A BMW sedan, driven by a permit holder, tore through Eastchester Road in the Bronx. A 60-year-old man died beneath its wheels. Parked cars shuddered. The street was dark. The driver was distracted. The man’s body bore the crush.

A 60-year-old pedestrian was killed when a BMW sedan, operated by a driver holding only a permit, struck him on Eastchester Road near Givan Avenue in the Bronx. According to the police report, the crash occurred just after midnight, and the street was dark. The report states the driver was inattentive or distracted at the time of the collision. The impact was so forceful that parked cars were damaged. The pedestrian was not in a crosswalk when struck, but the police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The driver’s permit status is noted in the narrative, underscoring a lack of full licensure. The report does not cite any pedestrian actions as contributing factors. The focus remains on the driver’s distraction and permit status, which led to fatal consequences for the man in the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775743, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A van veered on McDonald Avenue, smashing into a station wagon. The SUV driver, 54, died belted and broken. The airbag burst. Two rode in the van. The lane change was not safe. Metal and bodies collided. Life ended in seconds.

A deadly crash unfolded on McDonald Avenue near Bay Parkway in Brooklyn when a van, traveling south, changed lanes unsafely and struck a station wagon/SUV, according to the police report. The report states, "A van veered, struck a station wagon. The SUV’s driver, 54, died belted in place. The airbag burst. His body broke inside." The driver of the SUV was killed, suffering injuries to his entire body despite the deployment of the airbag and use of a lap belt. Two others were in the van. The police report explicitly cites "Unsafe Lane Changing" as the contributing factor. The van’s pre-crash action is listed as "Changing Lanes," and the point of impact was the center front end. No victim behavior is listed as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the van driver’s unsafe maneuver, which led directly to the fatal outcome.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774039, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan barreled west on North Conduit Avenue. Light failed. A woman, crossing at 150th Street, was struck head-on. She died there, crushed and alone. The street swallowed her in the dark, another life ended by steel and speed.

According to the police report, a woman was killed near 150th Street and North Conduit Avenue in Queens just after dawn. The report states that a westbound sedan struck her head-on as she crossed the intersection. The contributing factor listed is 'Other Lighting Defects,' highlighting poor lighting conditions at the scene. The report notes the sedan was traveling straight ahead and the impact occurred at the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene with crush injuries. The police report also notes the pedestrian was 'crossing against the signal,' but this is mentioned after the lighting defect cited as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the lethal consequences of inadequate street lighting and vehicle movement through dark intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773457, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A woman, 32, died crushed in the back seat of a sedan on the Long Island Expressway. The car bore no damage. The road was silent. Her body remained where the night left it, unmoved, unmarked, a life ended in stillness.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old woman was killed while riding as a rear passenger in a sedan traveling eastbound on the Long Island Expressway. The report states she died of crush injuries and was not ejected from the vehicle. The narrative notes, 'No ejection. No skid marks. The car showed no damage. The road was silent. The body stayed where the night left it.' Police list the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as speeding, distraction, or failure to yield are cited in the available data. The vehicle, a 2019 Volkswagen sedan, had no visible damage and was reported to be going straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report does not mention any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The cause of the fatal crush injuries remains unexplained in the official account, leaving only the stark facts of loss and unanswered danger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773456, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 24-year-old woman crossed Corlear Avenue with the signal. An SUV turned left, its bumper smashing her head. She fell. Blood pooled. She did not move. The street stayed quiet. The SUV showed no damage. The city’s silence deepened.

A 24-year-old woman was struck while crossing Corlear Avenue at West 230th Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when a 2022 SUV, driven by a licensed driver, made a left turn and hit her with the left front bumper. The impact caused head injuries and apparent death at the scene. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The narrative notes, 'The bumper struck her head. She fell. Blood pooled. She did not move.' The SUV sustained no visible damage. The victim’s action—crossing with the signal—is documented in the report, but the focus remains on the driver’s failure to yield. The crash unfolded in a moment, leaving the street quiet and the danger of left turns unmitigated.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774091, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A pickup truck slammed into a taxi on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The impact struck a 75-year-old man seated in the taxi’s back seat. He suffered fatal head and internal injuries. The pickup driver lost consciousness during the crash.

