Crash Count for Lower East Side
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 1,601
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 866
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 221
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 15
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 8
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Jul 26, 2025

Who’s Injuring and Killing Pedestrians in Lower East Side?

Blood on the Crosswalks: How Many More Must Die Before They Act?

Lower East Side: Jan 1, 2022 - Jul 17, 2025

The Toll in Flesh and Blood

Eight dead. Fourteen left with injuries so severe they may never walk the same. In just over three years, the Lower East Side has seen 1,525 crashes. Cars, trucks, bikes, and mopeds—steel against skin. Pedestrians and cyclists take the brunt.

A pickup truck on Water Street crushed four people on July 4, 2024. Three women and a man, all pedestrians, died where they stood. An eleven-year-old boy survived with his face torn open. No warning. No time to run. Crash data from NYC Open Data.

A city worker, fixing a street sign at dawn, was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near miss. “They weren’t even in the bike lane, they were parked on the corner, fixing the light or the sign or something,” a witness said. The worker bled on the sidewalk. The cyclist fled.

Leadership: Promises and Delays

Local leaders have moved, but not fast enough. Council Member Marte co-sponsored a bill to ban parking near crosswalks, aiming to clear sightlines and protect those on foot. The bill sits in committee, waiting. Council records on Legistar.

Senator Kavanagh voted yes on the Stop Super Speeders Act, a bill to force repeat dangerous drivers to install speed-limiting devices. The law targets the worst offenders, but the carnage continues while the process drags on. Bill details on Open States.

On Canal Street, Council Member Marte said, “The time is long overdue to take action in response to the dire conditions of Canal Street. He pledged his support to take action.”

The Cost of Waiting

Every delay is another body on the pavement. The city has started daylighting intersections and lowering speed limits, but the pace is glacial. The Fifth Avenue redesign cut bike and bus lanes to keep car lanes wide. “We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue,” said a community board leader.

The dead cannot wait.

Call your council member. Call your senator. Demand safer streets now.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Grace Lee
Assembly Member Grace Lee
District 65
District Office:
Room 302, 64 Fulton St., New York, NY 10038
Legislative Office:
Room 429, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12248
Christopher Marte
Council Member Christopher Marte
District 1
District Office:
65 East Broadway, New York, NY 10002
212-587-3159
Legislative Office:
250 Broadway, Suite 1815, New York, NY 10007
212-587-3159
Twitter: ChrisMarteNYC
Brian Kavanagh
State Senator Brian Kavanagh
District 27
District Office:
Room 2011, 250 Broadway, New York, NY 10007
Legislative Office:
Room 512, Legislative Office Building, Albany, NY 12247
Other Geographies

Lower East Side Lower East Side sits in Manhattan, Precinct 7, District 1, AD 65, SD 27, Manhattan CB3.

See also
Boroughs
City Council Districts
Community Boards
State_assembly_districts
State Senate Districts

Traffic Safety Timeline for Lower East Side

Int 0080-2024
Marte co-sponsors bill empowering civilians to report hazardous vehicle obstructions, boosting street safety.

Council bill targets cars blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, and hydrants near schools. Civilian complaints trigger fines. Streets clear, danger cut. Council moves to protect the vulnerable.

Int 0080-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 8, 2024, the bill creates a $175 penalty for vehicles blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants within 2,640 feet of schools. The Department of Transportation must set up a civilian reporting program. If a civilian complaint leads to a fine, the complainant gets 25 percent of proceeds. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to hazardous obstruction by vehicles and civilian complaints.' Council Member Carlina Rivera leads, joined by Restler, Ayala, Joseph, Menin, and others. The bill aims to keep paths clear for those most at risk.


Int 0079-2024
Marte co-sponsors bill to boost pedestrian lighting, improving street safety.

Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.


Int 0079-2024
Rivera co-sponsors bill to boost pedestrian lighting, improving street safety.

Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.


Int 0080-2024
Rivera sponsors bill empowering civilians to report vehicle obstructions, boosting street safety.

Council bill targets cars blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, and hydrants near schools. Civilian complaints trigger fines. Streets clear, danger cut. Council moves to protect the vulnerable.

Int 0080-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced February 8, 2024, the bill creates a $175 penalty for vehicles blocking bike lanes, bus lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks, or hydrants within 2,640 feet of schools. The Department of Transportation must set up a civilian reporting program. If a civilian complaint leads to a fine, the complainant gets 25 percent of proceeds. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code... in relation to hazardous obstruction by vehicles and civilian complaints.' Council Member Carlina Rivera leads, joined by Restler, Ayala, Joseph, Menin, and others. The bill aims to keep paths clear for those most at risk.


Elderly Man Killed by Turning Ford SUV

An 81-year-old man steps into the crosswalk at Delancey and Willett. A Ford SUV turns right, driver fails to yield. Head trauma, internal bleeding. He dies beneath the streetlights. No damage to the car. The city keeps moving.

