Blood on Broadway: Slow the Cars, Save the Living

Jul 27 - 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

Jul 25 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. Police investigate. No arrests. The road claimed another life.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-25) reports Matthew Goicochea, 31, was killed after falling from his motorcycle and being struck by a car near E. 25th St. on FDR Drive. The driver did not remain at the scene. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The article states, "He was then struck by an unknown vehicle shortly thereafter, which did not remain on the scene." No arrests have been made. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users on high-speed city highways and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers.

• Firefighter Killed in FDR Drive Collision, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-25

Jul 24 - Two buses collided on a ramp. Thirty people hurt. Metal and glass scattered. Sirens wailed. Another crash this month. The ramp remains a danger.

Gothamist (2025-07-24) reports about 30 people were injured when two buses collided on the Port Authority Bus Terminal ramp near West 41st Street and Dyer Avenue. The FDNY said, 'only minor injuries' were reported. This marks the second bus crash at the terminal approach this month, highlighting ongoing risks for passengers. NJ Transit delays followed. The article notes, 'A collision involving multiple buses July 2 shut down all NJ Transit service.' The repeated crashes raise questions about ramp safety and traffic management.

• Thirty Hurt In Port Authority Bus Crash, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-24

Jul 23 - Microhub zones sit empty. Trucks clog curbs. Cargo bikes idle. Streets choke on double-parked vans. Pedestrians and cyclists dodge danger. The city’s promise breaks. Risk remains.

""Creating designated locations where trucks can transfer packages to smaller, cleaner, and greener options for neighborhood-wide deliveries can reduce truck traffic, improve residents' quality of life, and help us shift to a more sustainable future."" -- Ydanis A. Rodriguez

On July 23, 2025, Streetsblog NYC reported on the NYC DOT microhub delivery pilot. The program, launched in April, aimed to shift parcel transfers from trucks to cargo bikes at three Upper West Side sites. The matter summary states: 'Microhub parking zones reserved for e-commerce firms to offload parcels from trucks to cargo bikes and hand-carts routinely go unused.' DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez backed the plan, but only Amazon and Net-Zero Logistics used their hubs. UPS trucks kept blocking streets. DOT threatens to revoke unused permits. The safety impact is negative: unused microhubs mean trucks still crowd curbs, missing a chance to protect pedestrians and cyclists from large vehicles.

• Eyes on the Street: UPS Blows Off DOT’s ‘Microhubs’ Delivery Pilot, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-23

Jul 22 - The driver of a taxi hit a 58-year-old cyclist making a left turn on Riverside Drive at West 165th. The cyclist suffered a contusion to the knee and lower leg and remained conscious. Police recorded 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded'.

The driver of a taxi struck a 58-year-old cyclist who was making a left turn at Riverside Drive and West 165th Street. The cyclist was injured, sustaining a contusion to the knee and lower leg and remained conscious. According to the police report, the crash involved "Unsafe Speed" and "Traffic Control Disregarded." The report also lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" for the cyclist after the driver factors. Police recorded the taxi’s point of impact as the right front bumper against the cyclist’s right side. No injuries were reported for the taxi occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830051 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 22 - A driver tore through Midtown, smashing cars and fleeing police. Metal scraped. Horns blared. The chase ended at Lexington and 50th. Police drew guns. The driver was arrested. Streets bore the scars.

According to ABC7 (2025-07-22), a driver struck multiple vehicles—including a police cruiser—while fleeing police through Midtown Manhattan. The pursuit began after a hit at Park Ave and ended at 50th and Lexington. The suspect, Jose Foster, faces charges including assault, reckless endangerment, and fleeing police. Witness Martina Minor said, "It felt like he was scratching like big noise and I was honking like stop and he kept doing it." The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases in dense city streets, with property damage and potential harm to bystanders.

• Police Chase Wrecks Cars In Midtown, ABC7, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 21 - A speeding rental car tore through Chinatown. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died at the scene. The car was overdue. Guns were found in the trunk. Charges followed. Debris scattered the street.

Gothamist (2025-07-21) reports a deadly crash at Canal Street and Bowery. A blue Chevrolet Malibu, rented but never returned, sped off the Manhattan Bridge and struck cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died instantly. Prosecutors say the car was moving at a 'high rate of speed.' Police found two 9mm pistols and ammunition in the trunk. The driver faces murder and manslaughter charges. The passenger faces charges for unauthorized use and weapons. The crash highlights risks from unreturned rentals and high-speed driving in dense city streets.

• Overdue Rental Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-21

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 - Three sedans collided on Broadway at W 170 St. Two men were injured. A front passenger suffered an abrasion. The driver complained of whiplash. Police recorded aggressive driving and other vehicular factors. One driver was unlicensed.

Three sedans collided on Broadway at W 170th Street in Manhattan. Two men were injured: a 28-year-old front passenger with an elbow abrasion and a 28-year-old driver who complained of whiplash. According to the police report, "Aggressive Driving/Road Rage" and "Other Vehicular" were contributing factors. Police also recorded one driver as unlicensed. Damage was reported at center front ends and right side doors of the vehicles. Officers listed driver-related contributing factors in the report. No pedestrians or cyclists are listed in the incident data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830048 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 17 - A taxi and sedan collided at W 176 St. A 22-year-old pedestrian crossing with the signal suffered neck injuries and burns. Police cite traffic control disregarded and unsafe speed.