According to the police report, a pickup truck traveling westbound on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway collided with a taxi. The pickup's center front end struck the taxi's right rear bumper. Inside the taxi, a 75-year-old man seated in the middle rear seat took the blow to his head. The report states, "A pickup struck a taxi. A 75-year-old man in the back seat took the blow with his head. He did not fly through glass. He stayed in place. His body broke inside. He died there." The contributing factor cited is "Lost Consciousness" by the pickup driver. No victim behavior was listed as contributing. The crash caused fatal internal and head injuries to the passenger, highlighting the deadly consequences of driver incapacitation behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773163, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Jessica Tisch takes over NYPD with a record of street reform. Streets remain deadly. Police block bike lanes, ignore traffic laws, and dodge discipline. Advocates demand action: clear lanes, end placard abuse, punish misconduct. The city waits. Lives hang in the balance.

On November 21, 2024, Streetsblog NYC published 'Five Ways New NYPD Boss Jessica Tisch Can Fix Our Dangerous Streets.' The article urges Tisch, newly appointed by Mayor Adams, to confront NYPD’s failures on street safety. It highlights rampant illegal parking by officers, blocked bike and bus lanes, and a culture of impunity: 'Department employees will continue to violate the law if they know they can get away with it.' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and experts like Noah McClain call for strict discipline and real reform. The piece calls for ending 'Self Enforcement Zones,' enforcing Vision Zero, and reviving placard reforms. Tisch’s leadership faces a test: will she break NYPD’s cycle of neglect, or will vulnerable road users remain at risk?

• Five Ways New NYPD Boss Jessica Tisch Can Fix Our Dangerous Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-21

A Toyota SUV hit a 58-year-old woman in the road near 570 Pennsylvania Ave. Her skull broke. Her body crushed. She died there, in the street. The SUV rolled on, untouched. Brooklyn pavement bore the weight of her last breath.

According to the police report, a Toyota SUV traveling north near 570 Pennsylvania Ave in Brooklyn struck a 58-year-old woman who was in the roadway. The report states, 'Her skull broke. Her body crushed. She died there, in the street.' The pedestrian suffered fatal head and crush injuries. The SUV sustained no damage and continued on. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was engaged in 'Other Actions in Roadway' at the time of the crash. The focus remains on the lethal impact of the SUV and the systemic danger faced by pedestrians in Brooklyn streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772871, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Central Park Conservancy urges protected bike lanes on all crosstown transverses. The study calls for fewer car lanes, more space for cyclists, and safer crossings. Advocates cite deadly crashes. City DOT backs the plan. Safety for walkers and riders comes first.

On November 20, 2024, the Central Park Conservancy released a study proposing protected bike lanes on the park’s four crosstown transverses—66th, 79th, 86th, and 96th Streets—starting with both directions on 86th. The study, endorsed by the Conservancy and supported by the Department of Transportation, recommends reducing vehicle lanes to expand space for cyclists. The matter title reads: "Central Park Study Calls for Bike Lanes on the Transverses." The report also suggests a two-way protected lane on Fifth Avenue, converting Central Park West’s lane to two-way, and adding protected crosstown lanes on 59th and 110th. Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "These recommendations will update the park's drives to prioritize pedestrian safety while also better accommodating cyclists and legal e-mobility options." Advocates and city officials point to past deaths, like Daniel Cammerman’s in 2019, as evidence of urgent need. The plan aims to shield the most vulnerable from harm.

• Central Park Study Calls for Bike Lanes on the Transverses, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-20

NHTSA will rate cars for how they protect people outside. New rules reward features that spot, warn, and brake for pedestrians. Advocates call it overdue. The move targets rising danger from bigger, deadlier vehicles. Change arrives with the 2026 model year.

On November 19, 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced an update to the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). The change, effective with 2026 models, adds safety ratings for how vehicles protect pedestrians and cyclists. The new system scores cars for features like blind spot warnings, lane keeping assist, and pedestrian automatic emergency braking. It also introduces a crashworthiness program to measure injury risk to people struck by a vehicle’s front end. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg praised the move, saying, 'these changes to the 5-Star Safety Ratings will speed up adoption of technologies that reduce the frequency and severity of crashes.' Amy Cohen of Families for Safe Streets called the action 'long overdue and will save lives.' Advocates say the update finally centers the safety of those outside the car, not just those inside.

• ‘Stars On Cars’ Rating System Will Finally Grade How Safe Vehicles Are For People Their Drivers Hit, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-19

MTA board voted 12-1 to approve a $9 congestion toll for Manhattan below 60th Street. Cameras go live January 5, pending federal review. Lawsuits persist. The plan aims to cut car traffic and fund transit. Vulnerable road users wait for relief.

