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

May 27 - A 73-year-old man crossing West 125 Street with the signal was struck by a vehicle traveling east. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. Driver inattention caused the collision, leaving the victim injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at the intersection of West 125 Street and Lenox Avenue in Manhattan at 14:10. The 73-year-old male pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a vehicle traveling east struck him with its center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3, and remained conscious. The vehicle was going straight ahead and sustained no damage. The report explicitly identifies driver distraction as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian beyond crossing with the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728062 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 17 - A 73-year-old man suffered severe fractures after a vehicle struck him outside an intersection in Manhattan. The driver’s inattention caused the crash, impacting the pedestrian’s entire body and leaving him injured but conscious.

According to the police report, a pedestrian was injured at 2041 7 Avenue in Manhattan around 4:00 PM. The 73-year-old male pedestrian was not in the roadway when the vehicle traveling south struck him with its center front end. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations affecting his entire body but remained conscious. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle sustained damage to its center front end. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. This incident highlights the critical danger posed by distracted driving to vulnerable pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4726615 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 16 - Council moves to light up step streets. At least 25 stairways each year will get new lamps. Dark paths become visible. Pedestrians gain ground. Shadows shrink. Danger loses its cover.

Int 0875-2024 sits in the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure after introduction on May 16, 2024. The bill reads: 'A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the installation of pedestrian lighting on step streets.' Prime sponsor Joann Ariola, joined by sixteen co-sponsors, pushes for at least 25 step streets to be lit each year until all are covered. Step streets are open-air staircases linking streets at different heights. The bill aims to strip darkness from these paths, making them safer for people on foot. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File Int 0875-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-05-16

