On the night of October 19, a multi-vehicle collision occurred in Manhattan’s Chinatown, leaving six individuals injured. During the investigation, police indicated that the driver responsible for the incident was suspected of driving under the influence, although they did not disclose the driver’s identity.
According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), the accident took place around 11 PM. A male driver in a New Jersey-licensed Lexus sped westward down the Manhattan Bridge, barreling through a traffic signal before colliding with three vehicles heading in the same direction. The momentum from the crash forced the car to continue onto Bowery, where it struck several more cars parked in front of a TD Bank. Among the damaged vehicles, a Tesla sustained significant damage, leading to injuries for its occupants who were subsequently taken to the hospital. Following the incident, authorities confirmed the driver had alcohol in his system and was arrested for DUI.
Footage provided by a reader known as “Guardian Angel Commander Master Zeng” showcased the scene near the intersection of Canal Street and Bowery, where multiple cars were damaged. The most severely impacted vehicle nearly mounted the sidewalk, coming dangerously close to crashing into the TD Bank.
The roadway from the base of the Manhattan Bridge to the front of the TD Bank was littered with debris, oil spills, and smoke billowing from the car engines. Master Zeng reported that at least six vehicles were affected by the collision. According to information from the Citizen app, the crash resulted in six injuries, although members of the Manhattan Community Board 3, including Chen Jialing, noted that there were no fatalities and that the injured individuals were in stable condition.
Chen went on to explain that this intersection, situated just under the Manhattan Bridge, often sees vehicles running red lights due to the high speed of approaching traffic. The curve in the road further obscures visibility. He recalled that this type of accident has occurred around three to four times within the past year. Furthermore, he expressed concern for the safety of seniors frequently crossing the east sidewalk of Bowery, emphasizing the urgent need for transportation officials to take measures to ensure pedestrian safety in Chinatown.
