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

A bicyclist struck the back of a parked ambulance in Manhattan’s 10037 zip code. The impact caused head injuries and bruising. Police cited unsafe speed as a contributing factor. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:28 in Manhattan near 2186 5 Ave. A 46-year-old male bicyclist collided with the center back end of a parked ambulance. The bicyclist was injured, sustaining head contusions and bruises, with an injury severity rated at 3. The report identifies unsafe speed as a contributing factor in the crash. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the collision. The ambulance was stationary at the time, and the bicyclist was traveling west, going straight ahead. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by excessive speed around stationary emergency vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798880 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

SUV and sedan slammed together on W 135 St. Both drivers and a passenger took head blows and whiplash. Metal twisted. No one thrown. All stayed conscious. Streets turned harsh in daylight.

According to the police report, a 2018 Ford SUV heading east and a 2012 Mercedes sedan heading north collided at 16:15 on W 135 St near Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd in Manhattan. The sedan struck the SUV’s right side doors with its front end. Both male drivers and a front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Injury severity was listed as level 3. No one was ejected. All remained conscious. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified. The crash shows a failure to avoid collision while both vehicles moved straight. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim behavior was cited as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796222 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 40-year-old male bicyclist suffered elbow and lower arm injuries after a vehicle passed too closely on W 128 St in Manhattan. The impact caused whiplash and left front bumper damage to the vehicle. The cyclist was not ejected and was riding northbound.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on W 128 St near Lenox Ave in Manhattan at 3:30 PM involving a bicyclist and a vehicle. The bicyclist, a 40-year-old man, was injured with elbow and lower arm trauma and complained of whiplash. The report cites 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor, indicating the vehicle driver failed to maintain safe clearance when overtaking the cyclist. The bicyclist was not ejected and was traveling northbound, going straight ahead at the time of impact. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumper. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior or safety equipment. The incident highlights driver error in close passing as the primary cause of the cyclist's injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796221 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 25-year-old moped rider was ejected and injured on W 140 St in Manhattan. The crash left him with bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. No other people were hurt. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male moped driver was ejected and injured on W 140 St near Edgecombe Ave in Manhattan at 2:50 PM. He suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The moped, a 2023 Jiaju, was traveling south when the center front end was struck. The driver held a permit license. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrians or other vehicles were reported injured. No victim actions were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793607 - 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

E-bike hit a 39-year-old man crossing Lenox Avenue with the signal. The rider failed to yield. The pedestrian suffered bruises to his knee, leg, and foot. He remained conscious at the scene.

A northbound e-bike struck a 39-year-old pedestrian crossing Lenox Avenue at West 137th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the e-bike driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian, who was crossing with the signal, suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the sole contributing factor. No other causes or equipment issues were noted. The collision underscores the danger when drivers ignore right-of-way at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792164 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 90-year-old woman died on York Avenue. A cab made a U-turn and struck her. Another car hit her moments later. She was rushed to the hospital. Both drivers stayed. She did not survive.

According to the New York Post (published February 6, 2025), Frances Rickard, 90, was crossing York Avenue at East 72nd Street around 5:40 p.m. when a yellow taxi, driven by a 68-year-old man, made a U-turn and struck her. Police said, “Moments later, a 35-year-old woman driving a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also struck her.” Rickard was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died. Both drivers remained at the scene and have not been charged. The sequence highlights the dangers of U-turns and multi-lane crossings for pedestrians. The intersection saw two vehicles collide with a vulnerable road user in quick succession, underscoring persistent risks in city street design and driver behavior.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing York Avenue, New York Post, Published 2025-02-06

Tesla tore north on FDR. It struck a guardrail, flipped, split, burned. The woman driver died at the scene. Her passenger flew from the wreck. Firefighters battled battery flames. Northbound lanes shut. Metal, fire, speed, and loss marked the night.

NY Daily News (2025-02-04) reports a deadly crash on Manhattan's FDR Drive. A Tesla, traveling at high speed—witnesses estimated 'at least 120, 130 [mph]'—lost control near E. 70th St. The car struck a guardrail, overturned, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The driver died at the scene; her passenger survived. Firefighters and a hazmat team responded to extinguish the burning lithium-ion battery. The crash shut down northbound lanes. The article highlights excessive speed and the dangers of high-performance vehicles in urban settings. Emergency response was extensive, with 60 firefighters on scene.

• Tesla Crash Kills Woman On FDR Drive, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-04

A 57-year-old woman suffered hip and upper leg injuries after being struck by a westbound sedan on W 135 St. The driver disregarded traffic control and drove at unsafe speed, colliding with the pedestrian crossing legally at an intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:50 on W 135 St near Frederick Douglass Blvd in Manhattan. A 57-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal when she was hit by a westbound sedan. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors attributed to the vehicle driver. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg and complained of whiplash. The sedan's point of impact was its right front bumper, while a stopped SUV nearby showed damage to its left front quarter panel. The driver errors of disregarding traffic control and unsafe speed directly contributed to the collision. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but was not at fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789649 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A city bus struck a 59-year-old man on an e-bike at Lenox Avenue and West 138th Street. His head was crushed. He died there, unconscious, in the dark, while the city slept. The street claimed another life.

