Blood on the Asphalt: NYC Streets Still Killing

Aug 8 - A driver sped at 109 mph. Concrete barriers now ring the crash site. DOT will shrink lanes and cut speed limits. Change comes slow. Pedestrians and cyclists paid the price.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-08-08) reports DOT will install concrete barriers and narrow lanes at Manhattan Bridge's Canal Street exit after a driver killed a cyclist and pedestrian at 109 mph. DOT plans to lower the speed limit from 35 to 20 mph, pending public comment. The article notes, 'the bridge currently functions like a Mario Kart-style speed boost.' DOT will also 'fast-track community engagement on a full redesign.' The crash highlights the danger of wide lanes and high speeds at a busy pedestrian crossing. Policy changes lagged until tragedy forced action.

• DOT Lowers Speed, Adds Barriers On Canal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 8 - Mayor approved a car-free busway on 34th Street after walkers beat the crosstown bus in a 1.2‑mile race. The move targets faster, more reliable service for nearly 30,000 daily riders and to clear jams caused by congestion and illegal parking.

Bill number: none listed. Status: approval announced; stage: SPONSORSHIP. Committee: not listed. Key date: 2025-08-08, the day the crosstown race and public approval were reported. The matter is the "construction of a car-free busway on 34th Street between Third and Ninth avenues." Mayor Adams abandoned opposition and approved construction. Council member Zohran Mamdani celebrated, calling the buses "the slowest buses in the United States of America." Comptroller Brad Lander, Council Members Keith Powers and Erik Bottcher, and state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal backed the plan. Advocates say the busway will speed service for almost 30,000 daily riders. No formal safety impact analysis was provided.

• Team Pedestrian Trounces Team Bus in Annual 'Crosstown Bus Challenge', streetsblog.org, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 7 - A stolen car tore through Canal and Bowery. Two lives ended. One sat on a bench. One rode a bike. The city now promises changes. Steel and speed met flesh. The street stays dangerous.

NY1 reported on August 7, 2025, that after a deadly crash at Canal Street and Bowery, the city will upgrade the intersection. On July 19, a stolen car, allegedly driven over 100 mph, killed Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok. Kwok was sitting on a bench. Cruickshank rode his bike on the sidewalk. The article quotes authorities: 'A stolen vehicle, allegedly driven at more than 100 miles per hour...crashed into them.' The crash highlights risks from reckless driving and exposes gaps in street design. The Department of Transportation now plans safety improvements.

• Deadly Crash Spurs Chinatown Upgrades, NY1, Published 2025-08-07

Aug 6 - A driver in a sedan going straight hit a 40-year-old man on West 26th near 10th. The driver hit his knee, leg, and foot with the car's center front end. He stayed conscious with an abrasion.

A driver in a sedan traveling straight hit a 40-year-old male pedestrian on West 26th Street near 10th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the driver hit the man with the car's center front end, injuring his knee, lower leg, and foot; he remained conscious and had an abrasion. The police listed the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No specific driver errors were recorded in the report. Travel direction for the car and the pedestrian's exact location were not noted. Pre-crash movement was listed as 'Going Straight Ahead.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834039 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Aug 6 - Officials revived a 34th Street busway as part of the Midtown South rezoning. The corridor (3rd–9th Ave) would prioritize buses, boost speeds up to 15%, and curb private traffic. Council subcommittees approved the plan; full council approval still required.

"We’re tackling New York’s housing crisis head-on by unlocking over 9,500 new homes in one of the most transit-rich, high-opportunity areas of the city, helping to bring down rents not just in Midtown, but citywide." -- Erik D. Bottcher

File number: none listed. Status: SPONSORSHIP. Committees: NYC Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and Committee on Land Use approved the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan (MSMX) on Aug. 6, 2025. Matter quoted: "34th Street busway gets another go as part of larger Midtown rezoning plan." Council Member Erik Bottcher, representing the area, backed the rezoning and the busway. Council Member Keith Powers urged full council approval. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the busway will continue. DOT said it did not suspend the project. The proposal would create a busway from 3rd to 9th Avenues, serve about 24 routes and aim to speed buses by up to 15%. No safety impact assessment was provided in the record.

• 34th Street busway gets another go as part of larger Midtown rezoning plan, amny.com, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 6 - Land Use committee cleared the Midtown South Mixed-Use rezoning on Aug 6. The plan unlocks over 9,500 homes, creates a car-free 34th Street busway and pedestrianized Broadway, and directs funds to the Garment District and street upgrades.

