At least 3 killed when suspected drunk driver plows into NYC park during 4th of July celebration, police say

NEW YORK — At least three people were killed and six others injured when a suspected drunk driver crashed into a Manhattan park Thursday night during the July 4th celebrations, authorities said.

Two of the victims have been identified as 59-year-old Lucille Pickney and 38-year-old Hernan Pickney, who lived nearby. The third victim’s name has not been released. 

Dramatic scene during 4th of July celebrations

The crash happened just before 9 p.m. Thursday on the Lower East Side, according to the New York City Police Department.

In a late-night news conference, NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said the driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck was speeding down Water Street, then ran through a stop sign at the intersection Water and Cherry streets, drove up onto the sidewalk and crashed into Corlears Hook Park.

Nine people were struck, including four who became trapped under the vehicle. Two people were pronounced dead Thursday and a third died overnight. At least one person remains hospitalized in critical condition. 

Maddrey said they are still working to determine the ages of the victims, but at least two children were taken to an area hospital.

Alcohol suspected, no sign of terrorism, authorities say

Authorities said it does not appear the incident was terrorism-related, but they believe alcohol may have been a factor.

“A driver drove into a crowd of people who were actually just celebrating, like so many New Yorkers and Americans are doing right now,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.

“Responding officers who did arrive on the scene did smell some alcohol, but we are still in the process of doing testing,” said Maddrey.

The New York City Fire Department said crews arrived on the scene within three-and-a-half minutes and lifted the vehicle off the victims.    

The driver, whose name was not released, was taken into custody with the help of good Samaritans at the scene.

“We believe, initially, that there were people who were there at the scene who grabbed the driver, removed the driver and made sure the driver didn’t leave until first responders made it to the scene,” Maddrey said. 

So far, no charges have been filed.