12 Dead, 1,500 Hurt: No More Excuses for Blood in Krueger’s District

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

A pickup hit a 61-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. The truck showed no damage. Police list all factors as unspecified.

A 61-year-old woman was struck by a pickup truck while crossing Lexington Avenue at East 37th Street. According to the police report, she was crossing with the signal at the intersection when the collision occurred. She sustained a head injury and severe bleeding, and was described as semiconscious at the scene. The pickup, registered in New Jersey, showed no damage. Police listed all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were identified in the report. No mention of helmet or signal use was made for the pedestrian.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813611 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A cyclist struck a woman crossing West 45th. The bike moved too fast. The impact crushed her leg. She was left in shock. The street saw blood and pain. Speed was the cause.

A 33-year-old woman was injured when a cyclist hit her while she crossed West 45th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the crash was caused by 'Unsafe Speed.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her lower leg and foot and was left in shock. The cyclist, a 36-year-old man, was not injured. The report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the main contributing factor. No other errors or equipment issues were cited in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4813484 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany lawmakers passed a $254-billion budget. Republicans railed against congestion pricing. Democrats stood firm. The vote split along party lines. The budget funds the MTA and transit expansion. Vulnerable road users saw no direct mention. The system rolls on.

"The amount that you're paying for congestion pricing is actually a relatively small increase in the total cost... And the good news on the research is theater has not come down since congestion pricing has started. Restaurants have not come down. There are more people on the streets." -- Liz Krueger

On May 8, 2025, the New York State Legislature passed Gov. Hochul’s $254-billion budget after heated debate. The bill, debated in the Senate Finance and Transportation Committees, included $6 billion for MTA capital improvements and supported congestion pricing. Sen. Dean Murray (R-Suffolk) and Sen. Bill Weber (R-Rockland) opposed the measure, citing toll burdens and limited transit options. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) and Transportation Chair Jeremy Cooney (D-Rochester) defended the plan, highlighting increased MTA revenue and minimal impact on local businesses. The matter summary reads: 'State legislators from the suburbs, particularly Republican lawmakers, voiced strong opposition to congestion pricing during the passage of Gov. Hochul's $254-billion budget in Albany.' The budget passed 40-22, mostly along party lines. No safety analyst assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Budget Passes in Albany, But First, GOP Whines About Congestion Pricing, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-08

A motorcycle and sedan collided on East 76th. The crash left the motorcyclist with crushed hips and legs. Police cite improper lane use and passenger distraction as causes.

A motorcycle and a sedan crashed at 348 E 76th Street in Manhattan. The motorcyclist, a 54-year-old man, suffered crush injuries to his hip and upper leg. According to the police report, 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Passenger Distraction' contributed to the crash. The sedan was parked before impact; the motorcycle was passing. No pedestrians were involved. The report lists no helmet or signal issues. The crash highlights the danger of improper lane use and distraction behind the wheel.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A young man’s leg crushed by a vehicle’s back end on West 50th. Blood on the pavement. Sirens cut through Manhattan’s noise. The street swallowed another pedestrian.

A 21-year-old man walking near 226 West 50th Street in Manhattan was struck and injured by a vehicle. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot after being hit by the center back end of an unspecified vehicle. The report lists no driver errors or contributing factors. The victim was conscious at the scene. No further details on vehicle type or driver actions were provided in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4810578 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi veered left near 206 Fifth Avenue. Four men on foot were hit. Legs crushed, blood pooled, shock set in. Alcohol played a role. The street did not forgive.

Four pedestrians were struck and injured by a taxi making a left turn near 206 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'a taxi turned left into the night and struck four men on foot. One bled from the leg. Another’s foot was crushed. A 65-year-old man stared, in shock, at his broken knee. Alcohol was involved.' The crash data lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor. The injuries ranged from severe bleeding and crush injuries to shock. No driver errors beyond alcohol involvement were specified in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807203 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

SUV struck a parked car on FDR Drive. A man bled from the head. A baby was hurt. Two others shaken. Dawn broke over blood and glass. Driver distracted. Road was straight. He did not see.

An SUV crashed into a parked car on FDR Drive in Manhattan. According to the police report, a pedestrian suffered head injuries and crush wounds. A baby and two adults inside the vehicles were also hurt. The report states: “FDR Drive, near dawn—an SUV slammed into a parked car. A man lay bleeding from the head. A baby was hurt. Two others shaken. The driver, 21, wore his belt. He was conscious. The road was straight. He didn’t see.” Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the main contributing factor. The driver wore a lap belt and harness. No other factors were cited.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4806221 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Seven lawmakers demand Mayor Adams open the Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The project sits finished. Cyclists and walkers still cram into a narrow, crash-prone lane. Delays keep thousands at risk. City Hall stalls. Advocates plan protest. Danger lingers.

