East Midtown Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Apr 11 - Including Thursday's deadly crash, 25 people have been killed in New York City sightseeing helicopter accidents in the last 40 years.

• Lawmakers aim to make changes after New York City sightseeing helicopter crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-11

Apr 10 - Metal crashes on 3rd Avenue. A woman’s leg breaks the silence. A man’s neck snaps back. Sirens cut through Midtown. The city keeps moving.

A Ford SUV and a Tesla sedan crashed at 3rd Avenue and East 48th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the Ford’s left front and Tesla’s right front collided. A 28-year-old woman driving the Ford suffered a leg injury. A 25-year-old man riding as a front passenger was hurt in the neck. Both were conscious after the crash. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The city’s traffic did not stop.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804868 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 10 - Council passed a law forcing DOT to post sharp, regular updates on street safety projects. Progress on bike lanes, bus lanes, and signals must go public. No more hiding delays or cost overruns. The city must show its work.

Bill Int 1105-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Introduced November 13, 2024, it passed Council on April 10, 2025, and became law May 10, 2025. The bill's title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to tracking progress made towards the requirements of the streets master plan.' Council Member Julie Won led sponsorship, joined by Brooks-Powers, Hanif, Ayala, and others. The law demands DOT post annual and monthly updates on every project tied to the master plan—listing details, timelines, funding, and setbacks. This law brings sunlight to street safety work, making the city answer for every mile and missed deadline.

• File Int 1105-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-04-10

Apr 9 - Seven lawmakers demand Mayor Adams open the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The project sits finished. Cyclists and walkers still cram into a narrow, crash-prone lane. Delays keep thousands at risk. City Hall stalls. Advocates plan protest. Danger lingers.

On April 9, 2025, seven elected officials—including Council Members Julie Won and Julie Menin—sent a public letter demanding Mayor Adams open the long-promised Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The Department of Transportation had planned to open the dedicated walkway on March 16, but the mayor's office intervened, citing the need for a briefing. The lawmakers wrote, 'The reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory, as all communications from the DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public.' They warned, 'Any further delays to this project that is otherwise ready to open will unnecessarily put at risk the thousands of New Yorkers who cycle and walk the current shared path every day.' The project, in the works since at least 2017, remains stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to share a cramped, hazardous lane. City Hall insists on more review, while advocates plan a protest ribbon-cutting.

• Pols Demand Adams Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 9 - Seven lawmakers demand Mayor Adams open the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The project sits finished. Cyclists and walkers still cram into a narrow, crash-prone lane. Delays keep thousands at risk. City Hall stalls. Advocates plan protest. Danger lingers.

On April 9, 2025, seven elected officials—including Council Members Julie Won and Julie Menin—sent a public letter demanding Mayor Adams open the long-promised Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The Department of Transportation had planned to open the dedicated walkway on March 16, but the mayor's office intervened, citing the need for a briefing. The lawmakers wrote, 'The reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory, as all communications from the DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public.' They warned, 'Any further delays to this project that is otherwise ready to open will unnecessarily put at risk the thousands of New Yorkers who cycle and walk the current shared path every day.' The project, in the works since at least 2017, remains stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to share a cramped, hazardous lane. City Hall insists on more review, while advocates plan a protest ribbon-cutting.

• Pols Demand Adams Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

Apr 7 - A box truck struck a man sitting in the street at West 40th and 9th. The man died at the scene. The driver stayed. Police are investigating. No arrests. The victim’s name is not known.

Patch reported on April 7, 2025, that a man was killed by a box truck at West 40th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The article states, “Police determined that a box truck, operated by a 75-year-old man, was traveling southbound on 9 Avenue when the vehicle collided with the victim, who was sitting in the roadway.” The driver remained at the scene and was not injured. No arrests have been made. The victim’s identity has not been released. The incident highlights the persistent risk to people in city streets and the need for scrutiny of how large vehicles interact with vulnerable road users. The investigation is ongoing.

• Box Truck Kills Man In Hell's Kitchen, Patch, Published 2025-04-07

Apr 4 - A box truck hit a man on West 59th. The driver dragged him, then left. A yellow cab struck the wounded man as he lay in the street. Medics rushed him to the hospital. He survived. The truck driver now faces charges.

According to the NY Daily News (April 4, 2025), a 59-year-old truck driver, Luis Cedeno Pluas, struck a pedestrian near Central Park on August 31, 2024. The victim, standing in the right-most lane of W. 59th St., was dragged for several feet by the Isuzu box truck. The driver "kept going" after the impact, leaving the man critically injured in the street. A yellow cab then hit the victim as he lay on the roadway. Police charged Cedeno Pluas with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injuries. The article notes the victim's condition has improved and he is expected to recover. The incident highlights the danger of hit-and-run crashes and the vulnerability of people on foot in busy Manhattan corridors.

