No More Blood on Canal Street: Demand Safer Roads Now

Apr 27 - Francisco Guzman Parra died in a burning car after a police chase in Inwood. Officers left the scene unreported. Family demands answers. Two investigations run. Streets stay dangerous. System failed to protect. The dead remain silent.

CBS New York reported on April 27, 2025, that Francisco Andres Guzman Parra, 31, died after crashing a stolen vehicle on Dyckman Street in Manhattan following an NYPD pursuit. The article states, "NYPD sources said the two officers in pursuit returned to their stationhouse without reporting the crash." The FDNY later found Guzman Parra dead in the burning car. Patrick Hendry of the Police Benevolent Association claimed officers "lost sight of the car and did not know it crashed," but the family's attorney, Jeremy Feigenbaum, said their investigation "has not corroborated the officers' claim." The officers remain on leave as both the NYPD and the New York attorney general's office investigate. The case raises questions about police pursuit protocols and reporting failures.

• NYPD Pursuit Ends In Fatal Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-27

Apr 12 - A stolen car slammed into a Manhattan building. Flames followed. The driver, Francisco Guzman Parra, died on impact. His family waited days for answers. Police actions now face scrutiny. The city counts another life lost to speed and steel.

The New York Times (April 12, 2025) reports on the death of Francisco Guzman Parra after a stolen Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood, Manhattan. The crash followed a police chase; two officers involved were suspended pending investigation. The article notes, "The police are investigating whether the officers left the scene without reporting the crash." The medical examiner found Guzman Parra died from blunt impact and thermal injuries. The NYPD force investigation unit and state attorney general are reviewing the incident. The police have not disclosed why the chase began or details about the pursuit. The case highlights ongoing questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers that follow high-speed chases through city streets.

• Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-12

Apr 11 - Including Thursday's deadly crash, 25 people have been killed in New York City sightseeing helicopter accidents in the last 40 years.

• Lawmakers aim to make changes after New York City sightseeing helicopter crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-11

Apr 10 - 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

Apr 9 - A yellow cab struck a 57-year-old woman on East Broadway. She took a blow to the head. The street fell silent. The driver stayed belted. Shock hung in the air.

A yellow taxi hit a 57-year-old woman as she crossed near 95 East Broadway. She suffered a head injury and stood in shock. According to the police report, the crash happened at the center front of the cab. Both the driver and the pedestrian had 'Unspecified' listed as contributing factors. No driver errors were detailed in the data. The driver wore a seatbelt. The report does not mention any other injuries. The street went quiet after the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806109 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 7 - A box truck struck a man sitting in the street at West 40th and 9th. The man died at the scene. The driver stayed. Police are investigating. No arrests. The victim’s name is not known.

Patch reported on April 7, 2025, that a man was killed by a box truck at West 40th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The article states, “Police determined that a box truck, operated by a 75-year-old man, was traveling southbound on 9 Avenue when the vehicle collided with the victim, who was sitting in the roadway.” The driver remained at the scene and was not injured. No arrests have been made. The victim’s identity has not been released. The incident highlights the persistent risk to people in city streets and the need for scrutiny of how large vehicles interact with vulnerable road users. The investigation is ongoing.

• Box Truck Kills Man In Hell's Kitchen, Patch, Published 2025-04-07

Apr 5 - A sedan driver’s distraction on Mott Street left a cyclist hurt. The crash gashed the rider’s leg. Metal and flesh met in the dark. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

A crash on Mott Street at Bayard Street in Manhattan involved a sedan and a bike. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor. The cyclist, a 33-year-old man, suffered a knee and lower leg injury with abrasions. The sedan was parked before the crash. The report lists no injuries for the car’s occupants. The data points to driver distraction as the cause. No other contributing factors are noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803672 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 3 - A taxi and sedan collided on the Brooklyn Bridge. Two men, 61 and 79, suffered back injuries. Police cite driver distraction. Metal twisted. Shock followed. The city’s danger showed its teeth.