A 59-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed when a northbound bus struck him at Lenox Avenue and West 138th Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The report states, 'A 59-year-old man on an e-bike was struck by a northbound bus. His head was crushed. He died there, unconscious, in the dark, as the city slept around him.' The bus and e-bike were both reported as going straight ahead before the crash. The police report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are specified in the data, but the fatal impact between the bus and the vulnerable cyclist resulted in a deadly head injury. The e-bike rider was not using any safety equipment, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the absence of specified driver errors. The crash took place just after midnight, underscoring the ongoing danger faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789910 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan driver suffered neck injuries after a box truck passed too closely in Manhattan. The crash caused whiplash but no ejection. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:24 near West 139th Street in Manhattan. A box truck traveling west passed too closely to a parked sedan, causing a collision. The sedan’s female driver, age 32, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as the primary contributing factor, indicating the box truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The sedan driver was not ejected and was the only occupant in her vehicle. The box truck driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. Vehicle damage was noted as "Other" on the sedan, while the truck showed no damage. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of close passing in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789072 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling east on W 135 St struck its front passenger, causing a severe hip and upper leg injury. The passenger was unconscious and restrained by a lap belt. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2020 Nissan sedan traveling eastbound on W 135 St in Manhattan struck its front passenger, a 70-year-old man, causing serious injury to his hip and upper leg. The passenger was unconscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time of the crash. The vehicle sustained damage to the left side doors, indicating the point of impact. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to the collision. No other vehicles involved showed damage or injuries. The passenger was not ejected but suffered an injury severity level of 3, with complaints of pain and nausea. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the passenger’s behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786825 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Assembly bill A 2299 targets reckless drivers. Eleven points or six camera tickets in a year triggers forced speed control tech. Lawmakers move to curb repeat speeders. Streets demand fewer deadly risks.

Assembly bill A 2299, now in sponsorship, sits with the New York State Assembly. Introduced January 16, 2025, the bill 'requires the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices if a driver accumulates eleven or more points on their driving record during a 24 month period, or receives 6 speed camera or red light camera tickets during a twelve month period.' Primary sponsor Emily Gallagher leads a bloc of co-sponsors, including Rebecca Seawright, Andrew Hevesi, and others. The measure aims to clamp down on repeat speeders with mandatory speed-limiting tech. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File A 2299, Open States, Published 2025-01-16

A distracted driver crashed into a parked sedan near West 129th Street. The impact injured a 29-year-old woman, leaving her with back pain and whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and distraction.

According to the police report, two sedans collided near West 129th Street in Manhattan at 12:40 a.m. The Jeep sedan, heading west, struck the left rear quarter panel of a parked Honda sedan. The 29-year-old female driver of the Honda suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary cause. The report also noted 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No actions by the injured driver contributed to the crash. The collision underscores the risk posed by distracted driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786821 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 59-year-old man was struck by an eastbound SUV making a right turn on W 134 St. The pedestrian was unconscious with head injuries. Police cite driver inattention as a key factor in the collision at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2015 Honda SUV traveling eastbound on W 134 St near Lenox Ave in Manhattan. The SUV was making a right turn when the collision occurred, impacting the pedestrian with the vehicle's right front bumper and causing damage to the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection and suffered head injuries resulting in unconsciousness and abrasions. The report explicitly identifies "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle without occupants at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 75-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after being struck by a sedan on West 135th Street. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing a collision at the intersection. The pedestrian was conscious and crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:40 AM on West 135th Street near St Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. A sedan traveling west struck a 75-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the collision. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle's point of impact was the left front bumper, indicating the driver did not stop or slow adequately for the pedestrian. No pedestrian behavior was noted as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating a 2011 Toyota sedan. This collision highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785197 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate bill S 131 demands complete street design for state-funded projects. Sponsors push for safer roads. Guidance will go public. Streets could change. Pedestrians and cyclists stand to gain.

Senate bill S 131 was introduced on January 8, 2025, now 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 safer street planning. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan leads, joined by co-sponsors Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Cordell Cleare, Leroy Comrie, Jeremy Cooney, Nathalia Fernandez, Michael Gianaris, Kristen Gonzalez, Robert Jackson, Rachel May, Kevin S. Parker, Christopher Ryan, and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill also orders the department to publish guidance on street design. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 131, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

Assembly bill A 1077 pushes for streets built for people, not just cars. Dozens of lawmakers back safer roads. The bill stands at sponsorship. No vote yet. Vulnerable users wait for action.

Assembly bill A 1077, now in sponsorship, aims to 'enable safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles.' Introduced January 8, 2025, the bill sits in committee. Jonathan Rivera leads as primary sponsor, joined by over 60 co-sponsors including Patrick Burke, Robert C. Carroll, and Catalina Cruz. No votes have been cast. The bill's language centers all road users, not just drivers. No safety analyst has yet assessed its impact on vulnerable road users. The measure signals intent but action remains pending.

• File A 1077, Open States, Published 2025-01-08

A taxi parked on Frederick Douglass Blvd struck a southbound bicyclist on W 131 St. The cyclist was ejected, suffering back injuries and shock. Police cite improper lane usage by the taxi as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, a taxi was parked on Frederick Douglass Blvd near W 131 St in Manhattan when it struck a southbound bicyclist traveling on W 131 St. The point of impact was the taxi's left side doors and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist, a 25-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and sustained back injuries and shock. The police report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' by the taxi driver as the contributing factor. The taxi driver was licensed in New York, while the bicyclist was unlicensed. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper lane usage and parked vehicles in the path of vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787643 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04