Canal Street Bleeds, City Shrugs: Demand Action Now

Aug 1 - A southbound SUV and westbound sedan met at Canal and Varick. One driver suffered leg injuries and was in shock. Police cited failure to yield. Glass and metal littered the road.

Two drivers met at Canal Street and Varick Street. The driver of a sedan was traveling west. The driver of an SUV was traveling south. One occupant was injured: a 33-year-old male driver with knee‑lower‑leg‑foot injuries and listed in shock. According to the police report, the crash was caused by "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. The crash damaged the right front areas of both vehicles. The injured driver was recorded as using a lap belt and harness; no pedestrians or cyclists were listed among the injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832418 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 29 - City, BIDs, and agencies plan a $3 million study to reshape 14th Street. The goal: safer space for walkers, cyclists, and buses. The busway may become permanent. Cars lose ground. Change moves slow.

New York Magazine - Curbed (2025-07-29) reports city officials and business groups will fund a $3 million, two-year study to redesign 14th Street. The plan aims for a 'complete street'—space for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and limited cars. The article notes, 'Their (mostly) shared goal is to make 14th into what's often called a complete street.' The study will assess traffic flow and street dynamics. The busway, which restricts cars, may become permanent. No crash or injury data is cited, but the focus is on systemic street changes, not individual driver actions.

• City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-29

Jul 27 - A taxi's right front struck a sedan's right rear at Reade St and W Broadway. Two passengers — a 36-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl — were hurt. Police recorded 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.'

A taxi and a sedan collided at Reade Street and West Broadway in Manhattan. The taxi's right front bumper struck the sedan's right rear quarter panel while both vehicles were going straight. Two passengers in the sedan were injured: a 36-year-old front passenger with elbow and lower-arm injuries and a 12-year-old right-rear passenger with a head injury. Both complained of whiplash and were conscious. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor in the crash. The report lists no other contributing factors and notes damage to the sedan's right rear quarter and the taxi's right front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830870 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 27 - A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.

• Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be, New York Post, Published 2025-07-27

Jul 24 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him and fled. He died at Bellevue. The driver did not stop. Police are investigating. No arrests. The city lost a rescuer. The road remains dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-07-24) reports that Matthew Goicochea, 31, fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive near East 25th Street and was struck by a vehicle that left the scene. Police said, "an unknown vehicle hit his motorcycle moments later and left the scene." The NYPD Highway Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The driver’s failure to remain highlights persistent hit-and-run risks on city highways. The incident underscores ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users and the need for systemic safety improvements.

• Firefighter Killed After FDR Drive Crash, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-24

Jul 22 - A driver tore through Midtown, smashing cars and fleeing police. Metal scraped. Horns blared. The chase ended at Lexington and 50th. Police drew guns. The driver was arrested. Streets bore the scars.

According to ABC7 (2025-07-22), a driver struck multiple vehicles—including a police cruiser—while fleeing police through Midtown Manhattan. The pursuit began after a hit at Park Ave and ended at 50th and Lexington. The suspect, Jose Foster, faces charges including assault, reckless endangerment, and fleeing police. Witness Martina Minor said, "It felt like he was scratching like big noise and I was honking like stop and he kept doing it." The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases in dense city streets, with property damage and potential harm to bystanders.

• Police Chase Wrecks Cars In Midtown, ABC7, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 21 - A stolen car tore through Bowery and Canal. It struck Kevin Cruickshank, a cyclist, and May Kwok, seated on a bench. Both died. The driver fled. Canal Street remains a deadly corridor for walkers and riders.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevy Malibu sped through a median at Bowery and Canal, killing cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok, who sat on a bench. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article quotes Families for Safe Streets: 'Canal Street is one of the most dangerous streets in all of Manhattan—notorious for pedestrian and cyclist fatalities—and a comprehensive redesign is needed to prioritize safety.' The crash highlights ongoing risks from reckless driving and the urgent need for safer street design.

• Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter, New York Post, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - A stolen car tore through Bowery and Canal. Two lives ended. The driver, unlicensed, had fled a crash months before. System let her walk. Steel met flesh. The city failed to stop it.

NY Daily News (2025-07-20) reports a 23-year-old unlicensed driver killed two people in Chinatown with a stolen rental car. Months earlier, she hit a pedestrian in Brooklyn and fled. Police charged her with leaving the scene and aggravated unlicensed operation, but she was released without bail, as the charges were not bail eligible under state law. The article notes, "Three months before the fatal high-speed Saturday morning smash up... the 23-year-old driver allegedly clipped a woman... and fled." The case highlights gaps in bail policy and enforcement for unlicensed, repeat offenders.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-20

Jul 19 - A stolen car vaulted off the Manhattan Bridge, crushed a woman on a bench, hurled a cyclist into a storefront. The driver and passenger fled on foot. Police caught them a block away.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-19), a 23-year-old woman driving a stolen Chevrolet Malibu lost control exiting the Manhattan Bridge, slamming into a Chinatown pedestrian island at Bowery and Canal. The crash killed May Kwok, 63, who was sitting on a bench, and a 55-year-old cyclist. Witnesses described the scene as 'crumpled...like a piece of tinfoil.' The driver and passenger tried to flee but were stopped by bystanders and arrested nearby. The article highlights the deadly risk posed by reckless driving and the vulnerability of people on city streets.

• Stolen Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-19

Jul 14 - A sedan hit a cyclist on West Street. The cyclist suffered arm injuries. Police cite confusion as a factor. The car’s front bumper took the impact. The street stayed dangerous.

