By The newspaper
An electric scooter rider hit two pedestrians crossing the street outside New York’s famous Macy’s department store, leaving one of them seriously injured.
The incident occurred Saturday night in Herald Square, New York police said yesterday, indicating that the case remains under investigation but no arrests have been announced.
One of the pedestrians, a 51-year-old man, suffered serious head injuries and was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition. The other victim, a 43-year-old woman, was also taken to Bellevue Hospital with less serious injuries to her face and body.
The 23-year-old scooter driver suffered less serious injuries and was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition, police said. Daily News. The names of those involved have not been disclosed.
Police said the scooter driver was heading north on 6th Ave. near W. 34th St. in the right lane when he struck pedestrians entering the avenue. That area in the heart of Midtown Manhattan is a busy tourist and commercial area around the famous Macy’s department store, which for years was the largest in the world.
Authorities remind that there is zero tolerance for drivers who drive at excessive speed and/or under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Cyclists and motorcyclists are also frequent protagonists of road accidents, as victims and perpetrators, by riding on sidewalks, disregarding traffic lights and even the direction of the streets.
In May, a 71-year-old Puerto Rican grandmother was killed when she was hit by a driver fleeing from the police in Brooklyn (NYC). She left the scene by getting on the subway. Her daughter was injured. Ironically, just hours before, Governor Kathy Hochul had signed the so-called Sammy’s Law, which reduces the speed limit to 20 mph and even 10 mph on some streets in the five boroughs of NYC to protect pedestrians. So far this year, more than 40 people have been killed in car accidents in the city.
In December, Gov. Hochul signed “Angelica’s Law,” designed to keep drivers with prior suspensions off the road by charging repeat offenders who operate vehicles after committing five or more traffic violations that resulted in suspensions or revocations with felonies.
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