Five Dead in Two Years—How Many More Before We Act?

Aug 14 - The driver of a northbound taxi hit the rear of a stopped SUV on W 97 St at West End Ave. Two people in the SUV suffered back injuries and complained of whiplash. Police recorded following too closely by the taxi.

The driver of a taxi struck the center rear of a northbound SUV that was stopped in traffic on W 97 St at West End Ave. Two SUV occupants were hurt: a 51-year-old driver and a 39-year-old rear passenger, both with back injuries and complaints of whiplash. "According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Following Too Closely."" Police listed Following Too Closely for involved drivers. Both injured SUV occupants were recorded as using lap belts. The taxi sustained front-end damage; the SUV showed rear-end damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834978 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Aug 14 - An eastbound SUV hit a 20‑year‑old woman on Amsterdam at West 96th. She bled from the head. The impact crushed the left front bumper. The driver stayed. Police logged no clear cause. Another pedestrian pays the toll.

A 2005 Dodge SUV traveling east struck a 20-year-old woman on Amsterdam Avenue at West 96th Street. She suffered a head injury with severe bleeding; the SUV showed damage to the left front bumper. According to the police report, contributing factors are listed as “Unspecified,” and the pedestrian’s location is “Not at Intersection” with action “Other Actions in Roadway.” The driver was licensed and going straight ahead. No driver errors were identified in the data, and no other injuries were reported. The record lists no signal or helmet factors. This is the cost of heavy vehicles meeting people in the street.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4834977 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Aug 10 - Northbound taxi and two sedans collide on Henry Hudson Parkway. Speed rules the wreck. Metal folds. A passenger and two drivers are hurt. Manhattan asphalt takes the hit. Sirens cut the river air.

Three northbound vehicles—a taxi and two sedans—collided on Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan. A taxi passenger and two drivers suffered injuries. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Unsafe Speed.” Driver errors listed include Unsafe Speed for multiple involved parties. No pedestrian or cyclist was struck, but passengers inside the taxi bore the force of impact, with injuries to head and shoulder reported. Vehicle damage notes right‑side strikes to the taxi and front‑end damage to a sedan, consistent with high speed. Any mention of equipment or signals appears only after the speeding that led to this crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4835586 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Aug 8 - A driver sped at 109 mph. Concrete barriers now ring the crash site. DOT will shrink lanes and cut speed limits. Change comes slow. Pedestrians and cyclists paid the price.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-08-08) reports DOT will install concrete barriers and narrow lanes at Manhattan Bridge's Canal Street exit after a driver killed a cyclist and pedestrian at 109 mph. DOT plans to lower the speed limit from 35 to 20 mph, pending public comment. The article notes, 'the bridge currently functions like a Mario Kart-style speed boost.' DOT will also 'fast-track community engagement on a full redesign.' The crash highlights the danger of wide lanes and high speeds at a busy pedestrian crossing. Policy changes lagged until tragedy forced action.

• DOT Lowers Speed, Adds Barriers On Canal, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-08-08

Aug 6 - A carriage horse named Lady collapsed and died on a Manhattan street. Workers hauled her body away. Advocates demand change. The city investigates. The fight over horse-drawn carriages grows louder.

CBS New York (2025-08-06) reports a 15-year-old carriage horse, Lady, collapsed and died at 51st Street and 11th Avenue. The city's Department of Health is investigating. The incident reignited calls for Ryder's Law, which would phase out horse-drawn carriages. Councilman Marte said, "We have animals dying because they're being overworked in the heat." The union claims horses pass annual vet checks and follow temperature rules, but critics dispute this. The case highlights ongoing debate over the safety and future of horse-drawn carriages in New York City.

• Carriage Horse Dies, Sparks Ryder's Law Push, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-06

Aug 4 - A driver struck a cyclist in Washington Heights. The cyclist survived. Neighbors say the intersection breeds danger. The driver fled. NYPD searches. Streets remain unsafe.

CBS New York reported on August 4, 2025, that a driver hit a cyclist in Washington Heights and left the scene. The article notes, "local residents say the intersection has been a problem for some time." The NYPD is searching for the driver. The incident highlights ongoing risks at this location and points to persistent systemic hazards for cyclists and pedestrians. No mention of charges or arrests. The crash underscores the need for stronger street design and enforcement.

