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

Apr 12 - A stolen car slammed into a Manhattan building. Flames followed. The driver, Francisco Guzman Parra, died on impact. His family waited days for answers. Police actions now face scrutiny. The city counts another life lost to speed and steel.

The New York Times (April 12, 2025) reports on the death of Francisco Guzman Parra after a stolen Honda CRV crashed into a building in Inwood, Manhattan. The crash followed a police chase; two officers involved were suspended pending investigation. The article notes, "The police are investigating whether the officers left the scene without reporting the crash." The medical examiner found Guzman Parra died from blunt impact and thermal injuries. The NYPD force investigation unit and state attorney general are reviewing the incident. The police have not disclosed why the chase began or details about the pursuit. The case highlights ongoing questions about police pursuit policies and the dangers that follow high-speed chases through city streets.

• Police Chase Ends Inwood Crash Death, The New York Times, Published 2025-04-12

Apr 11 - A box truck driver followed too close on Amsterdam Ave. The truck struck a cyclist. The cyclist suffered arm injuries. Police cite driver inattention and tailgating.

A box truck and a cyclist collided on Amsterdam Avenue at West 95th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 30-year-old man, was injured in the arm. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely.' The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but the primary factors listed were driver errors. No injuries were reported for the truck driver or other occupants. The impact left the cyclist hurt and exposed the risks faced by vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805554 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - Including Thursday's deadly crash, 25 people have been killed in New York City sightseeing helicopter accidents in the last 40 years.

• Lawmakers aim to make changes after New York City sightseeing helicopter crash, ABC7, Published 2025-04-11

Apr 10 - Toyota slams Ford’s rear on Henry Hudson Parkway. Metal screams. A woman in the front seat clutches her knee, head ringing. She is hurt. Both cars sit battered, the road holds the wreck.

A southbound Toyota struck the rear quarter of a Ford sedan on Henry Hudson Parkway. A forty-year-old woman, riding as a front passenger, suffered a knee injury and concussion. According to the police report, 'Following Too Closely' was the listed contributing factor. The impact left both vehicles damaged. No injuries were reported for the drivers. The injured passenger wore a lap belt and harness. The crash underscores the risk when drivers fail to maintain safe distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805457 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 7 - A box truck struck a man sitting in the street at West 40th and 9th. The man died at the scene. The driver stayed. Police are investigating. No arrests. The victim’s name is not known.

Patch reported on April 7, 2025, that a man was killed by a box truck at West 40th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The article states, “Police determined that a box truck, operated by a 75-year-old man, was traveling southbound on 9 Avenue when the vehicle collided with the victim, who was sitting in the roadway.” The driver remained at the scene and was not injured. No arrests have been made. The victim’s identity has not been released. The incident highlights the persistent risk to people in city streets and the need for scrutiny of how large vehicles interact with vulnerable road users. The investigation is ongoing.

• Box Truck Kills Man In Hell's Kitchen, Patch, Published 2025-04-07

Apr 6 - A Jeep SUV hit a 20-year-old woman in the crosswalk on Broadway. She walked with the signal. She suffered a hip injury. The crash left her conscious, bleeding, hurt in the street.

A Jeep SUV making a left turn on Broadway at W 103rd Street struck a 20-year-old woman as she crossed with the signal. According to the police report, the crash resulted in a hip and upper leg injury for the pedestrian, who was left conscious and bleeding. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No injuries were reported for the driver or other occupants. The impact was to the center front end of the SUV. The data does not specify any driver error beyond the listed contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803767 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 3 - A stolen SUV crashed and burned in Inwood. Two NYPD officers chased it, then left the wreck. The driver died in the flames. The officers returned to their Bronx precinct. They did not report the crash. Both are now suspended.

According to the NY Daily News (April 3, 2025), two NYPD officers pursued a stolen Honda CR-V from the Bronx into Manhattan. The chase ended when the SUV crashed into a building near Dyckman St and burst into flames. The officers 'fled the scene,' leaving the driver, who died in the fire. Surveillance footage showed their patrol car leaving. The officers did not report the incident and finished their shift. Both were suspended as the NYPD Force Investigation Division launched a probe. This crash comes after the NYPD tightened pursuit policies, now allowing chases only for felonies or violent misdemeanors. The department aims to avoid pursuits that 'lead to crashes and injure other motorists and pedestrians.' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said police would instead use 'advanced tools of modern-day policing' to track suspects.

