Left for Dead on 174th: How Many More Must Die Before We Act?

Nov 12 - A southbound bus veered into a parked sedan. Steel tore. The car’s left side crumpled. A 37-year-old man bled from the arm but stayed alert. The bus did not stop. Driver inattention marked the crash. The street held the wreckage.

A bus traveling south on Wadsworth Avenue near West 180th Street struck a parked Nissan sedan. According to the police report, 'A southbound bus veered into a parked Nissan. Steel screamed. The sedan’s left side folded. A 37-year-old man bled from the arm. He stayed awake. The bus did not stop.' The sedan’s driver, a 37-year-old man, suffered severe bleeding to his arm but remained conscious. Three other occupants in the sedan were not reported injured. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The bus driver left the scene. No other contributing factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4602227 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 13 - A Honda sedan hit three men on West 225th Street. One lay bleeding, head split open. Two more fell, legs broken. The car’s bumper crumpled. No crosswalk. No warning. The street swallowed their cries. The driver kept going straight.

Three pedestrians were struck by a 2012 Honda sedan on West 225th Street. According to the police report, a 45-year-old man suffered a severe head injury and lay unconscious, blood pooling beneath him. Two other men, ages 23 and 33, sustained fractures to their legs. The sedan’s left front bumper took the impact. The crash occurred away from an intersection, with no crosswalk present. The report lists no specific driver errors or contributing factors. The driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead. No mention of helmet use or signaling appears in the report. The violence of the crash left three men injured, the street marked by blood and broken bodies.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4572697 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Oct 12 - An e-bike slammed into a parked sedan on Nagle Avenue. Metal bent. The rider flew off, landing hard. He died at the scene. Distraction and speed fueled the crash. The car’s side caved in. Another life lost to inattention.

A deadly crash unfolded on Nagle Avenue near Hillside in Manhattan. An e-bike rider, age 46, struck a parked sedan. According to the police report, 'Distraction and speed marked the end.' The e-bike’s front end crumpled. The rider was partially ejected and found dead. The sedan’s left side was dented. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. No helmet use or signals are mentioned as factors. The crash left one man dead and another with pain in his leg. The parked car was empty. The toll is clear: distraction and speed proved fatal.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4574165 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 27 - A man on an e-scooter turned left. A car hit him head-on. He flew. His head split open. Blood pooled on Dyckman Street. He stayed conscious. He bled in the street. Driver inattention marked the crash.

A 42-year-old man riding an e-scooter was struck head-on by a northbound car near Dyckman Street and 10th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the man turned left on his scooter when the car hit him. He was ejected, suffered severe head lacerations, and remained conscious but bleeding on the street. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor in the crash. No mention of helmet use or signaling appears in the report. The impact and injury highlight the dangers faced by vulnerable road users on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4568399 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Sep 3 - A 25-year-old man flew from his multi-wheeled machine at West 178th and Wadsworth. No helmet. No belt. Head struck hard. Blood pooled. Driver inexperience and rage fueled the crash. Only the rider was hurt. The street stayed silent.

A 25-year-old man was ejected from a multi-wheeled vehicle while traveling north on West 178th Street at Wadsworth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the rider was thrown from the vehicle, suffering a severe head injury and heavy bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. No other vehicles or people were involved. The rider wore no helmet or seat belt, as noted in the report, but these are mentioned only after the driver errors. The crash left the vehicle undamaged, but the rider was left injured and conscious at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4565677 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 14 - A motorscooter crashed into a turning sedan on Bailey Avenue. A four-year-old boy, riding on a lap, was thrown to the pavement and died from head wounds. Both drivers were unlicensed. Driver inexperience and improper turning led to tragedy.

A deadly crash unfolded on Bailey Avenue near West 193rd Street in the Bronx. According to the police report, a motorscooter slammed into a sedan that was making a left turn. A four-year-old boy, riding on a lap, was ejected and died at the scene from head injuries. The motorscooter driver, age 24, was also ejected and injured. Both drivers were unlicensed. The police report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' is also cited for those involved. The crash highlights systemic danger when unlicensed drivers and improper maneuvers intersect on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4555472 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 3 - A BMW tore down Sherman Avenue. It left the street, slammed into two men standing on the sidewalk. Metal crushed flesh. Both men died. Four cars wrecked. The city fell silent. Speed killed. The sidewalk did not protect.

Two men, ages 31 and 40, were killed on the sidewalk near Sherman Avenue and West 207th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, a BMW traveling at unsafe speed struck the men while they were not in the roadway. The crash left both pedestrians dead from crush injuries. Four vehicles were damaged, including parked cars. Several vehicle occupants, including drivers and passengers, suffered injuries. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor. The pedestrians were not crossing or in the road. The force of the impact left the sidewalk stained and the street quiet.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4552542 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 30 - A moped turned left on West 181st. The unlicensed rider hit a man. Blood pooled on the street. The man lay conscious, bleeding from the head. The moped stood untouched. The man did not.

