A driver speeding the wrong way up Seventh Avenue plowed into pedestrians in Times Square, killing at least one person and injuring 18 others, law enforcement sources said.
The 26-year-old motorist, who sources said is from the Bronx and has two prior DWIs, was taken into police custody. He drove the wrong way up Seventh Avenue for up to three blocks, hitting several people along the way before crashing into a pole at 45th Street and Broadway, police and witnesses said.
Three of the injured people are in critical condition, according to police sources. The driver was tested for alcohol and has not made any statements, sources said.
“There’s video that shows the guy just drives right through it. It’s not a pretty sight,” a high-ranking source said. “He was on the sidewalk.”
When the car finally crashed into a pole, the driver got out of the car and tried to run away, according to witnesses.
He punched a police officer before several cops were able to apprehend him, witnesses said.
The smoking vehicle, a maroon Honda, was wedged up against a pole on the sidewalk. Firefighters were putting out the smoking vehicle.
Photos show pedestrians lying in the street, and one person covered with a white sheet on the sidewalk.
“just witnessed a car running people over in times square. scariest moment of my life. what is wrong with some people?!” wrote Twitter user Michael Rickerby.
A witness whose office conference room overlooks Times Square said she saw up to six people lying on the ground after the crash.
