Mayor Eric Adams

Dec 31 - Before sunrise on Pennsylvania Avenue, a 24-year-old moped rider slammed into a turning sedan. He flew from his seat, helmet on, skull crushed. Death came fast, the street stained with loss. Two wheels, one life, ended in Brooklyn.

A deadly crash unfolded on Pennsylvania Avenue near Pitkin Avenue in Brooklyn, early in the morning. According to the police report, a moped traveling straight collided head-on with a sedan that was making a left turn. The 24-year-old moped rider was ejected from his seat, suffering fatal head injuries despite wearing a helmet. The report states the moped struck the sedan's center front end while the sedan was turning. Both vehicles sustained significant front-end damage. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' but the sequence of events highlights the systemic danger when turning vehicles cross the paths of vulnerable road users. The moped rider's helmet use is noted in the report, but the impact proved overwhelming. The crash left the young rider dead in the street, underscoring the lethal consequences of vehicle movements and street design.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782957 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 30 - A Cadillac SUV barreled south through the intersection at W 37th Street and 9th Avenue. The bumper struck a 61-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She lay semiconscious, her body broken, the street marked by violence and disregard.

According to the police report, a Cadillac SUV drove south on 9th Avenue, proceeding straight through the intersection at W 37th Street. The vehicle struck a 61-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. The report states, 'The bumper struck her. She lay crushed and semiconscious, her body broken across the pavement.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her entire body and was left semiconscious at the scene. The police report notes the woman was crossing with the signal, and no contributing factors were attributed to her actions. The report lists the contributing factor for the driver as 'Unspecified,' but the narrative makes clear the SUV 'drove south, straight through the light,' highlighting a failure to obey the traffic signal. The impact and resulting injuries underscore the lethal consequences when drivers disregard traffic controls at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784464 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 30 - A 71-year-old woman, turning east on Rockaway Freeway, crashed her Mazda. Distraction behind the wheel. The right front struck hard. Her leg split open. Blood ran. The airbag burst. She stayed awake in the sudden quiet.

According to the police report, a 71-year-old woman was driving a 2023 Mazda sedan eastbound on Rockaway Freeway near Beach 41st Street in Queens when she crashed while making a right turn. The report states the vehicle struck hard at the right front bumper, causing severe bleeding and a significant leg injury to the driver. The airbag deployed. The driver remained conscious at the scene. Police explicitly cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor leading to the crash. No other vehicles or persons were involved, and no victim behaviors are listed as contributing factors. The report underscores the consequences of driver distraction, which resulted in serious injury and a violent impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782665 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 28 - A Jeep barreled through a blinking light on Melrose Avenue, striking a 14-year-old girl crossing with the signal. Her leg was crushed beneath the front end. She stayed conscious. The street was quiet. The light kept blinking.

A 14-year-old girl was struck and seriously injured by a Jeep SUV on Melrose Avenue near East 161st Street in the Bronx, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 23:15, when the Jeep, traveling west, 'ran the light' and hit the girl as she crossed the intersection 'with the signal.' The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor, highlighting the driver's failure to obey the traffic signal. The impact crushed the girl's leg beneath the vehicle's front end. The report notes she remained conscious at the scene. No victim behavior is cited as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the lethal consequences when drivers ignore traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784043 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 28 - A northbound SUV veered off course on 188th Street. The driver, a 48-year-old woman, fell asleep and crashed into a parked Jeep. Metal shrieked. Airbag burst. Blood spilled. The street held its breath. The city’s danger never sleeps.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old woman driving a northbound GMC SUV on 188th Street near 75-19 lost control after she 'drifted asleep behind the wheel.' Her vehicle collided with a parked Jeep, striking the left rear bumper and damaging the Jeep’s left rear quarter panel. The report lists 'Fell Asleep' as the contributing factor. The force of the crash triggered the airbag, and the driver suffered a head injury with severe bleeding but remained conscious at the scene. No other occupants or bystanders were involved. The parked Jeep was unoccupied. The police report does not cite any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the persistent danger posed by driver incapacitation and the vulnerability of everyone on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781898 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 28 - Metal shrieked on Lefferts Boulevard. A taxi and sedan collided, crushing a woman and breaking a baby’s legs. Both were off the roadway. The drivers missed the signs. One woman dead. One child maimed. The city’s danger, laid bare.

