Blood on Canal, Silence at City Hall

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

A car sped off Manhattan Bridge, killing cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and bench sitter May Kwok. Police found guns, alcohol, and an overdue rental. The city faces calls to fix a deadly intersection.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-28) reports two women face charges after a car, speeding off Manhattan Bridge, killed cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Police found guns, alcohol, and an overdue rental at the scene; one driver refused a breathalyzer. Council Member Marte criticized the Department of Transportation for 'ongoing neglect.' The crash site, long known as dangerous, drew protests and renewed calls for city action. The indictment remains sealed until the next court date.

• Manhattan Bridge Crash Kills Two Bystanders, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-28

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

A firefighter died on FDR Drive. The driver fled. At Port Authority, a bus crash left over two dozen hurt. No arrests. The city’s streets remain brutal for those on foot and in transit.

Patch reported on July 24, 2025, that an FDNY firefighter was killed in a hit-and-run on FDR Drive. The driver left the scene. No arrests have been made. The article also notes, 'More Than 2 Dozen Injured In Bus Crash At Port Authority Bus Terminal.' Both incidents highlight ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users and point to gaps in enforcement and street safety. Investigations continue, but the city’s traffic violence persists.

• Firefighter Killed, Dozens Hurt In Crashes, Patch, Published 2025-07-24

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

A driver sped off the Manhattan Bridge, killed a cyclist and a woman on a bench. The intersection stayed dangerous. Another crash hit the same spot the next day. City action lags. Lives end. Cars keep coming.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-21) reports a driver with a history of hit-and-run plowed off the Manhattan Bridge, killing cyclist Kevin Scott Cruickshank and May Kwok, who sat on a bench. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, had been charged for a prior hit-and-run while unlicensed but was released pending trial. The article notes, 'New Yorkers have been begging for years for city officials to make Canal Street safer.' The intersection's highway design and delayed Department of Transportation safety plans leave it perilous. The day after the fatal crash, another car sped off the bridge and crashed at the same spot, underscoring systemic danger.

• Deadly Canal Street Bridge Collision, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-21

A stolen car tore through Bowery and Canal. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died. The driver fled but was caught. Police found booze and drugs in the car. Systemic failures left danger unchecked.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a 23-year-old woman drove a stolen, drug-filled car into a cyclist and a woman on a bench at Bowery and Canal, killing both. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, had faced charges for a previous crash but was released without bail. The article reports, 'Romero was behind the wheel of a booze- and drug-filled stolen blue Chevy Malibu when it plowed into a man on a bicycle and a 63-year-old woman on a bench.' Police said the car was packed with pills, marijuana, and alcohol. Romero and her passenger fled but were quickly caught. The case highlights gaps in bail reform and vehicle oversight.

• Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian in Chinatown, New York Post, Published 2025-07-20

A pick-up truck struck a 64-year-old woman crossing Broome Street with the signal. She suffered arm injuries. The truck’s front end hit her. No driver errors listed. System failed to protect her.

A pick-up truck making a left turn on Broome Street struck a 64-year-old woman as she crossed at the intersection with the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian was injured in the elbow, lower arm, and hand, suffering a contusion. The truck’s center front end made contact. No specific driver errors were listed in the report. The driver was licensed and remained at the scene. The system left a pedestrian exposed in the crosswalk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829359 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

SUV and sedan collided on West Houston. Three people hurt. Police cite driver inattention. Back injuries. Whiplash. Metal and glass. No helmet or signal issues reported.

A crash on West Houston Street at Greenwich Street in Manhattan involved a sedan and an SUV. Three occupants suffered back injuries and whiplash. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the main contributing factor. Both vehicles were going straight. No helmet or signal violations were listed. The impact left three people hurt, including a 15-year-old passenger, a 38-year-old front passenger, and a 44-year-old driver. The report does not mention any pedestrian or cyclist involvement.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829423 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan struck a parked diesel truck on West Street. Three people hurt. Police cite driver fatigue and other vehicular factors. Metal and bodies took the blow. The city’s danger showed its teeth.

