3 Dead, Including 10-Year-Old Girl, In Morris Park, Bronx Crash
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Three people were killed, and four others were injured, when a car crashed into a group of innocent trick-or-treaters in the Bronx late Saturday afternoon.
Just before 5 p.m., a driver struck six pedestrians and plowed through a fence and a brick wall on Morris Park Avenue near Bogart Avenue, in the Morris Park section of the Bronx, officials said.
"We do this stuff on Halloween to scare people, but then when you see it real, you're like this isn't funny anymore," said witness Fabio Cotza.
As CBS2's Dave Carlin reported, the accident began with a two-car crash, which sent a black sedan up and over a sidewalk and into a brick wall next to a house. Witnesses said the sedan went airborne before crashing.
"(The car) went up on the sidewalk into a brick wall adjoining a house, struck six civilians -- so there were six civilians struck plus the driver of the car," said FDNY Deputy Chief Joe Saccente.
At the time, the area was busy with adults and children, and police said most of the children were trick-or-treating for Halloween.
"We heard boom, boom, boom -- the cars hitting each other, and the car the flying, and then we were hearing screams," Cotza said.
"I saw the cars come up into the air and fly in to the yard," said witness John Delgiudice. "It was horrible, man. Another person was crushed under the car. It was horrible."
One person was pronounced dead at the scene, and two more were later pronounced dead at Jacobi Medical Center, officials said. Those killed included a 10-year-old girl, a 24-year-old man, and a 65-year-old man, police said.
"Some were under the vehicle. There was considerable damage to their bodies," Saccente said.
The oldest man was on the sidewalk and was crushed, and witnesses said he died instantly.
A 3-year-old girl, a 9-year-old girl, and a 21-year-old woman were hospitalized at Jacobi Medical Center following the crash, officials said. The youngest girl's condition was reported to be stable, while the others were in critical, but stable condition.
Neighbor Cotza helped one of the victims.
"I grabbed towels and I ran over," Cotza said. "She was barely breathing, so I put a towel over her to keep her warm."
The 52-year-old driver of the 2011 Dodge Charger was also hospitalized, officials said.
Police sources told CBS2 the driver may have suffered a seizure in the moments before the deadly crash.