Bronx, NY – January 6, 2026 – A suspected drunk driver careened through the Bronx late Friday, striking two pedestrians and smashing into the storefronts of two businesses, according to police reports released saturday.
Wild Bronx Crash Leaves Two injured, Driver Charged with DWI
A white van jumped a curb and collided with multiple people and buildings in Morris Heights, prompting a drunk driving examination.
- Abner Rosa Blanco, 42, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, faces charges of driving while intoxicated.
- The incident occurred just before 11 p.m. on East Tremont Avenue near Walter Gladwin Park.
- An 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
- The suspect was not injured in the crash.
What happens when a driver loses control in a busy urban area? This incident highlights the potential for serious consequences when impaired driving occurs, underscoring the importance of responsible choices and adherence to traffic laws.
Police say Abner Rosa Blanco was operating a white Ford van westbound on East Tremont avenue, in the vicinity of Lafontaine Avenue, when he lost control of the vehicle shortly before 11 p.m. on Friday. The van mounted the curb, striking both an 18-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, witnesses told authorities.
The vehicle continued its destructive path, ultimately colliding with two stores located between Monterey and Third Avenues. Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the two injured pedestrians to St. Barnabas Hospital, where they were treated for injuries deemed non-life-threatening.
Officers at the scene quickly determined that Rosa Blanco was driving under the influence of alcohol and placed him under arrest. He was charged with driving while intoxicated. His arraignment in bronx Criminal Court is currently pending, police confirmed Saturday.
The crash occurred near Walter Gladwin Park in the Morris Heights section of the Bronx. The area was temporarily closed to traffic as authorities investigated the scene and cleared debris.