According to the police report, an 81-year-old pedestrian was killed at the corner of Delancey Street and Willett Street in Manhattan. The crash occurred at 23:06, when the man entered a marked crosswalk. A Ford SUV, registered in New York and driven by a licensed New Jersey man, made a right turn without signaling. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian suffered fatal head trauma and internal bleeding. The police report notes there was no damage to the vehicle. The victim was crossing with no signal, in a marked crosswalk, but the report attributes the crash to driver errors. No mention is made of any victim behavior contributing to the collision.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Distracted Sedan Strikes Woman on Essex

A sedan hit a 31-year-old woman on Essex Street. She suffered fractures and dislocation to her leg and foot. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The woman was conscious but badly hurt.

According to the police report, a Tesla sedan heading north on Essex Street struck a 31-year-old female pedestrian at 8:45 PM. The impact hit her knee, lower leg, and foot, causing fractures, dislocation, and distortion. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. Her exact location and actions at the moment of impact are unknown. The driver’s lack of attention and experience directly led to the woman’s severe injuries.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4700979 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Van and Sedan Crash Injures Passenger on East Houston

A van and sedan crashed on East Houston in Manhattan. The sedan’s front passenger suffered neck injuries. Police cited unsafe lane changing and driver distraction. Metal twisted. One man hurt.

According to the police report, a sedan starting from parking collided with a van traveling west on East Houston Street in Manhattan at 15:56. The sedan struck the van’s right side doors with its left front bumper. The front passenger in the sedan, a 35-year-old man, suffered neck injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. Police listed 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The sedan’s driver failed to maintain safe lane control, leading to the crash. Damage hit the sedan’s left front quarter panel and the van’s right side doors. No victim actions contributed.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4702062 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
S 6808
Kavanagh votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.


Taxi Rear-Ends Sedan Turning Right on Avenue D

A taxi struck a sedan on Avenue D in Manhattan as both vehicles made right turns. The taxi driver, following too closely and turning improperly, caused the collision. The sedan driver suffered knee and leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:11 on Avenue D near East Houston Street in Manhattan. Both vehicles were traveling south and making right turns when the taxi struck the sedan's right rear quarter panel with its left front bumper. The taxi driver was cited for 'Following Too Closely' and 'Turning Improperly,' contributing factors to the crash. The sedan driver, a 32-year-old male occupant, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and complained of whiplash. He was not ejected and remained conscious. The taxi driver was the sole occupant of his vehicle. No other contributing factors related to the sedan driver were noted in the report.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4695586 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Turning Left Strikes Pedestrian Crossing

A sedan making a left turn struck a 58-year-old pedestrian crossing with the signal on Madison Street. The victim suffered chest contusions and bruises. Limited driver visibility contributed to the collision at a slippery intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:32 on Madison Street in Manhattan. A sedan traveling north was making a left turn when it struck a 58-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained chest injuries classified as contusions and bruises and remained conscious. The report identifies 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s limited visibility played a role in the crash. Additionally, the pavement was slippery, further complicating the situation. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front quarter panel. No driver license issues were noted. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is recorded but not cited as a contributing factor. This collision highlights the dangers posed by obstructed driver views and hazardous road conditions.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4694014 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan U-Turn Hits E-Scooter Rider

A sedan making an improper U-turn struck a northbound e-scooter in Manhattan. The 26-year-old female rider suffered a contusion to her elbow and lower arm. The impact damaged the sedan’s left rear quarter panel and the scooter’s front end.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at Essex Street in Manhattan around midnight. The sedan was making a U-turn when it collided with the e-scooter traveling northbound. The report cites "Turning Improperly" as the contributing factor, highlighting driver error by the sedan operator. The e-scooter rider, a 26-year-old female, was injured with contusions to her elbow and lower arm but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan sustained damage to its left rear quarter panel, while the e-scooter’s center front end was damaged. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. The rider was not wearing any safety equipment and was positioned riding or hanging on the outside of the scooter.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692453 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
2
Two Passengers Injured in FDR Drive Crash

A sedan struck another vehicle on FDR Drive. Two passengers, a 4-year-old girl and an adult female, suffered whiplash injuries. Both were conscious but injured. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead.

A crash occurred on FDR Drive involving a sedan. Two passengers, a 4-year-old girl and an adult female, were injured, both suffering from whiplash. According to the police report, the driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The impact was noted at the left rear bumper of the sedan. No specific driver errors were listed, but both passengers were restrained with safety equipment. The severity of their injuries was classified as moderate.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4690580 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Bus Hits Concrete Mixer Driver on Avenue A

A bus struck a concrete mixer truck on Avenue A in Manhattan. The truck driver, a 42-year-old man, suffered back injuries and bruises. Both vehicles were traveling west. The bus sustained damage to its right front bumper. The truck showed no damage.

