Gramercy Bleeds: Demand Action Before the Next Crash

A drunk driver tore through Gramercy. He struck Abdulhekim Esiyok in the crosswalk. Bars kept pouring drinks for the driver. Blood alcohol soared. Esiyok died at Bellevue. The driver hit more people before stopping. The city’s system failed again.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-07), Abdulhekim Esiyok, a 23-year-old Turkish immigrant, was killed while crossing Third Avenue after Mahbub Ali, allegedly intoxicated, drove into him. Prosecutors say Ali drank for nearly six hours at three Manhattan bars, reaching a blood alcohol content of .158, almost twice the legal limit. After hitting Esiyok, Ali continued, injuring a cyclist, two more pedestrians, and crashing into a van. The family’s lawsuit cites New York’s Dram Shop Act, which holds bars liable for serving visibly drunk patrons who later cause harm. The article quotes the family’s lawyer: “The family is devastated. They’re still in disbelief.” The case highlights failures in both driver responsibility and alcohol-serving oversight.

• Drunk Driver Kills Immigrant Pedestrian in Manhattan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-07

An SUV hit a woman crossing E 21st Street with the signal. The impact broke her back. She stayed conscious. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The street stayed quiet after. The city’s danger showed in one hard moment.

A pedestrian was struck by a southbound SUV making a left turn at E 21st Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the woman, age 37, was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the vehicle hit her. She suffered a fractured back and remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The SUV showed no damage, but the pedestrian bore the full force of the crash. No helmet or signal use by the pedestrian is cited as a factor. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot in New York City’s crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817799, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A cyclist suffered crush injuries to his leg at E 23rd Street and 3rd Avenue. Two cars and a bike collided. The cyclist wore a helmet. Police cited confusion as a factor. The street saw pain and metal. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

A crash on E 23rd Street at 3rd Avenue in Manhattan left a 61-year-old male cyclist injured with crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, a convertible, a pick-up truck, and a bicycle were involved. The cyclist was conscious and wore a helmet. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver-specific errors were cited in the data. Other vehicle occupants reported unspecified injuries. The crash underscores the risks faced by cyclists on city streets, where even routine turns can end in harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816863, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A distracted driver struck a 12-year-old boy crossing E 23rd Street with the signal. The boy suffered a bruised arm. The car hit him head-on. The crash happened in daylight. The driver failed to pay attention.

A 12-year-old pedestrian was injured while crossing E 23rd Street at 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the boy was crossing with the signal at the intersection when a vehicle traveling south struck him with its front end. The child sustained a contusion to his arm but remained conscious. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The data does not specify the vehicle type or driver details. No other contributing factors from the pedestrian are listed. The crash highlights the danger posed by distracted driving to vulnerable road users in city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810652, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan moving south on 2nd Avenue hit a 33-year-old woman crossing E 22nd Street. The impact left her with a bruised lower leg. Sirens echoed as she remained conscious, pain sharp in her knee, the car’s front quarter panel untouched.

According to the police report, a southbound sedan struck a 33-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection of E 22nd Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing the intersection and suffered a contusion to her knee and lower leg. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The sedan sustained no damage, and the point of impact was the left front quarter panel. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. No specific driver errors were identified in the report, and there is no mention of helmet or signal use as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808382, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 26-year-old man riding west on E 21st Street collided with a turning vehicle at Lexington Avenue. He was thrown from his bike, landing hard on the pavement. Blood pooled near his arm as he sat in shock, clutching his elbow.

According to the police report, a crash occurred at E 21st Street and Lexington Avenue involving a bicyclist and another vehicle. The 26-year-old cyclist, traveling straight westbound, was injured when a vehicle made a right turn, striking him and causing him to be ejected from his bike. The cyclist suffered injuries to his arm and hand and was described as being in shock at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor in the collision. No other contributing factors, such as helmet use or signaling, were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808377, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A young man on a bike slammed into the side of a Ford SUV turning left at Irving Place and East 17th Street. The cyclist hit the pavement, bruising his leg. Sirens echoed as he remained conscious, pain etched on his face.

A 24-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a Ford SUV, traveling west and making a left turn, collided with him on Irving Place near East 17th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as a contributing factor in the crash. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered a contusion to his knee and lower leg. The report notes the cyclist was conscious at the scene. No mention of helmet use or signaling was cited as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the danger posed by driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803533, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Night air split by impact on E 23rd Street. A 66-year-old man, crossing at the intersection, is hit by an SUV’s left front bumper. He remains conscious, blood on his head, a bruise forming. Sirens echo through Manhattan’s quiet streets.

