A busy Harlem stretch outside the Apollo Theater turned chaotic Thursday night when a car struck multiple pedestrians at West 125th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard, leaving at least five people injured, according to emergency crews.
FDNY and NYPD units rushed to the scene, where firefighters and EMS treated victims on the sidewalk and in the street before several were taken by ambulance to nearby hospitals. At least five people were hurt in the collision and two suffered what the FDNY described as "severe" injuries, with EMS handling transports, according to PIX11. The crash temporarily shut down the intersection and sent commuters and bystanders scrambling as sirens and flashing lights took over the block just steps from the Apollo's marquee, officials said.
Intersection Has Long Safety Concerns
The corner of 125th Street and Frederick Douglass has been on the city's radar for years as a risky spot for people on foot, with bus stops, heavy traffic and long crossing distances creating frequent conflicts between turning drivers and pedestrians. A New York City Department of Transportation analysis of top pedestrian crash locations recommended changes such as curb extensions, pedestrian refuge islands and restrictions on certain left turns to shorten crossings and improve sight lines, according to NYC DOT.
Police Investigating
The NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad responded to the scene, where investigators examined the vehicle, took measurements in the roadway and interviewed witnesses. Video circulating online showed officers and FDNY personnel working along the block near the theater, according to PIX11. Authorities had not immediately released information about the driver or whether any charges might follow.
Calls For More Street Safety
Street safety advocates who have long pushed for improvements on 125th Street say the crash highlights the need to move faster on engineering fixes and clearer signal timing that can reduce conflicts between cars and pedestrians. Past NYC DOT proposals for this intersection have included relocating bus stops, adding pedestrian refuge space and introducing leading pedestrian intervals that give people on foot a head start before cars get a green to turn, measures the agency said would help cut down on crashes, per NYC DOT.
Investigators are asking anyone with video or information about the incident to contact the NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad as the probe continues. Officials say more details may be released as they complete their work at the scene.
