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

May 3 - A van door swung open. The e-biker hit it, thrown into the street. A truck rolled over him. He died in the gutter, Broome and Centre. The city lost a musician. The street stayed the same.

NY Daily News reported on May 3, 2025, that George Smaragdis, known as synthwave artist Starcadian, died after being doored by a Mercedes van while riding his e-bike westbound on Broome Street in Manhattan. The impact threw him into the path of a red delivery truck, which ran him over. Police said Smaragdis suffered severe head trauma and died at Bellevue Hospital. The article notes, 'The man who died after being doored while riding an e-bike and then run over by a passing truck...was a popular and influential synthwave artist.' The crash highlights the ongoing danger of dooring and the lethal consequences when street design and driver actions fail to protect cyclists. No mention of charges or policy changes followed.

• E-Biker Doored, Killed in Soho Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-03

May 1 - Council passes law. Taxis and for-hire cars must post bold warnings on rear doors. Riders face the message: look for cyclists before swinging the door. A move to cut dooring. City acts. Cyclists stay in the crosshairs.

Int 0193-2024, now law, cleared the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and passed City Council on May 1, 2025. The bill, titled 'A Local Law...requiring taxis and for-hire vehicles to display a decal warning passengers to look for cyclists when opening the door,' demands clear warning signs on all rear passenger doors. Lincoln Restler led as primary sponsor, joined by Gutiérrez, Hudson, Rivera, Won, and others. The Taxi and Limousine Commission must provide decals at no cost. The law aims to fight dooring, a threat to cyclists citywide. Enacted May 31, 2025, it takes effect in 120 days.

• File Int 0193-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2025-05-01

Apr 29 - A van hit a 74-year-old woman crossing with the signal on Broadway. She suffered a leg injury. Police cite driver inattention. The street stayed busy. The danger was clear.

A Ford van traveling east on West 79th Street struck a 74-year-old woman as she crossed Broadway with the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian was injured in the knee, lower leg, and foot, suffering a contusion. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The driver, a 27-year-old man, was licensed and uninjured. No other injuries were reported. The crash happened at a Manhattan intersection, highlighting the risk to pedestrians even when following signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809377 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 29 - A car flipped on the West Side Highway. Southbound traffic froze. Metal blocked the morning rush. The city’s arteries clogged. No word on injuries. The crash left commuters stranded, the danger plain.

CBS New York reported on April 29, 2025, that an overturned car on the West Side Highway caused major delays for southbound commuters. The article states, "An overturned car on the West Side Highway is causing delays in the southbound direction for the early morning commute." No details on injuries or the cause were given. The crash highlights the persistent risk posed by vehicles losing control on high-speed city arteries. Overturned cars signal possible driver error or hazardous road conditions. The incident underscores the vulnerability of all road users and the need for systemic safety improvements on major corridors.

• Overturned Car Snarls West Side Highway, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-29

Apr 28 - A van hit a man crossing with the signal on West 89th Street. He suffered a bruised hip and leg. The crash left him injured at the intersection. No driver errors listed in the police report.

A van struck a 42-year-old man as he crossed West 89th Street at Riverside Drive in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the van's right front bumper hit him. He sustained a contusion to his hip and upper leg. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The incident highlights the risk pedestrians face, even when following traffic signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810335 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 27 - Francisco Guzman Parra died in a burning car after a police chase in Inwood. Officers left the scene unreported. Family demands answers. Two investigations run. Streets stay dangerous. System failed to protect. The dead remain silent.

CBS New York reported on April 27, 2025, that Francisco Andres Guzman Parra, 31, died after crashing a stolen vehicle on Dyckman Street in Manhattan following an NYPD pursuit. The article states, "NYPD sources said the two officers in pursuit returned to their stationhouse without reporting the crash." The FDNY later found Guzman Parra dead in the burning car. Patrick Hendry of the Police Benevolent Association claimed officers "lost sight of the car and did not know it crashed," but the family's attorney, Jeremy Feigenbaum, said their investigation "has not corroborated the officers' claim." The officers remain on leave as both the NYPD and the New York attorney general's office investigate. The case raises questions about police pursuit protocols and reporting failures.

• NYPD Pursuit Ends In Fatal Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-27

Apr 24 - Taxi turned wrong on Amsterdam. Hit woman crossing with signal. Her leg bruised. Driver hurt. Police cite improper turn. Danger at the crosswalk.

A taxi made an improper turn at Amsterdam Avenue and West 97th Street in Manhattan. The cab struck a 62-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered a contusion to her leg. The taxi driver, a 58-year-old man, was also injured. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Turning Improperly.' No other contributing factors were listed. The report highlights the risk to pedestrians even when they have the right of way.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808309 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 24 - An SUV door swung into a cyclist’s path on W 83rd. Metal hit flesh. The rider crashed, head struck, concussion followed. Driver inattention named. Streets stay dangerous. The city keeps count.

A cyclist riding west on W 83rd Street collided with the left side doors of a parked SUV. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The cyclist, a 30-year-old woman, suffered a head injury and concussion. The SUV driver, a 35-year-old man, was not reported injured. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this is noted only after the driver’s error. No other factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809152 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 23 - A Ford SUV hit a 57-year-old man crossing West 86th at Broadway. The street was quiet. The man died beneath the wheels. No driver errors listed. The driver wore her belt.

