On the night of October 19th, a multi-vehicle collision occurred in Manhattan’s Chinatown, resulting in six injuries. According to police reports, the driver responsible for the incident is suspected of driving while intoxicated (DWI), although their identity has not been disclosed.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) indicated that the accident took place around 11 p.m. A male driver was operating a Lexus with New Jersey plates at high speed westward down the Manhattan Bridge. Upon reaching the intersection below, he collided with three vehicles traveling in the same direction, and then, due to momentum, crashed into the front of a TD Bank located across Bowery Street, sweeping into additional cars on Bowery. Among the vehicles involved, a Tesla sustained significant damage, and its occupants were injured and transported to the hospital. Subsequent investigations revealed that the driver had alcohol in his system and he has since been arrested.
Footage provided by a reader known as “Guardian Angel Commander” revealed several damaged vehicles at the northwest corner of the Canal Street and Bowery intersection, with one car severely damaged, nearly crashing into the TD Bank.
The area from the end of the Manhattan Bridge’s approach to the front of the TD Bank was left in chaos, littered with vehicle debris, signs of leaking oil, and with an engine smoking. “Commander” stated that at least six cars were affected by the collision. According to information from the Citizen app, the accident resulted in injuries to six individuals. Chen Jialing, a member of the Manhattan Community Board 3, shared that while there were no fatalities, the injured parties are not in critical condition.
Chen explained that the accident occurred at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge, where vehicles often speed through traffic lights, and the presence of a curve limits visibility. He recalled that similar incidents have happened three or four times in the past year at this dangerous intersection. Additionally, he highlighted the risk posed by the many elderly pedestrians frequently crossing Bowery Street on the east side, emphasizing the urgent need for traffic safety measures to protect pedestrians in Chinatown.
