At least two people were killed and seven others injured when a driver hit pedestrians in a park in Manhattan, New York, on Thursday evening during the July 4 US Independence Day celebrations, CBS reports, citing local authorities, UNN reports .
Details
According to the New York Police Department, the incident occurred around nine o'clock in the evening on the Lower East Side.
According to NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, the driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck was speeding down Water Street, then drove through a stop sign at the intersection of Water and Cherry Streets, drove onto the sidewalk and hit pedestrians in Corlears Hook Park.
Nine pedestrians were injured in the accident, including four who were trapped under the car. They were rushed to hospitals. Two people were pronounced dead.
According to officials, two of the victims are in critical condition, three were seriously injured, and two others were slightly injured.
It is noted that at least two children were taken to a local hospital.
Authorities said that the incident did not appear to be related to terrorism. In their opinion, alcohol could have been the cause of the accident.
"The officers who arrived at the scene smelled alcohol, but we are still conducting a check," Maddrey said.
The driver, whose name was not disclosed, was taken into custody.