"Were tackling New Yorks housing crisis head-on by unlocking over 9,500 new homes in one of the most transit-rich, high-opportunity areas of the city  helping to bring down rents not just in Midtown, but citywide," -- Erik D. Bottcher

Bill: Midtown South Mixed-Use (MSMX) plan. File number: none provided. Status: Approved by the City Council Committee on Land Use on 2025-08-06; advances to a full Council vote. Committee: City Council Committee on Land Use. The matter, quoted in the record, calls to "redesignate 42 blocks between West 23rd and 40th Streets and Fifth and Eighth Avenues for housing development." Councilmembers Erik Bottcher and Keith Powers backed the plan; Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mayor Eric Adams issued supportive statements. The plan includes a car-free 34th Street busway, a fully pedestrianized Broadway, $122M for Garment District support and $340M for streets and transit. No safety impact assessment or safety note was provided in the record.

• Midtown South rezoning proposal passes council land-use committee alongside community investment, amny.com, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 6 - City unpauses the 34th Street busway. Cars lose through access. Buses get priority. Streets open up for walking and cycling. Pedestrians and cyclists gain safer space tied to Midtown South rezoning.

Action: policy commitment to restore the 34th Street busway. Date: August 6, 2025. File number: none listed. Status: the Adams administration agreed to revive the busway as part of the Midtown South rezoning deal. Committee: a key Council committee was poised to vote on the rezoning when the promise was revealed. The matter states: "The Administration commits to establishing a car-free 34th Street Busway." Council Members Keith Powers and Erik Bottcher secured the commitment; Powers shared the language and praised the move. Public engagement is slated for 2025. Safety analysts say restoring the busway will cut car traffic, lower crash risk, and improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists through mode shift and street reallocation.

• It’s Back! 34th Street Busway Revived In Midtown Rezoning Deal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 6 - Committees cleared the Midtown South rezoning. 9,535 homes allowed across 42 blocks. City won a car-free 34th Street busway and a $325M Broadway rebuild. Streets shift from cars to people. Pedestrians and cyclists gain safer space.

""This is a bold, balanced and long overdue plan,"" -- Erik D. Bottcher

Bill: Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan (file number not listed). Status: Approved by the City Council Land Use Committee and Zoning Subcommittee on August 6, 2025. The matter, titled "42-block Midtown South housing plan clears hurdle as Council trims some units," permits about 9,535 homes across 42 blocks. Council Members Keith Powers and Erik D. Bottcher led negotiations; Bottcher called it "bold, balanced and long overdue." Committees trimmed some bulk and protected mid-block manufacturing in the Garment District. The plan secures a car-free busway on 34th Street and a $325 million pedestrian-oriented Broadway rebuild. These measures prioritize vulnerable road users and reclaim public space, likely increasing safety and encouraging mode shift toward walking and cycling.

• 42-block Midtown South housing plan clears hurdle as Council trims some units, Crain's New York Business, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 6 - A man lay on Harlem tracks. The northbound 5 train struck him. He died at the scene. Police found no crime. His name remains unknown. Subway lines stalled. The system moved on.

NY Daily News (2025-08-06) reports a 47-year-old man was killed by a northbound 5 train at 125th St. station in Harlem. Police said, "The man was unconscious and unresponsive on the tracks." No arrests were made. The cause of his presence on the tracks is unclear. Police stated, "There was no criminality." The incident halted 4 and 5 trains. The case highlights ongoing dangers for people in subway spaces and the lack of platform barriers.

• Man Killed By Train At Harlem Station, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 3 - Two cyclists collided on W 26th near 12th Avenue. A 61-year-old man was partially ejected, suffered a neck contusion and was in shock. Police cited improper passing or lane usage; the rider wore a helmet.

A collision between two cyclists on West 26th Street near 12th Avenue left a 61-year-old man injured. According to the police report, both bikes were traveling south when 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' caused the crash. Police recorded 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor. The injured bicyclist was partially ejected, suffered a neck contusion and was reported in shock. He was listed as wearing a helmet. Both riders were going straight ahead before impact. No other injuries were reported in the police data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832510 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Aug 3 - A driver struck a cyclist at West 181st and Cabrini. The driver fled. The cyclist went to the hospital. The street stayed open. The danger stayed real.

CBS New York (2025-08-03) reports a bicyclist was hospitalized after a hit-and-run at West 181st Street and Cabrini Boulevard in Washington Heights. The crash happened just after noon. The driver left the scene, leaving the cyclist injured. The article states, "A bicyclist was hospitalized after being injured in a hit and run." No details on the driver or vehicle were released. The incident highlights ongoing risks for cyclists and the persistent issue of drivers fleeing crash scenes in New York City.

