Three Dead on the Upper West Side. Who’s Next?

Jul 21 - A stolen car tore through Bowery and Canal. It struck Kevin Cruickshank, a cyclist, and May Kwok, seated on a bench. Both died. The driver fled. Canal Street remains a deadly corridor for walkers and riders.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevy Malibu sped through a median at Bowery and Canal, killing cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok, who sat on a bench. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article quotes Families for Safe Streets: 'Canal Street is one of the most dangerous streets in all of Manhattan—notorious for pedestrian and cyclist fatalities—and a comprehensive redesign is needed to prioritize safety.' The crash highlights ongoing risks from reckless driving and the urgent need for safer street design.

• Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter, New York Post, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - A cyclist pedaled through Bowery and Canal. A speeding car lost control. Metal struck flesh. The rider died. Streets stayed loud. Danger lingered.

CBS New York (2025-07-20) reports that Kevin Cruickshank, 55, was killed while cycling at Bowery and Canal. Police said a 'speeding car lost control and struck him.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk to cyclists at busy intersections. The article notes the victim's identity and the circumstances but does not detail any charges. The incident underscores the threat posed by speeding vehicles and the need for stronger street safety measures.

• Cyclist Killed By Speeding Car In Chinatown, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-20

Jul 19 - A Chevy sedan struck a cyclist and a pedestrian at Canal and Bowery. Both died at the scene. The drivers tried to flee but were caught. Metal twisted. Lives ended. The street stayed dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu killed a cyclist and a pedestrian near the Manhattan Bridge at 7:30 a.m. Police say the car 'slammed into the two victims.' Two women driving the car tried to flee but were detained. No charges were filed by Saturday afternoon. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. The deaths follow recent city claims of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting persistent risk at busy crossings.

• Chevy Sedan Kills Two Near Manhattan Bridge, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-19

Jul 18 - The driver of an SUV turned right and hit a 38-year-old motorized scooter driver on W 86th at Riverside. The scooter driver suffered neck pain and shock. Police listed contributing factors as "Unspecified".

A driver in an SUV turned right and hit a motorized scooter driver on West 86th Street at Riverside Drive in Manhattan. The scooter rider, a 38-year-old man, was injured and complained of neck pain and was in shock. "According to the police report," both vehicles were traveling north and the SUV was making a right turn at the time of impact. Police recorded no specific driver errors; contributing factors are listed as "Unspecified" in the report and in the person record. The report lists damage to the SUV's right front quarter panel and the scooter's center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828502 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 17 - A DOT worker fixing a sign near a bike lane was slashed by an e-bike rider with a box cutter. Blood on Broadway. The rider fled. The worker survived. No arrests. The city keeps moving.

According to amny (2025-07-17), a DOT worker was attacked by an e-bike rider at Broadway and Cedar Street while repairing a street sign. Police said the worker backed up his truck, nearly causing a crash with the cyclist. The rider then "whipped out a box cutter and slashed the worker in his left arm and back." The assailant fled. DOT condemned the attack, calling it "abhorrent." No arrests have been made. The incident highlights tensions at work sites near bike lanes and underscores the need for safe conditions for street workers.

• DOT Worker Slashed By E-Biker Downtown, amny, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 16 - A driver in an SUV turned left and hit an 81-year-old woman in a marked crosswalk at Broadway and West 82nd Street. She suffered knee, lower-leg and internal injuries. Police recorded driver inattention and passenger distraction.

“According to the police report ...” A driver in an SUV made a left turn at Broadway and West 82nd Street in Manhattan and struck an 81-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. The woman suffered knee, lower-leg and foot injuries and reported internal complaints. The report lists "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Passenger Distraction" as contributing factors. The SUV's center front end was the point of impact. The driver was a licensed male with a New Jersey license. Police recorded the crash at 9:56 a.m. in zip code 10024.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828304 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 14 - Taxi reversed on Amsterdam. Struck a man crossing with the signal. Shoulder injury. Pain. Shock. Night fell. Street stayed dangerous.

A taxi backed north on Amsterdam Avenue at West 65th Street and struck a 32-year-old man crossing with the signal. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a shoulder injury and complained of pain and shock. The driver was licensed and uninjured. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The point of impact was the taxi's right rear bumper. No vehicle damage was noted. The crash highlights the risk to pedestrians even when following the signal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827751 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 7 - The driver of a pickup truck hit a 16-year-old bicyclist on Broadway at West 63rd Street. The teen was ejected and suffered arm injuries and shock. Police cited driver inattention/distraction.