A 57-year-old man was killed when a Ford SUV struck him as he crossed West 86th Street at Broadway. According to the police report, the SUV moved east and hit the man, who was crossing against the signal. The impact crushed his body. The street was quiet. The driver, a 41-year-old woman, wore her seatbelt. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807749 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 22 - Three new microhubs now stand on Upper West Side streets. Trucks unload cargo. E-cargo bikes and hand carts finish the job. Fewer trucks double-park. Streets clear. Council Member Gale Brewer backs the move. The city tests safer, cleaner delivery.

On April 22, 2025, the NYC Department of Transportation launched a microhub pilot on the Upper West Side. The program opened three delivery hubs at Amsterdam Avenue at 85th Street, Amsterdam at 73rd Street, and Broadway at 77th Street. According to the DOT, these hubs are part of a three-year pilot under the Curb Management Action Plan. The official matter summary states: 'The DOT unveiled three new microhubs to promote cleaner, greener, last-mile deliveries.' Council Member Gale A. Brewer, representing District 6, applauded the initiative, saying, 'It is incredibly important to have these hubs where we can pull the trucks off the streets and get the delivery via bicycle.' The pilot aims to cut truck congestion, reduce double parking, and shift deliveries to low-emission modes. Delivery giants like Amazon and UPS will use the hubs. The city hopes to make streets safer for everyone.

• Three new microhubs now allocated for delivery drop off on Upper West Side streets, amny.com, Published 2025-04-22

Apr 16 - Assembly bill A 7997 lets speed cameras catch drivers hiding or altering plates. It extends camera use in school zones. Lawmakers push to close loopholes that shield reckless drivers from accountability.

Assembly bill A 7997, now in sponsorship, aims to expand photo speed violation monitoring in New York City. The bill, sponsored by Deborah Glick with co-sponsors Jo Anne Simon, John Zaccaro Jr., Linda Rosenthal, and Tony Simone, was introduced on April 16, 2025. It 'permits the use of photo speed violation monitoring systems in New York City for the purposes of enforcement of license plate obstruction, concealment, and/or distortion; extends provisions permitting the use of speed cameras in certain school zones.' By targeting plate obstruction, the bill seeks to stop drivers from dodging speed camera enforcement, a move that could help protect pedestrians and cyclists from repeat offenders.

• File A 7997, Open States, Published 2025-04-16

Apr 13 - Taxi swung left on Amsterdam. Driver turned wrong. Pedestrian hit at intersection. Bruised leg. Police cite improper turn. Streets stay dangerous.

A taxi making a left turn on Amsterdam Avenue at West 75th Street struck a 33-year-old pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian suffered a contusion to the lower leg and foot. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Turning Improperly.' Both the driver and an occupant of the taxi were involved but not seriously hurt. The report highlights the driver’s improper turn as the main factor. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805806 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 12 - A stolen car slammed into a Manhattan building. Flames followed. The driver, Francisco Guzman Parra, died on impact. His family waited days for answers. Police actions now face scrutiny. The city counts another life lost to speed and steel.

The New York Times (April 12, 2025) reports on the death of Francisco Guzman Parra after a stolen Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood, Manhattan. The crash followed a police chase; two officers involved were suspended pending investigation. The article notes, "The police are investigating whether the officers left the scene without reporting the crash." The medical examiner found Guzman Parra died from blunt impact and thermal injuries. The NYPD force investigation unit and state attorney general are reviewing the incident. The police have not disclosed why the chase began or details about the pursuit. The case highlights ongoing questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers that follow high-speed chases through city streets.

• Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-12

Apr 11 - A man crossing Broadway with the signal was hit. He suffered bruises and shock. The crash left his whole body hurt. No driver errors listed. The street stayed dangerous.

A 50-year-old man was hit while crossing Broadway at West 77th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, he was a pedestrian at the intersection, crossing with the signal. He suffered bruises to his entire body and was in shock. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The vehicle type was unspecified. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians, even when following signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808757 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - A box truck driver followed too close on Amsterdam Ave. The truck struck a cyclist. The cyclist suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver inattention and tailgating.

A box truck and a cyclist collided on Amsterdam Avenue at West 95th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 30-year-old man, was injured in the arm. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely.' The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but the primary factors listed were driver errors. No injuries were reported for the truck driver or other occupants. The impact left the cyclist hurt and exposed the risks faced by vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805554 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 - Toyota slams Ford’s rear on Henry Hudson Parkway. Metal screams. A woman in the front seat clutches her knee, head ringing. She is hurt. Both cars sit battered, the road holds the wreck.

A southbound Toyota struck the rear quarter of a Ford sedan on Henry Hudson Parkway. A forty-year-old woman, riding as a front passenger, suffered a knee injury and concussion. According to the police report, 'Following Too Closely' was the listed contributing factor. The impact left both vehicles damaged. No injuries were reported for the drivers. The injured passenger wore a lap belt and harness. The crash underscores the risk when drivers fail to maintain safe distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805457 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 10 - Senate bill S 7336 pushes more speed cameras and targets hidden plates. Sponsors want sharper eyes on reckless drivers. School zones stay under watch. The city’s most vulnerable stay exposed.

Senate bill S 7336, now in sponsorship, aims to expand photo speed violation monitoring in New York City. The bill, titled 'Relates to the use of certain photo speed violation monitoring systems for the purposes of enforcement of license plate obstruction; repealer,' lets cameras catch drivers who hide or alter plates and extends speed camera use in school zones. Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill’s focus: more enforcement, less evasion. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear—more eyes on the street, more pressure on reckless drivers.

• File S 7336, Open States, Published 2025-04-10

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