Blood on the Pavement, Silence in City Hall

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 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 bus struck a cyclist on 3rd Ave. The cyclist suffered arm fractures. Police cite driver inattention. The bus rolled north. The bike rider wore a helmet. Steel met flesh. The street stayed dangerous.

A bus and a bicycle collided on 3rd Ave at E 42nd St in Manhattan. The 53-year-old male cyclist was injured, suffering fractures to his arm. According to the police report, both the bus driver and the cyclist were traveling north when the crash occurred. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was partially ejected and wore a helmet. No injuries were reported for the bus driver. The crash highlights the risk faced by cyclists when large vehicles and distraction share the road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830412 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A 31-year-old motorcyclist died on FDR Drive. He was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as causes.

A 31-year-old man riding a motorcycle northbound on FDR Drive was killed after a crash. According to the police report, the rider was ejected and suffered fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The motorcycle sustained damage to the right front quarter panel. No other injuries were specified. The rider was wearing a helmet, but the report centers on driver inattention as the cause. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830014 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

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 taxi and SUV crashed on the FDR Drive ramp. Two men suffered head and back injuries. Shock followed. No clear cause named. Metal met metal. The city kept moving.

A taxi and an SUV collided on the FDR Drive ramp in Manhattan. According to the police report, two men were injured: a 43-year-old taxi passenger with head trauma and a 28-year-old driver with back pain. Both reported shock. The taxi was struck in the center back end while going straight; the SUV was making a right turn. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The crash left metal twisted and passengers hurt, but the cause remains unspecified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830818 - 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 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 sedan struck a cyclist at 3rd Ave. The impact threw her from the bike. She suffered a fractured leg. The driver was unhurt. Both were going straight. No cause named. The street stayed dangerous.

A 23-year-old woman riding a bike was hit by a northbound sedan at 359 3rd Ave in Manhattan. The crash ejected her from the bike and left her with a fractured and dislocated leg. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead at the time of impact. The driver of the sedan, a 46-year-old man, was not injured. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both parties. No further details on driver actions were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828695 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

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

A taxi and sedan collided on FDR Drive. Four people hurt. Passengers and drivers shaken. Police cite driver distraction. Metal, glass, pain. Another day, another crash.

A taxi and a sedan collided on FDR Drive in Manhattan. Four people were injured, including both drivers and two passengers. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. The crash left victims with back and arm injuries, shock, and pain. The taxi was changing lanes, the sedan was going straight. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report notes air bags deployed and seat belts used by some occupants, but only after driver distraction is cited. Systemic danger remains on city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827395 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A sedan turned left on E 41st. The car struck a cyclist. The rider suffered crush injuries to his leg. The street ran red with pain. Metal met flesh. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan making a left turn at E 41st Street and 1st Avenue struck a cyclist going straight. The cyclist, a 48-year-old man, suffered crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, the crash involved a sedan and a bike. The cyclist was injured, while the sedan driver was not. No specific driver errors were listed in the data. The police report notes both drivers' actions but does not specify contributing factors. The cyclist’s safety equipment was unknown. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826200 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A driver hit a 29-year-old man on Park Ave S. The pedestrian suffered leg injuries and lost consciousness. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield.

A 29-year-old male pedestrian was struck and injured on Park Ave S at E 31st Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered injuries to his lower leg and foot and was found unconscious with minor bleeding. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The vehicle's right front bumper struck the pedestrian. No information was provided about the vehicle type or the actions of the pedestrian. The report centers on driver error, with no mention of other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825719 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

A 15-year-old fell from a No. 7 train at Queensboro Plaza. He lay on the tracks, lifeless. Paramedics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. Subway surfing kills. The city counts the bodies. The system endures.

NY Daily News (2025-07-04) reports a 15-year-old boy died after falling from the top of a No. 7 train at Queensboro Plaza. Police found him unconscious on the tracks at 2:45 a.m. and said he was 'either riding the top of a No. 7 train entering the station or attempting to get onto the top.' The article notes six people, mostly teens, died subway surfing last year. This year, three have died. The MTA and NYPD have launched campaigns and drone patrols to deter such incidents, but the deaths continue. No driver error is cited; the focus is on systemic risk and enforcement.

• Teen Dies Falling From Subway Train, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-04

Two SUVs slammed together on FDR Drive. One driver bruised, others shaken. Unsafe speed and bad lane use fueled the crash. Metal twisted. Lives jarred.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed on FDR Drive in Manhattan. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling north when they collided. One driver, age 31, suffered a bruised arm. Three other occupants, including two aged 63, had unspecified injuries. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. Both drivers were licensed and wore lap belts. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left metal bent and people hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825150 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-07-31

Mayor Adams halts 34th Street busway. Streets stay clogged. Pedestrians and bus riders lose. Car dominance remains. Safety and equity stalled.

On July 3, 2025, the Adams administration paused the 34th Street busway project, as reported by Streetsblog NYC. The matter, described as a 'highly-anticipated 34th Street busway,' had support from Council Members Erik Bottcher, Keith Powers, and others. Bottcher called it 'transformative,' promising fewer crashes and faster buses. Powers slammed the last-minute reversal. Safety analysts warn: canceling the busway preserves car dominance, discourages transit, and keeps streets unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists. The project’s future is uncertain. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

• Anti-Miracle On 34th Street: Adams Administration Pauses Work On 34th Street Busway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-03

A 70-year-old woman hit on E 24th Street. She suffered facial bruises. The driver wore a helmet. Police list causes as unspecified. The street stayed quiet. The impact was not.

A 70-year-old female pedestrian was injured after being struck on E 24th Street near 1st Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, she suffered a facial contusion. The driver, a 45-year-old man operating a motorized vehicle, was not injured and wore a helmet. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data. The vehicle was standing and showed no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828065 - 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