Mayor Eric Adams

May 8 - A police cruiser slammed into a Nissan at a Brooklyn intersection. Sirens wailed. Metal twisted. An officer lay critically hurt. The Nissan driver survived. The street bore the scars. Another night, another crash. The city keeps moving.

ABC7 reported on May 8, 2025, that an NYPD officer was critically injured when a marked police vehicle collided with a white Nissan Rogue at Willoughby Avenue and Walworth Street in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Officers were responding to a 911 call for an armed man. The article states, “A marked NYPD vehicle was traveling eastbound on Willoughby Avenue when it collided with a white Nissan Rogue traveling northbound on Walworth Street.” The officer was hospitalized in critical but stable condition; the Nissan driver, age 28, was also hospitalized and is stable. The crash highlights the dangers at intersections, especially during emergency responses. The investigation continues, with no details yet on contributing factors or policy changes.

• NYPD Cruiser Collides With Nissan In Brooklyn, ABC7, Published 2025-05-08

May 7 - A driver fell asleep on 25 Ave, striking two pedestrians. Both suffered serious injuries. Metal met flesh. Blood on asphalt. System failed the walking. Cars ruled the night.

Two pedestrians, a 24-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, were struck and injured on 25 Ave at 124 St in Queens. According to the police report, the crash involved sedans and was caused by a driver who 'Fell Asleep.' The woman suffered fractures and dislocations to her entire body. The man sustained severe lacerations to his arm. Both were conscious after impact. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the sole contributing factor. No actions or errors are attributed to the pedestrians.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812049 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - Taxi making U-turn hit 88-year-old man at intersection. Head wound. Blood on pavement. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield.

An 88-year-old man was struck by a taxi while crossing at the intersection of 2800 W 5 St in Brooklyn. He suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. According to the police report, the taxi was making a U-turn when the crash occurred. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating a 2020 Infiniti taxi. No injuries were reported for the driver or other occupants. The impact was to the left front bumper of the taxi.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811237 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - Two sedans collided on Hutchinson River Parkway. A front passenger lost a limb. Drivers and others hurt. No cause listed. Metal, speed, pain. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

Two sedans crashed on Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx. According to the police report, a 44-year-old male front passenger suffered an amputation and injuries to his entire body. A 40-year-old female driver was also injured, with chest trauma. Other occupants sustained unspecified injuries. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead. No mention of helmet or signal use. The crash left lasting harm for those inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811411 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - A sedan hit an e-bike on McDonald Ave. The cyclist, ejected and bleeding from the face, lay hurt. Police cite driver distraction. Metal and flesh met in Brooklyn’s morning light.

A sedan collided with an e-bike on McDonald Ave near Greenwood Ave in Brooklyn. The 60-year-old male cyclist was ejected and suffered severe facial lacerations. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The cyclist was unlicensed and wore no safety equipment, but the police report lists driver distraction as the primary factor. No injuries were reported for the sedan occupant. The crash underscores the danger faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811100 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.

NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.

• Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-07

May 6 - A principal drove down Lenox Road, lost control, hit parked cars, and flipped his vehicle. Police pulled him from the wreck. He refused a Breathalyzer. Charges followed. The street bore the scars. The system let him drive. The danger stayed.

According to NY Daily News (2025-05-06), Gregory Jackson, principal of Brownsville Collaborative Middle School, crashed on Lenox Road near Utica Ave. Police say he struck several parked cars and overturned his vehicle around 11:30 p.m. Jackson told police he had 'only one drink.' He refused a Breathalyzer test at the scene. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while impaired, and refusing the test. The Department of Education referred questions to the NYPD. The incident highlights the ongoing risk posed by impaired drivers and the vulnerability of anyone near city streets, even when parked. Systemic gaps allow such danger to persist.

• Principal Overturns Car In Brooklyn Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-06

May 5 - A sedan and flatbed collided at Francis Lewis and 115 Ave. A four-year-old girl and a man suffered injuries. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The street bore the brunt. The system failed the vulnerable.

A crash on Francis Lewis Blvd at 115 Ave in Queens left a 27-year-old man with crush injuries to his shoulder and a four-year-old girl with head trauma. According to the police report, the collision involved a sedan and a flatbed truck. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The child, riding as a rear passenger, suffered whiplash. The adult driver was also hurt. No pedestrians were involved. The crash underscores the danger when drivers lack focus and experience.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810718 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 4 - SUV slammed into sedans on Tompkins Ave. Three men hurt. Blood on the street. Police cite driver distraction. System failed to protect riders. Metal and flesh, broken again.

A crash on Tompkins Ave in Brooklyn left three men injured. According to the police report, a station wagon/SUV struck two sedans. One rear passenger suffered severe head bleeding. Two others, a driver and a front passenger, sustained whiplash. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main cause. No helmet or signal issues were cited. The SUV driver was licensed; one sedan driver was unlicensed. The crash again shows how distraction behind the wheel harms those inside. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810785 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 4 - A volunteer EMT hit a 19-year-old crossing McDonald Avenue. The crash happened at night. Lights and sirens blared. The young man suffered severe head trauma. Medics rushed him to the hospital. The driver stayed. Police are investigating.

According to NY Daily News (2025-05-04), a Hatzolah volunteer EMT driving a smart car struck a 19-year-old pedestrian at McDonald Avenue and Avenue P in Brooklyn around 1:20 a.m. The article states, “The 39-year-old driver was behind the wheel of a smart car for the ambulance service, going north on McDonald Ave., lights and sirens on, when he struck the pedestrian as he was crossing.” The pedestrian suffered critical head injuries and was transported to Maimonides Hospital. The driver remained at the scene. Police are investigating the crash. The incident highlights the risks faced by pedestrians, even when emergency vehicles are present. No charges have been filed as of publication.

