Harlem Bleeds: Streets Still Waiting for Action

A driver struck a cyclist in Washington Heights. The cyclist survived. Neighbors say the intersection breeds danger. The driver fled. NYPD searches. Streets remain unsafe.

CBS New York reported on August 4, 2025, that a driver hit a cyclist in Washington Heights and left the scene. The article notes, "local residents say the intersection has been a problem for some time." The NYPD is searching for the driver. The incident highlights ongoing risks at this location and points to persistent systemic hazards for cyclists and pedestrians. No mention of charges or arrests. The crash underscores the need for stronger street design and enforcement.

• Cyclist Hit By Driver In Washington Heights, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-04

A man shoved his girlfriend onto subway tracks at Fulton Street. The train crushed her legs. She survived, but lost both limbs. He fled, but police caught him. The court sentenced him to 18 years.

Gothamist (2025-07-29) reports a Brooklyn man received 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to pushing his girlfriend onto the tracks at Manhattan's Fulton Street Station on March 9, 2024. Prosecutors said Christian Valdez threw her as a train entered, causing injuries that led to both legs being amputated. District Attorney Alvin Bragg called it a 'life-threatening act of domestic violence in our transit system.' Valdez fled but was arrested hours later. The case highlights the vulnerability of transit riders and the severe consequences of violence in public spaces.

• Woman Loses Legs In Subway Attack, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-29

A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.

• Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be, New York Post, Published 2025-07-27

A distracted, inexperienced driver struck another vehicle on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd. One man ejected, bleeding, hip injured. The street stayed dangerous. Metal and flesh met hard.

A crash on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd at W 114 St in Manhattan left a male motorist injured and ejected, suffering hip and leg wounds with minor bleeding. According to the police report, both 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the collision. The injured man was driving a motorized vehicle and was not using safety equipment. The crash involved a sedan making a left turn and another vehicle traveling straight. No pedestrians or cyclists were listed among the injured. The report highlights driver error as the main cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830086 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans crashed at West 125th. Four men injured—shoulders, necks, knees. Police cite following too closely. Metal and glass, pain and confusion. Manhattan street, another wound.

Two sedans collided at West 125th Street in Manhattan. Four male occupants suffered injuries to the neck, shoulders, and legs. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Following Too Closely.' Both drivers and passengers were hurt. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors. The force of the impact left several with pain and whiplash. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to maintain safe distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829628 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A stolen Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck and killed a pedestrian and a cyclist. The driver tried to flee. Eyewitnesses stopped her. Broken bodies, broken laws, broken city.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-22), Autumn Donna Ascension Romero crashed a stolen rental car at Bowery and Canal, killing May Kwok and Kevin Cruickshank. Prosecutors say Romero admitted to drinking before driving and tried to flee the scene with her passenger. An open tequila bottle and loaded pistols were found in the car. The article quotes, 'They then tried to flee the scene followed by multiple eyewitnesses who told them to stop.' Romero faces murder and vehicular homicide charges. The crash highlights dangers from impaired driving, stolen vehicles, and failures in preventing reckless use of rentals.

• Stolen Car Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-22

A speeding car tore through Chinatown. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died at the scene. The driver faces murder charges. The car was a long-overdue rental. Debris scattered. Lives ended in seconds.

Gothamist (2025-07-21) reports a driver faces murder and manslaughter charges after a deadly Chinatown crash. The car, a weeks-overdue rental, sped off the Manhattan Bridge and struck a cyclist and a pedestrian, killing both. Police found two 9mm pistols in the trunk. The article states, "the car was traveling westbound off the Manhattan Bridge at a high rate of speed" and "struck Cruickshank, Kwok and an unoccupied NYPD vehicle." The passenger faces charges for unauthorized use and weapons possession. The crash highlights risks from unreturned rentals and high-speed driving in dense city streets.

• Chinatown Crash Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-21

A stolen car tore through Bowery and Canal. Two lives ended. The driver, unlicensed, had fled a crash months before. System let her walk. Steel met flesh. The city failed to stop it.

NY Daily News (2025-07-20) reports a 23-year-old unlicensed driver killed two people in Chinatown with a stolen rental car. Months earlier, she 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, "Three months before the fatal high-speed Saturday morning smash up... the 23-year-old driver allegedly clipped a woman... and fled." The case highlights gaps in bail policy and enforcement for unlicensed, repeat offenders.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-20

A car sped off the Manhattan Bridge, jumped the curb, struck a cyclist and a pedestrian. Both died. The driver and passenger tried to flee. Police caught them. Metal, speed, and chaos at Canal and Bowery.

ABC7 reported on July 19, 2025, that a Chevy Malibu jumped the curb near Canal Street and Bowery, killing a cyclist in his 30s and a pedestrian in her 60s. The two women in the car attempted to flee but were arrested. Mayor Eric Adams cited 'the rate of speed was pretty high' and called for action against reckless driving. The car also struck a parked police van. Charges are pending as police investigate. The crash highlights ongoing dangers at busy intersections and the deadly impact of speed.

• Car Jumps Curb, Kills Two in Chinatown, ABC7, Published 2025-07-19

A distracted sedan driver struck a pedestrian crossing with the signal on Lenox. The impact ejected the victim, causing severe bleeding and arm injuries. Systemic inattention left blood on the street.

