Mayor Eric Adams

Feb 5 - A ninety-year-old woman stepped off the curb on York Avenue. A taxi hit her head-on. An SUV rolled over her. Her skull crushed. She lay still. Two drivers kept straight. They did not see. She died on the street.

According to the police report, a ninety-year-old woman was killed on York Avenue near East 72nd Street when she was struck by a taxi and then run over by an SUV. The crash occurred at 17:41 in Manhattan. The report states, 'she stepped off the curb, alone, no signal. A taxi hit her head-on. An SUV rolled over her. Her skull crushed.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. Both vehicles, a taxi and an SUV, were traveling straight ahead. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The drivers 'did not see' her, according to the narrative. The victim suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. No driver errors beyond inattention/distraction are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790720 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 5 - A pickup truck turned left into blinding sun at E 59 St and Beverley Rd. Its bumper smashed a 14-year-old girl’s face as she crossed with the signal. Blood pooled on the pavement. She stood, hands pressed to her wound.

According to the police report, a pickup truck was making a left turn at the corner of E 59 St and Beverley Rd in Brooklyn when it struck a 14-year-old pedestrian. The incident occurred at 15:17. The report states the driver turned 'into the sun,' with 'glare' listed as a contributing factor. The left front bumper of the truck hit the girl in the face, causing severe bleeding. She remained conscious and standing, hands pressed to her wound. The police narrative confirms the girl was 'crossing with the signal' at the intersection. The report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor, but explicitly notes the driver's action—turning left into glare—preceded the impact. The data underscores the persistent danger posed by turning vehicles at signalized crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790784 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 5 - A man slammed his Mercedes into a stopped car on the Whitestone Expressway. The impact threw an MTA worker onto the pavement. The driver ran. The worker died. Police found the abandoned car. The driver had no license.

NY Daily News reported on February 5, 2025, that James Vennitti, 63, was arrested for a deadly hit-and-run on the Whitestone Expressway in Queens. On February 10, 2024, Vennitti allegedly rear-ended David Berney, 43, after Berney and another driver stopped in the middle lane following a minor collision. The crash threw Berney from his car, killing him at the scene. The other driver was injured. Vennitti, unlicensed, abandoned his Mercedes and fled on foot. Police arrested him a year later. A grand jury indicted Vennitti for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving without a license. The case highlights the lethal risk of unlicensed driving and the dangers of stopped vehicles on high-speed roads.

• Unlicensed Driver Flees Queens Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-05

Feb 4 - A 42-year-old man, walking outside the crosswalk on 89th Avenue, was struck by two westbound SUVs. His leg was crushed beneath steel. He remained conscious as pain demanded amputation. The drivers’ view was blocked. Failure to yield sealed his fate.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old man was walking outside the crosswalk on 89th Avenue near 168th Street in Queens when he was struck by two westbound vehicles—a sedan and an SUV. The narrative states, 'His leg crushed beneath steel. He stayed awake. The pain spoke plainly: amputation.' The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors, explicitly citing driver error as central to the crash. The sedan was starting from parking, while the SUV was going straight ahead. The pedestrian suffered severe injury to his lower leg, resulting in amputation, but remained conscious throughout. The report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The impact and aftermath underscore the lethal consequences of driver inattention and obstructed views on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790442 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 4 - A 55-year-old man pedaled south on Westchester Avenue at dawn. A vehicle struck him from behind. His head was crushed, blood pooled, but he stayed conscious. The street was quiet. The driver followed too closely and was distracted.

According to the police report, a 55-year-old man was riding his bicycle south on Westchester Avenue near Home Street in the Bronx at 6:05 a.m. when a vehicle struck him from behind. The report states the cyclist suffered crush injuries to his head but remained conscious as blood pooled on the pavement. The police report explicitly cites 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The narrative describes the street as quiet at the time of the collision and notes that the driver was distracted. No contributing factors related to the cyclist's behavior or equipment were listed in the report. The focus remains on the driver’s failure to maintain a safe distance and attention, which led to the violent impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790889 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 4 - A Tesla tore down FDR Drive at unsafe speed. Metal screamed. A baby girl, unbelted, was thrown from the car and killed. The sedan crumpled. The road bore witness. No warning, no mercy, only silence and wreckage.

According to the police report, a Tesla sedan traveling north on FDR Drive crashed at 2:44 a.m. The report states the vehicle was moving at 'unsafe speed.' The impact left the sedan demolished. A baby girl, listed as an occupant, was ejected from the vehicle and died on impact, her injuries described as affecting her 'entire body.' The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. No seatbelt was used, as noted in the report. The narrative describes the scene as the Tesla 'slammed at speed,' resulting in the infant's death. The focus remains on the excessive speed and the catastrophic consequences that followed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790343 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 4 - A Tesla hit a guardrail on the FDR. The car flipped, burned. The driver died at the scene. Her passenger survived but was badly hurt. Debris scattered. Police closed lanes for hours. The cause is still under investigation.

