Another Body, Same Excuses: Blood on Precinct 13’s Streets

An SUV hit a woman crossing E 21st Street with the signal. The impact broke her back. She stayed conscious. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The street stayed quiet after. The city’s danger showed in one hard moment.

A pedestrian was struck by a southbound SUV making a left turn at E 21st Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the woman, age 37, was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the vehicle hit her. She suffered a fractured back and remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The SUV showed no damage, but the pedestrian bore the full force of the crash. No helmet or signal use by the pedestrian is cited as a factor. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to people on foot in New York City’s crosswalks.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817799 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Hundreds rode through Manhattan. Police targeted cyclists, not reckless drivers. Riders stopped at every light, exposed the law’s absurdity. One cyclist jailed for lacking ID. Drivers who injure go free. Cyclists demand fair treatment, safety, respect.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 2, 2025, that hundreds of New Yorkers joined a mass ride to protest the NYPD’s intensified enforcement against cyclists. The demonstration, which began at Union Square, challenged new policies issuing criminal summonses for minor cycling offenses. Riders followed traffic laws, highlighting the crackdown’s contradictions. One cyclist, Erin Poland, said the policy 'is not actually protecting cyclists [but] putting them in more danger.' Another, Tara Pham, noted, 'I’ve been hit by vehicles twice... those drivers face no criminal charges.' The article details how police arrested a Citi Bike rider for not moving aside and lacking ID, while drivers who injure vulnerable road users often avoid serious consequences. The piece underscores the disparity in enforcement and questions the effectiveness and fairness of current NYPD tactics.

• Cyclists Protest NYPD Crackdown in Manhattan, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-02

Taxi started from parking. Driver distracted. Ninety-year-old man struck while getting on. Leg bruised. Manhattan street. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A taxi driver in Manhattan, distracted and starting from parking, struck a 90-year-old man as he tried to board a vehicle. According to the police report, the crash at Avenue C involved 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The pedestrian suffered a contusion to his leg. The driver and a 77-year-old passenger were also listed in the report but were not seriously hurt. The impact came from the taxi’s right front quarter panel. The data highlights driver distraction as the key factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819343 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They called out harsh summonses for e-bike riders. Police target cyclists with criminal charges for minor traffic moves. Drivers get tickets. Riders face court. The city’s rules hit the vulnerable. The streets stay dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-05-31) reports on a protest in Lower Manhattan against the NYPD’s policy of issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic violations like running red lights or riding against traffic. Cyclists and advocates argue the penalties are harsher than those faced by drivers for similar actions. As one protester said, “It seems unfair to me that cyclists should receive a higher penalty for doing the same thing that a person in a car would do.” Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the crackdown, citing the lack of licensing for e-bikes as a challenge for enforcement, but acknowledged the need for legislative reform. The article highlights inconsistent enforcement and the risks faced by vulnerable road users, especially delivery workers. Policy gaps and unequal penalties expose systemic danger on city streets.

• E-Bike Riders Protest NYPD Crackdown, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-31

A cyclist suffered crush injuries to his leg at E 23rd Street and 3rd Avenue. Two cars and a bike collided. The cyclist wore a helmet. Police cited confusion as a factor. The street saw pain and metal. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

A crash on E 23rd Street at 3rd Avenue in Manhattan left a 61-year-old male cyclist injured with crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. According to the police report, a convertible, a pick-up truck, and a bicycle were involved. The cyclist was conscious and wore a helmet. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver-specific errors were cited in the data. Other vehicle occupants reported unspecified injuries. The crash underscores the risks faced by cyclists on city streets, where even routine turns can end in harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816863 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An e-bike struck Renee Baruch on the Upper West Side. She woke in pain, face broken, spine injured. NYPD cracks down with criminal summonses. Cyclists protest. City Council stalls. Streets stay dangerous. Justice, tangled in policy.

NY1 reported on May 30, 2025, that the NYPD is issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders for traffic infractions, citing a lack of City Council action on new regulations. Commissioner Tisch told the Council, "Pass e-bike regulations." Cyclists object to criminal charges for minor violations, arguing for civil penalties instead. The article highlights the case of Renee Baruch, hospitalized after an e-bike crash left her with facial fractures and a spinal injury. The NYPD’s new Quality of Life Division targets reckless e-bike use, but without updated laws, criminal summonses remain their only tool. The policy gap leaves vulnerable road users exposed and enforcement inconsistent.

• NYPD Issues Criminal Summonses For E-Bikes, NY1, Published 2025-05-30

A taxi door swung open. A cyclist struck it. Metal hit flesh. The rider flew, hit the pavement, scraped his arm. Driver inattention cut through the afternoon. The street stayed loud. The cyclist stayed conscious. The system failed again.

A crash unfolded on East 28th Street in Manhattan. A taxi, parked at the curb, opened its door into the path of a cyclist riding east. The cyclist, a 44-year-old man, struck the door and was ejected from his bike, suffering abrasions to his arm. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the primary contributing factor. The taxi driver and two other occupants were involved but not reported injured. The crash data shows the cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this is noted only after the driver's error. The impact highlights the danger of inattentive driving and the vulnerability of those on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816868 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A judge stopped federal threats to choke city funds over congestion pricing. The $9 toll stands. Streets stay crowded. The fight moves to court. Safety projects hang in the balance. The city waits. The deadline looms.

