Precinct 32: Nights of sirens, days of pain

Jul 3 - A sedan turned wrong on W 145th. The driver struck a 27-year-old cyclist. She was ejected and injured her leg. Police cite improper turn and traffic control ignored.

A sedan and a bicycle collided at W 145th Street and Frederick Douglass Blvd in Manhattan. The 27-year-old woman riding the bike was ejected and suffered a leg injury. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Turning Improperly' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded.' The sedan was making a right turn on red when it struck the cyclist, who was traveling straight. The report lists no damage to either vehicle. The cyclist was conscious after the crash. Driver errors—improper turn and ignoring traffic controls—are cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825008 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 28 - SUV hit a woman crossing with the signal on Lenox Ave. She suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. Passenger in SUV also hurt. Impact came from the front. No driver errors listed.

A station wagon SUV struck a 69-year-old woman as she crossed Lenox Ave at W 138 St in Manhattan. She was crossing with the signal and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. A 67-year-old female passenger in the SUV was also injured. According to the police report, the SUV was making a left turn and struck the pedestrian with its center front end. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823907 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 27 - SUV turned left. Pedestrian hit. Hip and leg injured. Driver failed to yield. Harlem River Drive, night. System failed to protect the walker.

A 39-year-old man walking at the intersection of Harlem River Drive and West 155 Street was struck by a northbound SUV making a left turn. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way. The pedestrian suffered hip and upper leg injuries and was in shock. The driver and another occupant were not reported injured. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. No other causes or equipment issues were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823832 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 25 - A 14-year-old girl on an e-bike struck by a taxi at Frederick Douglass and 145th. She suffered injuries. Police cite confusion. The street stayed busy. Metal met flesh. The city moved on.

A 14-year-old female bicyclist was injured when her e-bike and a taxi collided at Frederick Douglass Blvd and West 145th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The cyclist suffered injuries to her entire body and was in shock. The taxi’s right front bumper was damaged. No other injuries were specified. Both vehicles were making right turns before the crash. The report lists confusion as a factor but does not detail further driver errors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4826175 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 21 - A bus struck a bike on Lenox Ave. Two teenage cyclists were ejected and hurt. Police cite driver inattention. Metal met flesh. The street did not forgive.

A bus traveling south on Lenox Avenue collided with a bike making a left turn. Two teenage bicyclists, both female, were ejected and suffered hip and leg injuries. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor for the crash. The bus driver and occupants were not reported injured. No other contributing factors were listed. The police report notes that one cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this is mentioned only after the driver error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823822 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 21 - SUV struck a man in the intersection. Driver distracted, lane usage improper. Pedestrian suffered leg injury. Streets failed to protect. Impact left scars.

A Ford SUV hit a 50-year-old man at the intersection of W 128 St and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Passenger Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The pedestrian, listed as 'Other,' suffered a knee and lower leg injury with abrasions. The driver and another occupant were not seriously hurt. The report highlights driver distraction and improper lane use as key factors. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823821 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - A sedan hit a 14-year-old crossing with the signal on Frederick Douglass Blvd. The teen suffered leg injuries. The car’s left front bumper struck. Police cite pedestrian confusion.

A 14-year-old pedestrian was injured when a sedan making a left turn struck him at the intersection of W 129 St and Frederick Douglass Blvd. According to the police report, the teen was crossing with the signal and suffered injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The sedan’s left front bumper made contact. Police list 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors are cited in the report. The driver was licensed and uninjured.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823820 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A sedan and a bike collided at Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd and West 139th Street. The crash left a 20-year-old cyclist hurt, his hip and leg scraped. Both vehicles turned left. Metal met flesh. The street stayed busy.

A crash on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd at West 139th Street involved a sedan and a bicycle, both making left turns. According to the police report, the collision injured a 20-year-old male cyclist, who suffered abrasions to his hip and upper leg. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors are specified in the data. The sedan’s left rear quarter panel was damaged, while the bike showed no visible damage. The cyclist was conscious at the scene. No injuries were reported for the sedan’s occupants. The crash highlights the risks faced by cyclists sharing city streets with cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821938 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A cyclist swerved to avoid a pedestrian in Central Park. He fell. His head struck the curb. He died at the hospital. The pedestrian suffered minor injuries. The crash happened at a crosswalk near 96th Street. The case is under investigation.

ABC7 reported on June 19, 2025, that Salvador Nico-Garcia, 43, died after colliding with a pedestrian while riding an e-bike in Central Park. According to police, Nico-Garcia swerved to avoid a 41-year-old pedestrian crossing at the crosswalk near 96th Street and East Drive. He fell, struck his head on the curb, and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital. The pedestrian sustained minor abrasions. ABC7 notes, 'Officials say Nico-Garcia was on an e-bike and was not wearing a helmet at the time he was thrown.' New York City does not require cyclists over 14 to wear helmets. In Central Park, pedestrians have the right of way at all times. The incident remains under investigation, highlighting ongoing risks at crosswalks and the lack of helmet mandates for adult cyclists.

