No One Should Die Crossing the Street—Hold Their Killers Accountable

StreetsPAC picks Brad Lander for mayor. They praise his sweeping plan for safer streets and better transit. The group rejects weak promises. They demand bold action to protect people outside cars. Lander vows real change for New Yorkers.

On June 11, 2025, StreetsPAC, a political action committee for livable streets, endorsed Brad Lander for New York City mayor. The endorsement, reported by Streetsblog NYC and covered by Gersh Kuntzman, followed a review of candidate plans. StreetsPAC called Lander’s proposal 'by far the most comprehensive blueprint ... we've ever seen from a candidate for any office.' Lander promised more protected bike lanes, a citywide Bus Rapid Transit network, and using congestion pricing revenue for busways and bikeways. He pledged six-minute service on subways and buses and action on street homelessness. StreetsPAC’s endorsement signals strong support for policies that prioritize vulnerable road users. Their safety analyst noted: 'A comprehensive plan for safer streets and better public transit typically prioritizes vulnerable road users, supports mode shift, and aligns with best practices for population-level safety improvements.'

• StreetsPAC Ranks Lander #1 for Mayor, Offers Other Picks for Comptroller, Beeps and Council, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-06-11

Two SUVs collided on West 77th. Metal slammed metal. One driver, a man, died. Three others, including another driver and two passengers, were hurt. Police cited driver inattention. The street stayed quiet after the crash. The danger was clear.

A deadly crash unfolded at 152 West 77th Street in Manhattan. Two station wagons, both SUVs, collided. According to the police report, four people were involved. One driver, a 79-year-old man, was killed. Three others, including a 62-year-old woman driver and two passengers aged 62 and 79, suffered unspecified injuries. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. Both vehicles were parked before the crash, and both sustained damage to the right side doors. The police report makes no mention of helmet use or turn signals as factors. The crash highlights the lethal risk when drivers lose focus, as documented by the official report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4817015, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

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

A father mourns his daughter, killed by an SUV on the Upper West Side. Advocates gather in Albany. They press lawmakers for action. Speeders roam. Streets stay deadly. The call is clear: fix the system, stop the pain.

Streetsblog NYC (2025-05-14) reports on Families for Safe Streets and other advocates lobbying in Albany after a 13-year-old girl was killed by an SUV. The coalition pushes for the SAFE Streets Package, including speed-limiting devices for repeat offenders and the 'Idaho stop' for cyclists. The article quotes Darnell Sealy-McCrorey: 'This epidemic is preventable. It doesn't have to be this way.' Lawmakers show mixed support. Some cite privacy fears or question the seriousness of multiple speeding violations. Jackson Chabot notes, 'A lot of people have understood the bill because of the tragic and fatal crashes recently.' The piece highlights the urgent need for policy change to address reckless driving and systemic danger on city streets.

• Grieving Families Demand Safer Streets, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-05-14

A 74-year-old man rides east on West 70th. He wears a helmet. Illness seizes him. His bike hits a parked bus. The impact crushes his chest. He dies there, in the afternoon, beneath the city’s hard light.

A 74-year-old cyclist was killed on West 70th Street at West End Avenue in Manhattan, according to the police report. The crash occurred in the afternoon as the man rode his bike eastbound, helmet strapped on. The police report states, 'Illness takes him. The bus is parked. The bike strikes metal. Chest injury. The man dies there, in the afternoon light.' The bus, a 2016 IC CORP, was parked at the time of the collision and sustained no damage. The report lists 'Illnes' as a contributing factor, with no driver errors or moving vehicle violations cited. The cyclist's helmet use is noted in the report, but only after the sequence of events leading to his fatal chest injury. No evidence of driver error or systemic road design failure is cited in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807979, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Ford SUV moved east on West 86th. A man crossed Broadway. The front of the vehicle hit him. His body broke beneath the wheels. The street was quiet. The man, age 57, died at the scene. The driver remained unharmed.

