Precinct 32: Nights of sirens, days of pain

Feb 4 - A Tesla hit a guardrail on the FDR. The car flipped, burned. The driver died at the scene. Her passenger survived but was badly hurt. Debris scattered. Police closed lanes for hours. The cause is still under investigation.

According to the New York Post (2025-02-04), a Tesla crashed on Manhattan's FDR Drive near 70th Street early Tuesday. The car struck a guardrail, flipped, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The article states, 'A female driver was killed and her passenger seriously injured after they were tossed from a Tesla that flipped and then burst into flames.' The driver died at the scene; the passenger was hospitalized in stable condition. Photos showed 'large pieces of the vehicle scattered across the road.' Police have not determined if speed was a factor and continue to investigate. The crash closed all northbound lanes for several miles as fire crews responded. The incident highlights the violent consequences of high-speed impacts and the dangers posed by vehicle ejection and fire.

• Tesla Crash Ejects Two On FDR Drive, New York Post, Published 2025-02-04

Feb 1 - A 57-year-old woman suffered hip and upper leg injuries after being struck by a westbound sedan on W 135 St. The driver disregarded traffic control and drove at unsafe speed, colliding with the pedestrian crossing legally at an intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:50 on W 135 St near Frederick Douglass Blvd in Manhattan. A 57-year-old female pedestrian was crossing with the signal when she was hit by a westbound sedan. The report cites 'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors attributed to the vehicle driver. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her hip and upper leg and complained of whiplash. The sedan's point of impact was its right front bumper, while a stopped SUV nearby showed damage to its left front quarter panel. The driver errors of disregarding traffic control and unsafe speed directly contributed to the collision. The pedestrian was conscious and injured but was not at fault.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789649 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 29 - A city bus struck a 59-year-old man on an e-bike at Lenox Avenue and West 138th Street. His head was crushed. He died there, unconscious, in the dark, while the city slept. The street claimed another life.

A 59-year-old man riding an e-bike was killed when a northbound bus struck him at Lenox Avenue and West 138th Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The report states, 'A 59-year-old man on an e-bike was struck by a northbound bus. His head was crushed. He died there, unconscious, in the dark, as the city slept around him.' The bus and e-bike were both reported as going straight ahead before the crash. The police report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are specified in the data, but the fatal impact between the bus and the vulnerable cyclist resulted in a deadly head injury. The e-bike rider was not using any safety equipment, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the absence of specified driver errors. The crash took place just after midnight, underscoring the ongoing danger faced by cyclists on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789910 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 24 - A sedan driver suffered neck injuries after a box truck passed too closely in Manhattan. The crash caused whiplash but no ejection. Police cited the truck driver’s failure to maintain safe distance as the key factor in the collision.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 20:24 near West 139th Street in Manhattan. A box truck traveling west passed too closely to a parked sedan, causing a collision. The sedan’s female driver, age 32, sustained neck injuries described as whiplash and was conscious at the scene. The report lists "Passing Too Closely" as the primary contributing factor, indicating the box truck driver failed to maintain a safe distance. The sedan driver was not ejected and was the only occupant in her vehicle. The box truck driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. Vehicle damage was noted as "Other" on the sedan, while the truck showed no damage. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The crash highlights the dangers of close passing in urban traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4789072 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 16 - A sedan traveling east on W 135 St struck its front passenger, causing a severe hip and upper leg injury. The passenger was unconscious and restrained by a lap belt. Driver distraction was cited as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, a 2020 Nissan sedan traveling eastbound on W 135 St in Manhattan struck its front passenger, a 70-year-old man, causing serious injury to his hip and upper leg. The passenger was unconscious and restrained by a lap belt at the time of the crash. The vehicle sustained damage to the left side doors, indicating the point of impact. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead prior to the collision. No other vehicles involved showed damage or injuries. The passenger was not ejected but suffered an injury severity level of 3, with complaints of pain and nausea. The report does not attribute any contributing factors to the passenger’s behavior.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786825 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 11 - A distracted driver crashed into a parked sedan near West 129th Street. The impact injured a 29-year-old woman, leaving her with back pain and whiplash. Police blamed driver inattention and distraction.

