Crash Count for Lower East Side
Crashes: Collisions involving cars, bikes, and pedestrians. 2,193
All Injuries: Any injury from a reported crash. 1,197
Moderate: Broken bones, concussions, and other serious injuries. 312
Serious: Life-altering injuries: amputations, paralysis, severe trauma. 20
Deaths: Lives lost to traffic violence. 9
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Oct 31, 2025
Carnage in Lower East Side
Detailed breakdowns aren’t yet available for this year slice; totals below reflect the selected window.
Killed 9
+2
Crush Injuries 4
Lower leg/foot 3
Back 1
Neck 1
Amputation 2
Head 1
Lower leg/foot 1
Severe Bleeding 5
Head 4
Lower leg/foot 1
Severe Lacerations 4
Head 3
Lower leg/foot 1
Concussion 8
Head 8
+3
Whiplash 37
Neck 15
+10
Head 8
+3
Back 7
+2
Lower leg/foot 3
Shoulder/upper arm 1
Whole body 1
Contusion/Bruise 89
Lower leg/foot 30
+25
Lower arm/hand 19
+14
Shoulder/upper arm 12
+7
Head 11
+6
Back 5
Chest 5
Hip/upper leg 4
Face 3
Eye 1
Neck 1
Abrasion 56
Lower arm/hand 20
+15
Lower leg/foot 13
+8
Head 8
+3
Shoulder/upper arm 6
+1
Face 3
Abdomen/pelvis 2
Chest 2
Hip/upper leg 1
Whole body 1
Pain/Nausea 21
Lower leg/foot 7
+2
Lower arm/hand 3
Neck 3
Shoulder/upper arm 3
Head 2
Back 1
Chest 1
Hip/upper leg 1
Data from Jan 1, 2022 to Oct 31, 2025

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

Preventable Speeding in Lower East Side School Zones

(since 2022)

Night on Houston, blood on the bike lane

Lower East Side: Jan 1, 2022 - Nov 4, 2025

Just a few mornings ago on Oct 25, at E Houston and Avenue A, a taxi driver hit a 70-year-old on a bike. She went unconscious in the street (NYC Open Data).

This Week

  • Oct 3: a taxi driver hit a 61-year-old man walking at E Houston; police recorded he was crossing against the signal (NYC Open Data).
  • Oct 3: on Bowery at Rivington, a driver in a sedan hit a 37-year-old on an e-bike (NYC Open Data).
  • Oct 2: on E Houston at Ludlow, a driver in an SUV collided with a 20-year-old on a bike; police cited following too closely by the driver (NYC Open Data).

The count doesn’t stop

Since 2022 in the Lower East Side, there have been 2,193 crashes, leaving 1,197 people injured and 9 dead (NYC Open Data). Most of the people killed here were walking—7 pedestrians—with 2 vehicle occupants among the dead (NYC Open Data).

Nights are the worst hours. At 8 PM, four people died on these streets. The injuries stack up into the late afternoon and evening, and again after midnight (NYC Open Data).

Deadly corners we all know

The body count clusters in a few places: FDR Drive, Delancey Street, and East Houston Street. Water Street alone accounts for four deaths in this period (NYC Open Data). Police list driver inattention and failure to yield among the causes recorded in these crashes (NYC Open Data).

A park turned into a killing field

On July 4, 2024, a pickup driver drove into a crowd at Corlears Hook Park. Four people were killed. On Nov 3, 2025, a judge found him guilty of murder. “Daniel Hyden was found guilty on four counts of second-degree murder,” reported ABC7. Gothamist called it a “drunk-driving murder” in a city park.

That verdict cannot make a family whole. It does not move a crosswalk line one inch.

Who will do the work

The fixes are not mysteries. Slow drivers. Protect crossings. Starve repeat speeders of their speed.

At the state level, the Senate’s Stop Super Speeders Act (S4045) advanced in 2025; State Sen. Brian Kavanagh voted yes in committee (Open States). The bill would force drivers with repeated violations to use speed limiters. The Assembly still must move its companion.

Here, Council Member Christopher Marte represents District 1. Assembly Member Grace Lee and State Sen. Brian Kavanagh represent this area. They know these streets. The question is whether the laws will follow the bodies.

What must change on these blocks

  • Daylight every corner on East Houston and Delancey. Harden turns and give people walking a head start. Police recorded failure to yield and distraction; design can force drivers to slow (NYC Open Data).
  • Build protected lanes and tighten crossings where injuries stack up—on FDR Drive frontage, Delancey, and East Houston (NYC Open Data).
  • Pass speed limiters for the worst offenders and lower speeds citywide. Both steps are on the table. Our detailed action guide is here.

