A tragic incident unfolded Friday evening on Manhattan’s Upper West Side when a driver, suspected of being under the influence, caused a fatal crash that claimed the lives of two pedestrians and left several others injured. The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed these details to Fox News Digital.
The collision occurred around 6 p.m. near the bustling intersection of West 109th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, an area frequented by residents and students from nearby Columbia University, as well as diners at local eateries.
According to investigators, 61-year-old Elvin Suarez was at the wheel of a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 SUV, traveling north on Amsterdam Avenue. He allegedly struck a parked Volkswagen Jetta before accelerating through West 109th Street, where he veered onto a pedestrian island, hitting four pedestrians in the process.
The vehicle did not stop there; it continued through the intersection and collided with a parked Chevrolet Astro van, which was occupied by a 51-year-old man, police reported.
The crash resulted in two fatalities and left three more individuals injured after the driver allegedly mounted the sidewalk and collided with pedestrians near Amsterdam Avenue and West 109th Street. Authorities have since arrested the driver.
The force of the impact propelled the van into multiple other parked cars, including a Honda CR-V, Toyota Sienna, Toyota 4Runner, and a Nissan Altima, according to officials.
Emergency responders transported Suarez, the van occupant and the four pedestrians to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital following the crash.
Two pedestrians — Jason Negron, 46, and Michael Saint-Hilaire, 35, both of Manhattan — were pronounced dead at the hospital, police said.
Police stand at the scene of after two people were killed and three others injured when a suspected drunk driver struck pedestrians on Manhattan’s Upper West Side near Amsterdam Avenue and West 109th Street on Friday. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu)
Suarez, the van occupant and two additional pedestrians, ages 44 and 36, were listed in stable condition.
Police said Suarez was arrested and charged with two counts of manslaughter, three counts of vehicular manslaughter, two counts of vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated.
Authorities have not released additional details about what may have led up to the crash or whether investigators believe speed was also a factor.
The NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad is continuing to investigate the deadly collision.
Two people were killed and three others injured after a suspected drunk driver struck pedestrians on Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Friday, the NYPD says. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu)
Part of Amsterdam Avenue was shut down Friday evening as investigators examined the scene and crews worked to remove damaged vehicles from the roadway.
Authorities have not said whether Suarez has retained an attorney.
