Blood on the Parkway: Speed Kills, Silence Lets It Happen

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 2025-04-29

Blood pooled on 149th Street. A man, beaten by a group after a roadside argument, lay with head trauma. The attackers fled. Police searched the night. The victim survived, but the scars of violence lingered in Mott Haven.

CBS New York reported on April 28, 2025, that a 37-year-old man was hospitalized after a violent road rage incident in the Bronx. The confrontation began as an argument between occupants of two cars near 149th Street and Brook Avenue. According to police, 'both parties got out of their cars,' and a group then 'started kicking and punching the 37-year-old victim, causing him to sustain significant head trauma.' The attackers fled before officers arrived. The victim was taken to Lincoln Hospital in critical condition. The incident occurred near a police precinct, highlighting ongoing dangers when disputes escalate on city streets. Police are searching for the suspects.

• Bronx Road Rage Leaves Man Hospitalized, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-28

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

A Ford SUV crashes head-on on Charles J Crimi Road. The driver, 42, dies strapped in. Another man, same age, survives. Metal twists. Sirens wail. The road keeps its secrets.

A Ford SUV struck head-on on Charles J Crimi Road near Pelham Parkway. The driver, a 42-year-old man, died at the scene, still buckled in his seat. Another 42-year-old man survived. According to the police report, the vehicle hit center front end. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are named. The driver wore a lap belt and harness, as noted after the crash. The crash left one dead and one injured. The night was marked by sirens and loss.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808167 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man clung to his car as a thief sped off. The vehicle dragged him down the street. Police found him battered, head and leg broken. The car, abandoned, bore scars of violence. The thief vanished. The city’s system failed to stop it.

According to the New York Post (April 25, 2025), a 32-year-old man was critically injured after being dragged by his own car during a daylight theft on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. The article reports, 'Officers found the victim badly injured with trauma to his head and leg a block away.' Surveillance footage shows the man trying to stop the thief by grabbing the car window as it sped away. The Infiniti was later found abandoned with heavy damage. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the Bronx 'the absolute best place' in New York City to steal a car, citing a 3.6% rise in thefts in the borough, despite a citywide decrease. The incident highlights ongoing gaps in car theft prevention and prosecution.

• Man Dragged By Stolen Car In Bronx, New York Post, Published 2025-04-25

Two SUVs slammed together on Bruckner Expressway. Three people injured. Unsafe lane changing listed as the cause. Metal twisted. Traffic stopped. The Bronx felt the impact.

Two SUVs crashed on the Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx. According to the police report, unsafe lane changing caused the collision. Three people were injured: a 47-year-old male driver with chest injuries, a 22-year-old male front passenger with back injuries, and a 29-year-old male driver with arm injuries. All were listed as conscious. The report states, “Unsafe Lane Changing” as the contributing factor. No other errors or factors were cited. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left metal bent and lives shaken.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807669 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV and sedan collided on Hutchinson River Parkway. One driver, age 67, suffered neck injury. Two others listed with unspecified injuries. No cause named. Steel and flesh met at speed.

A crash involving a sedan and an SUV occurred on Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx. According to the police report, a 67-year-old male driver sustained a neck injury and reported whiplash. Two other occupants, ages 43, were listed with unspecified injuries. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead. The report does not specify any contributing factors or driver errors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809311 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

SUVs slammed together on Hutchinson River Parkway. Unsafe speed sent metal flying. One driver suffered neck injury. Others shaken. The road turned brutal in a flash.

Multiple SUVs and sedans crashed on Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx. According to the police report, unsafe speed was the listed contributing factor. One driver, a 38-year-old woman, sustained a neck injury and whiplash. Several other occupants, including drivers and passengers, reported unspecified injuries. All vehicles were traveling straight before impact. The report highlights unsafe speed as the cause. No other contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805677 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Convertible and SUV collide on Hutchinson River Parkway. Metal twists. A woman suffers back pain. A man bleeds from his head. Children and elders shaken. Following too closely leads to chaos.

On Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx, a convertible and an SUV collided while heading north. According to the police report, 'Metal crushes metal. A convertible and SUV strike. A woman grips the wheel, pain shooting through her back. A man bleeds from his head.' Two people were injured: a 30-year-old woman with back pain and whiplash, and a 46-year-old man with head bleeding. The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor. No other driver errors are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan driver suffered a facial injury and concussion after crashing on City Island Rd. The driver was semiconscious and injured due to unsafe speed and improper turning. The vehicle sustained front-end damage in the collision.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male driver operating a 2004 Honda sedan on City Island Rd was injured in a crash at 21:06. The driver was semiconscious with a facial injury and concussion, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors to the crash. The sedan was traveling north and impacted with center front end damage. The driver was not ejected and held a valid New York license. The data highlights driver errors—unsafe speed and improper turning—as the causes of this crash and injury. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved or injured according to the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802065 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Mercedes slammed into Darryl Mathis Jr.'s stalled car on the Major Deegan. Mathis called for help, then for an ambulance. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed Mathis to the hospital. He died. The killer behind the wheel vanished into the night.