According to the police report, the driver of a pickup truck struck a 16-year-old male bicyclist on Broadway near West 63rd Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist was ejected and recorded injuries to the elbow and lower arm, and reported pain, nausea, and shock. Vehicle records show both the pickup and the bicycle were traveling south and the pickup's point of impact was the left front bumper. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' contributed to the crash. Police recorded the bicyclist as injured and ejected; the pickup driver was listed as licensed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827777 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 26 - A sedan hit a scooter on Broadway. The scooter rider suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver inattention. The street saw pain and chaos. No one else was reported hurt.

A sedan collided with a standing scooter on Broadway at West 65th Street in Manhattan. The 34-year-old scooter rider, a woman, was injured in the arm and remained conscious. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. No other serious injuries were reported among the sedan occupants. The scooter rider was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the crash was driven by inattention behind the wheel. The impact left the vulnerable rider hurt while the sedan sustained damage to its right front quarter panel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823610 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 26 - A cyclist crashed on Riverside Drive. He broke his neck. The police report cites confusion as a factor. No other vehicles were involved. The street stayed silent after the impact.

A 44-year-old male cyclist was injured while riding south on Riverside Drive near West 84th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a neck fracture and dislocation. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No other vehicles were involved, and no other injuries were reported. The incident underscores the dangers faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823611 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 23 - A limo driver lost consciousness on Amsterdam Avenue. The crash left a 71-year-old man bleeding from the face. Metal and glass scattered. Sirens cut through the Upper West Side air.

A crash at 200 Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan involved a limo and two SUVs. According to the police report, the contributing factor was 'Lost Consciousness.' A 71-year-old male passenger suffered facial injuries and minor bleeding. The report lists no other driver errors. The injured man was not ejected and wore a lap belt. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the dangers when drivers lose control behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823617 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 21 - A taxi and a pickup slammed together on Columbus Ave. One driver, dazed, suffered a head injury. Metal bent. Streets stayed dangerous. No clear cause named by police.

A taxi and a pickup truck crashed on Columbus Ave near West 68th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, both vehicles were going straight when they collided. The 52-year-old taxi driver suffered a head injury and was described as incoherent. The 81-year-old pickup driver was not reported injured. Police listed the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the report. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822234 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 20 - A parked Ford and a bronze Toyota touched in Manhattan. An investigator cuffed the young driver on the spot. The arrest was later voided. The Attorney General’s office is investigating. No injuries reported. Tension hung in the air.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-20), a minor collision occurred in Manhattan when a civilian's Toyota touched a parked Ford Expedition belonging to New York Attorney General Letitia James’ security detail. The investigator, Nelson Yu, a retired NYPD detective, immediately confronted and handcuffed the young woman driver, demanding identification. A witness described, 'He jumped out and cuffed her on the spot. No questions, no warning.' The woman was reportedly driving without a license. The arrest was later voided. The Attorney General’s office stated, 'OAG is investigating this matter internally and will not have further comment at this time.' The incident highlights the use of force and protocol in minor traffic incidents involving law enforcement personnel.

• Security Detail Cuffs Woman After Fender-Bender, New York Post, Published 2025-06-20

Jun 19 - A cyclist swerved to avoid a pedestrian in Central Park. He fell. His head struck the curb. He died at the hospital. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries. The crash happened at a crosswalk near 96th Street. The case is under investigation.

ABC7 reported on June 19, 2025, that Salvador Nico-Garcia, 43, died after colliding with a pedestrian while riding an e-bike in Central Park. According to police, Nico-Garcia swerved to avoid a 41-year-old pedestrian crossing at the crosswalk near 96th Street and East Drive. He fell, struck his head on the curb, and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital. The pedestrian sustained minor abrasions. ABC7 notes, 'Officials say Nico-Garcia was on an e-bike and was not wearing a helmet at the time he was thrown.' New York City does not require cyclists over 14 to wear helmets. In Central Park, pedestrians have the right of way at all times. The incident remains under investigation, highlighting ongoing risks at crosswalks and the lack of helmet mandates for adult cyclists.

• Cyclist Killed Dodging Pedestrian In Park, ABC7, Published 2025-06-19

Jun 17 - A cyclist hit a 75-year-old man crossing Riverside Blvd. The man suffered a head injury and minor bleeding. The crash left him semiconscious. The cyclist was not hurt.

