Three people died and six others were injured when a suspected drunk driver crashed into a Manhattan park during a July 4th celebration, according to authorities.
The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on the Lower East Side, as reported by the New York City Police Department. Chief Jeffrey Maddrey stated in a late-night news conference that the driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck was speeding down Water Street, ignored a stop sign at the intersection of Water and Cherry streets, drove onto the sidewalk, and crashed into Corlears Hook Park.
Nine pedestrians were hit, with four trapped under the vehicle. Two people were pronounced dead that evening, and a third succumbed to injuries overnight. At least one person remains in critical condition at the hospital.
Authorities have ruled out terrorism as a motive. The New York City Fire Department responded quickly, arriving at the scene within three-and-a-half minutes to lift the vehicle off the victims.
Mayor Eric Adams described the incident as a driver crashing into a crowd of people who were celebrating, emphasizing that alcohol may have played a role. Although responding officers detected alcohol at the scene, further testing is underway to confirm this.
The driver, whose identity has not been disclosed, was apprehended at the scene with the assistance of bystanders who intervened to prevent the driver from leaving before emergency responders arrived.