Midtown’s Blood Price: How Many Must Die Before City Hall Acts?
Midtown-Times Square: Jan 1, 2022 - Jun 4, 2025
The Toll in Midtown-Times Square
A man steps into the crosswalk. A bus bears down. The street swallows another life. In the past twelve months, six people died on Midtown-Times Square streets. Nine more suffered serious injuries. The numbers do not flinch: 408 injured, 752 crashes in a single year. Each one a story cut short, a body broken, a family left waiting for a call that never comes.
SUVs, taxis, bikes, and buses all play their part. The old and the young are not spared. A woman, 83, crossing with the signal, struck and killed by an SUV turning left at 58th and Sixth. Two cyclists, both 67, dead after a collision with a parked SUV on Fifth Avenue. A 39-year-old man, not even in the roadway, killed by a bus and a boom lift on East 51st. These are not accidents. They are the cost of inaction. Crash data
Promises and Delays from City Hall
City leaders talk about safety. They promise change. Mayor Eric Adams calls Fifth Avenue a place where “more people walk down the street every hour than fill Madison Square Garden during a sold-out Knicks game” and says the city is “finally making… a pedestrian paradise by making it more walkable, greener, and safer” said Mayor Adams. The city will spend $400 million to widen sidewalks and plant trees. But the plan skips bus lanes and bike lanes. Riders Alliance calls it out: “Two mayors have now disregarded city workers’ plans for a busway, throwing riders under the bus to favor luxury boutiques” said Danny Pearlstein.
Pedestrians make up 70% of Fifth Avenue traffic but get less than half the space. Buses crawl. Cyclists dodge doors and trucks. The city claims progress, but the most vulnerable are still left in the street.
The Next Step Is Yours
This is not fate. It is policy. Every delay, every watered-down plan, every missing lane is a choice. The dead cannot speak. The living must. Call your council member. Demand bus lanes, bike lanes, and real protection for people on foot and on wheels. Do not wait for another name on the list. Take action now.
Citations
▸ Citations
- Fifth Avenue Set For Pedestrian Overhaul, amny, Published 2025-05-21
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719883, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-04
- Fifth Avenue Set For Pedestrian Overhaul, amny, Published 2025-05-21
- Fifth Avenue Redesign Shrinks Car Lanes, New York Post, Published 2025-05-21
- Judge Halts Federal Attack On Tolls, Patch, Published 2025-05-27
- Fifth Avenue Redesign Sparks Backlash, NY1, Published 2025-05-22
- MTA Defies Federal Congestion Pricing Order, New York Post, Published 2025-05-22
▸ Other Geographies
Midtown-Times Square Midtown-Times Square sits in Manhattan, Precinct 18, District 4, AD 75, SD 28, Manhattan CB5.
▸ See also
Traffic Safety Timeline for Midtown-Times Square
Bus Strikes Pedestrian Crossing Avenue of Americas▸A 50-year-old man was injured crossing Avenue of the Americas with the signal. A bus making a left turn struck him on the left side doors. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and hip-upper leg injuries. The bus was oversized and caused the crash.
According to the police report, a 50-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Avenue of the Americas with the signal when a bus making a left turn struck him on the left side doors. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his hip and upper leg. The bus, a 2008 MCIN-TRUCK/BUS traveling north, was identified as an oversized vehicle, which contributed to the collision. The report lists "Oversized Vehicle" as a contributing factor. The bus driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash and injured at the intersection. No damage was reported to the bus.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4501209,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-20
SUV and Sedan Collide at Avenue of Americas▸Two parked vehicles collided on Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. A 27-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles sustained front and rear bumper damage. The driver remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle.
According to the police report, a 2015 SUV and a 2019 sedan, both parked and facing north, collided at 1185 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. The sedan was struck on its right rear bumper, while the SUV sustained damage to its left front bumper. The sedan's 27-year-old male driver was injured, suffering head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the driver but does not identify any specific driver errors or victim actions. No safety equipment was noted for the injured driver. The crash caused moderate injury severity and vehicle damage concentrated on the bumpers.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4497181,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-20
Two Bicyclists Collide on 7th Avenue▸Two bicyclists crashed on 7th Avenue in Manhattan. Both were riding straight when they collided front to front. One rider, a 43-year-old man, suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Driver distraction was cited as a factor in the crash.
According to the police report, two bicyclists traveling on 7th Avenue collided head-on. Both riders were going straight ahead when the crash occurred. One bicyclist, a 43-year-old male, was injured with a fractured and dislocated elbow. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor for both riders. Neither bike showed damage, and no one was ejected. The injured rider was conscious and not wearing safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted riding among cyclists in Manhattan.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4494421,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-20
Pedestrian Injured Working on Manhattan Street▸A 30-year-old woman was struck while working in the roadway at a Manhattan intersection. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan involved showed no damage. The pedestrian remained conscious after the impact.
According to the police report, a 30-year-old female pedestrian was injured while working in the roadway at the intersection of West 48 Street and 5 Avenue in Manhattan. She sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The vehicle involved was a sedan traveling east, going straight ahead, with no reported damage. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The pedestrian's role was clearly identified as working in the roadway, and no helmet or signaling factors were noted.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4491621,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-20
A 50-year-old man was injured crossing Avenue of the Americas with the signal. A bus making a left turn struck him on the left side doors. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and hip-upper leg injuries. The bus was oversized and caused the crash.
