Washington Heights (South): Traffic Crash Statistics

Recent severe crashes

1. Distracted sedan driver kills elderly cyclist 2025-12-07T09:25:00+00:00
   820 RIVERSIDE DR
   A northbound driver in a sedan hit a 78-year-old man on a bike on Riverside Drive. The crash crushed the rider’s leg and took his life. Police recorded driver inattention and another life lost.
   A northbound driver in a 2021 Toyota sedan hit a 78-year-old man riding a bike near 820 Riverside Drive in Manhattan. The collision damaged the sedan’s front end and the back of the bicycle and caused fatal hip and upper leg injuries to the cyclist, who was ejected. According to the police report, the listed contributing factor was “Driver Inattention/Distraction,” a clear failure by the driver to safely control the car around a vulnerable road user. The bicyclist was recorded as wearing a helmet. No injuries were reported for the driver or other listed occupants.
2. Pedestrian Hit, Head Injury on W 168th 2025-07-29T19:50:00+00:00
   600 W 168 ST
   A 44-year-old man was struck by a vehicle on West 168th Street in Manhattan. He suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. He remained conscious. The police report lists no vehicle type, driver errors, or contributing factors.
   According to the police report, a 44-year-old man pedestrian was struck on West 168th Street in Manhattan and suffered a head injury and severe bleeding. He remained conscious. The report does not identify the vehicle type. The report does not list any driver errors or contributing factors. Police records show the pedestrian’s injury as a head wound with severe bleeding and list him as injured and conscious. The crash file contains no narrative of driver actions and no recorded contributing factors in the data provided.
3. Sedan Strikes Pedestrian at St Nicholas Ave 2025-04-30T18:47:00+00:00
   ST NICHOLAS AVE
   A sedan hit a 64-year-old woman crossing St Nicholas Ave. She suffered deep leg cuts. Alcohol was involved. The driver was unhurt. The street stayed loud. The blood stayed bright.
   A 64-year-old woman was struck by a sedan while crossing St Nicholas Ave at W 174 St in Manhattan. She suffered severe lacerations to her lower leg and foot. According to the police report, alcohol involvement was noted as a contributing factor for both the pedestrian and the driver. The driver, a 34-year-old man, was not injured. The report lists 'Unspecified' and 'Alcohol Involvement' as contributing factors. No driver errors beyond alcohol involvement were documented.
4. Driver’s lane change slams concrete 2025-11-30T18:18:00+00:00
   W 158 ST
   A young driver cut across West 158th by Riverside. The sedan jumped. Steel bent. Glass blew. The driver bled from the face. Her passenger hurt beside her. One car, two women, a hard stop in the dark.
   A 25-year-old woman driving a 2025 Honda sedan north on West 158th Street by Riverside Drive West changed lanes and crashed, injuring herself and a 25-year-old woman riding in the car. According to the police report, the driver was “Changing Lanes” before impact, and officers listed the contributing factor for both women as “Unspecified.” The report records damage and point of impact at the sedan’s left front bumper. Police noted the driver as being in shock, with an injury to her face and a complaint of pain or nausea, while the passenger was also recorded as injured. The report states the driver used a lap belt before the collision.
5. Rear-end sedan crash injures toddlers 2025-11-25T21:15:00+00:00
   W 163 ST
   A northbound sedan driver on West 163rd plowed into the car ahead near Riverside. A woman’s neck snapped back. Two toddlers cried in the dark. Steel folded. Sirens rose over Washington Heights.
   A northbound sedan driver on West 163rd Street rear-ended another vehicle near Riverside Drive in Manhattan. A 35-year-old front-seat passenger suffered neck injuries and reported whiplash. Two children, ages 2 and 3, riding in the rear seats were also injured. According to the police report, the striking sedan showed center back-end damage, confirming a rear-end impact, and the driver was licensed. Police recorded contributing factors as “Unspecified” and did not list driver errors such as Failure to Yield, Unsafe Speed, or Driver Inattention. No helmet or signal issues were cited. Three passengers were hurt while the driver and the registered owner were recorded as uninjured.