Patch reported on May 27, 2025, that District Judge Lewis Liman issued a temporary restraining order blocking the U.S. Department of Transportation from withholding federal funding as leverage against New York City's congestion pricing program. The judge's order 'bars the DOT from engaging in any retaliatory measures' and prevents cancellation of the toll, which charges drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. Federal officials had threatened to withhold funds for road and street safety projects if the city continued the program. The order lasts until June 9, keeping the toll in place and leaving critical infrastructure funding uncertain. The article highlights the standoff between federal authorities and city leaders, with safety and mobility projects at risk.

• Judge Halts Federal Attack On Tolls, Patch, Published 2025-05-27

Two sedans crashed on E 23rd Street near FDR Drive. One driver suffered a head injury. Passengers were shaken but not seriously hurt. Metal twisted. Sirens cut the night. The cause remains unclear. The street swallowed another crash.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling north on E 23rd Street near Franklin D Roosevelt Drive collided. The crash left a 38-year-old male driver with a head injury and whiplash. Three other male occupants, aged 25, 30, and 38, were listed as passengers and registrant; their injuries were unspecified or minor. The Toyota sedan sustained damage to its right rear bumper. The BMW sedan showed no visible damage. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were recorded in the data. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report. The crash adds to the toll of injury and disruption on Manhattan streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815238 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A woman riding home on her e-bike was attacked late at night. She suffered grave brain injuries. The assailant stole her bike, fled, and dumped it in the river. The path had no lights, no cameras. She was left defenseless.

Gothamist reported on May 24, 2025, that Diana Agudela, a 44-year-old e-bike commuter, was brutally beaten on Randall's Island on May 16. The suspect, Miguel Jiraud, was arraigned on attempted murder and assault charges. Prosecutors said Jiraud, on parole and wearing a GPS anklet, attacked Agudela after 11:30 p.m., stole her e-bike, and discarded it in the East River. Agudela is not expected to survive, having undergone multiple brain surgeries. The article quotes Agudela’s daughter: “We need more protection, we need more lights.” The path where the attack occurred lacked lighting and surveillance. The incident highlights gaps in infrastructure and safety for vulnerable road users.

• E-Bike Commuter Beaten On Randall's Island, Gothamist, Published 2025-05-24

City targets 34th Street. Buses get priority. Cars must turn off. Goal: faster rides, fewer crashes. Officials cite 14th Street’s gains—speed up, crashes down. Change comes for Midtown. Riders wait for relief.

amNY reported on May 20, 2025, that New York City’s Department of Transportation proposed a dedicated busway for 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues. The plan aims to boost bus speeds by 15% for tens of thousands of daily riders. Private cars and taxis could enter but must turn off at the first legal opportunity. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'After seeing tremendous success on 14th Street where buses have sped up, traffic has virtually disappeared, and far fewer New Yorkers are getting hurt in crashes we are excited to propose a similar design on 34th Street.' The 14th Street busway, launched in 2019, increased bus speeds by up to 24% and reduced crashes. The 34th Street plan seeks similar safety and efficiency gains, with community input shaping the final design.

• City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul, amny, Published 2025-05-20

An SUV backed up on East 28th. It struck a 62-year-old man crossing outside a crosswalk. The man suffered arm injuries. Police cite unsafe backing as the cause.

A 62-year-old pedestrian was hit by a station wagon/SUV while crossing East 28th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the SUV was backing unsafely when it struck the man, who was not in a crosswalk or at a signal. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his arm and was conscious at the scene. Police list 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor. No other errors or factors are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814129 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A cyclist riding south on Fifth Avenue was ejected and injured after colliding with an SUV’s left side doors. Police cite driver inattention. The cyclist suffered shoulder injuries and shock.

A 28-year-old woman riding a bike southbound on Fifth Avenue collided with the left side doors of a parked SUV. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. The cyclist was ejected and injured, suffering pain and a shoulder injury. She was in shock at the scene. The SUV had two occupants and damage to its left side doors. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, as noted in the report, but the primary factor listed was driver inattention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814365 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.

• Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-14

Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.

According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.

• Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets, New York Post, Published 2025-05-13

Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.

NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.

• Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-07

SUV door flung open. Cyclist hit hard. Head injury, helmet on. Unsafe speed listed. Manhattan street, night. Metal met flesh. Another rider down.

A cyclist, age 23, suffered a head injury after colliding with the left side doors of a parked SUV on Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' was cited as a contributing factor. The cyclist was wearing a helmet and sustained a contusion. The SUV, registered in New Jersey, was parked at the time. The impact left the cyclist injured and the SUV damaged. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811774 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A distracted driver struck a 12-year-old boy crossing E 23rd Street with the signal. The child suffered a bruised arm. The crash happened in Manhattan. The driver failed to pay attention.

A 12-year-old pedestrian was hit and injured while crossing E 23rd Street at 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the child was crossing with the signal when a driver, traveling south, struck him. The boy suffered a contusion to his arm but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. No vehicle damage was reported. The child was following the signal. The crash underscores the danger posed by inattentive driving.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810652 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two SUVs crashed at E 30th and 2nd Ave. One driver suffered neck pain. Police cite failure to yield and traffic control ignored. Metal twisted. Streets stopped.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at E 30th Street and 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. One driver, a 44-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' Both vehicles sustained damage. The report lists no pedestrian or cyclist injuries. The crash underscores the danger when drivers ignore right-of-way and traffic signals. No other contributing factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810639 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.

amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.

• Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers, amny, Published 2025-05-04