Blood on York Avenue: City Leaders Look Away, Drivers Keep Killing

Two sedans traveling north collided on Franklin D Roosevelt Drive in Manhattan. Both drivers, men aged 26 and 56, suffered contusions and bruises. The impact damaged the right front bumper of one vehicle and the left front bumper of the other.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 4:06 AM on Franklin D Roosevelt Drive near East 70th Street in Manhattan. Two sedans, both traveling straight ahead northbound, collided. The first vehicle sustained damage to its right front bumper, while the second vehicle was damaged on its left front bumper. Both drivers, a 26-year-old and a 56-year-old man, were injured with contusions and bruises affecting their entire body and lower extremities respectively. Both drivers were conscious and restrained with lap belts and harnesses. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The collision involved no pedestrians or cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801275 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 32-year-old male driver lost consciousness while driving southbound on FDR Drive. His SUV collided with an object using the right front bumper. The driver suffered a head injury and concussion, remaining incoherent after the crash.

According to the police report, a 32-year-old male driver operating a 2024 Mercedes SUV on FDR Drive lost consciousness while driving straight ahead. The vehicle impacted an object with its right front bumper, causing damage to that area. The driver was not ejected and was wearing a lap belt and harness. He sustained a head injury resulting in a concussion and was found incoherent at the scene. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating a critical driver medical event led to the collision. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were cited. The crash highlights the systemic danger posed when drivers experience sudden incapacitation behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799495 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Dodge Charger struck a street sweeper, spun out, and pinned an NYPD officer against his patrol car in the West Village. Both the officer and the driver landed in the hospital. The street saw chaos, metal, and speed.

NY Daily News (March 14, 2025) reports a crash at W. 13th St and Seventh Ave. A Dodge Charger, heading south, changed lanes and hit a street sweeper. The car spun several times and pinned a uniformed officer between vehicles. Surveillance footage showed the Charger 'appeared to be speeding,' according to a witness. The officer tried to escape but was struck. Both the officer and driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries. No charges have been filed. The incident highlights the dangers of lane changes and speed on city streets, raising questions about enforcement and street design.

• Officer Pinned By Spinning Dodge Charger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-14

A 50-year-old woman was injured crossing with the signal when a van making a left turn struck her. The driver failed to yield and was inattentive, causing knee and lower leg injuries. The victim was not ejected and suffered minor bleeding.

According to the police report, a van traveling north on 1 Avenue was making a left turn onto East 94th Street when it struck a 50-year-old female pedestrian crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in minor bleeding and shock. The report identifies driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The van's point of impact was the center front end, and despite the collision, the vehicle sustained no damage. The pedestrian was not ejected from the scene. The driver was licensed and operating a 2015 Ford van. This crash highlights critical driver failures in yielding to lawful pedestrian crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797835 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A 26-year-old woman crossing with the signal was hit by a northbound SUV making a right turn on East 72nd Street. The vehicle failed to yield right-of-way, striking her in the head and causing a contusion. She remained conscious after the impact.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of East 72nd Street and Madison Avenue in Manhattan around 6:45 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a northbound 2024 Chevrolet SUV made a right turn and struck her with the right front bumper. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor, indicating the driver did not yield to the pedestrian legally crossing the street. The pedestrian sustained a head injury classified as a contusion and remained conscious after the collision. Vehicle damage was reported as none. The driver’s failure to yield created a hazardous situation resulting in the pedestrian’s injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798146 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 44-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan failed to yield while making a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at an intersection in Manhattan. The driver’s failure to yield caused the collision.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling southeast on East 87th Street in Manhattan struck a 44-year-old female pedestrian at an intersection while she was crossing with the signal. The driver was making a left turn and failed to yield right-of-way, which the report cites as the contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained abrasions and injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating the impact was likely at low speed but sufficient to cause injury. The report explicitly identifies the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause, with no contributing factors attributed to the pedestrian. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver errors at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796070 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collided on East 65th Street in Manhattan. The rear vehicle struck the front car’s center back end. A 59-year-old female passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Police cited following too closely as the driver error behind the crash.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling eastbound on East 65th Street in Manhattan collided around 8:00 PM. The rear vehicle impacted the center back end of the front car. The report identifies 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor for the crash, indicating driver error by the trailing sedan. A 59-year-old female occupant seated in the right rear passenger position of the rear vehicle sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the passenger's behavior or safety equipment. Vehicle damage was noted at the center back end of the rear sedan, while the front car showed no damage. The driver of the rear vehicle was licensed in New York. This crash highlights the dangers of insufficient following distance on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795227 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Dump truck struck sedan on East 82nd. Sedan driver suffered neck bruises. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe lane change. Steel and flesh collided in Manhattan night.

According to the police report, a dump truck and a sedan collided at 21:57 on East 82nd Street near 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. The sedan was hit on the left side doors and damaged in the left rear quarter panel. The sedan driver, a 29-year-old man, was injured with neck contusions and bruises. He was not ejected and wore a lap belt. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. No victim actions were cited. The crash shows the danger of distracted driving and risky lane changes on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792029 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 57-year-old man crossing outside a crosswalk was struck by an SUV making a left turn on East 62nd Street. The impact caused knee and lower leg injuries, leaving the pedestrian in shock. The driver’s turning maneuver led to the collision.