A fatal collision unfolded at West 86th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 2012 Ford SUV traveling east struck a 57-year-old man as he crossed the intersection. The narrative states, 'The SUV moved east. A man, 57, crossed against the signal. The front of the Ford struck him. His body broke beneath the wheels.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to his entire body and was pronounced dead. The report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian. The police report notes the pedestrian was 'Crossing Against Signal,' but does not cite any specific driver errors or violations. The driver, a woman licensed in New York, wore her seatbelt and was uninjured. The quiet street and lack of additional contributing factors highlight the stark impact of the collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807749, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck struck a man sitting in the street at West 40th and 9th. The man died at the scene. The driver stayed. Police are investigating. No arrests. The victim’s name is not known.

Patch reported on April 7, 2025, that a man was killed by a box truck at West 40th Street and 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The article states, “Police determined that a box truck, operated by a 75-year-old man, was traveling southbound on 9 Avenue when the vehicle collided with the victim, who was sitting in the roadway.” The driver remained at the scene and was not injured. No arrests have been made. The victim’s identity has not been released. The incident highlights the persistent risk to people in city streets and the need for scrutiny of how large vehicles interact with vulnerable road users. The investigation is ongoing.

• Box Truck Kills Man In Hell's Kitchen, Patch, Published 2025-04-07

A sedan door bursts into a cyclist’s path on West 56th. Metal and flesh collide. She is hurled, head split, blood on concrete. The driver stands untouched. The city’s flow absorbs the violence, leaving her pain behind.

A woman riding a bike eastbound on West 56th Street in Manhattan was injured when a parked sedan’s door suddenly opened in her path, according to the police report. The report states the cyclist struck the metal door, was ejected from her bike, and suffered severe head lacerations. She remained conscious on the pavement while the sedan driver was unharmed. Police cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor in the crash. The sedan was parked and its left side doors were the point of impact. The report lists no contributing factors for the cyclist. This incident underscores the lethal consequences when drivers fail to check for oncoming cyclists before opening doors into city traffic.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804142, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A box truck struck a man in the street near West 40th. Steel met bone. He died alone before dawn. The truck rolled on, unscathed. The city’s dark streets claimed another life.

A 39-year-old man was killed when a box truck traveling south on 9th Avenue near West 40th Street struck him head-on, according to the police report. The incident occurred in the pre-dawn hours, with the report stating, 'A man stood in the street. A box truck came, head-on. His skull broke under steel. He died there, alone in the dark. The truck rolled on, untouched.' The pedestrian suffered fatal head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The police report lists the contributing factors as 'Unspecified' for both the driver and the pedestrian, offering no further details on the cause. The truck sustained no damage, and the driver continued on without stopping. The report notes the pedestrian was not at an intersection and was engaged in 'Other Actions in Roadway,' but does not cite this as a contributing factor. The focus remains on the lethal impact and the unanswered questions surrounding the driver's actions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803350, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collide on Riverside Drive. Metal screams. A 37-year-old man suffers a head wound, blood pooling in the night. The air reeks of alcohol and gasoline. A 71-year-old sits silent. The street absorbs the violence and moves on.

On Riverside Drive at West 82nd in Manhattan, two sedans collided, resulting in severe injury to a 37-year-old male driver, according to the police report. The report describes 'metal splits' and notes the injured man 'bleeds from the head.' Alcohol was cited as a contributing factor, with the report stating 'the night smells of alcohol and gasoline.' The crash involved a Ford and a Mercedes sedan, with both vehicles sustaining significant front-end damage. The police report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a primary contributing factor, underscoring the role of impaired driving in this violent collision. No evidence in the report suggests any contributing behavior by the injured driver beyond the systemic danger posed by alcohol use behind the wheel. The incident left one driver severely wounded and another occupant, a 71-year-old, unresponsive at the scene.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804217, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

Two sedans collided head-on at Broadway and West 60th. Metal tore. A 75-year-old man in the back seat bled from the head, wearing a lap belt. Both drivers were distracted, fueling a violent collision in Manhattan’s streets.