According to the police report, a 50-year-old male pedestrian was crossing Avenue of the Americas with the signal when a bus making a left turn struck him on the left side doors. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to his hip and upper leg. The bus, a 2008 MCIN-TRUCK/BUS traveling north, was identified as an oversized vehicle, which contributed to the collision. The report lists "Oversized Vehicle" as a contributing factor. The bus driver was licensed and operating the vehicle at the time. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash and injured at the intersection. No damage was reported to the bus.
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4501209, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-20
SUV and Sedan Collide at Avenue of Americas▸Two parked vehicles collided on Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. A 27-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles sustained front and rear bumper damage. The driver remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle.
According to the police report, a 2015 SUV and a 2019 sedan, both parked and facing north, collided at 1185 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. The sedan was struck on its right rear bumper, while the SUV sustained damage to its left front bumper. The sedan's 27-year-old male driver was injured, suffering head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the driver but does not identify any specific driver errors or victim actions. No safety equipment was noted for the injured driver. The crash caused moderate injury severity and vehicle damage concentrated on the bumpers.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4497181,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-20
Two Bicyclists Collide on 7th Avenue▸Two bicyclists crashed on 7th Avenue in Manhattan. Both were riding straight when they collided front to front. One rider, a 43-year-old man, suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Driver distraction was cited as a factor in the crash.
According to the police report, two bicyclists traveling on 7th Avenue collided head-on. Both riders were going straight ahead when the crash occurred. One bicyclist, a 43-year-old male, was injured with a fractured and dislocated elbow. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor for both riders. Neither bike showed damage, and no one was ejected. The injured rider was conscious and not wearing safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted riding among cyclists in Manhattan.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4494421,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-20
Pedestrian Injured Working on Manhattan Street▸A 30-year-old woman was struck while working in the roadway at a Manhattan intersection. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan involved showed no damage. The pedestrian remained conscious after the impact.
According to the police report, a 30-year-old female pedestrian was injured while working in the roadway at the intersection of West 48 Street and 5 Avenue in Manhattan. She sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The vehicle involved was a sedan traveling east, going straight ahead, with no reported damage. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The pedestrian's role was clearly identified as working in the roadway, and no helmet or signaling factors were noted.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4491621,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-20
Two parked vehicles collided on Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. A 27-year-old male driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Both vehicles sustained front and rear bumper damage. The driver remained conscious and was not ejected from the vehicle.
According to the police report, a 2015 SUV and a 2019 sedan, both parked and facing north, collided at 1185 Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. The sedan was struck on its right rear bumper, while the SUV sustained damage to its left front bumper. The sedan's 27-year-old male driver was injured, suffering head trauma and whiplash but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the driver but does not identify any specific driver errors or victim actions. No safety equipment was noted for the injured driver. The crash caused moderate injury severity and vehicle damage concentrated on the bumpers.
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4497181, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-20
Two Bicyclists Collide on 7th Avenue▸Two bicyclists crashed on 7th Avenue in Manhattan. Both were riding straight when they collided front to front. One rider, a 43-year-old man, suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Driver distraction was cited as a factor in the crash.
According to the police report, two bicyclists traveling on 7th Avenue collided head-on. Both riders were going straight ahead when the crash occurred. One bicyclist, a 43-year-old male, was injured with a fractured and dislocated elbow. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor for both riders. Neither bike showed damage, and no one was ejected. The injured rider was conscious and not wearing safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted riding among cyclists in Manhattan.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4494421,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-20
Pedestrian Injured Working on Manhattan Street▸A 30-year-old woman was struck while working in the roadway at a Manhattan intersection. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan involved showed no damage. The pedestrian remained conscious after the impact.
According to the police report, a 30-year-old female pedestrian was injured while working in the roadway at the intersection of West 48 Street and 5 Avenue in Manhattan. She sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The vehicle involved was a sedan traveling east, going straight ahead, with no reported damage. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The pedestrian's role was clearly identified as working in the roadway, and no helmet or signaling factors were noted.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4491621,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-20
Two bicyclists crashed on 7th Avenue in Manhattan. Both were riding straight when they collided front to front. One rider, a 43-year-old man, suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation. Driver distraction was cited as a factor in the crash.
According to the police report, two bicyclists traveling on 7th Avenue collided head-on. Both riders were going straight ahead when the crash occurred. One bicyclist, a 43-year-old male, was injured with a fractured and dislocated elbow. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor for both riders. Neither bike showed damage, and no one was ejected. The injured rider was conscious and not wearing safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers of distracted riding among cyclists in Manhattan.
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4494421, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-20
Pedestrian Injured Working on Manhattan Street▸A 30-year-old woman was struck while working in the roadway at a Manhattan intersection. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan involved showed no damage. The pedestrian remained conscious after the impact.
According to the police report, a 30-year-old female pedestrian was injured while working in the roadway at the intersection of West 48 Street and 5 Avenue in Manhattan. She sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The vehicle involved was a sedan traveling east, going straight ahead, with no reported damage. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The pedestrian's role was clearly identified as working in the roadway, and no helmet or signaling factors were noted.
-
Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4491621,
NYC Open Data,
Accessed 2025-06-20
A 30-year-old woman was struck while working in the roadway at a Manhattan intersection. She suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan involved showed no damage. The pedestrian remained conscious after the impact.
According to the police report, a 30-year-old female pedestrian was injured while working in the roadway at the intersection of West 48 Street and 5 Avenue in Manhattan. She sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The vehicle involved was a sedan traveling east, going straight ahead, with no reported damage. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The pedestrian's role was clearly identified as working in the roadway, and no helmet or signaling factors were noted.
- Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4491621, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-20