Precinct 1: Canal burns, West Street bleeds, and the hours keep ticking

Jul 28 - Two sedans collided on West Street at Joseph P Ward Street. A 34-year-old woman driver suffered shoulder and upper-arm injuries. Another occupant was hurt. Police cited unsafe lane changing.

Two sedans collided on West Street at Joseph P Ward Street in Manhattan. The driver of a 2021 Audi and the driver of a Hyundai were both traveling south when their vehicles made contact at right and left front bumpers. A 34-year-old woman driver suffered shoulder and upper-arm injuries and reported whiplash; another occupant was also injured. According to the police report, the crash was caused by "Unsafe Lane Changing." Both vehicles were listed as going straight ahead before the crash and no pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4831377 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 27 - A taxi's right front struck a sedan's right rear at Reade St and W Broadway. Two passengers — a 36-year-old woman and a 12-year-old girl — were hurt. Police recorded 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.'

A taxi and a sedan collided at Reade Street and West Broadway in Manhattan. The taxi's right front bumper struck the sedan's right rear quarter panel while both vehicles were going straight. Two passengers in the sedan were injured: a 36-year-old front passenger with elbow and lower-arm injuries and a 12-year-old right-rear passenger with a head injury. Both complained of whiplash and were conscious. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor in the crash. The report lists no other contributing factors and notes damage to the sedan's right rear quarter and the taxi's right front bumper.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830870 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 27 - A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.

• Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be, New York Post, Published 2025-07-27

Jul 25 - A firefighter fell from his motorcycle on FDR Drive. A car struck him. The driver fled. Paramedics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. Police investigate. No arrests. The road claimed another life.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-25) reports Matthew Goicochea, 31, was killed after falling from his motorcycle and being struck by a car near E. 25th St. on FDR Drive. The driver did not remain at the scene. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the incident. The article states, "He was then struck by an unknown vehicle shortly thereafter, which did not remain on the scene." No arrests have been made. The crash highlights ongoing dangers for vulnerable road users on high-speed city highways and the persistent issue of hit-and-run drivers.

• Firefighter Killed in FDR Drive Collision, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-25

Jul 24 - Two buses collided on a ramp. Thirty people hurt. Metal and glass scattered. Sirens wailed. Another crash this month. The ramp remains a danger.

Gothamist (2025-07-24) reports about 30 people were injured when two buses collided on the Port Authority Bus Terminal ramp near West 41st Street and Dyer Avenue. The FDNY said, 'only minor injuries' were reported. This marks the second bus crash at the terminal approach this month, highlighting ongoing risks for passengers. NJ Transit delays followed. The article notes, 'A collision involving multiple buses July 2 shut down all NJ Transit service.' The repeated crashes raise questions about ramp safety and traffic management.

• Thirty Hurt In Port Authority Bus Crash, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-24

Jul 22 - A driver tore through Midtown, smashing cars and fleeing police. Metal scraped. Horns blared. The chase ended at Lexington and 50th. Police drew guns. The driver was arrested. Streets bore the scars.

According to ABC7 (2025-07-22), a driver struck multiple vehicles—including a police cruiser—while fleeing police through Midtown Manhattan. The pursuit began after a hit at Park Ave and ended at 50th and Lexington. The suspect, Jose Foster, faces charges including assault, reckless endangerment, and fleeing police. Witness Martina Minor said, "It felt like he was scratching like big noise and I was honking like stop and he kept doing it." The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases in dense city streets, with property damage and potential harm to bystanders.

• Police Chase Wrecks Cars In Midtown, ABC7, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 21 - A speeding rental car tore through Chinatown. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died at the scene. The car was overdue. Guns were found in the trunk. Charges followed. Debris scattered the street.

Gothamist (2025-07-21) reports a deadly crash at Canal Street and Bowery. A blue Chevrolet Malibu, rented but never returned, sped off the Manhattan Bridge and struck cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died instantly. Prosecutors say the car was moving at a 'high rate of speed.' Police found two 9mm pistols and ammunition in the trunk. The driver faces murder and manslaughter charges. The passenger faces charges for unauthorized use and weapons. The crash highlights risks from unreturned rentals and high-speed driving in dense city streets.

• Overdue Rental Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - A stolen car tore through Chinatown. Two dead. The driver, unlicensed, had fled a Brooklyn crash months before. System failed. Streets stayed deadly.

NY Daily News (2025-07-20) reports a 23-year-old, unlicensed driver killed two people in Chinatown while driving a stolen rental. Three months earlier, she allegedly hit a pedestrian in Brooklyn and fled. Police charged her with leaving the scene and aggravated unlicensed operation, but she was released without bail, as the charges were not bail-eligible under state law. The article notes, "The out-of-control driver... had been freed without bail in April after she was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash that badly injured a pedestrian." The case highlights gaps in bail policy and enforcement for unlicensed, repeat dangerous driving.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-20

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 18 - A pick-up truck struck a 64-year-old woman crossing Broome Street with the signal. She suffered arm injuries. The truck’s front end hit her. No driver errors listed. System failed to protect her.

A pick-up truck making a left turn on Broome Street struck a 64-year-old woman as she crossed at the intersection with the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian was injured in the elbow, lower arm, and hand, suffering a contusion. The truck’s center front end made contact. No specific driver errors were listed in the report. The driver was licensed and remained at the scene. The system left a pedestrian exposed in the crosswalk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829359 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - The driver of an SUV rear-ended a sedan at West Houston and Greenwich. Three people in the sedan were injured. They complained of back injuries and whiplash. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction by the driver.

