Who Dies Next on Krueger’s Watch?

A Ford taxi swung left at East 80th and 3rd. The driver did not yield. Steel bumper hit a woman’s shoulder as she crossed with the light. Bone crushed. She stayed conscious. The cab showed no damage. The street swallowed her pain.

A 47-year-old woman was injured at the corner of East 80th Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan when a Ford taxi making a left turn struck her in the shoulder, according to the police report. The collision occurred as the pedestrian was 'crossing with the light,' placing her lawfully in the intersection. The report states the 'driver did not yield' and lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors. The impact from the taxi’s left front bumper caused crush injuries to the woman’s upper arm and shoulder. The police report notes the victim remained conscious after the crash. There was no reported damage to the cab. The data makes clear: driver failure to yield and inattention directly led to the injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760573, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A woman pedaled west on 27th. She smashed into a parked sedan. Her face split on steel. Blood pooled. The car stood silent. She moved, then lay still. Inexperience listed. No helmet, but the street did not forgive.

A 29-year-old woman riding a bike westbound on West 27th Street in Manhattan collided with a parked sedan, according to the police report. The report states she suffered severe facial lacerations after striking the left side doors of the stationary vehicle. The sedan, registered in New Jersey, was parked and did not move before or during the crash. The police report cites 'Driver Inexperience' as a contributing factor in the collision. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, a detail included in the narrative, but only after the primary driver error. The report describes the aftermath in stark terms: 'Her face split open on the steel. Blood pooled on the pavement. The car never moved. She did, and then didn’t.' The crash underscores the lethal consequences of inexperience and the unforgiving nature of city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4757397, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A box truck struck a parked sedan on East 82nd Street. Metal screamed. A 42-year-old man suffered a shattered arm, blood soaking his sleeve. The truck remained undamaged. The street fell silent after the sudden impact.

According to the police report, a box truck traveling south on East 82nd Street near 2nd Avenue collided with a parked sedan. The report states, 'A box truck struck a parked sedan. Metal screamed. A 42-year-old man clutched his shattered arm, blood soaking his sleeve.' The injured man, a pedestrian at the intersection getting on or off the vehicle, suffered crush injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand, and was in shock. The sedan sustained damage to its right rear quarter panel, while the truck showed no damage. The police report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified,' providing no clear driver error such as failure to yield or distraction. No victim behavior was noted as contributing. The crash highlights the danger posed by moving vehicles striking stationary cars and the severe injuries inflicted on vulnerable individuals nearby.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4753484, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

State Sen. Jeremy Cooney calls out Governor Hochul. He demands a 100-day plan to fill the $16.5 billion MTA gap left by her congestion pricing pause. Projects for safer, more accessible transit hang in the balance. Albany leaders mostly stay silent.

On July 24, 2024, State Sen. Jeremy Cooney, new chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, issued a public demand for Governor Hochul to deliver a '100-day plan' to replace the $16.5 billion MTA funding shortfall caused by her cancellation of congestion pricing. In his op-ed, Cooney wrote, 'the time for debating the merits of congestion pricing has passed,' urging the governor to convene finance, labor, and passenger representatives to find a solution. Cooney’s push comes as the MTA faces threats to station accessibility, signal upgrades, and new trains and buses. Other Albany leaders, including Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate President Andrea Stewart-Cousins, have offered little response. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger called Hochul’s move illegal. The bill or action is not numbered, but the committee involved is the Senate Transportation Committee. No direct safety analyst note was provided, but the loss of funding jeopardizes projects vital to vulnerable road users.

• Hochul Must Put Up or Shut Up on Congestion Pricing, New Senate Transportation Chair Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24

A Jeep hit a young cyclist at 5th and East 29th. The rider flew, slammed headfirst, blood pooling on hot pavement. The SUV stood untouched. Silence swallowed the scene. The cyclist lay semiconscious, ejected, head bleeding under the Manhattan sun.

A 26-year-old cyclist was struck by a Jeep at the corner of 5th Avenue and East 29th Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The cyclist, traveling south, was ejected from his bike and landed headfirst, suffering severe bleeding and a semiconscious state. The report notes the SUV was undamaged, while the cyclist lay on the pavement. According to the police report, the collision involved 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as contributing factors. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, as documented in the report, but this is listed after the driver-related contributing factors. The narrative describes a violent impact and aftermath, emphasizing the vulnerability of the cyclist and the lack of damage to the Jeep.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742604, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A box truck blocked West 34th. The driver failed to yield. A young cyclist smashed into steel, head torn open, blood darkening the asphalt. The bike twisted. The truck stood silent. The cyclist stayed awake, pain sharp and present.

