Six people injured in a night-time serial car accident in Chinatown, suspected of drunk driving and speeding

On the night of October 19th, a multi-vehicle collision occurred in Manhattan’s Chinatown, injuring six people. According to the police, the driver responsible for the crash is suspected of driving while intoxicated (DWI), though their identity has not been disclosed.

The NYPD reported that the incident took place around 11 PM when a male driver operating a New Jersey-licensed Lexus sped westward off the Manhattan Bridge. Upon reaching the intersection below, he struck three cars traveling in the same direction before continuing forward and crashing into multiple vehicles parked outside the TD Bank on Bowery. Among the vehicles involved, a Tesla suffered significant damage, and its occupants were transported to the hospital. Following an investigation, it was confirmed that the driver had alcohol in their system, leading to their arrest.

Video footage provided by a local resident known as “Guardian Angel Commander Master Zeng” shows several damaged cars at the northwest corner of the Canal Street and Bowery intersection, with the most severely impacted vehicle nearly crashing onto the sidewalk and into the TD Bank.

The area from the end of the Manhattan Bridge’s approach to the bank’s entrance was left in chaos, with debris scattered across the roadway, signs of leaking fluids, and a smoking engine from one of the vehicles. Master Zeng noted that at least six cars were affected, and information from the Citizen app reported that six individuals sustained injuries. Community Board 3 member Chen Jialing confirmed that there were no fatalities and that the injured parties are in stable condition.

Chen explained that the intersection is directly beneath the Manhattan Bridge, an area where drivers often accelerate to beat the traffic signal, compounded by a nearby curve that restricts visibility. He recalled that similar incidents have occurred three to four times within the past year, and he voiced concern for the safety of elderly pedestrians who frequent the eastern sidewalk of Bowery, highlighting an urgent need for traffic safety measures to protect Chinatown’s residents.