SoHo-Little Italy: Four deaths, hundreds hurt — and the cars keep coming

Sep 8 - A southbound taxi driver going straight hit a 29-year-old woman crossing with the signal near 480 W Broadway. Police note a center-front hit. She suffered leg injuries and stayed conscious. Contributing factors were listed as unspecified.

According to the police report, a southbound taxi driver going straight on W Broadway hit a 29-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal, not at an intersection. Police documented a center front-end hit. The woman suffered injuries to her lower leg and foot and was conscious at the scene. The driver’s injury status is recorded as unspecified. Police did not record any driver errors; contributing factors for all parties were listed as Unspecified. Location is reported as 480 W Broadway in Manhattan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4840975 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 31 - A sedan struck the rear of a parked taxi on Canal Street. Metal buckled. Two drivers were injured. One driver reported shock, an upper-arm injury and internal complaints. Police logged contributing factors as "Unspecified."

A sedan struck the center back end of a parked taxi at 241 Canal St in Manhattan. Two male drivers were injured. One driver, age 35, suffered shock, a shoulder/upper-arm injury and reported internal complaints. Vehicle data shows center-front damage to the sedan and center-back damage to the taxi. According to the police report, contributing factors were "Unspecified." The police record lists no specific driver errors. Both vehicles are recorded as parked pre-crash and the point-of-impact entries place the impact at the taxi’s rear and the sedan’s front.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4839496 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

• Man fatally struck by train at Harlem subway station, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-31

Aug 23 - Two drivers recorded as inattentive clipped parked cars at 596 Broadway. Metal tore. A 24-year-old male driver suffered a neck injury and abrasion. Police listed Driver Inattention/Distraction and Unsafe Speed for the drivers.

According to the police report, a Kia sedan and a Tesla taxi, both listed as parked pre-crash at 596 Broadway in Manhattan, sustained impact damage: the Kia at the left front bumper and the taxi at the right rear quarter panel. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction and Unsafe Speed as contributing factors for the drivers. A 24-year-old male driver was injured, reported a neck injury and an abrasion, and was conscious at the scene. Each involved vehicle had one occupant recorded and both vehicles were listed as parked before the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837171 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 20 - A taxi drove south and hit a westbound cyclist at Mercer and West Houston. The crash cut her leg. She stayed conscious. The car kept its nose clean; her body paid. A control was ignored. Streets turned sharp and small.

A southbound taxi and a westbound cyclist collided at Mercer St and W Houston St in Manhattan. The 31-year-old bicyclist suffered severe leg lacerations and was conscious. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Traffic Control Disregarded.” The data shows the taxi’s center front hit the bike’s left front, indicating the motorist drove straight into the cyclist’s path. These are driver errors that endanger people outside the car. Only after those failures does the record note the cyclist listed “None” for safety equipment, which did not cause the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 6 - A man lay on Harlem tracks. The northbound 5 train struck him. He died at the scene. Police found no crime. His name remains unknown. Subway lines stalled. The system moved on.

NY Daily News (2025-08-06) reports a 47-year-old man was killed by a northbound 5 train at 125th St. station in Harlem. Police said, "The man was unconscious and unresponsive on the tracks." No arrests were made. The cause of his presence on the tracks is unclear. Police stated, "There was no criminality." The incident halted 4 and 5 trains. The case highlights ongoing dangers for people in subway spaces and the lack of platform barriers.

• Man Killed By Train At Harlem Station, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 4 - A driver struck a cyclist in Washington Heights. The cyclist survived. Neighbors say the intersection breeds danger. The driver fled. NYPD searches. Streets remain unsafe.

CBS New York reported on August 4, 2025, that a driver hit a cyclist in Washington Heights and left the scene. The article notes, "local residents say the intersection has been a problem for some time." The NYPD is searching for the driver. The incident highlights ongoing risks at this location and points to persistent systemic hazards for cyclists and pedestrians. No mention of charges or arrests. The crash underscores the need for stronger street design and enforcement.

• Cyclist Hit By Driver In Washington Heights, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-04

Jul 30 - A Nissan struck a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. The rider fell, hit his head, and lay critical as the red light blinked. The unlicensed driver fled. Police arrested him two hours later.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-30) reports a 21-year-old unlicensed driver hit a 65-year-old e-biker on Second Ave. near 14th St., leaving the rider with serious head trauma. The driver fled, but police arrested him two hours later, charging him with "leaving the scene of an accident that caused serious injury and driving without a license." The crash shut down Second Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets. NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad continues to investigate. The article highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed drivers and the consequences of fleeing crash scenes.