A 75-year-old pedestrian was struck by a cyclist while crossing Riverside Blvd at W 70 St in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head injury and minor bleeding, and was found semiconscious. The cyclist, a 56-year-old man, was not injured. The police listed the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were detailed in the report. No mention was made of helmet use or signals as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821284 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jun 17 - A woman tried to climb from the tracks. The L train struck her. She died at the scene. The platform offered no barrier. Safety reforms came too late. The train ran again after three hours. Her name is not yet known.

West Side Spirit reported on June 17, 2025, that a 24-year-old woman was killed by an L train at Union Square station. According to the article, 'witnesses said the woman stepped onto the tracks shortly before the collision, but then attempted to climb back onto the platform.' She could not escape in time. Police found no suspected criminality. The incident occurred months after a state initiative promised new platform barriers at over 100 stations, but these had not yet been installed at Union Square. The tragedy highlights the ongoing risk to subway riders in stations without protective infrastructure. The investigation continues.

• Woman Killed by L Train at Union Square, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-17

Jun 15 - Buses crawl. Riders wait. The city weighs a busway on 34th Street. Some cheer for faster trips and safer crossings. Others fear cars will flood side streets. The board backs the plan. The street waits for change.

West Side Spirit reported on June 15, 2025, that the NYC Department of Transportation’s plan to convert 34th Street into a busway drew mixed reactions at a Community Board 6 meeting. The board voted 31-5 in favor. Supporters called current bus speeds 'painfully slow' and urged the city to 'prioritize pedestrians and transit users.' Critics worried about diverted car traffic clogging residential streets, with one resident calling for a 'traffic study' and 'action plan.' The DOT says the busway could boost bus speeds by 15 percent. The proposal would force cars to exit 34th Street quickly or face tickets, echoing rules on 14th Street. The debate highlights the tension between transit improvements and neighborhood traffic concerns.

• 34th Street Busway Sparks Debate, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-15

Jun 8 - City wants cars off 34th Street. Residents fear traffic will flood side streets. Bus riders crawl at five miles an hour. Officials tout safety gains from 14th Street. Tension rises between speed, safety, and neighborhood calm.

The New York Post (2025-06-08) reports that the city proposes restricting cars on 34th Street to create a busway between 3rd and 9th Avenues. Residents worry rerouted vehicles will jam local streets and worsen safety. Jessica Lavoie of the Murray Hill Neighborhood Association warns, "diverting traffic from this critical corridor onto narrow residential streets would lead to increased congestion, safety hazards, and diminished quality of life." The Department of Transportation aims to replicate the 14th Street busway, which "reduced congestion, sped up bus travel and curbed accidents." The article highlights the ongoing struggle to balance efficient transit, tunnel access, and neighborhood safety. No specific driver errors are cited, but the plan underscores the systemic risks of shifting car traffic onto residential blocks.

• City Eyes 34th Street Car Ban Plan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-08

Jun 7 - A drunk driver tore through Gramercy. He struck Abdulhekim Esiyok in the crosswalk. Bars kept pouring drinks for the driver. Blood alcohol soared. Esiyok died at Bellevue. The driver hit more people before stopping. The city’s system failed again.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-07), Abdulhekim Esiyok, a 23-year-old Turkish immigrant, was killed while crossing Third Avenue after Mahbub Ali, allegedly intoxicated, drove into him. Prosecutors say Ali drank for nearly six hours at three Manhattan bars, reaching a blood alcohol content of .158, almost twice the legal limit. After hitting Esiyok, Ali continued, injuring a cyclist, two more pedestrians, and crashing into a van. The family’s lawsuit cites New York’s Dram Shop Act, which holds bars liable for serving visibly drunk patrons who later cause harm. The article quotes the family’s lawyer: “The family is devastated. They’re still in disbelief.” The case highlights failures in both driver responsibility and alcohol-serving oversight.

• Drunk Driver Kills Immigrant Pedestrian in Manhattan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-07

Jun 5 - A 13-year-old boy on a bike took a hit to the head on Broadway. An SUV driver blew past traffic control. The boy was left bruised. The street stayed loud. The system failed to protect the young rider.

A crash on West 78th Street at Broadway in Manhattan left a 13-year-old bicyclist injured. According to the police report, a station wagon/SUV disregarded traffic control and struck the cyclist, who suffered a head injury and was partially ejected from his bike. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the primary contributing factor. Several vehicle occupants were involved but did not report injuries. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, as noted after the driver’s error. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to young cyclists when drivers ignore signals and rules.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818232 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18