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

Dec 26 - A taxi veered off Sixth Avenue, mounted the curb, and struck a crowd near Herald Square. Three pedestrians, including a child, landed in the hospital. The driver stayed at the scene. Metal, flesh, and concrete met in Midtown’s holiday rush.

Gothamist (2024-12-26) reports a Midtown crash where a taxi driver, experiencing a medical episode, drove onto the sidewalk at Sixth Avenue and West 34th Street, injuring a 9-year-old boy and two women. Police said, 'they did not suspect any criminality in the crash.' The driver, 58, remained at the scene and was taken for evaluation. Four others declined medical attention. The article notes, 'the driver was driving northbound on Sixth Avenue around 3 p.m. on Wednesday when he jumped the curb and plowed into a crowd.' The incident highlights the persistent risk posed by vehicles in crowded pedestrian zones, regardless of intent or driver health. No policy changes were announced.

• Taxi Jumps Curb, Hits Midtown Pedestrians, Gothamist, Published 2024-12-26

Dec 23 - A police car crossed the line. Metal struck flesh. Samuel Williams, riding his dirt bike, was thrown and killed. Body cam footage shows the officer’s move. Another NYPD car tried the same. The city sent Williams’ family a bill.

NY Daily News (2024-12-23) reports that NYPD body camera footage shows an officer veering into the path of Samuel Williams, a 36-year-old dirt bike rider, during a pursuit on the University Heights Bridge. Williams was struck, thrown, and died from his injuries. The article states, “An officer pursuing dirt bikers suddenly crossed the double yellow line into Williams' path, causing a collision.” Another NYPD vehicle attempted a similar maneuver. The family’s attorney called it a “deadly maneuver” for a minor violation. The city later billed Williams’ family for police vehicle damages. The NYPD has not commented, citing litigation. The case raises questions about police pursuit tactics and accountability.

• NYPD Officer Veers Into Dirt Biker’s Path, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-23

Dec 21 - A 64-year-old female bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries in a crash near Central Park West. The collision involved another vehicle and resulted in abrasions. Police cited other vehicular factors and bicyclist confusion as contributing causes.

According to the police report, a 64-year-old female bicyclist traveling south on Central Park West was involved in a collision at 14:30. The bicyclist was ejected from her bike and sustained head injuries classified as severity level 3, along with abrasions. The crash involved impact to the center front end of the bicycle and left side doors of another parked vehicle. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as a contributing factor, indicating driver or vehicle-related errors. Additionally, 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' was noted, reflecting some confusion on the bicyclist's part but not attributing fault. The bicyclist was conscious after the crash. The report does not specify helmet use or other safety equipment. The focus remains on the vehicular factors leading to the severe outcome.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781115 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 19 - A taxi crashed into two parked SUVs on West 87th Street. The impact hurt a 35-year-old woman riding in one SUV. Police cite driver distraction. The crash left her in shock, with back pain. Stationary cars, moving danger.

According to the police report, a taxi heading west on West 87th Street in Manhattan struck two parked SUVs. The taxi hit the left rear bumper of one SUV and the right rear bumper of another. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. A 35-year-old female passenger in the right rear seat of one SUV suffered back injuries and shock. She was not ejected and wore no safety equipment. The crash damaged the left rear quarter panel and rear bumpers of the parked vehicles. No other contributing factors or victim actions are noted. The report highlights the risk when distracted drivers collide with stationary vehicles, injuring those inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4781623 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 4 - A 72-year-old man on a bike was ejected and hit his head on Riverside Drive. Police cite following too closely. The rider wore a helmet. He stayed conscious. No other injuries reported.

According to the police report, a 72-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and suffered a head contusion after a crash on Riverside Drive at 20:43. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, indicating the bicyclist did not maintain enough distance from another vehicle or object. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, but helmet use was not a contributing factor. He remained conscious after the crash. No other people were injured, and no vehicle damage was reported. The police note the bicyclist was unlicensed. This crash underscores the risk when safe distance is not kept on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776400 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 20 - A 73-year-old woman suffered a head injury after a taxi made a left turn and struck her while she crossed West End Avenue outside a crosswalk. The pedestrian was incoherent and bleeding, highlighting dangers from driver maneuvers in Manhattan streets.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling south on West End Avenue made a left turn and struck a 73-year-old female pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk. The impact occurred at the taxi's left front bumper. The pedestrian sustained a head injury, was incoherent, and had minor bleeding. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the pedestrian but does not cite any driver errors explicitly. The taxi driver was licensed and operating a 2019 Nissan vehicle. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but the report does not assign fault to her. The absence of vehicle damage suggests a low-speed collision. This incident underscores the risks posed by turning vehicles to pedestrians crossing mid-block in Manhattan.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773809 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 18 - An SUV making a U-turn struck a bicyclist traveling east on Cathedral Parkway. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police cited driver inattention and passing too closely as key factors in the collision that caused serious injury.

