An SUV collision on 1st Avenue at 5th Street

If you traveled on First Avenue at Fifth Street today, then you likely noticed the Ford SUV on the sidewalk, lodged amid the Village View sidewalk bridge. 

EVG reader Chris Ryan shared the top photo from around 8:30 a.m. 

Here are more photos from EVG regular Salim showing the damage to the sidewalk bridge and vehicle on the east side of the avenue...

Still piecing together what happened. A reader shared the photos below from just after 2 a.m. ...

The reader believes the minivan slammed into the Ford, which was parked at the time... and the collision propelled it onto the sidewalk...

And what was the driver doing going in that direction on the northbound First Avenue? Was the driver heading east on Sixth Street and made a right and drove the wrong way on First Avenue? A less likely explanation is the driver turned the wrong way off Second Avenue and headed across Fifth Street — and right by the 9th Precinct — before coming to an end here. 

Will update if any more info becomes available.

Also, the M15 stop here is temporarily not in service...

Reader report: Driver crashes into Town & Village Synagogue on 14th Street

There are reports this afternoon that an elderly woman lost control of her car and crashed into the gates outside the Town & Village Synagogue on 14th Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue.

According to a witness, the driver exited from the parking garage on the north side of 14th Street ... and drove straight into the synagogue across the street. There weren't any reports of pedestrian injuries.



No word just yet on injuries to the driver.

Thanks to James & Karla Murray for the photos and KT for the report.

[Updated] Reader report: Resident injured trying to rescue drone from 12th Street rooftop

Late this afternoon, the FDNY responded to a report of an injured person on the rooftop of the abandoned 535 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.



Here's information pieced together from a resident on the block based on witness accounts...

A woman apparently created a rope made of sheets to lower herself from No. 531-33 to retrieve her drone on the rooftop below.

The sheet rope didn't hold, and she fell to the adjacent roof. One person on the scene said that she was unconscious but OK.



Another reader shared this photo ... showing a police officer holding the drone...



Updated 11/5

Gothamist has more details on the incident.

Last night, our correspondent first identified the victim as a man... an NYPD sergeant at the scene last night said the person was a woman. This morning, however, an NYPD spokesperson said that the person is a man.

The man, who is in his 50s, was taken to Bellevue Hospital.

Per Gothamist:

Due to the complexity of the fall, the FDNY and NYPD's ESU had to perform a high-angle rescue utilizing an FDNY tower ladder. The building where the victim fell, 535 East 12th, is an abandoned building and access was limited due to security measures taken to secure that building from squatters.

The drone, a Yuneec Typhoon Hexacopter, costs nearly $1,000, per Gothamist.

Updated 11/6

The Post reports today that the victim, identified as Cris Piedrahita, 55, remains in critical condition.

Reader report: Car jumps curb, collides with Dunkin' Donuts on 1st Avenue

@evgrieve car jumped the curb into dunkin donuts pic.twitter.com/yeFck5XlQ4

— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) March 11, 2016

Close call outside the Dunkin' Donuts on First Avenue and East Sixth Street early this evening.

According to witnesses, an older man was backing into a parking spot in front of the McDonald's when he apparently hit the accelerator by accident, driving up onto the sidewalk outside Dunkin' Donuts, taking out part of the railing in the process...



... narrowly avoiding hitting an estimated six people, including EVG Facebook friend Mike Diaz, who shared these photos...





The driver was also not injured, though he was taken to a hospital as a precaution.

Updated

Here are two more photos via Derek Berg showing the aftermath...

Reader report: An assessment of the dangerous East Houston-Avenue B/Clinton Street intersection

[EVG photo from yesterday]

Early this past Sunday morning, an EVG reader who lives near East Houston and Avenue B/Clinton Street said that a young man was struck by a silver SUV in the right eastbound lane while he was trying to cross from the southeast corner of Houston and Clinton to the northeast corner of Houston and Avenue B.

Per the reader: "The SUV was badly damaged. The hood was bent into a V. I’m surprised the pedestrian survived."

It is the same intersection where East Village resident Meipui Chow Leon, 73, was struck and killed on Aug. 23, 2013, by a Whole Foods van while walking north in the crosswalk from Clinton Street to Avenue B.


[Photo from 2013]

The EVG reader lives nearby and has observed how dangerous the intersection can be. The reader offers an assessment and a partial solution. It starts with traffic exiting the Williamsburg Bridge and turning north on Clinton Street.