A 25-year-old cyclist suffered severe head lacerations after colliding with the side of a box truck on West 34th Street. According to the police report, the truck driver failed to yield the right-of-way, causing the cyclist to strike the truck's right side doors. The report states, 'A box truck failed to yield. A 25-year-old cyclist hit its side. Head split open. Blood pooled on blacktop.' The cyclist remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the primary contributing factor. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this detail appears only after the driver’s error in the report. The crash left the bicycle twisted beneath the truck, underscoring the danger when large vehicles disregard vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742639, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Jeep rolled south on 2nd Avenue. A man on a bike hit the pavement, his leg torn, blood pooling. No helmet. The Jeep showed no damage. The cyclist’s pain marked the corner, another body broken by traffic’s force.

At the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 48th Street in Manhattan, a collision between a Jeep SUV and a cyclist left a 31-year-old man with severe lacerations to his knee, lower leg, and foot, according to the police report. The narrative states, 'A Jeep kept south. A man on a bike fell hard. Blood pooled near his torn leg. His foot split open. No helmet. No damage to the Jeep. Just pain on the pavement.' The report lists the cyclist as injured, suffering 'severe lacerations,' and notes that the SUV sustained no damage. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The police report does not specify any driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'Unspecified.' The only detail about the cyclist’s behavior is the absence of a helmet, which is mentioned in the narrative but not cited as a contributing factor. The crash underscores the vulnerability of cyclists on city streets amid heavy vehicle traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740041, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A Chevy SUV struck a man riding with traffic on West 33rd Street. The driver, distracted by a passenger, crushed the cyclist’s leg. Steel met flesh. The city’s silence echoed. The pain was immediate. The street stayed straight. The wound stayed open.

According to the police report, a man riding with traffic on West 33rd Street was struck by the rear quarter of a Chevy SUV. The collision left the cyclist with a broken leg and crush injuries. The report states the driver was distracted by a passenger at the time of the crash, listing 'Passenger Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The SUV was traveling east and had two occupants. The cyclist was wearing a helmet and was not at an intersection. The police report does not cite any cyclist behavior as contributing to the crash. The impact occurred on a straight stretch of street, with the SUV’s right rear quarter panel making contact. The report does not mention any evasive action or hazardous conditions, focusing solely on the driver’s distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4740066, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A sedan blasted through the light at 2nd Avenue and East 74th. The bike hit hard. The cyclist flew, head split, blood pooling. He lay semiconscious on the pavement. The car sat untouched. The night air thick with sirens and shock.

According to the police report, a sedan disregarded a traffic control at the corner of 2nd Avenue and East 74th Street. The report states the sedan 'ran the light.' A cyclist, traveling south, struck the car's side and was ejected, landing hard and suffering a severe head injury with heavy bleeding. The cyclist was described as semiconscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as contributing factors. The sedan sustained no damage, while the bike impacted the right side doors. The cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but the report cites driver errors—specifically, ignoring the traffic signal and inattention—as the primary causes. No mention is made of any actions by the cyclist contributing to the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737814, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A taxi turned on East 44th and 3rd. An e-scooter struck its side. The rider, 26, crashed headfirst, blood pooling on the street. Deep cuts marked his head. He stayed conscious. The city’s rush did not pause.

According to the police report, a taxi turned at the corner of East 44th Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan. An e-scooter, traveling west, collided with the taxi’s right side. The 26-year-old e-scooter rider was thrown headfirst, suffering severe lacerations to his head. The report states the rider remained conscious at the scene. Police cite 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors in the collision, with the e-scooter’s impact focused on the taxi’s right rear quarter panel. The rider was not wearing a helmet, as noted in the report, but this is mentioned only after the driver errors. The crash underscores the ongoing danger vulnerable road users face from improper vehicle maneuvers.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739142, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

