No More Names on Asphalt

Jul 22 - A driver tore through Midtown, smashing cars and fleeing police. Metal scraped. Horns blared. The chase ended at Lexington and 50th. Police drew guns. The driver was arrested. Streets bore the scars.

According to ABC7 (2025-07-22), a driver struck multiple vehicles—including a police cruiser—while fleeing police through Midtown Manhattan. The pursuit began after a hit at Park Ave and ended at 50th and Lexington. The suspect, Jose Foster, faces charges including assault, reckless endangerment, and fleeing police. Witness Martina Minor said, "It felt like he was scratching like big noise and I was honking like stop and he kept doing it." The incident highlights the risks of high-speed chases in dense city streets, with property damage and potential harm to bystanders.

• Police Chase Wrecks Cars In Midtown, ABC7, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 21 - A speeding rental car tore through Chinatown. It struck a cyclist and a woman on a bench. Both died at the scene. The car was overdue. Guns were found in the trunk. Charges followed. Debris scattered the street.

Gothamist (2025-07-21) reports a deadly crash at Canal Street and Bowery. A blue Chevrolet Malibu, rented but never returned, sped off the Manhattan Bridge and struck cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and pedestrian May Kwok. Both died instantly. Prosecutors say the car was moving at a 'high rate of speed.' Police found two 9mm pistols and ammunition in the trunk. The driver faces murder and manslaughter charges. The passenger faces charges for unauthorized use and weapons. The crash highlights risks from unreturned rentals and high-speed driving in dense city streets.

• Overdue Rental Kills Cyclist, Pedestrian, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - A stolen car tore through Chinatown. Two dead. The driver, unlicensed, had fled a Brooklyn crash months before. System failed. Streets stayed deadly.

NY Daily News (2025-07-20) reports a 23-year-old, unlicensed driver killed two people in Chinatown while driving a stolen rental. Three months earlier, she allegedly hit a pedestrian in Brooklyn and fled. Police charged her with leaving the scene and aggravated unlicensed operation, but she was released without bail, as the charges were not bail-eligible under state law. The article notes, "The out-of-control driver... had been freed without bail in April after she was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash that badly injured a pedestrian." The case highlights gaps in bail policy and enforcement for unlicensed, repeat dangerous driving.

• Unlicensed Driver Kills Two In Chinatown, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-20

Jul 19 - A Chevy Malibu sped off the Manhattan Bridge, struck a cyclist and a woman on the sidewalk. Both died. The car hit an NYPD van. Two drivers tried to flee but were caught. No officers hurt. No charges yet.

Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu exiting the Manhattan Bridge at Canal Street and Bowery struck and killed a cyclist and a pedestrian at 7:30 a.m. Police say two women in their 20s drove the car and 'initially tried to leave on foot,' but were taken into custody. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. No officers were injured. As of Saturday afternoon, 'the NYPD said it had not filed charges.' The deaths follow a city report of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting ongoing risks for vulnerable road users.

• Cyclist, Pedestrian Killed Near Manhattan Bridge, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-19

Jul 17 - A van crashed in Midtown. Inside: dozens of propane tanks. The street held its breath. Danger rode in silence, hidden until metal met metal.

CBS New York reported on July 17, 2025, that 'dozens of propane tanks were found in a van in Midtown Manhattan after a car crash Tuesday night.' The article does not detail injuries or the cause of the crash. The presence of hazardous cargo in a crash raises questions about vehicle safety checks and enforcement. Storing large amounts of propane in a van on city streets exposes bystanders and road users to hidden risks. The incident highlights the need for stricter oversight of hazardous material transport in dense urban areas.

• Propane Tanks Discovered After Midtown Crash, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-17

Jul 16 - A DOT worker fixing a sign was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near miss in lower Manhattan. The cyclist fled. The worker bled on the street. Police are searching. No arrests. Another morning, another wound.

NY Daily News (2025-07-16) reports a city DOT worker was slashed by a delivery cyclist after a near collision at Broadway and Cedar St. The worker was fixing a street sign when the cyclist nearly hit his truck. Witnesses said, 'They weren't even in the bike lane, they were parked on the corner.' After the argument, the cyclist cut the worker's arm with a box cutter and fled. The DOT worker was treated and released. Police are searching for the cyclist. The incident highlights the dangers of street work and the tense interactions between vehicles and vulnerable road users.

• DOT Worker Slashed After Near Collision, NY Daily News, Published 2025-07-16

Jul 13 - A sedan turned left on Delancey and hit a cyclist. The rider took a blow to the shoulder. Police cite failure to yield. Passengers in the car were shaken. The street stayed loud. The danger stayed real.

A sedan making a left turn on Delancey Street collided with a cyclist traveling straight. The cyclist, a 27-year-old woman, suffered a shoulder injury and bruising. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was the contributing factor. Four car occupants, all in their early twenties, were listed as uninjured or with unspecified injuries. The crash involved a Honda sedan and a bicycle. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The impact highlights the risk faced by cyclists when drivers fail to yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827925 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 6 - A high-speed electric unicycle struck a cyclist on Central Park’s crowded West Drive. The unicycle rider landed in critical condition. Congestion and speed collided. Chaos followed. Bystanders watched. Sirens wailed.

