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

Apr 3 - A stolen SUV crashed and burned in Inwood. Two NYPD officers chased it, then left the wreck. The driver died in the flames. The officers returned to their Bronx precinct. They did not report the crash. Both are now suspended.

According to the NY Daily News (April 3, 2025), two NYPD officers pursued a stolen Honda CR-V from the Bronx into Manhattan. The chase ended when the SUV crashed into a building near Dyckman St and burst into flames. The officers 'fled the scene,' leaving the driver, who died in the fire. Surveillance footage showed their patrol car leaving. The officers did not report the incident and finished their shift. Both were suspended as the NYPD Force Investigation Division launched a probe. This crash comes after the NYPD tightened pursuit policies, now allowing chases only for felonies or violent misdemeanors. The department aims to avoid pursuits that 'lead to crashes and injure other motorists and pedestrians.' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said police would instead use 'advanced tools of modern-day policing' to track suspects.

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

Apr 2 - A cyclist struck at Columbus Avenue and West 81st. He suffered a concussion and arm injuries. Police list no clear cause. The crash left the cyclist conscious but hurt.

A 34-year-old male cyclist was injured at Columbus Avenue and West 81st Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a concussion and injuries to his arm. The crash involved a bike traveling south and another vehicle making a right turn. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No driver errors are cited in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803636 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 1 - Two sedans collide on Riverside Drive. Metal screams. A 37-year-old man suffers a head wound. Alcohol hangs in the air. The street falls silent. Blood stains the night.

A crash on Riverside Drive at West 82nd Street left a 37-year-old male driver with severe head lacerations. According to the police report, two sedans collided late at night. Alcohol involvement was listed as a contributing factor. The injured man was conscious but bleeding from the head. A 71-year-old man was also present but his injuries were unspecified. No other contributing factors were noted in the report. The data shows the crash involved licensed drivers and parked vehicles, but the main danger cited was alcohol.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 1 - A 13-year-old cyclist slammed by a sedan on Columbus Ave. He flew from his bike, shoulder battered, pain sharp. Streets stayed loud. The car kept moving. The city did not stop.

A 13-year-old boy riding a bike was struck by a sedan at Columbus Avenue and West 78th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered a shoulder injury, reporting pain and shock. The crash involved a bike and a sedan, with 'Other Vehicular' listed as the contributing factor. The report notes the point of impact as the left front quarter panel of the bike. No helmet or safety equipment was used by the cyclist, but this is mentioned only after the driver error. No further details on the sedan or its driver were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803181 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 29 - A sedan traveling south struck a bicyclist also heading south on W 78th Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The sedan showed no damage despite impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:18 on W 78th Street near Riverside Drive in Manhattan. A sedan traveling straight ahead southbound collided with a bicyclist also traveling straight ahead southbound. The point of impact was the sedan's right front bumper and the center back end of the bicycle. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old male, sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand and was conscious after the crash. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The sedan, carrying two occupants, sustained no damage despite the collision. The bicyclist was not ejected and was wearing unspecified safety equipment. The data highlights a collision with no explicit driver fault cited but resulting in injury to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803112 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 26 - Albany has no plan. The MTA faces a $35-billion hole. City lawmakers reject a payroll tax hike unless suburbs pay too. Federal officials blast subway decay. Riders wait. The capital plan hangs in limbo. Danger grows with every delay.

On March 26, 2025, state budget talks stalled over the MTA's 2025-29 capital plan. The $35-billion gap remains. The matter, described as a 'lack of a concrete plan from New York State leaders,' sits unresolved. Assembly Member Micah Lasher calls for regional funding, arguing suburbs benefit most. City lawmakers oppose a payroll tax hike limited to New York City. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie offers only vague assurances. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber warns the capital plan is as vital as Medicare. Federal officials, including U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy, criticize subway neglect and demand improvements before aid. Gov. Hochul’s office claims progress and urges fair federal funding. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The system’s decay puts riders at risk. The clock ticks. Lawmakers stall.