On April 9, 2025, seven elected officials—including Council Members Julie Won and Julie Menin—sent a public letter demanding Mayor Adams open the long-promised Queensboro Bridge pedestrian path. The Department of Transportation had planned to open the dedicated walkway on March 16, but the mayor's office intervened, citing the need for a briefing. The lawmakers wrote, 'The reasons given for this delay are not satisfactory, as all communications from the DOT have indicated that the project is complete and ready to open to the public.' They warned, 'Any further delays to this project that is otherwise ready to open will unnecessarily put at risk the thousands of New Yorkers who cycle and walk the current shared path every day.' The project, in the works since at least 2017, remains stalled. Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to share a cramped, hazardous lane. City Hall insists on more review, while advocates plan a protest ribbon-cutting.

• Pols Demand Adams Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-04-09

A distracted taxi driver struck an 87-year-old woman on West 57th. Metal tore her leg. Blood on the street. She stayed conscious. The city moved on.

An 87-year-old woman was injured on West 57th Street near Sixth Avenue when a distracted taxi driver struck her as she exited a vehicle. According to the police report, 'A taxi, parked, driver distracted. An 87-year-old woman steps from a vehicle. Metal meets flesh. Blood on the pavement. Her leg torn open. She remains conscious.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Driver Inexperience' as contributing factors. The woman suffered severe lacerations to her lower leg but remained conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804863 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A cyclist rode north through Heckscher Fields and struck a 57-year-old woman standing in his path. The bike hit her head, causing bleeding. She stayed down, conscious but still. The cyclist did not stop. The bike showed no damage.

According to the police report, a 26-year-old man riding a bike northbound in Central Park's Heckscher Fields collided with a 57-year-old woman who was standing in his path. The report states, 'The bike struck her head. Blood ran. She stayed down, conscious but still.' The cyclist did not stop after the crash, and the bike showed no visible damage. The police report lists 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor. No driver-specific errors such as failure to yield or distraction are cited. The cyclist was wearing a helmet and suffered a minor abrasion to his lower leg. The incident highlights confusion and error as systemic dangers in shared park spaces.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4802618 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 22-year-old man driving a 2017 Hyundai sedan took a right turn too fast at W 49th Street and 8th Avenue. The car's front center struck a fixed object. He suffered head injuries and was found semi-conscious behind the wheel.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male driver was injured in a crash at 5:28 a.m. on W 49th Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan. The 2017 Hyundai sedan was making a right turn when it struck a fixed object with the center front end. The report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The driver was alone, suffered severe head lacerations, and was found half-awake behind the wheel. The narrative states, 'A 2017 Hyundai turned too fast. Metal struck stone. A young man, 22, slumped behind the wheel, head bleeding, half-awake.' No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The crash highlights the dangers of excessive speed during turns, as documented by the police.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4797761 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 67-year-old man pedaled west on W 51st. The door of a parked SUV swung open. His bike crashed. His head struck hard. Blood pooled. The SUV stood untouched. The man died on the street, another life ended by steel and carelessness.

According to the police report, a 67-year-old man riding a bike westbound on W 51st Street at 5th Avenue collided with the door of a parked SUV. The narrative states, 'A 67-year-old man on a bike hit the door of a parked SUV. No helmet. His head struck hard. He flew, then fell. Blood spread. The SUV was untouched. He died.' The police report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors, marking them as 'Unspecified.' The SUV was parked, and the cyclist was ejected upon impact, suffering fatal head injuries. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but does not cite this as a contributing factor to the crash. The focus remains on the lethal interaction between vulnerable road users and parked vehicles in Manhattan’s dense streetscape.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4796322 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

An SUV turned left on W 58th Street and crushed an 83-year-old woman crossing with the signal. The left bumper struck her head. She died in the crosswalk, beneath the city’s cold lights. The street swallowed her name.

An 83-year-old woman was killed while crossing W 58th Street at Avenue of the Americas in Manhattan. According to the police report, she was 'crossing with the signal' when a northbound SUV made a left turn and struck her with its left front bumper. The impact crushed her head, and she died at the scene, in the crosswalk. The vehicle involved was a 2020 Mazda SUV, operated by a licensed male driver. The police report lists the driver’s pre-crash action as 'making left turn.' No driver errors are explicitly cited beyond the vehicle’s movement, but the victim’s lawful crossing is clear. The report notes her position as 'Pedestrian at Intersection' and her action as 'Crossing With Signal.'

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792095 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A box truck, left parked on Avenue of the Americas, lurched forward and struck a 33-year-old man behind the wheel of another vehicle. He wore a harness. He did not move again. Cold air hung over the still street.

