Incident location, Long Island
What Happened
Two men were killed and three others hospitalized in critical condition after a driver lost control of his vehicle, jumped a curb, and plowed into a group of pedestrians on Amsterdam Avenue near West 109th Street on Manhattan’s Upper West Side at approximately 6 p.m. on Friday evening, according to the NYPD — as CBS New York first reported.
The driver, identified by police as 61-year-old Elvin Suarez, was determined to have possibly been under the influence at the time of the crash. According to the NYPD, Suarez jumped the curb and struck multiple pedestrians gathered on the sidewalk, killing a 35-year-old man and a 46-year-old man. Three additional men — aged between 36 and 52 — were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, police said. At least one of the victims was reported to have been pinned beneath the vehicle following the collision.
Witnesses at the scene described a terrifying sequence of events unfolding in a matter of seconds. Eva Santiago, a witness who was nearby at the time, told CBS New York that the driver “was just swerving, driving really fast, and then he drove up over the median.” She added: “We seen the car go up in the air and come down and land on everybody.” Another witness noted that Suarez appeared confused and disoriented when he stepped out of the car after the crash.
Retired EMT Janice Diaz was among those who rushed to help. Diaz, who witnessed the aftermath firsthand, told CBS New York that she saw three bodies on the ground and immediately began performing CPR on a man who was unconscious and bleeding. “I am just yelling, ‘Back up, back up! I’m an EMT, I’m trying to help! Someone help me to hold his head and call 911!’” Diaz recalled. She also noted the deep community ties of those struck, saying: “These are all people from our neighborhood.”
Part of Amsterdam Avenue remained closed for several hours following the crash as police and emergency personnel worked around the mangled vehicles at the scene. The NYPD issued a public advisory warning drivers to “expect heavy traffic and emergency vehicle presence in the vicinity.” Police characterized the crash as an apparent accident rather than an intentional act, though the investigation was described as ongoing at the time of initial reporting.
Suarez was subsequently taken into custody. The NYPD later confirmed he was charged with DWI and manslaughter in connection with the deaths of the two pedestrians.
Location & Road Context
The crash took place at the intersection of Amsterdam Avenue and West 109th Street, a busy urban corridor in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan. Amsterdam Avenue is a major multi-lane thoroughfare running the length of the Upper West Side, heavily trafficked by both vehicles and pedestrians, particularly during evening hours when residents are out socializing. The area around 109th Street is a densely populated residential and commercial stretch, with sidewalks frequently used by neighborhood residents throughout the day and into the night. For a broader look at ongoing traffic conditions and incidents across the New York metro region, visit our accident coverage and roads tracker.
Investigation & Legal Proceedings
Following the crash, Elvin Suarez, 61, was charged with DWI and manslaughter, according to the NYPD. Investigators indicated that Suarez may have been under the influence at the time he lost control of his vehicle, though authorities noted the investigation remained ongoing. No additional details regarding arraignment or bail status were available in initial reports.
In New York State, a DWI manslaughter charge — typically filed as Vehicular Manslaughter in the Second Degree under Penal Law § 125.12 when alcohol is a contributing factor — carries significant criminal penalties including potential state prison time. With two fatalities reported in this incident, Suarez faces multiple counts, which could elevate the severity of prosecution and sentencing exposure considerably under New York law.
Broader Impact
This crash serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing dangers posed by impaired driving in dense urban pedestrian environments. Amsterdam Avenue near 109th Street is a high-foot-traffic area where residents regularly gather on sidewalks in the evening hours — precisely the conditions present when Suarez’s vehicle jumped the curb. New York State’s Leandra’s Law mandates the installation of an ignition interlock device for any DWI conviction, and when a fatality results from impaired driving, prosecutors frequently pursue the most serious available vehicular manslaughter charges, reflecting the state’s zero-tolerance posture toward drunk and impaired drivers who take lives on city streets.