Lower the Speed, Save a Life—Or Bury Another Neighbor

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 26 - A driver hit a standing vehicle on Amsterdam at West 90th. The sedan’s front end crumpled. The 38-year-old driver went down, unconscious, bleeding from the head. Police recorded improper lane use. No pedestrians or cyclists were hurt.

According to the police report, the driver of a sedan traveling east hit a standing vehicle on Amsterdam Avenue at West 90th Street at about 1:06 a.m. The crash left a 38-year-old man, the driver, unconscious with a head injury and severe bleeding. Police recorded "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" by the driver. The report also lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion." The sedan had damage to the center front end. Other occupants were recorded with unspecified injuries. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 25 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. Police investigate. No arrests. The road claimed another life.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-25) reports Matthew Goicochea, 31, was killed after falling from his motorcycle and being struck by a car near E. 25th St. on FDR Drive. The driver did not remain at the scene. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The article states, "He was then struck by an unknown vehicle shortly thereafter, which did not remain on the scene." No arrests have been made. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users on high-speed city highways and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers.

• Firefighter Killed in FDR Drive Collision, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-25

Jul 24 - Two buses collided on a ramp. Thirty people hurt. Metal and glass scattered. Sirens wailed. Another crash this month. The ramp remains a danger.

Gothamist (2025-07-24) reports about 30 people were injured when two buses collided on the Port Authority Bus Terminal ramp near West 41st Street and Dyer Avenue. The FDNY said, 'only minor injuries' were reported. This marks the second bus crash at the terminal approach this month, highlighting ongoing risks for passengers. NJ Transit delays followed. The article notes, 'A collision involving multiple buses July 2 shut down all NJ Transit service.' The repeated crashes raise questions about ramp safety and traffic management.

• Thirty Hurt In Port Authority Bus Crash, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-24

Jul 22 - 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

Jul 21 - A speeding rental car tore through Chinatown. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died at the scene. The car was overdue. Guns were found in the trunk. Charges followed. Debris scattered the street.

Gothamist (2025-07-21) reports a deadly crash at Canal Street and Bowery. A blue Chevrolet Malibu, rented but never returned, sped off the Manhattan Bridge and struck cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died instantly. Prosecutors say the car was moving at a 'high rate of speed.' Police found two 9mm pistols and ammunition in the trunk. The driver faces murder and manslaughter charges. The passenger faces charges for unauthorized use and weapons. The crash highlights risks from unreturned rentals and high-speed driving in dense city streets.

• Overdue Rental Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - A speeding SUV hit a 13-year-old cyclist on West End Avenue. The boy suffered a bruised leg. Police cite unsafe speed as the cause. The street saw blood and pain. The system failed to protect the young.

A 13-year-old boy riding his bike was struck by a station wagon/SUV on West End Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the SUV was traveling at unsafe speed when it collided with the cyclist, causing a contusion and injury to the boy's lower leg. The driver, an 81-year-old man, was also listed with unspecified injuries. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, as noted in the report, but the primary cause remains the driver's unsafe speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828927 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 19 - A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.

Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.

• Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-19

Jul 18 - The driver of an SUV turned right and hit a 38-year-old motorized scooter driver on W 86th at Riverside. The scooter driver suffered neck pain and shock. Police listed contributing factors as "Unspecified".

A driver in an SUV turned right and hit a motorized scooter driver on West 86th Street at Riverside Drive in Manhattan. The scooter rider, a 38-year-old man, was injured and complained of neck pain and was in shock. "According to the police report," both vehicles were traveling north and the SUV was making a right turn at the time of impact. Police recorded no specific driver errors; contributing factors are listed as "Unspecified" in the report and in the person record. The report lists damage to the SUV's right front quarter panel and the scooter's center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828502 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - 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

Jul 16 - A driver in an SUV turned left and hit an 81-year-old woman in a marked crosswalk at Broadway and West 82nd Street. She suffered knee, lower-leg and internal injuries. Police recorded driver inattention and passenger distraction.

“According to the police report ...” A driver in an SUV made a left turn at Broadway and West 82nd Street in Manhattan and struck an 81-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. The woman suffered knee, lower-leg and foot injuries and reported internal complaints. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Passenger Distraction" as contributing factors. The SUV's center front end was the point of impact. The driver was a licensed male with a New Jersey license. Police recorded the crash at 9:56 a.m. in zip code 10024.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 16 - A DOT worker fixing a sign was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near miss in lower Manhattan. The cyclist fled. The worker bled on the street. Police are searching. No arrests. Another morning, another wound.

