No More Names on Asphalt

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 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 - A van turned left on Avenue C. A sedan drove straight on Houston. The sedan hit the van’s front. One driver suffered a shoulder injury. Others escaped with minor or no injuries. Failure to yield caused the crash. Steel met flesh. Pain followed.

Two vehicles collided at East Houston Street and Avenue C in Manhattan. According to the police report, a van was making a left turn while a sedan traveled straight ahead. The sedan struck the van’s front. One driver, a 37-year-old man, suffered a shoulder injury and reported pain and shock. Others involved, including another driver and passengers, had minor or unspecified injuries. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. No other driver errors or helmet or signal issues are noted in the data. The crash highlights the danger when vehicles fail to yield during turns.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816709 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 - 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

May 27 - A police cruiser swerved from a taxi and slammed into two people eating outside. Sirens screamed. Metal struck flesh. Both diners and officers landed in the hospital. The street stayed open. The city kept moving. The system failed the vulnerable.

According to the New York Post (May 27, 2025), an NYPD squad car struck two people seated at an outdoor dining area on Broadway and West 112th Street. The crash happened when a taxi made a left turn, prompting the police car to swerve. The article states, “The 37-year-old cab driver was given a summons for failure to yield to oncoming traffic.” Both diners and police vehicle occupants were hospitalized in stable condition. The report notes, “It was not immediately clear if authorities were responding to a call when the incident unfolded.” The incident highlights risks at curbside dining areas and ongoing dangers from driver error and street design. The investigation continues.

• Police Car Hits Diners In Manhattan Crash, New York Post, Published 2025-05-27

May 25 - A taxi slammed into a sedan’s rear on the Williamsburg Bridge Outer Roadway. A three-year-old passenger was hurt. Metal crumpled. Shock followed. The crash left one child injured and others shaken. Police listed no clear cause. The danger remains.

A crash occurred on the Williamsburg Bridge Outer Roadway involving a taxi and a sedan. According to the police report, the taxi struck the center back end of the sedan while both vehicles were traveling west. Seven people were involved. A three-year-old girl riding in the left rear seat of the sedan suffered injuries to her entire body and was in shock. Other occupants, including both drivers and several adult passengers, were listed with unspecified injuries or no visible complaints. The police report did not specify any contributing factors or driver errors. The impact was severe enough to damage the front of the taxi and the rear of the sedan. No mention was made of helmet or signal use as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4816387 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 20 - A reckless lane change on FDR Drive left two people hurt. Metal scraped. Airbags burst. Pain followed. The crash cut through the morning calm. The system failed to protect its riders.

Two vehicles collided on FDR Drive in Manhattan. According to the police report, both a sedan and an SUV were involved. Two occupants, a 29-year-old male driver and a 50-year-old female passenger, suffered injuries to their arms and shoulders. The report lists 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the main contributing factor. Airbags deployed in both vehicles. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The crash highlights the danger of sudden lane shifts on city highways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814442 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 20 - City targets 34th Street. Buses get priority. Cars must turn off. Goal: faster rides, fewer crashes. Officials cite 14th Street’s gains—speed up, crashes down. Change comes for Midtown. Riders wait for relief.

amNY reported on May 20, 2025, that New York City’s Department of Transportation proposed a dedicated busway for 34th Street between 3rd and 9th Avenues. The plan aims to boost bus speeds by 15% for tens of thousands of daily riders. Private cars and taxis could enter but must turn off at the first legal opportunity. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, 'After seeing tremendous success on 14th Street where buses have sped up, traffic has virtually disappeared, and far fewer New Yorkers are getting hurt in crashes we are excited to propose a similar design on 34th Street.' The 14th Street busway, launched in 2019, increased bus speeds by up to 24% and reduced crashes. The 34th Street plan seeks similar safety and efficiency gains, with community input shaping the final design.

• City Plans 34th Street Busway Overhaul, amny, Published 2025-05-20

May 19 - An SUV hit a cyclist and a pedestrian at Houston and Avenue C. Both men suffered bruises. The cyclist was ejected. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal. Streets ran red with pain.

A crash on East Houston Street at Avenue C in Manhattan left a 28-year-old cyclist and a 27-year-old pedestrian injured. According to the police report, the SUV was going straight while the cyclist made a left turn. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection. Both the cyclist and pedestrian suffered contusions. The cyclist was ejected and hit his head. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4821843 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 19 - A GMC SUV struck a 46-year-old man at Clinton and Delancey. The pedestrian suffered a chest contusion. The crash left him conscious but bruised. Impact came from the SUV’s front end.

A GMC SUV traveling west struck a 46-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection of Clinton Street and Delancey Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was injured in the chest and remained conscious after the crash. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The vehicle’s center front end made contact. No driver errors were specified in the data. The pedestrian was at the intersection when hit and suffered a contusion. No further details on vehicle type or driver actions were provided.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815711 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 19 - Police handcuff cyclists. Judges toss tickets. Lawmakers protest. NYPD issues criminal summonses for minor bike infractions. Riders face court for actions once legal. Anger grows. The city’s crackdown targets the vulnerable, not the dangerous.

West Side Spirit reported on May 19, 2025, that opposition is mounting against the NYPD’s new policy of issuing criminal court summonses to cyclists for minor traffic violations. Council Member Gale Brewer criticized the move, stating, "A civil summons is a more appropriate response and thrusting people into the criminal justice system unnecessarily is bad public policy." The article notes that some officers issued summonses for actions legalized in 2019, such as cyclists proceeding with a pedestrian walk signal. Many tickets were dismissed in court due to errors by police. A class action lawsuit has been filed by a cyclist ticketed for a legal maneuver. The crackdown raises questions about enforcement priorities and the risk of criminalizing vulnerable road users instead of addressing systemic dangers.

