Hell’s Kitchen Bleeds: City Stalls, Bodies Fall

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 stolen car tore through Chinatown. Two lives ended in seconds. A cyclist thrown, a woman ripped from her bench. Metal twisted. Bodies broken. The driver sped, then fled. The street holds the scars.

According to NY Daily News (2025-08-06), a stolen Chevrolet Malibu driven at 100 mph struck and killed May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank in Chinatown. Kwok sat on a bench; Cruickshank rode his bike. The article reports, "The driver hit Cruickshank first, throwing him off his bicycle and across the intersection. Kwok was then thrown from the bench." Prosecutors allege the driver and passenger tried to flee after the crash. Authorities found alcohol and firearms in the car. The case highlights the lethal risk of high-speed driving and the vulnerability of people outside vehicles.

• Speeding Driver Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 4 - A driver struck a cyclist in Washington Heights. The cyclist survived. Neighbors say the intersection breeds danger. The driver fled. NYPD searches. Streets remain unsafe.

CBS New York reported on August 4, 2025, that a driver hit a cyclist in Washington Heights and left the scene. The article notes, "local residents say the intersection has been a problem for some time." The NYPD is searching for the driver. The incident highlights ongoing risks at this location and points to persistent systemic hazards for cyclists and pedestrians. No mention of charges or arrests. The crash underscores the need for stronger street design and enforcement.

• Cyclist Hit By Driver In Washington Heights, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-04

Jul 30 - The driver of a sedan turned left and hit a 75-year-old man at W 53rd Street and 9th Avenue. The man suffered a contusion to his lower leg and remained conscious at the scene. Police listed contributing factors as 'Unspecified.'

The driver of a sedan made a left turn and struck a 75-year-old pedestrian at W 53rd Street and 9th Avenue. The pedestrian suffered a contusion to his lower leg and was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the point of impact was the car's left front bumper and the pedestrian suffered a contusion to his lower leg. Police listed the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The vehicle's pre-crash action is recorded as making a left turn and the point of impact is recorded as the left front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832908 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

Jul 30 - A driver in a sedan hit a taxi's rear on 12th Avenue near West 50th Street. The taxi driver, 38, suffered a hip bruise. Police recorded following too closely, distraction, and unsafe speed.

A driver in a sedan rear-ended a taxi on 12th Avenue at West 50th Street in Manhattan. The taxi driver, age 38, was conscious and suffered a hip contusion. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The report also lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor. The taxi's left rear bumper and the sedan's right front bumper were damaged. Both drivers were licensed and heading north. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-03

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 2025-11-03

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 2025-11-03

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 2025-11-03

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 2025-11-03

Jul 22 - Two crashes. Two lives lost. Cyclist and pedestrian struck down at Canal and Bowery. City left the corridor wild. No fixes. Danger lingers. Blood stains the street. The city stalls. People pay.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-22) reports two deadly crashes at Canal Street and Bowery on consecutive days. A driver jumped a curb, killing May Kwon and cyclist Kevin Cruickshank. Another driver hit a food truck, injuring two. Advocates and officials blame the city for failing to act, quoting Ben Furnas: "City Hall knows that Canal Street is one of the most dangerous in our city, but they've stalled any improvements." Despite years of studies, no major safety upgrades have been made. The article highlights a lack of protected bike paths and safe pedestrian space, exposing systemic neglect.

• Canal Street Deaths Expose City Inaction, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 21 - A stolen car tore off the Manhattan Bridge, slammed into a plaza, and killed a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Metal, bodies, and lives shattered in seconds. The driver ran. Police caught her.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-21) reports a stolen Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, crashing into Bowery plaza at Canal Street. The car struck and killed May Kwok, seated on a bench, and Kevin Scott Cruickshank, a cyclist. The driver and passenger fled but were caught. The article quotes Kwok's brother: "This is not a car accident. They committed a crime." The crash highlights the lethal risk of high-speed driving and stolen vehicles in dense city spaces. Memorials now mark the plaza where the impact ended two lives.

• Stolen Car Kills Two on Bowery Plaza, West Side Spirit, 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 2025-11-03

Jul 20 - A stolen car tore through Chinatown. Two dead. The driver, unlicensed, had fled a Brooklyn crash months before. System failed. Streets stayed deadly.

NY Daily News (2025-07-20) reports a 23-year-old, unlicensed driver killed two people in Chinatown while driving a stolen rental. Three months earlier, she allegedly hit a pedestrian in Brooklyn and fled. Police charged her with leaving the scene and aggravated unlicensed operation, but she was released without bail, as the charges were not bail-eligible under state law. The article notes, "The out-of-control driver... had been freed without bail in April after she was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash that badly injured a pedestrian." The case highlights gaps in bail policy and enforcement for unlicensed, repeat dangerous driving.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-20

Jul 17 - A food cart broke loose from a van packed with propane and fuel. It slammed into a parked car with a woman and child inside. Both went to the hospital. Police found 76 propane tanks. The driver faces charges.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-17), police arrested a 31-year-old van driver after a food cart he was towing broke loose and struck a parked Kia Serrano with a woman and child inside. The article reports, "Firefighters forced entry into the van, removing 76 20-pound propane cylinders and 15 five-gallon fuel containers." The driver was charged with reckless endangerment. The incident highlights the dangers of unsecured loads and hazardous material transport on city streets. Both victims were hospitalized in stable condition. The driver attempted to withhold access to the van, further complicating the response.

• Loose Food Cart Strikes Parked Car in Manhattan, NY Daily News, 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 2025-11-03

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 2025-11-03