Three people are killed and seven others are injured after ‘drunk driver’ plowed his pick-up truck into NYC park during July 4 celebrations

At least three people have died after a drunk driver plowed into a crowd of at least 10 people in New York City on Thursday night.

The accident happened during the city’s Fourth of July celebrations. According to police, the victims included a mother and three children.

At the time of writing, it is still unclear whether the three are fatalities. At least seven others were injured by the wayward pickup truck.

The fireworks crashed into the Lower East Side around 9 p.m., about 20 minutes before fireworks were launched from barges on the Hudson River.

Officers said the two-ton Ford F-150 sped through a stop sign and the driver of the car had alcohol on his breath after the fatal impact. He was arrested but his name has not yet been released. Sources said The New York Post he’s from the bronx.

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The crash occurred during the city’s Fourth of July celebrations, and among the victims were a mother and three children, police said. The driver has been arrested and is suspected of driving under the influence

“A tragic incident like this really impacts the family members who were just here, partying and barbecuing in a park,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a rare statement from the scene as fireworks rang out in the background.

New York City Police Department Chief Jeffrey B. Maddrey added: “We believe alcohol played a role in this, but we are still investigating.”

New York City Fire Department Chief Michael V. Meyers said of the seven injured, two were in “critical condition.”

Another three were said to be ‘seriously’ injured, but no further details have been released.

He then discussed his department’s response to the accident: Firefighters arrived on the scene in less than four minutes, he said.

There, beyond the sidewalk and into Corlears Hook Park, they found “a pickup truck on top of four victims,” and a combination of airbags and jacks were used to lift the truck off the victims, he said.

Chief Meyers did not elaborate on the nature of their injuries, but did say they were among about 200 people who chose to celebrate the holiday at the park near the East River.

Adams added that the investigation is ongoing, but that the incident does not appear to be “terrorist related.”

“You have a tragic incident like this that really impacts family members who were just here, celebrating and barbecuing in a park,” Mayor Eric Adams said in a rare statement from the scene as fireworks rang out in the background.

New York City Police Chief Jeffrey B. Maddrey added: “We believe alcohol played a role in this, but we are still investigating.”

New York City Fire Department Chief Michael V. Meyers subsequently revealed that of the seven injured, two were “in critical condition.” Another three were said to be “seriously” injured, but no further details were provided.

He then went on to discuss his department’s response to the crash, which saw firefighters arrive on the scene in less than four minutes, he said.

There, beyond the sidewalk and into Corlears Hook Park, they found “a pickup truck on top of four victims,” ​​after which a combination of airbags and jacks were used to lift the truck off the victims

Officers did not describe the nature of their injuries, but said they were among about 200 who chose to celebrate the holiday in the park. They did say two of the victims were young children. Officers added that another was the children’s mother. An investigation is ongoing

Instead, authorities believed the incident was the result of a drunk driver. Maddrey indicated the suspect smelled of alcohol.

He said the Ford F-150 was traveling eastbound on Water Street at a high rate of speed before running a stop sign.

At that point, the truck drove over the sidewalk and into the park, he said, noting that drivers have long called the public space a place where people have long gathered.

After the victims were removed from the scene, a pile of debris was found under the badly damaged car.

A scooter, some sneakers and what appeared to be a backpack were left behind, as authorities decided to keep the identities of those involved secret.

At least three people have died from their injuries. An investigation into what exactly happened is still ongoing.

The driver has since been arrested, as Maddrey confirmed that two of the victims were young children. Officers added that another was the children’s mother. As of Friday morning, it was still unknown whether they were among the three dead.