Driver facing charges of attempted murder after striking pedestrians in New York City
On New Year’s Day, a driver fleeing a dispute in New York City struck seven pedestrians and injured one police officer before crashing on a sidewalk in midtown Manhattan. The driver, identified as Mohamed Alaouie of Fort Lee, New Jersey, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a controlled substance, leaving an accident with a serious injury and driving while intoxicated.
The 44-year-old suspect was involved in a dispute with another man at the intersection of West 33rd Street and 7th Avenue when officers attempted to intervene. Alaouie then fled the scene, driving north the wrong way on a one-way avenue, and striking multiple vehicles before speeding westbound onto the sidewalk of West 34th Street.
During the dangerous spree, the driver struck a food truck, pinning a 39-year-old female pedestrian underneath it, and also hit at least six other pedestrians. All of the injured individuals were taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition. Additionally, one police officer was transported to NYU Langone Medical Center for minor injuries and is also in stable condition.
Alaouie himself was transported to Bellevue Hospital in critical but stable condition. The investigation into the incident is ongoing as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to and during the alarming series of events. We will continue to provide updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.