According to the New York Post (2025-02-04), a Tesla crashed on Manhattan's FDR Drive near 70th Street early Tuesday. The car struck a guardrail, flipped, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The article states, 'A female driver was killed and her passenger seriously injured after they were tossed from a Tesla that flipped and then burst into flames.' The driver died at the scene; the passenger was hospitalized in stable condition. Photos showed 'large pieces of the vehicle scattered across the road.' Police have not determined if speed was a factor and continue to investigate. The crash closed all northbound lanes for several miles as fire crews responded. The incident highlights the violent consequences of high-speed impacts and the dangers posed by vehicle ejection and fire.

• Tesla Crash Ejects Two On FDR Drive, New York Post, Published 2025-02-04

Feb 3 - A BMW SUV turned through White Plains Road, striking a 75-year-old man crossing with the signal. The impact crushed him. He died in the street. The driver did not stop. The SUV showed no damage. The street kept moving.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old man was crossing White Plains Road near Wood Avenue in the Bronx, walking with the signal, when a BMW SUV made a left turn and struck him with its front end. The report states the pedestrian suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene. The driver did not remain, and the vehicle showed no visible damage. Police cite 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The victim's behavior—'Crossing With Signal'—is noted in the report, but only after the documented driver errors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver failure to yield and inattention at Bronx intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790185 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 3 - A flatbed truck turned right at Franklin Avenue and East 169th Street. Its bumper struck a 65-year-old woman’s legs as she crossed. She fell. The truck rolled on, crushing her legs. She died at the scene. The truck was undamaged.

According to the police report, a flatbed truck made a right turn at the corner of Franklin Avenue and East 169th Street. The truck’s right front bumper struck a 65-year-old woman as she crossed the intersection. The impact knocked her down, and the truck continued forward, rolling over her legs and causing fatal crush injuries. The report states the truck sustained no damage. The driver’s actions are listed as 'unspecified' in the contributing factors, but the narrative details the truck’s movement and its direct role in the fatal outcome. The report notes the woman was 'crossing against the light,' but this is mentioned after describing the truck’s maneuver and impact. The focus remains on the truck’s turn and the systemic danger posed by large vehicles at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790193 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 2 - A taxi loses grip on the slick Brooklyn Queens Expressway. Metal buckles. Two rear passengers bleed, faces cut and bruised. The cab’s front end is crushed. Rain turns routine travel into chaos.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling west on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway skidded on slippery pavement. The report states, 'A taxi skids on wet blacktop. Metal folds. A man, 56, sits in the back. Blood spills from his head. He is awake. The cab's front end is crushed.' Two rear passengers were injured: a 54-year-old woman suffered a facial contusion, and a 56-year-old man sustained severe head lacerations. Both remained conscious. The only contributing factor listed is 'Pavement Slippery.' No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield are cited. The crash highlights the danger wet roads pose to passengers, with the impact crushing the cab’s front end and leaving blood on the seats.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790513 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 2 - A 61-year-old cyclist was thrown from his bike when a southbound sedan hit him on East 46th Street near Foster Avenue. Blood pooled on the pavement. The car’s front end crumpled. The man lay still, head split, the street marked by violence.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old man riding a bike eastbound on East 46th Street near Foster Avenue was struck by a southbound Honda sedan at approximately 1:00 PM in Brooklyn. The report states the cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered severe head trauma, with blood pooling on the pavement. The sedan’s center front end was crumpled from the impact. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but the police report does not list helmet use as a contributing factor. Both vehicles were described as going straight ahead before the crash. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' offering no details on specific driver errors. The impact location and narrative underscore the violence of the collision and the vulnerability of the cyclist in the face of a fast-moving vehicle.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789911 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 2 - A man on a southbound e-scooter was hit from behind at E 174 St and Boston Rd. Blood streaked his face. Deep cuts marked his skin. He stayed upright, awake, while the cold morning and the street moved on.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old man operating a HUEB e-scooter southbound at the corner of E 174 St and Boston Rd was struck from behind. The report describes 'blood on his face' and 'deep cuts,' with the rider remaining conscious and upright after the collision. The point of impact and vehicle damage are both listed as 'center back end,' indicating a rear-end strike. The report lists the contributing factors as 'unspecified,' providing no further detail on the actions of the striking vehicle or its operator. No evidence in the report suggests any error or unsafe behavior by the e-scooter rider. The collision left the rider with severe lacerations to the face. The police narrative and injury data point to a systemic danger for vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790339 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 1 - A 38-year-old unlicensed rider sped west on Grand Central Parkway. He passed a taxi, struck its front, and was thrown from his bike. The motorcycle shattered. He died on the asphalt. The taxi stopped. The road bore the mark.