A crash at W 176 St and Fort Washington Ave in Manhattan left a 22-year-old pedestrian injured. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a taxi and a sedan collided. The pedestrian suffered neck injuries and moderate burns. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. Several vehicle occupants also reported unspecified injuries. The crash highlights failures by drivers to obey traffic controls and speed limits.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828968 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - A van crashed in Midtown. Inside: dozens of propane tanks. The street held its breath. Danger rode in silence, hidden until metal met metal.

CBS New York reported on July 17, 2025, that 'dozens of propane tanks were found in a van in Midtown Manhattan after a car crash Tuesday night.' The article does not detail injuries or the cause of the crash. The presence of hazardous cargo in a crash raises questions about vehicle safety checks and enforcement. Storing large amounts of propane in a van on city streets exposes bystanders and road users to hidden risks. The incident highlights the need for stricter oversight of hazardous material transport in dense urban areas.

• Propane Tanks Discovered After Midtown Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 16 - A DOT worker fixing a sign was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near miss in lower Manhattan. The cyclist fled. The worker bled on the street. Police are searching. No arrests. Another morning, another wound.

NY Daily News (2025-07-16) reports a city DOT worker was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near collision at Broadway and Cedar St. The worker was fixing a street sign when the cyclist nearly hit his truck. Witnesses said, 'They weren't even in the bike lane, they were parked on the corner.' After the argument, the cyclist cut the worker's arm with a box cutter and fled. The DOT worker was treated and released. Police are searching for the cyclist. The incident highlights the dangers of street work and the tense interactions between vehicles and vulnerable road users.

• DOT Worker Slashed After Near Collision, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-16

Jul 11 - The driver of a box truck passed too close to a parked sedan on Amsterdam Avenue and struck its left front. Two male rear passengers suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police recorded "Passing Too Closely" as a contributing factor.

The driver of a box truck passed too close to a parked Toyota sedan at 2402 Amsterdam Avenue and struck the sedan’s left front quarter panel. Two men seated in the sedan’s rear were injured. Both complained of whiplash and back injuries and were conscious at the scene. According to the police report, the crash involved "Other Vehicular" and "Passing Too Closely" contributing factors. Police listed Passing Too Closely as a driver error. The truck’s point of impact was its right front quarter panel; the sedan’s point of impact was its left front quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828210 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 11 - Two SUVs collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. Three people hurt. Impact bruised bodies, left drivers and passenger in shock. Failure to yield cut through steel and flesh. Pain and confusion followed.

Two station wagons, both SUVs, crashed on Henry Hudson Parkway. According to the police report, the cause was 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' Three occupants—two drivers and a rear passenger—suffered injuries, including bruises and pain, and were left in shock. The impact struck bumpers and doors, sending bodies into seats and metal. The report lists no other contributing factors before the driver error. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827176 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 7 - A 41-year-old man was struck by a vehicle's left front bumper on St Nicholas Ave at 1306. He suffered a head injury, minor bleeding, and was incoherent at the scene. No driver errors are listed in the police report.

A 41-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at 1306 St Nicholas Ave in Manhattan and suffered a head injury with minor bleeding. According to the police report, "the pedestrian was not at an intersection and was engaged in other actions in the roadway when the vehicle's left front bumper hit him." The vehicle's point of impact is listed as the left front bumper; vehicle damage is listed as center front end. The injured man was described as incoherent at the scene. Police recorded no contributing factors or driver errors in the report. No further details about the driver or vehicle were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825984 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 6 - SUV and sedan collided on St Nicholas Ave. Two people hurt. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Lives changed in a blink.

Two vehicles, a sedan and an SUV, crashed on St Nicholas Ave at W 175 St in Manhattan. According to the police report, driver inattention or distraction contributed to the collision. A 30-year-old male driver and a 29-year-old female front passenger suffered injuries, including chest and neck trauma. Another occupant’s injuries were unspecified. The SUV sustained damage to its left side doors. Driver inattention was the only listed contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827171 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 6 - A high-speed electric unicycle struck a cyclist on Central Park’s crowded West Drive. The unicycle rider landed in critical condition. Congestion and speed collided. Chaos followed. Bystanders watched. Sirens wailed.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-06) reports a crash on Central Park’s West Drive, where an illegal electric unicycle hit a cyclist. The unicycle, capable of speeds over 40 mph, struck Carolyn Backus, who was riding a standard bike. The unicycle operator was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. NYPD initially charged Backus with leaving the scene, but the charge was dropped. A spokesperson clarified, 'She also remained on scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics.' The incident highlights risks from high-speed, illegal vehicles in crowded park spaces.

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

Jul 5 - A moped and sedan collided on Audubon Avenue. The moped driver, a 38-year-old woman, suffered a leg injury. Police list the cause as unspecified. The street bore the weight of impact.

A crash on Audubon Avenue at W 166th Street in Manhattan involved a moped and a sedan. The moped driver, a 38-year-old woman, was injured in her lower leg and left in shock. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight ahead when they collided. The report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the data. The sedan struck with its center front end. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827197 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 3 - Mayor Adams halts 34th Street busway. Streets stay clogged. Pedestrians and bus riders lose. Car dominance remains. Safety and equity stalled.

On July 3, 2025, the Adams administration paused the 34th Street busway project, as reported by Streetsblog NYC. The matter, described as a 'highly-anticipated 34th Street busway,' had support from Council Members Erik Bottcher, Keith Powers, and others. Bottcher called it 'transformative,' promising fewer crashes and faster buses. Powers slammed the last-minute reversal. Safety analysts warn: canceling the busway preserves car dominance, discourages transit, and keeps streets unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists. The project’s future is uncertain. Vulnerable New Yorkers pay the price.

• Anti-Miracle On 34th Street: Adams Administration Pauses Work On 34th Street Busway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-03