Precinct 32: Nights of sirens, days of pain

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 - 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 - A sedan hit a cyclist on Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd. The cyclist suffered arm injuries. Police cite traffic control disregard and unsafe speed. System failed to protect the vulnerable.

A sedan and a bike collided at Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd and W 140th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 39-year-old man, was injured in the arm. According to the police report, both 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' were listed as contributing factors. The sedan’s right front bumper struck the cyclist, who was traveling north. The report highlights driver errors, including ignoring traffic signals and speeding. No blame is placed on the cyclist. The crash underscores the persistent danger facing those outside cars on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805281 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 10 - An SUV hit a woman crossing at W 142 St and Bradhurst Ave. She suffered a shoulder injury and shock. The driver and another occupant were unhurt. No driver errors listed. Streets remain dangerous.

A 55-year-old woman was struck by an SUV while at the intersection of W 142 St and Bradhurst Ave in Manhattan. She suffered an abrasion and upper arm injury, and was in shock. According to the police report, the driver was going straight ahead and no specific driver errors were listed. The driver and another occupant were not injured. The report lists 'Unspecified' as the contributing factor. No mention of helmet or signal use. The crash highlights the ongoing risk to pedestrians at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804900 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 10 - A motorcycle on Lenox Avenue scrapes past. Metal grinds. A woman, helmeted, is bruised. Sirens wail. The street holds the pain.

A motorcycle traveling south on Lenox Avenue near West 142nd Street passed too closely, striking another vehicle. According to the police report, 'Passing Too Closely' was the listed contributing factor. A 27-year-old woman, helmeted and riding as a passenger, suffered a leg contusion. The male driver and another male occupant were not seriously hurt. Both the driver and passenger wore helmets, as noted in the report. The crash left the woman injured, and the street marked by the impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804872 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 7 - Metal screams on Harlem River Drive. Three cars collide. A woman, sixty-six, grips her chest in pain. Others sit silent. Headlights glare on twisted steel. The city does not stop.

Three vehicles—a Ford SUV, a Honda sedan, and a parked Mercedes—collided on Harlem River Drive at night. According to the police report, a sixty-six-year-old woman suffered chest injuries and shock. Other occupants were unhurt or had unspecified injuries. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. All drivers were licensed. The Mercedes was parked at the time of impact. The crash left broken bumpers and shaken occupants. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804437 - 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 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

Apr 2 - SUV and sedan collided on Bradhurst Avenue. Two people hurt. Police cite driver inattention. Metal twisted. Head and chest injuries. Night fell hard in Manhattan.

Two vehicles, a sedan and an SUV, collided at Bradhurst Avenue and West 142nd Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, driver inattention or distraction contributed to the crash. A 46-year-old woman driving the SUV and a 41-year-old man riding as a front passenger were both injured, suffering head and chest injuries. Both vehicles sustained damage. The sedan was making a right turn; the SUV was going straight. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803183 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 24 - A bicyclist suffered a severe facial fracture after an SUV, stopped in traffic, struck him on the right side. The crash left the rider injured but conscious, highlighting the dangers of passenger distraction in urban traffic.

