Harlem’s Streets Bleed—It’s Time to End the Killing Field

An e-bike rider suffered a fractured leg after a station wagon changed lanes and struck the bike’s left side. The collision happened on 8 Avenue. The rider remained conscious but was seriously hurt. The SUV showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 52-year-old male e-bike driver was injured when a 2006 Mazda SUV changed lanes and hit the bike’s left side doors. The rider sustained a fractured, distorted, and dislocated injury to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. The e-bike was traveling north, going straight ahead, while the SUV was also traveling north but changing lanes. The SUV showed no damage from the crash. The e-bike driver was not ejected and was conscious at the scene. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4617252 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

Senate backs S 775. The bill defines the ignition interlock monitor’s job. It forces offenders to install devices and obey court orders. Lawmakers act to keep repeat drunk drivers off the street.

Senate bill S 775, titled "Relates to the responsibilities of an ignition interlock monitor," passed committee votes on February 1, March 21, and May 16, 2023. The bill describes the monitor’s role and mandates compliance for those ordered to install ignition interlock devices. Primary sponsor Jeremy Cooney (District 56) led, joined by Nathalia Fernandez, Monica Martinez, and Shelley Mayer. The measure saw broad support, with senators voting yes across multiple sessions. The law aims to keep drivers with violations from endangering others by enforcing strict compliance with court-ordered ignition interlocks.

• File S 775, Open States, Published 2023-03-21

A Toyota sedan veered into a parked Chevy SUV on West 139th Street. The driver died at the scene. Nine people sat inside the SUV, unhurt. Morning light caught twisted metal. Distraction behind the wheel proved fatal in Harlem.

A Toyota sedan crashed into a parked Chevy SUV on West 139th Street in Harlem. The driver of the sedan, a 40-year-old man, died at the scene. According to the police report, 'Distraction was all it took.' Nine people were inside the SUV but were not reported injured. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The sedan struck the SUV's left rear quarter panel, crumpling steel and ending a life. The driver wore a seatbelt. The crash highlights the deadly consequences of driver distraction, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4611630 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Senate passes S 4647. Bill hikes penalties for endangering highway workers. It funds more enforcement. It pushes work zone safety awareness. Lawmakers move to protect workers from reckless drivers.

Senate bill S 4647, titled "Increases penalties for endangerment of a highway worker, promotes work zone safety awareness, and establishes a fund for additional work zone safety enforcement," advanced through committee on April 15, 2024. Sponsored by Timothy M. Kennedy, with Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Pamela Helming, Mario Mattera, Robert Rolison, and James Skoufis as co-sponsors, the bill passed multiple Senate votes. The measure targets drivers who endanger highway workers, boosts safety awareness, and funds enforcement. The bill aims to curb driver recklessness in work zones, where danger is high and impact is deadly.

• File S 4647, Open States, Published 2023-02-28

A moped rider swerved from a phantom car. He flew from his seat and landed beneath a box truck. His arm shattered. He lay conscious and pinned. The truck did not move. No one else was present.

A man riding a moped on 7th Avenue was ejected and crushed beneath a stationary box truck. According to the police report, the unlicensed rider 'swerved from a ghost car, flew from the seat, and landed beneath a box truck. His arm shattered. He lay conscious and crushed. The truck did not move. No one else was there.' Crash data lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The moped rider suffered severe crush injuries to his arm. No other people were involved, and no other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4609024 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 12-year-old boy was hit by an SUV on 8 Avenue near West 142 Street in Manhattan. The vehicle struck him with its left front bumper. The boy suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee and lower leg. Unsafe speed was a factor.

According to the police report, a 12-year-old pedestrian was injured when a 2011 Jeep SUV traveling south on 8 Avenue struck him at an intersection near West 142 Street. The point of impact was the vehicle's left front bumper. The boy suffered fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor for the crash. The driver was going straight ahead at the time of impact. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4608643 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-02-13

A BMW SUV merged improperly on Harlem River Drive, striking a Hyundai sedan. The sedan’s female passenger suffered a head injury and shock. She was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The SUV’s right side doors were damaged in the collision.

According to the police report, a 2017 BMW SUV was merging southbound on Harlem River Drive when it collided with a 2021 Hyundai sedan traveling straight ahead in the same direction. The point of impact was the SUV’s right front quarter panel against the sedan’s left front bumper. The sedan carried two occupants; the female passenger, 25, seated in the middle front seat, was injured with a head injury and shock. She was wearing a lap belt and harness. The report lists "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as a contributing factor, indicating the SUV driver’s error in merging. The passenger was not ejected but complained of pain and nausea. Vehicle damage was concentrated on the SUV’s right side doors and the sedan’s left rear bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605043 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 20-year-old woman was struck by an SUV making a left turn on West 145 Street in Manhattan. The driver was inattentive. The pedestrian suffered bruises and upper leg injuries. The impact came from the vehicle’s left front bumper.

