Bowery and Canal: two deaths, a promise, and a corridor still lethal

Aug 20 - A taxi drove south and hit a westbound cyclist at Mercer and West Houston. The crash cut her leg. She stayed conscious. The car kept its nose clean; her body paid. A control was ignored. Streets turned sharp and small.

A southbound taxi and a westbound cyclist collided at Mercer St and W Houston St in Manhattan. The 31-year-old bicyclist suffered severe leg lacerations and was conscious. According to the police report, the contributing factor was “Traffic Control Disregarded.” The data shows the taxi’s center front hit the bike’s left front, indicating the motorist drove straight into the cyclist’s path. These are driver errors that endanger people outside the car. Only after those failures does the record note the cyclist listed “None” for safety equipment, which did not cause the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4836490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Aug 14 - A passenger opened a right-side door on Liberty St. A 58-year-old man on a bike struck the door, was ejected and suffered severe lacerations to his arm. Police recorded passenger distraction as the contributing factor.

A 58-year-old man riding a bicycle southwest on Liberty St at South End Ave struck a right-side door and was ejected. He suffered severe lacerations to his elbow and lower arm. According to the police report, the contributing factor was "Passenger Distraction." Police recorded Passenger Distraction as the listed driver error. The report cites point of impact at the right-side doors and lists the bicyclist as injured and ejected. No other driver behaviors are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4837871 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 24 - A Toyota Sienna struck a 70-year-old man crossing Grand Street. The crash left him with crushed legs. The driver was unhurt. The street stayed busy. The city moved on.

A 2017 Toyota Sienna, driven by a 65-year-old man, struck a 70-year-old pedestrian at the intersection of Grand Street in Manhattan. The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his lower legs. According to the police report, the pedestrian was crossing against the signal. The driver was not injured. The report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No vehicle damage was noted. The crash highlights the danger faced by pedestrians at city intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4830262 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Jul 22 - A rented sedan sped off the Manhattan Bridge. It struck a cyclist and a pedestrian on Canal Street. Both died at the scene. Police found alcohol and guns in the car. The driver tried to flee. The city failed to keep them safe.

Gothamist (2025-07-22) reports a Staten Island driver, Autumn Ascencio Romero, faces murder and other charges after killing a cyclist and a pedestrian in Chinatown. Prosecutors say she lost control of a rented car at high speed, striking Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok. Police found 'an open bottle of tequila in the car’s passenger area' and two pistols in the trunk. Witnesses saw the driver and a passenger try to flee. Romero had been charged in a prior Brooklyn crash involving a suspended license. The case highlights repeated driver offenses and gaps in enforcement.

• Driver Held After Chinatown Crash Kills Two, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-22

Jul 21 - A stolen car tore through Bowery and Canal. It struck Kevin Cruickshank, a cyclist, and May Kwok, seated on a bench. Both died. The driver fled. Canal Street remains a deadly corridor for walkers and riders.

According to the New York Post (2025-07-21), a stolen Chevy Malibu sped through a median at Bowery and Canal, killing cyclist Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok, who sat on a bench. The driver, Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero, and a passenger fled but were caught. Police found drugs and alcohol in the car. The article quotes Families for Safe Streets: 'Canal Street is one of the most dangerous streets in all of Manhattan—notorious for pedestrian and cyclist fatalities—and a comprehensive redesign is needed to prioritize safety.' The crash highlights ongoing risks from reckless driving and the urgent need for safer street design.

• Stolen Car Kills Cyclist, Bench Sitter, New York Post, Published 2025-07-21

Jul 20 - A cyclist pedaled through Bowery and Canal. A speeding car lost control. Metal struck flesh. The rider died. Streets stayed loud. Danger lingered.

CBS New York (2025-07-20) reports that Kevin Cruickshank, 55, was killed while cycling at Bowery and Canal. Police said a 'speeding car lost control and struck him.' The crash highlights the ongoing risk to cyclists at busy intersections. The article notes the victim's identity and the circumstances but does not detail any charges. The incident underscores the threat posed by speeding vehicles and the need for stronger street safety measures.

