Hell’s Kitchen Bleeds: City Stalls, Bodies Fall

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 pickup driver going east on W 40th hit a man in the 10th Avenue intersection. He suffered head and internal injuries. Police recorded tinted windows as a factor.

A pickup driver traveled east on W 40th Street and hit a pedestrian at 10th Avenue in Manhattan. The man on foot suffered head trauma and internal injuries. According to the police report, 'Tinted Windows' contributed to the crash. Police recorded tinted windows as a driver-related factor. The driver, a 46-year-old man, was unhurt and was the lone occupant. The pickup, registered in North Carolina, was going straight ahead. Impact came at the right front bumper. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830839 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 in an SUV hit a 30-year-old man at W 55th Street and 12th Avenue. The man suffered severe head cuts. A passenger in the SUV was also hurt. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction by the driver. Night crash in Manhattan.

A driver in a station wagon/SUV hit a 30-year-old man at W 55th Street and 12th Avenue in Manhattan at 9:09 p.m. The man was in the intersection. He suffered severe lacerations to the head. A passenger in the SUV was also injured. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" was the contributing factor. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction by the driver. The driver traveled south and went straight. The driver hit the pedestrian with the right front bumper. That area was damaged. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832234 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 25 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. Police investigate. No arrests. The road claimed another life.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-25) reports Matthew Goicochea, 31, was killed after falling from his motorcycle and being struck by a car near E. 25th St. on FDR Drive. The driver did not remain at the scene. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The article states, "He was then struck by an unknown vehicle shortly thereafter, which did not remain on the scene." No arrests have been made. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users on high-speed city highways and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers.

• Firefighter Killed in FDR Drive Collision, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-25

Jul 24 - Two buses collided on a Port Authority ramp. The rear bus hit hard. Thirty injured. Passengers left on stretchers, necks braced. Steel and glass, pain and confusion. The ramp remains a danger.

ABC7 reported on July 24, 2025, that a New Jersey Transit bus rear-ended another on the Port Authority ramp near Dyer Avenue and West 39th Street. Surveillance video showed the rear bus 'zooming up the ramp and ramming the rear of the bus in front of it so hard that it physically pushed the bus forward.' At least 30 people suffered minor injuries, with 27 hospitalized. FDNY cited 'musculoskeletal injuries, neck pain, back pain.' The ramp, a known bottleneck, is set for replacement by 2032. The crash highlights risks in current bus terminal infrastructure and driver speed on crowded ramps.

• Rear Bus Slams Into Another At Port, ABC7, Published 2025-07-24

Jul 23 - 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 2025-09-18

Jul 23 - Dozens rallied at City Hall. They demanded Ryder's Law. Council Member Holden led. NYCLASS joined. The call was sharp: end horse carriages. The industry faces fierce opposition. The council stalls. The danger remains.

"It was the city of New York that contributed to Ryder's death. We're all responsible for what happened. We all were horrified that day on Ninth Avenue when Ryder collapsed in front of horrified onlookers in the heart of my district in Hell's Kitchen, and it gave renewed energy to the movement to end the tourist horse carriage trade in NYC. But here we are, all this time later, the bill still hasn't passed. The bill still doesn't have a hearing." -- Erik D. Bottcher

On July 23, 2025, Council Member Robert Holden and animal advocates rallied at City Hall, demanding passage of Ryder's Law to ban horse-drawn carriages in New York City. The bill, sponsored by Holden, has not yet reached a council vote or hearing. The rally followed a 'not guilty' verdict in a high-profile horse abuse case. The matter, described as a push 'to end the horse carriage industry in NYC,' drew support from NYCLASS and others. Holden blasted city oversight as 'inexcusable.' Despite the outcry, a safety analyst notes: ending horse carriages will not significantly improve safety for pedestrians or cyclists, since carriages are a small part of street traffic and their removal does not fix systemic road dangers.