“Protecting New Yorkers is my most sacred responsibility as mayor,” the city has said about traffic violence; “one life lost to traffic violence is one life too many” (NYC DOT press materials, via our action guide). The dead on Water Street and the broken on Houston need more than words.

One woman on a bike went down on a Saturday morning. The work begins where she fell.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed here in the past month?
Four crashes injured people walking or on bikes at or near E Houston Street and the Bowery. They include a 70-year-old woman on a bike hit by a taxi driver at E Houston and Avenue A on Oct 25, and a man walking hit by a taxi driver at E Houston on Oct 3 (NYC Open Data).
Where are the worst spots in the Lower East Side?
FDR Drive, Delancey Street, and East Houston Street record the most harm in this period. Water Street accounts for four deaths since 2022 (NYC Open Data).
How many people have been hurt or killed since 2022?
In this neighborhood since 2022, there have been 2,193 crashes, 1,197 injuries, and 9 deaths (NYC Open Data).
What is CrashCount?
We’re a tool for helping hold local politicians and other actors accountable for their failure to protect you when you’re walking or cycling in NYC. We update our site constantly to provide you with up to date information on what’s happening in your neighborhood.
How were these numbers calculated?
We analyzed NYC Open Data’s Motor Vehicle Collisions datasets (Crashes, Persons, Vehicles) for the Lower East Side (NTA MN0302) from 2022-01-01 to 2025-11-04. We counted total crashes, injuries, and deaths, and reviewed contributing factors and locations. Data were accessed Nov 4, 2025. You can explore the source datasets starting here and via the linked Persons and Vehicles tables.

Citations

Citations

Other Representatives

Assembly Member Grace Lee

District 65

Twitter: @AMGraceLee

Council Member Christopher Marte

District 1

State Senator Brian Kavanagh

District 27

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

13
NYPD Issues Criminal Summonses To Cyclists

May 13 - Police now hand out criminal summonses to cyclists for traffic violations. Fines become court dates. Advocates warn of escalation. Lawmakers push for e-bike registration after a fatal crash. Streets grow tense. Riders and pedestrians caught in the crossfire.

West Side Spirit reported on May 13, 2025, that NYPD has begun issuing criminal summonses, not just traffic tickets, to cyclists and e-bike riders for violations like running red lights or riding on sidewalks. The change means accused riders must appear in criminal court, not just pay a fine. The move follows the death of Priscilla Loke, struck by an e-bike in 2023. Advocates like Transportation Alternatives call the new policy 'a dangerous escalation.' The NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance urges lawmakers to require license plates for e-bikes and scooters. The article notes, 'Under the new policy, a person issued a criminal summons must turn up in person in criminal court.' The shift highlights growing tension over enforcement and the push for stricter regulation after high-profile crashes.


12
Cyclist Crushed In West Village Hit-And-Run

May 12 - A driver ran a red, struck a cyclist, reversed hard, nearly hit him again. The victim lay bleeding, bones shattered, memory gone. Witnesses screamed. The driver sped off, blowing another light. Police search. The street remains dangerous.

ABC7 reported on May 12, 2025, that a hit-and-run driver seriously injured cyclist Myung Jin Chung at 5th Avenue and West 13th Street. The driver "blew through a red light," struck Chung, then reversed, nearly hitting him again, and fled after running another red. Chung suffered broken bones, a concussion, and needed 16 hours of surgery. Witnesses described the scene as 'petrifying.' Police have video evidence but no arrests. The incident highlights ongoing risks for cyclists and the consequences of reckless driving in New York City.


10
Sedan Turns Left, E-Scooter Rider Injured on Columbia

May 10 - A sedan struck an e-scooter on Columbia Street. The scooter rider took the hit in the abdomen. Police cite driver inattention. Three car occupants unhurt. The street stays dangerous.

A sedan making a left turn collided with an e-scooter on Columbia Street at Stanton. The 50-year-old e-scooter rider suffered an abdominal injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. Three people in the sedan, including the driver and two passengers, were not injured. The e-scooter rider was the only person hurt in the crash. The report lists no errors for the scooter rider. The crash highlights the risk for vulnerable road users when drivers fail to pay attention.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812257 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
10
Improper Turn, Red Light Crash Injures Two

May 10 - Sedan struck SUV at E Houston and Avenue D. Driver ran traffic control, turned wrong. Two rear passengers suffered head injuries. Metal and glass scattered. Sirens cut the night.