• CAPITOL DISPATCH: Albany Has No Plan, the Feds are Fuming and Transit Riders Are Facing a True ‘Shithole’ If MTA Cash Isn’t Raised, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-03-26

Mar 25 - A southbound bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after an SUV made a left turn on Columbus Ave. The collision impacted the bike's front and the SUV's left side doors. Driver inattention was cited as the cause.

According to the police report, at 13:25 on Columbus Ave near W 77 St in Manhattan, a 2019 Ford SUV making a left turn struck a southbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the SUV's left side doors and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist, a 57-year-old man, sustained abrasions to his knee and lower leg, classified as injury severity 3, and remained conscious. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The SUV driver was licensed in New York and occupied the vehicle alone. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during turning maneuvers, placing vulnerable bicyclists at risk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803640 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 18 - A 24-year-old bicyclist was ejected and injured after a collision with an SUV traveling south on Columbus Avenue. The SUV hit the bike at its center front end. The bicyclist was semiconscious and suffered serious injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Columbus Avenue near West 81st Street in Manhattan at 3:20 p.m. The involved vehicles were a 2023 Chrysler SUV traveling south and a bicycle merging east. The SUV struck the bicyclist at the center front end, causing the 24-year-old female bicyclist to be ejected and sustain serious injuries. The bicyclist was semiconscious following the impact. The report lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" as a contributing factor but does not specify driver errors. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were cited. Vehicle damage was limited to the SUV's center front end, while the bike had no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 18 - Four vehicles traveling north on Henry Hudson Parkway collided. A 73-year-old female driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. The impact involved center front and back ends of multiple sedans. Driver errors remain unspecified in the police report.

According to the police report, at 12:50 pm on Henry Hudson Parkway, four vehicles—three sedans and one SUV—were traveling north when a collision occurred. The 73-year-old female driver of a 2022 Kia sedan was injured, sustaining back injuries and whiplash, and remained conscious. The report notes the point of impact as center front end and center back end among the involved vehicles. All drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The police report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, providing no direct attribution to driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No victim behaviors or pedestrian involvement were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of multi-vehicle impacts on this busy roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799708 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 17 - A distracted SUV driver struck a 25-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on W 96 St in Manhattan. The impact hit the bike’s front center and the SUV’s left side doors. The cyclist suffered upper leg injuries and shock, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on W 96 St in Manhattan at midnight. A 2022 Honda SUV was parked and then struck a southbound bicyclist. The point of impact was the SUV’s left side doors and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 25-year-old male, was injured with hip and upper leg trauma and experienced shock. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor to the collision. The bicyclist was not ejected and was riding without safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed, but the bike rider was unlicensed. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s behavior. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799476 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 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 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

Feb 8 - Councilmember De La Rosa and others want permits for residential parking. Congestion pricing pushed more drivers uptown. Lawmakers say outsiders take local spots. Critics warn permits may spur more car ownership. No clear plan for safety or curb use.

On February 8, 2025, Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine called for a City Council pilot program to restrict street parking to permit holders. The debate follows congestion pricing, which, as the bill summary states, has made free street parking uptown scarce and pushed more drivers into residential neighborhoods. State Senator Robert Jackson sponsors a parallel bill in Albany. De La Rosa and Jackson argue that local residents lose parking to out-of-state drivers. Councilmember Gale Brewer warns that low permit prices could increase car ownership and worsen parking shortages, citing past failures in other cities. Kate Slevin of the Regional Plan Association questions whether a permit system would be enforced, given the city's history of placard abuse. The bill's impact on vulnerable road users remains unaddressed. No safety improvements or curb space repurposing are included.

• With congestion pricing in effect, push for parking permits in NYC gains momentum, gothamist.com, Published 2025-02-08

Feb 6 - A 90-year-old woman died on York Avenue. A cab made a U-turn and struck her. Another car hit her moments later. She was rushed to the hospital. Both drivers stayed. She did not survive.

