Who Bleeds Next? Harlem’s Streets Won’t Wait

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 18 - 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 2025-11-04

Jul 18 - A van crashed in Midtown. Police found 76 propane tanks and 15 fuel canisters inside. The driver faces reckless endangerment charges. Firefighters removed the fuel. Streets held danger in plain sight.

CBS New York reported on July 18, 2025, that after a van crashed at 42nd Street and 10th Avenue, FDNY found 'a strong smell of gas and propane tanks in the back of the van.' Firefighters removed 76 propane cylinders and 15 fuel canisters, totaling 75 gallons of gas and 10 gallons of diesel. The driver was charged with reckless endangerment and cited for multiple fire code violations. The Manhattan district attorney's office is handling the case. The incident highlights risks when hazardous materials travel city streets without oversight.

• Van Crash Reveals Propane Stockpile Midtown, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-18

Jul 14 - 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

Jul 13 - 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 2025-11-04

Jul 9 - A distracted driver in an SUV hit a 26-year-old man crossing West 116th Street in Manhattan. He suffered contusions to his lower leg and foot. Police recorded driver inattention/distraction.

A 26-year-old man was struck while crossing West 116th Street in Manhattan and suffered a contusion to his lower leg and foot. “According to the police report, the driver was inattentive or distracted.” Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction as the contributing factor. The pedestrian was not at an intersection when the collision occurred. The vehicle was a 2019 station wagon/SUV traveling west, going straight ahead; police reported no vehicle damage and no injuries to vehicle occupants. No other contributing factors are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829196 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

Jul 6 - 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 2025-11-04

Jul 6 - A fast electric unicycle struck a cyclist on Central Park’s crowded West Drive. The unicycle rider landed in the hospital. The cyclist, bruised, faced wrongful charges. Chaos thrives where speed meets congestion.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-06) reports a crash on Central Park’s West Drive, near West 60th Street. An illegal electric unicycle hit a cyclist, sending its operator to the hospital in critical but stable condition. The cyclist, Carolyn Backus, was wrongly charged with leaving the scene, though she "remained on scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics." The Manhattan D.A. dismissed the charge, noting Backus rode a non-motorized bike. The article highlights the risk of high-speed e-vehicles in crowded park zones, where "unpredictable congestion makes it the last place...anyone should be speeding."

• Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-06

Jul 4 - 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 2025-11-04

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 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 2025-11-04

Jun 25 - 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 2025-11-04

Jun 23 - A black SUV hit Willow Hall at dawn on Harlem River Drive. Hall died at the hospital. The driver, unlicensed, stayed at the scene. Six months passed before police made an arrest. The street remains unchanged. The danger remains.

NY Daily News reported on June 23, 2025, that Donald Pinnock, 74, was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation after fatally striking Willow Hall, 53, in East Harlem. The crash occurred at 5:50 a.m. on January 26, when Pinnock drove a black Nissan Rogue Sport downtown and hit Hall as he crossed Harlem River Drive near E. 123rd St. According to police, Pinnock remained at the scene but was not charged until the investigation concluded six months later. The article notes, 'Donald Pinnock was charged Sunday with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.' The case highlights the risk posed by unlicensed drivers and the slow pace of post-crash accountability.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Harlem Pedestrian, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-23

Jun 20 - A bronze Toyota struck a parked black Ford in Manhattan. The driver, a young woman, was cuffed by a security investigator. Tension flared. The arrest was later voided. No injuries reported. The incident drew scrutiny and sparked internal review.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-20), a young woman driving a bronze Toyota collided with a parked black Ford Expedition belonging to New York Attorney General Letitia James’ security detail. Video shows the vehicles touching in a V shape. Investigator Nelson Yu, a retired NYPD detective, confronted the woman, demanding identification and handcuffing her after she failed to produce ID. Yu ordered, 'Get out of the car and show some ID,' and later, 'Get in the car! You're not going anywhere!' The woman was placed in the back seat of Yu’s vehicle. The arrest was later voided. The Attorney General’s office stated, 'OAG is investigating this matter internally and will not have further comment at this time.' The incident highlights the risks of parked vehicles and the escalation that can follow minor collisions, especially when law enforcement is involved.

• Security Detail Cuffs Woman After Crash, New York Post, Published 2025-06-20

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 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 - A sedan struck a cyclist on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd. The cyclist was ejected and suffered a head injury. Police cite driver inattention and traffic control disregard.

A crash on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd at W 126 St involved a sedan and a cyclist. The cyclist, a 38-year-old man, was ejected and suffered a head abrasion. According to the police report, driver inattention, distraction, and disregard for traffic control were contributing factors. The sedan, driven by a licensed man, was stopped in traffic before the impact. The cyclist was unlicensed and wore no safety equipment, but the report lists driver inattention and traffic control disregard as primary errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821496 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-04

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

Jun 16 - Senate passed S 7785. The bill carves out large Mitchell-Lama housing from bus traffic rules. Lawmakers voted yes. The carve-out weakens enforcement. Streets grow less safe for people on foot and bike.

Bill S 7785, titled 'Relates to bus operation-related traffic regulations,' passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. The measure, sponsored by Senator Jamaal Bailey, excludes violations in cooperative housing developments with at least 10,000 Mitchell-Lama units from bus operation traffic regulations. The bill advanced through committee and received broad support in both chambers. By exempting these large complexes, the law weakens traffic enforcement where thousands live. This move increases risk to pedestrians and cyclists, stripping away protections that save lives. Vulnerable road users lose another layer of safety in dense city streets.

• File S 7785, Open States, Published 2025-06-16