No More Names on the Asphalt

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 18 - A pickup truck struck a cyclist on Avenue D. The rider, twenty, ejected and bruised, left in shock. Police cite driver inattention. Metal and flesh met on Manhattan asphalt.

A pickup truck collided with a twenty-year-old cyclist on Avenue D in Manhattan. The cyclist was ejected from his bike and suffered facial bruises and shock. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was listed as the contributing factor. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but the report centers driver distraction as the cause. No injuries were reported for the truck's occupants. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to pay attention.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829505 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 17 - A taxi driver turned right at 1st Ave and E 14th and hit a 21-year-old bicyclist. She suffered a head contusion and was injured. Police recorded no driver errors; the bike sustained front-end damage and the taxi showed no damage.

A taxi driver and a 21-year-old female bicyclist collided at 1st Avenue and East 14th Street. The bicyclist suffered a head contusion and was listed injured. "According to the police report, both vehicles were making right turns." Police recorded no driver errors or contributing factors in the data. Vehicle records list the bike’s point of impact and damage at the center front end and show no damage to the taxi. The report lists the bicyclist as conscious and not ejected. No helmet or signal is cited as a contributing factor in the record.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4829508 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 15 - The taxi driver made a U-turn on Bowery and hit a 24-year-old cyclist at East 4th Street. The rider suffered a fractured leg and dislocation. Police cited driver inattention/distraction.

A taxi driver made a U-turn on Bowery at East 4th Street in Manhattan and struck a 24-year-old male cyclist. The rider suffered fractures and a dislocation to the knee and lower leg. According to the police report, the taxi was making a U-turn when the crash occurred. Police recorded 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' by the driver. The taxi's left side doors struck the cyclist; the bike's center front end shows impact. The cyclist was conscious at the scene and was not ejected. The report lists the vehicle types as Taxi and Bike and records the injury as a fractured leg and dislocation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827947 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 10 - A sedan hit a cyclist on Broadway. The driver failed to yield. The cyclist suffered a neck injury and concussion. No damage to vehicles. The crash left one person hurt.

A sedan and a bike collided on Broadway at East 8th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist, a 30-year-old man, was injured, suffering a neck injury and concussion. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' Both vehicles were making left turns. The cyclist was wearing a helmet. No injuries were reported for the sedan's occupants. The police report lists no other contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4827716 - 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

Jul 3 - Two SUVs slammed together on FDR Drive. A young woman and a man suffered injuries. Metal twisted. Pain followed. No clear cause named. The city’s danger showed itself again.

Two sport utility vehicles crashed on FDR Drive in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 19-year-old female rear passenger suffered a knee and lower leg injury, and a 36-year-old male front passenger sustained a neck injury and shock. Both vehicles were traveling south and struck at the center front and back ends. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified. No mention of helmet or signal use appears in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825119 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 3 - Two drivers and two passengers hurt when van and sedan collide on St Marks Place. Police cite driver inattention. Impact leaves injuries and bruises. System failed to protect those inside.

Two vehicles, a van and a sedan, collided on St Marks Place in Manhattan. Two drivers and two passengers were injured. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. One driver was unlicensed. The crash left one driver with a back contusion and others with unspecified injuries. Both vehicles were damaged at their center ends. The report lists no other contributing factors. The system allowed distraction and unlicensed driving to endanger all inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4825115 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 25 - An SUV hit a man crossing Broadway. The pedestrian suffered a head injury. The crash left him in shock. Police list no clear cause. The driver turned left. The street stayed busy.

A 36-year-old man was struck by an SUV while crossing at the intersection of 610 Broadway in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head injury and was in shock. The SUV, driven by a 29-year-old man, was making a left turn when the collision occurred. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors are cited. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but the report does not list this as a contributing factor. The crash highlights the danger faced by those on foot at busy intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4824484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 21 - Two SUVs crashed on East Houston. Aggressive driving fueled the impact. Three people injured. Metal twisted. Pain and shock followed. The street bore the scars.

Two sport utility vehicles collided at 484 East Houston Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, aggressive driving and road rage contributed to the crash. Three occupants were injured: a 35-year-old male driver, a 39-year-old male driver, and a 34-year-old female passenger. Injuries included back and arm trauma, pain, and shock. The police report lists 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as the primary contributing factor. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The force of impact left both vehicles damaged and several people hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822906 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - A sedan door swung open. A cyclist struck it. The crash gashed his arm. Three car occupants unhurt. The street stayed loud. Metal and flesh met on E 13th.

A cyclist riding west on E 13th Street in Manhattan collided with the left side doors of a parked sedan. According to the police report, the crash injured the 35-year-old cyclist, who suffered abrasions to his arm. Three people in the sedan were not hurt. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The sedan was parked at the time, and the cyclist was heading straight. No driver errors are specified in the data. The crash left the cyclist injured and the car's left doors damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822905 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 20 - SUV turned left on E 13th. Cyclist hit. Leg injured. Police list no cause. Streets stay hard. Riders bleed.

A station wagon SUV making a left turn on E 13th Street collided with a northbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 39-year-old man, suffered a leg injury. According to the police report, the crash involved the SUV's left front quarter panel and the cyclist's bike. No specific driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but this was not cited as a cause. The impact left the cyclist hurt and the SUV damaged.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4822904 - 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 12 - A man crossing East 14th was hit by a cyclist. Blood pooled on the pavement. The pedestrian suffered a head injury. Shock set in. The bike rolled on, undamaged. The street stayed busy. The city did not stop.

A 55-year-old man was injured when a cyclist traveling east struck him while he crossed East 14th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was in shock after the crash. The incident occurred at night, away from an intersection or marked crosswalk. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were cited in the data. The bicycle sustained no damage. The crash highlights the ongoing dangers faced by pedestrians on New York City streets, even when no motor vehicles are involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820149 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 10 - A sedan hit a man crossing East 5th Street. The car struck his leg. Police cite driver distraction. The man suffered a bruised knee and foot. The street stayed open. The danger stayed present.

A sedan hit a 38-year-old man crossing East 5th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash happened when the sedan was starting from parking and struck the pedestrian, injuring his knee and foot. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and had no signal or crosswalk. The man suffered a contusion. Systemic danger remains for those on foot.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820152 - 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