• NYPD Faces Backlash Over Bike Summonses, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-05-19

May 17 - Taxi hit a parked SUV on Stanton Street. One driver suffered back injury. Police list all factors as unspecified. Night, metal, pain, and shock. System failed to protect.

A taxi collided with a parked SUV at 161 Stanton Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 42-year-old male driver suffered a back injury and was in shock. The SUV was parked; the taxi was passing. Police list all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are detailed in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use. The crash left one person hurt and exposed the ongoing risk to road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814558 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 14 - Two SUVs struck on Canal and Allen. One driver hurt, shoulder and arm. Others shaken. Metal and glass. No clear cause. Streets stay dangerous.

Two SUVs collided at Canal Street and Allen Street in Manhattan. One driver, age 47, suffered a shoulder and upper arm injury and reported whiplash. Others in both vehicles were listed as occupants or passengers, with unspecified injuries. According to the police report, the crash involved a parked SUV and another making a right turn. No contributing factors or driver errors were specified in the report. The data lists no pedestrian or cyclist involvement. The report notes lap belts for some occupants, but does not cite safety equipment as a factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813845 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 13 - Police ticket cyclists for obeying walk signals. Law says cyclists can cross with pedestrians. NYPD ignores it. Tickets pile up. One rider fights back in court. The city’s policy stands, unmoved by the law.

According to the New York Post (May 13, 2025), cyclist Oliver Casey Esparza filed a federal lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging officers wrongfully ticket cyclists for running red lights even when they follow pedestrian crossing signals, as permitted by a 2019 City Council law. The suit claims, 'the city maintains a policy and practice of detaining, ticketing, and prosecuting cyclists who lawfully ride through an intersection when the pedestrian control signal indicates white/walk.' Esparza received a $190 summons at Third Avenue and East 42nd Street, Manhattan, despite acting within the law. The lawsuit names current and former NYPD commissioners, accusing them of knowingly violating civil rights. The article notes a sharp rise in tickets for cyclists in early 2025. The NYPD declined to comment. The case highlights a gap between city law and police enforcement, raising questions about policy compliance and systemic accountability.

• Cyclist Sues NYPD Over Red Light Tickets, New York Post, Published 2025-05-13

May 10 - A sedan struck an e-scooter on Columbia Street. The scooter rider took the hit in the abdomen. Police cite driver inattention. Three car occupants unhurt. The street stays dangerous.

A sedan making a left turn collided with an e-scooter on Columbia Street at Stanton. The 50-year-old e-scooter rider suffered an abdominal injury. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. Three people in the sedan, including the driver and two passengers, were not injured. The e-scooter rider was the only person hurt in the crash. The report lists no errors for the scooter rider. The crash highlights the risk for vulnerable road users when drivers fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812257 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 10 - Sedan struck SUV at E Houston and Avenue D. Driver ran traffic control, turned wrong. Two rear passengers suffered head injuries. Metal and glass scattered. Sirens cut the night.

A sedan collided with an SUV at E Houston Street and Avenue D in Manhattan. Two rear passengers, a 43-year-old man and woman, suffered head injuries. According to the police report, the driver disregarded traffic control and turned improperly. These driver errors—'Traffic Control Disregarded' and 'Turning Improperly'—led to the crash. The impact hit the SUV’s right side and the sedan’s front. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. Passengers wore lap belts. The crash left two hurt and exposed the danger of ignoring signals.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811671 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 8 - Two SUVs crashed on the Manhattan Bridge Lower. Driver distraction led to impact. Two men injured. Metal twisted. Sirens echoed. Pain and shock followed in the night.

Two station wagons collided on the Manhattan Bridge Lower level. According to the police report, both vehicles were traveling west when the crash occurred. Two men, ages 38 and 75, suffered injuries. The 38-year-old driver reported arm pain and shock. The 75-year-old, riding outside a vehicle, was semiconscious with fractures and dislocations. Police cited 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Outside Car Distraction' as contributing factors. No other causes were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811799 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 8 - A box truck reversed on Madison Street. It struck a 34-year-old man crossing outside a crosswalk. The man suffered arm abrasions. The truck showed no damage.

A box truck, backing southwest on Madison Street, hit a 34-year-old pedestrian who was crossing outside a crosswalk. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered abrasions to his arm and remained conscious. The report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. The truck sustained no damage. No driver errors were recorded in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811438 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - Six died when a sightseeing helicopter shattered midair over the Hudson. The fuselage, rotor, and tail tore loose. Loud bangs echoed. The craft plunged. No black box. No warning. Only fragments and silence left behind.

NY Daily News reported on May 7, 2025, that federal officials released images showing a sightseeing helicopter breaking apart in midair before crashing into the Hudson River, killing six. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report details how the Bell 206L-4 split into three pieces: 'the fuselage, the main rotor system, and the tail boom.' Witnesses heard 'several loud 'bangs'' before the breakup. The helicopter had flown eight tours that day, all with the same pilot, who had less than 50 hours in this model. The aircraft had a prior maintenance issue with its transmission assembly and lacked flight data recorders. The NTSB noted the pilot wore video-capable sunglasses, but they remain missing. The crash highlights gaps in oversight and the risks of repeated tour flights without robust recording or inspection requirements.

• Helicopter Breaks Apart Over Hudson River, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-07