
Authorities reported that when a car suspected of driving under the influence struck a group of people enjoying the holiday in a park in New York City on Thursday, three people were murdered.
Around 8:55 p.m., authorities reported that a pickup truck “driving at a high rate of speed” crashed through an intersection, up onto the sidewalk, and into the crowd at Corlears Hook Park in Manhattan.
According to New York officials, there were seven injuries in addition to the three fatalities.
According to officials, three of the casualties were in serious condition, two were in critical condition, and three others were not significantly injured.
Families were “celebrating on a beautiful Fourth of July evening” in the park, which is located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side near the East River, according to New York Police Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey during a press conference.
According to Mayor Eric Adams, a tragedy happened while families were having a good time outside and grilling.
“Based on early inquiry, it seems that the driver was intoxicated at the time,” Adams stated. It’s quite early. We intend to carry out a comprehensive inquiry.”
“We are still in the process of doing testing,” said officers “did smell some alcohol,” according to Maddrey.
According to Fire Department Assistant Chief of Operations Michael Meyers, “they came upon four victims stacked atop a pickup truck” when first responders arrived at the park.
As soon as first responders arrived at the scene, parkgoers “took hold of the driver, took him out, and ensured he didn’t leave,” according to Maddrey.
At the press conference, the driver’s identity was kept a secret.
“Passed the stop sign, went up onto the sidewalk, entered Corlears Hook Park, and ran across some individuals who were out having a good time,” Maddrey said of the driver of a Ford F-150 who was traveling east on Water Street at a high rate of speed.