No More Names on the 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 4 - A taxi hit a man in the crosswalk. He suffered head and internal injuries. The police cite vehicular factors. The street stayed open. The city moved on.

A taxi traveling north on 3rd Avenue struck a 54-year-old man at the intersection with East 10th Street. The pedestrian suffered head and internal injuries and was semiconscious at the scene. According to the police report, 'Other Vehicular' factors contributed to the crash. The report lists no driver injuries. The only listed contributing factor is 'Other Vehicular.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818384 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 2 - A car hit a man on Avenue D near East 4th Street. The driver sped north and struck the pedestrian in the roadway. The man suffered a fractured arm. Aggressive driving and unsafe speed led to the crash. The street stayed quiet after impact.

A 29-year-old man walking on Avenue D near East 4th Street in Manhattan was struck by a vehicle traveling north. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection when the crash occurred. He suffered a fractured and dislocated arm but remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The vehicle's center front end hit the pedestrian. No information about the vehicle make or driver was provided. The data does not mention helmet use or signaling. The crash highlights the danger posed by speeding and aggressive driving on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4818203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 2 - Taxi swung left on Houston. Cyclist rolled straight. Metal hit flesh. Rider thrown, leg battered. Police cite driver distraction. Streets stay ruthless.

A taxi making a left turn on East Houston Street collided with a westbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 31-year-old man, was ejected and suffered injuries to his lower leg and foot. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor for both the taxi and the bike. The taxi’s right front bumper struck the cyclist. No other injuries were specified for the taxi occupants. The crash highlights the danger when drivers lose focus, as documented in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4820802 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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

Jun 1 - A taxi turned left on First Avenue. A cyclist rode straight. Metal struck flesh. The cyclist, a 24-year-old woman, hit the pavement. Her arm bled. The city kept moving. The driver was distracted. The street stayed dangerous.

A crash at the intersection of First Avenue in Manhattan involved a taxi and a cyclist. The taxi, heading west, made a left turn. The cyclist, a 24-year-old woman, was riding straight north. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The cyclist suffered an abrasion to her arm. The report also lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a factor, but the primary error cited is driver inattention. The taxi’s left front bumper struck the cyclist. The crash left the cyclist injured. The report does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors. The city’s streets remain hazardous for those outside a car.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817574 - 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 sedan hit a cyclist at East 5th Street and First Avenue. The cyclist suffered arm abrasions. Police cite outside car distraction and unsafe speed. The crash left the cyclist injured. The driver was not reported hurt.

A crash on East 5th Street at First Avenue in Manhattan involved a sedan and a bicycle. According to the police report, the sedan was making a left turn when it struck a northbound cyclist. The cyclist, a 41-year-old man, suffered abrasions to his arm and was listed as injured. The police report lists 'Outside Car Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. The sedan's driver, a 35-year-old man, was not reported injured. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but the primary causes cited were driver distraction and speed. No other injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4815813 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

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 20 - A commercial truck backed up on Avenue C. Its rear struck a pedestrian at the intersection. She suffered a back abrasion and shock. The driver and passenger were unhurt.

A commercial vehicle struck a pedestrian while backing on Avenue C at East 12th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was at the intersection and suffered a back abrasion and shock. The driver and passenger in the truck were not injured. The report lists the contributing factor as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the data. Helmet use or signaling were not listed as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814344 - 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 - 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 - A van hit a young woman in the crosswalk on 2nd Ave. She bled from the hip and leg. The driver failed to yield and was distracted. The street stayed loud. The pain lingered.

A 24-year-old woman crossing 2nd Avenue at East 12th Street was struck by a van. She suffered hip and upper leg injuries with minor bleeding. According to the police report, the driver failed to yield the right-of-way and was inattentive or distracted. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal at the intersection. No injuries were reported for the van’s occupants. The crash highlights the danger when drivers ignore right-of-way and lose focus behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813356 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 15 - A taxi hit a man crossing E 13th Street with the signal. The cab turned left, failed to yield. The pedestrian suffered arm injuries and shock. The street stayed loud. The danger stayed real.

A taxi struck a 25-year-old man crossing E 13th Street at 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the taxi, making a left turn, failed to yield and hit him. The man suffered injuries to his arm and was in shock. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. No injuries were reported for the taxi driver or other occupants. The crash highlights the risk faced by pedestrians at intersections when drivers do not yield.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814094 - 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 12 - A 65-year-old man crossing E 3rd Street with the signal was hit. He suffered leg abrasions. The crash left him conscious but hurt at the intersection.

A 65-year-old pedestrian was injured while crossing E 3rd Street at 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, he was crossing with the signal when a vehicle traveling south struck him, causing abrasions to his lower leg and foot. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The point of impact was the center front end of the vehicle. The pedestrian was conscious after the crash. No driver errors were specified in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4812415 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 8 - SUV hit a 25-year-old man in the intersection. He crossed with the signal. Driver failed to yield. Pedestrian suffered hip and leg abrasions. Distraction and inattention led to the crash.

A station wagon SUV struck a 25-year-old male pedestrian at the intersection of E 7 St and Cooper Sq in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the SUV, making a left turn, hit him. The pedestrian was conscious but suffered abrasions to his hip and upper leg. Police cited 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The impact was to the center front end of the SUV. No driver injuries were reported.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811667 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

May 7 - A cyclist struck defective pavement on 1st Ave. He crashed, hit his head, and suffered abrasions. Police cite pavement defects and distraction. The street failed him.

A 30-year-old man riding east on 1st Ave in Manhattan was injured when his bike struck defective pavement. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered a head abrasion and remained conscious. The report lists 'Pavement Defective' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. No other vehicles were involved. The crash highlights the danger of poor street conditions for vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811217 - 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