Five Dead, Hundreds Hurt—Still Waiting for Action

Apr 27 - Francisco Guzman Parra died in a burning car after a police chase in Inwood. Officers left the scene unreported. Family demands answers. Two investigations run. Streets stay dangerous. System failed to protect. The dead remain silent.

CBS New York reported on April 27, 2025, that Francisco Andres Guzman Parra, 31, died after crashing a stolen vehicle on Dyckman Street in Manhattan following an NYPD pursuit. The article states, "NYPD sources said the two officers in pursuit returned to their stationhouse without reporting the crash." The FDNY later found Guzman Parra dead in the burning car. Patrick Hendry of the Police Benevolent Association claimed officers "lost sight of the car and did not know it crashed," but the family's attorney, Jeremy Feigenbaum, said their investigation "has not corroborated the officers' claim." The officers remain on leave as both the NYPD and the New York attorney general's office investigate. The case raises questions about police pursuit protocols and reporting failures.

• NYPD Pursuit Ends In Fatal Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-04-27

Apr 26 - A taxi rear-ended a sedan on Greenwich Avenue. One driver suffered back injuries. Police cite following too closely and distraction. Metal and glass met in the dark. Pain followed.

A taxi struck the rear of a sedan at 70 Greenwich Avenue in Manhattan. One driver, age 23, was injured with back pain. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Following Too Closely' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' Both vehicles were occupied by licensed male drivers. The taxi hit the sedan's back end, damaging both cars. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists driver errors as the main contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4808349 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 24 - SUV hit a 67-year-old man on Greenwich Ave. He suffered arm injuries and bruises. Police list no clear cause. The street stays dangerous for those on foot.

A 67-year-old man walking outside the intersection on Greenwich Ave was struck by an SUV. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered injuries to his arm and a contusion. The SUV's right front quarter panel took the impact. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are cited. The crash highlights the ongoing risk for pedestrians, especially older New Yorkers, even when no clear cause is recorded.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807969 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 18 - A sedan hit a 19-year-old cyclist at 540 Hudson Street. The cyclist was ejected and injured. Police cite driver inattention and improper lane use. The street saw blood and shock. Metal met flesh. The system failed.

A 19-year-old cyclist was injured after a collision with a sedan at 540 Hudson Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash involved 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper.' The cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered injuries to his entire body, with minor bleeding and shock reported. The sedan's left rear quarter panel was damaged. The report lists no helmet use for the cyclist, but only after noting driver errors. The crash underscores the danger faced by cyclists when drivers fail to pay attention and use lanes properly.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807327 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 12 - Two taxis struck on 5th Ave. One driver bruised. Unsafe speed listed. Metal bent. No pedestrians hurt. The street stayed loud.

Two taxis crashed on 5th Avenue at West 9th Street in Manhattan. One driver, a 49-year-old woman, suffered a back contusion. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' was a contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling straight. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The report lists no other contributing factors before mentioning safety equipment. The crash left one driver injured and others shaken, underscoring the danger of speed on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806465 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 - A sedan hit a man crossing with the signal on Avenue of the Americas. He suffered a back injury and shock. The crash left him bruised at the intersection.

A sedan making a left turn struck a 42-year-old man crossing Avenue of the Americas at West 10th Street. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the crash occurred. The man suffered a back injury and was in shock, with a contusion noted. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were specified in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805726 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Apr 11 - Pickup veered on Bleecker. Bike struck. Cyclist thrown, leg torn. Unsafe lane change cut him down. Metal met flesh. Blood on the street. Truck kept rolling.

A pickup truck and a bicycle collided on Bleecker Street at Sullivan Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 32-year-old man, was injured, suffering abrasions and leg trauma. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Unsafe Lane Changing.' The pickup was merging when it struck the cyclist, who was traveling straight. The report lists no errors by the cyclist. The only contributing factor cited is the truck driver's unsafe lane change.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4805728 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 8 - A 16-year-old e-scooter rider struck by a pickup truck on Avenue of the Americas suffered a hip injury. The crash left the teen bruised and conscious. Police cited pedestrian or cyclist confusion.

A 16-year-old girl riding an e-scooter was injured when a pickup truck hit her on Avenue of the Americas at West 3rd Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the teen suffered a hip contusion but remained conscious. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver errors were cited in the data. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804786 - 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 4 - A cyclist struck a pedestrian crossing with the signal on W 13 St. Both women suffered leg injuries and shock. Failure to yield listed as cause. Blood on the pavement. The city moves on.

A cyclist traveling south on W 13 St collided with a pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at 10 Ave. Both the 38-year-old pedestrian and the 33-year-old cyclist were injured, suffering minor bleeding and leg injuries. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was the contributing factor. The report lists no other causes. Both parties experienced shock. No safety equipment was noted for the cyclist. The crash highlights the danger at intersections when right-of-way is not respected.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803596 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 - A pickup truck door swung open. A teenage cyclist crashed. His arm broke. Police cite driver distraction. The street stayed busy. The cyclist was left hurt.

