Eight Dead, Still Waiting: Lower the Speed, Save a Life

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

A car sped off Manhattan Bridge, killing cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and bench sitter May Kwok. Police found guns, alcohol, and an overdue rental. The city faces calls to fix a deadly intersection.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-28) reports two women face charges after a car, speeding off Manhattan Bridge, killed cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Police found guns, alcohol, and an overdue rental at the scene; one driver refused a breathalyzer. Council Member Marte criticized the Department of Transportation for 'ongoing neglect.' The crash site, long known as dangerous, drew protests and renewed calls for city action. The indictment remains sealed until the next court date.

• Manhattan Bridge Crash Kills Two Bystanders, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-28

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

A firefighter died on FDR Drive. The driver fled. At Port Authority, a bus crash left over two dozen hurt. No arrests. The city’s streets remain brutal for those on foot and in transit.

Patch reported on July 24, 2025, that an FDNY firefighter was killed in a hit-and-run on FDR Drive. The driver left the scene. No arrests have been made. The article also notes, 'More Than 2 Dozen Injured In Bus Crash At Port Authority Bus Terminal.' Both incidents highlight ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users and point to gaps in enforcement and street safety. Investigations continue, but the city’s traffic violence persists.

• Firefighter Killed, Dozens Hurt In Crashes, Patch, Published 2025-07-24

A driver tore through Midtown, smashing cars and fleeing police. Metal scraped. Horns blared. The chase ended at Lexington and 50th. Police drew guns. The driver was arrested. Streets bore the scars.

According to ABC7 (2025-07-22), a driver struck multiple vehicles—including a police cruiser—while fleeing police through Midtown Manhattan. The pursuit began after a hit at Park Ave and ended at 50th and Lexington. The suspect, Jose Foster, faces charges including assault, reckless endangerment, and fleeing police. Witness Martina Minor said, "It felt like he was scratching like big noise and I was honking like stop and he kept doing it." The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases in dense city streets, with property damage and potential harm to bystanders.

• Police Chase Wrecks Cars In Midtown, ABC7, Published 2025-07-22

A driver sped off the Manhattan Bridge, killed a cyclist and a woman on a bench. The intersection stayed dangerous. Another crash hit the same spot the next day. City action lags. Lives end. Cars keep coming.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-21) reports a driver with a history of hit-and-run plowed off the Manhattan Bridge, killing cyclist Kevin Scott Cruickshank and May Kwok, who sat on a bench. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, had been charged for a prior hit-and-run while unlicensed but was released pending trial. The article notes, 'New Yorkers have been begging for years for city officials to make Canal Street safer.' The intersection's highway design and delayed Department of Transportation safety plans leave it perilous. The day after the fatal crash, another car sped off the bridge and crashed at the same spot, underscoring systemic danger.

• Deadly Canal Street Bridge Collision, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-21

A stolen car tore through Bowery and Canal. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died. The driver fled but was caught. Police found booze and drugs in the car. Systemic failures left danger unchecked.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a 23-year-old woman drove a stolen, drug-filled car into a cyclist and a woman on a bench at Bowery and Canal, killing both. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, had faced charges for a previous crash but was released without bail. The article reports, 'Romero was behind the wheel of a booze- and drug-filled stolen blue Chevy Malibu when it plowed into a man on a bicycle and a 63-year-old woman on a bench.' Police said the car was packed with pills, marijuana, and alcohol. Romero and her passenger fled but were quickly caught. The case highlights gaps in bail reform and vehicle oversight.

• Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian in Chinatown, New York Post, Published 2025-07-20

A pickup truck struck a cyclist on Avenue D. The rider, twenty, ejected and bruised, left in shock. Police cite driver inattention. Metal and flesh met on Manhattan asphalt.

A pickup truck collided with a twenty-year-old cyclist on Avenue D in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered facial bruises and shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but the report centers driver distraction as the cause. No injuries were reported for the truck's occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829505 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A taxi hit a cyclist at 1st Ave and East 14th. The rider, 21, suffered a head injury. No driver errors listed. The street stays dangerous for those outside a car.

A taxi and a bicycle collided at 1st Avenue and East 14th Street in Manhattan. The 21-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a head contusion. According to the police report, both vehicles were making right turns. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the data. The taxi showed no damage, while the bike was damaged at the front. The crash left the cyclist hurt, underscoring the risks faced by those traveling outside a car.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829508 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A van crashed in Midtown. Inside: dozens of propane tanks. The street held its breath. Danger rode in silence, hidden until metal met metal.

CBS New York reported on July 17, 2025, that 'dozens of propane tanks were found in a van in Midtown Manhattan after a car crash Tuesday night.' The article does not detail injuries or the cause of the crash. The presence of hazardous cargo in a crash raises questions about vehicle safety checks and enforcement. Storing large amounts of propane in a van on city streets exposes bystanders and road users to hidden risks. The incident highlights the need for stricter oversight of hazardous material transport in dense urban areas.

• Propane Tanks Discovered After Midtown Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-17

A taxi making a U-turn hit a cyclist on Bowery. The rider suffered a fractured leg. Police cite driver inattention. The street saw blood and broken bone. The system failed the vulnerable again.