NY Daily News reported on March 24, 2025, that Darryl Mathis Jr. was killed when a Mercedes-Benz rear-ended his disabled Ford on the Major Deegan Expressway. Mathis, stranded after his battery died, called friends for help. As one friend recounted, 'He called to get a jump, and after that, he got hit from behind, a hit-and-run.' The Mercedes driver fled the scene and has not been caught. Mathis was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. The crash highlights the dangers faced by stranded motorists on city highways and the deadly consequences when drivers flee. No policy changes or enforcement actions were detailed in the article.

• Hit-And-Run Kills Stranded Bronx Motorist, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-24

A black Mercedes slammed into a Ford on the Major Deegan. Both cars spun out. The Mercedes driver ran. The Ford driver died at St. Barnabas. Police closed the highway for hours. No arrests. The city’s roads stay deadly.

NY Daily News reported on March 22, 2025, that a 39-year-old driver was killed after a black Mercedes-Benz rear-ended his Ford Crown Victoria on the Major Deegan Expressway. The article states, “The hit-and-run driver responsible escaped on foot, police said.” Both vehicles lost control and crashed. Emergency services transported the victim to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died. The Mercedes driver fled the scene, and no arrests have been made. Police closed the southbound lanes for several hours during the investigation. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of rear-end collisions and the persistent risk posed by hit-and-run drivers on New York City highways.

• Bronx Highway Hit-And-Run Kills Driver, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-22

A moped slammed into a minivan in Soundview. Two teens thrown. One died. The other survived. The driver stayed. Police probe who had the right of way. Another young life lost on Bronx streets.

Gothamist (2025-02-25) reports a fatal crash at Metcalf Avenue and East 172nd Street in the Bronx. A 17-year-old, Juan Alexander Quizhpi Naranjo, drove a moped with a 14-year-old passenger when they collided with a Honda Odyssey. Both were thrown from the moped. Quizhpi Naranjo died at Jacobi Hospital; the girl survived. The minivan driver, 42, remained at the scene and faced no charges. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad is still determining 'who had the right of way and whether a traffic violation played a role.' This marks the second traffic death this year in the 43rd Precinct, highlighting ongoing dangers for young road users.

• Bronx Teen Killed In Moped-Minivan Crash, Gothamist, Published 2025-02-25

A bus merging at unsafe speed rear-ended a sedan, triggering a chain collision on Hutchinson River Parkway. The sedan driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed as the primary driver error behind the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Hutchinson River Parkway at 16:30. A bus traveling north was merging when it impacted the center back end of a sedan also heading north. The bus driver's unsafe speed is listed as a contributing factor. This impact caused a multi-vehicle collision involving several sedans and an SUV, all traveling north. The sedan driver, a 54-year-old male, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was not ejected and was conscious. He was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly cites unsafe speed by the bus driver as the key error leading to the crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794970 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13

A sedan crashed head-on at unsafe speed on Bruckner Expressway. The driver suffered an eye abrasion. Police cited speeding and alcohol. No others were hurt. The road bore the brunt of reckless force.

According to the police report, a 30-year-old man driving a 2024 Hyundai sedan crashed on Bruckner Expressway at 3:15 AM. The driver was injured, suffering an eye abrasion. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Alcohol Involvement' as contributing factors. The car struck head-on, damaging the center front end. No passengers, pedestrians, or other vehicles were involved. The driver was licensed in New York and not ejected. This crash highlights the danger when speed and alcohol mix behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789808 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Toyota pickup tore into the night on Hutchinson River Parkway. Metal crumpled. The driver, alone, stayed conscious, blood streaming from his head. Distraction ruled the cab. Airbag burst. The road kept moving. He did not.

A single-vehicle crash occurred on Hutchinson River Parkway, southbound, involving a 2023 Toyota pickup truck. According to the police report, the driver, a 49-year-old man, was alone in the vehicle and suffered severe head lacerations. The report states the driver was 'conscious' at the scene, with the airbag deployed and seatbelt fastened. The narrative describes the truck slamming 'head-on into the dark,' with the front end caved in and the right front bumper damaged. Police explicitly cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No mention is made of any pedestrian or cyclist involvement, and no victim behaviors are listed as contributing factors. The crash underscores the persistent danger posed by driver distraction on city parkways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786682 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A city bus swerved to dodge a double-parked car. It crashed through a wall and dangled over a Bronx overpass. No one was hurt. Debris rained down. The city’s parking chaos left concrete cracked and nerves frayed.

NY1 reported on January 17, 2025, that a BxM1 MTA bus partially drove off the Henry Hudson Parkway overpass near Kappock Street after the driver swerved to avoid a double-parked car. Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz stated, "We’re told by the MTA that the bus was trying to get around an illegally double-parked car, and he hit the wall and went through it." The crash damaged the overpass wall and scattered debris onto the street below. No injuries were reported, though conflicting accounts left passenger presence unclear. City Councilman Eric Dinowitz highlighted the broader issue: "We’re seeing all over the city parking regulations not being enforced." The incident underscores the risks posed by illegal parking and the need for stricter enforcement and infrastructure checks.

• MTA Bus Hangs Off Bronx Overpass, NY1, Published 2025-01-17