West Side Spirit (2025-07-06) reports a crash on Central Park’s West Drive, where an illegal electric unicycle hit a cyclist. The unicycle, capable of speeds over 40 mph, struck Carolyn Backus, who was riding a standard bike. The unicycle operator was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. NYPD initially charged Backus with leaving the scene, but the charge was dropped. A spokesperson clarified, 'She also remained on scene for about 45 minutes after the crash and waited for paramedics.' The incident highlights risks from high-speed, illegal vehicles in crowded park spaces.

• Electric Unicycle Slams Cyclist In Park, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-07-06

Jun 26 - A sedan struck a skater at 400 Grand Street. The skater took a hit to the chest. Police cite driver inattention. The street stayed busy. The crash left one injured and two shaken.

A sedan traveling east collided with a 45-year-old in-line skater at 400 Grand Street in Manhattan. The skater, wearing a helmet, suffered a chest injury and abrasions. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. Two vehicle occupants were also involved but not seriously hurt. The crash highlights the danger when drivers fail to pay attention. The skater’s helmet is noted in the report, but the primary cause remains driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4823615 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - A sedan hit another car on South Street. A seven-year-old boy suffered a face injury. Police cite reaction to an uninvolved vehicle. Three other occupants were also involved.

A sedan traveling south on South Street collided with another vehicle. According to the police report, a seven-year-old boy riding as a rear passenger was injured, suffering a facial contusion. Three other occupants, including a baby, a 33-year-old woman, and two 43-year-old men, were also involved but their injuries were unspecified. The police report lists 'Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle' as the contributing factor. No other driver errors or contributing factors were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822867 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - SUV slammed into truck’s rear on FDR Drive. One passenger suffered neck injury. Police cite following too closely. Impact left scars on metal and flesh.

A pick-up truck carrying five people slowed on FDR Drive. An SUV struck its rear. According to the police report, one passenger, a 61-year-old woman, suffered a neck injury and whiplash. The report lists 'Following Too Closely' as the contributing factor. Both vehicles were traveling north. The SUV’s front hit the truck’s back. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The injured passenger wore a lap belt and harness. The crash highlights the danger of tailgating, as noted by police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821847 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - Two sedans crashed on FDR Drive. One young driver suffered neck injury. Police cite driver inattention and unsafe lane changes. Metal, glass, pain. The city keeps moving.

Two sedans collided on Franklin D Roosevelt Drive near East Houston Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, one 22-year-old driver suffered a neck injury and whiplash. Five other occupants, including drivers and passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash underscores the danger of driver error behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822738 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - SUV hit sedan from behind on FDR Drive. Three hurt. Police cite unsafe speed and tailgating. Head injury, shock, whiplash. Metal twisted. Night air thick with sirens.

An SUV struck a sedan from behind on FDR Drive in Manhattan. Three occupants were injured, including a 29-year-old driver who suffered a head injury and shock. According to the police report, 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Following Too Closely' caused the crash. The SUV's left front bumper hit the sedan's left rear bumper. No mention of helmet or signal use. The crash left metal bent and people hurt, all due to driver errors listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822868 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - A motorcycle slammed into a car’s side on E Houston and Essex. The rider, thirty-one, bled badly from his leg. The crash left him conscious but hurt. No driver errors listed. The street stayed busy. Metal and blood marked the scene.

A motorcycle and a car collided at E Houston Street and Essex Street in Manhattan. The motorcycle struck the left side doors of the car. According to the police report, the thirty-one-year-old motorcycle driver suffered severe bleeding to his knee, lower leg, and foot, but remained conscious. No contributing factors or driver errors were listed in the report. The car, a Porsche, was traveling south while the motorcycle moved east. The police report notes the motorcyclist wore a helmet. No other injuries were reported. The crash left the intersection marked by injury and damage, underscoring the risks faced by those outside cars.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821837 - 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 17 - A cyclist struck a child crossing with the signal on Delancey. The child suffered a back injury. Police cite driver inattention. The crash exposes danger at Manhattan intersections.

A cyclist traveling north on Delancey Street struck a young pedestrian who was crossing with the signal at Allen Street. The child suffered a back injury, described as a contusion. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The cyclist was unlicensed. The report lists no other contributing factors. The crash highlights the risks faced by pedestrians, especially children, even when following the rules at Manhattan intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822236 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 17 - SUV tore down FDR Drive. Speed too high. Driver lost control. One man hurt, back bleeding. Police cite unsafe speed, distraction. Metal twisted. Shock lingered.

A station wagon SUV crashed on FDR Drive in Manhattan. According to the police report, the driver, a 30-year-old man, suffered back injuries and minor bleeding. He was in shock. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The SUV's left front bumper struck, damaging the right front quarter panel. Other occupants had unspecified injuries. The police report does not mention helmet or signal use. The crash highlights the danger of speed and distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821620 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 15 - A sedan slammed into a parked SUV on FDR Drive. Two men suffered neck injuries. Police cite unsafe speed. The crash left shock and pain in its wake. Metal twisted. Lives jarred. The road stayed open. The danger stayed real.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling south on FDR Drive collided with the center back end of a parked SUV. The impact injured two men: a 46-year-old SUV driver and a 51-year-old front passenger, both suffering neck injuries and shock. The sedan's front end was damaged. Police list 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. No other driver errors are noted in the report. The SUV was stationary at the time of the crash. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Helmet use and turn signals are not mentioned as factors. The crash underscores the risk that speed brings to everyone on the road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820423 - 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