Precinct 26: Crashes pile up on 125th and the Parkway

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 9 - SUV veered, struck cyclist on Amsterdam. Rider thrown, scraped up. Police blame improper lane use by driver. Crash left cyclist hurt and exposed the danger on city streets.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old male bicyclist was injured when a northbound Porsche SUV struck him on Amsterdam Avenue near La Salle Street at 4 p.m. The SUV hit the cyclist with its right front quarter panel, ejecting the rider and causing abrasions to his back. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, pointing to driver error. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but the primary cause was the SUV driver's improper lane use. The crash damaged the SUV's front bumper and the bike's left side. The cyclist was conscious but suffered significant injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791438 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

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 - Tesla tore north on FDR. It struck a guardrail, flipped, split, burned. The woman driver died at the scene. Her passenger flew from the wreck. Firefighters battled battery flames. Northbound lanes shut. Metal, fire, speed, and loss marked the night.

NY Daily News (2025-02-04) reports a deadly crash on Manhattan's FDR Drive. A Tesla, traveling at high speed—witnesses estimated 'at least 120, 130 [mph]'—lost control near E. 70th St. The car struck a guardrail, overturned, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The driver died at the scene; her passenger survived. Firefighters and a hazmat team responded to extinguish the burning lithium-ion battery. The crash shut down northbound lanes. The article highlights excessive speed and the dangers of high-performance vehicles in urban settings. Emergency response was extensive, with 60 firefighters on scene.

• Tesla Crash Kills Woman On FDR Drive, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-04

Feb 3 - A westbound SUV struck the rear of a parked bus on W 130 St in Manhattan. The collision caused neck injuries to a front-seat passenger. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash, highlighting hazardous road conditions and driver control failures.

According to the police report, a 2005 Dodge SUV traveling west on W 130 St collided with the center back end of a parked bus. Both vehicles were stationary before impact. The bus was also parked, with damage to its center front end. The SUV carried two occupants, including a 48-year-old female front passenger who sustained a neck injury described as whiplash and was conscious after the crash. The report cites slippery pavement as a contributing factor, indicating loss of vehicle control. No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are explicitly listed, but the collision with a parked vehicle suggests a failure to maintain control under adverse conditions. The passenger’s injury and the vehicle damage confirm the force of impact. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the injured occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790144 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Jan 12 - A taxi struck the right rear quarter panel of a slowing SUV on W 125 St in Manhattan. The SUV driver suffered head injuries and whiplash. Police cite unsafe speed as the taxi driver’s contributing factor. Both vehicles were westbound at impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred around 4:30 AM on W 125 St in Manhattan. A taxi traveling westbound was stopped in traffic but struck the right rear quarter panel of a westbound SUV that was slowing or stopping. The taxi driver’s unsafe speed was identified as a contributing factor to the collision. The SUV driver, a 38-year-old female, was injured with head trauma and whiplash but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The taxi driver was licensed in New Jersey, and the SUV driver was licensed in New York. The impact point was the center back end of the taxi and the right rear quarter panel of the SUV. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785797 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Dec 27 - A taxi traveling south struck a sedan making a U-turn on W 133 St in Manhattan. The impact injured a 27-year-old female passenger in the sedan, causing head trauma and whiplash. Driver distraction by electronic device contributed to the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on W 133 St near Convent Ave in Manhattan at 2:55 PM. A taxi traveling southbound collided with a sedan making a U-turn eastbound. The taxi's left front bumper and the sedan's right side doors sustained damage. The report cites 'Other Electronic Device' as a contributing factor, indicating driver distraction. A 27-year-old female passenger in the sedan was injured, suffering head injuries and whiplash. She was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. The sedan was occupied by two people, with the injured passenger positioned in the middle rear seat or lying across a seat. The taxi had two occupants and a licensed male driver. The sedan driver was a licensed female. The collision highlights driver error related to distraction and risky maneuvers such as U-turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783132 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