State senators debate cutting the $15 congestion toll. Brad Hoylman-Sigal backs a lower fee if safety and transit gains hold. Liz Krueger wants $1 billion for the MTA. Jabari Brisport slams the rushed process. Trump vows to kill the tolls.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), discussed reducing the $15 base congestion pricing fee. The debate, reported by Gothamist, centers on whether a lower toll could unfreeze the program while still funding the MTA. Hoylman-Sigal said, "Nobody's wedded to $15. We are wedded to the improvements that congestion pricing will provide for mass transit or safety on our streets for cleaner air." Sen. Liz Krueger is open to a new fee if it raises $1 billion yearly. Sen. Jabari Brisport criticized the lack of study and feedback in the process, calling it "irresponsible." Any change needs legislative, MTA, and federal approval. Trump has promised to end congestion pricing if elected. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• NY lawmakers weigh lower congestion pricing fee – but Trump could kill tolls if elected, gothamist.com, Published 2024-07-02

Albany stalls. The MTA faces a $15 billion hole. Lawmakers argue over reviving congestion pricing with a lower toll. Transit hangs in the balance. Streets stay clogged. Riders and walkers wait for answers. No fix. No funding. Danger lingers.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), debated the future of congestion pricing and MTA funding. The matter, reported as 'MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls,' highlights confusion and division. Hoylman-Sigal supports lowering the toll, saying, 'The goal should be mend it don’t end it.' He urges keeping the program alive to save mass transit. Sen. Liz Krueger is open to tweaks if goals are met. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow opposes any revival. The MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall after the program’s pause. Policy experts warn that lowering the toll could weaken congestion relief and transit funding. No clear plan exists. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as gridlock and uncertainty persist.

• MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls: ‘I don’t know anything’, nypost.com, Published 2024-07-02

A Dualtron e-scooter, unlicensed and fast, tore up Avenue of the Americas. Two women fell. One bled from the face. The other’s skull shattered. The street, lit and busy, became a field of wounds and sirens.

According to the police report, an unlicensed man operating a MINIMOTORS Dualtron Thunder e-scooter traveled north on Avenue of the Americas near West 34th Street. The report states the e-scooter struck two women, ages 43 and 51, who were not at an intersection. One woman suffered severe facial lacerations and remained conscious; the other sustained crush injuries to the head and was found unconscious. The narrative describes the scene as the e-scooter 'tore through the night,' leaving both victims injured in its wake. The police report highlights that the driver was unlicensed, a critical factor in the crash. No driver errors beyond the lack of a license are specified in the report. The victims’ actions are listed only as 'other actions in roadway,' with no indication from the report that these contributed to the collision. The focus remains on the unlicensed operation and the resulting harm.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4737136, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Steel struck flesh in the heart of Times Square. A scooter, northbound, collided head-on with a cyclist. Blood pooled on the pavement. The cyclist’s face torn open. Tourists recoiled. The city’s lights flashed, but the street did not yield.

A 24-year-old cyclist was seriously injured in a head-on collision with a northbound scooter at 3 Times Square, according to the police report. The report states the cyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered severe facial injuries and heavy bleeding after being struck by the scooter. The police report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as a contributing factor for the crash, highlighting a failure in lane discipline by at least one vehicle operator. The narrative describes the moment: 'Face split open. Blood on the pavement. Steel met skin.' The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as a contributing factor, but places primary emphasis on improper lane usage. The collision left the cyclist conscious but badly hurt, underscoring the dangers vulnerable road users face amid chaotic Midtown traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736621, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A motorcycle crashed into a taxi’s side on East 57th. The rider flew, arm torn, helmeted head striking pavement. Blood pooled on the street. The bike’s front end crumpled. The city’s traffic violence left another body broken.

According to the police report, a motorcycle collided with the side of a taxi as the cab was 'entering parked position' near 226 East 57th Street in Manhattan. The narrative states, 'A motorcycle slammed into a taxi’s side as it pulled to park. The rider flew, arm torn open, helmeted head hitting pavement. The bike’s front end crumpled. Blood pooled where he landed.' The 32-year-old motorcycle rider was ejected and suffered severe bleeding and arm injuries. The police report lists the rider as wearing a helmet. Both vehicles were traveling east; the motorcycle was 'passing' while the taxi was maneuvering to park. The report does not specify any explicit driver errors or contributing factors beyond 'unspecified.' The impact location—center front of the motorcycle and right side doors of the taxi—underscores the danger of vehicle maneuvers across traffic lanes. No actions by the injured rider are cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734673, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

A KIA SUV struck a 27-year-old cyclist at 1st Avenue and East 55th. The rider flew headfirst, blood pooling on the pavement. He was conscious, bleeding. Police cite driver distraction and improper lane use. The cyclist wore no helmet.