• Cyclist Killed By Speeding Car In Chinatown, CBS New York, Published 2025-07-20

Jul 19 - A Chevy sedan struck a cyclist and a pedestrian at Canal and Bowery. Both died at the scene. The drivers tried to flee but were caught. Metal twisted. Lives ended. The street stayed dangerous.

Gothamist (2025-07-19) reports a Chevy Malibu killed a cyclist and a pedestrian near the Manhattan Bridge at 7:30 a.m. Police say the car 'slammed into the two victims.' Two women driving the car tried to flee but were detained. No charges were filed by Saturday afternoon. The crash also damaged an NYPD van. The deaths follow recent city claims of record-low traffic fatalities, highlighting persistent risk at busy crossings.

• Chevy Sedan Kills Two Near Manhattan Bridge, Gothamist, Published 2025-07-19

Jul 17 - A DOT worker fixing a sign near a bike lane was slashed by an e-bike rider with a box cutter. Blood on Broadway. The rider fled. The worker survived. No arrests. The city keeps moving.

According to amny (2025-07-17), a DOT worker was attacked by an e-bike rider at Broadway and Cedar Street while repairing a street sign. Police said the worker backed up his truck, nearly causing a crash with the cyclist. The rider then "whipped out a box cutter and slashed the worker in his left arm and back." The assailant fled. DOT condemned the attack, calling it "abhorrent." No arrests have been made. The incident highlights tensions at work sites near bike lanes and underscores the need for safe conditions for street workers.

• DOT Worker Slashed By E-Biker Downtown, amny, Published 2025-07-17

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 2025-09-18

Jun 13 - Senate passes S 8344. School speed zone rules in New York City get extended. Lawmakers make technical fixes. The bill keeps pressure on drivers near schools. Streets stay a little safer for kids.

Bill S 8344, titled 'Extends provisions and makes technical corrections to school speed zones in NYC; repealer,' moved through the Senate and Assembly in June 2025. Sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes, the bill passed Senate votes on June 12 and June 13, and cleared the Assembly on June 17. The measure extends and corrects school speed zone laws in New York City, repealing outdated provisions. Gounardes led the push, with strong support from most Senate Democrats and a split Assembly. The bill's technical fixes aim to keep protections in place for children and other vulnerable road users near schools. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8344, Open States, Published 2025-06-13

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 2025-09-18

Jun 12 - Senate backs S 4045. Repeat speeders face forced installation of speed assistance tech. Eleven points or six camera tickets triggers action. Law targets reckless drivers. Streets may get safer for those outside the car.

Senate bill S 4045, sponsored by Andrew Gounardes and co-sponsored by over two dozen senators, passed committee votes on June 11 and June 12, 2025. The bill, titled 'Relates to requiring the installation of intelligent speed assistance devices for repeated violation of maximum speed limits,' mandates these devices for drivers who rack up eleven or more points in 24 months, or six speed or red light camera tickets in a year. The measure aims to curb repeat dangerous driving. Senators including Jamaal Bailey, Jabari Brisport, and others voted yes. The bill targets drivers with a pattern of violations, seeking to cut risk for pedestrians and cyclists by limiting repeat speeding.

• File S 4045, Open States, Published 2025-06-12

May 20 - A sedan hit a pedestrian on Bleecker Street. The man suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. The crash left him semiconscious. No driver errors listed. Streets remain dangerous.

A sedan traveling east struck a 26-year-old man on Bleecker Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was not at an intersection and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding, leaving him semiconscious. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The driver and passengers in the sedan were not reported injured. The only injury recorded was to the pedestrian, who was in the roadway at the time of the crash. The data does not mention helmet use or signaling as factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814350 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 13 - Police now hand out criminal summonses to cyclists for traffic violations. Fines become court dates. Advocates warn of escalation. Lawmakers push for e-bike registration after a fatal crash. Streets grow tense. Riders and pedestrians caught in the crossfire.

