LOWER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) – At least three people were killed and eight others injured after an alleged drunk driver plowed onto a busy sidewalk on the Lower East Side on the Fourth of July, according to the NYPD.
It happened around 8:45 p.m. at a park near Water and Jackson streets, where at least 200 people were barbecuing to celebrate the holiday. A gray Ford F-150 sped through an intersection, blew a stop sign then jumped the sidewalk and drove into the park, according to authorities.
Several people were trapped underneath the truck. Witnesses who saw what happened held the driver while police rushed to get to the scene, per the NYPD.
The driver, a 44-year-old man, allegedly reeked of alcohol, according to authorities.
A mother, 59-year-old Lucile Pinckney, and her son, 38-year-old Hernan Pinckney, were both killed in the crash, according to authorities. Another woman also died, but police have not identified her as of Thursday morning.
An 11-year-old child was among those hit by the truck, per police.
Charges are pending against the driver. Police do not suspect terrorism.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
