Hamilton Heights: Three Dead, Hundreds Hurt—Why Won’t the City Act?

A 30-year-old bicyclist suffered abdominal and pelvic injuries after a sedan made a left turn and collided with him on West 145 Street. The cyclist was wearing a helmet but was hit due to driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:42 on West 145 Street in Manhattan. A 2023 Nissan sedan was making a left turn when it struck a northbound bicyclist traveling straight ahead. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained injuries to the abdomen and pelvis and complained of whiplash. The report identifies the contributing factors as 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' on the part of the sedan driver. The cyclist was not ejected and remained conscious. Vehicle damage was noted on the bike's left front bumper, while the sedan showed no damage despite the impact occurring at its right front bumper. This collision highlights critical driver errors leading to serious injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701724 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Council moves to force brighter sidewalks. Bill orders 500 corridors lit each year. Shadows shrink. Pedestrians gain ground. Committee holds the bill. Streets wait.

Int 0079-2024, now laid over in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, was introduced on February 8, 2024. The bill demands the city install pedestrian lighting in at least 500 commercial corridors per year, aiming for a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) on every sidewalk. The matter title reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to installation of pedestrian lighting fixtures.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers leads as primary sponsor, joined by Restler, Krishnan, Bottcher, and others. The committee has not yet voted. The bill’s text sets clear targets for coverage and contiguity, but action is stalled. Vulnerable road users remain in the dark until the city acts.

• File Int 0079-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-02-08

A pedestrian crossing with the signal suffered a severe shoulder injury when a GMC SUV making a left turn struck her at a Manhattan intersection. Limited driver visibility contributed to the collision, leaving the pedestrian fractured and dislocated.

According to the police report, a GMC SUV traveling south on West 145 Street in Manhattan was making a left turn when it struck a female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection near Edgecombe Avenue. The pedestrian sustained a severe injury described as a fractured, distorted, and dislocated upper arm/shoulder. The report identifies 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver's limited visibility played a critical role in the crash. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but the failure to ensure a clear view before turning led to the collision. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but was not cited with any contributing factors. This incident highlights the dangers posed by obstructed views during vehicle turning maneuvers in busy urban intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Senate passes S 6808. The bill creates first responder safety zones. It sets speed limits in these zones. Lawmakers act after crashes and close calls. The vote is strong. The danger is real. The streets demand change.

Senate bill S 6808, titled 'Relates to establishing first responder safety zones and setting speed limits in such safety zones,' moved through committee and passed multiple Senate votes between May 2023 and March 2024. Primary sponsor John Mannion led the push, joined by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Iwen Chu, and Pamela Helming. The bill aims to carve out protected zones for first responders and lower speed limits in those areas. The measure passed with broad support, reflecting urgency after repeated crashes near emergency scenes. The bill’s text and votes show lawmakers responding to the deadly toll of reckless driving near first responders. Vulnerable road users—pedestrians, passengers, and responders—stand in harm’s way. The bill targets that risk.

• File S 6808, Open States, Published 2024-01-30

Thousands of cars without plates clog New York streets. City agencies barely act. Drivers dodge tickets and accountability. Council Members Nurse and Abreu demand action. The city shrugs. Plateless cars stay. Vulnerable road users pay the price.

Council Member Shaun Abreu introduced a bill in September 2023 to streamline the Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY) towing of plateless vehicles. The bill remains stalled after DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch testified against it, citing operational and legal hurdles. The matter, discussed in the Sanitation Committee led by Council Member Sandy Nurse, highlights a citywide crisis: over 51,000 complaints about plateless cars in 2023, but only 1,821 removals. The article quotes Nurse—'Cars with ghost plates are a risk to public safety'—and Abreu, who calls the city’s inaction a repurposing of public space for dumping. Despite a DSNY/NYPD task force, enforcement remains weak. The city’s failure leaves reckless drivers unaccountable and endangers everyone outside a car.

• No License Plates? No Problem! Scofflaw Drivers Remove Tags Yet Rarely Get Caught, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-01-16

Thousands of cars without plates clog city streets. Enforcement is weak. Only a fraction get towed. Council Member Sandy Nurse calls ghost plates a public safety risk. The city’s response is slow. Vulnerable road users pay the price for inaction.

On January 16, 2024, the City Council held an oversight hearing on traffic enforcement for plateless vehicles. The Sanitation Committee, chaired by Council Member Sandy Nurse (District 37), led the debate. The hearing focused on the city’s failure to remove unregistered, plateless cars. In 2023, over 51,000 complaints were filed, but only 1,821 cars were towed. Nurse said, 'Cars with ghost plates are a risk to public safety.' Council Member Shaun Abreu pushed for a bill to streamline the Department of Sanitation’s towing process, but DSNY Commissioner Jessica Tisch opposed it, citing legal and operational hurdles. The NYPD and DSNY formed a task force, but advocates and councilmembers say it is not enough. The city’s lack of action leaves vulnerable road users exposed to reckless, untraceable drivers.

