{"id":234270,"date":"2026-05-17T01:52:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T01:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/234270\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T01:52:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T01:52:39","slug":"suspected-drunk-driver-kills-2-pedestrians-in-manhattan-chain-reaction-crash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/234270\/","title":{"rendered":"Suspected Drunk Driver Kills 2 Pedestrians in Manhattan Chain-Reaction Crash"},"content":{"rendered":"

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NEW YORK (VINnews) \u2013 Two pedestrians were killed and several others injured Friday evening after a suspected drunk driver crashed into multiple vehicles and struck people on Manhattan\u2019s Upper West Side, according to police.<\/p>\n


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The crash occurred shortly before 6 p.m. near West 109th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, close to Columbia University. Authorities said Elvin Suarez, 61, was driving a 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC northbound on Amsterdam Avenue when he allegedly struck a parked vehicle before speeding through the intersection, crossing a pedestrian island and hitting four pedestrians.<\/p>\n

Police said the SUV then slammed into a parked van, triggering a chain-reaction collision involving several additional parked vehicles.<\/p>\n

BREAKING: 3 Critical After Vehicle Crashes Onto Manhattan Sidewalk, Strikes Group Outside Bar<\/p>\n

Three people were critically injured after a driver crashed onto a sidewalk on Amsterdam Avenue Thursday evening, striking a group gathered outside a bar on the Upper West Side.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/3hEozzifE9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Oliya Scootercaster \ud83d\udef4 (@ScooterCasterNY) May 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Jason Negron, 46, and Michael Saint-Hilaire, 35, both of Manhattan, later died at a nearby hospital, investigators said. Three other people, including two pedestrians and the driver of the parked van, were hospitalized in stable condition. Suarez was also hospitalized.<\/p>\n

The New York City Police Department said Suarez was arrested and charged with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated.<\/p>\n

Investigators have not yet said whether speed also played a role in the crash. Authorities closed part of Amsterdam Avenue Friday night while the department\u2019s Collision Investigation Squad examined the scene.<\/p>\n

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