No More Names in Blood: Demand Safety Now in Central Park

A carriage horse broke free in Central Park. It tore down the loop, carriage in tow. Pedestrians leapt fences to escape. Cyclists shouted warnings. The horse ran half a mile before another driver caught it. No injuries. Fear lingered.

According to the New York Post (2025-05-19), a carriage horse ran loose through Central Park after its bridle came off and the driver was separated. Eyewitness Hayley said, "I was there with my friend walking on the sidewalk and almost got trampled by the poor horse. It was so terrifying." Parkgoers scrambled for safety, some jumping fences. Cyclists chased the horse, warning others. The horse was not tethered to a hitching post, as none was nearby. Christina Hansen, union rep for carriage horses, stated, "There were no injuries or property damage reported, and there's currently no indication the horse's driver was negligent." The incident highlights gaps in securing procedures and the absence of hitching posts, raising questions about safety for pedestrians and park users.

• Runaway Carriage Horse Sparks Park Panic, New York Post, Published 2025-05-19

A 14-year-old boy crashed his bike near 74-01 East Drive in Manhattan. He struck the pavement, fracturing his lower leg. The air was thick with shouts and the scrape of metal. He was conscious, pain radiating from his twisted knee.

According to the police report, two bicycles collided near 74-01 East Drive in Manhattan. A 14-year-old bicyclist was injured, suffering a fractured and dislocated lower leg. The report lists both vehicles as traveling straight ahead, with the point of impact at the center front end of one bike and the center back end of the other. The police report cites 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor for the crash, and does not identify any specific driver errors. No mention of helmet use or signaling appears as a contributing factor in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808110, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A cyclist rode north through Heckscher Fields and struck a 57-year-old woman standing in his path. The bike hit her head, causing bleeding. She stayed down, conscious but still. The cyclist did not stop. The bike showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old man riding a bike northbound in Central Park's Heckscher Fields collided with a 57-year-old woman who was standing in his path. The report states, 'The bike struck her head. Blood ran. She stayed down, conscious but still.' The cyclist did not stop after the crash, and the bike showed no visible damage. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver-specific errors such as failure to yield or distraction are cited. The cyclist was wearing a helmet and suffered a minor abrasion to his lower leg. The incident highlights confusion and error as systemic dangers in shared park spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802618, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 54-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and injured in Manhattan after an animal-related incident. The crash caused contusions to her abdomen and pelvis. According to police, the cyclist was wearing a helmet but suffered moderate injuries from the impact.

According to the police report, a 54-year-old female bicyclist traveling north on East Drive in Manhattan was involved in a crash at 6:35 AM. The report cites 'Animals Action' as a contributing factor to the collision. The bicyclist was ejected from her bike and sustained contusions and bruises to her abdomen and pelvis, with an injury severity rated at 3. The point of impact was the center front end of the bike, which also sustained damage. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, but no other contributing factors related to her behavior were noted. The report does not indicate any driver errors beyond the animal-related cause, highlighting the systemic danger posed by unexpected animal presence on the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765851, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi making a right turn collided with a southbound e-bike on Central Park West. The bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries and whiplash. The crash involved improper lane usage by the taxi driver, according to the police report.

At 6:09 AM on Central Park West near West 65 Street in Manhattan, a taxi driver made a right turn and struck a southbound e-bike, according to the police report. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist, a 55-year-old man wearing a helmet, was ejected and sustained head injuries and whiplash, classified as injury severity level 3. The report cites "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating the taxi driver's error. The bicyclist's helmet use is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. The taxi was occupied by a licensed male driver. This collision highlights the dangers posed by improper lane usage during turning maneuvers in dense urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4751721, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A bicyclist was injured and ejected after colliding with a stationary SUV in Manhattan. The SUV driver’s inexperience contributed to the crash. The cyclist suffered bruises and arm injuries, remaining conscious despite the impact on the vehicle’s left side doors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 8:50 AM near West 110 Street in Manhattan. A 33-year-old female bicyclist was injured and ejected upon impact with a parked Station Wagon/SUV. The point of impact was the SUV’s left side doors, while the cyclist struck with the center front end of her bike. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor for the SUV driver, who was licensed and traveling east. The bicyclist sustained contusions and injuries to her elbow, lower arm, and hand but remained conscious. No damage was reported to either vehicle. The police report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s behavior or equipment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740576, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 42-year-old male bicyclist was partially ejected and injured in Manhattan when a sedan traveling east struck him. The collision caused abrasions to the cyclist’s face. Driver inattention was cited as the primary cause, with no damage reported to vehicles.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on West 65 Street near Central Park West in Manhattan at 13:05. A sedan traveling east struck a northbound bicyclist. The bicyclist, a 42-year-old man, was partially ejected and sustained abrasions to his face, classified as injury severity 3. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The sedan’s point of impact was the right front quarter panel, while the bike was hit at the center front end. Neither vehicle sustained damage. The bicyclist was conscious and injured but was not noted as contributing to the crash. The driver was licensed in New York. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving to vulnerable road users in Manhattan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737913, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 19-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and sustained head injuries in a collision on 1 Transverse Road Number Three. The crash involved driver confusion and errors, resulting in abrasions and serious injury to the cyclist.

