Suspected drunk driver kills 2 pedestrians in horror NYC chain-reaction crash
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A suspected drunk driver killed two pedestrians and injured several others in a violent chain-reaction crash on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Friday evening, the New York Police Department (NYPD) told Fox News Digital.
The crash occurred around 6 p.m. at the intersection of West 109th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, near residential buildings, restaurants and Columbia University.
Investigators said Elvin Suarez, 61, was driving a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 SUV north on Amsterdam Avenue, allegedly striking a parked Volkswagen Jetta south of the intersection before crossing onto West 109th Street, jumping over a pedestrian island and striking four pedestrians.
Police said the Mercedes-Benz continued through the intersection before crashing into a parked Chevrolet Astro van occupied by a 51-year-old man.
A TRUCK HITS A PARKED VALVE IN MANHATTAN’S MIDTOWN, PULLS THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDEWAY, INJURING 9
Two people were killed and three others were injured Friday when a suspected drunk driver swerved onto the sidewalk and struck pedestrians near Amsterdam Avenue and West 109th Street. Following the incident, the driver was detained. (Kyle Mazza/Anatolia)
The collision involved the minivan hitting several parked vehicles, including a Honda CR-V, Toyota Sienna, Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Altima, authorities said.
Emergency responders transported Suarez, the passenger in the minivan, and four pedestrians to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital after the crash.
Police said two pedestrians, Jason Negron, 46, and Michael Saint-Hilaire, 35, both of Manhattan, were pronounced dead at the hospital.
REPEAT CRIMINAL STREET RACE AT 106 MILES AN HOUR, MOW DOWN EMT AFTER HE KILLED ONE IN A PREVIOUS CRASH: POLICE
Police arrived at the scene Friday after a drunk driver crashed into pedestrians near Amsterdam Avenue and West 109th Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, killing two people and injuring three others. (Kyle Mazza/Anatolia)
It was stated that Suarez, the passenger in the minibus, and two pedestrians, aged 44 and 36, were in good health.
Suarez was arrested and charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of vehicular manslaughter, two counts of vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated, police said.
Authorities have not released additional details about what may have led to the crash or whether investigators believe speed was also a factor.
The NYPD Highway District Collision Investigation Team continues to investigate the fatal collision.
Two people were killed and three others were injured Friday when a suspected drunk driver crashed into pedestrians on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the NYPD said. (Kyle Mazza/Anatolia)
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION
A portion of Amsterdam Boulevard was closed Friday evening as investigators examined the scene and crews attempted to remove damaged vehicles from the road.
Authorities did not say whether Suarez had retained an attorney.
