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

Apr 12 - A stolen car slammed into a Manhattan building. Flames followed. The driver, Francisco Guzman Parra, died on impact. His family waited days for answers. Police actions now face scrutiny. The city counts another life lost to speed and steel.

The New York Times (April 12, 2025) reports on the death of Francisco Guzman Parra after a stolen Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood, Manhattan. The crash followed a police chase; two officers involved were suspended pending investigation. The article notes, "The police are investigating whether the officers left the scene without reporting the crash." The medical examiner found Guzman Parra died from blunt impact and thermal injuries. The NYPD force investigation unit and state attorney general are reviewing the incident. The police have not disclosed why the chase began or details about the pursuit. The case highlights ongoing questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers that follow high-speed chases through city streets.

• Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-12

Apr 11 - Including Thursday's deadly crash, 25 people have been killed in New York City sightseeing helicopter accidents in the last 40 years.

• Lawmakers aim to make changes after New York City sightseeing helicopter crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-11

Apr 7 - A box truck struck a man sitting in the street at West 40th and 9th. The man died at the scene. The driver stayed. Police are investigating. No arrests. The victim’s name is not known.

Patch reported on April 7, 2025, that a man was killed by a box truck at West 40th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The article states, “Police determined that a box truck, operated by a 75-year-old man, was traveling southbound on 9 Avenue when the vehicle collided with the victim, who was sitting in the roadway.” The driver remained at the scene and was not injured. No arrests have been made. The victim’s identity has not been released. The incident highlights the persistent risk to people in city streets and the need for scrutiny of how large vehicles interact with vulnerable road users. The investigation is ongoing.

• Box Truck Kills Man In Hell's Kitchen, Patch, Published 2025-04-07

Apr 3 - A stolen SUV crashed and burned in Inwood. Two NYPD officers chased it, then left the wreck. The driver died in the flames. The officers returned to their Bronx precinct. They did not report the crash. Both are now suspended.

According to the NY Daily News (April 3, 2025), two NYPD officers pursued a stolen Honda CR-V from the Bronx into Manhattan. The chase ended when the SUV crashed into a building near Dyckman St and burst into flames. The officers 'fled the scene,' leaving the driver, who died in the fire. Surveillance footage showed their patrol car leaving. The officers did not report the incident and finished their shift. Both were suspended as the NYPD Force Investigation Division launched a probe. This crash comes after the NYPD tightened pursuit policies, now allowing chases only for felonies or violent misdemeanors. The department aims to avoid pursuits that 'lead to crashes and injure other motorists and pedestrians.' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said police would instead use 'advanced tools of modern-day policing' to track suspects.

• Officers Flee Scene After Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Apr 1 - Taxi hit a young woman crossing West Broadway. Glare listed as cause. She suffered arm abrasions. The driver was unhurt. Night, street, impact. System failed to protect her.

A taxi traveling south on West Broadway struck a 21-year-old woman as she crossed the street outside a crosswalk. According to the police report, glare was a contributing factor in the crash. The pedestrian suffered abrasions to her arm and remained conscious. The driver, a 51-year-old man, was not injured. No other injuries were reported. The report lists 'Glare' as the primary driver error. No mention of helmet or signal as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802883 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 28 - A 70-year-old male bicyclist suffered facial abrasions after a collision on West Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, driver inattention was a key factor. The rider was conscious and not ejected, but injured seriously enough to be noted.