According to the police report, a 2017 SUV driven by a licensed male driver was making a left turn on West 145 Street when it struck a 20-year-old female pedestrian at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her hip and upper leg. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the crash. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the SUV. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision. No other contributing factors such as helmet use or signaling were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605049 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A sedan making a left turn struck a northbound bicyclist on West 147 Street. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. The crash caused front-end damage to both vehicles. The bicyclist remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male bicyclist traveling north on West 147 Street was hit by a 2022 Dodge sedan making a left turn southeast. The bicyclist sustained contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as contributing factors twice, indicating driver errors related to vehicle operation. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted, but no helmet or signaling issues were mentioned. Both vehicles sustained center front-end damage. The sedan driver was licensed in New York. The bicyclist was unhelmeted but this was not cited as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4605048 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Assembly and Senate passed A 602. The bill sets state funding rules for federally assisted and municipal complete street projects. Lawmakers moved fast. Streets shaped by budgets, not safety.

Bill A 602, titled 'Relates to the percentage responsibility of the state for federally assisted projects,' passed committee votes in the Assembly on January 24, 2023, and in the Senate on February 13, 2023. Sponsored by Patricia Fahy, the bill addresses how much the state pays for federally assisted projects and for municipal projects with complete street designs. The measure saw broad support, with near-unanimous yes votes in both chambers. The bill's focus is on funding, not on direct safety improvements for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 602, Open States, Published 2023-01-24

An SUV made a U-turn on Edgecombe Avenue. A 55-year-old woman crossed in a marked crosswalk without signal. The vehicle struck her, causing a shoulder and upper arm contusion. She remained conscious but injured at the scene.

According to the police report, an SUV traveling north on Edgecombe Avenue made a U-turn. A 55-year-old female pedestrian was crossing in a marked crosswalk without a signal when the vehicle struck her. She suffered a contusion and bruise to her shoulder and upper arm and was conscious at the time of the report. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors, but the vehicle's pre-crash action was making a U-turn. The pedestrian was not at fault, and no helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by vehicle maneuvers in pedestrian areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4602371 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 29-year-old man was struck while crossing Lenox Avenue with the signal. The driver, traveling south, failed to yield and was distracted. The pedestrian suffered fractures and dislocations to his abdomen and pelvis, left in shock at the scene.

According to the police report, a 29-year-old male pedestrian was injured at an intersection on Lenox Avenue while crossing with the signal. The driver, traveling straight ahead southbound, impacted the pedestrian with the center front end of the vehicle. The report lists driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained fractures and dislocations to the abdomen and pelvis, resulting in serious injury and shock. No vehicle damage was reported. The pedestrian was not at fault; the crash was caused by the driver's distraction and failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4598451 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

A 16-year-old girl was struck at an intersection on West 131 Street. The sedan, driven by an unlicensed woman making a left turn, hit the pedestrian crossing with the signal. The teen suffered bruises and leg injuries. Driver distraction was a factor.

According to the police report, a 16-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing West 131 Street with the signal in Manhattan. The crash involved a 2017 Honda sedan traveling south, driven by an unlicensed female driver making a left turn. The point of impact was the left rear quarter panel of the vehicle. The pedestrian sustained contusions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. There was no vehicle damage reported. The pedestrian was conscious and suffered a bruise but was not ejected. The driver’s unlicensed status and distraction were key errors noted in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4600254 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13

Assembly bill A 1280 pushes for streets built for all. Dozens of lawmakers back the plan. The bill demands roads that protect walkers, cyclists, and riders. It calls for design, not luck, to keep people safe.

Assembly bill A 1280, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 13, 2023, the bill sits with the Assembly. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 70 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Kenny Burgos, and Catalina Cruz. Their action signals strong legislative momentum. The bill’s focus: force planners to build streets for people, not just cars. No safety analyst note is available, but the intent is clear—systemic change for vulnerable road users. The bill’s progress can be tracked at the New York Assembly website.

• File A 1280, Open States, Published 2023-01-13

Senate bill S 100 demands complete street design in state and federally funded projects. Lawmakers push for public guidance. Streets built for people, not just cars.

Senate bill S 100 was introduced on January 4, 2023, and is in the sponsorship stage. The bill, titled 'Requires the consideration of complete street design for certain transportation projects which receive federal or state funding,' aims to force planners to consider all users—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Jeremy Cooney, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish street design guidance. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 100, Open States, Published 2023-01-04

A sedan traveling south was struck on its left front bumper by an SUV making a left turn westbound on 7 Avenue. The right rear passenger of the sedan suffered a head injury and whiplash. Driver distraction contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling straight south on 7 Avenue was impacted on its left front bumper by an SUV making a left turn westbound. The collision injured a 30-year-old male occupant seated in the right rear passenger seat of the sedan. He sustained a head injury and complained of whiplash but was conscious and not ejected. Both vehicles showed damage to their front ends. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors for the crash. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4594800 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-13