West Side Spirit reported on May 13, 2025, that NYPD has begun issuing criminal summonses, not just traffic tickets, to cyclists and e-bike riders for violations like running red lights or riding on sidewalks. The change means accused riders must appear in criminal court, not just pay a fine. The move follows the death of Priscilla Loke, struck by an e-bike in 2023. Advocates like Transportation Alternatives call the new policy 'a dangerous escalation.' The NYC E-Vehicle Safety Alliance urges lawmakers to require license plates for e-bikes and scooters. The article notes, 'Under the new policy, a person issued a criminal summons must turn up in person in criminal court.' The shift highlights growing tension over enforcement and the push for stricter regulation after high-profile crashes.

• NYPD Issues Criminal Summonses To Cyclists, West Side Spirit, Published 2025-05-13

May 10 - An SUV struck a cyclist on Canal Street. The rider suffered severe head cuts. Police cite driver inattention and inexperience. The crash left the cyclist bleeding, the SUV undamaged.

A crash on Canal Street in Manhattan left a 23-year-old cyclist with severe head lacerations. According to the police report, an SUV traveling west struck the cyclist, who was making a left turn. The cyclist was partially ejected and injured. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The SUV driver was licensed and uninjured. No damage was reported to the SUV. The cyclist was not using safety equipment, but the report centers driver error as the cause.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811770 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

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

May 3 - A van door swung open. The cyclist struck it. He fell. A truck crushed him. Medics rushed him to Bellevue. He died. The street stayed busy. The drivers waited. The city moved on.

According to NY Daily News (May 3, 2025), Georgios Smaragdis, 44, was killed while riding his e-bike west on Broome Street in Soho. The article states, "he slammed into the door of a Mercedes van that its driver had just flung open," sending him into the path of a red delivery truck that ran him over. Both drivers remained at the scene. The van driver told the outlet, "I opened the door. I didn’t even see the guy." Police have not announced charges. The crash highlights the persistent danger of dooring and the lethal consequences for cyclists when drivers fail to check for oncoming traffic before opening doors. The incident underscores ongoing risks for vulnerable road users in Manhattan’s dense traffic.

• E-Bike Rider Killed After Dooring in Soho, NY Daily News, Published 2025-05-03

May 1 - E-bike struck a woman crossing at Chambers and Church. She fell, hit her head, bled badly. The rider failed to yield. The street stayed loud and bright.

A 58-year-old woman was hit by an e-bike at the intersection of Chambers Street and Church Street in Manhattan. She suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, and was found unconscious. According to the police report, the e-bike operator failed to yield the right-of-way. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the main contributing factor. No other causes were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4814321 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

May 1 - A cyclist died on Broome Street. A box truck and SUV were involved. The impact was fatal. No driver errors listed. The city’s streets claimed another life.

A 44-year-old male cyclist was killed in a crash involving a box truck and an SUV on Broome Street at Centre Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the cyclist suffered fatal head and internal injuries after being ejected. The crash involved a box truck traveling west and an SUV that was parked. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report. The cyclist’s safety equipment was unknown. The deadly impact highlights the vulnerability of those on bikes amid heavy vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4809521 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18

Apr 20 - Pickup turned left at Avenue C. Bumper hit 87-year-old woman crossing. She fell. Blood pooled on the street. Head injury. No driver belt. City street, hard impact.

An 87-year-old woman was struck by a pickup truck turning left at the corner of East 6th Street and Avenue C in Manhattan. According to the police report, the truck's bumper hit the woman as she crossed the intersection. She suffered a head injury, with blood pooling on the pavement. The driver, a 65-year-old man, wore no seat belt. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but the data does not cite this as a contributing factor. The crash left the woman with severe lacerations to her head.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806893 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-18