By: Richard L. Smith
A 44-year-old New Jersey man is in police custody after allegedly driving drunk and plowing into a crowd of people at a barbecue in Corlears Hook Park, Manhattan, on Thursday night, killing three and injuring seven others.
The incident occurred around 8:55 p.m. when the pickup truck, described by police as “driving at a high rate of speed,” ran through an intersection, mounted the sidewalk, and struck the crowd gathered in the park on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
When first responders arrived, they found the truck on top of four victims, according to Fire Department Assistant Chief of Operations Michael Meyers.
Parkgoers detained the driver until authorities arrived Myers said.
Among the injured, two victims are in critical condition, three are in serious condition, and three others sustained minor injuries.
The youngest victim is around 11 years old.
The park, situated next to the East River, was filled with families enjoying a Fourth of July celebration, said New York Police Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey during a news conference.
The driver remains in custody as the investigation continues.