At least three people were killed and six others were injured when a suspected drunk driver crashed into a Manhattan park Thursday night during the July 4th celebrations, authorities said.
VICTIMS IDENTIFIED
Two of the victims have been identified as 59-year-old Lucille Pinkney and 38-year-old Hernan Pinkney, who lived nearby. The third victim’s name has not been released.
The crash happened just before 9 p.m. Thursday, July 4, on the Lower East Side, according to the New York City Police Department.
HOW THE CRASH HAPPENED
In a late-night news conference, NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said the driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck was speeding down Water Street, then ran through a stop sign at the intersection of Water and Cherry Streets, drove up onto the sidewalk and crashed into Corlears Hook Park.
Nine people were struck, including four who became trapped under the vehicle.
Two people were pronounced dead Thursday and a third died overnight. At least one person remains hospitalized in critical condition.
STATEMENT FROM WITNESS
‘I just thought they were putting up lights to have light for their barbecue, because it was so bright, and it was a truck going into the gate,’ said witness Shantay Bracey, who has lived in the neighbourhood for more than a decade.
‘I went running and screaming over here to see what happened after, and it was a melee, it was crazy.’
READ ALSO – Love Island host Maya Jama is SEEN in tears during the show’s dramatic Casa Amor re-coupling
Maddrey said police are still working to determine the ages of the victims, but at least two children were taken to an area hospital.
Neighbors set up a memorial at the scene early Friday morning, July 5, leaving candles to honor the victims.
Authorities said it does not appear the incident was terrorism-related, but they believe alcohol may have been a factor.