According to the police report, a box truck parked near 851 Avenue of the Americas suddenly lurched north and struck a 33-year-old man who was behind the wheel of another vehicle. The man, identified as the driver and sole occupant, wore a lap belt and harness but was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash occurred at 8:10 a.m. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor, highlighting a critical lapse in driver vigilance. The truck, registered in Ohio and operated by a licensed driver from Louisiana, was supposed to be stationary but instead moved forward, causing fatal impact. No contributing factors related to the victim's behavior are cited in the report. The crash underscores the lethal consequences of driver distraction and the dangers posed by large vehicles left unattended on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4792075 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 90-year-old woman died on York Avenue. A cab made a U-turn and struck her. Another car hit her moments later. She was rushed to the hospital. Both drivers stayed. She did not survive.

According to the New York Post (published February 6, 2025), Frances Rickard, 90, was crossing York Avenue at East 72nd Street around 5:40 p.m. when a yellow taxi, driven by a 68-year-old man, made a U-turn and struck her. Police said, “Moments later, a 35-year-old woman driving a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer also struck her.” Rickard was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she died. Both drivers remained at the scene and have not been charged. The sequence highlights the dangers of U-turns and multi-lane crossings for pedestrians. The intersection saw two vehicles collide with a vulnerable road user in quick succession, underscoring persistent risks in city street design and driver behavior.

• Elderly Pedestrian Killed Crossing York Avenue, New York Post, Published 2025-02-06

A ninety-year-old woman stepped off the curb on York Avenue. A taxi hit her head-on. An SUV rolled over her. Her skull crushed. She lay still. Two drivers kept straight. They did not see. She died on the street.

According to the police report, a ninety-year-old woman was killed on York Avenue near East 72nd Street when she was struck by a taxi and then run over by an SUV. The crash occurred at 17:41 in Manhattan. The report states, 'she stepped off the curb, alone, no signal. A taxi hit her head-on. An SUV rolled over her. Her skull crushed.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection and was crossing without a signal or crosswalk. Both vehicles, a taxi and an SUV, were traveling straight ahead. The police report identifies 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The drivers 'did not see' her, according to the narrative. The victim suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. No driver errors beyond inattention/distraction are cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790720 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Tesla tore down FDR Drive at unsafe speed. Metal screamed. A baby girl, unbelted, was thrown from the car and killed. The sedan crumpled. The road bore witness. No warning, no mercy, only silence and wreckage.

According to the police report, a Tesla sedan traveling north on FDR Drive crashed at 2:44 a.m. The report states the vehicle was moving at 'unsafe speed.' The impact left the sedan demolished. A baby girl, listed as an occupant, was ejected from the vehicle and died on impact, her injuries described as affecting her 'entire body.' The police report explicitly cites 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. No seatbelt was used, as noted in the report. The narrative describes the scene as the Tesla 'slammed at speed,' resulting in the infant's death. The focus remains on the excessive speed and the catastrophic consequences that followed.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4790343 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Tesla tore north on FDR. It struck a guardrail, flipped, split, burned. The woman driver died at the scene. Her passenger flew from the wreck. Firefighters battled battery flames. Northbound lanes shut. Metal, fire, speed, and loss marked the night.

NY Daily News (2025-02-04) reports a deadly crash on Manhattan's FDR Drive. A Tesla, traveling at high speed—witnesses estimated 'at least 120, 130 [mph]'—lost control near E. 70th St. The car struck a guardrail, overturned, and caught fire. Both occupants were ejected. The driver died at the scene; her passenger survived. Firefighters and a hazmat team responded to extinguish the burning lithium-ion battery. The crash shut down northbound lanes. The article highlights excessive speed and the dangers of high-performance vehicles in urban settings. Emergency response was extensive, with 60 firefighters on scene.

• Tesla Crash Kills Woman On FDR Drive, NY Daily News, Published 2025-02-04

A southbound bus slammed into a 39-year-old man near East 51st Street. The right front bumper hit with force. The man, not in the roadway, died at the scene. Steel and speed left no chance. The city’s danger is relentless.

A 39-year-old man was killed when a southbound bus struck him near Fifth Avenue and East 51st Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The incident occurred at 21:34. The report states, 'A southbound bus struck a 39-year-old man who was not in the roadway. The right front bumper hit him. He died at the scene. His body bore the full weight of steel and speed.' The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' The bus was traveling straight ahead when its right front bumper made contact with the pedestrian. The victim was not in the roadway at the time of impact. No driver errors are specified in the report, but the lethal outcome underscores the ever-present risk posed by large vehicles in dense urban environments. Victim behavior is not cited as a contributing factor.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4788709 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04