The 61-year-old driver was taken into custody at the scene. Authorities have not formally charged him in connection with the deaths, and the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under active investigation.
Emergency crews responded quickly, securing the area and tending to the injured. Roads in the immediate vicinity were temporarily closed to allow investigators to gather evidence and manage the scene safely.
Medical emergency or mechanical failure: investigators weigh multiple causes
Determining the exact cause of the crash is the central focus of the ongoing investigation. According to authorities, investigators are currently exploring several possibilities, including a medical emergency suffered by the driver, a mechanical failure in the vehicle, or other contributing factors.
Witnesses at the scene described erratic driving in the moments just before the vehicle struck the pedestrians. Those accounts have been incorporated into the investigation alongside other sources of evidence.
Officials said they have reviewed surveillance footage from the area, analyzed vehicle data, and collected statements from witnesses. Authorities emphasized that a full investigation is underway and urged the public to be patient while the process continues.
Vehicle incidents in urban areas
Crashes involving vehicles and pedestrians in dense urban environments like Manhattan are investigated with particular scrutiny, given the difficulty of distinguishing accidents from intentional acts. Authorities routinely examine vehicle data, camera footage, and driver condition as part of standard protocol in such cases.
No evidence of terrorism or criminal intent, CBS News reports
Despite the severity of the incident, authorities have found no indication that it was deliberate. According to CBS News, there is currently no evidence suggesting a criminal or terrorist act was behind the crash.
The clarification came as investigators worked to rule out various scenarios. In the current climate, authorities are careful to assess all possibilities before drawing conclusions, particularly in high-traffic urban areas like Manhattan.
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