On November 18, 2024, the MTA board voted 12-1 to approve the state's congestion pricing plan. The measure, discussed in the 'MTA Board vote on congestion pricing implementation,' sets a $9 toll for vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours. The board's action follows years of debate since the plan's 2019 authorization. Board members Midori Valdivia, Neal Zuckerman, and David Jones voiced strong support, emphasizing the plan's importance for working New Yorkers and transit riders. Janno Lieber highlighted the exhaustive federal review process. The toll is expected to raise $15 billion for transit improvements. Cameras will activate January 5, pending final federal approval. Lawsuits continue, but MTA leaders remain confident. The plan promises to reduce car traffic and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, though direct safety impacts for vulnerable road users are not yet detailed.

• Toll of History, Part Deux: MTA Board Approves $9 Congestion Pricing Fee, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-18

A box truck rolled south on Columbia. A 65-year-old man lay in its path. Bone cracked. The shoulder gave. No screech, no crash, only silence. The man died in the street, another life ended by steel and speed.

According to the police report, a 65-year-old man was killed on Columbia Street near Sigourney Street in Brooklyn when a southbound box truck struck him. The incident occurred at 9:49 a.m. The narrative states, 'A 65-year-old man lay still in the road. A southbound box truck passed. No screech, no crash, no damage. Just the crack of bone. The shoulder gave. Then silence.' The police report lists the pedestrian's location as 'not at intersection' and his action as 'other actions in roadway.' Both contributing factors for the pedestrian are marked as 'Unspecified.' The box truck, registered in Illinois and operated by a licensed driver from Pennsylvania, was reportedly 'avoiding object in roadway' before the crash. Despite the lack of visible vehicle damage, the impact proved fatal. The report does not cite any specific driver errors or victim behaviors as contributing factors, but the outcome underscores the lethal risk faced by pedestrians outside intersections in the presence of large vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772019, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A 60-year-old man was crushed beneath the front of a southbound SUV on Flatbush Avenue. The impact was direct and fatal. A parked wood chipper nearby was torn. The street was dark and silent after the deadly collision.

A 60-year-old pedestrian was killed near Flatbush Avenue and Hendrickson Place in Brooklyn when a southbound SUV struck him full-on, according to the police report. The report states the victim was crushed beneath the center front end of the SUV, suffering fatal injuries to his entire body. The SUV was traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The narrative describes the scene: 'His body struck full-on. A parked wood chipper stood torn. The street was dark. The silence after was complete.' The police report lists contributing factors as unspecified for both driver and pedestrian, providing no details on driver errors or external conditions. The evidence highlights the lethal force of the vehicle’s impact and the systemic dangers present on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771642, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan ran a red light on Castle Hill Avenue, colliding head-on with an SUV. A 27-year-old woman, belted in the front seat, died as the airbag deployed. The crash shattered her body. The Bronx night fell silent after the impact.

According to the police report, at 12:49 a.m. on Castle Hill Avenue near Randall Avenue in the Bronx, a sedan disregarded a traffic control signal and caused a fatal head-on collision with a station wagon/SUV. The report states: 'A sedan ran the light. Steel screamed.' The 27-year-old female front-seat passenger, who was wearing a seatbelt and protected by an airbag, suffered fatal injuries to her entire body. The contributing factor listed is 'Traffic Control Disregarded,' highlighting the driver's failure to obey the traffic signal. No victim behavior was cited as contributing to the crash. This collision underscores the deadly consequences when drivers ignore traffic controls in New York City.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771632, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A box truck rolled west on 60th Street. A 30-year-old man lay broken in its wake, head shattered, life ended. No skid marks. No damage to the truck. Only silence and the weight of steel on flesh.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling westbound on 60th Street near 4th Avenue in Brooklyn struck and killed a 30-year-old man. The pedestrian was found in the roadway with fatal head trauma and crush injuries. The report notes, 'No skid marks. No damage to the truck.' The police narrative describes the aftermath: 'Only silence where a life had been.' The vehicle, a 2020 INTL-TRUCK/BUS registered in Indiana, showed no visible damage. The driver was licensed in Pennsylvania. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian. The police report does not cite any pedestrian actions as contributing to the crash. The absence of skid marks and damage underscores the brutal efficiency of the impact. The systemic danger remains: a human body, no match for a truck rolling through city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771639, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A national coalition demands action from Congress and the new administration. They cite 41,000 deaths in 2023, with pedestrians and cyclists hit hardest. The letter calls for proven fixes: safer streets, slower speeds, better vehicles, and real accountability. No more delay.