• Cyclist Hit By Driver In Washington Heights, CBS New York, Published 2025-08-04

Aug 3 - A taxi driver collided with a 37-year-old male cyclist on West 92nd Street. The cyclist suffered knee and lower-leg injuries and minor bleeding. Police recorded improper lane use as the contributing factor.

A taxi driver and a bicyclist crashed at West 92nd Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 37-year-old man, was injured with wounds to the knee, lower leg and foot and reported minor bleeding. According to the police report, "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" was recorded as the contributing factor for both drivers. The cyclist was traveling south; the taxi was traveling east. The bike showed center front-end damage. The taxi was recorded with no damage and no passengers were listed as injured. The report documents lane-use errors by drivers and does not list other causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833004 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Aug 3 - A taxi and a pickup truck collided at Cathedral Parkway and Amsterdam Ave. Six occupants—drivers and passengers—were injured with head, neck, back and arm wounds. Police logged 'Other Vehicular' for both drivers.

Two drivers collided at Cathedral Parkway and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. The driver of a taxi traveling north and the driver of a pickup truck traveling east were both going straight when the pickup's center front and the taxi's left front quarter panels collided. Six occupants—drivers and passengers—were injured, with reported head, neck, back and arm injuries and complaints of whiplash and shock. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Other Vehicular' contributing factors for both drivers. Police list pre-crash movement as 'Going Straight Ahead' for both vehicles and record damage to the taxi's left front quarter panel and the pickup's center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4833005 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Aug 2 - The driver of a sedan backed into a man on Amsterdam Avenue near W. 109th St. He suffered a contusion to his arm and lower arm. Police recorded backing unsafely by the driver.

One man was struck and injured when a driver backing a sedan hit him on Amsterdam Avenue near West 109th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash involved two sedans and resulted in a male pedestrian suffering a contusion to his arm and an injury to his elbow/lower arm/hand; he was conscious. Police recorded backing unsafely by the driver. One sedan was stopped in traffic; the other was backing at the time of impact. Police noted no injuries to vehicle occupants. The pedestrian was not at an intersection when the driver struck him.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4832520 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Jul 29 - City, BIDs, and agencies plan a $3 million study to reshape 14th Street. The goal: safer space for walkers, cyclists, and buses. The busway may become permanent. Cars lose ground. Change moves slow.

New York Magazine - Curbed (2025-07-29) reports city officials and business groups will fund a $3 million, two-year study to redesign 14th Street. The plan aims for a 'complete street'—space for pedestrians, cyclists, transit, and limited cars. The article notes, 'Their (mostly) shared goal is to make 14th into what's often called a complete street.' The study will assess traffic flow and street dynamics. The busway, which restricts cars, may become permanent. No crash or injury data is cited, but the focus is on systemic street changes, not individual driver actions.

• City Eyes Overhaul For 14th Street, New York Magazine - Curbed, Published 2025-07-29

Jul 27 - A teen drove drunk, wrong-way, head-on into a car. Two men died. The driver fled. The city failed to stop him. A wedding became a funeral.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-27), a 17-year-old allegedly drank at a Midtown club, then drove the wrong way on the Henry Hudson Parkway. He crashed head-on into Kirk Walker and Rob McLaurin, killing both. The teen, Jimmy Connors, fled, leaving his injured passenger. The article states, “Walker, 38, was one day from his wedding when he and McLaurin were killed.” An off-duty NYPD officer pursued Connors but did not call 911. The lawsuit names the driver, club, NYPD, and city, raising questions about underage drinking enforcement and police response. Connors faces charges including second-degree murder.

• Wrong-Way Crash Kills Groom-To-Be, New York Post, Published 2025-07-27

Jul 26 - A driver hit a standing vehicle on Amsterdam at West 90th. The sedan’s front end crumpled. The 38-year-old driver went down, unconscious, bleeding from the head. Police recorded improper lane use. No pedestrians or cyclists were hurt.

According to the police report, the driver of a sedan traveling east hit a standing vehicle on Amsterdam Avenue at West 90th Street at about 1:06 a.m. The crash left a 38-year-old man, the driver, unconscious with a head injury and severe bleeding. Police recorded "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" by the driver. The report also lists "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion." The sedan had damage to the center front end. Other occupants were recorded with unspecified injuries. No pedestrians or cyclists were reported injured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Jul 24 - Two buses collided on a Port Authority ramp. The rear bus hit hard. Thirty injured. Passengers left on stretchers, necks braced. Steel and glass, pain and confusion. The ramp remains a danger.

