Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
amd_van.jpgPhoto: Hermann/New York Daily News

Yesterday's horrific crash in Chinatown has us groping for answers. Why were there no bollards or other design elements to protect pedestrians on such a crowded street? Why did the driver have to double park to do his business? How could he be so careless as to leave his van running and in reverse? How can two more innocent people -- preschoolers -- die such violent deaths, and no one is held accountable? Would this have happened if our legal system weren't so cavalier about loss of pedestrian life and limb?

And where are our city leaders today? Please correct us if we're wrong, but other than Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, we have seen no word from electeds on this senseless tragedy, or on what can and should be done to prevent the next one. How can an issue like parking grace periods earn so much attention from public officials while kids' bodies under bloody tarps fail to elicit a press release?

Where are you Mayor Bloomberg? John Liu? Alan Gerson? New Yorkers are dying out here.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

From the Top: Eric Adams Directly Ordered Cars Back Inside Staten Island Park

The former mayor got the city to move at warp speed for cars.

January 22, 2026

Heastie Undecided On Gov. Hochul’s Uber-Backed Push to Lower Car Insurance Rates

The Assembly Speaker is definitely not sold on Gov. Hochul's effort to reduce car insurance costs by lowing payouts to victims.

January 22, 2026

Amtrak Quietly Fast-Tracking Trump Penn Station Transformation

Amtrak won't say whether it will make public its criteria for picking a contractor for its Trumpified Penn Station revamp.

January 22, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines: Affordability-Washing Edition

Gov. Hochul is pushing an Uber-backed campaign to lower car insurance costs at the expensive of victims. Plus more news.

January 22, 2026

Queenshorror Bridge: Two Days After Minor Storm, Span Was An Ice Sheet (But It’s Better Now!)

Bike riders are angry about conditions on the Queensboro Bridge bike lane more than two days after a fairly insignificant snowfall ended.

January 21, 2026
See all posts