A box truck collision in Manhattan yesterday afternoon triggered a chain of events that caused a parked van to move onto the sidewalk, striking a group of pedestrians. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Eighth Avenue between West 29th and 30th Streets. According to authorities, ten people were injured, with one individual reported to be in critical condition.
The NYPD told Gothamist that the northbound box truck struck an unoccupied van, propelling it over the curb. As a result, pedestrians on the sidewalk were impacted. Nine of the injured were taken to Bellevue Hospital, with most reported to be in stable condition and one in critical condition. One individual declined medical attention and remained at the scene.
Witness accounts detail the events following the collision. According to surveillance footage cited by ABC7NY, the Ryder box truck appeared to lose control and struck a parked van. Eyewitness Arnitra Elise said, "The van just parked, the people got out the van. Next thing you know, that Ryder van came and smacked it." The collision caused the van to move approximately 30 feet and hit a nine-foot LinkNYC station before coming to a stop on its side.
Several bystanders were involved in the response following the incident. As the van moved onto the sidewalk, it briefly pinned a woman against a building. Suzie Ellenton, who witnessed the event, said, "I see this car coming up onto the sidewalk and he hit a woman, and she flew into the building." Bystanders, including a parking attendant, assisted at the scene and contacted emergency services. Mamadou Diallo, another eyewitness, told ABC7NY, "Lots of people of people on the ground, some people were crawling, almost five or six of them."
The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is currently examining the circumstances that led to the initial crash. The driver of the box truck remained at the scene and is reported to be cooperating with investigators. According to information provided to ABC7NY and other official sources, no criminality is suspected at this time.