A 66-year-old pedestrian was injured when a Honda SUV traveling west on E 23rd Street struck him at the intersection with 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head contusion and was conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The point of impact was the vehicle’s left front bumper. No other contributing factors related to helmet use or signaling were cited in the official data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803084, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A bicyclist suffered a head injury and partial ejection after an SUV struck him on the left side doors. The SUV was parked at the time, and the cyclist was traveling north. The crash left the cyclist in shock with complaints of pain and nausea.

According to the police report, a 49-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and sustained a head injury after being struck by a 2018 Honda SUV. The SUV was parked and the point of impact was the left side doors. The bicyclist was traveling north, going straight ahead, and the collision occurred at the intersection near 169 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. The bicyclist was injured with a severity level 3 injury, experiencing shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The police report lists unspecified contributing factors for the bicyclist but does not cite any driver errors explicitly. The SUV driver was licensed and the vehicle showed no damage. The incident highlights the dangers posed by parked vehicles striking vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797647, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A speeding SUV struck a parked SUV on East 26th Street in Manhattan. Three occupants in the moving vehicle suffered injuries including whiplash, facial trauma, and hip pain. Police cited unsafe speed and other vehicular factors as causes.

According to the police report, at 12:35 PM on East 26th Street near Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, a 2021 BMW SUV traveling east struck the rear end of a parked 2022 Chevrolet SUV. The driver of the BMW was cited for unsafe speed, listed twice as a contributing factor, along with other vehicular factors. The collision injured three occupants inside the moving BMW SUV: the 51-year-old male driver, the 83-year-old front passenger, and a 55-year-old female rear passenger. Injuries included whiplash, facial trauma with minor bleeding, and hip-upper leg pain. All occupants were conscious or in shock and none were ejected. The report highlights driver error—specifically unsafe speed—as the primary cause, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795967, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A station wagon SUV struck an e-scooter from behind on East 23rd Street in Manhattan. The e-scooter driver suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury, remaining conscious and wearing a helmet. The SUV driver was making a left turn and followed too closely.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:30 PM on East 23rd Street near 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. The station wagon SUV, traveling north and making a left turn, rear-ended an e-scooter also traveling north. The report cites "Following Too Closely" as a contributing factor, indicating driver error by the SUV operator. The e-scooter driver, a 29-year-old male, sustained a shoulder and upper arm contusion but was conscious and wearing a helmet. The SUV showed no damage, while the e-scooter had front-end damage. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim's actions, focusing instead on the SUV driver's failure to maintain a safe distance. This collision highlights the dangers posed by close following distances in mixed traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790471, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A male bicyclist traveling north on 3rd Avenue was injured when struck from behind. The impact caused contusions and lower leg injuries. Police report cites following too closely as the contributing factor. The cyclist remained conscious after the crash.

According to the police report, a male bicyclist was injured in a rear-end collision on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan at 16:25. The bicyclist was traveling north, going straight ahead, when the impact occurred at the center back end of his bike. The crash caused contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The report identifies "Following Too Closely" as the driver error contributing to the collision. No other contributing factors were specified. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the crash. Vehicle damage was limited to the center back end of the bike. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785072, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi traveling south on East 22nd Street struck a 29-year-old female pedestrian working in the roadway. The impact caused injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, leaving her in shock. The pedestrian was not at an intersection when hit.

According to the police report, a 2019 Toyota taxi was traveling straight south on East 22nd Street near 3rd Avenue in Manhattan at 6:30 p.m. The taxi’s right front quarter panel struck a 29-year-old female pedestrian who was working in the roadway but not at an intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand and was reported to be in shock. The report lists the pedestrian’s contributing factors as unspecified, and no driver errors or contributing factors were noted. The taxi driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The vehicle sustained no damage. This incident highlights the dangers faced by pedestrians working in the roadway and the potential for serious injury even without clear driver fault identified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780214, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 36-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured in a collision with a southbound SUV on East 22nd Street. The cyclist suffered contusions and arm injuries. The SUV showed no damage, indicating impact severity focused on the cyclist.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:11 on East 22nd Street in Manhattan. A 36-year-old male bicyclist, wearing a helmet, was traveling southbound when he collided with a southbound Ford SUV. The bicyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, including contusions and bruises. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead, with no reported damage to the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any driver errors explicitly. The impact point was the center front end of the bicycle, while the SUV showed no damage, highlighting the vulnerability of the bicyclist in this collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4777766, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 26-year-old male cyclist suffered abrasions and partial ejection after an SUV backed unsafely into his e-bike on East 23rd Street in Manhattan. The collision struck the bike’s front and the SUV’s rear center, causing lower arm injuries.

