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

Motorcycle struck SUV from behind. Two drivers hurt. Passenger shaken. Police cite following too closely and distraction.

A motorcycle crashed into the back of an SUV on St Nicholas Place in Manhattan. The SUV driver, a 51-year-old woman, suffered back injuries. The motorcycle driver, a 45-year-old man, was partially ejected and injured his head. A 48-year-old woman riding as a passenger in the SUV was also involved. According to the police report, both drivers were cited for 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The motorcycle driver was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report. No pedestrians were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808389 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs collided on West 145th and Broadway. One driver suffered neck injury. Police cite improper turning. Steel met steel. Streets stayed dangerous.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed at West 145th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. One driver, a 53-year-old man, suffered a neck injury and was conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the collision was caused by 'Turning Improperly.' Both vehicles were traveling straight before impact. The report lists no pedestrian or cyclist injuries. The police note that the injured driver was wearing a lap belt and harness. No other contributing factors are mentioned in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808385 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two passengers hurt as SUV and sedan collide on Broadway at West 145th. Metal crunches. Shock and pain. Streets run red with risk. No clear cause named. The city grinds on.

Two vehicles, an SUV and a sedan, collided at Broadway and West 145th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, two passengers—a 43-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man—suffered injuries, including neck and arm trauma. Both were in shock. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are named. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a factor. The crash underscores the danger faced by passengers in New York City traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808373 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. Three men hurt. Police cite unsafe speed and lane changes. Metal twisted. Pain followed. The road did not forgive mistakes.

Two sedans crashed on Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan. Three men, including both drivers and a front passenger, suffered injuries to the neck, back, and shoulder. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling south when unsafe speed and unsafe lane changing led to the collision. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors for both drivers. No other factors are cited. The crash left metal bent and people in pain. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806803 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck a teenage cyclist at Broadway and West 143rd. The crash left the rider injured and in shock. Police cite improper turning. The street saw pain, metal, and error.

A sedan collided with a 17-year-old bicyclist at Broadway and West 143rd Street in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected and suffered arm injuries and shock. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Turning Improperly.' The driver and a passenger in the sedan were also involved, but their injuries were unspecified. The report lists no cyclist errors. The impact left the young rider hurt and the street marked by another preventable crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806201 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

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

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

Metal tears at dusk on Broadway. A truck and sedan, too close, too fast. Two men, both thirty-two, take blows to the head. Blood stains seats. Parked cars left gashed and silent. The street grows cold.

A truck and a sedan collided on West 146th Street at Broadway. Two men, both age thirty-two, suffered head injuries and concussions. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Passing Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' The impact left parked cars damaged, their doors torn open. The report lists no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the danger when vehicles pass too close and change lanes unsafely. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Evening fell as the street filled with broken glass and blood.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804083 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man, 28, hit at Broadway and West 143rd. He suffered a bruised leg. The crash left him conscious but hurt. No driver errors listed. The street stays dangerous.

A 28-year-old man walking at the intersection of Broadway and West 143rd Street in Manhattan was struck and injured. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a contusion to his knee and lower leg but remained conscious at the scene. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The vehicle type and details remain unspecified. The crash highlights the ongoing risk faced by pedestrians on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 58-year-old woman crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a left turn on W 142 St. The impact caused a head contusion. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, according to the police report, leaving the pedestrian injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:30 AM on W 142 St near Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan. A 58-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal at an intersection when she was hit by a northbound SUV making a left turn. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor by the vehicle driver. The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and was conscious at the scene. The SUV showed no vehicle damage despite striking the pedestrian with its center front end. The driver was licensed and operating a 2024 SUV registered in New Jersey. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 32-year-old male bicyclist suffered chest injuries and shock after a collision with a northbound SUV on St. Nicholas Avenue. The SUV was parked before impact. Police cite improper lane usage and driver distraction as causes. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:28 on St. Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. A 32-year-old male bicyclist traveling north was injured when struck by a northbound Honda SUV that was parked prior to the collision. The bicyclist sustained chest injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the left front bumper of the bike. The report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and from Pennsylvania. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior or equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802075 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV turned left on St Nicholas Ave. Struck a woman crossing with the signal. Both driver and pedestrian injured. Driver failed to yield. Impact left the pedestrian bruised and in shock.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV made a left turn at St Nicholas Ave and W 150 St in Manhattan and struck a 36-year-old woman crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered bruises and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock. The 39-year-old driver was also injured and reported in shock. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal, but this was not listed as a contributing factor. The SUV had no visible damage despite a center front impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802009 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A speeding SUV struck the rear of a sedan traveling north on Henry Hudson Parkway. The sedan’s driver suffered chest injuries and whiplash. Airbags deployed and seat belts restrained the driver, who remained conscious after the violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred shortly after midnight on Henry Hudson Parkway. A 50-year-old male driver of a sedan was injured when a 2023 SUV traveling north at unsafe speed rear-ended his vehicle. The point of impact was the left rear bumper of the SUV hitting the center front end of the sedan. The sedan driver sustained chest injuries and whiplash but was not ejected and remained conscious. Safety equipment including airbags and lap belts deployed and restrained the driver. The report cites "Unsafe Speed" as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver’s failure to control speed led to the collision. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801478 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Dodge Charger struck a street sweeper, spun out, and pinned an NYPD officer against his patrol car in the West Village. Both the officer and the driver landed in the hospital. The street saw chaos, metal, and speed.

NY Daily News (March 14, 2025) reports a crash at W. 13th St and Seventh Ave. A Dodge Charger, heading south, changed lanes and hit a street sweeper. The car spun several times and pinned a uniformed officer between vehicles. Surveillance footage showed the Charger 'appeared to be speeding,' according to a witness. The officer tried to escape but was struck. Both the officer and driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries. No charges have been filed. The incident highlights the dangers of lane changes and speed on city streets, raising questions about enforcement and street design.

• Officer Pinned By Spinning Dodge Charger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-14

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

Upper Manhattan will swap sidewalk garbage bags for curbside bins. Nearly 80% of apartments join the pilot. Parking gives way to cleaner streets. Council Member Abreu backs the move. Advocates say bins clear paths for walkers. The city aims for citywide rollout.

On February 24, 2025, Council Member Shaun Abreu announced support for a pilot in Manhattan’s Community Board 9, replacing sidewalk garbage bags with curbside containers. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will launch the program by June 1, 2025, with nearly 80% of apartments participating. The pilot, which follows earlier bin tests, repurposes parking spots for stationary bins. Abreu, co-sponsoring a bill with Council Member Crystal Hudson, called the shift 'a necessary public good' despite the loss of parking. The bill would require on-street containers for buildings with 10 or more units citywide by 2032. Advocates and DSNY officials highlight the benefit for pedestrians: 'People don’t want garbage on the sidewalk, and it makes perfect sense to put it in the roadway.' The pilot will run for a year, aiming to clear sidewalks and improve safety for those on foot.

• ‘Trash Revolution’: Curbside Containers Coming to Most Apartments in Uptown Pilot, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-02-24

A 3-year-old girl playing in the roadway was struck by an eastbound SUV on W 146 St. She suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. The driver, proceeding straight, made contact with the pedestrian at the right front bumper with no vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a 3-year-old female pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2018 Jeep SUV traveling eastbound on W 146 St near Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan. The report states the pedestrian was playing in the roadway at the time of the collision. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, indicating the child’s presence in the roadway contributed to the crash. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were cited. The pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report does not mention any other contributing factors or safety equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793100 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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