their sides. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695311 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Four cars tangled at speed on Bronx River Parkway. One sedan flipped. Metal twisted. A 56-year-old woman in the front seat was crushed from the knees down. She stayed conscious as chaos reigned. Unsafe speed drove the violence. The system failed her.

A violent multi-car collision unfolded on Bronx River Parkway late at night, involving a taxi and three sedans. According to the police report, the crash occurred at high speed, with one vehicle overturning and several others sustaining heavy damage. The report states, 'Bronx River Parkway, northbound, late at night — a taxi and three sedans collided at speed. One flipped. A 56-year-old woman in the front seat was crushed from the knees down. She did not lose consciousness.' The only contributing factor listed by police is 'Unsafe Speed,' underscoring the role of excessive velocity in the crash. No victim behavior is cited as a factor. The collision left the front-seat passenger with severe crush injuries to her lower legs, highlighting the ongoing danger posed by unchecked speed on city parkways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4693300 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A crash on Bronx River Parkway injured two occupants. Both suffered whiplash. Driver distraction and following too closely caused the collision. The impact was severe, damaging the vehicles involved.

According to the police report, a crash occurred on Bronx River Parkway, injuring two occupants. A 33-year-old female driver and a 42-year-old female passenger both sustained whiplash. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The driver, operating with a permit, failed to maintain safe distance, leading to the collision. Both were wearing lap belts and harnesses at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692131 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Bronx River Parkway. The 19-year-old female driver suffered elbow and lower arm injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles were traveling south. The impact struck the center back end of one car and the center front end of the other.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling south on Bronx River Parkway collided in a rear-end crash. The 19-year-old female driver of the rear vehicle was injured, sustaining elbow, lower arm, and hand injuries along with whiplash. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor. The front vehicle was impacted at its center back end, while the rear vehicle sustained damage to its center front end. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678593 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans slammed together on Southern Boulevard. Four people hurt. Bruises and abrasions marked their bodies. Drivers failed at the merge. Metal crumpled. No one was ejected. Night split open by impact.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Southern Boulevard near Mosholu Parkway at 23:05. Both drivers and two passengers suffered injuries to the abdomen, pelvis, and lower legs, including bruises and abrasions. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, showing driver error in merging or lane use. Both vehicles took damage to the left front bumper from a center front-end crash. All occupants were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. No one was ejected. The crash involved a 2018 Mercedes sedan heading east and a 2010 Toyota sedan heading west. No victim errors or equipment failures are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678849 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 66-year-old man was struck at Mosholu Parkway and Southern Boulevard. The driver, distracted and speeding, hit him head-on. The man suffered fractures and dislocations to his leg and foot.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old male pedestrian was struck at the intersection of Mosholu Parkway and Southern Boulevard in the Bronx. The driver, traveling east and going straight, hit the man with the vehicle's center front end. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries, including fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention/distraction and unsafe speed as contributing factors. No details on the vehicle type or driver identity were provided. The pedestrian was in the roadway at the time. The report does not mention any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions or safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672863 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two men suffered whiplash and head injuries in a rear-end crash on Bronx River Parkway. Both drivers were restrained by lap belts. The SUV struck the sedan’s front while both traveled north. Driver distraction caused the collision.

According to the police report, a 2022 Dodge SUV rear-ended a 2001 Chevrolet sedan on the Bronx River Parkway. Both drivers, aged 53 and 49, were injured with head and neck trauma, including whiplash. Both men were wearing lap belts and were not ejected. The crash occurred while both vehicles were traveling straight north. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The SUV impacted the sedan’s center front end, damaging both vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672669 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 8079 would force scooter riders to get licensed, insured, and schooled. No license, no sale. Lawmakers push paperwork, not street fixes. Vulnerable users still face the same steel threat.

Assembly Bill A 8079, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Filed September 27, 2023, it aims to require a safety manual, licensing, and insurance for electric scooter operators in New York City. The bill summary reads: 'Establishes a bicycle and electric scooter operator's safety manual; provides for the issuance of a license...; requires liability insurance for electric scooters in cities having a population of one million or more.' Assembly Member John Zaccaro Jr. leads, with Rebecca Seawright, Michael Benedetto, Deborah Glick, Jeffrion Aubry, David McDonough, and Michael Novakhov co-sponsoring. The bill targets paperwork and compliance. It does not address the core dangers faced by pedestrians and cyclists on city streets.

• File A 8079, Open States, Published 2023-09-27

Two SUVs collided on Bronx Park East. The 23-year-old female driver of the rear vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles were traveling north. Driver distraction caused the crash. The injured driver was conscious and restrained.

According to the police report, two sport utility vehicles collided on Bronx Park East in the Bronx. The 23-year-old female driver of the rear SUV was injured, sustaining neck injuries and whiplash. She was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness at the time. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead northbound when the collision occurred. The point of impact was the center back end of the front vehicle and the center front end of the rear vehicle. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4665399 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan merging south hit a stopped SUV’s rear on Bronx River Parkway. Two SUV occupants suffered whiplash and back injuries. Unsafe speed and lane change listed as causes. Metal crumpled. Traffic stopped. Pain followed.