According to the police report, a 19-year-old male bicyclist was injured and ejected during a crash in Manhattan near 1 Transverse Road Number Three at 11:30 PM. The bicyclist suffered head injuries and abrasions, with injury severity rated at level 3. The report cites 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, indicating confusion or error on the part of the bicyclist. Additionally, 'Other Vehicular' factors were noted, pointing to driver-related errors in the crash. The bicyclist was traveling east, going straight ahead, and the point of impact was the center back end of an unspecified vehicle, which sustained damage to its center front end. The report does not specify helmet use or other victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing instead on driver and vehicle errors leading to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4733856, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 30-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured when a sedan making a left turn hit him on West 96 Street. The rider suffered abrasions and lower leg injuries. Driver inattention and slippery pavement contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on West 96 Street was making a left turn when it collided with a northbound e-bike. The bicyclist, a 30-year-old male, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, including abrasions. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Pavement Slippery' as contributing factors. The sedan's point of impact was its center front end, striking the e-bike on its right side doors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The driver of the sedan was licensed and had two occupants in the vehicle. This crash highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction and adverse road conditions in collisions with vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727941, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Three occupants suffered neck injuries in a chain-reaction crash on Central Park West. Two sedans collided, followed by an SUV striking the second sedan’s rear. All victims wore seat belts and sustained whiplash, conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Central Park West involving two sedans and one SUV all traveling north. The first sedan was struck in the center back end by the second sedan, which was then hit in the center back end by the SUV. The report cites driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors. Three occupants in the second sedan— the driver, front passenger, and right rear passenger—suffered neck injuries consistent with whiplash. All three were conscious and wearing lap belts and harnesses at the time. No ejections occurred. The collision sequence and damage locations indicate a failure to maintain safe following distances and attention by the drivers involved, leading to a dangerous chain-reaction crash that injured multiple vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4727245, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A motorbike and motorscooter collided on West Drive in Manhattan. The motorbike driver, traveling north, suffered a bruised elbow and lower arm injury. Police cited unsafe speed and failure to yield right-of-way as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:10 on West Drive near Transverse Road Number Four in Manhattan. The collision involved a motorbike traveling north and a motorscooter heading south. The motorbike driver, a 28-year-old male wearing a helmet, sustained contusions and bruises to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was not ejected and remained conscious. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factors. The motorbike's center front end impacted the left front quarter panel of the motorscooter. These driver errors highlight systemic dangers on this stretch of road, with no mention of victim fault or contributing victim behaviors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731688, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Ford pickup stopped in traffic was struck from behind by an Alfa sedan. Metal crumpled. The pickup driver, 49, belted in, suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The sedan driver’s failure to maintain distance caused the crash. Impact left lasting harm.

On Central Park West near 68th Street, a Ford pickup truck was stopped in traffic when an Alfa sedan traveling north struck it from behind, according to the police report. The sedan’s point of impact was its center front end, colliding with the pickup’s center back end. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors linked to the sedan driver. The pickup driver, a 49-year-old man, was belted in with a lap belt and harness and sustained neck injuries and whiplash but remained conscious. The police report explicitly attributes the crash to the sedan driver’s failure to maintain a safe following distance. No contributing factors were assigned to the pickup driver. The collision caused significant metal deformation and left the pickup driver with crush trauma and neck injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724931, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 44-year-old man crossing East 97 Street with the signal suffered head injuries after an e-scooter failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian was left in shock with minor bleeding. The scooter showed no damage, highlighting the impact on the vulnerable victim.

