Update: in a separate incideint, Breaking911 reports that 5 People were just struck by vehicle, 1 DOA, 3 likely to die / very critical on Broadway & Castleton Ave. It is unclear if the two incident are llinked, especially if as the NYPD is trying to claim, the first driver had no intention of driving into pedestrians.
BREAKING IN STATEN ISLAND, NYC: 5 People just struck by vehicle; 1 DOA, 3 likely to die / very critical. Broadway & Castleton Ave.
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 18, 2017
Staten Island: Broadway & Castleton Ave, @NYPDhighway CIS Requested after 3 people struck by a vehicle and 1 aided is DOA. #BREAKING
— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) May 18, 2017
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A speeding vehicle has struck pedestrians on a sidewalk in Times Square, in the heart of Manhattan, according to an announcement at nearby Reuters news agency headquarters, Reuters reports and adds that at least one person is dead, and at least 13 injured.
Reuters witnesses said that the driver's actions "appeared intentional" and that the vehicles "drove against traffic" and onto the sidewalk, striking pedestrians.
At least one person dead after speeding vehicle strikes pedestrians in New York's Times Square - Reuters witness @Reuters
— Crispian Balmer (@crispiandjb) May 18, 2017
The vehicle that struck pedestrians was a red sedan and the driver has been arrested and removed. The arrest of driver shown below:
And yet despite the immediate arrest, in the past 30 minutes the NYPD has already figured out that the incident was not terrorism:
- CBS SAYS TIMES SQUARE INCIDENT NOT CONNECTED TO TERRORISM, CITING NEW YORK CITY POLICE
A video of the arrest below:
WATCH THIS - BREAKING VIDEO: NYPD taking driver from Times Square incident into custody pic.twitter.com/lP0yyfMUZt
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) May 18, 2017
Video: At least 10 people receiving treatment after vehicle strikes pedestrians in NYC's Times Square@BraddJaffy pic.twitter.com/vSk548yHNs
— Global News (@GlobalZarfati) May 18, 2017
According to the NYPD, the car lost control on 7th Avenue between 42 and 43rd streets, and an investigation is underway.
NYPD: Car "lost control" on 7th in Times Square between 42nd/43rd. People injured. Investigation underway. Driver in custody. .
— David Shuster (@DavidShuster) May 18, 2017
The New York Police Department closed off the area. A Reuters witness said at least 10 people were being treated for injuries on the ground after the collision at the Midtown Manhattan tourist site.
MORE: At least 10 people receiving treatment after vehicle strikes pedestrians in New York's Times Square - Reuters witness
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 18, 2017
Just heard about car hitting pedestrians on the sidewalk in Times Square. I'm at Thomson Reuters and lobby is locked down. #nyc
— Nia Armstrong (@niaarmstrong) May 18, 2017
While the NYPD is initially claiming that the incident was not an act of terrorism, in a clear bid to preserve calm, we would recommend waiting for a definitive conclusion.
Developing.