NEW YORK (TNND) — Two men were killed and three others seriously injured in New York City when a suspected drunk driver crashed into them outside a barbershop on Friday evening.
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 7 p.m. near West 109 Street and Amsterdam Avenue. The driver, identified as 61-year-old Elvin Suarez of Morningside Heights, reportedly struck several parked cars before mounting the curb.
Two men, ages 35 and 46, were pronounced dead at the scene. Three others, aged 36, 44, and 51, were transported to nearby hospitals in critical condition. Family members shared that one of the deceased was a father of triplets who worked at a hospital, while the other was a doorman recently finishing his shift.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with one bystander stating the driver “pinned” a victim under the vehicle. Community members rushed to assist the victims and help extract the driver from his wrecked car.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) issued a collision investigation notice and advised drivers to avoid the area. The driver was taken into custody and later transported to a hospital for a blood alcohol test. He is facing multiple charges, including manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.
The investigation is ongoing.