• Cyclist Killed Dodging Pedestrian In Park, ABC7, Published 2025-06-19

Jun 18 - Waymo will test robotaxis on New York streets. Human drivers will control the cars. State law blocks full autonomy. Officials stress safety. Waymo pushes for legal change. The city weighs risk. Streets wait for the next move.

NY Daily News reported on June 18, 2025, that Waymo will soon test its driverless taxi technology in New York City. The vehicles will not operate autonomously; human drivers will remain behind the wheel, as state law forbids fully driverless cars. Waymo is lobbying for a law change to allow autonomous operation, but the effort has stalled in the State Assembly. Mayoral spokeswoman Sophia Askari said, "Public safety is our first priority, which is why we have strong guardrails and requirements in place on any sort of autonomous vehicles." The city’s Department of Transportation is reviewing Waymo’s permit application, the first under the new Autonomous Vehicle Demonstration or Testing Permit Program. The article highlights the tension between technological ambition and regulatory caution, with policy decisions pending and no driverless operation allowed yet.

• Waymo Robotaxis Begin NYC Street Tests, NY Daily News, Published 2025-06-18

Jun 8 - Two sedans crashed at Frederick Douglass Boulevard. One driver, age sixty-one, suffered a head injury. Police cite illness as a factor. The street fell silent. Metal twisted. Shock set in. The system failed to protect those inside.

Two sedans collided at the intersection of West 150th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Manhattan. According to the police report, a sixty-one-year-old male driver was injured in the head and experienced shock. The crash involved a northbound parked Audi and a westbound Jeep making a left turn. Police list 'Illness' as a contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report does not specify further driver errors or mention helmet or signal use. The incident highlights the persistent risks faced by vehicle occupants on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818914 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 7 - A drunk driver tore through Gramercy. He struck Abdulhekim Esiyok in the crosswalk. Bars kept pouring drinks for the driver. Blood alcohol soared. Esiyok died at Bellevue. The driver hit more people before stopping. The city’s system failed again.

According to the New York Post (2025-06-07), Abdulhekim Esiyok, a 23-year-old Turkish immigrant, was killed while crossing Third Avenue after Mahbub Ali, allegedly intoxicated, drove into him. Prosecutors say Ali drank for nearly six hours at three Manhattan bars, reaching a blood alcohol content of .158, almost twice the legal limit. After hitting Esiyok, Ali continued, injuring a cyclist, two more pedestrians, and crashing into a van. The family’s lawsuit cites New York’s Dram Shop Act, which holds bars liable for serving visibly drunk patrons who later cause harm. The article quotes the family’s lawyer: “The family is devastated. They’re still in disbelief.” The case highlights failures in both driver responsibility and alcohol-serving oversight.

• Drunk Driver Kills Immigrant Pedestrian in Manhattan, New York Post, Published 2025-06-07

Jun 5 - A sedan turned right on West 135th. An e-scooter rider was ejected and injured. Police cite driver inattention and improper turning. Four sedan occupants unhurt.

A crash at West 135th Street in Manhattan involved a sedan and an e-scooter. The e-scooter rider, a 55-year-old man, was ejected and suffered severe leg lacerations. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' contributed to the collision. Four sedan occupants, all men in their twenties, were not injured. The e-scooter rider was unlicensed. The report lists no other contributing factors. Systemic driver errors led to harm for the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4819259 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 4 - SUV slammed into another’s rear on Harlem River Drive. A three-year-old boy and a woman suffered injuries. Police cite following too closely. Metal and bodies took the blow.

A crash on Harlem River Drive involved two SUVs traveling south. According to the police report, one SUV struck the rear of another, injuring a three-year-old boy in the back seat and a 33-year-old woman driving. The child suffered leg injuries; the woman had back pain. Police list 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. Both vehicles were damaged, with the lead SUV hit in the left rear bumper and the second SUV’s front end crushed. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818925 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 3 - A BMW SUV struck an e-scooter at Lenox Avenue and West 138th. The scooter rider suffered a fractured leg. Police say traffic control was ignored. Metal met flesh. The street stayed silent. The system failed the vulnerable again.

A BMW SUV and an e-scooter collided at Lenox Avenue and West 138th Street in Manhattan. The 35-year-old man riding the e-scooter was injured, suffering a fractured leg and dislocation. According to the police report, 'Traffic Control Disregarded' was listed as the contributing factor. The SUV was traveling south, the e-scooter west. The report does not specify which driver disregarded the signal, but the system failed to protect the scooter rider. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore traffic controls and vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817940 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 - 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 - A taxi turned right on West 129th and hit a 17-year-old cyclist. The girl was ejected and injured her back. Police cite failure to yield and driver distraction. The street saw impact. The system failed to protect the vulnerable.

A taxi collided with a 17-year-old bicyclist at West 129th Street and 5th Avenue in Manhattan. The cyclist, traveling south, was ejected and suffered a back injury. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The taxi was making a right turn when it struck the cyclist, who was going straight. The report lists no contributing factors for the cyclist. An 82-year-old taxi occupant was also involved but not reported injured. The crash highlights driver errors and the dangers faced by vulnerable road users in New York City.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817152 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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