According to the police report, a 38-year-old man riding a motorcycle westbound on Grand Central Parkway attempted to pass a taxi at high speed. The report states he was unlicensed but wore a helmet. The motorcycle struck the taxi's right front quarter panel, causing the rider to be ejected and thrown onto the roadway. The motorcycle was demolished. The taxi, operated by a licensed driver, stopped after the collision. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. The rider died at the scene, suffering injuries to his entire body. The report does not cite any contributing victim behavior beyond helmet use. The crash underscores the lethal consequences when unlicensed, inexperienced drivers operate powerful vehicles on city roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792295 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 1 - A box truck rolled down Lorimer Street. The driver, alone, lost consciousness at the wheel. The truck did not swerve. The right front bumper struck. The driver died in the cab. The street stayed quiet, darkness holding the scene.

According to the police report, a box truck was traveling south on Lorimer Street near 517 Lorimer St in Brooklyn at 3:08 a.m. when the 51-year-old male driver lost consciousness. The report states, 'The driver, 51, lost consciousness. The right front bumper struck. He died alone in the cab.' The vehicle continued straight ahead, with no swerving reported. The official contributing factor listed is 'Lost Consciousness.' The point of impact and vehicle damage were both at the right front bumper. No other persons or vehicles were involved, and no victim behaviors are cited as contributing factors. The fatal outcome underscores the systemic dangers present when a driver loses control of a large vehicle on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789851 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 31 - A box truck swung left at 212th and Hillside. The driver looked too late. A 29-year-old man, crossing with the light, was crushed beneath the bumper. He died in the street before dawn. Steel met flesh. The city kept moving.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling west on Hillside Avenue made a left turn at the corner of 212th Street and Hillside Avenue in Queens. The driver, licensed in New Jersey, was operating a 2018 FRHT-TRUCK/BUS with one occupant. The report states the driver was inattentive or distracted and failed to observe the pedestrian in time. The vehicle struck a 29-year-old man who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The point of impact was the truck’s left front bumper. The pedestrian suffered fatal crush injuries and died at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Oversized Vehicle' as contributing factors. The victim’s behavior—crossing with the signal—is noted only after the driver’s errors. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver inattention and large vehicles at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789587 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 31 - A BMW’s bumper slammed into a man standing off Essex Street. Blood spilled. His arm split open, but he stayed awake. The driver, distracted, kept the night silent. Metal met flesh. The city’s danger pressed on.

According to the police report, at 1:15 a.m. near 151 Essex Street in Brooklyn, a BMW sedan traveling east struck a 44-year-old man who was standing off the roadway. The report states the man suffered severe lacerations to his arm but remained conscious. The collision was marked by the BMW’s right front bumper bearing the impact. The police report explicitly lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time of the crash, according to the report. No contributing factors were attributed to the pedestrian. The incident underscores the persistent threat posed by driver distraction, with the victim injured while not even occupying the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789489 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 29 - A sedan veered on the Triborough Bridge, smashing into two SUVs. Steel twisted. The driver, forty-six, slumped semiconscious, bleeding from the head. Engines cooled in the aftermath. The bridge stood silent, bearing witness to sudden violence.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling northbound on the Triborough Bridge veered and struck two SUVs. The report states, 'A sedan veered, struck two SUVs. The driver, 46, slumped bleeding from the head. Semiconscious. His belt held fast. Illness named the cause.' The driver of the sedan suffered severe head injuries and was found semiconscious, with his seatbelt still fastened. The contributing factor listed in the report is 'Illness.' The impact left the sedan and both SUVs damaged, with steel crumpled and engines cooling in the aftermath. No errors or contributing factors are attributed to the occupants of the SUVs. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the persistent dangers faced by all road users when control is lost behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790166 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 29 - A concrete mixer reversed on Watkins Street. A woman crossed in the marked crosswalk. The truck struck her, crushing her hip and leg. She lay conscious, broken on the pavement. The truck kept moving. The street did not forgive.

According to the police report, a concrete mixer backed west on Watkins Street near Linden Boulevard without warning. A 40-year-old woman was crossing in the marked crosswalk when the truck struck her, crushing her hip and leg. The report states she was left conscious on the pavement, suffering from severe injuries. The vehicle's pre-crash action is listed as 'Backing,' and the point of impact was the 'Center Back End.' No contributing factors are cited for the pedestrian; the driver’s maneuver—reversing a large truck into a crosswalk—created the danger. The police report does not list any contributing pedestrian behaviors. The crash underscores the lethal risk posed when heavy vehicles back through pedestrian space.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792038 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 29 - 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 2025-09-19

Jan 28 - Night on Kent Avenue. A moped barrels into a stopped sedan. The rider, helmeted, is hurled and bleeds hard onto the cold blacktop. The sedan sits untouched. The man does not. Steel and flesh meet. Only one is spared.

A 34-year-old moped rider was severely injured after crashing into a stopped sedan near 157 Kent Avenue in Brooklyn at 8:00 p.m., according to the police report. The report states the moped 'slams a stopped sedan,' with the rider 'thrown, helmeted, bleeding hard from the arm.' The police cite 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor in the crash. The moped's front end struck the right side doors of the sedan, which was stopped in traffic and sustained no damage. The moped rider was partially ejected and suffered severe bleeding to the lower arm. According to the police, the sedan remained stationary and was not physically impacted, while the moped absorbed the full force. The report notes the rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790274 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19