Title: Car Chase in Midtown Manhattan Leaves 10 Pedestrians Injured, Passenger Still at Large
MIDTOWN, Manhattan – A chaotic car chase through Midtown Manhattan ended with 10 pedestrians injured after a stolen vehicle plowed through E. 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue on Tuesday evening. Authorities are now seeking the passenger who fled the scene.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m., when an unlicensed driver, behind the wheel of a 2018 maroon Hyundai Tucson with Illinois plates, drove recklessly through the busy intersection. The vehicle had been reported stolen from the Bronx a month ago, according to police.
Officers began following the suspicious vehicle, attempting to verify if it matched the stolen one. As they activated their lights to signal the driver to stop, the 20-year-old suspect refused to comply. The pursuit ensued, with the stolen car colliding with a bicyclist and a taxicab before mounting the sidewalk and striking pedestrians.
Alarming footage shows the stolen car making a daring U-turn in the midst of the crowded intersection, then proceeding to drive the wrong way up Lexington Avenue. The pursuit ultimately came to a dramatic end when the vehicle collided head-on with a black Toyota, causing damage to three total vehicles.
Civilians in the area quickly stepped in and detained the driver until law enforcement arrived to make the arrest. However, a female passenger managed to elude capture and fled the scene.
A total of ten victims, ranging in age from six to 72, were transported to Bellevue Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. According to Deputy Chief Mario Thompkins, the most severe injury sustained was an ankle fracture to a young lady, while others suffered minor abrasions and neck and back pain.
In an unexpected twist, the heavy congestion in Midtown that evening inadvertently contributed to keeping the chase at a relatively low speed, potentially mitigating the severity of the victims’ injuries.
As the investigation continues, authorities are actively searching for the passenger who escaped following the collision. Anyone with information is urged to come forward and assist in the ongoing probe.
Eyewitness News will provide updates on this story as more information becomes available.
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