Skip to content

What Do We Do Now?

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?
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.

Photo of Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York'’s dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Rate Evaders’: Auto Insurance Address Fraud Soars Under Hochul’s Watch

April 21, 2026

MTA Workers Park All Over Sidewalks Outside Astoria Facility

April 21, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines: Cops Are Doing It Wrong Edition

April 21, 2026

Non-Profits, City Officials Put Pressure On Lawmakers To OK Gov. Hochul’s ‘Stop Super Speeders’ Effort

April 20, 2026

‘A Solution, But To What Problem?’ Experts Say AVs Are The Elephant In The Room, But There’s Still Time To Figure Out Their Role

April 20, 2026
See all posts