Hell’s Kitchen Bleeds—Lower the Limit, 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 pick-up truck struck a pedestrian on W 40th Street. The pedestrian suffered head and internal injuries. Police cite tinted windows as a factor. Streets remain hazardous for those on foot.

A pick-up truck traveling east on W 40th Street hit a pedestrian at the intersection with 10th Avenue in Manhattan. The pedestrian, a male, sustained head and internal injuries. According to the police report, 'Tinted Windows' contributed to the crash. The driver, a 46-year-old man, was not injured. The report lists no other contributing factors. The incident highlights the ongoing risks faced by pedestrians in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830839 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

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 sedan hit a motorcycle on W 54th Street. The rider was ejected and injured. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. Metal and bodies collided in Manhattan daylight.

A sedan and a motorcycle collided at W 54th Street and 11th Avenue in Manhattan. The 24-year-old motorcycle rider was ejected and suffered back injuries. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The rider wore a helmet. The crash left two other occupants with unspecified injuries. The toll: one injured rider, two shaken occupants, and another day of danger on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829788 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan hit a cyclist on West 45th. The rider suffered back injuries and abrasions. The car’s front end struck the bike’s side. Police list no clear cause. Streets remain dangerous for those outside steel.

A sedan traveling west on West 45th Street collided with a southbound cyclist at 11th Avenue in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 43-year-old man, was partially ejected and injured his back, suffering abrasions. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead. The sedan’s center front end struck the left side of the bike. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, as noted after the absence of driver errors. The crash highlights the risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829648 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

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 sedan struck a cyclist on W 51st. The rider suffered a leg injury. Police cite confusion as a factor. Metal met flesh. The street stayed dangerous.

A sedan and a bike collided on West 51st Street at 9th Avenue in Manhattan. One cyclist, age 20, was injured in the leg. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was listed as a contributing factor. The crash involved a sedan traveling west and a bike heading north. The point of impact was the left side doors. No other injuries were specified. The report does not list any driver errors beyond the general confusion cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829649 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

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 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

Two SUVs crashed on West 57th. Both drivers hurt. One in shock. Police cite driver distraction. Metal bent. Lives jarred. Streets unforgiving.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at 332 West 57th Street in Manhattan. Both drivers, a 35-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, suffered unspecified injuries. One driver experienced shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor in the crash. The impact damaged the left rear and right front panels of the vehicles. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827149 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Austin Celestin blasts city’s e-bike crackdown. Says car-first streets endanger walkers and riders. Calls for real redesign. Enforcement alone leaves vulnerable users exposed.

On July 8, 2025, Austin Celestin spoke out against harsh e-bike enforcement in New York City. The debate, covered by Streetsblog NYC, highlighted Amsterdam’s balanced approach: licensing e-bikes and expanding bike infrastructure. Celestin called the city’s crackdown 'hypocrisy' without safer streets, quoting, 'enforcement can't fix the problems of car-first design.' He opposes enforcement without redesign and supports infrastructure expansion. The safety analyst warns: 'Harsh enforcement against e-bikes without improving street design places undue burden on vulnerable users, discourages mode shift, and fails to address systemic safety issues, potentially reducing overall safety for pedestrians and cyclists.'

• Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-08

Two SUVs crashed on West 52nd and 12th Avenue. A young passenger took a blow to the head. Metal bent. Engines stopped. The street held the bruise.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed at West 52nd Street and 12th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, both vehicles were heading north when they collided. A 20-year-old male passenger in the rear seat suffered a head contusion. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed and uninjured. The impact struck the center front of one SUV and the center rear of the other. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826044 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan hit two older pedestrians crossing with the signal on 11th Avenue. One suffered head wounds. The other hurt his back. Both remained conscious. The car’s front end took the impact.

Two pedestrians, a 68-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man, were struck by a sedan making a left turn at the intersection of 11th Avenue and West 54th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, both pedestrians were crossing with the signal when the vehicle hit them, causing head and back injuries. The sedan’s center front end was damaged. The report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were specified in the data. Both pedestrians were conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826045 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A cyclist hit a nine-year-old boy crossing with the signal on West 42nd. The child suffered leg injuries and shock. Blood on the street. The city failed to protect him.

A nine-year-old boy was struck by a cyclist while crossing West 42nd Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the child was crossing with the signal and suffered injuries to his leg, as well as minor bleeding and shock. The crash involved a bike traveling west. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were specified in the data. The boy was not at an intersection when hit. The incident highlights the ongoing danger faced by young pedestrians on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825531 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Taxi cut left on 9th Ave. Bike rider hit, leg bruised. Blood on the street. Failure to yield. City danger, no escape.

A taxi struck a 37-year-old cyclist on 9th Ave at W 56th St in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered a leg injury and was partially ejected from his bike. According to the police report, the crash involved a taxi making a left turn and a cyclist traveling straight. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but the primary cause was the driver's failure to yield. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825243 - 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

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