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 sedan traveling east struck the rear of a Jeep also moving east on W 133 St near Amsterdam Ave. The sedan driver, a 26-year-old man, suffered full-body injuries and shock. The collision caused center back and front end damage to the vehicles.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 12:40 a.m. on W 133 St in Manhattan. A 26-year-old male driver of a 2011 Honda sedan was injured with bodily harm to his entire body and experienced shock. The sedan was traveling east and impacted the center back end of a Jeep also traveling east. The Jeep had no occupants at the time. Both vehicles sustained damage to their center front and back ends respectively. The sedan driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the sedan driver, indicating driver error but does not specify details such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780349 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Dec 19 - Two sedans collided on West 127th Street in Manhattan during a police pursuit. The driver of one vehicle suffered back injuries and bruising. Police cite aggressive driving and driver distraction as key factors in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 18:35 on West 127th Street in Manhattan involving two sedans. One driver, a 26-year-old male occupant, was injured with back contusions and bruises but was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies aggressive driving and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. One vehicle was involved in a police pursuit traveling south, colliding with another sedan. The impact was centered on the back end of one vehicle and the front end of the other. The driver of the pursuing vehicle was unlicensed, further compounding the risk. The crash highlights the dangers of aggressive driving and police pursuits in dense urban areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783342 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Dec 18 - A black sedan, fleeing police, tore the wrong way down West Third. The driver struck a 44-year-old cyclist. The car did not stop. Medics took the cyclist to Bellevue. The suspect vanished. The city’s pursuit toll grows.

According to the NY Daily News (2024-12-18), a driver fleeing police in Greenwich Village struck a cyclist while speeding the wrong way on West Third Street. The article states, “A wrong-way driver fleeing from police struck a bicyclist in Greenwich Village during a chase.” The suspect, pursued on foot by officers, entered a black sedan and hit the cyclist before escaping. Emergency services brought the 44-year-old victim to Bellevue Hospital; he survived. The suspect remains at large. The piece notes a sharp rise in injuries from police pursuits: 398 crashes and 315 injuries in the first eleven months of 2024, up 47% from the previous year. The NYPD is revising its pursuit policy after ten deaths in cases where “no drugs or guns were found.”

• Wrong-Way Driver Hits Cyclist in Chase, NY Daily News, Published 2024-12-18

Dec 4 - A southbound bus struck its own driver and a passenger on W 132 St in Manhattan. Both suffered abrasions and head or face injuries. The driver was not ejected; the passenger was partially ejected. Police cite unspecified contributing factors.

According to the police report, a 2014 Vanh bus traveling south on W 132 St in Manhattan struck its own occupants at 10:45 AM. The bus driver, a 63-year-old man, sustained head injuries and abrasions but was not ejected, secured by a lap belt and harness. A 38-year-old female passenger suffered facial abrasions and was partially ejected despite wearing a lap belt. The point of impact was the bus's left front bumper, with damage to the same area. The report lists unspecified contributing factors without identifying driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. Both occupants were injured and in shock or unknown emotional status. The data focuses on the vehicle occupants; no pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776531 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Nov 25 - A taxi driver backing unsafely struck a convertible driver on West 125th Street in Manhattan. The convertible driver suffered neck injuries but remained conscious. The crash exposed the dangers of improper vehicle maneuvers in busy city streets.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 21:23 on West 125th Street in Manhattan. The taxi driver, traveling east and going straight ahead, was struck in the center front end by a convertible that was backing unsafely. The convertible driver, a 35-year-old man, was injured with neck trauma and remained conscious after the collision. The report explicitly cites 'Backing Unsafely' as the contributing factor, repeated twice, indicating driver error by the convertible operator. The taxi was damaged at the center front end, and the convertible at the center back end. No victim behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash highlights the risks posed by unsafe backing maneuvers in dense urban traffic, resulting in serious injury to a vulnerable vehicle occupant.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774673 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Nov 21 - A 30-year-old male e-bike rider was ejected and suffered severe leg fractures after an SUV made a left turn and struck him head-on. The crash occurred on West 125th Street near Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan during early evening hours.