• Truck Strikes, Drags Man Near Central Park, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 3 - A taxi hit a 62-year-old cyclist on East 52nd. The man suffered head trauma and lost consciousness. The crash left the bike undamaged. Police list all factors as unspecified.

A taxi and a bicycle collided at East 52nd Street and 1st Avenue in Manhattan. The 62-year-old male cyclist was struck and suffered a head injury, losing consciousness. According to the police report, all contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified.' The taxi's front end was damaged, but the bike showed no damage. No driver errors are specified in the report. The cyclist was not using any safety equipment, as noted after the lack of identified driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803279 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 3 - A stolen SUV crashed and burned in Inwood. Two NYPD officers chased, then left the scene. The driver died in the flames. The officers returned to their precinct, silent. Surveillance caught their exit. The city investigates. Policy on chases faces scrutiny.

NY Daily News (2025-04-03) reports two NYPD officers pursued a stolen Honda CR-V into Manhattan. The driver crashed at Dyckman St., and the car caught fire. The officers 'fled the scene, leaving him to die in the fiery wreck,' then returned to their Bronx precinct without reporting the crash. Surveillance footage showed their patrol car leaving. The NYPD suspended both officers and launched an investigation. This comes after new pursuit policies were enacted in February, restricting chases to felony or violent misdemeanor cases. The guidelines aimed to curb 'unnecessary police pursuits that lead to crashes and injure other motorists and pedestrians.' The incident raises questions about adherence to these policies and the risks of police chases in dense urban areas.

• NYPD Officers Flee Scene After Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Mar 25 - A 29-year-old male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg contusions while riding north on E 55th Street in Manhattan. The crash caused no vehicle damage. The cyclist remained conscious and was not ejected from his bike.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male bicyclist was injured on E 55th Street near 1st Avenue in Manhattan at 10:45 AM. The bicyclist was traveling north, going straight ahead, when the incident occurred. The report notes no damage to the bike and no ejection of the rider. The bicyclist sustained contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated as moderate (3). The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any driver errors or other vehicles involved. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The data focuses on the bicyclist's injuries and the absence of vehicle damage, with no indication of driver fault or other systemic factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801967 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 24 - A 55-year-old woman was struck by a taxi making a left turn on East 58th Street. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the taxi driver, distracted and failing to yield, hit her, causing bruises and injuries to her entire body.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling southeast on East 58th Street made a left turn and struck a 55-year-old female pedestrian crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to her entire body but remained conscious. The report cites driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The point of impact was the taxi's left front quarter panel. The taxi driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. Vehicle damage was reported as none, highlighting the severity of impact to the pedestrian despite minimal vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801072 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 23 - Luis Cruz stepped from his car. An e-bike delivery worker sped through a stop sign. The crash was sudden. Cruz died on the street. The rider stayed. The intersection has seen this before. The system pushes speed. The danger remains.

Gothamist reported on March 23, 2025, that Luis Cruz, 49, died after an e-bike delivery worker "sped through a stop sign" and struck him as he exited his double-parked car in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Witness Jack Collins said, "He died basically on the spot." The e-bike rider remained at the scene. No arrests were made. The article notes this intersection is known for frequent stop sign violations: "It's not a unicorn incident. It's happened a lot." The piece highlights systemic issues, including delivery app pressures and gaps in e-bike regulation. City data shows e-bikes account for less than 2% of traffic deaths, but the policy debate continues. Lawmakers have called for tighter rules, as delivery workers face incentives to rush.

• E-Bike Rider Runs Stop, Kills Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-03-23

Mar 20 - A 63-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries when a taxi struck him on East 50th Street. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The taxi impacted the left side doors, causing bruising and contusions.

According to the police report, a 63-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing East 50th Street at an intersection with the pedestrian signal. The vehicle involved was a northbound taxi that was parked before the crash and struck the pedestrian on its left side doors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any pedestrian fault. The taxi driver was licensed and operating a 2024 vehicle registered in New York. The impact and resulting injuries highlight the dangers posed by vehicle movements near intersections, especially involving taxis and vulnerable pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801642 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 19 - SUV struck moped on Lexington. Moped driver ejected, suffered head injury. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. Streets remain hostile to the unprotected.

A moped and an SUV collided on Lexington Avenue at East 45th Street in Manhattan. The 31-year-old moped driver was partially ejected and suffered a head injury. According to the police report, both drivers were cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience.' The SUV and moped were both traveling south. The moped took the impact at the center front end, while the SUV was hit at the right front bumper. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported injured. The crash highlights the danger faced by vulnerable road users when drivers lose focus.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814790 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 12 - Dozens gathered in Midtown. They demanded e-bike registration and license plates. Priscilla’s Law, named for a pedestrian killed by an e-bike, drove the call. Council Member Holden and Assembly Member Rajkumar led. Advocates want accountability. They say e-bike chaos endangers walkers and cyclists.