According to the police report, the collision occurred on West 135th Street near Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Manhattan at 5:45 p.m. A 56-year-old male bicyclist traveling west was struck on the right side doors of a stopped 2024 Kia SUV. The report identifies 'Passenger Distraction' as the contributing factor for the SUV driver’s failure to maintain safe conditions. The bicyclist, wearing a helmet, sustained a severe facial injury including fracture and dislocation but was not ejected and remained conscious. The SUV was stopped in traffic prior to impact, and the point of impact was the vehicle's right side doors. No other contributing factors were noted for the bicyclist. This incident underscores the risks posed by distracted vehicle occupants in urban settings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801588 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - A distracted taxi driver merging on W 149 St struck a southbound SUV’s left rear quarter panel. The taxi’s right front quarter panel took the impact. The taxi driver suffered chest injuries and shock, with no ejection reported.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:21 on W 149 St near Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd in Manhattan. A taxi driver, traveling south and merging, collided with a southbound SUV that was passing. The point of impact was the taxi’s right front quarter panel and the SUV’s left rear quarter panel. The taxi driver, a 33-year-old male, was injured with chest trauma and reported pain and nausea. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The taxi driver was not ejected and was in shock after the collision. Both drivers were licensed in New York. There is no mention of victim fault or pedestrian involvement. The crash highlights driver distraction as a critical factor in vehicle collisions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804380 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 21 - A 24-year-old woman was injured crossing West 145th Street outside a crosswalk. A taxi making a left turn struck her with its left front bumper. Limited driver visibility contributed to the collision, causing upper leg injuries to the pedestrian.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing West 145th Street near Lenox Avenue in Manhattan at 12 minutes past midnight. The pedestrian was crossing outside a crosswalk when a taxi, traveling west and making a left turn, struck her with its left front bumper. The report cites 'View Obstructed/Limited' as a contributing factor, indicating the driver’s limited visibility played a role in the crash. The pedestrian suffered internal complaints and injuries to her hip and upper leg but remained conscious. The taxi sustained no damage. The driver was licensed and operating a 2022 Toyota taxi. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the pedestrian’s actions beyond the crossing location. This collision highlights the dangers posed by obstructed driver views during turning maneuvers in busy urban streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801591 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 17 - A 28-year-old man playing in the roadway on Harlem River Drive was struck by an SUV traveling south. The impact to the vehicle’s left front bumper caused knee and lower leg injuries, leaving the pedestrian in shock with internal complaints.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2024 Lincoln SUV traveling southbound on Harlem River Drive at 9:15 PM. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its left front bumper. The pedestrian was playing in the roadway at the time, described as a contributing factor under "Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion." The pedestrian sustained injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot, and was reported to be in shock with internal complaints. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. The report highlights pedestrian error or confusion as a contributing factor but does not cite any driver error such as failure to yield or speeding. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumper. The incident underscores the dangers of pedestrians in non-designated areas on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799765 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 11 - A bicyclist struck the back of a parked ambulance in Manhattan’s 10037 zip code. The impact caused head injuries and bruising. Police cited unsafe speed as a contributing factor. The cyclist was conscious and not ejected from the bike.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 19:28 in Manhattan near 2186 5 Ave. A 46-year-old male bicyclist collided with the center back end of a parked ambulance. The bicyclist was injured, sustaining head contusions and bruises, with an injury severity rated at 3. The report identifies unsafe speed as a contributing factor in the crash. The bicyclist was not ejected and remained conscious after the collision. The ambulance was stationary at the time, and the bicyclist was traveling west, going straight ahead. The bicyclist was unlicensed and not wearing any safety equipment. The crash highlights the dangers posed by excessive speed around stationary emergency vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798880 - 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

Mar 3 - SUV and sedan slammed together on W 135 St. Both drivers and a passenger took head blows and whiplash. Metal twisted. No one thrown. All stayed conscious. Streets turned harsh in daylight.

According to the police report, a 2018 Ford SUV heading east and a 2012 Mercedes sedan heading north collided at 16:15 on W 135 St near Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd in Manhattan. The sedan struck the SUV’s right side doors with its front end. Both male drivers and a front passenger suffered head injuries and whiplash. Injury severity was listed as level 3. No one was ejected. All remained conscious. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified. The crash shows a failure to avoid collision while both vehicles moved straight. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. No victim behavior was cited as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796222 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 24 - A 40-year-old male bicyclist suffered elbow and lower arm injuries after a vehicle passed too closely on W 128 St in Manhattan. The impact caused whiplash and left front bumper damage to the vehicle. The cyclist was not ejected and was riding northbound.

According to the police report, a collision occurred on W 128 St near Lenox Ave in Manhattan at 3:30 PM involving a bicyclist and a vehicle. The bicyclist, a 40-year-old man, was injured with elbow and lower arm trauma and complained of whiplash. The report cites 'Passing Too Closely' as a contributing factor, indicating the vehicle driver failed to maintain safe clearance when overtaking the cyclist. The bicyclist was not ejected and was traveling northbound, going straight ahead at the time of impact. Vehicle damage was limited to the left front bumper. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior or safety equipment. The incident highlights driver error in close passing as the primary cause of the cyclist's injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796221 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 18 - A 25-year-old moped rider was ejected and injured on W 140 St in Manhattan. The crash left him with bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. No other people were hurt. No driver errors listed.

According to the police report, a 25-year-old male moped driver was ejected and injured on W 140 St near Edgecombe Ave in Manhattan at 2:50 PM. He suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The moped, a 2023 Jiaju, was traveling south when the center front end was struck. The driver held a permit license. The report lists no contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. No pedestrians or other vehicles were reported injured. No victim actions were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4793607 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Feb 11 - E-bike hit a 39-year-old man crossing Lenox Avenue with the signal. The rider failed to yield. The pedestrian suffered bruises to his knee, leg, and foot. He remained conscious at the scene.

A northbound e-bike struck a 39-year-old pedestrian crossing Lenox Avenue at West 137th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the e-bike driver failed to yield right-of-way. The pedestrian, who was crossing with the signal, suffered contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was conscious after the crash. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the sole contributing factor. No other causes or equipment issues were noted. The collision underscores the danger when drivers ignore right-of-way at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792164 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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