A sedan traveling north hit a parked diesel tractor truck at 340 West Street in Manhattan. Three occupants were injured, including a 21-year-old woman with head trauma. According to the police report, contributing factors included 'Fell Asleep' and 'Other Vehicular.' The sedan’s driver wore a lap belt and harness. The crash left metal twisted and people hurt. Systemic danger and driver fatigue played their part. No mention of vulnerable road users, but the toll remains clear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830474 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A van crashed in Midtown. Inside: dozens of propane tanks. The street held its breath. Danger rode in silence, hidden until metal met metal.

CBS New York reported on July 17, 2025, that 'dozens of propane tanks were found in a van in Midtown Manhattan after a car crash Tuesday night.' The article does not detail injuries or the cause of the crash. The presence of hazardous cargo in a crash raises questions about vehicle safety checks and enforcement. Storing large amounts of propane in a van on city streets exposes bystanders and road users to hidden risks. The incident highlights the need for stricter oversight of hazardous material transport in dense urban areas.

• Propane Tanks Discovered After Midtown Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-17

SUV plowed through the intersection. A young woman crossing with the signal took the hit. She fell hard, bruised and shocked. The driver ignored traffic control. Streets stayed dangerous.

A 22-year-old woman was struck by an SUV while crossing West Houston Street at Broadway. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when the driver disregarded traffic control and hit her. She suffered a hip and upper leg contusion and was in shock. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupants. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians when drivers ignore signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

An e-bike struck an 88-year-old man at Elizabeth and Kenmare. The crash left him bleeding from the head. Police cite driver inexperience and unsafe speed.

An e-bike traveling west on Elizabeth Street collided with an 88-year-old pedestrian at the intersection with Kenmare Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and minor bleeding. According to the police report, 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Unsafe Speed' were listed as contributing factors. The impact occurred at the center front end of the e-bike. No other injuries were specified. The data highlights driver errors as the primary causes of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827449 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A box truck reversed on Greenwich. It struck a woman crossing outside the crosswalk. She suffered hip and leg injuries. The truck showed no damage. Streets remain dangerous for those on foot.

A box truck backed up on Greenwich Street in Manhattan and struck a 33-year-old woman who was crossing outside a crosswalk. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her hip and upper leg. The truck, registered in New Jersey, showed no damage. No specific driver errors were listed in the report; contributing factors were marked as 'Unspecified.' The driver was licensed and remained at the scene. The report highlights the ongoing risks faced by pedestrians in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827123 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A tractor truck turned right on West St, striking a taxi. The taxi driver suffered back injuries. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No driver errors listed in the police report.

A crash unfolded at West St and Canal St in Manhattan. A tractor truck making a right turn struck a taxi going straight. According to the police report, the taxi driver, a 35-year-old man, was injured with back pain. The truck driver and other listed occupants were not reported injured. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors for this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825456 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Three buses crashed on a ramp. Metal twisted. Twelve hurt, one trapped. Sirens echoed. Commuters stranded. The ramp closed. The city paused, waiting for the wounded to clear.

CBS New York reported on July 2, 2025, that three NJ Transit buses collided at the Port Authority Bus Terminal's express ramp, injuring at least a dozen people. FDNY Deputy Chief Jason Saffon said, "One with moderate injuries that required extrication, 10 patients with minor injuries all transported to local area hospitals." The crash blocked a key entrance, forcing bus reroutes and causing major delays. The article highlights the challenge of emergency access at this location and the disruption to transit. No details on specific driver actions were given, but the incident underscores risks at crowded transit hubs.

• Three NJ Transit Buses Collide At Terminal, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-02

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

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

SUV driver tailed too close on Avenue of the Americas. E-scooter rider struck, arm bloodied. Police cite driver’s error. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A 25-year-old e-scooter rider was injured on Avenue of the Americas at Spring Street when a northbound SUV followed too closely and struck him. According to the police report, 'Following Too Closely' was the listed contributing factor. The e-scooter rider suffered an arm injury and abrasion. The SUV driver and occupant were not seriously hurt. The report notes the e-scooter rider wore a helmet, but only after citing the driver’s error. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to keep safe distance from vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823440 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

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