On March 12, 2025, Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30) joined Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and advocates in Midtown to rally for Priscilla’s Law (A339). The bill would require all e-bikes to have license plates and be registered with the DMV or DOT. The rally, held near Governor Hochul’s office, drew support from the NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance. The matter title: 'New Yorkers rally in Midtown to combat “lawless” e-bike riding in NYC.' Holden supports both city and state versions, stating, 'We need the state DMV to issue license plates for e-bikes.' Rajkumar declared, 'We will usher in a new era free of e-bikes blasting through red lights.' The bill is named for Priscilla Loke, killed by an e-bike in 2023. Advocates say e-bike collisions often end in hit-and-runs. They demand rules and consequences to protect pedestrians and cyclists.

• New Yorkers rally in Midtown to combat “lawless” e-bike riding in NYC, amny.com, Published 2025-03-12

Mar 6 - A stolen minivan tore through Harlem. The driver ran from police. He struck Devon Hughley on a scooter. Hughley died at Harlem Hospital. The driver fled. Police used facial recognition. They arrested Enesin Delarosa. Grief lingers. Memorials remain.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-06), Enesin Delarosa, 26, was arrested for fatally striking Devon Hughley, 45, while fleeing an NYPD car stop in Harlem on November 2. The article reports Delarosa was driving a stolen minivan and "allegedly hit Hughley near W.155th St. and St. Nicholas Ave. while fleeing a traffic stop." Delarosa faces charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene, fleeing police, and possession of stolen property. The crash highlights the lethal risk of high-speed police pursuits and the dangers posed by stolen vehicles in dense urban areas. Memorial posters for Hughley remain in his building. The article quotes Hughley's sister, Yvette Palmer: "the arrest brought some peace."

• Scooter Rider Killed Fleeing Traffic Stop, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-06

Feb 27 - A northbound SUV struck a parked SUV on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. The driver suffered incoherence and full-body pain. A passenger endured neck injury and whiplash. Illness and loss of consciousness contributed to the crash, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a 2022 Toyota SUV traveling north on 3rd Avenue collided with a parked 2024 GMC SUV. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the moving vehicle striking the right rear bumper of the parked vehicle. The driver, a 46-year-old male, was injured with complaints of pain and nausea and was incoherent after the crash. The passenger, a 70-year-old male seated in the middle rear seat, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The report cites 'Illness' and 'Lost Consciousness' as contributing factors to the crash, indicating the driver likely experienced a medical emergency leading to the collision. Both drivers were licensed in New York. There is no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. The crash highlights the systemic danger posed by medical emergencies while driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795515 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 18 - Senators move to guard bike lanes. Cameras will catch drivers who block or invade. The city’s cyclists and walkers get a shot at safer streets. No more hiding behind the wheel.

Senate bill S 5008, now in sponsorship, aims to launch a bicycle lane safety program in New York City. The bill, introduced February 18, 2025, sits in committee. Its summary reads: 'Establishes in the city of New York a bicycle lane safety program to enforce certain restrictions on the use of bicycle lanes and/or protected bicycle lanes by means of bicycle lane photo devices.' Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal leads, joined by Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, Liz Krueger, Jessica Ramos, and Julia Salazar. The bill targets drivers who block or misuse bike lanes, using cameras to enforce the rules. The move puts pressure on the city to protect cyclists and pedestrians from daily danger.

• File S 5008, Open States, Published 2025-02-18

Feb 15 - A 44-year-old bicyclist suffered head abrasions after a collision with a sedan on E 50 St in Manhattan. The driver’s inattention and disregard for traffic control led to impact on the bike’s left rear and the sedan’s right front bumpers.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 7:00 PM on E 50 St near 2 Ave in Manhattan. A sedan traveling eastbound struck a southbound bicyclist, impacting the bike’s left rear bumper and the sedan’s right front bumper. The bicyclist, a 44-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained head abrasions and remained conscious. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors attributed to the sedan driver. The bicyclist was not ejected and was riding straight ahead at the time of impact. The collision highlights driver errors including failure to maintain attention and obey traffic controls, which directly caused injury to the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794104 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 13 - Council orders DOT to repaint pavement lines within five days after resurfacing. Delays must be explained to the public. Clear markings mean fewer deadly gaps for walkers and riders.

Int 1160-2025, now enacted, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council in February 2025. The law demands the Department of Transportation install pavement markings or temporary lines within five business days after any street resurfacing. If DOT misses the deadline, it must notify the public and explain the delay. The bill’s matter title: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installing pavement markings.' Council Member Farah N. Louis led as primary sponsor, joined by Brannan, Schulman, Banks, Farías, Carr, and Ariola. The law took effect March 15, 2025. Timely markings close the deadly window when streets lack crosswalks and lanes, protecting people on foot and bike.

• File Int 1160-2025, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-02-13