NEW YORK – A chaotic morning unfolded in several Brooklyn neighborhoods Monday after at least eight people were injured after being struck by a driver in a U-Haul in Brooklyn, the New York City Police Commissioner confirmed. Keechant Sewell, during a press conference hours after the incident.
According to the authorities’ preliminary investigation given by the commissioner, police responded around 10:50 am to a call about a person driving a U-Haul truck in the Bay Ridge neighborhood.
Upon arrival, the 62-year-old driver of the vehicle had allegedly run over several people and was detained in the area of Columbia Street y Hamilton Avenue by authorities, Sewell said.
Of the eight victims, seven were pedestrians and one was a police officer who was in the middle of the capture. Two of the injured are in critical condition, two in serious condition and four with minor injuries, police said. All were transported to area hospitals.
The uniformed clarified that the preliminary investigation does not indicate that the events are related to an act of terrorism, however, it did not disclose more details about the driver and the possible cause behind the outrage.
There are no indications “that there was terrorist involvement in this incident,” the commissioner said.
Police are currently investigating seven strategic locations that are related to the incident that occurred in the Bay Ridge and Sunset Park neighborhoods.
New York City Councilman Justin Brannan referred to the case, stating that the motives behind the incident were unknown, but he did not consider it an accident.
“A man driving a U-Haul caused a ruckus in Bay Ridge. He was just pulled over in Sunset Park. Multiple people were struck and seriously injured. We have no idea why at this time, but this was not an accident,” he said. the concilor.
Governor Kathy Hochul also tweeted, saying she was informed of the developing situation and would coordinate with the NYPD as necessary.
The uniformed asks that if anyone has information, call the authorities confidentially at 1-888-57-PISTA.
The terrifying incident is reminiscent of a deadly attack in 2017 where Sayfullo Saipov also used a U-Haul truck to run over multiple people on a road along the West Side Highway. Eight people died in that attack.
A jury meets Monday to consider whether Saipov should receive a death sentence.
Ana Ledo with an update.
The information is preliminary and the authorities are in the process of investigation.
