Mercedes driver who injured nine people including a Black Panther actress ‘by ploughing through a crowd’ just after NYC’s New Year Eve’s ball drop to escape cops who ‘caught him bashing his girlfriend’ is charged
A Mercedes driver who injured nine people on New Year’s Eve when he allegedly plowed through a crowd has been charged.
Mohamed Alaouie, 44, was on the run from police who allegedly caught him bashing his girlfriend as he went on a rampage through Midtown Manhattan.
The victims included a police officer who chased him, as well as Black Panther actress Carrie Bernans and her friend who were trapped under a food truck he crashed into near Madison Square Garden.
Alaouie was charged Monday in New York Supreme Court with first-degree assault, aggravated vehicular assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree drug possession and other crimes.
Mohamed Alaouie, 44, (pictured) was on the run from police who allegedly caught him bashing his girlfriend as he went on a rampage through Midtown Manhattan
His rampage began around 1:30 a.m. when he and his girlfriend were in the car at the corner of West 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue after drinking at a nearby bar, court documents allege.
A witness told police he hit his girlfriend in the black Mercedes and officers approached the vehicle and told him to put it in park mode.
Instead, he allegedly backed onto the busy sidewalk, hitting a pedestrian and then drove the wrong way onto Seventh Avenue.
Police chased him as he turned onto 34th Street, ramming cars in front and behind him to get away, before allegedly crashing into the food truck.
Three people were hit by the food truck when it fell, trapping two of them underneath, including Black Panther actress Carrie Bernans, 29.
She was hit when the Halal cart fell on top of her while she was walking along the sidewalk with a friend. She shared photos of her horrific injuries on Instagram.
Bernans underwent surgery for injuries including broken bones, fractures and chipped teeth, her family said.
One of the victims of the crash is Marvel actress Carrie Bernans. She underwent surgery after suffering serious injuries including broken bones, fractures and chipped teeth
Teeth were chipped and knocked out of her jaw when her face was injured when the food cart hit her
Bernans shared a video of her new teeth 26 days after the injury, joking that she didn’t expect to get new teeth before her AARP card
Bernans caused her serious facial injuries before the disaster
Alaoie then drove along the sidewalk, crossed Eighth Avenue, and eventually rejoined the road where he struck more cars, injuring three people.
He also allegedly hit a police officer who was running after him.
Alaoie’s alleged trail of terror ended when his car broke down after crashing into another car and police were able to catch up and arrest him.
His girlfriend was injured when she jumped out of the car at some point during the alleged rampage.
Sixteen small paper bags containing cocaine were allegedly recovered at the scene and two of them were found in his pants at the hospital the next day.
One of the victims suffered a concussion and another suffered constant pain from elbow joint injuries, prosecutors said.
Another suffered skin and tissue tears from metal on the food cart and requires physical therapy to walk unassisted.
“This defendant allegedly ran through busy sidewalks and streets during the busiest time of year in Midtown,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.
“His recklessness endangered the lives of countless New Yorkers and visitors ringing in the New Year.
“I hope the victims can make a full recovery from their injuries and thank the police officers who responded to the scene to arrest this individual.”
The wild rampage included driving on the wrong side of the road near Madison Square Garden
Video shows the Mercedes backing into a barrier, then hitting a halal cart and continuing to the sidewalk
The actress starred in Black Panther (pictured), Marvel’s Avengers Infinity War/End Game and The Color Purple
Bernans had teeth chipped and knocked out of her jaw that had to be replaced with dentures, and she lost weight during her recovery.
She shared a video of her new teeth 26 days after the injury, joking that she didn’t expect to get new teeth before her AARP card.
“Losing my teeth broke my heart… not only did my mouth hurt so much I could barely eat, leading to unwanted weight loss,” she wrote on Instagram.
‘Yet I’m really looking forward to sinking my teeth into a whole new world of foods. Grateful for the unexpected joys on this journey. I embrace my new life!
‘Outwardly healing, but inwardly it is a journey. Some days are good, others are painful, but they get there slowly. Grateful for the boost in self-confidence.
“My cheekbone is healing from the brokenness and the swelling in my mouth is going down.”
Photos from the scene appear to show three cars involved in the wreck, two black cars and a yellow taxi.
Another video showed a man being carried away and appearing to be conscious.
Alaouie has 10 previous arrests for drug-related rapes and criminal possession of stolen property.
The horrific crash occurred just a few blocks from where a million people watched the famous ball drop