A taxi and a sedan crashed on the Brooklyn Bridge. Two men, ages 61 and 79, were injured, both suffering back injuries and shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The impact struck the left front of the taxi and the right rear of the sedan. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes lap belts were used by those injured. The crash highlights the persistent risk of driver distraction on city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803418 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 3 - A stolen SUV crashed and burned in Inwood. Two NYPD officers chased it, then left the wreck. The driver died in the flames. The officers returned to their Bronx precinct. They did not report the crash. Both are now suspended.

According to the NY Daily News (April 3, 2025), two NYPD officers pursued a stolen Honda CR-V from the Bronx into Manhattan. The chase ended when the SUV crashed into a building near Dyckman St and burst into flames. The officers 'fled the scene,' leaving the driver, who died in the fire. Surveillance footage showed their patrol car leaving. The officers did not report the incident and finished their shift. Both were suspended as the NYPD Force Investigation Division launched a probe. This crash comes after the NYPD tightened pursuit policies, now allowing chases only for felonies or violent misdemeanors. The department aims to avoid pursuits that 'lead to crashes and injure other motorists and pedestrians.' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said police would instead use 'advanced tools of modern-day policing' to track suspects.

• Officers Flee Scene After Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Mar 30 - Two sedans collided on FDR Drive. A 25-year-old female driver suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The crash involved following too closely and driver inexperience. The impact was at the center rear and front ends of the vehicles, causing shock and injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:05 on FDR Drive involving two sedans traveling south. The 25-year-old female driver of a 2022 Lexus sedan was injured, sustaining neck injuries and whiplash, and was reported to be in shock. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The impact occurred at the center back end of the Lexus and the center front end of the other sedan, which was driven by a male with a learner's permit. The male driver was slowing or stopping before the collision, and the female driver was also slowing or stopping. Vehicle damage was noted on the rear of the Lexus, while the other sedan showed no damage. The report focuses on driver errors without attributing fault to the injured occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803670 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 28 - Taxi and SUV crashed on Pearl Street. Both turned right. Taxi driver hurt, neck trauma, whiplash. Metal twisted. Night air thick with sirens. No pedestrians or cyclists involved.

According to the police report, a taxi and an SUV collided at 22:05 on Pearl Street in Manhattan. Both vehicles were making right turns when they struck, the taxi hit in the center back end, the SUV in the center front. The taxi driver, a 56-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and whiplash but stayed conscious, restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report lists unspecified contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash points to driver error during simultaneous right turns. No victim actions or further contributing factors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804396 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 28 - E-scooter hit a woman crossing East Broadway with the signal. She took the blow to her upper arm. The driver failed to yield. Streets remain perilous for those on foot.

According to the police report, an e-scooter traveling east on East Broadway near Jefferson Street struck a 44-year-old woman as she crossed with the signal. The pedestrian suffered a contusion and bruising to her upper arm and shoulder but remained conscious. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The e-scooter showed no damage. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore pedestrian right-of-way at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806173 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 26 - A sedan traveling east on Canal Street struck a box truck. The sedan’s left side doors took the impact. Three sedan occupants suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Canal Street in Manhattan at 15:54. A sedan, driven by a 42-year-old male licensed in New Jersey, was traveling straight east when it collided with a box truck also traveling east. The point of impact was the sedan’s left side doors, which sustained damage. The box truck showed no damage. Three occupants in the sedan—driver and two passengers—were injured with whiplash and injuries to their entire bodies. All occupants were conscious and not ejected. The police report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The focus remains on the sedan driver’s failure to maintain attention, leading to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801568 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 19 - Two sedans traveling south on FDR Drive collided. The driver of one vehicle suffered neck injuries and whiplash. According to the police report, driver inattention and distraction caused the crash, resulting in significant vehicle damage and injury.

