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

Jul 2 - Garbage truck with bad brakes struck van on Broadway. One driver hurt. Metal twisted. Neck injury. Streets failed to protect. System error, not fate.

A van and a garbage truck collided on Broadway at West 95th Street in Manhattan. One driver, age 65, suffered a neck injury. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Brakes Defective' on the garbage truck. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact left the van damaged on the right side and the truck at the front. The police report lists no other contributing factors. The system allowed a truck with faulty brakes onto city streets. No helmet or signal issues were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824884 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Jun 29 - A sedan reversed into a woman working in the street. She fell, hurt her hip, and lost consciousness. Police cite unsafe backing. The car showed no damage. The street was Manhattan. The pain was real.

A sedan struck a 39-year-old woman working in the roadway near 808 Columbus Ave in Manhattan. She suffered a hip injury and lost consciousness. According to the police report, the driver was 'Backing Unsafely.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection when hit. No injuries were reported for the vehicle occupant. The sedan showed no damage. The crash highlights the danger of unsafe backing, as listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Jun 23 - A stolen box truck crashed into a Midtown building. The front awning buckled under the force. No injuries. Police detained a person of interest. Metal and glass scattered. The street fell silent. The city watched, unblinking.

CBS New York reported on June 23, 2025, that a stolen box truck struck a building in Midtown Manhattan, damaging the front awning. According to police, 'no one was hurt and a person of interest was taken into custody.' The incident highlights the risk posed by unauthorized drivers behind the wheel of large vehicles. The crash did not result in injuries, but the impact damaged property and disrupted the area. The report underscores ongoing concerns about vehicle theft and the potential for harm in dense urban environments, where even a single reckless act can threaten public safety.

• Stolen Truck Slams Midtown Building, CBS New York, Published 2025-06-23

Jun 21 - A bus turned left on Amsterdam. The driver failed to yield. A 55-year-old man crossing with the signal was hit. His leg broke. Shock followed. The street stayed loud. The danger stayed real.

A bus struck a 55-year-old man crossing Amsterdam Avenue at West 94th Street. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the bus, making a left turn, failed to yield right-of-way. The man suffered a fractured leg and was in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the driver’s error. No other injuries were reported among the bus occupants. The crash highlights the risk to pedestrians even when following signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822157 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Jun 20 - A bronze Toyota struck a parked black Ford in Manhattan. The driver, a young woman, was cuffed by a security investigator. Tension flared. The arrest was later voided. No injuries reported. The incident drew scrutiny and sparked internal review.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-20), a young woman driving a bronze Toyota collided with a parked black Ford Expedition belonging to New York Attorney General Letitia James’ security detail. Video shows the vehicles touching in a V shape. Investigator Nelson Yu, a retired NYPD detective, confronted the woman, demanding identification and handcuffing her after she failed to produce ID. Yu ordered, 'Get out of the car and show some ID,' and later, 'Get in the car! You're not going anywhere!' The woman was placed in the back seat of Yu’s vehicle. 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 risks of parked vehicles and the escalation that can follow minor collisions, especially when law enforcement is involved.

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

Jun 19 - A Bronx man died after his e-bike struck a pedestrian in a Central Park crosswalk. He flew from the bike, hit the curb, and never recovered. The pedestrian suffered a minor hand injury. Police are investigating. No arrests have been made.

West Side Spirit reported on June 19, 2025, that Salvador Nico-Garcia, 43, died after his e-bike collided with a pedestrian at East Drive and East 97th Street in Central Park. The article states, "He ran into the unidentified 41 year-old pedestrian. Nico-Garcia was then flung from his bike and struck his head on the curb, the NYPD said." The pedestrian sustained a minor hand injury and refused medical treatment. The NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad is investigating; no arrests have been made. City data shows e-bike and e-scooter deaths have dropped in 2025, but Central Park crash numbers remain steady. The incident highlights ongoing risks at crosswalks and the need for systemic safety improvements.

