Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Carnage

Paging James Vacca: Curb-Jumper Injures Senior Citizen on 5th Ave Sidewalk

Can we get a James Vacca City Council hearing on this?

A man in his eighties was seriously injured today when an SUV driver jumped the curb and slammed into Saks Fifth Avenue in Midtown a little before 11 a.m. Gothamist reports that the victim was walking by the store at the time and was taken to Bellevue in stable condition.

Even though Fifth Avenue has some of the most crowded sidewalks in the Western Hemisphere, the driver who careened off the road was immediately exonerated by NYPD, who told Gothamist there's "no criminality suspected."

At least six pedestrians were killed by curb-jumping motorists in NYC last year. Those victims were all 58 years or older. Given the prevalence of traffic violence -- more than 10,000 NYC pedestrians are hurt by motorists every year -- it's likely that hundreds of other New Yorkers were injured while on the sidewalk in 2012.

Thanks to reader Liz Patek for sending in the photo from the scene.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Opinion: A Fairer — And Better Way — For Taxi Passengers To Pay The Congestion Toll

A per-minute, rather than flat, fee on passengers entering the central business district would reduce traffic, Charles Komanoff says.

March 4, 2026

NJ Scales Back Part of Gov. Murphy’s Turnpike Boondoggle

There’s now one less thing for New Yorkers to dislike about New Jersey.

March 4, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines: Big Game Edition

Super Bowl Tuesday lived up to the hype. Plus more news.

March 4, 2026

The Mamdani ‘Streets Master Plan’: Big! Bold! No Mileage Benchmarks!

Benchmarks? They don't have to show you any stinking mileage benchmarks.

March 4, 2026

Lawmaker Pushes FDNY To Get On Board With Protected Bike Lanes

FDNY brass recently claimed bike lanes impede emergency responses.

March 4, 2026

Mamdani’s DOT Endorses Adams’s ‘Unacceptable’ Opposition To Universal Daylighting, Stunning Abreu

The new mayor said he wants "streets that are the envy of the world" — yet he continues his predecessor's flawed policy on daylighting.

March 3, 2026
See all posts