• No License Plates? No Problem! Scofflaw Drivers Remove Tags Yet Rarely Get Caught, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-01-16

Two SUVs slammed together on Broadway. A driver and passenger took head injuries. Police flagged alcohol and traffic control disregard. Metal twisted. Sirens followed. The street stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two Station Wagon/Sport Utility Vehicles collided on Broadway near West 146 Street in Manhattan at 19:20. The Toyota SUV, traveling east, struck the GMC SUV, which was heading south. The Toyota's driver, a 28-year-old man, and his 21-year-old male passenger suffered head injuries—contusions and whiplash. Both were conscious and restrained. Police cited alcohol involvement and traffic control disregard by the Toyota driver as contributing factors. The impact crushed the Toyota's left rear quarter panel and the GMC's front end. No pedestrians were involved. The report does not mention any fault by the injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696032 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A taxi traveling south on Amsterdam Avenue collided with a 21-year-old male e-bike rider going west. The rider suffered knee and lower leg abrasions but was conscious and not ejected. Driver distraction and rider confusion contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, at 12:47 a.m., a 2021 Toyota taxi driven by a licensed female driver was traveling south on Amsterdam Avenue when it struck a 21-year-old male e-bike rider traveling west. The point of impact was the taxi's right front bumper, causing center front end damage to the vehicle. The bicyclist, who was not wearing safety equipment, sustained abrasions to his knee and lower leg but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor on the taxi driver's part, alongside 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' related to the bicyclist. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights driver distraction and rider confusion as key elements in this collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4692604 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Four vehicles collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. A rear passenger suffered bruises and full-body injury. Drivers failed to maintain safe distance and reacted late to an uninvolved vehicle. The crash left one occupant injured, conscious, and bruised.

According to the police report, a chain collision occurred on Henry Hudson Parkway involving multiple sedans. One occupant, a 36-year-old female passenger in the left rear seat, sustained contusions and full-body injuries but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report lists driver errors including "Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle" and "Following Too Closely" as contributing factors. Driver inattention and distraction also played a role. The crash involved vehicles traveling straight ahead in opposite directions, with impacts primarily at the center front ends and rear ends of the vehicles. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The collision resulted in vehicle damage and injury to the passenger without fault attributed to the victim.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4689039 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

An 18-year-old male pedestrian was struck at an intersection on West 141 Street in Manhattan. The sedan hit him with its left front bumper. He suffered upper leg and hip injuries and was in shock. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian was confused.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a sedan traveling east on West 141 Street near Convent Avenue in Manhattan. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered upper leg and hip injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The report lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor, along with pedestrian confusion or error. The driver was licensed and driving straight ahead. No helmet or signaling factors were noted. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction combined with pedestrian confusion at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4683485 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A bicyclist and an SUV collided on West 147 Street in Manhattan. Both men suffered injuries and shock. The SUV was parked before impact. Driver inattention contributed to the crash. The bicyclist sustained a hip and upper leg injury.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old male driver of a 2018 Mercedes SUV was parked on West 147 Street when the collision occurred. A 24-year-old male bicyclist traveling south struck the left side doors of the SUV. Both the SUV driver and bicyclist were injured and experienced shock. The bicyclist suffered injuries to his hip and upper leg. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for both parties. The SUV driver was licensed; the bicyclist was unlicensed. The bicyclist's safety equipment status is unknown. The crash involved impact to the left front bumper of the bike and left side doors of the SUV. No damage was reported to the SUV. The bicyclist had no visible complaints at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679537 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Two sedans collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. Both drivers suffered injuries. One driver hit the other’s rear bumper while stopped in traffic. Both drivers wore lap belts. Driver distraction caused the crash. Injuries included head trauma and leg pain.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling north on Henry Hudson Parkway collided. One driver was stopped in traffic when the other vehicle struck the rear bumper. Both drivers were injured: a 30-year-old man suffered head injuries and a 46-year-old woman sustained knee and lower leg injuries. Both were wearing lap belts and were not ejected. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor. The impact point was the center back end of one vehicle and the right rear bumper of the other. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4679013 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 43-year-old male motorcyclist overturned on Broadway in Manhattan. He was trapped and suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash involved unsafe speed on slippery pavement. The rider wore a helmet.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old male motorcyclist traveling north on Broadway in Manhattan lost control and overturned. The rider was trapped in the vehicle and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists unsafe speed and slippery pavement as contributing factors. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. The motorcycle was going straight ahead before the overturn, and the driver was licensed in New York. The crash caused other damage to the vehicle but no other occupants were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4671230 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Mayor Adams backs taking 150,000 parking spots for garbage containers. He calls it a small price for cleaner streets. The plan shifts trash from sidewalks to bins, clearing paths for pedestrians. Council member Abreu supports the West Harlem pilot. Resistance remains.