• Cyclist Hospitalized After Hit-And-Run Uptown, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-03

Aug 2 - A driver in a box truck struck three parked sedans on W 37th near 9th Avenue. A 67-year-old female rear passenger suffered a neck injury and whiplash. Police cited 'Outside Car Distraction' as a contributing factor.

A driver in a box truck struck three parked sedans on W 37th Street near 9th Avenue in Manhattan. A 67-year-old female rear passenger suffered a neck injury and complained of whiplash. According to the police report, 'Outside Car Distraction' was the contributing factor. Police recorded the box truck's pre-crash action as 'Slowing or Stopping' and the sedans' pre-crash status as 'Parked.' Damage concentrated on the sedans' center front ends and the truck's center back end. The report lists the passenger injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833256 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 31 - A left-turning driver hit a 25-year-old crossing with the signal at W 38 St and 9 Ave. She stayed conscious with an arm contusion. Police recorded failure to yield and driver inattention.

A driver making a left turn at W 38 St and 9 Ave in Manhattan hit a 25-year-old woman in the crosswalk at 10:00 p.m. She suffered a contusion to her lower arm and remained conscious. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive or distracted. Police listed 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the left front bumper. The crash happened at an intersection while she crossed with the signal. Vehicle damage was recorded as none. The report does not assign fault to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833251 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 31 - West 38th at 11th. A sedan driver hit a man on a motorized scooter. He flew off. Semiconscious. Bleeding from the head. Police recorded 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' by drivers.

A sedan driver hit a motorized scooter near West 38th Street and 11th Avenue in Manhattan at 1:16 a.m. The sedan was going straight. The scooter was going straight. The sedan’s right front bumper struck the scooter’s center front. The 55-year-old scooter driver was ejected, semiconscious, with a head wound and severe bleeding. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' was recorded for both drivers. The sedan was a 2024 Volvo registered in New Jersey, and its driver was licensed. No pedestrians were involved. The crash left one person injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832364 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 30 - A 16-year-old girl on a bike was struck on West 42nd at 11th Avenue. She was partially ejected and suffered a lower-leg contusion. Police listed an oversized vehicle and merging as factors in the crash.

A 16-year-old female bicyclist was injured on West 42nd Street at 11th Avenue. She was partially ejected and suffered a contusion to her lower leg. According to the police report, the crash lists "Oversized Vehicle" as a contributing factor. The report records the other vehicle's pre-crash action as "Merging" and the bike's pre-crash action as "Going Straight Ahead." The driver of the oversized vehicle merged and struck the cyclist; the bike shows center-front impact and the other vehicle shows right-rear bumper damage. Police did not list additional contributing factors. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832306 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 29 - The driver of a box truck hit a 32-year-old male cyclist on Hudson Blvd W near W 37th Street. The cyclist suffered a back injury and was in shock. Police recorded 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor.

The driver of a box truck struck a 32-year-old male cyclist on Hudson Blvd W near W 37th Street. The cyclist was injured, suffering a back injury and shock. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was listed as a contributing factor. Both the truck and the bicycle were traveling west and were going straight ahead before the crash. Police recorded no damage to either vehicle and no other injuries. The report does not list helmet use or signaling and provides no further medical details.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831641 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 29 - 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

Jul 27 - 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

Jul 25 - A driver turning left hit a 53-year-old woman crossing 8th Avenue with the signal. She suffered a hip contusion and shock. Police recorded failure to yield by the driver.

The driver of a 2003 Lincoln sedan turned left and struck a pedestrian at 8th Avenue and West 18th Street in Manhattan. A 53-year-old woman was injured. She suffered a hip contusion and was listed in shock. "According to the police report, the driver was making a left turn and failed to yield the right-of-way." The report records 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal, per the report. No injuries to the driver were reported in the file.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830678 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-10-02

Jul 24 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him and fled. He died at Bellevue. The driver did not stop. Police are investigating. No arrests. The city lost a rescuer. The road remains dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-07-24) reports that Matthew Goicochea, 31, fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive near East 25th Street and was struck by a vehicle that left the scene. Police said, "an unknown vehicle hit his motorcycle moments later and left the scene." The NYPD Highway Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. No arrests have been made. The driver’s failure to remain highlights persistent hit-and-run risks on city highways. The incident underscores ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users and the need for systemic safety improvements.

• Firefighter Killed After FDR Drive Crash, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-24