Stolen vehicle fleeing cops hits 10, including two children, in midtown NYC

02 August 2023 , 01:58

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The incident took place near Grand Central Station (Image: @mbesheer/Twitter)

A vehicle hit 10 pedestrians at East 42nd and Lexington Avenue by Grand Central Station in New York City around 5:30 PM EST. Two children, aged 5 and 7, were among those struck during the incident.

There were no life-threatening injuries and the victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital, reported CBS. The most severe injury was reportedly an ankle fracture.

Pictures and videos of the scene show those who did sustain mild injuries being rushed to ambulances in gurneys. The street was flooded with emergency response vehicles including a few ambulance, police cars, and firetrucks. Grand Central's surrounding area still remained busy with other pedestrians as police worked to clear the scene. Police secured the area and are advising citizens to stay clear.

Among those injured were two children (@mbesheer/Twitter)

Police said that they were attempting to pull over a driver, but he instead fled. According to the NYPD, the vehicle was a stolen dark-colored SUV. The pursuit began at Third Avenue and 43rd street. Patrol Borough Manhattan South Deputy Chief James Kehoe said at a press conference that the driver had "started to pull over" before taking off.

Officers pursued the driver "at a lower rate of speed" through heavy traffic, but the driver then hit a taxi cab on Lexington Avenue and then drove onto the sidewalk. While police followed the vehicle, it plowed into pedestrians before making a U-turn that sent the driver in the wrong direction, injuring more people. After he hit a final sedan, he attempted to get out of SUV and run.

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Police secured the scene of the incident (Twitter)

The man who was driving was taken into custody after being tackled by New Yorkers, reported the New York Post. His name has not yet been released, but a source told the Post that he is a 20-year-old man with several previous arrests. Those arrests include gun charges. A woman, who was reported the passenger, fled the scene by foot.

Citizen reported that the woman, who is still on the run, 'appears to be white or Hispanic' with black hair.

Sources told the New York Post that a ziplock bag was obtained from the vehicle. It contained an unidentified 'green, leafy substance'.

Alex West