• Unlicensed Driver Hits E-Biker, Flees Scene, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-30

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 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 25 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. Police investigate. No arrests. The road claimed another life.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-25) reports Matthew Goicochea, 31, was killed after falling from his motorcycle and being struck by a car near E. 25th St. on FDR Drive. The driver did not remain at the scene. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The article states, "He was then struck by an unknown vehicle shortly thereafter, which did not remain on the scene." No arrests have been made. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users on high-speed city highways and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers.

• Firefighter Killed in FDR Drive Collision, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-25

Jul 24 - Two buses collided on a Port Authority ramp. The rear bus hit hard. Thirty injured. Passengers left on stretchers, necks braced. Steel and glass, pain and confusion. The ramp remains a danger.

ABC7 reported on July 24, 2025, that a New Jersey Transit bus rear-ended another on the Port Authority ramp near Dyer Avenue and West 39th Street. Surveillance video showed the rear bus 'zooming up the ramp and ramming the rear of the bus in front of it so hard that it physically pushed the bus forward.' At least 30 people suffered minor injuries, with 27 hospitalized. FDNY cited 'musculoskeletal injuries, neck pain, back pain.' The ramp, a known bottleneck, is set for replacement by 2032. The crash highlights risks in current bus terminal infrastructure and driver speed on crowded ramps.

• Rear Bus Slams Into Another At Port, ABC7, Published 2025-07-24

Jul 22 - A rented sedan sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck a cyclist and a pedestrian on Canal Street. Both died at the scene. Police found alcohol and guns in the car. The driver tried to flee. The city failed to keep them safe.

Gothamist (2025-07-22) reports a Staten Island driver, Autumn Ascencio Romero, faces murder and other charges after killing a cyclist and a pedestrian in Chinatown. Prosecutors say she lost control of a rented car at high speed, striking Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok. Police found 'an open bottle of tequila in the car’s passenger area' and two pistols in the trunk. Witnesses saw the driver and a passenger try to flee. Romero had been charged in a prior Brooklyn crash involving a suspended license. The case highlights repeated driver offenses and gaps in enforcement.

• Driver Held After Chinatown Crash Kills Two, Gothamist, 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 cyclist pedaled through Bowery and Canal. A speeding car lost control. Metal struck flesh. The rider died. Streets stayed loud. Danger lingered.

CBS New York (2025-07-20) reports that Kevin Cruickshank, 55, was killed while cycling at Bowery and Canal. Police said a 'speeding car lost control and struck him.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk to cyclists at busy intersections. The article notes the victim's identity and the circumstances but does not detail any charges. The incident underscores the threat posed by speeding vehicles and the need for stronger street safety measures.

• Cyclist Killed By Speeding Car In Chinatown, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-20

Jul 19 - A Chevy sedan struck a cyclist and a pedestrian at Canal and Bowery. Both died at the scene. The drivers tried to flee but were caught. Metal twisted. Lives ended. The street stayed dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu killed a cyclist and a pedestrian near the Manhattan Bridge at 7:30 a.m. Police say the car 'slammed into the two victims.' Two women driving the car tried to flee but were detained. No charges were filed by Saturday afternoon. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. The deaths follow recent city claims of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting persistent risk at busy crossings.

• Chevy Sedan Kills Two Near Manhattan Bridge, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-19

Jul 18 - 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 2025-09-18

Jul 17 - The driver of an SUV rear-ended a sedan at West Houston and Greenwich. Three people in the sedan were injured. They complained of back injuries and whiplash. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction by the driver.

The driver of an SUV rear-ended a sedan on West Houston at Greenwich Street in Manhattan. Three people in the sedan were hurt: a 44-year-old driver, a 38-year-old front passenger, and a 15-year-old rear passenger. All three reported back injuries and whiplash. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" was listed as a contributing factor. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction by the driver. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when the SUV struck the sedan’s center front with its center back end. No pedestrians or cyclists are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829423 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 17 - 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 2025-09-18

Jul 17 - A DOT worker fixing a sign near a bike lane was slashed by an e-bike rider with a box cutter. Blood on Broadway. The rider fled. The worker survived. No arrests. The city keeps moving.

According to amny (2025-07-17), a DOT worker was attacked by an e-bike rider at Broadway and Cedar Street while repairing a street sign. Police said the worker backed up his truck, nearly causing a crash with the cyclist. The rider then "whipped out a box cutter and slashed the worker in his left arm and back." The assailant fled. DOT condemned the attack, calling it "abhorrent." No arrests have been made. The incident highlights tensions at work sites near bike lanes and underscores the need for safe conditions for street workers.

• DOT Worker Slashed By E-Biker Downtown, amny, Published 2025-07-17