(New York) —
According to authorities, a driver who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs crashed into a park in Manhattan on Thursday night, killing three and injuring six others, all while celebrating the Fourth of July.
The New York City Police Department reported that the event occurred on the Lower East Side shortly before 9 p.m.
The driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck was reportedly traveling at high speeds down Water Street when he disregarded a stop sign at the intersection of Water and Cherry Streets, swerved across the sidewalk, and slammed into Corlears Hook Park, according to a late-night news conference by NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey.
Tragically, four pedestrians were ensnared beneath the wreckage as nine others were hit.
According to the New York City Fire Department, personnel were able to remove the automobile from the victims after just 3.5 minutes of arriving at the scene.
Image – The New York Times
Rapid medical assistance was provided to nine individuals in the surrounding region. Tragically, two lives have been lost.
It has been reported that one person is in critical condition, three others have suffered serious injuries, and two more have had moderate ones.
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At least two youngsters were sent to a local hospital, but Maddrey added that they are still trying to ascertain the victims’ ages.
The event does not seem to have been linked to terrorism, according to authorities.
While many Americans and New Yorkers are currently celebrating, a vehicle plowed into a gathering of people, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Federal investigators have speculated that intoxication played a role.
“Responding officers who did arrive on the scene did smell some alcohol, but we are still in the process of doing testing,” said Maddrey.
Thanks to the assistance of bystanders, the driver—whose identity was not disclosed—was apprehended at the site.
“We believe initially that there were people who were there at the scene who grabbed the driver, removed the driver, and made sure the driver didn’t leave until first responders made it to the scene,” said Maddrey.