ABC7 reported on July 24, 2025, that a New Jersey Transit bus rear-ended another on the Port Authority ramp near Dyer Avenue and West 39th Street. Surveillance video showed the rear bus 'zooming up the ramp and ramming the rear of the bus in front of it so hard that it physically pushed the bus forward.' At least 30 people suffered minor injuries, with 27 hospitalized. FDNY cited 'musculoskeletal injuries, neck pain, back pain.' The ramp, a known bottleneck, is set for replacement by 2032. The crash highlights risks in current bus terminal infrastructure and driver speed on crowded ramps.

• Rear Bus Slams Into Another At Port, ABC7, Published 2025-07-24

Jul 23 - A sedan hit a 75-year-old cyclist on Riverside Drive. The cyclist bled and suffered neck pain. Shock followed. Two car occupants were left with unspecified injuries. The sedan’s side was damaged.

A sedan and a bicycle collided at 370 Riverside Drive in Manhattan. The crash injured a 75-year-old male cyclist, who suffered neck pain, minor bleeding, and shock. Two sedan occupants, a 72-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, had unspecified injuries. According to the police report, all contributing factors were listed as 'Unspecified.' The sedan’s left side doors were damaged. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No driver errors were cited in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830826 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Jul 22 - A driver tore through Midtown, smashing cars and fleeing police. Metal scraped. Horns blared. The chase ended at Lexington and 50th. Police drew guns. The driver was arrested. Streets bore the scars.

According to ABC7 (2025-07-22), a driver struck multiple vehicles—including a police cruiser—while fleeing police through Midtown Manhattan. The pursuit began after a hit at Park Ave and ended at 50th and Lexington. The suspect, Jose Foster, faces charges including assault, reckless endangerment, and fleeing police. Witness Martina Minor said, "It felt like he was scratching like big noise and I was honking like stop and he kept doing it." The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases in dense city streets, with property damage and potential harm to bystanders.

• Police Chase Wrecks Cars In Midtown, ABC7, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 21 - A stolen car tore off the Manhattan Bridge, slammed into a plaza, and killed a cyclist and a woman on a bench. The driver and passenger ran but police caught them. Metal met flesh. Lives ended. The city mourns.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-21) reports a stolen Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, crashing into a Bowery plaza at 7:30am. The car killed May Kwok, seated on a bench, and Kevin Scott Cruickshank, a cyclist. The driver and passenger fled but were caught. The article quotes Kwok’s brother: “This is not a car accident. They committed a crime, and they tried to get away from the police because they're reckless.” The crash highlights the lethal risk of high-speed chases and stolen vehicles in dense city spaces. A memorial now stands for the victims.

• Stolen Car Kills Two on Bowery Plaza, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - A speeding SUV hit a 13-year-old cyclist on West End Avenue. The boy suffered a bruised leg. Police cite unsafe speed as the cause. The street saw blood and pain. The system failed to protect the young.

A 13-year-old boy riding his bike was struck by a station wagon/SUV on West End Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the SUV was traveling at unsafe speed when it collided with the cyclist, causing a contusion and injury to the boy's lower leg. The driver, an 81-year-old man, was also listed with unspecified injuries. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, as noted in the report, but the primary cause remains the driver's unsafe speed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4828927 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

• Cyclist and Pedestrian Killed After Vehicle Jumps Curb in Manhattan, The New York Times, 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 17 - A food cart broke loose from a van packed with propane and fuel. It slammed into a parked car with a woman and child inside. Both went to the hospital. Police found 76 propane tanks. The driver faces charges.

According to NY Daily News (2025-07-17), police arrested a 31-year-old van driver after a food cart he was towing broke loose and struck a parked Kia Serrano with a woman and child inside. The article reports, "Firefighters forced entry into the van, removing 76 20-pound propane cylinders and 15 five-gallon fuel containers." The driver was charged with reckless endangerment. The incident highlights the dangers of unsecured loads and hazardous material transport on city streets. Both victims were hospitalized in stable condition. The driver attempted to withhold access to the van, further complicating the response.

• Loose Food Cart Strikes Parked Car in Manhattan, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-17