• E-Bike Rider Killed in Park Collision, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-19

Jun 16 - Sedan and pickup collided on Henry Hudson Parkway. Brakes failed. Driver injured. Passengers shaken. Metal twisted. System failed. Lives changed in a moment.

A sedan and a pickup truck crashed on Henry Hudson Parkway. One driver suffered a knee and leg injury. Three passengers were involved. According to the police report, 'Brakes Defective' was the contributing factor. The sedan was changing lanes when it struck the pickup’s left rear bumper. No pedestrians or cyclists were listed. The crash highlights the danger when vehicle systems fail. No other contributing factors were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821062 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

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 14 - City bans cars from 34th Street. Busway stretches from 3rd to 9th Avenue. Residents protest. They say more buses, not fewer cars, would help. Officials push ahead. Tensions flare. Policy shifts, but questions remain on safety and congestion.

According to the New York Post (June 14, 2025), City Hall approved a plan to ban cars on 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues, creating a dedicated busway. The article details heated opposition from local residents and bus riders, who argued the plan was rushed and lacked proper traffic analysis. Stacy Rauch, a daily bus rider, said, 'The bigger problem is we don’t have enough buses.' Critics worried diverted car traffic would overwhelm nearby streets. The city compared the move to the 14th Street car ban, but residents noted differences in bus frequency. The article highlights accusations of conflicts of interest involving community board members and advocacy groups. The policy aims to prioritize buses and vulnerable road users, but leaves open questions about implementation and neighborhood impact.

• 34th Street Busway Plan Sparks Debate, New York Post, Published 2025-06-14

Jun 11 - SUV struck 81-year-old man in crosswalk. Head wound. Blood pooled. Driver ignored traffic control. Distraction listed. Manhattan pavement bore the cost.

An 81-year-old man crossing Manhattan Avenue at West 105th Street was struck by a BMW SUV making a right turn. According to the police report, the driver disregarded traffic control and was inattentive or distracted. The pedestrian, semiconscious, suffered a severe head injury and heavy bleeding. The report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No other contributing factors are noted. The crash left the pedestrian injured in the crosswalk, while the SUV’s right front quarter panel was damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819913 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

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 6 - Community boards on Manhattan’s West Side push back. They reject criminal summonses for cyclists. They call the policy unjust. They demand safer streets without targeting riders. The boards stand together, refusing to punish immigrant workers for city failures.

Streetsblog NYC reported on June 6, 2025, that two West Side community boards voted overwhelmingly to oppose the NYPD’s new policy of issuing criminal summonses to cyclists. The boards argue the crackdown will not make streets safer and targets vulnerable workers. Ken Coughlin of CB7 said, “This resolution is simply saying, 'This is not the way.'” Jesse Greenwald of CB4 warned of the risks to immigrant delivery workers, stating, “We know that ICE agents are looking for any opportunity to detain and deport our immigrant workers.” The boards’ votes follow similar action by Midtown’s CB6. The article notes the NYPD has not provided evidence for the claimed surge in complaints that prompted the policy. The move highlights growing concern that enforcement strategies may harm vulnerable road users instead of addressing systemic street safety issues.

• West Side Boards Reject E-Bike Crackdown, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-06

Jun 5 - Two sedans crashed late at night. A woman and a child inside suffered head and leg injuries. Both drivers failed to pay attention. The force left marks on bumpers and bodies. The road stayed dangerous. The city counted more hurt.

Two sedans collided on Henry Hudson Parkway in Manhattan. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling south and were parked before the crash. A 35-year-old woman driving one sedan and her 10-year-old passenger were injured. The driver suffered a head injury and whiplash. The child sustained abrasions to the leg and was in shock. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors for both drivers. The report notes lap belts were used. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash left visible damage to the front bumpers of both cars. The incident highlights the ongoing risk to vehicle occupants when drivers lose focus, even for a moment.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818730 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

Jun 2 - Hundreds rode through Manhattan. They protested NYPD’s push to criminalize minor bike infractions. Delivery riders, many undocumented, face court summonses for sidewalk riding and red lights. Judges toss charges. Police say it’s about compliance. Riders say it’s about targeting.