NY Daily News (2025-07-16) reports a city DOT worker was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near collision at Broadway and Cedar St. The worker was fixing a street sign when the cyclist nearly hit his truck. Witnesses said, 'They weren't even in the bike lane, they were parked on the corner.' After the argument, the cyclist cut the worker's arm with a box cutter and fled. The DOT worker was treated and released. Police are searching for the cyclist. The incident highlights the dangers of street work and the tense interactions between vehicles and vulnerable road users.

• DOT Worker Slashed After Near Collision, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-16

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 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 7 - Adams’s new delivery unit launches in 2028. Forty-five peace officers, no real power. Critics say it targets riders, not bosses. Streets stay risky. No clear safety gains for walkers or cyclists.

""I am not supportive of criminal penalties."" -- Gale A. Brewer

Bill: Department of Sustainable Delivery, announced July 7, 2025. Status: Launch set for 2028 as a 45-person team within DOT. No standalone department. Council Member Gale Brewer and advocates oppose criminal penalties for delivery workers. Brewer pushes Intro. 20, requiring app companies to provide safety gear and training. Critics say the mayor’s plan punishes riders, not companies. Safety analysts note: 'No direct changes to infrastructure, enforcement, or policy for vulnerable road users; no clear safety impact can be determined.' The council may break up the plan and advance its own bills.

• Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-07

Jul 6 - A high-speed electric unicycle struck a cyclist on Central Park’s crowded West Drive. The unicycle rider landed in critical condition. Congestion and speed collided. Chaos followed. Bystanders watched. Sirens wailed.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-06) reports a crash on Central Park’s West Drive, where an illegal electric unicycle hit a cyclist. The unicycle, capable of speeds over 40 mph, struck Carolyn Backus, who was riding a standard bike. The unicycle operator was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. NYPD initially charged Backus with leaving the scene, but the charge was dropped. A spokesperson clarified, 'She also remained on scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics.' The incident highlights risks from high-speed, illegal vehicles in crowded park spaces.

• Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-06

Jul 3 - Duffy urges Americans to drive to Central Park. His campaign invites more cars into crowded streets. More traffic means more risk for people walking and biking. NYC’s safety takes a hit.

On July 3, 2025, Yoshi Omi-Jarrett responded to federal Secretary Sean Duffy’s 'Great American Road Trip' campaign. The campaign, covered by Streetsblog NYC, pushes Americans to drive to landmarks like Central Park. Council Member Gale Brewer slammed the idea, saying, 'No! And no cars are allowed in Central Park!' Critics note Duffy’s plan ignores New York’s transit strengths and threatens vulnerable road users. Safety analysts warn: 'Encouraging more driving in transit-rich, congested areas increases vehicle traffic, which raises risks for pedestrians and cyclists and undermines mode shift toward safer, more equitable transportation.'

• Sean Duffy’s ‘Great America Road Trip’ Wants You to Drive to Central Park, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-03

Jul 2 - Garbage truck with bad brakes struck van on Broadway. One driver hurt. Metal twisted. Neck injury. Streets failed to protect. System error, not fate.

A van and a garbage truck collided on Broadway at West 95th Street in Manhattan. One driver, age 65, suffered a neck injury. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Brakes Defective' on the garbage truck. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact left the van damaged on the right side and the truck at the front. The police report lists no other contributing factors. The system allowed a truck with faulty brakes onto city streets. No helmet or signal issues were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 30 - Council orders swift removal of abandoned, derelict cars. Streets clear in 72 hours. No plates, no stickers, no excuses. Police and sanitation must act. Safer crossings for all who walk, ride, or wait.

Bill Int 0857-2024, now at the Mayor's desk, passed the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and full Council on June 30, 2025. The bill, titled "A Local Law to amend the administrative code...in relation to vehicles reported as abandoned to the department of sanitation," requires the Department of Sanitation to remove derelict vehicles within 72 hours of report. The NYPD must tow cars lacking valid plates or stickers. Prime sponsor Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led, joined by Crystal Hudson, Amanda Farías, Lincoln Restler, and others. The law targets street hazards, clearing blocked sightlines and crosswalks. It aims to cut risks for pedestrians and cyclists by removing abandoned vehicles fast.

• File Int 0857-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-06-30