According to the police report, a 2015 sedan merging southbound on Bronx River Parkway struck the right rear bumper of a stopped 2023 SUV. The SUV carried two people: a 52-year-old woman driving and a 17-year-old male passenger. Both suffered whiplash and back injuries. The report lists "Unsafe Speed" and "Unsafe Lane Changing" as contributing factors. The sedan’s right front and the SUV’s right rear were damaged. Both vehicles were traveling south; the SUV was stopped in traffic. No ejections occurred. All occupants were conscious. The report does not mention any other contributing factors or safety equipment use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4664473 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 72-year-old man driving an SUV on Southern Boulevard in the Bronx suffered head injuries in a collision. The SUV struck a sedan on its right front quarter panel. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Southern Boulevard in the Bronx involving a 2017 Ford SUV and a 2023 Acura sedan. The SUV was making a right turn when it collided with the sedan, impacting the right front quarter panel of the SUV and the left front bumper of the sedan. The 72-year-old male driver of the SUV was injured, sustaining head trauma but remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Other Vehicular" as the contributing factor twice, indicating driver error related to vehicle operation. No other driver errors or victim factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4665126 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A pick-up truck struck the rear of an SUV stopped in traffic on Bronx River Parkway. The impact injured a 56-year-old male passenger in the SUV. The passenger suffered back injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck traveling south on Bronx River Parkway rear-ended a stopped SUV. The collision injured a 56-year-old male occupant seated in the right rear passenger seat of the SUV. He sustained back injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor to the crash. The SUV was stopped in traffic when struck at its center back end by the pick-up truck, which was traveling straight ahead. Both vehicles sustained damage to their center back ends. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663418 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 27-year-old man died on Bronx River Parkway. He rode a moped at unsafe speed. Alcohol played a role. He struck headfirst, ejected, killed on the cold asphalt. No helmet. The night ended in silence and loss.

A deadly crash took place near Southern Boulevard on Bronx River Parkway in the Bronx. According to the police report, a 27-year-old man riding a moped was killed after being ejected and striking headfirst. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Alcohol Involvement' as contributing factors. The man was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data, but the primary causes cited are speed and alcohol. The crash left the rider dead at the scene, with severe head injuries. No other vehicles or persons were involved. The tragedy unfolded in the early morning darkness, leaving a life lost to preventable danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4663145 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A fast SUV crashed into stopped traffic on Bronx River Parkway. Metal buckled. A 31-year-old passenger took abrasions to his knee and leg. The crash left scars on bodies and steel.

According to the police report, a 2023 SUV heading north on Bronx River Parkway struck the rear of stopped vehicles. The listed contributing factor was unsafe speed. The SUV hit a stopped SUV and a sedan, damaging the center back ends of both. A 31-year-old male passenger suffered abrasions to his knee and lower leg. He was conscious and not ejected. The report notes the SUV driver was licensed and driving straight ahead but failed to slow, causing the collision. No other contributing factors or victim errors were recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662957 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two vehicles crashed head-on on Bronx River Parkway. An 8-year-old passenger in the SUV suffered a head injury and whiplash. The pickup truck driver was unlicensed. Both drivers were distracted. The child was restrained but injured in the collision.

According to the police report, a 2015 SUV and a 2021 pickup truck collided on Bronx River Parkway. The SUV carried one occupant, an 8-year-old boy seated in the middle front seat, who was injured with a head wound and whiplash. He was restrained with a lap belt and harness and remained conscious. The pickup truck had six occupants, driven by an unlicensed male. Both drivers were traveling north and going straight ahead when the crash occurred. The SUV was hit on its right front quarter panel, and the pickup truck on its left rear bumper. Driver errors listed include Driver Inattention/Distraction and Unsafe Speed. The unlicensed status of the pickup truck driver is also noted. No contributing factors related to the passenger were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655635 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV rear-ends sedan on Bronx River Parkway. Ten-year-old boy in back seat suffers chest injury and whiplash. Police cite reaction to another vehicle. Impact is sudden, pain is real.

According to the police report, a southbound SUV struck the rear of a sedan on Bronx River Parkway. The SUV hit the sedan's left front bumper with its center front end. A 10-year-old boy riding in the sedan's middle rear seat was injured, suffering chest trauma and whiplash. He was conscious and not ejected. The report lists "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" as the contributing factor, showing the SUV driver's response to another vehicle led to the crash. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight. No other driver errors or victim factors were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656392 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Rep. Adriano Espaillat worked behind closed doors to stall Fordham Road bus lane improvements. Bronx lawmakers, once supportive, fell silent or opposed. The project, meant to speed up buses for 85,000 riders, now faces more delays. Vulnerable riders remain stuck in slow, dangerous traffic.

On August 3, 2023, Rep. Adriano Espaillat quietly lobbied Bronx officials against proposed Fordham Road bus lane upgrades. The project, under city review since 2022, aimed to speed up buses for 85,000 daily riders by installing dedicated busways or offset lanes. According to Streetsblog, Espaillat leaned on younger electeds to align with Council Member Oswald Feliz, a vocal critic. 'He defers to the local elected officials, and all of them seem to be in agreement,' said Espaillat’s chief of staff, Aneiry Batista. Lawmakers who once supported the upgrades grew silent or opposed them after Espaillat’s intervention. The Department of Transportation, MTA, and governor’s office met with Espaillat to discuss the project, but delays persisted. The opposition from Feliz and business groups led DOT to scrap the most ambitious safety options. Riders, many without cars, remain exposed to slow, hazardous conditions as cars block bus lanes and traffic crawls.

• Rep. Adriano Espaillat Rallying Bronx Pols Against Fordham Road Bus Lane Fixes: Sources, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-08-03