According to the police report, a 57-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being hit by a 2024 Alfa SUV traveling north on East 62nd Street in Manhattan. The SUV was making a left turn when it struck the pedestrian at the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, resulting in shock. The report lists no explicit contributing factors for the driver, but the collision occurred during the vehicle's left turn, indicating a failure to safely yield to the pedestrian. The pedestrian’s crossing outside a crosswalk is noted but marked as unspecified in contributing factors, placing the focus on the driver’s turning action as the cause of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792028 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A ninety-year-old woman stepped off the curb on York Avenue. A taxi hit her head-on. An SUV rolled over her. Her skull crushed. She lay still. Two drivers kept straight. They did not see. She died on the street.

According to the police report, a ninety-year-old woman was killed on York Avenue near East 72nd Street when she was struck by a taxi and then run over by an SUV. The crash occurred at 17:41 in Manhattan. The report states, 'she stepped off the curb, alone, no signal. A taxi hit her head-on. An SUV rolled over her. Her skull crushed.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. Both vehicles, a taxi and an SUV, were traveling straight ahead. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The drivers 'did not see' her, according to the narrative. The victim suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. No driver errors beyond inattention/distraction are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790720 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV traveling east collided with an e-scooter moving northeast at East 84th Street. The e-scooter driver suffered contusions and was injured but remained conscious. The SUV showed no damage. Driver inattention was cited as a contributing factor.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:40 near East 84th Street in Manhattan. A 36-year-old male operating an e-scooter was injured with contusions and bruises but remained conscious. The SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, was traveling straight east and struck the e-scooter on its left front bumper. The e-scooter was impacted at its center front end, sustaining damage. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the SUV driver. No other contributing factors related to the victim were noted. The SUV driver was not ejected and the vehicle showed no damage. This collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in interactions with vulnerable road users such as e-scooter riders.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790746 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Tesla tore down FDR Drive at unsafe speed. Metal screamed. A baby girl, unbelted, was thrown from the car and killed. The sedan crumpled. The road bore witness. No warning, no mercy, only silence and wreckage.

According to the police report, a Tesla sedan traveling north on FDR Drive crashed at 2:44 a.m. The report states the vehicle was moving at 'unsafe speed.' The impact left the sedan demolished. A baby girl, listed as an occupant, was ejected from the vehicle and died on impact, her injuries described as affecting her 'entire body.' The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. No seatbelt was used, as noted in the report. The narrative describes the scene as the Tesla 'slammed at speed,' resulting in the infant's death. The focus remains on the excessive speed and the catastrophic consequences that followed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790343 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A 50-year-old man suffered facial injuries and shock after a taxi struck him at an intersection on Park Ave. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. The taxi was making a right turn at impact, with no reported vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling southeast on Park Ave was making a right turn when its right front bumper struck a 50-year-old male pedestrian crossing at the intersection with the signal. The pedestrian sustained facial injuries and was in shock, with minor bleeding reported. The taxi driver was licensed and operating a 2019 Nissan vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite any driver errors explicitly. The pedestrian was crossing legally with the signal, and no vehicle damage was noted. The crash occurred at 7:39 PM in Manhattan's 10128 zip code. The data highlights the danger posed by turning vehicles to pedestrians even when crossing lawfully.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790241 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A westbound sedan backing up struck an eastbound sedan at East 76th Street in Manhattan. The male driver of the eastbound vehicle suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors.

According to the police report, at 7:08 AM on East 76th Street in Manhattan, a Tesla sedan backing west collided with a Honda sedan traveling east. The Tesla driver was backing unsafely, causing a center back-end impact to the Honda’s front center. The Honda’s male driver, age 34, sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was conscious at the scene. The report lists driver inattention and unsafe speed as contributing factors for the Honda driver, while the Tesla driver’s backing maneuver was unsafe. No damage was reported on the Honda, but the Tesla sustained damage to its center back end. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The incident highlights the dangers of inattentive driving and unsafe backing maneuvers in dense urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790079 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan struck the left rear bumper of another sedan on East 93rd Street in Manhattan. The collision injured a 23-year-old female passenger, causing whiplash and neck pain. Driver distraction was cited as the contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:31 a.m. on East 93rd Street near 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. Two sedans traveling westbound were involved. The first vehicle, a 2016 Toyota sedan, was struck on its left rear bumper by a 2023 Tesla sedan. The Tesla driver was going straight ahead, while the Toyota driver was engaged in an unspecified pre-crash maneuver. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the collision. A 23-year-old female occupant in the Toyota suffered neck injuries, specifically whiplash, and was conscious at the scene. The injured passenger was not ejected from the vehicle. No other contributing factors such as victim behavior were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790003 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling south struck a parked SUV on East 81st Street in Manhattan. The sedan driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cited driver inattention and distraction as the cause. The collision damaged both vehicles’ bumpers.

According to the police report, at 8:00 AM on East 81st Street in Manhattan, a sedan traveling south collided with a parked station wagon/SUV. The point of impact was the sedan’s left front bumper and the SUV’s right rear bumper. The sedan driver, a 34-year-old male, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt. The report explicitly states 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor to the crash. The SUV was stationary at the time, indicating the driver error was solely with the sedan operator. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. The collision caused damage to both vehicles’ bumpers, underscoring the dangers of driver distraction in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790074 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound sedan struck the right rear quarter panel of a Mercedes Sprinter van on East 65th Street in Manhattan. The front passenger in the sedan suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Driver inexperience was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the collision occurred on East 65th Street near 1st Avenue in Manhattan at 18:56. A Honda sedan traveling northbound went straight ahead and impacted the right rear quarter panel of a northbound Mercedes Benz Sprinter van. The sedan's left front bumper sustained damage. The front passenger in the sedan, a 47-year-old woman, was injured with neck pain and whiplash but was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness. The report explicitly lists 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers in multi-vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789173 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04