May 11 - A pedestrian suffered a head injury after a vehicle struck them at the intersection of West 112 Street and 8 Avenue in Manhattan. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the victim in shock with serious injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:00 PM on West 112 Street near 8 Avenue in Manhattan. The collision involved a vehicle traveling north, which struck a pedestrian at the intersection. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The pedestrian, described as an occupant with no visible complaints but suffering a head injury, was not ejected and was in shock following the impact. The vehicle's point of impact was the left front bumper, with damage to the center front end. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. The report emphasizes the driver’s failure to maintain attention as the cause of the serious injury to the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724323 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 10 - A taxi and an e-bike collided head-on on 7 Avenue. The e-bike driver, a 28-year-old man, suffered a fractured shoulder and dislocation. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on 7 Avenue involving a taxi and an e-bike. The e-bike driver, a 28-year-old male, was injured with a fractured and dislocated shoulder. The e-bike was making a left turn westbound when it struck the taxi traveling southbound. Both vehicles sustained front-center damage. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for both drivers. Additionally, the e-bike driver was noted as inexperienced. The e-bike driver was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The taxi driver was licensed in Connecticut, and the e-bike driver was licensed in Washington. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and inexperience in motor vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728663 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 6 - An ambulance struck the right rear bumper of a southbound taxi on West 125 Street in Manhattan. The taxi driver, a 38-year-old man, suffered a head injury and was left in shock. The crash was caused by the ambulance following too closely.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:30 PM on West 125 Street near Lenox Avenue in Manhattan. An ambulance traveling eastbound went straight ahead and collided with the right rear bumper of a southbound taxi. The taxi driver, a 38-year-old male occupant wearing a lap belt, sustained a head injury and was reported to be in shock. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, indicating the ambulance driver failed to maintain a safe distance behind the taxi. Both drivers were licensed. The taxi sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel, while the ambulance's right front bumper was damaged. There is no mention of victim fault or contributing behaviors by the taxi driver in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4723395 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 1 - E-bike rider struck taxi’s open door on 8th Avenue. Rider thrown, left bleeding on the street. Passenger distraction listed as cause. Manhattan traffic, danger for the unprotected.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old man riding an e-bike south on 8th Avenue collided with the left side doors of a parked taxi. The impact ejected the rider, causing abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. Injury severity was moderate. The report lists 'Passenger Distraction' as a contributing factor, showing the taxi driver was distracted by passengers. No contributing factors were attributed to the e-bike rider. This crash highlights the risk posed by driver distraction and the exposure of cyclists on Manhattan’s crowded streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721209 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 30 - A bicyclist suffered head injuries after a bus struck him on 7th Avenue in Manhattan. The crash occurred at 6:06 p.m. The bus was parked when the collision happened. Driver inattention was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash took place at 18:06 on 7th Avenue near West 126 Street in Manhattan. A bus, initially parked, was struck on its left rear bumper by a bicyclist traveling northbound. The bicyclist, a 26-year-old male, sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise and was injured but not ejected from his bike. The report explicitly cites driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor to the collision. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. The bus suffered damage to its center back end, and the bike was damaged at the center front end. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in interactions between large vehicles and vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4721198 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 25 - A northbound SUV collided with a westbound bicyclist on Lenox Avenue. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries, sustaining contusions and shock. Police cite driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, at 9:10 AM on Lenox Avenue, a 2017 SUV traveling north struck a bicyclist traveling west. The point of impact was the right side doors of the SUV and the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist, a 46-year-old male, was injured with contusions to his knee and lower leg and experienced shock. The report identifies driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Other Vehicular' factors contributing to the crash. The SUV driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The bicyclist was not ejected and was also traveling straight ahead. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. The collision caused damage to the right side doors of the SUV and the front end of the bike.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4720993 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 24 - A 26-year-old woman suffered bruises and arm injuries after a sedan hit her while she played in the roadway. The driver, traveling west, impacted the pedestrian with the vehicle’s left front bumper, causing shock and contusions.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old female pedestrian was injured on West 125 Street after being struck by a 2016 Chrysler sedan traveling west. The vehicle's left front bumper made contact with the pedestrian, who was playing in the roadway outside an intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was reported to be in shock. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle going straight ahead at the time of impact. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not indicate any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The pedestrian’s action of playing in the roadway is noted but not cited as a contributing factor by the police. The collision highlights the dangers posed by vehicles to vulnerable pedestrians in non-intersection areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719713 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 20 - Two sedans collided head-on at West 121 Street in Manhattan. Both drivers were injured, suffering whiplash and upper arm injuries. The crash was caused by one driver disregarding traffic control, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:33 on West 121 Street near 8 Avenue in Manhattan. Two sedans traveling west and south collided, impacting the right front bumper of one vehicle and the center front end of the other. Both drivers, a 48-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman, were injured with whiplash and upper arm injuries but were conscious and not ejected. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating a driver error. Both occupants were wearing lap belts and harnesses. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were cited. The collision highlights the dangers posed by failure to obey traffic controls in busy city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - An SUV driver suffered chest injuries and shock after a garbage truck collided into the rear of her vehicle on West 125 Street. Unsafe speed and driver distraction contributed to the crash, highlighting dangerous driver behavior in this urban collision.

According to the police report, at 5:55 AM on West 125 Street, a 52-year-old female SUV driver was injured when a garbage truck struck the center back end of her vehicle. The SUV driver, who was wearing a lap belt and harness, sustained chest injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for the SUV driver. The garbage truck, also traveling eastbound, made contact with the SUV's rear but sustained no damage. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The collision underscores the dangers posed by speeding and distracted driving in urban traffic, with the SUV driver as the injured party, not at fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718238 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 16 - A motorcycle traveling west struck a parked sedan on West 117 Street in Manhattan. The motorcycle driver, a 27-year-old man, was partially ejected and suffered a head contusion. Police cite driver inattention as the primary contributing factor.