"What’s happening in West Harlem – it’s working." -- Shaun Abreu

On October 11, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced support for the Sanitation Department's plan to repurpose 150,000 parking spaces for containerized garbage collection. The policy, unveiled by DSNY, aims to move trash from sidewalks into closed bins, targeting cleaner streets and less sidewalk clutter. The mayor said, 'Everyday New Yorkers are tired of the rodents, they’re tired of the trash, and this is a small price to pay on ensuring that you can have cleaner streets.' Council member Shaun Abreu, representing West Harlem, voiced strong support, citing visible improvements from the local pilot. The plan requires smaller buildings to use wheeled bins on sidewalks, while larger buildings would get shared curbside containers. The city faces pushback from some residents, but Adams insists street cleanliness is a top concern. No formal safety analysis was provided, but the move could clear sidewalks for pedestrians and reduce hazards from trash piles.

• Adams: Eliminating ‘Parking’ for Trash is ‘Small Price to Pay’, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-10-11

A 36-year-old man working in the roadway was struck by a sedan traveling east on West 140th Street in Manhattan. The driver hit the worker with the left front bumper. The worker suffered bruises and arm injuries and was in shock.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on West 140th Street struck a man working in the roadway near a parked garbage truck. The 36-year-old occupant, who was the driver of the sedan, sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. The impact occurred at the left front bumper of the sedan. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors. The garbage truck was parked and undamaged. The injured man was not ejected and was in shock at the scene. No safety equipment was noted. The crash highlights the dangers workers face when operating near moving vehicles in the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4666546 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

Sanitation trucks now lift curbside bins in West Harlem. No more sidewalk trash bags. Ten blocks and fourteen schools lose parking, gain cleaner streets. Rats lose ground. Council Member Abreu and DSNY back the change. Some residents cheer. Others worry about access.

On September 15, 2023, New York City launched a containerized garbage collection pilot in West Harlem. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) rolled out mechanical lifts on trucks to empty curbside containers, covering ten residential blocks and fourteen schools. The pilot aims to 'eliminate sidewalk trash bags, combat rats, and reclaim public roadway space from private car storage.' Council Member Shaun Abreu and DSNY officials publicly supported the program, with Abreu stating, 'Rats are a huge problem uptown, and we’ll never get the problem under control as long as we’re just throwing bags on the sidewalk.' Jonathan Viguers, DSNY assistant commissioner, acknowledged the removal of parking spaces as necessary. The initiative is part of Mayor Adams's anti-rat campaign. While some residents praise cleaner sidewalks, others raise concerns about accessibility and overflow. The city may expand the program, but faces cost and political hurdles.

• First Trash of History: City Starts Containerized Garbage Collection In West Harlem, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2023-09-15

A 13-year-old girl on a bike was struck by an SUV on West 149 Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered bruises and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The SUV driver was distracted and slowed before impact.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old female bicyclist was injured after being hit by a 2022 Jeep SUV on West 149 Street, Manhattan. The bicyclist was ejected from her bike and sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow and lower arm. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, along with driver inexperience on the bicyclist's part. The SUV driver was slowing or stopping at the time of the crash. Neither vehicle showed damage. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in interactions with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656526 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan traveling south on Henry Hudson Parkway crashed while making a right turn. The 22-year-old male driver suffered a neck injury and shock. Police cited unsafe speed as a contributing factor. The vehicle sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male driver in a 2015 Toyota sedan was injured in a crash on Henry Hudson Parkway at 5:10 a.m. The driver was making a right turn when the collision occurred. The report lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor to the crash. The driver suffered a neck injury and was in shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The sedan sustained damage to its center front end. The driver was licensed in Pennsylvania. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654748 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A sedan making a U-turn struck a northbound e-bike on Saint Nicholas Avenue. The 34-year-old bicyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The rider was conscious and wearing a helmet. The e-bike was demolished.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling north on Saint Nicholas Avenue made a U-turn and collided with a northbound e-bike. The e-bike rider, a 34-year-old man, was injured with abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and wearing a helmet at the time. The report lists no specific contributing factors for the crash, but the sedan's maneuver—making a U-turn—was a critical element in the collision. The e-bike was demolished on impact. The driver of the sedan was unlicensed, which may have contributed to the crash. No other driver errors or victim actions were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4654743 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07

A 27-year-old male e-bike rider was ejected and suffered head injuries after a collision with a southbound Jeep sedan on West 145 Street. The e-bike was demolished. The rider was in shock with minor bleeding. The sedan sustained left front bumper damage.

According to the police report, a northbound e-bike collided head-on with a southbound 2014 Jeep sedan on West 145 Street. The e-bike rider, a 27-year-old man, was ejected and sustained head injuries with minor bleeding. He was in shock at the scene. The sedan's left front bumper was damaged. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating driver error related to lane control. The e-bike rider was not wearing any safety equipment. The sedan had two occupants, and the driver was licensed in New York. The crash demolished the e-bike and heavily damaged the sedan's front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4656569 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-07