According to the New York Post (published February 6, 2025), Frances Rickard, 90, was crossing York Avenue at East 72nd Street around 5:40 p.m. when a yellow taxi, driven by a 68-year-old man, made a U-turn and struck her. Police said, “Moments later, a 35-year-old woman driving a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also struck her.” Rickard was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died. Both drivers remained at the scene and have not been charged. The sequence highlights the dangers of U-turns and multi-lane crossings for pedestrians. The intersection saw two vehicles collide with a vulnerable road user in quick succession, underscoring persistent risks in city street design and driver behavior.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing York Avenue, New York Post, Published 2025-02-06

Feb 4 - A 3-year-old girl was injured when an SUV making a right turn struck her at an intersection on West 96th Street. The vehicle failed to yield right-of-way. The child suffered abrasions and upper leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 3-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of West 96th Street and Broadway in Manhattan around 3:50 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2021 SUV, driven by a licensed male driver traveling east and making a right turn, struck her on the right front quarter panel. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor on the driver's part. The child sustained abrasions and upper leg injuries but was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions beyond the driver’s failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790526 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 4 - A Tesla hit a guardrail on the FDR. The car flipped, burned. The driver died at the scene. Her passenger survived but was badly hurt. Debris scattered. Police closed lanes for hours. The cause is still under investigation.

According to the New York Post (2025-02-04), a Tesla crashed on Manhattan's FDR Drive near 70th Street early Tuesday. The car struck a guardrail, flipped, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The article states, 'A female driver was killed and her passenger seriously injured after they were tossed from a Tesla that flipped and then burst into flames.' The driver died at the scene; the passenger was hospitalized in stable condition. Photos showed 'large pieces of the vehicle scattered across the road.' Police have not determined if speed was a factor and continue to investigate. The crash closed all northbound lanes for several miles as fire crews responded. The incident highlights the violent consequences of high-speed impacts and the dangers posed by vehicle ejection and fire.

• Tesla Crash Ejects Two On FDR Drive, New York Post, Published 2025-02-04

Feb 2 - Transit advocates and officials rallied at Grand Central. They demanded Governor Hochul fill a $33 billion gap in the MTA capital plan. Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal called transit vital for the region. Advocates stressed accessibility and equity. The state’s budget leaves riders exposed.

On February 2, 2025, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal joined transit advocates at Grand Central Terminal to push for full funding of the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan. The rally targeted Governor Hochul’s $252 billion budget, which omits $33 billion needed for transit upgrades. The event, covered by amny.com, highlighted the matter: 'NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This is about the economic engine for the entire region.' Assembly Member Tony Simone and others demanded investment in transportation deserts and accessible stations. Advocates cited the MTA’s ADA settlement, noting only a quarter of stations are wheelchair-accessible, with the fewest in low-income areas. The rally underscored that without full funding, vulnerable riders—especially those with disabilities—face continued barriers and danger.

• NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue, amny.com, Published 2025-02-02

Jan 30 - Senate bill S 3832 orders advanced safety tech in all New York vehicles. DMV must set rules. Sponsors push for stricter standards. No direct safety impact analysis for pedestrians or cyclists yet.

Senate bill S 3832, now in sponsorship, demands advanced safety technology in all vehicles statewide. The bill instructs the DMV commissioner to create new rules. Filed January 30, 2025. The matter: 'Mandates the use of advanced safety technology in vehicles in the state.' Sponsors are Brad Hoylman-Sigal (primary), Michael Gianaris, and Kristen Gonzalez. No safety analyst has reviewed the bill's impact on vulnerable road users. The measure aims to raise standards but leaves details to future regulations.

• File S 3832, Open States, Published 2025-01-30

Jan 27 - Senate bill S 3387 demands complete street design in all DOT projects with state or federal funds. Streets must serve walkers, cyclists, and riders. No more car-first roads. Sponsors push for safer, fairer streets.

Senate bill S 3387, now in sponsorship, sits before the New York State Senate. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring inclusion of complete street design for state and local transportation projects subject to oversight by the department of transportation,' would force all DOT projects using state or federal funds to include complete street design. Senator Andrew Gounardes leads as primary sponsor, joined by Patricia Fahy, Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and Liz Krueger. Their action aims to end car dominance and put vulnerable road users first. The bill was introduced January 27, 2025. No safety analyst note is available.

• File S 3387, Open States, Published 2025-01-27