A sedan and a bicycle collided on West Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 45-year-old man, was injured in the arm and suffered a contusion. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' contributed to the crash. The sedan’s left front bumper struck the cyclist. No driver errors were listed in the data. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this was not cited as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827840 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 14 - SUV turned left. Cyclist rode straight. Impact at Church and Reade. Cyclist hit, leg scraped, stayed conscious. View blocked. Confusion listed. Streets failed to protect.

A collision on Church Street at Reade Street in Manhattan left a 37-year-old male cyclist injured. According to the police report, an SUV making a left turn struck the cyclist, who was traveling straight. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his leg but remained conscious. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash highlights the dangers faced by cyclists in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829201 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 14 - A sedan slammed into another car’s rear on Hubert Street. Two people inside suffered bruises. Police cite following too closely. Impact struck hard, left faces and backs marked.

A sedan traveling north on Hubert Street struck another vehicle from behind. According to the police report, both the driver and front passenger in the sedan were injured, suffering contusions to the face and back. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor in the crash. The impact hit the center back end of the lead vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829199 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 13 - A 16-year-old on an e-scooter died after a collision with a Hyundai in Staten Island. Head trauma proved fatal. Police are investigating. The driver stayed at the scene. No arrests. Another scooter death followed days later.

The Brooklyn Paper (2025-07-13) reports a fatal crash on June 29 in Staten Island. Sixteen-year-old Nacere Ellis, riding an electric scooter, collided with a westbound Hyundai Tucson. The article states, 'Ellis suffered head trauma as a result of the crash.' The 79-year-old driver remained at the scene. NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the case. No charges have been filed. The report notes a similar fatal scooter crash days earlier in Queens. The incidents highlight ongoing risks for micromobility users and the need for systemic safety measures.

• Teen E-Scooter Rider Killed In Crash, The Brooklyn Paper, Published 2025-07-13

Jul 11 - Two sedans collided at 224 Canal Street in Manhattan. A 37-year-old right rear passenger suffered back pain and whiplash. Police recorded obstructed views for both drivers.

Two sedans collided at 224 Canal Street in Manhattan. A 37-year-old man, the right rear passenger, was injured with back pain and a complaint of whiplash; he was conscious and not ejected. According to the police report, both drivers had "View Obstructed/Limited." The report lists "View Obstructed/Limited" as the contributing factor for each driver. The vehicles were a 2018 Acura sedan and a 2023 Tesla sedan. Points of impact were the Acura’s right front bumper and the Tesla’s left front bumper. Both drivers were licensed. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827447 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 10 - A sedan and bike collided on Park Place. The cyclist, 25, suffered leg abrasions. Unsafe speed and improper lane use listed. The car’s left side struck. The bike hit head-on. No damage to vehicles. System failed the vulnerable.

A collision between a sedan and a bicycle on Park Place in Manhattan left a 25-year-old cyclist injured, with abrasions to the lower leg. According to the police report, contributing factors included 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The sedan was entering a parked position when the crash occurred, striking the cyclist at the left side doors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but driver errors were primary. No vehicle damage was reported. The incident highlights the danger faced by cyclists amid improper lane use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827125 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 8 - The driver of a sedan turned left from Centre Street onto Leonard Street and hit a northbound cyclist. The 24-year-old woman suffered abrasions to her elbow and lower arm. Police cited an obstructed view and improper lane usage.

The driver of a sedan made a left turn from Centre Street onto Leonard Street and collided with a northbound bicyclist at 18:23 in Manhattan. The 24-year-old bicyclist was injured, with abrasions to her elbow and lower arm. According to the police report, 'View Obstructed/Limited' was a contributing factor. The sedan’s pre-crash action is listed as 'Making Left Turn' and the bicyclist was 'Going Straight Ahead.' Police records also list 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor for the bicyclist. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s driver.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829640 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jun 30 - Governor Hochul signed S.8344/A.8787, extending NYC’s school zone speed camera program to 2030. Cameras stay. Streets watch. Danger lingers for kids crossing. Fewer drivers speed. Fewer crashes. Lives spared.

On June 30, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed S.8344/A.8787, renewing New York City’s school zone speed camera program through July 1, 2030. The bill, described as 'an extra boost' for automated enforcement, updates home-rule provisions first enacted in 2013. State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Deborah Glick sponsored the measure. Both praised the program’s record in cutting speeds and saving lives. Council member Barbara Russo-Lennon supported the renewal. A safety analyst notes the extension is likely to reduce speeds and crashes, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists, especially children, without burdening vulnerable road users.

• Staying on: New Yorkers react to Hochul’s renewed speed camera program in NYC, AMNY, 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 27 - A 73-year-old woman crossing with the signal at Broadway was hit. She suffered a head injury. No driver errors listed. The street remains dangerous for those on foot.

A 73-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing at the intersection of 299 Broadway in Manhattan. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when she was struck, sustaining a head contusion. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The vehicle type involved was unspecified. The report does not mention any actions by the pedestrian that contributed to the crash. The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by pedestrians, even when following traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824108 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jun 25 - Albany stalled. Lawmakers dragged their feet. No new laws for safer streets. Pedestrians and cyclists left exposed. The car stays king. The status quo kills. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

The 2025 Albany legislative session ended June 25, with lawmakers failing to pass key street safety bills. The Streetsblog NYC report reads: "Our elected officials in Albany have failed the livable streets movement again." Despite support for measures like speed camera reauthorization, most bills to protect pedestrians and cyclists died in committee or never reached the floor. Assembly Member Amy Sohn and others criticized the lack of action. The only major win was extending the city’s speed camera program. A safety analyst notes: 'Failure to advance livable streets policies likely maintains the status quo, which typically prioritizes car-centric infrastructure and neglects the safety and needs of pedestrians and cyclists.' The session’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No progress. No protection.

• D-Minus! The Albany Report Card for 2025, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-25