According to the police report, a 44-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing East 97 Street with the signal. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and was in shock, with minor bleeding reported. The crash involved an e-scooter traveling west with two occupants. The report cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the e-scooter as a contributing factor, emphasizing the driver's error. The e-scooter sustained no damage, indicating the disproportionate harm to the pedestrian. No other contributing factors or victim errors were noted. This incident underscores the dangers posed by vehicle operators failing to yield to pedestrians, even when the pedestrian is crossing lawfully.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4719963, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 71-year-old female bicyclist suffered a head injury and concussion after an SUV struck her on Central Park West. The SUV was parked but improperly used its lane, causing the collision. The bicyclist remained conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:40 AM on Central Park West. A 2015 Toyota SUV, occupied by five people and driven by a licensed male driver, was parked but involved in the collision due to 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The impact occurred on the SUV's right side doors. The bicyclist, a 71-year-old female traveling northbound, was injured in the head and suffered a concussion. She was conscious and not ejected from her bike. The police report identifies the SUV driver's improper lane usage as the contributing factor. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. This incident highlights the dangers posed by improper vehicle lane use near vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4704191, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A moped traveling south on 5 Avenue struck a sedan from behind. The moped’s unlicensed driver followed too closely, causing a collision. A 29-year-old male passenger was ejected and suffered facial abrasions, conscious but injured.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:15 on 5 Avenue involving a moped and a sedan both traveling south. The moped driver, who was unlicensed, failed to maintain a safe distance and rear-ended the sedan, a clear case of "Following Too Closely." The moped’s point of impact was the center back end of the sedan, while the sedan showed no damage. The moped carried two occupants; a 29-year-old male passenger was ejected during the collision. He sustained abrasions to his face and was conscious at the scene. The passenger was not wearing any safety equipment. No contributing factors were noted for the passenger, and the report highlights driver error as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701304, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan and bicycle collided on Central Park West in Manhattan. Both drivers suffered injuries, including a concussion and bruises. The sedan driver was starting in traffic when the impact occurred. Illness was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 16:08 on Central Park West near West 70th Street. A 23-year-old female sedan driver, traveling north and starting in traffic, collided with a 48-year-old male bicyclist also traveling north. The sedan struck the bike at the right front bumper, impacting the bike's center back end. Both drivers were injured: the sedan driver sustained a concussion and head injury, while the bicyclist suffered contusions and injuries to the elbow, lower arm, and hand. The report lists 'Illness' as a contributing factor, indicating a possible medical condition affecting the driver. No other driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding were specified. Neither occupant was ejected, and both remained conscious after the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4701201, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 59-year-old male driver lost consciousness while driving eastbound in Manhattan, causing a collision involving multiple sedans. The driver suffered severe whole-body injuries and was unconscious at the scene. Airbags deployed, but the driver was not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:20 in Manhattan near 1 Transverse Road Number Two. The 59-year-old male driver of a 2022 Cadillac sedan lost consciousness while traveling eastbound, leading to a collision with other vehicles. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as the sole contributing factor to the crash, indicating a medical or physical failure on the driver's part. The driver sustained severe injuries to the entire body and was unconscious upon emergency response. The airbags deployed, and the driver was not ejected from the vehicle. Other involved vehicles included sedans traveling westbound, with damage concentrated on left front bumpers and quarter panels. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no other driver errors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4696903, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 53-year-old cyclist, merging south on Central Park West, was hit by an SUV’s front bumper. He flew from his bike, landed headfirst, and bled on the pavement. The driver was distracted. The cyclist was left semiconscious. No helmet was worn.

A 53-year-old man riding a bike southbound on Central Park West was struck by the left front bumper of a southbound SUV. According to the police report, the cyclist was merging when the SUV hit him, causing him to be ejected and land headfirst on the pavement. He suffered severe bleeding and was semiconscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary cause remains the driver’s distraction. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4673571, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A sedan traveling west struck a northbound bicyclist on Central Park West near West 97th Street. The cyclist suffered a head injury and was semiconscious with minor bleeding. The bike’s front center and sedan’s left front bumper were damaged.

According to the police report, a sedan and a bicycle collided on Central Park West at West 97th Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist, a 43-year-old man, was injured with a head wound and was semiconscious at the scene. The bike was traveling north, and the sedan was traveling west, both going straight ahead before the crash. The point of impact was the bike’s center front end and the sedan’s left front quarter panel. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the bicyclist but does not specify driver errors or contributing factors for the sedan. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. No ejection occurred. The driver of the sedan was licensed in New York.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4672062, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi struck a 71-year-old bicyclist from behind on West 72 Street. The rider suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The crash involved driver inattention and following too closely. The cyclist remained conscious.

According to the police report, a taxi and a bicycle collided on West 72 Street. The bicyclist, a 71-year-old man, was injured with abrasions and trauma to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors including "Driver Inattention/Distraction" and "Following Too Closely" as contributing factors. The taxi struck the left side doors of the bike while both were traveling westbound. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the crash. No helmet or signaling issues were noted. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving and tailgating in interactions between motor vehicles and vulnerable cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4669011, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14