Harlem Bleeds While Leaders Wait: Slow the Cars Now

Three dead in two weeks. Cyclist crushed in Soho. Pedestrian killed crossing Woodhaven. Another cyclist struck by fire truck in Queens. Protected lanes grow, but streets remain perilous. City claims progress. The toll mounts. The danger persists.

amNY reported on May 4, 2025, that a surge in deadly collisions has struck New York City as spring brings more cyclists and pedestrians to the streets. On May 1, a cyclist died after hitting a van's open door and being thrown under a truck at Broome and Centre Streets. On April 25, a motorcyclist struck and killed Breanna Henderson as she crossed Woodhaven Boulevard. On April 19, a fire truck responding to an emergency collided with a cyclist, who died at the scene. The article notes, 'each of which is under investigation by the NYPD.' The city’s Department of Transportation points to expanded protected bike lanes—87.5 miles added in three years—and new barriers, but the recent deaths highlight ongoing systemic risks for vulnerable road users.

• Spring Collisions Expose Street Dangers, amny, Published 2025-05-04

Two sedans collided on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd. Passengers suffered back and neck injuries. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The street bore the brunt. Metal twisted. People hurt.

Two sedans crashed on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd at West 120th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, both drivers were cited for 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience.' A 29-year-old passenger suffered back injuries and shock. A 28-year-old driver sustained neck injuries and shock. Both were wearing lap belts and harnesses. The crash left others with unspecified injuries. The report lists driver distraction and inexperience as the main contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810363 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.

According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.

• E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-03

SUV hit a cyclist at Lenox and West 118. Cyclist hurt, back injured. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. Metal met flesh. Pain followed. System failed again.

A cyclist riding east on West 118 Street was struck by a northbound SUV at Lenox Avenue in Manhattan. The 26-year-old cyclist suffered a back injury and reported pain and shock. According to the police report, driver inattention and failure to yield right-of-way contributed to the crash. The SUV's left front bumper hit the bike's center back end. No injuries were reported for the SUV occupants. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as factors, but driver errors are clear: inattention and failure to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809800 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A man on an e-bike struck a van door on Broome Street. The door swung open. He fell into the path of a box truck. The truck ran him over. Medics tried to save him. He died at Bellevue Hospital.

NY Daily News reported on May 1, 2025, that an e-bike rider died in Manhattan after being doored by a Mercedes van and then run over by a box truck. The crash happened around 10:10 a.m. on Broome Street near Centre Street. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy. I only saw the accident." The collision forced the cyclist into the path of a red delivery truck, which then struck him. The 54-year-old truck driver stayed at the scene. Police had not determined if charges would be filed. The article highlights the lethal risk of dooring and the vulnerability of cyclists in mixed traffic. The incident underscores systemic dangers at curbside and the consequences of inattentive door opening.

• E-Bike Rider Killed After Van Door Crash, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-01

A sedan hit a woman and a toddler crossing Frederick Douglass Blvd. Both suffered bruises. Police cite driver inattention. The street remains dangerous for those on foot.

A sedan traveling west on Frederick Douglass Blvd struck two pedestrians—a 38-year-old woman and a 2-year-old girl—at the intersection with W 111 St in Manhattan. Both pedestrians were injured, suffering contusions to the neck and head. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion.' The sedan's front end struck the pedestrians. No injuries were reported for the driver or vehicle occupant. The crash highlights the ongoing risk for vulnerable road users at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809592 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A woman crossed Amsterdam Avenue. An ambulance turned left. Metal struck flesh. Bones broke. Blood spilled. She died in the hospital. The driver stayed, but charges followed. The street remains wide, busy, and dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 29, 2025, that Juan Santana, an ambulance driver, was arrested months after fatally striking Miriam Reinharth, 69, in Manhattan. Police said Santana failed to yield as Reinharth crossed Amsterdam Avenue at West 96th Street. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad found Santana turned left into her path. He was charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. Reinharth died from severe injuries, including a broken leg and pelvis fractures. The article notes, 'The police officer said the accident was not Miriam's fault at all.' The crash occurred on a double-wide, truck route artery, highlighting ongoing risks for pedestrians at busy intersections.

• Ambulance Driver Charged After Fatal Turn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-29

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

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

SUV turned right on Adam Clayton Powell. Two pedestrians crossing with signal hit. Both injured. Police cite driver inattention and failure to yield. Impact at right front bumper. System failed to protect walkers.