A taxi collided with a cyclist on Bowery at East 4th Street in Manhattan. The 24-year-old cyclist was injured, suffering a fractured leg and dislocation. According to the police report, the taxi was making a U-turn when the crash occurred. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not ejected. No helmet use is noted in the report. The crash left the cyclist hurt and exposed the danger of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827947 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Two SUVs slammed together on FDR Drive. A young woman and a man suffered injuries. Metal twisted. Pain followed. No clear cause named. The city’s danger showed itself again.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed on FDR Drive in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 19-year-old female rear passenger suffered a knee and lower leg injury, and a 36-year-old male front passenger sustained a neck injury and shock. Both vehicles were traveling south and struck at the center front and back ends. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825119 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Two drivers and two passengers hurt when van and sedan collide on St Marks Place. Police cite driver inattention. Impact leaves injuries and bruises. System failed to protect those inside.

Two vehicles, a van and a sedan, collided on St Marks Place in Manhattan. Two drivers and two passengers were injured. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. One driver was unlicensed. The crash left one driver with a back contusion and others with unspecified injuries. Both vehicles were damaged at their center ends. The report lists no other contributing factors. The system allowed distraction and unlicensed driving to endanger all inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825115 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Three buses crashed on a ramp. Metal twisted. Twelve hurt, one trapped. Sirens echoed. Commuters stranded. The ramp closed. The city paused, waiting for the wounded to clear.

CBS New York reported on July 2, 2025, that three NJ Transit buses collided at the Port Authority Bus Terminal's express ramp, injuring at least a dozen people. FDNY Deputy Chief Jason Saffon said, "One with moderate injuries that required extrication, 10 patients with minor injuries all transported to local area hospitals." The crash blocked a key entrance, forcing bus reroutes and causing major delays. The article highlights the challenge of emergency access at this location and the disruption to transit. No details on specific driver actions were given, but the incident underscores risks at crowded transit hubs.

• Three NJ Transit Buses Collide At Terminal, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-02

Governor Hochul signed S.8344/A.8787, extending NYC’s school zone speed camera program to 2030. Cameras stay. Streets watch. Danger lingers for kids crossing. Fewer drivers speed. Fewer crashes. Lives spared.

On June 30, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed S.8344/A.8787, renewing New York City’s school zone speed camera program through July 1, 2030. The bill, described as 'an extra boost' for automated enforcement, updates home-rule provisions first enacted in 2013. State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assembly Member Deborah Glick sponsored the measure. Both praised the program’s record in cutting speeds and saving lives. Council member Barbara Russo-Lennon supported the renewal. A safety analyst notes the extension is likely to reduce speeds and crashes, improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists, especially children, without burdening vulnerable road users.

• Staying on: New Yorkers react to Hochul’s renewed speed camera program in NYC, AMNY, Published 2025-06-30

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30

Voters chose candidates who back bike lanes, open streets, and transit. Opponents lost. The message is clear: New Yorkers want safer roads. No new laws yet, but the council’s direction is set. Vulnerable road users watch and wait.

On June 25, 2025, New York City held local elections with major implications for street safety. The event, covered by Streetsblog NYC, saw candidates who championed 'the importance of bike lanes, public transit, and open streets' win across the city. Council members Lincoln Restler, Shahana Hanif, Shekar Krishnan, Chi Oss, Crystal Hudson, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams all prevailed on platforms supporting safer streets. Mark Levine, who called for bold highway changes, won the Comptroller race. The safety analyst notes: 'The event text is a vague statement of support for livable streets but does not describe a specific policy action or legislative change, so its direct safety impact on pedestrians and cyclists cannot be determined.' The victories signal a mandate for people-first streets, but concrete safety gains depend on future action.

• Down-Ballot Recap: A Great Night for the Livable Streets Movement, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-25

Albany stalled. Lawmakers dragged their feet. No new laws for safer streets. Pedestrians and cyclists left exposed. The car stays king. The status quo kills. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

The 2025 Albany legislative session ended June 25, with lawmakers failing to pass key street safety bills. The Streetsblog NYC report reads: "Our elected officials in Albany have failed the livable streets movement again." Despite support for measures like speed camera reauthorization, most bills to protect pedestrians and cyclists died in committee or never reached the floor. Assembly Member Amy Sohn and others criticized the lack of action. The only major win was extending the city’s speed camera program. A safety analyst notes: 'Failure to advance livable streets policies likely maintains the status quo, which typically prioritizes car-centric infrastructure and neglects the safety and needs of pedestrians and cyclists.' The session’s inaction leaves vulnerable road users at risk. No progress. No protection.

• D-Minus! The Albany Report Card for 2025, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-25

A stolen box truck crashed into a Midtown building. The front awning buckled under the force. No injuries. Police detained a person of interest. Metal and glass scattered. The street fell silent. The city watched, unblinking.

CBS New York reported on June 23, 2025, that a stolen box truck struck a building in Midtown Manhattan, damaging the front awning. According to police, 'no one was hurt and a person of interest was taken into custody.' The incident highlights the risk posed by unauthorized drivers behind the wheel of large vehicles. The crash did not result in injuries, but the impact damaged property and disrupted the area. The report underscores ongoing concerns about vehicle theft and the potential for harm in dense urban environments, where even a single reckless act can threaten public safety.

• Stolen Truck Slams Midtown Building, CBS New York, Published 2025-06-23