A Jiajue moped, driven by an unlicensed man, struck a 30-year-old pedestrian on West 181st Street at Wadsworth Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the moped was making a left turn when it hit the man, who suffered a head injury and severe bleeding but remained conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inexperience' and 'Passenger Distraction' as contributing factors. The moped showed no damage. The pedestrian was not at an intersection when struck. The crash highlights the danger posed by unlicensed, inexperienced drivers operating motor vehicles in dense city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4552333 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 27 - Two SUVs hit a 65-year-old woman crossing West Gun Hill Road. She took the blow to the head. Blood pooled. She lay unconscious. One driver distracted. Metal bent. The street stayed quiet. The system failed her.

A 65-year-old woman was struck by two SUVs while crossing West Gun Hill Road. She suffered a severe head injury and was found unconscious and bleeding. According to the police report, one driver was distracted at the time of the crash. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The impact crumpled both vehicles at the front. The pedestrian was not at an intersection and crossed without a signal, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor. No helmet or signal use is mentioned as a cause. The crash left the woman gravely hurt, while a 33-year-old male driver also reported head pain. The quiet street bore witness to another preventable tragedy.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4549757 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 24 - A Kia sedan crashed into two parked cars near 159th Street. The front end crumpled. The SUV’s rear split open. The driver, a woman, bled from the face. The street fell silent. Metal and blood marked the scene.

A Kia sedan struck two parked vehicles on Harlem River Drive near 159th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the sedan slammed into the stationary cars, crumpling its front and splitting open the SUV’s rear. The driver, a 37-year-old woman, suffered severe facial bleeding but remained conscious. Three other occupants were listed with unspecified injuries. The report does not specify any contributing driver errors or external factors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved. The impact left the street quiet, the wreckage stark against the silence.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550392 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 13 - A Volvo SUV turned right on Broadway. It hit a 74-year-old man. He was thrown. His arm was torn open. Blood pooled on the street. The driver failed to yield. The man was not in a crosswalk. The street stayed silent after.

A Volvo SUV struck a 74-year-old man near 3959 Broadway in Manhattan. According to the police report, the SUV turned right and hit the pedestrian, throwing him and causing severe lacerations to his arm. Blood pooled on the street. The man was not at a crosswalk when the crash happened. The police report states, 'The driver failed to yield.' The listed contributing factor is 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way.' No other driver errors or factors are noted in the report. The pedestrian suffered serious injuries. The impact came from the center front end of the SUV.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4550052 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 10 - A Hyundai slammed its right front near 5520 Broadway. The driver looked away. Doors crumpled. In the back, a 77-year-old woman struck hard, her head bleeding. She stayed conscious. The crash left pain and blood in its wake.

A sedan traveling north near 5520 Broadway in the Bronx crashed when the driver became distracted. According to the police report, 'The driver had looked away.' The right front of the Hyundai struck hard, crushing the doors. A 77-year-old woman, riding unbelted in the right rear seat, suffered head injuries and was left bleeding but conscious. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. Other occupants, including a 10-year-old boy and two 39-year-old women, were present but not reported as seriously injured. No other vehicles or road users were involved. The crash shows the danger when drivers lose focus, with passengers bearing the cost.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4547438 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 9 - A Hyundai sedan turned left on Bailey Avenue. The bumper hit a 75-year-old man crossing with the signal. He fell. He died there. The street went silent. Failure to yield ended a life in the Bronx.

A 75-year-old man was killed while crossing Bailey Avenue at West Kingsbridge Road in the Bronx. According to the police report, he crossed with the signal when a Hyundai sedan, making a left turn, struck him with its front bumper. The impact caused fatal head injuries. The report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The driver, a 29-year-old man, was licensed and remained at the scene. No other injuries were reported. The crash highlights the lethal consequences of driver failure to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4545049 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 4 - A bike hit a stopped sedan on Broadway. The rider flew forward, helmet cracking. His face struck pavement. Blood pooled. He stayed conscious. His face did not. The sedan’s occupants were unhurt. Distraction played its part. The street stayed hard.