According to the police report, a 42-year-old female bicyclist was injured when a 2020 SUV, driven by a licensed male driver, made a U-turn and collided with her bike traveling eastbound on Cathedral Parkway at 8:07 a.m. The point of impact was the SUV's left front quarter panel and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist sustained abrasions to her knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The report lists driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing Too Closely' as contributing factors. The bicyclist was not ejected and was conscious after the crash. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers making U-turns and failing to maintain safe passing distances around cyclists.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775985 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 12 - A Ford SUV turned left on Amsterdam. Its bumper struck a 69-year-old woman crossing with the light. She fell. She died there, in the crosswalk, as traffic moved on. Outside distraction and driver error ended her life.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old woman was killed at the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 96th Street in Manhattan. The report states she was 'crossing with the light' in the crosswalk when a Ford SUV, making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. She suffered fatal injuries to her lower leg and died at the scene. The police report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as contributing factors on the part of the driver. The victim’s actions—crossing with the signal—are noted, but the crash was precipitated by the driver’s failure to yield and inattention. The system allowed an ordinary turn to become deadly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771114 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 10 - A 14-year-old boy riding a bike was injured when a northbound SUV struck him with its left front bumper on W 100 St near Amsterdam Ave. The boy suffered abrasions to his elbow and lower arm. The driver was distracted by headphones.

According to the police report, a collision occurred at 5:00 PM on W 100 St near Amsterdam Ave in Manhattan involving a northbound 2020 SUV and a bicyclist. The SUV, driven by a licensed female driver, impacted the bicyclist with its left front bumper. The bicyclist, a 14-year-old male passenger on the bike, sustained abrasions to his elbow and lower arm but was conscious and not ejected. The report identifies the SUV driver's use of headphones as a contributing factor, indicating distraction. No driver errors such as failure to yield were explicitly cited, but the distraction from listening to headphones likely impaired the driver's attention. The bicyclist was not wearing any safety equipment. The bike sustained no damage, and the driver of the bike was unlicensed. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction in urban traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771381 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 1 - A 72-year-old woman crossing with the signal was hit by a sedan making an improper right turn on West 96th Street. The impact caused head injuries and whiplash. The driver’s failure to yield created a dangerous collision at the intersection.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west on West 96th Street made an improper right turn and struck a 72-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and complained of whiplash, with injury severity classified as moderate. The point of impact was the right side doors of the vehicle. The driver, a licensed female from New York, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The report explicitly cites 'Turning Improperly' as the contributing factor to the crash, highlighting driver error as the cause. The pedestrian’s crossing with the signal is noted but not identified as a contributing factor. This collision underscores the systemic danger posed by improper turning maneuvers in busy Manhattan intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771069 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 24 - A Toyota SUV traveling south on Manhattan Avenue struck a 13-year-old girl in the head with its left front bumper. She died on the pavement, her life ended in an instant beneath the autumn sun.

According to the police report, a 13-year-old girl was killed when a southbound Toyota SUV struck her on Manhattan Avenue near Cathedral Parkway. The report states the SUV's left front bumper hit the girl's head as she crossed the street. The incident occurred at 13:49, and the girl died at the scene. The police narrative specifies she 'stepped into the street without a signal.' The contributing factor listed in the report is 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The data does not cite any driver-specific errors or violations, but the impact location and vehicle movement are clearly documented. The report notes the girl was crossing at an intersection but not in a crosswalk or with a signal, and lists her action as 'Crossing, No Signal, or Crosswalk.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766233 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 22 - A 33-year-old male motorcyclist suffered upper arm abrasions in a crash on West 96 Street. The rider was wearing a helmet but was injured due to driver inexperience and distraction. The motorcycle sustained front-end damage in the collision.

According to the police report, a 33-year-old male motorcyclist was injured at 12:50 on West 96 Street. The rider was the sole occupant of a 2016 Harley-Davidson motorcycle traveling westbound, going straight ahead when the crash occurred. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the collision. The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet and was not ejected from the vehicle. Injuries included abrasions to the shoulder and upper arm, classified as injury severity level 3. The motorcycle sustained damage to its center front end. The report explicitly highlights driver errors without attributing fault to the rider's behavior beyond these factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765442 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 21 - A man lay torn and bleeding on Manhattan Avenue, struck at the intersection. No car stopped. Blood pooled as lights stayed green. Sirens came late. The driver vanished, leaving the victim semiconscious on the pavement.

According to the police report, a 34-year-old man was struck at the intersection of Manhattan Avenue. The narrative states, 'Face torn, blood pooling. Semiconscious on the pavement. No car stopped. No name given. The lights stayed green. Sirens came late.' The pedestrian suffered severe bleeding and facial injuries and was left semiconscious. The report does not identify the vehicle or driver, but makes clear that the driver failed to remain at the scene, constituting a hit-and-run. No contributing factors are listed for the pedestrian. The report centers on the immediate, violent impact and the absence of any driver accountability.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765473 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 21 - A sedan’s left turn carved a path across West 96th. A motorcycle slammed its bumper. The rider, helmetless, soared and crashed down. His shoulder shattered. Blood pooled. He stared skyward, awake, pain radiating through the morning air.

