Seven Dead, a Thousand Broken—Why Won’t NYC Slow the Streets?

A sedan struck a man crossing Broadway. The driver was distracted. The pedestrian suffered head wounds and severe cuts. The crash left pain and confusion on the street.

A BMW sedan traveling south on Broadway struck a 45-year-old man as he crossed at the intersection with West 97th Street. The pedestrian suffered head injuries and severe lacerations. According to the police report, 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' was a contributing factor. The impact occurred at the right front bumper of the vehicle. The driver and a passenger were also listed in the report, but only the pedestrian was reported injured. The data notes the pedestrian was crossing against the signal, but the primary error cited is driver distraction.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4811387 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A woman crossed Amsterdam Avenue. An ambulance turned left. Metal struck flesh. Bones broke. Blood spilled. She died in the hospital. The driver stayed, but charges followed. The street remains wide, busy, and dangerous.

NY Daily News reported on April 29, 2025, that Juan Santana, an ambulance driver, was arrested months after fatally striking Miriam Reinharth, 69, in Manhattan. Police said Santana failed to yield as Reinharth crossed Amsterdam Avenue at West 96th Street. The NYPD Collision Investigation Squad found Santana turned left into her path. He was charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care. Reinharth died from severe injuries, including a broken leg and pelvis fractures. The article notes, 'The police officer said the accident was not Miriam's fault at all.' The crash occurred on a double-wide, truck route artery, highlighting ongoing risks for pedestrians at busy intersections.

• Ambulance Driver Charged After Fatal Turn, NY Daily News, Published 2025-04-29

A 74-year-old man rides east on West 70th. Illness seizes him. His bike hits a parked bus. He suffers chest trauma. He dies in the street. The helmet could not save him.

A 74-year-old cyclist traveling east on West 70th Street struck a parked bus and died from chest injuries. According to the police report, 'Illness takes him. The bus is parked. The bike strikes metal. Chest injury. The man dies there, in the afternoon light.' The only listed contributing factor is illness. The cyclist wore a helmet, as noted in the report. No driver errors or moving vehicles are cited. The bus was stationary at the time of the crash.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807979 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Ford SUV hit a 57-year-old man crossing West 86th at Broadway. The street was quiet. The man died beneath the wheels. No driver errors listed. The driver wore her belt.

A 57-year-old man was killed when a Ford SUV struck him as he crossed West 86th Street at Broadway. According to the police report, the SUV moved east and hit the man, who was crossing against the signal. The impact crushed his body. The street was quiet. The driver, a 41-year-old woman, wore her seatbelt. No driver errors or contributing factors were listed in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4807749 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate bill S 7336 pushes more speed cameras and targets hidden plates. Sponsors want sharper eyes on reckless drivers. School zones stay under watch. The city’s most vulnerable stay exposed.

Senate bill S 7336, now in sponsorship, aims to expand photo speed violation monitoring in New York City. The bill, titled 'Relates to the use of certain photo speed violation monitoring systems for the purposes of enforcement of license plate obstruction; repealer,' lets cameras catch drivers who hide or alter plates and extends speed camera use in school zones. Senator Andrew Gounardes leads, joined by Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Luis R. Sepúlveda. The bill’s focus: more enforcement, less evasion. No safety analyst note yet, but the intent is clear—more eyes on the street, more pressure on reckless drivers.

• File S 7336, Open States, Published 2025-04-10

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 snaps open on West 56th. A woman on a bike slams metal, hurled to the street. Blood pours from her head. She lies conscious. The driver stands untouched. Manhattan traffic surges on.

A woman riding a bike suffered severe head lacerations after striking a suddenly opened sedan door on West 56th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, 'A parked sedan’s door swings open. A woman on a bike strikes metal, is thrown. Her head bleeds. She lies conscious on the pavement. The driver stands unharmed.' The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' as contributing factors. The cyclist was ejected and injured, but remained conscious. The sedan driver was not hurt.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804142 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A box truck hit a man head-on near West 40th. Steel crushed his skull. He died in the street before dawn. The truck kept moving. No driver errors listed. The city stayed dark.

A 39-year-old man was killed when a box truck struck him head-on on 9th Avenue near West 40th Street in Manhattan. According to the police report, the pedestrian was in the roadway, not at an intersection, when the truck hit him. He suffered fatal head injuries and died at the scene. The driver, a 75-year-old man, was not injured. The police report lists all contributing factors as 'Unspecified.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or distraction were recorded in the data.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4803350 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans collide on Riverside Drive. Metal screams. A 37-year-old man suffers a head wound. Alcohol hangs in the air. The street falls silent. Blood stains the night.

A crash on Riverside Drive at West 82nd Street left a 37-year-old male driver with severe head lacerations. According to the police report, two sedans collided late at night. Alcohol involvement was listed as a contributing factor. The injured man was conscious but bleeding from the head. A 71-year-old man was also present but his injuries were unspecified. No other contributing factors were noted in the report. The data shows the crash involved licensed drivers and parked vehicles, but the main danger cited was alcohol.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4804217 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Dodge Charger struck a street sweeper, spun out, and pinned an NYPD officer against his patrol car in the West Village. Both the officer and the driver landed in the hospital. The street saw chaos, metal, and speed.

NY Daily News (March 14, 2025) reports a crash at W. 13th St and Seventh Ave. A Dodge Charger, heading south, changed lanes and hit a street sweeper. The car spun several times and pinned a uniformed officer between vehicles. Surveillance footage showed the Charger 'appeared to be speeding,' according to a witness. The officer tried to escape but was struck. Both the officer and driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries. No charges have been filed. The incident highlights the dangers of lane changes and speed on city streets, raising questions about enforcement and street design.

• Officer Pinned By Spinning Dodge Charger, NY Daily News, 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 Jeep rolled on West 64th and Amsterdam. Illness struck the driver. The SUV carried two. One man died in the seat, the left rear bumper marked by the crash. The street bore witness to sudden loss and silent danger.

A fatal crash occurred at West 64th Street and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. According to the police report, a 73-year-old man driving a Jeep SUV suffered an illness while at the wheel. The report states, 'A 73-year-old man slumped at the wheel of a Jeep. Illness struck. The SUV rolled on. Two inside. One died in the driver’s seat. The left rear bumper bore the mark of the end.' The crash resulted in the death of the driver, who was not ejected from the vehicle. The police report lists 'Illnes' as the contributing factor. No other contributing factors or victim behaviors are cited. The incident highlights the systemic risks when medical emergencies occur behind the wheel, with the vehicle continuing uncontrolled and endangering all inside.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4787051 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04