• Officers Flee Scene After Fatal Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-03

Mar 24 - A pick-up truck turning right struck a bicyclist traveling east on West 104th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg injuries, sustaining bruises but remained conscious. The bike was demolished; the truck showed no damage.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:30 PM on West 104th Street in Manhattan. A pick-up truck, traveling south and making a right turn, collided with a bicyclist going straight east. The bicyclist, a 21-year-old male, was injured with contusions and trauma to the knee, lower leg, and foot. The bike was demolished at the point of impact, while the truck sustained no damage. The report lists no explicit contributing factors for the driver or victim, but the collision during the truck's right turn indicates a failure to yield or inadequate awareness by the driver. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious. No helmet or safety equipment was used by the cyclist, but no police report factors cite this as contributing. The focus remains on the driver's maneuver and the resulting severe impact on the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801549 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 18 - Four vehicles traveling north on Henry Hudson Parkway collided. A 73-year-old female driver suffered back injuries and whiplash. The impact involved center front and back ends of multiple sedans. Driver errors remain unspecified in the police report.

According to the police report, at 12:50 pm on Henry Hudson Parkway, four vehicles—three sedans and one SUV—were traveling north when a collision occurred. The 73-year-old female driver of a 2022 Kia sedan was injured, sustaining back injuries and whiplash, and remained conscious. The report notes the point of impact as center front end and center back end among the involved vehicles. All drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead. The police report lists the contributing factors as unspecified, providing no direct attribution to driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No victim behaviors or pedestrian involvement were noted. The crash highlights the dangers of multi-vehicle impacts on this busy roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799708 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 17 - A distracted SUV driver struck a 25-year-old male bicyclist traveling south on W 96 St in Manhattan. The impact hit the bike’s front center and the SUV’s left side doors. The cyclist suffered upper leg injuries and shock, according to the police report.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on W 96 St in Manhattan at midnight. A 2022 Honda SUV was parked and then struck a southbound bicyclist. The point of impact was the SUV’s left side doors and the bike’s center front end. The bicyclist, a 25-year-old male, was injured with hip and upper leg trauma and experienced shock. The report cites "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as a contributing factor to the collision. The bicyclist was not ejected and was riding without safety equipment. The SUV driver was licensed, but the bike rider was unlicensed. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist’s behavior. The crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers in urban environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799476 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 8 - A woman on an e-bike struck in the face by a Jeep at Amsterdam and 108th. Blood on asphalt, city silent. The SUV showed no damage. The cyclist suffered crushing facial injuries in the early morning dark.

A crash at the corner of West 108th Street and Amsterdam Avenue left a 39-year-old woman riding an e-bike with severe facial injuries, according to the police report. The collision occurred at 2:54 a.m. Both the Jeep SUV and the e-bike were traveling north. The report states the cyclist was 'crushed in the face,' her blood spreading on the asphalt, while the Jeep showed 'no damage.' Police cited 'Following Too Closely' as a contributing factor on the part of the SUV driver. The report also lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor. The cyclist was not ejected. The police report does not mention any cyclist behavior as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the SUV driver’s failure to maintain a safe distance, resulting in devastating injuries to the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799968 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 6 - 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

Feb 6 - 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

Feb 4 - A 3-year-old girl was injured when an SUV making a right turn struck her at an intersection on West 96th Street. The vehicle failed to yield right-of-way. The child suffered abrasions and upper leg injuries but remained conscious.

According to the police report, a 3-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of West 96th Street and Broadway in Manhattan around 3:50 PM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2021 SUV, driven by a licensed male driver traveling east and making a right turn, struck her on the right front quarter panel. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor on the driver's part. The child sustained abrasions and upper leg injuries but was conscious at the scene. The vehicle sustained damage to its right front quarter panel. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's actions beyond the driver’s failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790526 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 4 - A Tesla hit a guardrail on the FDR. The car flipped, burned. The driver died at the scene. Her passenger survived but was badly hurt. Debris scattered. Police closed lanes for hours. The cause is still under investigation.

