Three people were killed when a driver suspected of being under the influence crashed into a crowd celebrating the holiday at a New York City park Thursday, officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A pickup truck \u201cdriving at a high rate of speed\u201d ran through an intersection, went up on the sidewalk and struck the crowd at Corlears Hook Park in Manhattan around 8:55 p.m., police said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the three people who were killed, seven others were injured, New York officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the victims were in critical condition, three were in serious condition, and three others were not seriously hurt, officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The park, on Manhattan\u2019s Lower East Side next to the East River, was full of families \u201ccelebrating on a beautiful Fourth of July evening,\u201d New York Police Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey said at a news conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mayor Eric Adams said a tragedy occurred as families were barbecuing and enjoying the evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It appears as though at this time, based on preliminary investigation, that the driver was under the influence,” Adams said. “This is extremely early. We\u2019re going to conduct a thorough investigation.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maddrey said responding officers “did smell some alcohol, but we are still in the process of doing testing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When first responders arrived at the park, \u201cthey encountered a pickup truck on top of four victims,” Fire Department Assistant Chief of Operations Michael Meyers said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People at the park “grabbed the driver, removed the driver and made sure the driver didn’t leave until first responders made it to the scene,” Maddrey said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The driver was not identified at the news conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The driver was speeding east on Water Street in a Ford F-150, went through an intersection and “through the stop sign, up onto the sidewalk, into Corlears Hook Park, and struck people who were out enjoying the evening,” Maddrey said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n