According to the police report, a bus collided with a concrete mixer truck on Avenue A near East 1st Street in Manhattan. The concrete mixer driver, a 42-year-old man, was injured with back contusions and bruises but was conscious and not ejected. Both vehicles were traveling straight westbound. The bus sustained damage to its right front bumper, while the concrete mixer showed no damage. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors for either vehicle. The truck driver was licensed in New York, and the bus driver was licensed in Pennsylvania. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4688633 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Strikes Pedestrian on Suffolk Street

A sedan hit a 33-year-old woman on Suffolk Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and lost consciousness. The driver was making a right turn at unsafe speed and failed to yield. The impact damaged the car’s front center.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southeast on Suffolk Street in Manhattan struck a 33-year-old female pedestrian who was not in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained a head injury and was unconscious at the scene. The driver was making a right turn when the collision occurred. Contributing factors listed include unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way. The vehicle’s center front end was damaged on impact. No other occupants were in the vehicle. The report does not mention any safety equipment or pedestrian fault. The crash highlights driver errors in speed control and yielding that led to serious injury.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4687840 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
2
Moped Rider Killed Striking Parked Sedan

A moped slammed into a parked sedan on Rivington Street. Metal tore. The rider, a 29-year-old man, died on the pavement. The sedan’s side split open. The crash left silence under a gray Manhattan sky.

A 29-year-old man riding a moped crashed into a parked sedan near 166 Rivington Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the moped’s front folded on impact and the sedan’s side split open. The rider died at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. The sedan was parked and unoccupied at the time of the crash. No other injuries were reported. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when inexperience meets city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4682231 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Strikes Elderly Pedestrian on Madison Street

A 72-year-old man walking along Madison Street was struck by a sedan. The impact hit the pedestrian’s abdomen and pelvis, causing abrasions. The driver was inattentive and distracted. The pedestrian was conscious but injured.

According to the police report, a 72-year-old male pedestrian was injured when a 2017 Honda sedan traveling east on Madison Street struck him on the left side doors. The pedestrian was walking along the highway with traffic and suffered injuries to his abdomen and pelvis, including abrasions. The driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was licensed in New York. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was conscious after the collision. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Moped Hits SUV Left Side in Manhattan

A moped struck the left side of a stopped SUV on Chrystie Street. The moped driver, a 49-year-old man, was ejected and suffered upper arm injuries and bruises. The crash involved driver inexperience and a permit-holding moped operator.

According to the police report, a moped traveling south passed a stopped SUV and collided with its left side doors on Chrystie Street in Manhattan. The moped driver, a 49-year-old man wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained upper arm injuries and contusions. The SUV was occupied by a licensed male driver who was stopped in traffic at the time. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor, and the moped operator held only a permit. The point of impact was the left side doors of the SUV and the right front bumper of the moped. No other contributing factors were specified.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679464 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Taxi Rear-Ended in Manhattan Police Chase

A speeding sedan in a police pursuit slammed into a taxi stopped in traffic on East Houston Street. The impact injured a 24-year-old female passenger in the taxi, causing head trauma and shock. The crash left the taxi’s left rear bumper damaged.

According to the police report, a sedan involved in a police pursuit struck the rear of a taxi stopped in traffic on East Houston Street in Manhattan. The collision injured a 24-year-old female passenger seated in the taxi’s right rear position. She suffered head injuries and was in shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. The taxi driver was licensed and stopped in traffic when hit. The police pursuit sedan caused the crash by failing to control speed. No other contributing factors were noted. The injured passenger was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash damaged the taxi’s left rear bumper.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677961 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Two Sedans Collide on Essex Street

Two sedans crashed on Essex Street in Manhattan late at night. One driver suffered neck injuries and shock. The collision involved left and right front quarter panels. Passing too closely caused the crash. Both vehicles traveled southbound.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Essex Street near Rivington Street in Manhattan. One driver, a 24-year-old male occupant, was injured with neck trauma and experienced shock. The crash occurred when one vehicle was going straight and the other was making a right turn. The point of impact was the left front bumper of one sedan and the right front quarter panel of the other. The contributing factor listed was passing too closely. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4678015 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
2
SUV Slams Taxi Turning on East Houston

SUV hit taxi’s rear as it turned left on East Houston. Both drivers hurt. Police cite alcohol and distraction. Metal twisted. Head cut. Pain and shock followed.

According to the police report, a 50-year-old man driving an SUV west on 2 Avenue struck a taxi making a left turn near East Houston Street. The SUV hit the taxi’s left rear bumper. Both drivers were injured: the taxi driver suffered a head abrasion and shock, while the SUV driver was semiconscious with pain and nausea. Police listed alcohol involvement and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The crash damaged the SUV’s left front bumper and the taxi’s left rear quarter panel. No other contributing factors were noted for the taxi driver.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4677446 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04