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

Sedan Hits Bicyclist on Chrystie Street

A sedan and a bike collided on Chrystie Street in Manhattan. The 20-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. The bike showed no damage; the sedan had front-end damage. The bicyclist remained conscious and was injured.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south and a bicycle traveling west collided head-on on Chrystie Street near Rivington Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist, a 20-year-old male, sustained contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan, driven by a licensed female driver from New Jersey, sustained front-end damage. Both vehicles were going straight ahead before the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The bicyclist's safety equipment status is unknown. The bike showed no damage despite the impact. The crash resulted in injury but no fatalities.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675460 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Pedestrian Injured Crossing East Houston Street

A 26-year-old woman was hit while crossing East Houston Street with the signal. Four convertibles traveling east collided nearby. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her knee and lower leg. Police cited aggressive driving as a factor.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing East Houston Street at an intersection with the signal. She sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash involved four convertibles all traveling eastbound. The point of impact on the vehicles ranged from left rear quarter panels to left front and right rear bumpers. The police report lists aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. Driver errors included aggressive driving, which likely led to the collision and the pedestrian's injury.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4675447 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Head-On Crash Hurls Cyclist on Delancey

Bike and moped slammed head-on under harsh lights. The cyclist, thirty-three, flew from his seat. He struck the ground headfirst. Blood pooled. He lay unconscious as the city roared past. The street swallowed the sound.

A bike and a moped collided head-on at Delancey and Chrystie Streets in Manhattan. The cyclist, age 33, was ejected and landed headfirst, suffering severe lacerations and losing consciousness. According to the police report, 'bike and moped struck head-on, center to center. The cyclist, 33, no helmet, flew. Landed headfirst. Blood on the pavement. Unconscious.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the data, but the primary causes cited are driver inattention and unsafe speed.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Grace Lee Supports Misguided Dollar Van Congestion Pricing Exemption

Council Member Marte and others push to exempt dollar vans from Manhattan congestion tolls. They argue the vans are vital for Asian communities. Without exemption, fares rise. Commutes get harder. The MTA has not taken a side.

On September 24, 2023, Council Member Christopher Marte joined eight other elected officials in urging the MTA to exempt dollar vans from the upcoming congestion pricing plan. The letter, signed by Marte and state legislators, was sent to the Traffic Mobility Review Board. The officials wrote, 'Commuter vans offer the Chinese communities in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn a much-needed service that is not being provided by other forms of public transportation: safe, language-accessible, and culturally competent means for people to access jobs, resources, and family.' They argue that tolling these vans—serving Flatbush Avenue, eastern Queens, and the city’s Chinatowns—would raise fares and cut off vital connections for Asian New Yorkers. Assembly Member Grace Lee said, 'They should be exempt from tolls under the congestion pricing plan.' The MTA has not taken a position on the exemption.


Kavanagh Mentioned in Dollar Van Congestion Pricing Debate

Council Member Marte and others push to exempt dollar vans from Manhattan congestion tolls. They argue the vans are vital for Asian communities. Without exemption, fares rise. Commutes get harder. The MTA has not taken a side.

On September 24, 2023, Council Member Christopher Marte joined eight other elected officials in urging the MTA to exempt dollar vans from the upcoming congestion pricing plan. The letter, signed by Marte and state legislators, was sent to the Traffic Mobility Review Board. The officials wrote, 'Commuter vans offer the Chinese communities in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn a much-needed service that is not being provided by other forms of public transportation: safe, language-accessible, and culturally competent means for people to access jobs, resources, and family.' They argue that tolling these vans—serving Flatbush Avenue, eastern Queens, and the city’s Chinatowns—would raise fares and cut off vital connections for Asian New Yorkers. Assembly Member Grace Lee said, 'They should be exempt from tolls under the congestion pricing plan.' The MTA has not taken a position on the exemption.


Moped Driver Injured in Manhattan Lane Crash

A moped and a sedan collided on Broome Street in Manhattan. The moped driver suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. The sedan was parked with no damage. The crash involved improper lane usage. The moped driver was not ejected and was in shock.

According to the police report, a moped traveling east on Broome Street collided with a parked sedan. The moped driver, a 39-year-old man, sustained a fractured and dislocated shoulder. The sedan, occupied by two people, showed no damage and was stationary before the crash. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor. The moped driver was not ejected and was in shock at the scene. No other contributing factors or safety equipment were noted. The sedan driver was licensed and the vehicle was registered in New York. The moped's registration and driver license status were unspecified.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666188 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Kavanagh Supports Safety Boosting FDR Drive Removal Plan

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine wants to tear down FDR Drive south of the Brooklyn Bridge. He calls for federal funds to turn the highway into a bike and pedestrian haven. The plan faces legal and political hurdles but aims to reclaim space for people.