A deadly crash unfolded on Lefferts Boulevard near 115th Avenue in Queens when a taxi and a sedan collided, according to the police report. The impact killed a 51-year-old woman and left a baby boy with broken legs. Both victims were pedestrians and, as the report states, 'not in the roadway' at the time of the crash. The police report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for both drivers. The narrative underscores that 'the drivers missed the signs,' highlighting systemic failures in driver compliance with traffic controls. The collision’s violence—'metal screamed'—left one woman dead from crush injuries and a child with severe leg trauma. The report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on driver error and the lethal consequences for those outside the vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782691 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 27 - A sedan tore down W 204th Street, the driver distracted. Metal shrieked as it struck a parked truck. The driver’s head hit hard. Blood pooled. He was conscious, but crushed and silent. Distraction behind the wheel left only pain and wreckage.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old man drove his sedan southbound on W 204th Street near 9th Avenue and crashed straight into a parked truck. The report states the driver was not wearing a seatbelt and suffered head injuries and crush injuries, though he remained conscious at the scene. The police report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The parked truck was unoccupied at the time. The impact crumpled metal and left the sedan’s front end destroyed. No other injuries were reported. The report makes clear that distraction behind the wheel was the direct cause of this violent collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782808 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 26 - A 21-year-old e-bike rider slammed into a sedan’s front in the Bronx. He flew from his seat, head striking asphalt, blood pooling. The car stood still. The rider did not. Unsafe speed marked the night and left a young man bleeding.

According to the police report, near 862 Melrose Ave in the Bronx, a Yiben e-bike collided with the front of a Mercedes sedan. The 21-year-old e-bike rider was ejected from his seat, landing headfirst and suffering severe bleeding. The report states the crash occurred at 21:24. 'Unsafe Speed' is cited as the contributing factor in the police report. The sedan, with two occupants, sustained no damage and was reportedly 'going straight ahead' at the time of impact. The e-bike, traveling south and 'changing lanes,' struck the sedan’s left front quarter panel. The report notes the rider was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned after the primary driver error of unsafe speed. The focus remains on the danger created by excessive speed, as documented by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781699 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 26 - A sedan tore down Goethals Road North, smashing into an SUV mid-turn. Steel twisted. A 30-year-old man took the impact headfirst, blood streaking the dash. He stayed conscious. The road stayed cold. Speed left its mark.

A violent crash unfolded on Goethals Road North near Western Avenue as a speeding sedan collided with a station wagon/SUV that was making a right turn, according to the police report. The report states, 'A speeding sedan slammed an SUV mid-turn. Steel crumpled.' The impact left a 30-year-old male occupant with severe head lacerations; he remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. The sedan was traveling straight ahead, while the SUV was turning, and the crash resulted in significant damage to both vehicles. The injured man was not wearing a seatbelt, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor to the crash itself. The focus remains on the excessive speed of the sedan, which led to the violent collision and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782462 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 26 - Steel met skull on Beach 116th. A sedan reversed. A 79-year-old man stepped from behind a parked car. He fell, head torn open, blood pooling on cold Queens pavement. The car showed no damage. The man stayed conscious, wounded and alone.

A 79-year-old pedestrian suffered severe head lacerations when a sedan reversed and struck him near Beach 116th Street, according to the police report. The incident occurred as the man 'stepped from behind a parked car.' The report states the sedan was 'backing unsafely,' directly citing this driver action as a contributing factor. The narrative details, 'Steel struck skull. He fell. Blood spread on the cold street.' Despite the impact, the vehicle showed 'no damage.' The pedestrian remained conscious at the scene, his 'head torn open.' The police report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor, but the primary focus remains on the unsafe reversing maneuver by the driver. The collision underscores the lethal risk posed when drivers back unsafely, especially in areas with limited visibility.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785091 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 26 - A taxi veered off Sixth Avenue, mounted the curb, and struck a crowd near Herald Square. Three pedestrians, including a child, landed in the hospital. The driver stayed at the scene. Metal, flesh, and concrete met in Midtown’s holiday rush.

