Blood on Broadway: Slow the Cars, Save the Living

Jul 22 - A taxi turned on a rainy night. Cooper Stock, nine, held his father’s hand. The car struck him at West End and 97th. He died. His name lives on in the camp that bears it. The street remains dangerous.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-22) recounts the 2014 death of Cooper Stock, age nine, killed by a turning taxi while crossing West End Avenue at 97th Street with his father. The article states, 'a taxi turned and fatally struck him.' The crash spurred his family and friends to create Coops Hoops, a nonprofit sending underserved children to basketball camp. The story highlights the lasting impact of one crash and the systemic risk at intersections where turning vehicles endanger pedestrians. No mention of driver accountability or policy change appears in the article.

• Taxi Turns, Child Killed Crossing Street, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 21 - A driver sped off the Manhattan Bridge, killed a cyclist and a woman on a bench. The intersection stayed dangerous. Another crash hit the same spot the next day. City action lags. Lives end. Cars keep coming.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-07-21) reports a driver with a history of hit-and-run plowed off the Manhattan Bridge, killing cyclist Kevin Scott Cruickshank and May Kwok, who sat on a bench. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, had been charged for a prior hit-and-run while unlicensed but was released pending trial. The article notes, 'New Yorkers have been begging for years for city officials to make Canal Street safer.' The intersection's highway design and delayed Department of Transportation safety plans leave it perilous. The day after the fatal crash, another car sped off the bridge and crashed at the same spot, underscoring systemic danger.

• Deadly Canal Street Bridge Collision, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - A stolen car tore through Bowery and Canal. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died. The driver fled but was caught. Police found booze and drugs in the car. Systemic failures left danger unchecked.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-20), a 23-year-old woman drove a stolen, drug-filled car into a cyclist and a woman on a bench at Bowery and Canal, killing both. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, had faced charges for a previous crash but was released without bail. The article reports, 'Romero was behind the wheel of a booze- and drug-filled stolen blue Chevy Malibu when it plowed into a man on a bicycle and a 63-year-old woman on a bench.' Police said the car was packed with pills, marijuana, and alcohol. Romero and her passenger fled but were quickly caught. The case highlights gaps in bail reform and vehicle oversight.

• Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian in Chinatown, New York Post, 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 2025-11-09

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 2025-11-09

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 2025-11-09

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 2025-11-09

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 2025-11-09

Jul 7 - New York forms a department to police e-bikes and scooters. The city targets reckless riding, speed, and app company demands. Streets change. Enforcement rises. Pedestrians and workers stand in the crosshairs.

CBS New York reported on July 7, 2025, that New York City will create the Department of Sustainable Delivery to enforce rules on e-bikes, scooters, and delivery companies. The department will target illegal riding and unsafe equipment, and will cap e-bike and scooter speeds at 15 mph. Mayor Adams said the move aims to 'keep pedestrians safe, and hold delivery app companies accountable for placing unrealistic expectations on their workers.' The city also seeks legislation to revoke licenses for apps that push unsafe delivery speeds. The policy shift focuses on systemic risks and the need for stronger oversight.

• City Launches Department For Delivery Safety, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-07

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 2025-11-09

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 2025-11-09

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

Jul 3 - Traffic deaths in New York City fell 32% in early 2025. Eighty-seven lives lost, the lowest since 1910. Fewer pedestrians and cyclists killed. Streets still dangerous, but the toll shrinks.

"Traffic deaths reached the lowest level in recorded history during the first six months of this year because of Vision Zero's focus on safer street designs, expanded public education, and targeted traffic enforcement." -- Ydanis A. Rodriguez

On July 3, 2025, BKReader reported city data showing a 32% drop in traffic deaths for the first half of 2025. The Department of Transportation released the numbers. The report, titled 'NYC Traffic Deaths Reach Record Low,' credits Vision Zero: speed cameras, protected bike lanes, lower e-bike speeds, and targeted enforcement. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'Traffic deaths reached the lowest level in recorded history during the first six months of this year.' Mayor Eric Adams praised strong enforcement. A 32% reduction signals a major safety gain for all road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists.

• NYC Traffic Deaths Reach Record Low, BKReader, Published 2025-07-03

Jul 2 - A 19-year-old on a motorized device suffered a head injury after an SUV hit him on Amsterdam Avenue. Police cite driver inattention. Blood on the street. Shock in the air.

A 19-year-old male riding a motorized device was injured when a station wagon/SUV struck him on Amsterdam Avenue at West 161st Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash involved driver inattention or distraction. The young rider suffered a head injury and minor bleeding. The SUV’s front bumper took the impact. No injuries were reported for the SUV’s occupants. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. No other causes or victim actions are cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827164 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-09

Jul 2 - DOT expands Summer Streets. Manhattan goes car-free from Brooklyn Bridge to Inwood. Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, Brooklyn join. Twenty-two miles open for people. Fewer cars. More safety. Streets belong to walkers and riders.

On July 2, 2025, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced the expansion of the Summer Streets program. The event, now in its 18th year, will stretch from the Brooklyn Bridge to Inwood, covering Manhattan’s full length. Car-free Saturdays run from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August weekends, with additional routes in Queens, Staten Island, Bronx, and Brooklyn. Rodriguez said, 'the city's venerable Summer Streets program is all grown up.' David Meyer reported the news. Safety analysts note: expanding Summer Streets increases car-free space, encourages walking and cycling, supports mode shift, and improves safety for vulnerable road users by reducing vehicle exposure.

• Wednesday’s Headlines: Return of Summer Streets Edition, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-02

Jul 2 - DOT claims fewer deaths but blocks a protected bike lane. Cyclists and walkers left exposed. City touts Vision Zero, yet undermines real safety. Streets stay deadly.

On July 2, 2025, NYC DOT, led by Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, defended the Adams administration's Vision Zero record while fighting a protected bike lane in court. The agency argued there is no legal difference between protected and unprotected lanes, despite a 32% drop in fatalities. Rodriguez said, 'Our streets are public and belong to everyone.' Still, DOT supported removing Bedford Ave's protected lane. No council member sponsored this; it was a direct agency action. Safety analysts warn: opposing protected lanes undermines system-wide safety for vulnerable users and signals a lack of commitment to lasting change.

• DOT Boss Defends Adams’s ‘Vision Zero’ Record As Agency Fights A Bike Lane in Court, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-02

Jul 1 - A Brooklyn judge refused to scrap Bedford Avenue’s protected bike lane. For now, cyclists and pedestrians keep their shield. Legal threats linger. Safety hangs in the balance.

On July 1, 2025, a Brooklyn judge maintained a temporary restraining order, blocking Mayor Adams’s push to remove the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane. The case, covered by Streetsblog NYC, pits city DOT and supporters against opponents led by lawyer Frank Seddio. Council Members Chi Ossé and Lincoln Restler back the lane, citing injury reductions of 47 percent. The matter summary warns: 'Legal opposition to protected bike lanes threatens infrastructure improvements that are proven to increase safety and encourage mode shift for vulnerable road users.' The judge will soon decide if removing protection requires public notice. The fight for safe passage continues.

• Brooklyn Judge Once Again Declines to Rip Up Bedford Ave. Protected Bike Lane… For Now, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-07-01

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