An SUV making a right turn at Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd and W 124 St struck two pedestrians, a woman and a young boy, as they crossed with the signal. Both pedestrians were injured, suffering leg and unknown injuries. According to the police report, the driver was inattentive and failed to yield the right-of-way. The impact occurred at the vehicle's right front bumper. No vehicle damage was reported. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The system allowed danger at the crosswalk, leaving pedestrians exposed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804750 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A distracted driver slammed into parked SUVs on Central Park North. His vehicle flipped. He suffered a head injury. The crash left three parked cars damaged. Driver inattention and bad lane use fueled the wreck.

According to the police report, a 43-year-old man driving a 2024 GMC SUV eastbound on Central Park North struck several parked SUVs at 6:50 AM. The impact overturned his vehicle and injured him with a head abrasion. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. Three parked SUVs—a 2023 Chevrolet, a 2018 Volkswagen, and a 2010 Hyundai—were damaged. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The police report highlights driver distraction and improper lane use as primary causes. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801341 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Manhattan crash on W 125 St injured a 28-year-old sedan driver. The driver suffered knee and lower leg injuries and whiplash. Police cited outside car distraction and a defective accelerator as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on W 125 St in Manhattan at 12:50. The injured party was a 28-year-old male sedan driver who sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, along with whiplash. The driver was conscious and restrained by a lap belt and harness. The report identifies 'Outside Car Distraction' and a 'Defective Accelerator' as contributing factors to the crash. The sedan was initially parked and suffered damage to its center back end. The collision involved a power shovel vehicle traveling west and a postal truck parked eastbound. The report highlights driver errors related to distraction and vehicle malfunction, with no mention of victim fault or contributing victim behaviors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800198 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Dodge Charger struck a street sweeper, spun out, and pinned an NYPD officer against his patrol car in the West Village. Both the officer and the driver landed in the hospital. The street saw chaos, metal, and speed.

NY Daily News (March 14, 2025) reports a crash at W. 13th St and Seventh Ave. A Dodge Charger, heading south, changed lanes and hit a street sweeper. The car spun several times and pinned a uniformed officer between vehicles. Surveillance footage showed the Charger 'appeared to be speeding,' according to a witness. The officer tried to escape but was struck. Both the officer and driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries. No charges have been filed. The incident highlights the dangers of lane changes and speed on city streets, raising questions about enforcement and street design.

• Officer Pinned By Spinning Dodge Charger, NY Daily News, Published 2025-03-14

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

A 22-year-old man crashed a sedan on Cathedral Parkway. He suffered head wounds and confusion. Police cited alcohol involvement. The car’s front end was smashed. No others were hurt.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male driver with a permit license crashed a 2019 sedan traveling north on Cathedral Parkway in Manhattan at 1:30 a.m. The sedan’s center front end was damaged and the airbag deployed. The driver suffered head injuries, minor bleeding, and was incoherent at the scene. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. No other vehicles, pedestrians, or passengers were involved or injured. The crash underscores the danger of impaired driving, as documented in the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795405 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound SUV struck a 20-year-old woman outside an intersection on St Nicholas Ave. She suffered back abrasions. Police cite driver distraction. The pedestrian was conscious. The SUV was undamaged.

According to the police report, a 2013 Hyundai SUV traveling north on St Nicholas Ave hit a 20-year-old female pedestrian outside an intersection near W 115 St. The woman suffered back abrasions and was conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The SUV was going straight and struck her with its center front end. The pedestrian's injury was classified as moderate. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a secondary factor, but the primary cause remains the driver's distraction. The SUV sustained no damage.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4795404 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 68-year-old woman suffered head injuries and shock after an SUV struck her at an intersection on West 125th Street. The driver was making a left turn and distracted, hitting the pedestrian crossing with the signal. Abrasions marked the impact.

According to the police report, a 68-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of West 125th Street and St Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a 2023 SUV, driven by a licensed female driver from Delaware, was making a left turn and struck her with the vehicle's center front end. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained head injuries and abrasions, and was in shock at the scene. The vehicle sustained damage to its center front end. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian were noted. This collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving during turning maneuvers in busy intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793497 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

A 22-year-old bicyclist was ejected and suffered head abrasions after a collision with an SUV on West 125th Street. The SUV driver disregarded traffic control, striking the cyclist during a left turn. The crash left the cyclist injured but conscious.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 6:00 PM on West 125th Street in Manhattan. A 22-year-old male bicyclist was making a left turn northwest when his bike collided with a westbound 2007 Toyota SUV going straight ahead. The point of impact was the center front end of both vehicles. The bicyclist was ejected and sustained head abrasions, classified as injury severity level 3, but remained conscious. The report identifies the SUV driver’s failure as 'Traffic Control Disregarded,' indicating the driver ignored traffic signals or signs, leading to the collision. No contributing factors were attributed to the bicyclist. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers disregarding traffic controls, resulting in serious injuries to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791526 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04