On September 20, 2023, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine revived a proposal to remove the FDR Drive viaduct south of the Brooklyn Bridge. The plan, not yet in committee or assigned a bill number, seeks federal support through the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant. Levine urges Mayor Adams to apply for funding, stating, 'We’re a perfect candidate for Reconnecting Communities.' State Senator Brian Kavanagh voiced support, saying, 'We will work with the borough president.' The proposal would transform the underused highway into a waterfront space for cyclists and pedestrians, echoing successful removals in cities like Seattle and Seoul. The project faces major legal, environmental, and jurisdictional obstacles, as the FDR is state-owned and exempt from congestion pricing. The city previously considered this removal for coastal resiliency, but dropped it from the final plan. No formal safety analysis was provided, but the plan centers vulnerable road users by reclaiming space from cars.


Distracted Moped Driver Ejects Passenger on Allen Street

A moped crashed head-on on Allen Street. The rear passenger, a 21-year-old woman, flew off. Her skull hit the pavement. Blood pooled. She was conscious, bleeding badly. The driver was distracted. Sirens cut through the night.

A violent crash unfolded on Allen Street near Rivington. A moped, heading north, slammed head-on. According to the police report, 'A 21-year-old woman, riding rear, flew off. No helmet. Skull struck pavement. Blood pooled. She bled, conscious.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The woman, ejected from the moped, suffered a severe head injury and heavy bleeding. The data also notes the absence of a helmet, but only after the driver’s distraction. The street was left silent, broken by sirens. The crash left one young passenger hurt, the system unchanged.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4662013 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Pedestrian Injured on Chrystie Street Intersection

A 59-year-old man was injured at the intersection of Chrystie and Delancey Streets in Manhattan. He suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The pedestrian was conscious and hurt while crossing the road. No driver errors were reported.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Chrystie Street and Delancey Street in Manhattan. He suffered abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. The vehicle involved is unspecified, and no details about the driver or vehicle condition are provided. The pedestrian was in the roadway performing other actions at the intersection when the injury occurred. No helmet or signaling factors were noted.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4657697 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Hits Pedestrian Crossing Clinton Street

A 60-year-old woman was struck by a northbound sedan on Clinton Street near Delancey. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee and lower leg. The driver showed no damage to the vehicle. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Clinton Street struck a 60-year-old female pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk or signal. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The vehicle had no visible damage, and the driver was licensed and going straight ahead. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors, only unspecified factors related to the pedestrian. The pedestrian was conscious after the impact. The crash occurred near Delancey Street in Manhattan's 10002 zip code.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4655813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan U-Turn Slams Scooter Rider

Sedan swung a U-turn on Chrystie. Scooter rider struck hard. Man’s leg shattered. Doors crumpled. Unsafe lane change listed. Streets stayed brutal.

According to the police report, a sedan making a U-turn on Chrystie Street in Manhattan struck a 37-year-old man riding a scooter straight ahead. The scooter rider suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unsafe lane changing as a contributing factor. The sedan’s left side doors took the hit. The scooter’s front end was damaged. The rider wore a helmet. He was not ejected and remained conscious after the crash.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Strikes Cyclist on Stanton Street

A sedan hit a cyclist on Stanton Street. The cyclist took a blow to the neck. Both had blocked views. Metal met metal. The street stayed hard. The cyclist stayed conscious.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old woman riding a bike was injured when a Hyundai sedan traveling north struck her on Stanton Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered a neck contusion but remained conscious. The report lists "View Obstructed/Limited" as a contributing factor for both the driver and the cyclist. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the bike’s left front bumper. No other driver errors were noted. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment, as stated in the report. The crash damaged the sedan’s left front quarter panel and the bike’s left front bumper.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653909 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
E-Scooter Driver Injured in Manhattan Crash

A 36-year-old man on an e-scooter was injured on East Houston Street in Manhattan. The scooter driver suffered a moderate chest burn. The sedan involved showed no damage. Police cited failure to yield and driver distraction as causes.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on East Houston Street involving a sedan and an e-scooter. The e-scooter driver, a 36-year-old man, was making a left turn when the crash happened. He sustained a moderate chest burn but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan was traveling straight ahead and showed no damage. The report lists driver errors including failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction. The e-scooter driver was wearing a helmet. No blame is placed on the victim. The crash highlights dangers from driver errors in yielding and attention.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653511 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Taxi Rear-Ends Sedan on Essex Street