According to the police report, at 11:45 AM on East 23rd Street in Manhattan, a 2024 SUV backed unsafely into an eastbound e-bike ridden by a 26-year-old male cyclist. The SUV’s center back end collided with the e-bike’s center front end. The cyclist, who was partially ejected and sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, was conscious at the scene. The report explicitly cites 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error on the part of the SUV operator. The cyclist was not wearing any safety equipment, but no contributing factor was attributed to the victim. The collision caused injury severity level 3, highlighting the danger posed by unsafe vehicle maneuvers in shared road spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771131, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 40-year-old woman was injured when an SUV traveling south on E 15 St struck her outside an intersection. The impact to her lower leg caused a fracture and dislocation. The driver proceeded straight, hitting her with the vehicle’s right front bumper.

According to the police report, a 40-year-old female pedestrian was injured on E 15 St near 2 Ave in Manhattan at 14:20. The pedestrian was struck outside an intersection while performing 'other actions in roadway.' The vehicle involved was a 2015 Honda SUV traveling south, with no occupants other than the licensed male driver. The SUV's right front bumper was the point of impact, causing a fracture and dislocation to the pedestrian's knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists no specific contributing factors for the driver, but the pedestrian was hit outside a crosswalk area. The driver was going straight ahead at the time of collision. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by vehicles striking pedestrians outside intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4768602, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A cyclist cut through Gramercy dusk and struck a man crossing with the light. Blood spilled on the crosswalk. The rider looked away. The man did not. Flesh torn, arm gashed, the city kept moving.

A man crossing Gramercy Park South and 17th Street with the signal was struck by a cyclist, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 5:10 p.m. The report states the cyclist was traveling east and hit the pedestrian’s arm with the front wheel, causing severe lacerations. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The narrative details: 'A man stepped into the crosswalk, light in his favor. A bike cut through the dusk. Its front wheel struck his arm. Skin tore. Blood spilled.' The pedestrian, age 38, suffered injuries to the elbow and lower arm and remained conscious at the scene. The police report explicitly notes the pedestrian was 'Crossing With Signal.' The focus remains on the cyclist’s failure to yield and inattention, which led to the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766079, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 47-year-old male bicyclist suffered an upper arm injury and shock on East 22 Street. The crash involved no vehicle damage and occurred while the cyclist was going straight. Police report lists unspecified contributing factors without driver fault.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old male bicyclist was injured on East 22 Street near 2 Avenue in Manhattan at 16:40. The bicyclist, who was wearing a helmet, sustained an upper arm injury and was in shock. The vehicle involved was a single bike with no damage reported. The bicyclist was the sole occupant and was going straight ahead at the time of the crash. The police report lists the contributing factors as unspecified and does not cite any driver errors or failures. There is no indication of collision with another vehicle or pedestrian, and no ejection occurred. The report focuses on the bicyclist's injury without assigning fault or blame to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763136, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a collision with an SUV on 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. The SUV hit the bike’s left side as both traveled south. Police cited the SUV driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on 2nd Avenue near East 19th Street in Manhattan around 6 p.m. A 53-year-old male bicyclist traveling south was struck on his left side by a southbound 2022 Subaru SUV. The point of impact was the SUV’s center front end against the bike’s left side doors. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected. The report explicitly lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor attributed to the SUV driver. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors in yielding to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761244, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan making a left turn collided with a southbound bicyclist on East 20 Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist was ejected, suffering head injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:10 on East 20 Street near 2 Avenue in Manhattan. A 2024 sedan, traveling northeast and making a left turn, struck a southbound bicyclist going straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of the bike and the right front bumper of the sedan. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained head injuries and whiplash, resulting in injury severity level 3 and shock. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors to the crash. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. The sedan driver held a valid license, while the bicyclist had a permit. This collision highlights critical driver errors leading to severe injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759151, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14