According to the police report, two sedans crashed head-on at Broadway and West 60th Street in Manhattan at 11:00 a.m. Both vehicles sustained severe front-end damage. The 75-year-old male passenger, seated in the right rear and wearing a lap belt, suffered a serious head injury with bleeding. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the sole contributing factor for both drivers. One driver was making a left turn while the other was traveling straight. The narrative states: 'A 75-year-old man in the back seat bled from the head. He wore a lap belt. Both drivers were distracted.' No victim behavior contributed to the crash. This collision highlights the deadly consequences of driver distraction on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4801266, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A man emerged from behind a parked SUV on 7th Avenue. A sedan, moving too fast, struck him. His pelvis broke. He stayed conscious on the asphalt as traffic and city life pressed on. The street did not pause.

A 26-year-old man was seriously injured on 7th Avenue near West 13th Street in Manhattan when a sedan, traveling at unsafe speed, struck him as he stepped from behind a parked SUV. According to the police report, the pedestrian suffered 'crush injuries' to his pelvis and remained conscious at the scene. The report identifies 'Unsafe Speed' as the contributing factor in the collision. The sedan’s impact was severe, shattering the man’s pelvis and leaving him on the roadway as other vehicles continued past. The police narrative states: 'A man stepped from behind a parked SUV. A speeding sedan struck him hard. His pelvis shattered.' The pedestrian was not at an intersection when the crash occurred. The report does not cite any contributing actions by the victim beyond his location and movement. The focus remains on the driver’s excessive speed, which directly led to the violent outcome.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4798757, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Dodge Charger slammed a street sweeper, then veered. The car pinned a police officer against a cruiser on Seventh Avenue. Sirens wailed. Both men landed in the hospital. Metal, glass, blood. Charges are pending. The street stayed dangerous.

ABC7 reported on March 14, 2025, that a 26-year-old police officer was struck by a Dodge Charger in Greenwich Village. The Charger, traveling south on Seventh Avenue, hit a street sweeper before losing control and pinning the officer against a marked police vehicle. According to ABC7, 'The officer was pinned between the Charger and a marked police vehicle.' Both the officer and the driver were hospitalized in stable condition. The driver is in custody with charges pending. The incident highlights the risk posed by vehicles losing control on busy city streets and underscores the ongoing danger to people on foot, even those in uniform.

• Officer Pinned By Out-Of-Control Charger, ABC7, Published 2025-03-14

Transit advocates and officials rallied at Grand Central. They demanded Governor Hochul fill a $33 billion gap in the MTA capital plan. Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal called transit vital for the region. Advocates stressed accessibility and equity. The state’s budget leaves riders exposed.

On February 2, 2025, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal joined transit advocates at Grand Central Terminal to push for full funding of the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan. The rally targeted Governor Hochul’s $252 billion budget, which omits $33 billion needed for transit upgrades. The event, covered by amny.com, highlighted the matter: 'NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue.' Hoylman-Sigal said, 'This is about the economic engine for the entire region.' Assembly Member Tony Simone and others demanded investment in transportation deserts and accessible stations. Advocates cited the MTA’s ADA settlement, noting only a quarter of stations are wheelchair-accessible, with the fewest in low-income areas. The rally underscored that without full funding, vulnerable riders—especially those with disabilities—face continued barriers and danger.

• NYC transit advocates urge Hochul to fully fund MTA Capital Plan with guaranteed state budget revenue, amny.com, Published 2025-02-02

A taxi slammed into a 92-year-old woman as she stepped from a car on West 95th. Her leg was crushed. The driver, distracted, failed to see her. The street bore witness. She stayed awake through the pain.

A 92-year-old woman was struck by a taxi on West 95th Street in Manhattan while stepping down from a vehicle, according to the police report. The impact crushed her leg, leaving her conscious but severely injured. The police report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the primary contributing factor. The driver’s failure to pay attention directly led to the collision. The report also notes the pedestrian was 'Getting On/Off Vehicle Other Than School Bus' and lists 'Listening/Using Headphones' as an additional factor, but only after the driver’s distraction. The cab showed no visible damage, and the narrative underscores the pain left on the street. The crash highlights the danger posed when drivers fail to remain alert, especially around vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4791904, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A Cadillac SUV barreled south through the intersection at W 37th Street and 9th Avenue. The bumper struck a 61-year-old woman crossing with the signal. She lay semiconscious, her body broken, the street marked by violence and disregard.