According to the police report, a motorcycle traveling westbound on West 117 Street collided with a sedan that was parked with its left side doors facing the motorcycle. The motorcycle driver, a 27-year-old male, was partially ejected from his vehicle and sustained a head injury described as a contusion or bruise. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor to the crash. The motorcycle driver was not wearing any safety equipment at the time. The sedan was stationary before the impact, and damage was concentrated on its left side doors, while the motorcycle sustained damage to its center front end. The motorcycle driver was conscious but injured, with an injury severity rated at level 3. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717748 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - A bus turning left on West 125 Street hit a parked sedan. The sedan driver, a woman, suffered shock. Police cited driver inattention and distraction. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

According to the police report, a bus traveling northwest on West 125 Street near Saint Nicholas Avenue struck the left rear bumper of a parked sedan at 16:10. The sedan's 41-year-old female driver was inside, restrained by a lap belt and harness. She experienced shock but no reported bodily injury. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor, cited twice for the sedan driver. The bus was making a left turn when the crash occurred. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The collision damaged the bus's left side doors and the sedan's left rear bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4717053 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 9 - A sedan making a left turn hit a northbound bicyclist on West 114 Street. The 23-year-old cyclist suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. Driver inattention and bicyclist confusion contributed to the collision in a busy Manhattan corridor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:45 on West 114 Street near 7 Avenue in Manhattan. A 2021 Honda sedan was making a left turn traveling east when it struck a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 23-year-old male, sustained abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected. The point of impact was the sedan's right side doors and the bike's center front end. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors, alongside pedestrian/bicyclist error or confusion. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and the complexities of left turns in dense urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716181 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 6 - A 12-year-old girl suffered knee and lower leg abrasions after an SUV failed to yield while making a left turn. The driver’s inattention caused the collision at West 125 Street in Manhattan, leaving the pedestrian in shock.

According to the police report, a 2017 Honda SUV traveling west on West 125 Street in Manhattan struck a 12-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection. The SUV was making a left turn when the collision occurred, impacting the pedestrian on the left front quarter panel. The pedestrian sustained abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian was located in the roadway at the time of the crash. The driver was licensed in New York and had two occupants in the vehicle. Vehicle damage was noted on the left front quarter panel. No pedestrian actions or equipment were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4715390 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 6 - A bicyclist was injured and ejected after a collision with a vehicle on West 121 Street in Manhattan. The driver’s inattention caused the crash, striking the cyclist’s center back end. The rider suffered facial injuries and minor bleeding.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:55 on West 121 Street in Manhattan. A bicyclist traveling west was struck by a vehicle also going west. The point of impact was the center back end of the bike and the right front bumper of the vehicle. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the contributing factor. The bicyclist, a 34-year-old male, was ejected from his bike and sustained facial injuries with minor bleeding. The cyclist was wearing a motorcycle helmet, but no other contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The vehicle involved was a Mercedes SUV. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716138 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - Senate passes S 2714. Bill pushes complete street design. Aim: safer roads for all. Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders get space. Car dominance challenged. Lawmakers move to cut street carnage.

Senate bill S 2714, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' advanced through committee and passed several Senate votes, most recently on March 27, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy with support from Jake Ashby, Jamaal Bailey, and others, the bill mandates street designs that protect everyone—not just drivers. The measure saw strong support but faced opposition from some senators. By requiring complete street principles, S 2714 aims to reduce danger for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The bill marks a shift away from car-first planning, forcing cities to build streets for people, not just traffic.

• File S 2714, Open States, Published 2024-03-27

Mar 26 - Two cyclists collided on West 122 Street in Manhattan. Both were riding straight when driver inattention led to impact. One rider suffered bruises and arm injuries. No vehicle damage was reported. Illegal drug use by one driver was noted by police.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:08 AM on West 122 Street near Lenox Avenue in Manhattan. Two vehicles, a bike and an e-bike, both traveling straight ahead, collided front to front. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor for both drivers. Additionally, one driver was noted to be under the influence of illegal drugs. The injured party was a 36-year-old male bicyclist who sustained contusions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was conscious and not ejected from his bike. The police report explicitly identifies driver errors—distraction and drug impairment—as causes, with no mention of victim fault or behavior contributing to the crash. Both vehicles sustained no damage, underscoring the impact was primarily to the vulnerable riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4712719 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 20 - 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 2024-03-20