According to the police report, two sedans collided near West 129th Street in Manhattan at 12:40 a.m. The Jeep sedan, heading west, struck the left rear quarter panel of a parked Honda sedan. The 29-year-old female driver of the Honda suffered back injuries and whiplash. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary cause. The report also noted 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor. Both drivers were licensed in New York. No actions by the injured driver contributed to the crash. The collision underscores the risk posed by distracted driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4786821 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 9 - A 59-year-old man was struck by an eastbound SUV making a right turn on W 134 St. The pedestrian was unconscious with head injuries. Police cite driver inattention as a key factor in the collision at the intersection.

According to the police report, a 59-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being struck by a 2015 Honda SUV traveling eastbound on W 134 St near Lenox Ave in Manhattan. The SUV was making a right turn when the collision occurred, impacting the pedestrian with the vehicle's right front bumper and causing damage to the right front quarter panel. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal at the intersection and suffered head injuries resulting in unconsciousness and abrasions. The report explicitly identifies "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor to the crash. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle without occupants at the time.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 9 - A 75-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after being struck by a sedan on West 135th Street. The driver failed to yield right-of-way, causing a collision at the intersection. The pedestrian was conscious and crossing with the signal.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 5:40 AM on West 135th Street near St Nicholas Avenue in Manhattan. A sedan traveling west struck a 75-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at the intersection. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, described as contusions and bruises, and remained conscious after the collision. The report cites 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors to the crash. The vehicle's point of impact was the left front bumper, indicating the driver did not stop or slow adequately for the pedestrian. No pedestrian behavior was noted as a contributing factor. The driver was licensed and operating a 2011 Toyota sedan. This collision highlights the dangers posed by inexperienced drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4785197 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jan 7 - A taxi parked on Frederick Douglass Blvd struck a southbound bicyclist on W 131 St. The cyclist was ejected, suffering back injuries and shock. Police cite improper lane usage by the taxi as the cause of the collision.

According to the police report, a taxi was parked on Frederick Douglass Blvd near W 131 St in Manhattan when it struck a southbound bicyclist traveling on W 131 St. The point of impact was the taxi's left side doors and the bike's center front end. The bicyclist, a 25-year-old male wearing a helmet, was ejected from his bike and sustained back injuries and shock. The police report identifies 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' by the taxi driver as the contributing factor. The taxi driver was licensed in New York, while the bicyclist was unlicensed. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the bicyclist's behavior. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper lane usage and parked vehicles in the path of vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787643 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 13 - Four vehicles collide at midnight on W 134th and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd. Steel twists, glass shatters. Three men, belted in, suffer crushed necks and torn flesh. Sirens wail as blood pools on cold asphalt, the city’s silence shattered by chaos.

According to the police report, a violent multi-vehicle collision occurred at midnight at the intersection of W 134th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd in Manhattan. Four vehicles—a Volvo, Toyota, Mini, and NYC EMS truck—were all traveling straight ahead before impact. Three men driving sedans sustained serious crush injuries to the neck and abdomen. The report explicitly cites 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for two of the drivers. The narrative describes the aftermath: 'Three men, belted in, crushed and bleeding. One groans through torn flesh. Alcohol on breath.' No pedestrian involvement or victim behavior was listed as a contributing factor. The crash centers on driver errors and systemic danger, with alcohol and distraction fueling the midnight wreck.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784020 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 6 - Two vehicles traveling south on Harlem River Drive collided front quarter panels. A female rear passenger in the SUV suffered an eye injury and bruising. Police cited driver inattention as a contributing factor in the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Harlem River Drive at 18:45 involving a 2024 Subaru SUV and a sedan, both traveling straight south. The point of impact was the left front quarter panel of the SUV and the right front quarter panel of the sedan. The report identifies driver inattention and distraction as contributing factors to the collision. A female occupant seated in the left rear passenger position of the SUV was injured, sustaining an eye injury and contusions. She was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness at the time of the crash. There is no indication of victim fault or contributing behaviors. The collision highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction on busy roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4778923 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Dec 5 - A 49-year-old man was injured crossing St Nicholas Ave with the signal when a sedan making a left turn struck him. The driver failed to yield right-of-way and was inattentive, hitting the pedestrian with the vehicle’s right front bumper.

