NYPD: Drivers Killed 7 Pedestrians and Cyclists in January, and Injured 1,017

Thirteen people died in New York City traffic in January, and 3,449 were injured, according to the latest NYPD crash data report [PDF].

Seven pedestrians and cyclists were reported killed by city motorists in January, and 1,017 injured, compared to 13 deaths and 1,191 injuries in January 2014.

Citywide, at least six pedestrians and one cyclist were fatally struck by drivers: two pedestrians in Manhattan; one pedestrian in the Bronx; one pedestrian in Brooklyn; and two pedestrians and one cyclist in Queens. Among the victims were Wesley Mensing, Dylon Ramirez, Uszer Lejtman, Hoyt Jacobs, Susan Eddy, and two unnamed female pedestrians in Queens. Motorists killed at least three seniors in January: Uszer Lejtman, 83; Susan Eddy, 69; and one of the unidentified women killed while walking in Queens, also 69.

Across the city, 902 pedestrians and 115 cyclists were reported hurt in collisions with motor vehicles. Per NYPD policy, few of these crashes were investigated by trained officers.

Of seven fatal crashes on surface streets reported by Streetsblog and other outlets, no motorists were known to have been charged for causing a death. NYPD rarely releases enough information to determine exactly how a crash occurred, but based on police and media accounts, at least one victim was likely walking or cycling with the right of way when she was struck. NYPD and district attorneys are known to have applied the city’s Right of Way Law in no crashes. Historically, nearly half of motorists who kill a New York City pedestrian or cyclist do not receive so much as a citation for careless driving.

In two cases, after a pedestrian was killed, police publicly exonerated the driver by telling the press the victim was not in a crosswalk.

Three motorists and three motor vehicle passengers died in the city in January; 1,133 and 1,299 were injured, respectively.

There were 15,977 motor vehicle crashes in the city in January, including 2,542 that resulted in injury or death.

Download January NYPD summons data here. NYPD posts geocoded crash data here. Crash and summons data from prior months is available in multiple formats here.

After the jump: contributing factors for crashes resulting in injury and death.