According to the New York Post (2025-02-04), a Tesla crashed on Manhattan's FDR Drive near 70th Street early Tuesday. The car struck a guardrail, flipped, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The article states, 'A female driver was killed and her passenger seriously injured after they were tossed from a Tesla that flipped and then burst into flames.' The driver died at the scene; the passenger was hospitalized in stable condition. Photos showed 'large pieces of the vehicle scattered across the road.' Police have not determined if speed was a factor and continue to investigate. The crash closed all northbound lanes for several miles as fire crews responded. The incident highlights the violent consequences of high-speed impacts and the dangers posed by vehicle ejection and fire.

• Tesla Crash Ejects Two On FDR Drive, New York Post, Published 2025-02-04

Jan 26 - A sedan hit a 31-year-old man crossing Amsterdam Avenue near West 91st. The impact bruised his knee, leg, and foot. He was in shock. The driver kept straight. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a northbound sedan while crossing Amsterdam Avenue near West 91st Street in Manhattan at 12:30 PM. The man was not at an intersection or crosswalk. He suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock at the scene. The police report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The sedan showed no damage and had only the driver inside. No mention of pedestrian safety equipment or behaviors contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790777 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 22 - A 38-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn on Amsterdam Ave. The pedestrian suffered severe abdominal and pelvic injuries. Police cited driver inattention and failure to yield as contributing factors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 9:20 AM on Amsterdam Ave near W 95 St in Manhattan. A 38-year-old male pedestrian was crossing the street with the signal when he was struck by a Chevrolet SUV making a right turn. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The pedestrian sustained serious injuries to his abdomen and pelvis, including fractures and dislocations, and remained conscious after the collision. The report identifies driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way as the primary contributing factors. The vehicle showed no damage, indicating a low-speed impact. The pedestrian's crossing with the signal is noted but not cited as a contributing factor. This crash highlights critical driver errors leading to severe pedestrian harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787754 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 19 - A taxi slammed into a 92-year-old woman as she stepped from a car on West 95th. Her leg was crushed. The driver, distracted, failed to see her. The street bore witness. She stayed awake through the pain.

A 92-year-old woman was struck by a taxi on West 95th Street in Manhattan while stepping down from a vehicle, according to the police report. The impact crushed her leg, leaving her conscious but severely injured. The police report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The driver’s failure to pay attention directly led to the collision. The report also notes the pedestrian was 'Getting On/Off Vehicle Other Than School Bus' and lists 'Listening/Using Headphones' as an additional factor, but only after the driver’s distraction. The cab showed no visible damage, and the narrative underscores the pain left on the street. The crash highlights the danger posed when drivers fail to remain alert, especially around vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791904 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 31 - Taxi slammed into SUV’s rear on W 100 St. Six-year-old boy in back seat suffered neck injury and whiplash. Police cite failure to yield. Child stayed conscious, strapped in by harness.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling east on W 100 St near Amsterdam Ave struck the left rear quarter panel of a northbound SUV at 7:50 AM. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors, both driver errors. A six-year-old boy riding in the left rear seat of the SUV was injured, suffering neck trauma and whiplash. He remained conscious and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. The taxi’s center front end and the SUV’s left rear quarter panel were damaged. No victim actions contributed to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783036 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 31 - A 34-year-old male e-bike rider was partially ejected and suffered head injuries in a collision on Cathedral Parkway. The rider was incoherent and bruised. The crash involved confusion errors by the bicyclist, with no vehicle damage reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 1:35 AM on Cathedral Parkway in Manhattan. The injured party was a 34-year-old male bicyclist operating an e-bike traveling westbound. The bicyclist was partially ejected upon impact and sustained head injuries, including contusions and bruises, resulting in an incoherent emotional state. The report cites 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as the contributing factor, indicating errors on the part of the bicyclist. The other involved vehicle, traveling southbound and going straight ahead, struck the bicyclist at the center front end but sustained no damage. No driver errors from the other vehicle were noted in the report. The focus remains on the bicyclist's confusion as the primary cause of the incident.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784107 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19