Drivers coming off the bridge are always trying to run that light to make a right on Houston, and get onto the FDR. Clinton Street backs up a half mile onto the bridge during rush hour. Only about 4-5 cars can make it through that light before it changes. There is a car accident or pedestrian strike at least once every three months at this intersection. If we had protected bike lanes, a curb extension or if they would reverse [the traffic flow on] Clinton, that intersection would be so much safer. Seems like all the pedestrian strikes happen going eastbound. Westbound is more fender benders. Drivers are still doing highway speeds coming off the FDR.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Reports: 73-year-old East Village woman struck and killed by van while crossing East Houston

More accidents on East Houston Street

A Crude awakening on East 3rd Street

A reader came across this scene (oil that is, black gold, Texas tea) this morning at 11 on East Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B...

Per the reader: "Not sure what happened here but what a mess..."

Broken steam pipe wipes out East 12th Street toy shop

CUBO New York, the cool, 1-year-old toy shop with 3D printing capabilities, had to close last month at 521 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and Avenue B.

Proprietors Victor De Los Angeles and Julie Kim explain in a Facebook page:

This is the photo of our temporary demise.



We want to take a moment to thank everyone that has supported our endeavor here at 12th Street. The people in this neighborhood have been so great and our neighbors the best. The artists in our industry have been so supportive and we are grateful for that and of course we want to thank our friends at 3DS.

The photo above is of a steam pipe that burst overnight and flooded our space with steam drenching all of our products and equipment in water rendering our entire operation useless. With that said, we have poured our hearts into CUBO and now we must close because of a single pipe. We're down but we're not out. We will update everyone on the revival of CUBO. Thank you all again for being amazing.

Sidewalk bridge collapses on the Bowery

[EVG photo from Thursday]

The sidewalk bridge arrived last Wednesday ahead of the demolition of Salvation Army's former East Village Residence on the Bowery at East Third Street.

Earlier this evening, a portion of the structure came crashing down, nearly blocking the entrance to the 7-Eleven next door… and spilling into the street…



EVG regular Pinhead shared these photos … and said that the FDNY responded within 2 minutes … thankfully, no one was injured …



The Residence closed in August 2008. It will be torn down to make way for a 13-floor residential building.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Whatever happened to that really ugly hotel planned for the Bowery?

Permits filed to demolish former Salvation Army residence on the Bowery

The Salvation Army's former East Village Residence will be demolished on the Bowery

Looks like 347 Bowery will be home to a 13-floor mixed-use residential development

Remembering elderly pedestrians killed by cars

[August 2013]

From the EVG inbox…

Today, Street Justice Activists with Right of Way will travel 30 miles by bicycle across 3 boroughs to stencil body outlines of dead pedestrians at 7 sites where New Yorkers over 70 years old have recently been killed by drivers. In 6 of these cases, the NYPD has not filed any charges. In a seventh, the driver was charged only with leaving the scene, not for the illegal left turn that led to the pedestrian’s death.

The event starts at 9 a.m. at East Houston and Clinton Street … at the site where East Village resident Meipui Chow Leon, 73, was killed on Aug. 23 by a Whole Foods van while crossing the street.

Find more details on today's event here.

Updated 12:20 p.m.

WCBS reports that four pedestrians have been killed this weekend by cars.


Previously on EV Grieve:
Reports: 73-year-old East Village woman struck and killed by van while crossing East Houston

More accidents on East Houston Street

This cab just got crushed on Avenue B

This happened about 10 minutes ago on Avenue B and East Third Street…



… it appears everyone is OK… Did anyone see what happened?



Photos by V.H. McKenzie

Breaking (yes): Glass truck accident on 10th and B

Oh. @RTSNYC passes along these photos from East 10th Street and Avenue B just now... some sort of collision that wiped out the cargo on half of this glass truck... no word on any injuries at the moment.



Watch those bike tires later.

Updated 12:58

More from @RTSNYC:

"I think the glass shifted and shattered when the truck made the turn. No injuries that I could see. Woman in that SUV looked pissed."

More accidents on East Houston Street

Late Friday afternoon, 73-year-old East Village resident Meipui Chow Leon was reportedly struck and killed by a Whole Foods van while she was crossing East Houston at Avenue B.



In the above photo from yesterday afternoon, an EVG reader notes what was the third accident at this intersection this weekend... where one SUV sideswiped another SUV. One passenger in the SUV in the foreground was taken away in the ambulance.

"This intersection is so dangerous," said the reader. "You've got traffic coming off the bridge and the FDR and no traffic cameras."

-----



Meanwhile, last night around 8, Bill the Libertarian Anarchist came across the scene of an accident at East Houston and Avenue C. The cab collided with a Toyota Camry Solara in the intersection. Witnesses believe that the cab driver was speeding. The driver of the Solara said that he was not injured.