According to the police report, a Cadillac SUV drove south on 9th Avenue, proceeding straight through the intersection at W 37th Street. The vehicle struck a 61-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. The report states, 'The bumper struck her. She lay crushed and semiconscious, her body broken across the pavement.' The pedestrian suffered crush injuries to her entire body and was left semiconscious at the scene. The police report notes the woman was crossing with the signal, and no contributing factors were attributed to her actions. The report lists the contributing factor for the driver as 'Unspecified,' but the narrative makes clear the SUV 'drove south, straight through the light,' highlighting a failure to obey the traffic signal. The impact and resulting injuries underscore the lethal consequences when drivers disregard traffic controls at intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784464, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A taxi turned right at Amsterdam Avenue, its front end colliding with a man standing off the roadway. Blood pooled. The man, conscious, lay broken on the street, pain radiating through his body. The cab’s failure left him hurt and awake.

A taxi making a right turn at the corner of W 65th Street and Amsterdam Avenue struck a 36-year-old man who, according to the police report, was 'not in roadway' and 'stood off the roadway.' The front of the cab hit the pedestrian, causing severe bleeding and injuries across his entire body. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as the contributing factor. The man remained conscious but was left injured and bleeding in the street. The report does not cite any pedestrian actions as contributing to the crash. The collision underscores the danger posed when drivers fail to yield, even to those not occupying the roadway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779994, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 54-year-old man on a bike slammed into a parked bus at West 39th and Ninth. He flew from the saddle, his skull cracking on the pavement. Blood pooled. The bus stood untouched. The man lay broken, head bleeding.

According to the police report, a 54-year-old male bicyclist traveling west on West 39th Street collided with a parked bus at the corner of 9th Avenue in Manhattan. The report states the cyclist was ejected from his bike, suffering a severe head injury with significant bleeding after his skull struck the pavement. The bus, a 2006 GMC, was parked and sustained no damage. The police report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor in the crash. No helmet was in use, as noted in the data, but this is mentioned only after the driver error. The narrative describes a violent impact and the aftermath: 'Blood pooled on the asphalt. The bus, untouched. The man, broken.' The crash underscores the consequences of distraction and the hazards that persist even when vehicles are stationary.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779708, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A yellow cab turned left on 10th Avenue, its front end smashing into a teenage cyclist’s head. The boy collapsed, unconscious, under the streetlights. The cab kept moving. The city’s cold geometry drew blood again.

A 16-year-old boy riding a bicycle was struck and seriously injured by a yellow taxi at the corner of 10th Avenue and West 33rd Street in Manhattan, according to the police report. The crash occurred at 22:40, when the taxi, described as a 2023 Ford, made a left turn and its front end hit the cyclist’s head. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as a contributing factor for the driver, highlighting a critical error that led to the collision. The cyclist suffered crush injuries to the head and was found unconscious at the scene. The report also notes 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' and that the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but these are mentioned only after the primary driver error. The impact and resulting injuries underscore the lethal consequences when drivers fail to yield to vulnerable road users.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4774296, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14

A 75-year-old man stood off West 18th Street. An e-bike slammed into him head-on. His leg split open. Blood pooled on the curb. The rider vanished, leaving pain and silence behind.

According to the police report, a 75-year-old pedestrian was standing off the roadway near 351 West 18th Street in Manhattan when an e-bike traveling west struck him head-on. The report states the impact tore open the man's leg, causing severe bleeding. The e-bike rider did not stop and left the scene. The police report lists 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors to the crash. The pedestrian was not in the roadway at the time of the collision, according to the report. The focus remains on the e-bike operator's failure to yield and lack of attention, which directly led to the violent injury of a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4772262, NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-06-14