The driver of an SUV rear-ended a sedan on West Houston at Greenwich Street in Manhattan. Three people in the sedan were hurt: a 44-year-old driver, a 38-year-old front passenger, and a 15-year-old rear passenger. All three reported back injuries and whiplash. According to the police report, "Driver Inattention/Distraction" was listed as a contributing factor. Police recorded Driver Inattention/Distraction by the driver. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when the SUV struck the sedan’s center front with its center back end. No pedestrians or cyclists are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829423 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - A driver backed an SUV on Ryders Aly and struck a 28-year-old woman in a marked crosswalk. She suffered a contusion to her elbow/lower arm. Police recorded backing unsafely and failure to yield by the driver.

A 28-year-old woman crossing Ryders Aly in a marked crosswalk was hit by a driver who was backing an SUV. She suffered a contusion to her elbow/lower arm/hand. According to the police report, the contributing factors were listed as "Backing Unsafely" and "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way." Police recorded failure to yield by the driver. The vehicle is recorded as a 2011 CHEV SUV, traveling north, with point of impact at the center back end. No other injured persons are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830475 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - A sedan struck a parked diesel truck on West Street. Three people hurt. Police cite driver fatigue and other vehicular factors. Metal and bodies took the blow. The city’s danger showed its teeth.

A sedan traveling north hit a parked diesel tractor truck at 340 West Street in Manhattan. Three occupants were injured, including a 21-year-old woman with head trauma. According to the police report, contributing factors included 'Fell Asleep' and 'Other Vehicular.' The sedan’s driver wore a lap belt and harness. The crash left metal twisted and people hurt. Systemic danger and driver fatigue played their part. No mention of vulnerable road users, but the toll remains clear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830474 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - A van crashed in Midtown. Inside: dozens of propane tanks. The street held its breath. Danger rode in silence, hidden until metal met metal.

CBS New York reported on July 17, 2025, that 'dozens of propane tanks were found in a van in Midtown Manhattan after a car crash Tuesday night.' The article does not detail injuries or the cause of the crash. The presence of hazardous cargo in a crash raises questions about vehicle safety checks and enforcement. Storing large amounts of propane in a van on city streets exposes bystanders and road users to hidden risks. The incident highlights the need for stricter oversight of hazardous material transport in dense urban areas.

• Propane Tanks Discovered After Midtown Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 16 - A DOT worker fixing a sign was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near miss in lower Manhattan. The cyclist fled. The worker bled on the street. Police are searching. No arrests. Another morning, another wound.

NY Daily News (2025-07-16) reports a city DOT worker was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near collision at Broadway and Cedar St. The worker was fixing a street sign when the cyclist nearly hit his truck. Witnesses said, 'They weren't even in the bike lane, they were parked on the corner.' After the argument, the cyclist cut the worker's arm with a box cutter and fled. The DOT worker was treated and released. Police are searching for the cyclist. The incident highlights the dangers of street work and the tense interactions between vehicles and vulnerable road users.

• DOT Worker Slashed After Near Collision, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-16

Jul 14 - A sedan hit a cyclist on West Street. The cyclist suffered arm injuries. Police cite confusion as a factor. The car’s front bumper took the impact. The street stayed dangerous.

A sedan and a bicycle collided on West Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 45-year-old man, was injured in the arm and suffered a contusion. According to the police report, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' contributed to the crash. The sedan’s left front bumper struck the cyclist. No driver errors were listed in the data. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this was not cited as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the ongoing risks faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827840 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 14 - SUV turned left. Cyclist rode straight. Impact at Church and Reade. Cyclist hit, leg scraped, stayed conscious. View blocked. Confusion listed. Streets failed to protect.

A collision on Church Street at Reade Street in Manhattan left a 37-year-old male cyclist injured. According to the police report, an SUV making a left turn struck the cyclist, who was traveling straight. The cyclist suffered abrasions to his leg but remained conscious. The report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No vehicle damage was reported. The crash highlights the dangers faced by cyclists in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829201 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 14 - A sedan slammed into another car’s rear on Hubert Street. Two people inside suffered bruises. Police cite following too closely. Impact struck hard, left faces and backs marked.

A sedan traveling north on Hubert Street struck another vehicle from behind. According to the police report, both the driver and front passenger in the sedan were injured, suffering contusions to the face and back. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor in the crash. The impact hit the center back end of the lead vehicle. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No other contributing factors are listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829199 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 10 - A sedan and bike collided on Park Place. The cyclist, 25, suffered leg abrasions. Unsafe speed and improper lane use listed. The car’s left side struck. The bike hit head-on. No damage to vehicles. System failed the vulnerable.

A collision between a sedan and a bicycle on Park Place in Manhattan left a 25-year-old cyclist injured, with abrasions to the lower leg. According to the police report, contributing factors included 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Unsafe Speed.' The sedan was entering a parked position when the crash occurred, striking the cyclist at the left side doors. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but driver errors were primary. No vehicle damage was reported. The incident highlights the danger faced by cyclists amid improper lane use.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827125 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 9 - A box truck reversed on Greenwich. It struck a woman crossing outside the crosswalk. She suffered hip and leg injuries. The truck showed no damage. Streets remain dangerous for those on foot.

A box truck backed up on Greenwich Street in Manhattan and struck a 33-year-old woman who was crossing outside a crosswalk. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered abrasions and injuries to her hip and upper leg. The truck, registered in New Jersey, showed no damage. No specific driver errors were listed in the report; contributing factors were marked as 'Unspecified.' The driver was licensed and remained at the scene. The report highlights the ongoing risks faced by pedestrians in city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827123 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19