An intoxicated and speeding motorist with a history of drunk driving jumped a curb and slammed into a storefront in the East Village this morning, putting three pedestrians and a cyclist in the hospital, according to NYPD and published reports.
Just before 7 a.m., Shaun Martin of Bayside was barreling south on Second Avenue in a Nissan sedan at 75 mph when he jumped the curb and plowed through a sidewalk stand in front of a bodega at E. Fourth Street, reports said. Martin also reportedly struck a fire hydrant, a street sign, a loaded bike rack, and a tree.
The Daily News and the Post quoted a witness who said the driver was racing another motorist, but an NYPD spokesperson disputed that account, and said only one vehicle was involved in the crash.
Three employees of the store were hurt, police said, along with a man who was riding a Citi Bike. The Times reports that the three pedestrians were outside the bodega. One of the victims is a 62-year-old man who was hospitalized in critical condition.
"He was lying on the sidewalk," said one witness, to the Daily News. "His body was covered with flowers. I didn't see him moving."
The Times reports that the cyclist was struck when the driver tried to move the car back onto the street, while the Post says the cyclist was hit by a flying fire hydrant. The Times says the cyclist is in stable condition at Bellevue, and police told DNAinfo his injuries were "non-life threatening." On his Twitter feed, NYT police reporter J. David Goodman said the cyclist is 30 years old.
DNAinfo had this eyewitness account:
"I saw him plowing through the trees," said Diana Kirk, 42, who was sitting on her fire escape on East 4th Street and Second Avenue when she saw the white sedan "swerving."
"He flew down the sidewalk,"she added, saying she saw the driver take out the Citi Bike rider. "There was blood everywhere. I saw his legs all bloodied."
Though the cyclist got up, he immediately collapsed as if "in shock" she said.
Martin was charged with driving while intoxicated. DNAinfo reports that Martin has a prior DWI arrest, and that NYPD spokesperson Paul Browne said police found marijuana in Martin's sock.
Initial reports said that, according to police, eight people were hurt, but NYPD said there were four victims, in addition to the driver. Police confirmed reports that there was a female passenger in the car. Photos from the scene indicate the vehicle was destroyed.
This crash occurred in the 9th Precinct, where officers issued 11 speeding tickets in all of 2012. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to Deputy Inspector John G. Cappelmann, the commanding officer, go to the next precinct community council meeting. The 9th Precinct council meetings happen on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the precinct, 321 E. 5th Street. Call 212-477-7805 for information.
The City Council district where this crash occurred is represented by Rosie Mendez. Since March 2012, at least seven pedestrians and cyclists have been killed by motorists in Mendez's district, including three people in 2013. To encourage Mendez to take action to improve street safety in her district and citywide, contact her at 212-677-1077 or @RosieMendez.