The cab was flipped over when Bill first arrived on the scene at 8:15. The cab driver and the passenger were taken to the hospital. It is not known what condition they are in...

Reports: 73-year-old East Village woman struck and killed by van while crossing East Houston

East Village resident Meipui Chow Leon, 73, was killed late yesterday afternoon by a van while crossing East Houston Street at Avenue B, according to published reports.

The Lo-Down reported that she was walking north in the crosswalk from Clinton Street to Avenue B.

Per DNAinfo:

That's when the driver of a 2011 Ford van, who was attempting to take a left from a southbound lane of Avenue B, plowed into her causing serious bodily trauma, police said.

An EVG reader, who took the above photo, said that four ambulances were at the scene at one point. According to witnesses, the van belonged to Whole Foods. DNAinfo reported that "the driver stayed on the scene, and was later cited for failure to yield and failure to exercise due care."

Clinton Street was closed until 9:30 last night, The Lo-Down noted.

Witnesses: Man drives into front gate at Tompkins Square Park

Around 2 a.m., a man driving a station wagon crashed through the front gate of Tompkins Square Park on Avenue A and St. Mark's Place, according to witnesses. The man had been driving east on St. Mark's Place ... without apparently realizing that this portion of the street ends at the Park entrance...

The driver then tried to leave the scene.

"About 25 people gathered around and screamed at him as he reversed away," said Greg Nardello, proprietor of The Village Joker on St. Mark's Place. "I am assuming he did not get very far since his wheels appeared to be flat, and a cop was chasing him northbound on Avenue A."

Report: Driver in East Village Farm and Grocery crash asked cops if he was dead

[Photo via @kiwi1978]

DNAinfo has an update on the horrific crash that injured four people early Wednesday morning on Second Avenue and East Fourth Street:

The drunk and drugged-up driver who slammed into several pedestrians and a Citi biker this week had PCP in his sock and was so out of it repeatedly asked cops "Am I dead," prosecutors said.

Shaun Martin, a 32-year-old Bayside, Queens resident, is being held on $100,000 bail. He is due back in court Monday, per DNAinfo.

Read the DNAinfo piece here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Car smashes into East Village Farm & Grocery on Second Avenue; 6 reported injured (62 comments)

Campaign launched to raise money for gravely injured East Village Farm and Grocery worker

After the crash: This evening outside East Village Farm and Grocery

Walked by East Village Farm and Grocery on Second Avenue and East Fourth Street this evening... the site of the awful accident around 7 a.m. today. Everything seems strangely back to normal. The Grocery is open, though they aren't currently selling any flowers, which were wiped out when the speeding Nissan Altima jumped the curb and knocked over a street sign, tree, pay phone and fire hydrant.

Diners/drinkers are sitting along the Avenue's many sidewalk cafes... a lot of people seem unaware of that the area was a crime scene earlier in the day ... others are walking and pointing to some of the damage. It happened right here.





As previously reported, the NYPD charged Shaun Martin, 32, of Bayside, Queens, with DWI. The Post reported that Martin lives with his parents and works for his brother, a roofer. Said neighbors:

"I've known him his whole life. A very good kid,” Frank Mingione, 60, a neighbor said. “Never caused any trouble as far as I know. He's a very hard worker. He's always been a good person."

“He's very nice, a good kid. Very respectful,” said another neighbor who identified herself as Eleni. "He helps me with my grocery bags. I never see him drinking, you can tell."

Police say Martin also has a prior arrest record for DWI and cocaine possession. Depending on the report, the police found marijuana in his sock and hash in his the battered 2013 Nissan Altima he was driving.

Per the Daily News:

His white Nissan Altima was racing against another vehicle before jumping the curb in a horrifying mix of screeching brakes and twisted metal, an eyewitness said.

According to Metro, Ali, the most seriously injured of the East Village Farm workers, is expected to survive his injuries.

Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Car smashes into East Village Farm & Grocery on Second Avenue; 6 reported injured (51 comments)

Report: The 9th Precinct issued 11 speeding tickets in 2012

[Photo via @WPIX]

In its coverage of this morning's probably drunken drag-racing crash on Second Avenue at East Fourth Street, Streetsblog reports the following. I wanted to highlight this here:

This crash occurred in the 9th Precinct, where officers issued 11 speeding tickets in all of 2012. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to Deputy Inspector John G. Cappelmann, the commanding officer, go to the next precinct community council meeting. The 9th Precinct council meetings happen on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the precinct, 321 E. 5th Street. Call 212-477-7805 for information.

The City Council district where this crash occurred is represented by Rosie Mendez. Since March 2012, at least seven pedestrians and cyclists have been killed by motorists in Mendez’s district, including three people in 2013. To encourage Mendez to take action to improve street safety in her district and citywide, contact her at 212-677-1077 or @RosieMendez.