On November 15, 2024, a broad coalition released an open letter to the incoming U.S. Congress and administration. The letter, titled 'It’s Time to Unite to Solve America’s Roadway Crisis,' highlights the deadly toll: nearly 41,000 killed in 2023, with pedestrian and cyclist deaths at record highs. The coalition urges lawmakers to honor victims and act on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. They demand proven solutions: sidewalks, protected bike lanes, medians, and islands; passage of the Sarah Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act; expanded vehicle safety tech; local control of speed limits; and stronger post-crash care. The letter states, 'Most solutions require no new federal funding and are proven to reduce deaths.' No council members are named—this is a united call from advocacy groups. The coalition stresses that the Safe System approach and active transportation infrastructure are essential to protect vulnerable road users.

• An Open Letter to the New U.S. Congress and the New Administration: It’s Time to Unite to Solve America’s Roadway Crisis, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-15

A 55-year-old man died beneath the left front bumper of an eastbound SUV. His head struck the pavement. No crosswalk marked the scene. Blood pooled on the asphalt. The night swallowed the silence and left only loss.

A 55-year-old pedestrian was killed on the Cross Bronx Expressway when an eastbound SUV struck him, according to the police report. The victim died beneath the vehicle’s left front bumper, his head crushed on the pavement. The report notes the absence of a crosswalk at the location. The narrative states, 'No crosswalk. No answers. Just blood on the asphalt and silence in the dark.' The SUV, a 2011 Acura, was traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian. The victim was not at an intersection and was engaged in 'Other Actions in Roadway' at the time of the crash. The report does not cite any specific driver error, but the impact location and fatal outcome underscore the lethal consequences of vehicle-pedestrian collisions on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771415, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Dodge pickup swung left on Hylan. A woman crossed in the marked lines. The truck’s bumper hit her head. She fell, silent and still. Internal wounds claimed her life. Staten Island pavement bore witness. No time for sirens.

A Dodge pickup truck turned left at Hylan Blvd and Jefferson Ave, striking a 57-year-old woman as she crossed in the marked crosswalk. According to the police report, the truck’s left front bumper hit her head, rendering her unconscious. She suffered internal injuries and died at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, highlighting the driver’s failure to observe the pedestrian in the crosswalk. The woman was crossing with no signal present, as noted in the report, but the primary fault cited is driver inattention. The collision occurred in broad daylight, and the pickup showed no damage. The deadly impact underscores the ongoing danger faced by pedestrians on Staten Island streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771158, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Queens Boulevard, once the Boulevard of Death, now boasts protected bike lanes and safer crossings. Pedestrian injuries dropped 35 percent. Traffic deaths fell 68 percent. Cyclists fill the lanes. Concrete upgrades loom, but mountable curbs may let cars intrude.

On November 13, 2024, the Department of Transportation celebrated a decade of safety improvements on Queens Boulevard. The event marked the completion of protected bike lanes along nearly the entire corridor, except for one block. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, "Several elements of this redesign aim at enhancing safety for all road users: Curbside bike lanes to enhance cyclist safety, pedestrian islands to shorten crossing distances while encouraging slower, safe turns, and additional adjustments to traffic signal timing to allow more time for pedestrians to cross before the lights turn green." The project, begun in 2015 under Mayor Bill de Blasio, faced local opposition and political delays but persisted. The city reports a 68 percent drop in traffic fatalities and a 35 percent reduction in pedestrian injuries since the redesign began. Cyclist numbers surged by 450 percent. DOT plans to upgrade bike lanes with concrete, but mountable curbs could leave lanes exposed to cars. Families for Safe Streets activist Lizi Rahman called the redesign a model for dangerous roads everywhere.

• DOT Celebrates A Decade of Safety Improvements on Queens Blvd., Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-11-13

A Ford SUV turned left on Amsterdam. Its bumper struck a 69-year-old woman crossing with the light. She fell. She died there, in the crosswalk, as traffic moved on. Outside distraction and driver error ended her life.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old woman was killed at the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 96th Street in Manhattan. The report states she was 'crossing with the light' in the crosswalk when a Ford SUV, making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. She suffered fatal injuries to her lower leg and died at the scene. The police report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors on the part of the driver. The victim’s actions—crossing with the signal—are noted, but the crash was precipitated by the driver’s failure to yield and inattention. The system allowed an ordinary turn to become deadly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771114, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15