A sedan traveling north on Lenox Avenue struck a pedestrian who was crossing with the signal. The 20-year-old male pedestrian was ejected and suffered severe bleeding and upper arm injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was the contributing factor. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the victim. No other major injuries were reported. The crash highlights the danger posed by driver distraction. The data lists no helmet or signal issues for the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830423 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A van crashed on 42nd and 10th. Inside: 75 gallons of gasoline, 10 of diesel, dozens of propane tanks. The driver tried to hide the keys. Hazmat teams cleared the danger. Police made an arrest.

ABC7 (2025-07-17) reports NYPD found 75 gallons of gasoline, 10 gallons of diesel, and 76 propane cylinders in a van after a Manhattan crash. The driver "tried to get rid of his keys" and claimed he couldn't open the vehicle. Hazmat teams removed the fuel. The driver faces charges for reckless endangerment and fire code violations. The Manhattan DA is handling the case. The incident highlights risks from hazardous cargo on city streets and gaps in enforcement.

• Van Crash Reveals Fuel Stockpile In Midtown, ABC7, Published 2025-07-17

Adams’s Fifth Avenue plan drops bike and bus lanes. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. Sidewalks widen, but cars keep space. Board calls for real safety, not delay.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-14) reports Mayor Adams cut a bus lane and bike lane from the Fifth Avenue redesign, keeping two lanes for cars and widening sidewalks. The Manhattan Community Board 5 called this move not a "real solution" to safety, urging a return to the 2021 plan with protected bike lanes and faster bus service. "We want a real solution to the bike and pedestrian safety issue," said CB 5 Vice Chair Samir Lavingia. The board warns that without bike lanes, cyclists will ride sidewalks, risking conflict. The plan, shaped with business interests, leaves vulnerable road users exposed and delays safer changes until at least 2028.

• Fifth Avenue Redesign Cuts Bike, Bus Lanes, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-14

SUV turned left on Frederick Douglass. Motorcycle struck hard. Rider ejected, neck injured, concussion. Police cite driver inattention and distraction. Streets do not forgive mistakes.

A crash on W 116th Street at Frederick Douglass Blvd involved an SUV and a motorcycle. The SUV, driven by an unlicensed driver, turned left as the motorcycle went straight. The motorcyclist, age 25, was ejected and suffered a neck injury and concussion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed. Both drivers lost consciousness. The motorcyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report, but driver errors came first. The crash left one person injured and exposed the risks of distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A distracted SUV driver struck a 26-year-old man crossing 116th Street. The impact bruised his leg. Streets in Harlem remain dangerous for those on foot.

A 26-year-old pedestrian was hit by a station wagon/SUV while crossing West 116th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive or distracted. The pedestrian suffered a contusion to his lower leg and foot. The crash did not occur at an intersection or with a signal. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupant. Driver inattention/distraction is listed as the primary contributing factor in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829196 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan turned left and hit a cyclist on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd. The cyclist was ejected and suffered abdominal injuries. Police cite driver inattention and other vehicular factors.

A sedan making a left turn collided with a southbound cyclist on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd at W 114 St in Manhattan. The 36-year-old male cyclist was ejected from his bike and sustained abdominal injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed to the crash. The cyclist was conscious at the scene. No helmet use was listed as a contributing factor. The sedan showed no damage. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists when drivers fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825783 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan hit an e-bike rider on Frederick Douglass Blvd. The cyclist suffered a head injury and lost consciousness. Police cite driver inattention and other vehicular factors. The street stayed dangerous.

A sedan and an e-bike collided on Frederick Douglass Blvd in Manhattan. The 28-year-old e-bike rider was injured, suffering a head wound and losing consciousness. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed to the crash. The sedan’s right side doors were damaged. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but the report lists driver errors first. No injuries were specified for the sedan occupants. The crash highlights the risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826582 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A cyclist struck an electric unicycle rider in Central Park. The rider was left in critical condition. Police say the cyclist fled but later turned herself in. Details remain sparse. The street stays dangerous.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-02) reports a crash on Central Park's West Drive. Carolyn Backus, a cyclist, faces charges for leaving the scene after colliding with a 40-year-old electric unicycle rider, who suffered critical injuries. NYPD says Backus turned herself in after her photo was circulated. The article notes, 'EMS transported the critically injured one-wheeler to New York-Presbyterian with serious injuries.' Electric unicycles can exceed 40 mph and are illegal in New York City. The incident highlights risks from high-speed devices and gaps in enforcement on shared paths.

• Cyclist Charged After Unicycle Collision, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-02

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

SUV cut left on 125th. Scooter slammed. Young rider hurt, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction and other vehicular factors. Manhattan street, late night, danger in the dark.

A 23-year-old woman riding an electric scooter was injured when an SUV making a left turn struck her on West 125th Street at St. Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors. The SUV's front end hit the scooter's side. The scooter rider suffered injuries to her entire body and minor bleeding. The report lists no helmet or signal issues for the scooter. The collision highlights the risk when drivers fail to pay attention and turn across vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824231 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV driver blew past traffic control. Cyclist thrown, arm gashed. Passenger shaken. Metal against flesh. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A Ford SUV struck a cyclist on Morningside Ave at W 123rd St. The cyclist, a 26-year-old man, was ejected and injured his arm. According to the police report, both the SUV driver and others involved disregarded traffic control. The cyclist wore a helmet. The SUV's right front bumper hit the bike's rear. The crash left the cyclist hurt and a passenger shaken. Traffic control was ignored. The system left the cyclist exposed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04