Madison Avenue Bleeds: How Many More Must Fall?

Jul 21 - A van backed into a 54-year-old woman at Park Avenue. She suffered a shoulder and upper-arm injury and abrasions. Police recorded "Backing Unsafely" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The driver was backing; no vehicle damage was reported.

A driver in a Ford Transit van backed into a 54-year-old woman at the Park Avenue intersection in Manhattan. She suffered a shoulder/upper-arm injury and abrasions. “According to the police report …” the driver backed unsafely and was inattentive or distracted. The report lists the contributing factors as "Backing Unsafely" and "Driver Inattention/Distraction." The van’s pre-crash movement is recorded as backing, with point of impact at the center back end. The pedestrian was recorded as injured; the report notes no vehicle damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829503 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 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 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 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 14 - SUV and sedan collided near E 77th. Pedestrian working on car crushed, left semiconscious with leg injuries. Another man inside SUV hurt. Streets stay brutal for those outside steel.

A pedestrian, age 53, was crushed and left semiconscious with leg injuries while working on a car near E 77th Street. Another man, 31, inside a station wagon was also injured. According to the police report, both vehicles—a GMC SUV and a Jeep sedan—were parked before the crash. The pedestrian was not at an intersection. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832274 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 10 - A taxi changed lanes on East 86th. A cyclist struck the cab’s side. The cyclist’s leg was hurt. Police cite driver distraction and inexperience. Streets remain perilous for those outside steel.

A taxi and a bicycle collided at 165 E 86th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 22-year-old man, suffered a leg injury. According to the police report, both driver inattention and driver inexperience contributed to the crash. The taxi was changing lanes when the impact occurred. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as factors. The cyclist’s helmet use is unknown. Streets like East 86th remain hazardous for those not protected by a vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826965 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 10 - An SUV driver hit a 32-year-old cyclist on Lexington Avenue. The rider was ejected and suffered a shoulder contusion. Police listed 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' for the crash.

According to the police report … A 32-year-old bicyclist was struck and ejected after a collision with an SUV on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered a shoulder/upper arm contusion. The report quotes police listing "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor for the SUV (and the bike). The SUV driver, reported as a 53-year-old man, was not injured. The report notes the cyclist's safety equipment as "Unknown." Police recorded improper lane use as the error; no other causes are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826967 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 4 - Two cars crashed on Madison Avenue. One driver, age 87, was left unconscious. Both vehicles took heavy hits. Police cite illness as a factor. The street stayed quiet, but the damage was done.

An SUV and a sedan collided at Madison Avenue and East 74th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, an 87-year-old male driver was injured and found unconscious. Both vehicles suffered significant damage. The report lists 'Illness' as a contributing factor in the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other driver errors were noted in the data. The crash left one driver hurt and another shaken, underscoring the dangers that linger at every intersection.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825392 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 3 - Mayor Adams halts 34th Street busway. Streets stay clogged. Pedestrians and bus riders lose. Car dominance remains. Safety and equity stalled.

""The 14th Street busway is a great example of what happens when you do deep public engagement but also remain committed to the goal of speeding up bus service. Elected officials representing this area have come out in support of it. We have a great example from 14th Street that proves out this kind of project, and we do not want to find out another example from this administration of them making last minute decisions to pull important projects without consulting with the elected officials or giving us an alternative plan."" -- Keith Powers

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

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

Jun 27 - SUV backed up on Lexington. Elderly woman stepped from behind parked car. Impact. Head wounds. Blood on the street. Passenger distraction listed. System failed her.

An SUV struck an 81-year-old woman on Lexington Avenue as she emerged from behind a parked vehicle. According to the police report, the SUV was backing south when the collision occurred. The pedestrian suffered severe head lacerations. Police list 'Passenger Distraction' as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and wore a seatbelt. No injuries were reported for the driver or passenger. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, especially near vulnerable pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824085 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - SUV slammed into taxi’s rear on East 78th. One driver injured, arm hurt. Police cite improper lane use, distraction. Metal and pain in Manhattan rush.

An SUV crashed into the back of a taxi at East 78th Street in Manhattan. One driver, a 21-year-old man, suffered an arm injury and reported pain and shock. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Outside Car Distraction' contributed to the crash. The SUV’s front end struck the taxi’s rear as both vehicles traveled east. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists driver error as a key factor, with distraction noted for both drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822315 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A bus and a sedan collided on 5th Avenue near East 76th Street. One driver suffered a shoulder injury. Police cited outside car distraction and other vehicular factors. Metal struck metal. The street bore the mark of impact.

A bus and a sedan crashed on 5th Avenue at East 76th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the collision involved a 2022 bus and a 2023 sedan, both traveling south. Four people were involved. One driver, a 57-year-old woman, was injured in the shoulder and reported whiplash. The report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors. These driver errors played a role in the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report notes that the injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness. The crash left scars on both vehicles and pain in its wake.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822306 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A cyclist swerved to avoid a pedestrian in Central Park. He fell. His head struck the curb. He died at the hospital. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries. The crash happened at a crosswalk near 96th Street. The case is under investigation.

ABC7 reported on June 19, 2025, that Salvador Nico-Garcia, 43, died after colliding with a pedestrian while riding an e-bike in Central Park. According to police, Nico-Garcia swerved to avoid a 41-year-old pedestrian crossing at the crosswalk near 96th Street and East Drive. He fell, struck his head on the curb, and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital. The pedestrian sustained minor abrasions. ABC7 notes, 'Officials say Nico-Garcia was on an e-bike and was not wearing a helmet at the time he was thrown.' New York City does not require cyclists over 14 to wear helmets. In Central Park, pedestrians have the right of way at all times. The incident remains under investigation, highlighting ongoing risks at crosswalks and the lack of helmet mandates for adult cyclists.

• Cyclist Killed Dodging Pedestrian In Park, ABC7, Published 2025-06-19

Jun 18 - Waymo will test robotaxis on New York streets. Human drivers will control the cars. State law blocks full autonomy. Officials stress safety. Waymo pushes for legal change. The city weighs risk. Streets wait for the next move.

NY Daily News reported on June 18, 2025, that Waymo will soon test its driverless taxi technology in New York City. The vehicles will not operate autonomously; human drivers will remain behind the wheel, as state law forbids fully driverless cars. Waymo is lobbying for a law change to allow autonomous operation, but the effort has stalled in the State Assembly. Mayoral spokeswoman Sophia Askari said, "Public safety is our first priority, which is why we have strong guardrails and requirements in place on any sort of autonomous vehicles." The city’s Department of Transportation is reviewing Waymo’s permit application, the first under the new Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration or Testing Permit Program. The article highlights the tension between technological ambition and regulatory caution, with policy decisions pending and no driverless operation allowed yet.

• Waymo Robotaxis Begin NYC Street Tests, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-18

Jun 17 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 16 - White Plains gets speed cameras near schools. Lawmakers move fast. Most vote yes. Cameras catch drivers who endanger kids. Program ends 2030. Streets may slow. Danger faces children every day.

Senate Bill S 7678, sponsored by Shelley Mayer, establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in White Plains. The bill passed the Senate on June 11, 2025, and the Assembly on June 16, 2025. The matter reads: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of White Plains; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2030.' Mayer led the push. Most senators and assembly members voted yes. The bill aims to catch speeding drivers near schools, a known threat to children and families. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 7678, Open States, Published 2025-06-16