No More Casualties: Demand Action on Streets Built for Death

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 8 - A sedan struck a cyclist on West 34th. The cyclist, 22, suffered leg injuries. Police cite improper lane usage. The crash left the cyclist in shock. No damage to vehicles. System failed to protect.

A 22-year-old cyclist was injured when a sedan struck him at 408 W 34th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash involved a bike and a sedan, both traveling east. The cyclist suffered injuries to his leg and was left in shock. Police list 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No vehicle damage was reported. The report highlights driver error and a system that left a vulnerable road user hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804796 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 4 - A box truck hit a man on West 59th. The driver dragged him, then left. A yellow cab struck the wounded man as he lay in the street. Medics rushed him to the hospital. He survived. The truck driver now faces charges.

According to the NY Daily News (April 4, 2025), a 59-year-old truck driver, Luis Cedeno Pluas, struck a pedestrian near Central Park on August 31, 2024. The victim, standing in the right-most lane of W. 59th St., was dragged for several feet by the Isuzu box truck. The driver "kept going" after the impact, leaving the man critically injured in the street. A yellow cab then hit the victim as he lay on the roadway. Police charged Cedeno Pluas with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injuries. The article notes the victim's condition has improved and he is expected to recover. The incident highlights the danger of hit-and-run crashes and the vulnerability of people on foot in busy Manhattan corridors.

• Truck Strikes, Drags Man Near Central Park, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-04

Apr 3 - A stolen SUV crashed and burned in Inwood. Two NYPD officers chased, then left the scene. The driver died in the flames. The officers returned to their precinct, silent. Surveillance caught their exit. The city investigates. Policy on chases faces scrutiny.

NY Daily News (2025-04-03) reports two NYPD officers pursued a stolen Honda CR-V into Manhattan. The driver crashed at Dyckman St., and the car caught fire. The officers 'fled the scene, leaving him to die in the fiery wreck,' then returned to their Bronx precinct without reporting the crash. Surveillance footage showed their patrol car leaving. The NYPD suspended both officers and launched an investigation. This comes after new pursuit policies were enacted in February, restricting chases to felony or violent misdemeanor cases. The guidelines aimed to curb 'unnecessary police pursuits that lead to crashes and injure other motorists and pedestrians.' The incident raises questions about adherence to these policies and the risks of police chases in dense urban areas.

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

Mar 28 - A 29-year-old bicyclist was violently thrown after colliding with a moped on West 28th Street near Ninth Avenue. The rider suffered a fractured, dislocated upper arm and was ejected from his bike. Driver errors included improper turning and unsafe speed.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:10 AM on West 28th Street at Ninth Avenue in Manhattan. A bicyclist and a moped collided while traveling at speed. The bicyclist, a 29-year-old man, was ejected from his bike and sustained a fractured and dislocated upper arm. The report identifies the primary contributing factors as "Turning Improperly" and "Unsafe Speed" by the drivers involved. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, but this was not cited as a contributing factor. The moped was traveling east going straight ahead, and the bike was traveling south. Vehicle damage was noted on the bike but not on the moped. The incident highlights driver errors, specifically improper turning maneuvers and excessive speed, as central causes of the severe injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802916 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 27 - A sedan traveling west collided with a northbound bicyclist on West 35th Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police cite the sedan driver’s disregard for traffic control as the primary cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:10 on West 35th Street near 10th Avenue in Manhattan. A sedan traveling west struck a bicyclist going north. The point of impact was the left side doors of the sedan and the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist, a 25-year-old male, was injured with abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as a contributing factor, indicating the sedan driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. Additionally, the bicyclist’s confusion or error was noted but driver error was primary. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. This collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers disregarding traffic controls in busy Manhattan streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802010 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 16 - Two cyclists traveling south on W 40 St collided when one followed too closely. The trailing rider partially ejected, suffering abrasions and lower leg injuries. Both bikes showed no damage, but the impact left one rider injured and conscious.