According to the police report, a 70-year-old male bicyclist was injured on West Street near Liberty Street in Manhattan at 12:25 PM. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to the face and was conscious at the scene. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The bicyclist was operating the bike westbound, going straight ahead, and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report also notes a secondary contributing factor listed as 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion,' but the primary cause remains the driver's distraction. The bike showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely minor in vehicle terms but significant enough to cause injury to the vulnerable rider. No safety equipment was used by the bicyclist, but this was not cited as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - A sedan hit an 18-year-old woman crossing Park Row. Passenger distraction and debris played a role. She suffered a back bruise but stayed conscious. The car’s right front bumper struck her. No vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, a 2018 Ford sedan traveling north on Park Row in Manhattan struck an 18-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing outside an intersection. The pedestrian sustained a back contusion and remained conscious at the scene. The report lists passenger distraction and obstruction or debris as contributing factors. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. No damage was recorded to the vehicle. The driver was licensed. The report highlights passenger distraction and environmental obstruction as key factors in the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802090 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 15 - A 27-year-old male bicyclist suffered upper arm injuries after a sedan made an improper U-turn in Manhattan. The collision caused pain and shock. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as key factors in the crash at Water Street.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on Water Street in Manhattan was making a U-turn when it collided with a bicyclist also traveling west. The bicyclist, a 27-year-old male, was injured with an upper arm injury and experienced shock and complaints of pain or nausea. The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan and the center back end of the bike. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not ejected and no contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The crash highlights driver errors in maneuvering and attention leading to harm of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800541 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 13 - A 79-year-old woman crossing Murray Street with the signal was struck by a van making a left turn. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and showed inattention. The pedestrian suffered abdominal and pelvic contusions but remained conscious.

According to the police report, at 11:40 AM on Murray Street near North End Avenue, a 79-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2019 Ford van, driven by a licensed male from New Jersey, made a left turn and struck her with the vehicle's left front bumper. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The report cites the van driver's failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to the abdomen and pelvis but remained conscious. The van showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. This crash highlights driver errors in yielding and attentiveness as key causes of harm to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799281 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 6 - A stolen minivan tore through Harlem. The driver ran from police. He struck Devon Hughley on a scooter. Hughley died at Harlem Hospital. The driver fled. Police used facial recognition. They arrested Enesin Delarosa. Grief lingers. Memorials remain.

According to the NY Daily News (2025-03-06), Enesin Delarosa, 26, was arrested for fatally striking Devon Hughley, 45, while fleeing an NYPD car stop in Harlem on November 2. The article reports Delarosa was driving a stolen minivan and "allegedly hit Hughley near W.155th St. and St. Nicholas Ave. while fleeing a traffic stop." Delarosa faces charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene, fleeing police, and possession of stolen property. The crash highlights the lethal risk of high-speed police pursuits and the dangers posed by stolen vehicles in dense urban areas. Memorial posters for Hughley remain in his building. The article quotes Hughley's sister, Yvette Palmer: "the arrest brought some peace."

• Scooter Rider Killed Fleeing Traffic Stop, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-06

Mar 2 - A 68-year-old man suffered upper leg injuries and shock after an SUV struck him while crossing Broadway without a signal. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, hitting the pedestrian with the vehicle’s right front bumper. No vehicle damage was reported.

According to the police report, at 16:19 in Manhattan near 503 Broadway, a BMW SUV traveling south struck a 68-year-old male pedestrian crossing the street without a signal. The collision occurred at the vehicle’s right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained injuries to his hip and upper leg and was reported in shock with a minor burn. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The vehicle was going straight ahead and sustained no damage. The pedestrian’s crossing without a signal was noted but not listed as a contributing factor. This crash highlights the critical danger posed by driver errors such as failure to yield in areas where pedestrians cross outside designated signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796194 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 24 - A 27-year-old unlicensed moped driver collided head-on with an SUV on Hudson Street in Manhattan. The impact ejected him, causing knee and lower leg injuries. Police cite improper lane usage and pedestrian confusion as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:35 on Hudson Street in Manhattan involving a 2023 moped and a 2024 SUV. The moped driver, a 27-year-old male, was unlicensed and was ejected upon impact, sustaining injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, was traveling north and struck the moped at the center front end. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a vehicle driver error contributing to the collision, alongside 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The moped driver wore a helmet, but the report does not attribute this as a contributing factor. The collision caused significant vehicle damage to the center front ends of both vehicles. No blame is assigned to the moped driver for the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 21 - Taxi doors struck a northbound cyclist on West Broadway. The rider suffered arm and shoulder injuries, shock, pain, and nausea. Police cite passenger distraction and confusion. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

According to the police report, a taxi parked near 475 W Broadway in Manhattan struck a northbound bicyclist at 20:21. The taxi's right side doors hit the cyclist, causing upper arm and shoulder injuries. The cyclist, a 33-year-old man, was in shock and complained of pain and nausea. The report lists 'Passenger Distraction' as a contributing factor for the taxi driver, showing the driver was distracted by passengers. 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' is also cited, indicating confusion played a role. The taxi's right side doors were damaged. The report highlights driver distraction as a key cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794417 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 20 - A 48-year-old man was struck while crossing Broadway with the signal. The cyclist failed to yield, distracted and disregarding traffic control. The pedestrian suffered knee and lower leg contusions but remained conscious at the scene.

