NEW YORK — At least two people were killed and seven others injured when a suspected drunken driver crashed into a Manhattan park Thursday night during a July 4th celebration , authorities said.
The incident happened just before 9 p.m. 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 pedestrians were struck, including four who became trapped under the vehicle.
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.
Nine people were rushed to area hospitals. Two people have been pronounced dead.
Officials say two victims are critically injured, three suffered serious injuries and two suffered minor injuries.