According to the police report, the collision happened at 18:15 on West 125th Street near Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. The SUV, traveling south, was making a left turn when it struck the e-bike rider traveling north. The point of impact was the SUV's left front bumper and the e-bike's center front end. The 30-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and sustained fractures and dislocations to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The report cites "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion" and "Pavement Slippery" as contributing factors but does not list any driver license issues. The SUV driver was licensed and operating a 2003 Hyundai SUV. The collision highlights the dangers of left turns against oncoming bicycle traffic and the severe injuries that can result from such impacts.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773724 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Oct 25 - A 55-year-old bicyclist suffered hip and upper leg injuries after colliding with a parked sedan on West 125 Street in Manhattan. The impact struck the bike’s front center and the car’s left side doors. The cyclist remained conscious and was not ejected.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:20 AM on West 125 Street in Manhattan. A 55-year-old male bicyclist traveling eastbound struck a parked 2013 sedan. The bike’s point of impact was the center front end, while the sedan was hit on the left side doors. The bicyclist sustained contusions and bruises to the hip and upper leg, classified as injury severity level 3. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The sedan was parked at the time of impact, indicating no pre-crash movement by the vehicle. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not cite driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. There is no mention of victim behavior contributing to the crash. The collision highlights risks posed by parked vehicles obstructing bike travel lanes or paths.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766419 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Oct 21 - A bus traveling south struck a bicyclist heading east on West 124 Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 37-year-old woman, suffered knee and lower leg abrasions. Police report no vehicle damage and list unspecified contributing factors without victim fault.

According to the police report, a 2016 STARC bus was traveling straight south on West 124 Street when it collided with a bicyclist traveling east. The bicyclist, a 37-year-old female wearing a helmet, sustained abrasions to her knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The bus driver was licensed and operating the vehicle straight ahead. The point of impact was the right front bumper of both vehicles. No vehicle damage was reported. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no explicit driver errors cited. The bicyclist’s helmet use is noted but not identified as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the collision caused by the bus and the resulting injury to the vulnerable bicyclist.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766617 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Oct 21 - A sedan driver, distracted, hit a helmeted cyclist on West 124 Street. The rider, 24, suffered knee and leg injuries. The sedan was undamaged. The crash left the cyclist hurt and exposed.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on West 124 Street near Saint Nicholas Avenue struck a southbound bicyclist at 10:31 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the cause. The 24-year-old male cyclist, wearing a helmet, suffered abrasions and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious and not ejected. The sedan, occupied by two men, showed no damage. No contributing factors were listed for the cyclist. The crash underscores the danger distracted drivers pose to people on bikes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4766612 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Oct 12 - A helmeted e-scooter rider suffered a knee and lower leg injury after a taxi struck his vehicle’s right rear bumper while passing on Broadway late at night. The rider remained conscious and was not ejected from the scooter.

According to the police report, a 35-year-old male e-scooter driver, helmeted and conscious, was injured when a taxi traveling east passed and struck the right rear bumper of his northbound e-scooter on Broadway at 11:01 PM. The e-scooter sustained no damage, but the taxi’s right rear quarter panel was damaged. The rider suffered contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg, with an injury severity rated at level 3. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but highlights the taxi’s passing maneuver as the point of impact. The rider was not ejected and was wearing protective equipment. No pedestrian or cyclist errors were cited; the focus remains on the taxi’s passing action leading to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763032 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17

Sep 23 - A sedan struck a male pedestrian crossing West 125 Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian suffered abdomen and pelvis injuries and was in shock. The driver showed no vehicle damage. Passenger distraction was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2009 BMW sedan traveling east on West 125 Street struck a male pedestrian crossing at the intersection near Amsterdam Avenue. The pedestrian sustained injuries to the abdomen and pelvis and was reported to be in shock, complaining of pain and nausea. The point of impact was the vehicle's right front bumper. The vehicle sustained no damage. The report lists 'Passenger Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating the driver’s attention was compromised. There is no indication of pedestrian fault or other contributing victim behaviors. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4758251 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-17