A sedan collided with an SUV at E Houston Street and Avenue D in Manhattan. Two rear passengers, a 43-year-old man and woman, suffered head injuries. According to the police report, the driver disregarded traffic control and turned improperly. These driver errors—'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Turning Improperly'—led to the crash. The impact hit the SUV’s right side and the sedan’s front. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Passengers wore lap belts. The crash left two hurt and exposed the danger of ignoring signals.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811671 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
8
Box Truck Backs Into Pedestrian on Madison

May 8 - A box truck reversed on Madison Street. It struck a 34-year-old man crossing outside a crosswalk. The man suffered arm abrasions. The truck showed no damage.

A box truck, backing southwest on Madison Street, hit a 34-year-old pedestrian who was crossing outside a crosswalk. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered abrasions to his arm and remained conscious. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The truck sustained no damage. No driver errors were recorded in the data.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811438 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
7
Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River

May 7 - Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.

NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.


6
S 4804 Kavanagh votes yes to create safety zones, improving street safety for all.

May 6 - Senate backs S 4804. The bill sets first responder safety zones and lowers speed limits. Lawmakers move to shield workers on chaotic streets. The vote is swift. The intent is clear. Danger zones get new rules.

Senate bill S 4804, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' passed committee on April 29, 2025, and cleared the full Senate on May 6, 2025. Sponsored by Senator Christopher Ryan (District 50) with co-sponsors Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Robert Rolison, and William Weber, the bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and enforce lower speed limits in those areas. The measure won broad support, with nearly all senators voting yes. The bill targets the chaos and risk drivers pose to workers and bystanders at emergency scenes. No safety analyst note was provided.


3
E-Biker Doored, Killed in Soho Crash

May 3 - A van door swung open. The e-biker hit it, thrown into the street. A truck rolled over him. He died in the gutter, Broome and Centre. The city lost a musician. The street stayed the same.

NY Daily News reported on May 3, 2025, that George Smaragdis, known as synthwave artist Starcadian, died after being doored by a Mercedes van while riding his e-bike westbound on Broome Street in Manhattan. The impact threw him into the path of a red delivery truck, which ran him over. Police said Smaragdis suffered severe head trauma and died at Bellevue Hospital. The article notes, 'The man who died after being doored while riding an e-bike and then run over by a passing truck...was a popular and influential synthwave artist.' The crash highlights the ongoing danger of dooring and the lethal consequences when street design and driver actions fail to protect cyclists. No mention of charges or policy changes followed.


1
Int 0193-2024 Marte votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.


1
Int 0193-2024 Rivera votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, no major safety change.

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.


1
Int 0193-2024 Rivera votes yes on taxi dooring warning decals, safety impact neutral.

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.


28
Sedan Strikes Pedestrian at Delancey and Clinton

Apr 28 - A sedan hit a 27-year-old man at Delancey and Clinton. The crash left him injured and incoherent. Police cite 'Other Vehicular' factors. The street saw pain and confusion. The car kept moving. The city kept moving.

A sedan struck a 27-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection of Delancey Street and Clinton Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was described as incoherent at the scene. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor. No helmet or signal issues were cited. The crash underscores the dangers faced by pedestrians on city streets.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808869 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
27
NYPD Pursuit Ends In Fatal Crash

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.


26
Sedan Strikes Pedestrian on Columbia Street

Apr 26 - A sedan hit a man on Columbia Street. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian suffered internal injuries to the abdomen and pelvis. Night fell hard in Manhattan.

A sedan struck a 38-year-old male pedestrian near 120 Columbia Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive or distracted. The pedestrian was not at an intersection when hit and suffered internal injuries to his abdomen and pelvis. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other errors or factors are noted in the data.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811066 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
12
Sedan Swerves on Bridge, Passengers Injured

Apr 12 - Sedan cut lanes on Williamsburg Bridge path. Three passengers hurt. Faces and heads bloodied. Police cite unsafe lane change. Metal and flesh met. System failed to protect.

A sedan traveling east on the Williamsburg Bridge bike and pedestrian path struck trouble. Three passengers suffered injuries to the face and head. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Lane Changing' was the main contributing factor. The crash left blood and abrasions. The driver and two passengers were hurt. The report lists no other contributing factors. The system allowed a car to endanger vulnerable users in a space meant for safety.


  • Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805151 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04
12
Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death

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.


11
Lawmakers aim to make changes after New York City sightseeing helicopter crash

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


10
Int 1105-2024 Marte votes yes, boosting street safety transparency and project accountability.

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.


10
Int 1105-2024 Rivera votes yes to boost street safety transparency and accountability.

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.


10
Int 1105-2024 Rivera votes yes, boosting street safety transparency and project accountability.

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.