[Updated] Car smashes into East Village Farm & Grocery on Second Avenue; 6 reported injured

[Fox News]

A car crashed into East Village Farm & Grocery on Second Avenue and East Fourth Street this morning around 7, according to published reports. Readers have said that there is a large emergency response on the scene.

Fox reports that there are several injuries, and that at least two cars were involved in the accident. WABC 7 reports that "five people were being treated inside the vehicle."

We'll pass along more information as it comes in...

Updated 7:56

NBC 4 reports that eight people have been taken to the hospital, "including three in serious condition." It still isn't clear if the injured were passengers in the two cars that collided or pedestrians or grocery employees.


[Photo via @Xeus]

Updated 8:04


[Photo via @JanSichermann]

Updated 8:29

Witnesses say fire hydrant, trees, bikes, store front taken out when car jumps curb. Updates: http://t.co/Sfr8iuiflH pic.twitter.com/LFNtt3MPhu

— MyFoxNY.com (@MyFoxNY) June 19, 2013

‏
Updated 8:33


[Photo via @kiwi1978]

DNAinfo reports that the injured include pedestrians... a reader hears that at least one of the injured worked at the grocery.

Updated 8:57

#BreakingNews horrific accident in #East Village. Car jumps curb. Injures 8 @evgrieve pic.twitter.com/RVUtAurWhx

— Lisa Colagrossi (@LColagrossi7) June 19, 2013

Updated 9:45

The Post reports that the car, a white Nissan Altima, hit four people. The most seriously hurt is a East Village Farm & Grocery worker who had been setting up the flower stand. He is in critical condition at Bellevue. A bicyclist was also struck, and was listed in stable condition.


Updated 11:06

MANHATTAN: U/D - DRIVER OF CAR THAT STRUCK 8 PEDESTRIANS EARLY THIS MORNING AT 2ND AVE & 4TH STREET ARRESTED FOR DWI! @DNAinfo #911BUFF

— 911 Operator (@911BUFF) June 19, 2013

Aside from the reported arrest of the drive... NBC 4 says that only six people were injured, not eight as originally reported. An employee from the market reportedly has life-threatening injuries; the other five are expected to be OK.

Updated 11:50 a.m.

East Village car wreck scene on 2nd Ave/4th St as of 11:45am pic.twitter.com/ydyLTZmSbt

— JwalkinNYC (@JwalkinNYC) June 19, 2013

Metro reports that the driver of the car is Shaun Martin, 32, from Queens. The 37-year-old man cyclist was riding a Citi Bike, Metro noted.

DNAinfo reports that Martin had priors for drunken driving and cocaine possession. Police took him to Bellevue, where they reported found a marijuana stash in his sock.

Updated noon

From the Daily News:

"They were racing each other - that's what happened," Alvraro Alban, 38, told the Daily News. "I saw them race right past me. This stupid thing of who's going to take the next 10 blocks faster."

Witnesses say the driver was going 80 mph and weaving in and out of traffic minutes before the crash.

The Altima was "weaving in and out of traffic," said Alban, who estimated the two cars were flying at about 80 mph. "That's probably how he lost control. They weren't driving straight."

The Daily News also has some horrorfic aerial shots from the accident scene.

Updated 12:25



Updated 3:12

A commenter points us to NY1's updated coverage...

Neighbors in the area tell NY1 they were particularly concerned for the three workers injured at the corner store which they describe as being a neighborhood institution.

"The whole neighborhood is out here wanting to know how people are," said one East Village resident.

"I know the guy too, the flower guy who has been working there for about 20 years, so I hope he's alright," noted a second East Village resident.

One worker was seriously injured. Some positive news. According to Metro: "The 62-year-old victim’s condition has been upgraded and he is no longer considered likely to die."

Here's a sight for you

This is happening right now on East Eighth Street and Broadway ... tour bus missed didn't quite navigate the turn, as these photos via EVG reader 8E show...

When 20-ton cranes topple over along the East River

EVG reader Luke Dohner Av. C happened by this scene this morning along the East River at East 31st Street... the crane tipped over while repairing a bulkead near the Water Club restaurant...



The Daily News has a report on the 20-ton crane accident:

Workers said the crane, which was on a work barge, got stuck on a support beam when it suddenly crashed forward, sending its back wheels in the air. The scene slowed traffic along the FDR, while some passersby, including one pedaling a rented CitiBike, stopped to gawk and snap photos.

There were no reported injuries. And had this been the Post, the editors would have blamed the accident on the Citi Bike.