Gothamist (2024-12-26) reports a Midtown crash where a taxi driver, experiencing a medical episode, drove onto the sidewalk at Sixth Avenue and West 34th Street, injuring a 9-year-old boy and two women. Police said, 'they did not suspect any criminality in the crash.' The driver, 58, remained at the scene and was taken for evaluation. Four others declined medical attention. The article notes, 'the driver was driving northbound on Sixth Avenue around 3 p.m. on Wednesday when he jumped the curb and plowed into a crowd.' The incident highlights the persistent risk posed by vehicles in crowded pedestrian zones, regardless of intent or driver health. No policy changes were announced.

• Taxi Jumps Curb, Hits Midtown Pedestrians, Gothamist, Published 2024-12-26

Dec 25 - A woman crossing 111th Avenue was struck by two westbound SUVs. Both drivers were distracted. Her pelvis shattered. Blood pooled on the street. She died before help could arrive. The night swallowed her last breath.

According to the police report, a 45-year-old woman was crossing 111th Avenue near 158th Street in Queens when she was struck by two westbound SUVs. The crash occurred at 21:33. The report states both drivers were inattentive or distracted at the time of the collision. The pedestrian suffered fatal injuries, including a shattered pelvis and internal bleeding, and died at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor for both vehicles. The victim was crossing without a signal, but this is only mentioned after the drivers' failures. The impact and aftermath are described in stark terms: 'Her pelvis shattered. Internal bleeding. She died on the street. Both drivers were distracted.' The sequence of events and the cited driver errors underscore the systemic danger faced by pedestrians on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781816 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 25 - A 21-year-old man, unlicensed and alone, sped down Laurelton Parkway. The Audi slammed, right side crushed. He died inside, body broken. No one else was hurt. The road fell silent, marked by reckless speed and shattered metal.

According to the police report, a 21-year-old unlicensed man was driving a 2015 Audi sedan alone on Laurelton Parkway when he changed lanes at an unsafe speed. The sedan struck with force, its right side crushed and the vehicle demolished. The report states the driver was killed, suffering injuries to his entire body. No other people were involved or injured. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor, with the driver’s lack of a valid license also noted in the data. No seatbelt use was recorded. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of excessive speed and unlicensed driving, as detailed in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781385 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 24 - A man lay on Clearview Expressway. Three cars struck him. His chest crushed, life ended there. Another man behind the wheel, pinned and broken. Steel and rain, speed and error. The road did not forgive.

According to the police report, a 56-year-old man was killed on the northbound Clearview Expressway after being struck by three vehicles. The report states, 'A man lay in the road. Three cars struck. His chest crushed. He died there.' Another 56-year-old man, driving one of the vehicles, was injured and pinned, suffering chest injuries described as 'crush injuries.' The police report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors, along with 'Pavement Slippery.' These driver errors—specifically following too closely—are cited as direct contributors to the crash. The narrative highlights the systemic danger posed by multiple vehicles traveling straight ahead on a slick roadway, with no mention of pedestrian error as a contributing factor. The deadly sequence unfolded on a rain-slicked expressway, where human error and hazardous conditions combined with fatal results.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781815 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 24 - Before dawn on Bronxdale Avenue, two cars collided head-on. Five young adults, semiconscious, crushed in metal. Parked cars struck, glass and blood on the street. Speed and alcohol tore silence, leaving bodies broken where the morning began.

On Bronxdale Avenue near Cruger Avenue in the Bronx, two vehicles collided head-on, according to the police report. The crash occurred before dawn and left five young adults semiconscious and pinned inside the wreckage, suffering head, chest, and neck injuries. The police report states, 'Five young adults, semiconscious, pinned in twisted steel. Head, chest, neck—broken. Parked cars struck.' The report explicitly lists 'Unsafe Speed' as a contributing factor, and also notes the presence of alcohol at the scene. Multiple parked vehicles were hit in the aftermath. The data shows all injured persons were vehicle occupants, with no evidence of pedestrian or cyclist involvement. The violence of the impact and the resulting injuries underscore the danger when speed and impairment intersect on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781384 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 23 - A Honda SUV crashed into two parked cars on Himrod Street. Metal screamed. The driver’s face was crushed. He was conscious, bloodied, silent. Alcohol was involved, according to police. The street stood still, broken by the violence of impact.