A 27-year-old man riding a bike was struck by a KIA SUV at the corner of 1st Avenue and East 55th Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The report states the cyclist was ejected, landed headfirst, and suffered severe bleeding. Police describe the victim as conscious at the scene, with blood pooling on the pavement. According to the police report, the SUV driver was distracted and failed to maintain proper lane usage. 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' are listed as contributing factors. The report notes the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned only after the driver’s errors. The crash underscores the danger posed by inattentive driving and improper lane use on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4731738, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-15

Governor Hochul pulled the plug on congestion pricing just weeks before rollout. The move leaves the MTA’s future in limbo. Board members and city officials push back. Billions for transit hang in the balance. No clear plan replaces lost funds.

On June 6, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul revoked her support for congestion pricing, a policy set to start June 30. The delay, announced without legislative action, sparked backlash. MTA Board member Midori Valdivia vowed, 'I'm going to vote yes to congestion pricing, and that it should start as soon as possible.' Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi echoed, 'It needs to happen now.' Senator Liz Krueger called Hochul's move 'a staggering error.' Assembly Member Robert Carroll and business leader Kathy Wylde criticized the governor’s floated payroll tax hike as unfair to city businesses. The MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall, with no replacement funding in sight. The delay keeps streets clogged and transit underfunded, risking more danger for those outside cars.

• Two Huge Questions About ‘Gridlock Gov.’ Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Delay, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-06

Governor Hochul froze Manhattan’s congestion pricing. The $15 billion for subways, buses, and rail hangs in limbo. Riders face broken elevators, old signals, and crowded trains. Streets stay clogged. No plan B. Vulnerable New Yorkers lose safe, reliable transit.

On June 6, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul halted New York’s congestion pricing program, which was set to start June 30. The plan, designed to charge most drivers $15 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street, would have funded $15 billion in MTA capital improvements. The bill’s summary warns: 'No plan B for transit investments should congestion pricing not go through.' Senator Liz Krueger, mentioned in the debate, criticized the lack of alternative funding, saying, 'She is not aware of what she is referring to or where she believes that money will come from.' The delay leaves critical projects—like subway accessibility, new signals, and electric buses—unfunded. Without this money, vulnerable riders face more delays, breakdowns, and unsafe conditions. The City Council and transit advocates express deep disappointment and concern for New York’s future.

• Congestion pricing: $15 BILLION in transit improvements in jeopardy after Hochul halts Manhattan toll plan, amny.com, Published 2024-06-06

Council members slam Hochul’s last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion pricing. Transit funding hangs in limbo. Liz Krueger says the tax lacks support. Riders and workers face uncertainty as lawmakers reject new burdens and demand fairer solutions.

On June 6, 2024, State Sen. Liz Krueger (District 28) and other lawmakers responded to a proposed New York City tax hike meant to replace the indefinitely postponed $15 congestion pricing tolls. The measure, debated as Bill 28, has not advanced in committee and faces strong opposition. The matter, described as 'a last-minute funding move that drew fierce opposition,' has Krueger stating, 'I think it does not have support.' Assemblyman Brian Cunningham echoed, 'No new taxes.' The proposal would raise the payroll mobility tax, already increased last year, to fund the MTA. Rep. Jerry Nadler and business groups argue the tax unfairly targets NYC, while congestion pricing would have spread costs regionally. With the legislative session ending, MTA projects remain at risk. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Outrage mounts as Hochul pushes last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion tolls: ‘Insulting joke’, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-06

Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing. Lawmakers balked at raising payroll taxes. The MTA’s $15 billion plan now hangs by a thread. Projects stall. Federal funds at risk. Riders, walkers, and cyclists face uncertainty. Albany remains split. Streets stay dangerous.

On June 6, 2024, Governor Hochul announced a pause on congestion pricing, sparking confusion in Albany. The state-level response included a rejected proposal to raise the payroll mobility tax (PMT) on NYC businesses to fill the $15 billion gap in the MTA’s capital plan. State Sen. Liz Krueger said, 'Payroll mobility taxes are actually taxes on workers... I do not think we have an appetite for that in the Senate.' Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, who once voted for congestion pricing, now supports the pause, calling the original vote 'political blackmail.' The MTA’s future projects, including the Second Avenue Subway, are threatened, as federal matching funds require local dollars. Lawmakers remain divided. No clear alternative has emerged. Vulnerable road users are left exposed as transit funding falters.

• Reporter’s Notebook: Where Were You The Day Congestion Pricing Died (Maybe)?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-06