A 26-year-old cyclist slammed into the rear of a stopped sedan at Broadway and Arden Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A bike slammed into a stopped sedan. The rider, 26, flew forward. His helmet cracked. His face hit pavement. Blood spread. He stayed awake. His face did not.' The cyclist suffered severe facial lacerations and was ejected from his bike. Police listed 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. The sedan’s three occupants, including the 21-year-old driver, were not injured. The cyclist was wearing a helmet, which cracked on impact. The crash left the cyclist bloodied and conscious, the car damaged at the rear.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4545552 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 3 - A sedan turned left before dawn. Its front hit a young man on West 203rd. Blood spilled on the empty street. The driver had been drinking. The man’s leg split open. He stayed conscious. The city stayed silent.

A 2017 Acura sedan, driven by a 22-year-old man, struck a 24-year-old pedestrian while making a left turn at West 203rd Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, the sedan's front end hit the pedestrian, causing severe lacerations to his lower leg. The pedestrian remained conscious at the scene. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors for the driver. The street was empty at the time of the crash. No helmet or signaling issues were cited. The crash left the pedestrian injured and the street marked by blood.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543606 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 2 - A sedan turned left at West 186th and St. Nicholas. An e-scooter kept straight. Metal struck flesh. The rider flew, head split, blood ran. He stayed awake. The street held its breath. Failure to yield left the rider bleeding.

A sedan making a left turn at West 186th Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue struck a northbound e-scooter. The 30-year-old male e-scooter rider was ejected and suffered a head injury with severe bleeding. According to the police report, 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' was listed as a contributing factor. The sedan’s left front bumper hit the rider, who was not wearing a helmet. The driver of the sedan was a 67-year-old man. No other injuries were reported. The crash underscores the danger when drivers fail to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543582 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 1 - A lone rider hit debris on Henry Hudson Parkway. The motorcycle bucked. He flew off, helmeted, bleeding, arm torn. The bike’s rear crumpled. He lay in shock. No other vehicles. The road left him broken and alone.

A 31-year-old man riding northbound on Henry Hudson Parkway struck debris in the roadway. According to the police report, 'A lone rider struck debris. The motorcycle bucked. He flew. Helmeted, bleeding, arm torn open.' The motorcyclist was ejected from his bike, suffering severe bleeding and injuries to his arm. The police list 'Obstruction/Debris' as the contributing factor. The report notes the rider wore a helmet. No other vehicles or people were involved. The crash left the rider in shock, alone on the road.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4543577 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 29 - An Audi turned left on West 195th. A cyclist rode straight. Metal hit flesh. The rider flew, hit pavement, bled. He lay semiconscious, torn open. The SUV’s front end crumpled. The street fell silent.

A crash on West 195th Street involved an Audi SUV making a left turn and a cyclist riding straight. The cyclist, a 27-year-old man, was struck head-on and suffered severe lacerations across his body. According to the police report, 'An Audi turned left. A cyclist rode straight. Metal struck him head-on. He flew, hit pavement, bled from everywhere. Semiconscious, torn open. The SUV’s front crumpled. The street went still.' The cyclist was partially ejected and left semiconscious. Both the cyclist and the SUV’s front end took the full force of impact. The report lists contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors were formally cited in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4542201 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - A sedan cut left on Broadway. A motorcycle charged straight. Metal screamed. The rider flew, head smashing the street. Blood spilled. He lay awake, bleeding, under the city’s dark sky. Unsafe lane change. Failure to yield. System failed him.

A crash at Broadway and Arden Street in Manhattan left a 36-year-old motorcycle rider injured. According to the police report, a sedan turned left while the motorcycle continued straight. The sedan struck the motorcycle, ejecting the rider. The report states, 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The rider suffered a head injury and severe bleeding, remaining conscious at the scene. The sedan had two occupants; their injuries were unspecified. The data lists no helmet or signal use as a factor. The crash highlights driver errors—unsafe lane change and failure to yield—that led to a violent impact and left a vulnerable road user bleeding on the asphalt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4539746 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 1 - The State Senate backed Sen. Gounardes’s bill to run speed cameras nonstop in city school zones. The vote was 51-12. Supporters cited lives lost to speeding. Opponents called it a cash grab. The Assembly must act before the session ends.

Bill S. (no number given) passed the New York State Senate on June 1, 2022, by a 51-12 vote. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Andrew Gounardes, reauthorizes and expands New York City’s school-zone speed camera program to operate 24/7. The measure was debated in the Senate, with Sen. Robert Jackson and Gounardes defending it: 'Cars speeding in New York kill New Yorkers, injure New Yorkers.' Gounardes called the cameras 'life-saving.' Opponents, including Sen. Andrew Lanza, dismissed the program as a 'cash register.' Danny Harris of Transportation Alternatives said, 'When New York City’s speed safety cameras turn off, speeding increases and crashes rise.' The bill awaits Assembly action before the legislative session ends.

• State Senate Overwhelmingly Supports 24/7 Speed Cameras for the City, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2022-06-01