Elderly Man Killed After Cargo Truck Suddenly Careens Onto Busy NYC Sidewalk, Injuring 2 Women

LOWER MANHATTAN, New York City — A routine Thursday morning in Chinatown turned into a deadly scene when a cargo-laden flatbed truck suddenly careened onto a busy sidewalk, striking three pedestrians and leaving one elderly man dead.

The crash happened at around 10:20 a.m. at the intersection of Bowery and Canal Street, according to police.

Authorities said the truck was being driven by a 66-year-old man who was making a right turn from Canal Street onto Bowery when the vehicle went onto the curb.

The truck struck three pedestrians — a 77-year-old man and two women, ages 71 and 52.

The impact left the victims sprawled across the pavement as emergency responders rushed to the scene.

Three Pedestrians Struck as Truck Leaves Roadway

A photograph from the scene showed the severity of the incident, with the three victims lying on the pavement near one another.

The truck, which was described as a graffiti-covered flatbed carrying cargo, did not stop immediately after hitting the pedestrians.

Instead, police said the driver continued toward the end of the block in the direction of Hester Street. The vehicle eventually slammed into a sedan, bringing the chaotic sequence to an end.

Video obtained by Streetsblog showed the truck traveling faster than other traffic on the street before the crash. The footage also appeared to show the truck nudging another truck in its path.

However, the video did not capture the precise moment when the pedestrians or the sedan were struck.

77-Year-Old Victim Dies at Hospital

All three pedestrians were taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment following the crash.

The 77-year-old man later succumbed to his injuries, police said. The two injured women, ages 71 and 52, were reported to be in stable condition.

The deadly collision has raised questions about what caused the truck to leave the roadway and enter the pedestrian area during the busy morning hours.

At this point, authorities have not publicly identified the victims.

Driver Taken Into Custody After Crash

The truck driver was taken into custody following the collision, but he had not been immediately charged.

Law enforcement sources said the driver did not show any obvious signs of impairment.

That does not mean the investigation is complete, however. Police are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the truck’s movement, the pedestrian strikes and the subsequent collision with the sedan.

The NYPD’s Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is leading the investigation.

Investigators will work to determine what caused the truck to mount the curb and whether speed, a mechanical issue, driver error or another factor played a role.

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NYPD Investigation Remains Ongoing

The deadly crash brought a major emergency response to the busy Lower Manhattan area and left one family mourning the loss of a 77-year-old man.

The two women who survived the crash remain an important part of the ongoing investigation as authorities work to establish the full sequence of events.

For now, police have not announced charges against the driver, and the exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.

As investigators continue reviewing video, witness accounts and other evidence, more details could emerge about why the cargo truck suddenly left the roadway.

What do you think may have caused this deadly NYC sidewalk crash? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for further updates.