A 17-year-old cyclist was injured on University Place at East 13th Street in Manhattan when a pickup truck driver opened a door into his path. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a fractured arm. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing safety equipment, but this is noted only after the driver’s error. No injuries were reported for the truck’s occupants. The crash highlights the danger faced by cyclists when drivers fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803680 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 27 - A 26-year-old woman suffered facial contusions after an ambulance traveling west on E 14 St struck her outside the roadway near Union Sq W. The pedestrian was conscious and not ejected. The ambulance showed no damage despite the impact.

According to the police report, an ambulance driven by a licensed male driver was traveling straight ahead westbound on E 14 St near Union Sq W in Manhattan at 11:45. The ambulance's right front bumper struck a 26-year-old female pedestrian who was not in the roadway. The pedestrian sustained a contusion and bruising to her face but remained conscious and was not ejected. The report lists unspecified contributing factors but does not identify any driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The ambulance sustained no damage from the collision. The pedestrian's location outside the roadway and the lack of vehicle damage highlight the unusual circumstances of the impact. No victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801687 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 19 - A motorcycle traveling north struck a parked bicycle on West Street in Manhattan. The bicyclist, a 36-year-old man, suffered head injuries and shock. Police cite the motorcycle driver’s disregard of traffic control as the cause of the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on West Street near Christopher Street in Manhattan at 3:20 PM. A motorcycle traveling north collided with a bicycle that was parked facing west. The point of impact was the left side doors of the bicycle and the center front end of the motorcycle. The bicyclist, a 36-year-old male, was injured with head trauma and experienced shock. He was not ejected from the bike and reported pain or nausea. The report identifies 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, indicating the motorcycle driver failed to obey traffic signals or signs. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors were noted. This crash highlights the dangers posed by drivers ignoring traffic controls, resulting in serious injuries to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800068 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 18 - Two SUVs collided on 7 Ave S in Manhattan when one vehicle backed into another parked SUV. Aggressive driving triggered the crash, injuring a 44-year-old male driver with back injuries. The impact damaged multiple vehicles’ bumpers and doors.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 10:56 on 7 Ave S, Manhattan. The collision involved multiple Station Wagon/Sport Utility Vehicles. One SUV was backing up while another was parked. The point of impact included the left front bumper and center back end of the vehicles. The report cites aggressive driving and road rage as contributing factors. A 44-year-old male driver, wearing a lap belt and harness, suffered back injuries classified as severity level 3. He was conscious and not ejected from his vehicle. Vehicle damage was reported on the left front bumper, left rear bumper, and right side doors of the involved SUVs. The report highlights driver errors related to aggressive driving as the cause, with no contributing victim behaviors noted.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799791 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 15 - A bicyclist was ejected and suffered head injuries after a collision on West Street. The driver’s inattention caused the crash. The cyclist, wearing a helmet, was left in shock with abrasions and serious injury.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on West Street near Jane Street in Manhattan at 16:40. The bicyclist, a 28-year-old male, was injured and ejected from his bike. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The vehicle involved struck the bicyclist with its right front bumper while traveling north. The bicyclist was wearing a helmet, which is noted but not listed as a contributing factor. The impact caused head injuries and abrasions, leaving the victim in shock. The report focuses on the driver's failure to maintain attention, leading to the collision with the vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4800489 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 14 - A man emerged from behind a parked SUV on 7th Avenue. A sedan, moving too fast, struck him. His pelvis broke. He stayed conscious on the asphalt as traffic and city life pressed on. The street did not pause.

A 26-year-old man was seriously injured on 7th Avenue near West 13th Street in Manhattan when a sedan, traveling at unsafe speed, struck him as he stepped from behind a parked SUV. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered 'crush injuries' to his pelvis and remained conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the collision. The sedan’s impact was severe, shattering the man’s pelvis and leaving him on the roadway as other vehicles continued past. The police narrative states: 'A man stepped from behind a parked SUV. A speeding sedan struck him hard. His pelvis shattered.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection when the crash occurred. The report does not cite any contributing actions by the victim beyond his location and movement. The focus remains on the driver’s excessive speed, which directly led to the violent outcome.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798757 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Mar 11 - A 31-year-old woman was injured when a westbound bus struck her outside an intersection on East 14th Street. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal. The bus driver continued straight, impacting the pedestrian with the right front bumper.

According to the police report, a 31-year-old female pedestrian was injured on East 14th Street near Union Square West in Manhattan at 3:24 PM. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal when she was struck by a westbound NOVA bus traveling straight ahead. The point of impact was the bus's right front bumper. The pedestrian suffered contusions and bruises to her knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The bus driver was licensed and operating the vehicle properly with no reported damage to the bus. The report lists the pedestrian's action of crossing against the signal as a contributing factor but does not attribute any error to the driver. No other contributing factors were specified.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4799140 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19