According to the police report, two bicycles traveling south on W 40 St collided in Manhattan at 17:35. The crash involved a rear-end impact where the trailing bicyclist struck the lead cyclist. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor to the collision. The injured bicyclist, a 27-year-old male, was partially ejected and sustained abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He remained conscious during the incident. Both bicycles showed no damage despite the impact. The trailing cyclist was unlicensed, but no other driver errors were noted. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash highlights the dangers of close following distances among cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798950 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Mar 11 - A Manhattan bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries after colliding with a taxi distracted by passengers. The taxi was stopped in traffic when the impact occurred on its right side doors. The cyclist remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male bicyclist was injured in a collision with a taxi on West 20th Street in Manhattan at 11:58 AM. The taxi, carrying two occupants, was stopped in traffic traveling east when the bicyclist, also traveling east, struck the right side doors of the vehicle. The report cites passenger distraction as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating the taxi driver’s attention was compromised. The bicyclist sustained contusions and bruises to the knee, lower leg, and foot but was conscious and not ejected from the bike. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s behavior or equipment. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798905 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 5 - Two SUVs collided on West 42nd Street in Manhattan. The trailing driver followed too closely, striking the lead vehicle. The driver of the rear vehicle suffered knee and lower leg injuries but remained conscious and restrained by a lap belt.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:38 on West 42nd Street in Manhattan. Two SUVs traveling westbound collided when the trailing vehicle struck the center back end of the lead SUV. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the primary contributing factor, indicating driver error by the rear vehicle operator. The injured party was the driver of the rear SUV, a 45-year-old male, who sustained contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and wearing a lap belt at the time of the crash. Both vehicles showed damage consistent with a rear-end collision, with impact points at the center front end of the lead vehicle and center back end of the trailing vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797619 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 18 - Two sedans traveling north on 11th Avenue collided head-on late at night. Unsafe speed and driver distraction caused the crash. A rear passenger suffered neck injuries and bruising, restrained by a lap belt. Both vehicles sustained front-end damage.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on 11th Avenue near West 22nd Street in Manhattan at 22:37. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead northbound when the collision occurred. The report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The impact was centered on the front ends of both vehicles, with one striking the other's left front bumper. A 38-year-old female occupant seated in the left rear passenger position was injured, sustaining neck contusions and bruising. She was restrained by a lap belt and was conscious after the crash. The driver errors of unsafe speed and distraction directly contributed to the collision and subsequent injuries, highlighting systemic dangers on this stretch of 11th Avenue.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4794244 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 18 - A 70-year-old man suffered a fractured elbow and dislocation after a box truck struck him on West 16th Street in Manhattan. The crash involved limited driver visibility, contributing to the collision. The pedestrian was conscious but seriously injured.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling east on West 16th Street in Manhattan struck a 70-year-old male pedestrian who was not at an intersection but engaged in other actions in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained a fracture, distortion, and dislocation to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, classified as injury severity level 3. The driver was licensed and operating a 2023 HINO truck, beginning movement from a parked position. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver's impaired visibility played a key role in the crash. There was no vehicle damage reported, and the pedestrian was conscious at the scene. The report does not list any pedestrian behaviors as contributing factors, focusing the cause on the driver's limited view.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793675 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 13 - A pick-up truck making an improper left turn collided with an SUV traveling west on W 42 St. The impact struck the SUV’s left front quarter panel. A 22-year-old rear passenger suffered facial contusions and shock, restrained by a lap belt and harness.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 12:46 a.m. on W 42 St near 10 Ave in Manhattan. A pick-up truck, traveling east, was making a left turn improperly when it struck a westbound SUV on its left front quarter panel. The report identifies 'Turning Improperly' as a contributing factor to the collision. The SUV carried two occupants; a 22-year-old male rear passenger was injured, sustaining facial contusions and shock. He was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The driver of the pick-up truck was licensed in New Jersey and traveling eastbound, while the SUV driver held a permit. The crash caused center front end damage to the truck and left front quarter panel damage to the SUV. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793253 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Feb 7 - A 57-year-old woman was struck by an SUV backing up near West 24th Street. The driver’s inattention and unsafe backing caused knee and lower leg injuries. The pedestrian was conscious and suffered bruising but no severe trauma.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 1:50 PM near West 24th Street in Manhattan. A 57-year-old female pedestrian was injured when a 2016 Honda SUV backed into her. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Backing Unsafely' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk at the time of impact. She sustained contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot, with an injury severity rated at 3. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle alone. The SUV showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. This incident underscores the dangers of inattentive backing maneuvers in dense urban areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791186 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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 - Tesla tore north on FDR. It struck a guardrail, flipped, split, burned. The woman driver died at the scene. Her passenger flew from the wreck. Firefighters battled battery flames. Northbound lanes shut. Metal, fire, speed, and loss marked the night.

NY Daily News (2025-02-04) reports a deadly crash on Manhattan's FDR Drive. A Tesla, traveling at high speed—witnesses estimated 'at least 120, 130 [mph]'—lost control near E. 70th St. The car struck a guardrail, overturned, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The driver died at the scene; her passenger survived. Firefighters and a hazmat team responded to extinguish the burning lithium-ion battery. The crash shut down northbound lanes. The article highlights excessive speed and the dangers of high-performance vehicles in urban settings. Emergency response was extensive, with 60 firefighters on scene.

• Tesla Crash Kills Woman On FDR Drive, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-04

Feb 3 - A 22-year-old woman suffered hip and upper leg injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a right turn. The collision occurred at a Manhattan intersection, leaving the pedestrian in shock with visible trauma but no immediate complaint.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old female pedestrian was crossing 10 Avenue at the intersection with W 36 Street in Manhattan, following the crossing signal. The driver of a 2019 Jeep sedan, traveling northeast and making a right turn, struck her with the vehicle's right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor, highlighting the driver's error in yielding to the pedestrian. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity 3, and was in shock at the scene. There was no visible complaint from the victim, and no contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were noted beyond the driver’s failure to yield. The incident underscores the dangers posed by driver errors at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791183 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jan 30 - A 59-year-old woman suffered bruises and arm injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn on West 42nd Street. The driver’s inattention and failure to yield caused the collision at a busy Manhattan intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 14:56 on West 42nd Street in Manhattan. A 59-year-old female pedestrian, crossing with the signal at the intersection, was struck by a sedan making a left turn. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its right front bumper, causing contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report identifies the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The driver, a licensed female operating a 1998 Honda sedan traveling west, did not yield to the pedestrian legally crossing the street. The pedestrian was conscious and sustained injury severity level 3. No victim fault or behavior contributed to the crash according to the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791182 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18