According to the police report, two sedans were traveling southbound on FDR Drive when they collided. The point of impact was the left front bumper of one vehicle and the center back end of the other. The driver of one sedan, a 50-year-old male occupant, was injured with neck trauma and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly cites driver inattention and distraction as the contributing factors to the crash. Both vehicles were going straight ahead prior to impact. There is no mention of victim fault or contributing behaviors by the injured driver. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800912 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 11 - A 76-year-old man crossing Canal Street in a marked crosswalk was struck by a moped traveling east. The pedestrian suffered a contusion to his elbow and lower arm. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive, causing the collision.

According to the police report, at 12:13 PM on Canal Street near Forsyth Street in Manhattan, a moped traveling east struck a 76-year-old male pedestrian crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, described as contusions and bruises. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The moped driver, a licensed female from New York, was going straight ahead when the collision occurred, impacting the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but not ejected. The crash highlights driver errors in yielding and attentiveness at intersections, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798806 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 6 - A parked sedan’s door hit an eastbound cyclist on East Broadway. The rider was thrown, suffering leg injuries and abrasions. Manhattan’s streets again proved perilous for those outside a car.

According to the police report, a crash occurred at 15:05 on East Broadway in Manhattan. A sedan, parked before the incident, struck a 33-year-old male bicyclist traveling eastbound. The impact was at the sedan’s left side doors, damaging its left front bumper. The cyclist was ejected and injured in the knee, lower leg, and foot, with abrasions. He remained conscious after the collision. The report lists no specific contributing factors, but the sedan’s parked status and door impact highlight the danger of vehicle movements near cyclists. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796855 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 6 - A stolen minivan tore through Harlem. The driver ran from police. He struck Devon Hughley on a scooter. Hughley died at Harlem Hospital. The driver fled. Police used facial recognition. They arrested Enesin Delarosa. Grief lingers. Memorials remain.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-06), Enesin Delarosa, 26, was arrested for fatally striking Devon Hughley, 45, while fleeing an NYPD car stop in Harlem on November 2. The article reports Delarosa was driving a stolen minivan and "allegedly hit Hughley near W.155th St. and St. Nicholas Ave. while fleeing a traffic stop." Delarosa faces charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene, fleeing police, and possession of stolen property. The crash highlights the lethal risk of high-speed police pursuits and the dangers posed by stolen vehicles in dense urban areas. Memorial posters for Hughley remain in his building. The article quotes Hughley's sister, Yvette Palmer: "the arrest brought some peace."

• Scooter Rider Killed Fleeing Traffic Stop, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-06

Feb 15 - Two SUVs collided on FDR Drive at 5 a.m. A 24-year-old female driver suffered a head contusion. The front SUV was stopped in traffic when the rear SUV struck it head-on. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on FDR Drive around 5 a.m. Two station wagons/SUVs traveling south were involved. The rear vehicle, a 2019 Jeep SUV driven by a licensed female from Delaware, was going straight ahead when it struck the center back end of a 2023 Mitsubishi SUV stopped in traffic. The front vehicle was occupied by a 24-year-old female driver who sustained a head contusion and was conscious at the scene. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the injured driver but does not specify any pedestrian involvement or victim fault. The collision dynamics indicate a failure to maintain safe distance or attention by the rear driver, causing a rear-end collision with a stopped vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792734 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 13 - 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

Feb 6 - A 90-year-old woman died on York Avenue. A cab made a U-turn and struck her. Another car hit her moments later. She was rushed to the hospital. Both drivers stayed. She did not survive.

According to the New York Post (published February 6, 2025), Frances Rickard, 90, was crossing York Avenue at East 72nd Street around 5:40 p.m. when a yellow taxi, driven by a 68-year-old man, made a U-turn and struck her. Police said, “Moments later, a 35-year-old woman driving a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also struck her.” Rickard was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died. Both drivers remained at the scene and have not been charged. The sequence highlights the dangers of U-turns and multi-lane crossings for pedestrians. The intersection saw two vehicles collide with a vulnerable road user in quick succession, underscoring persistent risks in city street design and driver behavior.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing York Avenue, New York Post, Published 2025-02-06