• Horse carriages: Animal advocates rally at City Hall to end industry after ‘not guilty’ verdict in horse abuse case, AMNY, Published 2025-07-23

Jul 22 - A sedan struck a cyclist at West 45th and 11th Avenue in Manhattan. The 43-year-old man was partially ejected. He suffered a back injury and abrasions. Police listed no driver errors or contributing factors.

A sedan traveling west on West 45th Street collided with a southbound cyclist at 11th Avenue. The cyclist, a 43-year-old man, was partially ejected and injured his back; he also suffered abrasions and remained conscious. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead when the sedan's center front end struck the left side of the bicycle. The sedan had one male licensed driver. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. No other causes are recorded in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829648 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 22 - A rented sedan sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck a cyclist and a pedestrian on Canal Street. Both died at the scene. Police found alcohol and guns in the car. The driver tried to flee. The city failed to keep them safe.

Gothamist (2025-07-22) reports a Staten Island driver, Autumn Ascencio Romero, faces murder and other charges after killing a cyclist and a pedestrian in Chinatown. Prosecutors say she lost control of a rented car at high speed, striking Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok. Police found 'an open bottle of tequila in the car’s passenger area' and two pistols in the trunk. Witnesses saw the driver and a passenger try to flee. Romero had been charged in a prior Brooklyn crash involving a suspended license. The case highlights repeated driver offenses and gaps in enforcement.

• Driver Held After Chinatown Crash Kills Two, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 21 - A stolen car tore through Bowery and Canal. It struck Kevin Cruickshank, a cyclist, and May Kwok, seated on a bench. Both died. The driver fled. Canal Street remains a deadly corridor for walkers and riders.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevy Malibu sped through a median at Bowery and Canal, killing cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok, who sat on a bench. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article quotes Families for Safe Streets: 'Canal Street is one of the most dangerous streets in all of Manhattan—notorious for pedestrian and cyclist fatalities—and a comprehensive redesign is needed to prioritize safety.' The crash highlights ongoing risks from reckless driving and the urgent need for safer street design.

• Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter, New York Post, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - 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 2025-09-18

Jul 20 - A cyclist pedaled through Bowery and Canal. A speeding car lost control. Metal struck flesh. The rider died. Streets stayed loud. Danger lingered.

CBS New York (2025-07-20) reports that Kevin Cruickshank, 55, was killed while cycling at Bowery and Canal. Police said a 'speeding car lost control and struck him.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk to cyclists at busy intersections. The article notes the victim's identity and the circumstances but does not detail any charges. The incident underscores the threat posed by speeding vehicles and the need for stronger street safety measures.

• Cyclist Killed By Speeding Car In Chinatown, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-20

Jul 19 - A Chevy sedan struck a cyclist and a pedestrian at Canal and Bowery. Both died at the scene. The drivers tried to flee but were caught. Metal twisted. Lives ended. The street stayed dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu killed a cyclist and a pedestrian near the Manhattan Bridge at 7:30 a.m. Police say the car 'slammed into the two victims.' Two women driving the car tried to flee but were detained. No charges were filed by Saturday afternoon. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. The deaths follow recent city claims of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting persistent risk at busy crossings.

• Chevy Sedan Kills Two Near Manhattan Bridge, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-19

Jul 17 - A DOT worker fixing a sign near a bike lane was slashed by an e-bike rider with a box cutter. Blood on Broadway. The rider fled. The worker survived. No arrests. The city keeps moving.

According to amny (2025-07-17), a DOT worker was attacked by an e-bike rider at Broadway and Cedar Street while repairing a street sign. Police said the worker backed up his truck, nearly causing a crash with the cyclist. The rider then "whipped out a box cutter and slashed the worker in his left arm and back." The assailant fled. DOT condemned the attack, calling it "abhorrent." No arrests have been made. The incident highlights tensions at work sites near bike lanes and underscores the need for safe conditions for street workers.

• DOT Worker Slashed By E-Biker Downtown, amny, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 13 - 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 2025-09-18

Jul 8 - 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

Jul 6 - 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 2025-09-18

Jul 4 - 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 2025-09-18

Jul 4 - 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 2025-09-18