• EMT Strikes Pedestrian On McDonald Ave, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-04

May 3 - A sedan struck a man crossing Broadway. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian suffered head wounds and severe cuts. The crash left pain and confusion on the street.

A BMW sedan traveling south on Broadway struck a 45-year-old man as he crossed at the intersection with West 97th Street. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and severe lacerations. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The impact occurred at the right front bumper of the vehicle. The driver and a passenger were also listed in the report, but only the pedestrian was reported injured. The data notes the pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but the primary error cited is driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811387 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - A moped slammed into a pickup on Knickerbocker Ave. Two teens hurt. Police cite driver inexperience and ignored signals. Metal, flesh, blood on the street. System failed the young.

A moped carrying two boys, ages 11 and 16, crashed into a pickup truck on Knickerbocker Ave near Stanhope St in Brooklyn. The 11-year-old suffered severe leg lacerations. The 16-year-old driver was bruised. According to the police report, 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' contributed to the crash. The moped driver was unlicensed. The pickup driver, age 66, was not reported injured. The report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' and 'Driver Inexperience' as factors. The system put young riders at risk. No mention of helmet use as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - A motorcycle and sedan collided on East 76th. The crash left the motorcyclist with crushed hips and legs. Police cite improper lane use and passenger distraction as causes.

A motorcycle and a sedan crashed at 348 E 76th Street in Manhattan. The motorcyclist, a 54-year-old man, suffered crush injuries to his hip and upper leg. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Passenger Distraction' contributed to the crash. The sedan was parked before impact; the motorcycle was passing. No pedestrians were involved. The report lists no helmet or signal issues. The crash highlights the danger of improper lane use and distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - SUV and sedan collided on Belt Parkway. One driver suffered head injuries and crush wounds, partially ejected. Police cite following too closely. Metal and glass scattered. No pedestrians involved.

A collision on Belt Parkway involved a sedan and an SUV, both traveling west. According to the police report, 'Following Too Closely' was listed as a contributing factor. One driver, a 57-year-old woman, was partially ejected and sustained head injuries and crush wounds. Another driver, a 53-year-old man, was not ejected and reported no injuries. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left metal and glass across the roadway. The police report notes the use of lap belts but lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810253 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 3 - A van door swung open. The e-biker hit it, thrown into the street. A truck rolled over him. He died in the gutter, Broome and Centre. The city lost a musician. The street stayed the same.

NY Daily News reported on May 3, 2025, that George Smaragdis, known as synthwave artist Starcadian, died after being doored by a Mercedes van while riding his e-bike westbound on Broome Street in Manhattan. The impact threw him into the path of a red delivery truck, which ran him over. Police said Smaragdis suffered severe head trauma and died at Bellevue Hospital. The article notes, 'The man who died after being doored while riding an e-bike and then run over by a passing truck...was a popular and influential synthwave artist.' The crash highlights the ongoing danger of dooring and the lethal consequences when street design and driver actions fail to protect cyclists. No mention of charges or policy changes followed.

• E-Biker Doored, Killed in Soho Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-03

May 2 - A sedan driver struck parked cars on Homestead Ave. Distraction outside the car led to a crash. The driver suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Three others were hurt. Streets remain unforgiving.

A sedan traveling west on Homestead Ave collided with parked vehicles. According to the police report, 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' caused the crash. The 28-year-old male driver suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Three other occupants were also injured. The report lists distraction as the main contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data. The crash highlights the danger of distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809771 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 2 - A driver ran a red. He sped through Queens. He hit Justin Diaz, heading to work. Diaz died. The driver, Michael Peña, faced jail, then release. The family mourns. The street remains dangerous. The system moves on.

NY Daily News reported on May 2, 2025, that Michael Peña, a former firefighter, was released from jail after being charged in a fatal crash. Police said Peña drove 83 mph in a 25 mph zone and ran a red light, t-boning Justin Diaz near LaGuardia Airport. Peña had a history of 25 school-zone speeding tickets. The article quotes Diaz's brother: "We're sick, angry, disgusted." Peña was charged with vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and refusing a breath test. The release followed an appellate judge's decision, despite community outrage. The case highlights persistent dangers from high-speed driving and repeated violations, raising questions about enforcement and bail decisions.

• Red Light Crash Kills Airport Worker, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-02

May 1 - E-bike struck a woman crossing at Chambers and Church. She fell, hit her head, bled badly. The rider failed to yield. The street stayed loud and bright.

A 58-year-old woman was hit by an e-bike at the intersection of Chambers Street and Church Street in Manhattan. She suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was found unconscious. According to the police report, the e-bike operator failed to yield the right-of-way. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the main contributing factor. No other causes were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814321 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 1 - A sedan hit a 68-year-old woman crossing Flatlands Ave with the signal. She suffered head injuries and severe bleeding. Driver failed to yield. Impact was left front bumper. Danger at the intersection was clear.

A 68-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Flatlands Avenue at East 84th Street in Brooklyn. She was crossing with the signal and suffered head injuries and severe bleeding. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the pedestrian. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The driver was making a left turn at the time of the crash. No other contributing factors were listed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 1 - A cyclist died on Broome Street. A box truck and SUV were involved. The impact was fatal. No driver errors listed. The city’s streets claimed another life.

A 44-year-old male cyclist was killed in a crash involving a box truck and an SUV on Broome Street at Centre Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered fatal head and internal injuries after being ejected. The crash involved a box truck traveling west and an SUV that was parked. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The cyclist’s safety equipment was unknown. The deadly impact highlights the vulnerability of those on bikes amid heavy vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809521 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19