According to the police report, a sedan was making a left turn at the corner of West 96th Street and Amsterdam Avenue when a motorcycle traveling straight struck the car’s left front bumper. The report lists 'Turning Improperly' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The impact ejected the 25-year-old motorcycle rider, who was not wearing a helmet, from his bike. He landed hard in the street, sustaining severe crush injuries to his shoulder and upper arm. The report describes the rider as conscious and bleeding at the scene. The collision underscores the danger posed when drivers turn improperly, cutting across the path of oncoming traffic. The police report notes the absence of a helmet only after citing driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4765459 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 20 - SUV crashed into the back of another on Henry Hudson Parkway. A 29-year-old woman in the rear seat suffered neck whiplash. Police cite following too closely as the cause. Impact left her hurt, system failed to protect.

According to the police report, two SUVs were traveling north on Henry Hudson Parkway when one struck the rear of the other at 16:05. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error. A 29-year-old female passenger in the left rear seat of the lead SUV suffered a neck injury described as whiplash. She was conscious, not ejected, and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The collision damaged the center front end of the striking SUV and the right rear bumper of the lead vehicle. No other contributing factors or victim actions are noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764943 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 19 - Two bicycles collided head-on on West 107 Street. Both riders were unlicensed and traveling straight. One male bicyclist suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police cited unsafe speed and driver inattention as contributing factors in the crash.

According to the police report, two bicyclists collided on West 107 Street at 15:10. Both riders were traveling straight ahead, one northbound and one westbound. The male bicyclist, age 23, sustained abrasions to his knee, lower leg, and foot, with injury severity rated as moderate. Both bicyclists were unlicensed, and the report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The collision impact was at the center front end of both bicycles. The male bicyclist was conscious and not ejected from his bike. There is no mention of helmet use or other victim behaviors contributing to the crash. The data highlights driver errors—unsafe speed and distraction—as central causes of this collision between vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4764965 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 15 - An 83-year-old man crossing with the signal was struck by an SUV making a right turn on West 96th Street. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing a head injury and contusion. The pedestrian remained conscious despite the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:43 on West 96th Street near Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. A 2024 Jeep SUV, traveling east and making a right turn, struck an 83-year-old male pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The report explicitly cites "Failure to Yield Right-of-Way" as the contributing factor attributed to the driver. The pedestrian suffered a head injury and contusion but remained conscious. The SUV showed no damage despite the center front end point of impact. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior. This collision highlights the dangers posed by drivers failing to yield to pedestrians at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763982 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 13 - A taxi traveling south on Henry Hudson Parkway rear-ended a sedan, injuring a 43-year-old female passenger. The impact struck the sedan's center back end and the taxi's right front quarter panel. The passenger suffered head injuries and shock.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 15:10 on Henry Hudson Parkway. The taxi, driven by a licensed male driver, collided with the rear of a sedan driven by a licensed female driver. The point of impact was the taxi's right front quarter panel and the sedan's center back end. The report cites 'Following Too Closely' repeatedly as the contributing factor, indicating the taxi driver failed to maintain a safe distance. A 43-year-old female passenger in the sedan, seated in the left rear position, sustained head injuries and was in shock, complaining of pain or nausea. The passenger was not ejected. No other contributing factors related to the victim were listed. The crash involved multiple vehicles traveling southbound, but the primary cause was the taxi driver's failure to keep adequate distance.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763214 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 10 - A sedan turned right and struck a 23-year-old cyclist on Riverside Drive. The rider, helmeted, was partially ejected and injured. Driver’s unsafe lane use and improper passing fueled the crash.

According to the police report, a Ford sedan making a right turn on Riverside Drive in Manhattan hit a 23-year-old male bicyclist who was riding straight. The cyclist, wearing a helmet, was partially ejected and suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report lists driver errors: improper passing and unsafe lane usage. The cyclist’s own confusion is noted but does not lessen the impact of the driver’s mistakes. The sedan’s center front end struck the cyclist, showing a direct hit. The driver was licensed. The crash highlights the danger of unsafe maneuvers by drivers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763409 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 5 - A sedan making a left turn collided with a taxi traveling straight on Amsterdam Avenue. The sedan driver suffered facial injuries from the impact. Police cite driver inattention, distraction, and unsafe lane changing as causes behind the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 23:45 on Amsterdam Avenue involving a 2004 Honda sedan and a 2023 Toyota taxi. The sedan driver, a 46-year-old male, was making a left turn when the collision happened. The taxi was traveling north going straight ahead. The point of impact was the left front bumper of the sedan and the right front bumper of the taxi. The sedan driver sustained facial injuries and was conscious, wearing a lap belt at the time. The report identifies driver errors including 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited. The crash highlights the dangers of inattentive driving and unsafe maneuvers on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763188 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19