According to the police report, a 48-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Broadway and Liberty Street in Manhattan at 12:55. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a cyclist traveling eastbound struck him. The report cites the cyclist's failure to yield and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors, specifically noting 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted cyclists disregarding traffic controls in busy Manhattan intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794074 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 15 - Two taxis collided on West Street. The rear cab struck the lead. A woman in the back seat took the hit. Chest pain. Whiplash. Noon traffic. Driver lost consciousness. No one ejected. Steel and glass failed her.

According to the police report, two taxis crashed on West Street near Chambers Street in Manhattan at 12:05 PM. The rear taxi struck the left rear quarter panel of the lead taxi, which was starting in traffic. A 36-year-old woman riding in the middle rear seat of the rear taxi suffered chest injuries and whiplash. She wore a lap belt and harness and was not ejected. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor, pointing to a driver error or medical event. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash shows the danger when driver control is lost in city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793721 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 12 - A box truck and sedan collided head-on on West Street in Manhattan. The truck driver suffered a head injury and concussion. Police cited obstructed view and other vehicular factors as causes. Both vehicles sustained left front bumper damage.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on West Street in Manhattan involving a box truck and a sedan, both traveling north and going straight ahead. The box truck's left front bumper struck the sedan's left front bumper, causing damage to both vehicles. The truck driver, a 42-year-old male occupant, was injured with a head injury and concussion but was conscious and not ejected. The report lists contributing factors as 'Other Vehicular' and 'View Obstructed/Limited,' indicating driver error related to limited visibility and other vehicle-related causes. The truck driver was wearing a lap belt and harness, and the airbag deployed. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved. The crash highlights the dangers posed by obstructed views and complex vehicular interactions in Manhattan traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793722 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 11 - Two SUVs collided on Avenue of the Americas. Both drivers suffered bruises and contusions. The male driver’s distraction caused the crash. Impact hit the rear of one vehicle and the front of the other. Injuries were moderate but no ejections occurred.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:23 on Avenue of the Americas involving two SUVs traveling north. The male driver, operating a 2022 Jeep SUV, was slowing or stopping when his vehicle’s center back end was struck by a 2023 Subaru SUV driven by a female driver going straight ahead. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the male driver. Both drivers were injured, sustaining contusions and bruises to the head and elbow-lower-arm-hand areas, with injury severity rated at 3. Both occupants were conscious, wearing lap belts, and were not ejected. The collision’s impact points were the center back end of the Jeep and the center front end of the Subaru, indicating a rear-end collision caused by driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792463 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 11 - Two SUVs collided on West Street just after midnight. The rear passenger in the struck vehicle suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police cite driver inattention and following too closely as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:06 a.m. on West Street near Canal Street. Two sport utility vehicles traveling southbound collided, with the Nissan SUV striking the rear of the Toyota SUV. The point of impact was the center front end of the Nissan and the center back end of the Toyota. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. A 28-year-old male occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of the Toyota SUV was injured, sustaining back injuries and whiplash. He was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The report does not indicate any victim fault or contributing behaviors. The collision highlights the dangers of driver distraction and tailgating on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792337 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 6 - A 90-year-old woman died on York Avenue. A cab made a U-turn and struck her. Another car hit her moments later. She was rushed to the hospital. Both drivers stayed. She did not survive.

According to the New York Post (published February 6, 2025), Frances Rickard, 90, was crossing York Avenue at East 72nd Street around 5:40 p.m. when a yellow taxi, driven by a 68-year-old man, made a U-turn and struck her. Police said, “Moments later, a 35-year-old woman driving a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also struck her.” Rickard was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died. Both drivers remained at the scene and have not been charged. The sequence highlights the dangers of U-turns and multi-lane crossings for pedestrians. The intersection saw two vehicles collide with a vulnerable road user in quick succession, underscoring persistent risks in city street design and driver behavior.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing York Avenue, New York Post, Published 2025-02-06

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