2 dead, 3 critical after driver crashes into pedestrians on Upper West Side, NYPD says

Two people were killed and three others are in critical condition after a driver lost control and struck pedestrians on a sidewalk in New York City on Friday evening, according to police. 

The NYPD said the crash happened on Amsterdam Avenue near 109th Street on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 6 p.m., when a 61-year-old man -- who may have been under the influence -- jumped the curb, killing a 35-year-old man and a 46-year-old man. 

Three men between the ages of 36 and 52 were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, police said. 

The driver, 61-year-old Elvin Suarez, was later charged with DWI and manslaughter, police said. 

"He was just swerving, driving really fast"

Witnesses described the frightening wreck as people enjoying their night were suddenly mowed down, and at least one man was pinned under a vehicle. 

"He was just swerving, driving really fast, and then he drove up over the median," said Eva Santiago, a witness. "We seen the car go up in the air and come down and land on everybody." 

Police said it appeared to be an accident, not an intentional act, but the investigation was ongoing.       

One person said the driver seemed confused and disoriented when he got out of his car.   

"These are all people from our neighborhood"

Janice Diaz, a retired EMT, said she saw three bodies on the ground and began performing CPR on a man who was unconscious and bleeding in hopes of saving his life. 

"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 said.

According to Diaz, the victims were friends with many other people who were there at the time. 

"These are all people from our neighborhood," Diaz said. 

Part of the street remained closed for hours around the mangled vehicles at the scene.

The NYPD warned drivers to "expect heavy traffic and emergency vehicle presence in the vicinity."