A 2010 Honda SUV struck two parked vehicles near 1717 Himrod Street in Queens. According to the police report, the crash occurred at 3:25 a.m. and involved a single driver, age 29, who suffered severe facial injuries described as 'crush injuries.' The report states the driver was 'conscious' after the collision. Police explicitly list 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. The narrative details that the SUV 'slammed into two parked cars,' emphasizing the violence of the crash. Both struck vehicles were stationary at the time. The driver was wearing only a lap belt. No actions by other road users contributed to the crash, and no pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The focus remains on the driver’s actions and the cited presence of alcohol as a systemic danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782236 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 23 - A police car crossed the line. Metal struck flesh. Samuel Williams, riding his dirt bike, was thrown and killed. Body cam footage shows the officer’s move. Another NYPD car tried the same. The city sent Williams’ family a bill.

NY Daily News (2024-12-23) reports that NYPD body camera footage shows an officer veering into the path of Samuel Williams, a 36-year-old dirt bike rider, during a pursuit on the University Heights Bridge. Williams was struck, thrown, and died from his injuries. The article states, “An officer pursuing dirt bikers suddenly crossed the double yellow line into Williams' path, causing a collision.” Another NYPD vehicle attempted a similar maneuver. The family’s attorney called it a “deadly maneuver” for a minor violation. The city later billed Williams’ family for police vehicle damages. The NYPD has not commented, citing litigation. The case raises questions about police pursuit tactics and accountability.

• NYPD Officer Veers Into Dirt Biker’s Path, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-23

Dec 22 - A Jeep turned wrong on New Lots Ave and crashed into a parked Tesla. The driver’s back broke. Night pressed in. Metal shrieked. The street stayed quiet. Pain did not. One man left conscious, seatbelt tight, body broken.

A violent collision unfolded on New Lots Ave near Bradford St in Brooklyn when, according to the police report, a Jeep SUV 'turned wrong in the dark and slammed into a parked Tesla.' The crash occurred at 21:31, leaving the 40-year-old Jeep driver with severe back injuries and 'crush injuries,' though he remained conscious and was held by his seatbelt. The police report explicitly lists 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor, highlighting a critical driver error. The Tesla was unoccupied and parked at the time of impact, according to the data. No evidence in the police report suggests any victim behavior contributed to the crash. The scene was described as quiet, but the consequences for the driver were grave. The report underscores the danger posed by improper vehicle maneuvers, especially at night on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780721 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 21 - Two sedans collided head-on on Hillside Avenue in Queens. Steel twisted, glass shattered, and a 27-year-old driver, belted in, bled from the face and was incoherent. Alcohol was a key factor in the crash, highlighting deadly driver impairment.

According to the police report, two sedans collided head-on near Hillside Avenue and Langdale Street in Queens at 19:18. The report states, "Two sedans collided head-on. A 27-year-old driver, belted in, bled from the face, dazed and incoherent." The primary contributing factor cited is alcohol involvement. One driver was making a left turn while the other was traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The 27-year-old male driver was restrained with a lap belt and harness but suffered severe facial bleeding and was incoherent at the scene. Vehicle damage was concentrated at the center front ends, indicating a direct head-on impact. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash underscores the systemic danger posed by alcohol-impaired driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780824 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 21 - Ten vehicles slid uncontrollably north on Hutchinson River Parkway, metal screaming in collision. A 45-year-old woman riding front right died at the scene, her body broken. Slippery pavement caused the crash, listed repeatedly as the sole factor.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction crash occurred early morning on Hutchinson River Parkway when ten cars slid northbound on black ice. The report states, "Ten cars slid north on black ice. Metal screamed." The sole contributing factor cited for every vehicle involved is "Pavement Slippery." All vehicles were traveling straight ahead before losing control. A 45-year-old woman, a front right passenger, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The report notes her death repeatedly, once for each vehicle involved. No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield were listed, only the hazardous road condition. Another occupant, a 14-year-old rear passenger, was injured with back injuries and whiplash, also linked to slippery pavement. The victim’s safety equipment use is unknown. This crash highlights the systemic danger of multiple vehicles losing traction simultaneously on icy roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19