While evading the police in New York City, the driver of a stolen car struck pedestrians and oncoming traffic, injuring ten people.
A 20-year-old male was driving when he lost control of the vehicle while evading New York Police Department police.
Around 5.30 p.m., patrol police on East 43rd Street received a licence plate reader alert informing them that a stolen car was passing by. This signalled the start of the pursuit.
The car fled southbound on Lexington Avenue when the driver tried to stop it, hitting a bicyclist, according to the NYPD.
Having Illinois licence plates, the stolen vehicle was a maroon Hyundai Tucson SUV. It was reported stolen from the South Bronx’s 44th Precinct of the NYPD on Monday.
After striking the biker, the driver struck a taxi, mounted a curb, and continued onto the sidewalk close to 42nd Street.
After doing a U-turn, the driver proceeded to travel north on Lexington while veering away from the flow of traffic.
After hitting many individuals and colliding with a 2021 Toyota RAV4, the car “came to rest,” according to the NYPD.
Before police authorities could stop him, the driver tried to flee from the overturned car but was stopped by bystanders who seized hold of him.
A third unidentified passenger—possibly a woman—ran away from the scene on foot. Police are looking for her so they may question her.
The stolen Hyundai’s damaged front end was seen in photos taken at the site.
Ten pedestrians were hurt overall as a result of the terrible episode. While two of the victims declined medical attention, the other eight were taken to nearby hospitals and are now in stable condition.
At a press conference, FDNY Deputy Chief Mario Tompkins revealed that one woman had an ankle sprain. All of the other wounds were categorised as having “minor abrasions and back and neck pain.”
Kyle Fernandez, a 20-year-old man, was the driver. He does not possess a New York driver’s licence, according to the police.
Twelve counts of reckless endangerment, twelve counts of fleeing the scene, refusing arrest, possession of stolen items, driving without a licence and operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs were among the several allegations brought against Fernandez.