West Side Spirit reported on June 2, 2025, that hundreds of cyclists protested in Manhattan against the NYPD’s new policy of issuing criminal court summonses for minor bike infractions. The crackdown targets delivery workers, especially undocumented riders, for offenses like sidewalk riding and nonstandard bike setups. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch defended the move, stating, 'When it comes to traffic safety, compliance is not optional.' Protesters and advocates argue the policy is discriminatory and escalates minor violations, risking severe consequences for vulnerable workers. Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives called it 'really inappropriate escalation.' The article highlights confusion over traffic rules and the risk of criminalization for actions previously handled as civil matters, raising questions about enforcement priorities and the impact on immigrant communities.

• Cyclists Rally Against NYPD Crackdown, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-06-02

May 31 - A truck and SUV crashed on Broadway at West 100th. One passenger bled from the head. Others shaken. Both vehicles turned left. Unsafe speed listed as cause. Metal and glass scattered. The city’s danger showed its teeth.

A tractor truck and an SUV collided while both were making left turns on Broadway at West 100th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, unsafe speed was a contributing factor in the crash. One male passenger, age 34, suffered a head injury with minor bleeding and was in shock. Other occupants, including drivers and passengers, were listed as uninjured or with unspecified injuries. Both vehicles sustained damage, with the SUV’s left front bumper hit. The report states: “Unsafe Speed” as the primary driver error. No other contributing factors were listed. Helmet use and signaling were not cited. The crash underscores the risks faced by passengers when speed overtakes caution on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816857 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

May 31 - 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

May 30 - 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

May 27 - A police cruiser swerved from a taxi and slammed into two people eating outside. Sirens screamed. Metal struck flesh. Both diners and officers landed in the hospital. The street stayed open. The city kept moving. The system failed the vulnerable.

According to the New York Post (May 27, 2025), an NYPD squad car struck two people seated at an outdoor dining area on Broadway and West 112th Street. The crash happened when a taxi made a left turn, prompting the police car to swerve. The article states, “The 37-year-old cab driver was given a summons for failure to yield to oncoming traffic.” Both diners and police vehicle occupants were hospitalized in stable condition. The report notes, “It was not immediately clear if authorities were responding to a call when the incident unfolded.” The incident highlights risks at curbside dining areas and ongoing dangers from driver error and street design. The investigation continues.

• Police Car Hits Diners In Manhattan Crash, New York Post, Published 2025-05-27

May 21 - A bus turned wrong on Riverside Drive. Metal scraped. A 13-year-old passenger took a blow to the leg. Shock followed. The crash left many shaken. Police blamed improper turning and passing too close. The street stayed dangerous. The city watched.

A bus making a right turn on Riverside Drive in Manhattan struck trouble. According to the police report, the crash injured a 13-year-old passenger, who suffered a knee and lower leg injury and was left in shock. The bus carried many children. Police listed 'Turning Improperly' and 'Passing Too Closely' as the main driver errors. The report shows the bus was damaged on the right side doors. No other vehicles were clearly identified as involved. The police report did not mention any helmet or signal use as contributing factors. The crash highlights the risks faced by bus passengers, especially children, when drivers turn carelessly or crowd the road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815514 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08

May 19 - A sedan hit a 74-year-old woman crossing with the signal on Amsterdam Avenue. She suffered leg and internal injuries. Police cite failure to yield. The driver was unhurt.

A 74-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Amsterdam Avenue at West 97th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal when the driver, making a left turn, failed to yield the right-of-way. The woman sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, foot, and internal injuries. The driver, a 39-year-old man, was not injured. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No vehicle damage was reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814694 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-11-08