According to the police report, at 5:42 AM on St Nicholas Ave near W 141 St in Manhattan, a sedan traveling northwest made a left turn and struck a 49-year-old male pedestrian crossing with the signal. The pedestrian suffered upper arm and shoulder contusions and bruises but remained conscious. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian with its right front bumper, damaging the right front quarter panel. The report cites the driver’s failure to yield right-of-way and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The pedestrian was not at fault and was crossing lawfully. The driver’s errors directly caused the collision and injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4776533 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 27 - A 41-year-old man suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan driver, distracted and inattentive, struck him while making a right turn on West 142nd Street. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection in Manhattan.

According to the police report, at 16:10 on West 142nd Street near Lenox Avenue in Manhattan, a sedan traveling east made a right turn and struck a 41-year-old male pedestrian. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the collision occurred. The report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to his knee, lower leg, and foot and remained conscious after the impact. The vehicle's center front end was damaged, indicating the point of impact. The driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally, but failed to maintain attention, directly causing the injury. No contributing factors related to the pedestrian's behavior were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4775151 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 18 - A sedan turned left on W 130 St, hitting a 14-year-old e-scooter rider. The teen suffered facial bruises. Police cite driver inattention and traffic control disregard as causes.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling east on W 130 St near Lenox Ave in Manhattan made a left turn and struck a northbound 14-year-old e-scooter rider at 15:22. The rider was conscious but suffered facial contusions and bruises. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors for the sedan operator. The e-scooter rider wore a helmet, but helmet use was not cited as a factor. The sedan's right side doors and the e-scooter's front end were damaged, showing the point of impact. The crash underscores the danger of driver inattention and ignoring traffic controls.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4773130 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 18 - Two sedans collided on W 135 St in Manhattan. The impact struck the left rear bumper of one vehicle and the right front bumper of the other. A 29-year-old male passenger suffered head abrasions and shock, remaining inside the vehicle.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on W 135 St near Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd in Manhattan at 4:40 AM. The crash involved a 2024 Toyota sedan traveling north, which was slowing or stopping before impact. The point of impact was the left rear bumper of this vehicle, struck by the right front bumper of another sedan. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error related to vehicle operation. A 29-year-old male occupant in the right rear passenger seat suffered head abrasions and was in shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report does not list any contributing factors related to the victim. Driver errors, including failure to maintain safe distance or attention, appear central to the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772846 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 9 - A sedan rear-ended a stopped SUV on Harlem River Drive. The SUV driver suffered neck and internal injuries. Police cite following too closely and unsafe lane change by the sedan driver.

According to the police report, a northbound sedan struck a stopped SUV on Harlem River Drive at 12:08 AM. The 22-year-old woman driving the SUV was injured, suffering neck pain and internal complaints. The sedan hit the SUV's rear, damaging both vehicles. Police list 'Following Too Closely' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The SUV driver was wearing a lap belt. No actions by the injured driver contributed to the crash. The report highlights driver errors by the sedan operator as the primary cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770017 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Nov 7 - A 66-year-old man suffered chest contusions after a vehicle failed to yield at a Manhattan intersection. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when struck. The driver’s failure to yield right-of-way caused the impact and injury.

According to the police report, a 66-year-old male pedestrian was injured at the intersection of Bradhurst Avenue and West 145th Street in Manhattan at 17:51. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a vehicle, described as unspecified type, failed to yield the right-of-way, striking him and causing chest contusions. The report explicitly cites 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian was conscious after the collision and suffered a contusion bruise to the chest. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted in the report. The driver’s failure to yield created a dangerous situation resulting in injury to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770147 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 29 - A motorcycle struck the rear of a sedan traveling south on W 144 St in Manhattan. The motorcycle driver, a 63-year-old man, was ejected and suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Both vehicles had front and rear center-end damage.

According to the police report, at 19:29 on W 144 St near Adam Clayton Powell Jr Blvd, a motorcycle traveling south collided with the rear end of a sedan also traveling south. The motorcycle's point of impact and damage was the center front end, while the sedan's damage was to the center back end. The motorcycle driver, a 63-year-old male occupant, was ejected from his vehicle and sustained injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot, classified as injury severity level 3. The driver was conscious and reported contusions and bruises. Both drivers were licensed in New York. The report lists no specific contributing factors or driver errors for this collision, leaving the cause unspecified. No victim behaviors or helmet use were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771334 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19