A taxi struck a sedan from behind on Essex Street in Manhattan. The sedan driver, a 33-year-old woman, suffered neck injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as causes. Airbags deployed; no ejections reported.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on Essex Street rear-ended a southbound sedan. The sedan's 33-year-old female driver was injured, complaining of neck pain and nausea, and experienced shock. The sedan's airbag deployed, and she was not ejected. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The taxi impacted the sedan's left front bumper with its right rear bumper. The crash occurred in Manhattan's 10002 zip code near Essex Street. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4653292 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Sedan Hits Bicyclist on Madison Street

A 71-year-old male bicyclist was injured on Madison Street. The sedan made a right turn and struck the cyclist traveling east. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. Driver distraction and following too closely contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan making a right turn collided with a bicyclist traveling east on Madison Street. The bicyclist, a 71-year-old man, sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists driver errors including inattention and distraction, as well as following too closely. The sedan's right front bumper struck the cyclist. No damage was reported to the sedan. The bicyclist's safety equipment status is unknown. The crash highlights driver inattention and failure to maintain safe distance as key factors.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649511 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Strikes Pedestrian Outside Intersection

A 25-year-old man was hit by an SUV on Pitt Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian suffered a shoulder and upper arm contusion. The vehicle’s right front bumper struck him as he was in the roadway, away from an intersection.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male pedestrian was injured by a 2017 Ford SUV traveling north on Pitt Street in Manhattan. The collision occurred outside an intersection, with the SUV impacting the pedestrian’s right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruising to his shoulder and upper arm. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. No safety equipment or helmet was noted. The driver was alone in the vehicle, which was going straight ahead at the time of impact.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4649027 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
2
Two E-Scooters Collide on Chrystie Street

Two male e-scooter drivers crashed on Chrystie Street in Manhattan. Both suffered moderate injuries—one with elbow and arm bruises, the other with neck pain and shock. Police cited improper passing and following too closely as causes.

According to the police report, two male e-scooter drivers collided on Chrystie Street near Delancey Street. Both drivers, ages 24 and 25, were injured but not ejected. One driver suffered contusions to his elbow and lower arm, while the other complained of neck pain and nausea and was in shock. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors for both drivers. One driver was making a left turn, and the other was traveling straight. Neither driver wore safety equipment. The collision caused damage to the front center end of one scooter, while the other showed no damage.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648417 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
2
Sedans Crash on Clinton Street; Two Hurt

Two sedans slammed together on Clinton Street. The impact hit the center back ends. A driver and front passenger suffered neck injuries. Both stayed conscious. Both wore belts. Metal twisted. Whiplash followed.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Clinton Street in Manhattan. The crash struck the center back ends of both vehicles. A 25-year-old male driver and a 25-year-old male front passenger were injured, both suffering neck whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor for both drivers and the passenger, indicating driver errors related to vehicle operation. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injuries were moderate. All occupants remained inside the vehicles.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4648296 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
SUV Hits Bicyclist on Delancey Street

A 25-year-old male bicyclist suffered shoulder and upper arm abrasions after a collision with a Jeep SUV on Delancey Street in Manhattan. The crash occurred late at night. The bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, a Jeep SUV traveling westbound struck a northbound bicyclist on Delancey Street near Allen Street. The bicyclist, a 25-year-old man, sustained abrasions to his shoulder and upper arm but remained conscious. The report lists contributing factors including "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" and "Passing or Lane Usage Improper." The SUV's front center end was damaged on impact. The bicyclist was not ejected from his bike. The report does not indicate any helmet use or signaling by the bicyclist. The crash highlights errors in lane usage and confusion involving the bicyclist, as noted by the police.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646521 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04
Bicyclist Ejected in Manhattan Lane Violation

A 26-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured on East Houston Street. The crash involved improper lane usage and driver distraction. The cyclist suffered a bruised elbow and lower arm injury. The vehicle was parked before impact.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old male bicyclist was injured and ejected after a collision on East Houston Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist suffered contusions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The crash involved a parked vehicle and a bike traveling eastbound. The report lists driver errors including "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The vehicle sustained damage to its right front quarter panel, while the bike was damaged on its left front bumper.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4646243 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04