The woman accused of mowing down seven people in Midtown over the weekend claimed she had a religious experience before the hit-and-run, sources said.
Imani Lucas, 29, who allegedly struck seven pedestrians when she blew through a red-light Sunday night, told cops shortly after she was apprehended that she closed her eyes and prayed to God before she ignored the traffic signal.
The crash unfolded on West 36th Street and 6th Avenue just before midnight when Lucas, allegedly driving a Honda Accord, struck the victims who ranged in age from 24 to 60 years.
On Tuesday, when Lucas was led out of the Midtown South Precinct by cops, journalists fired off questions, such as: “Did God tell you to do it?”
Lucas did not respond.
Police said the victims did not suffer life-threatening injuries, although some endured broken bones. A 34-year-old Italian tennis coach had to undergo immediate surgery after suffering a spinal cord injury.
Lucas allegedly fled the Midtown scene and continued driving. She drove through the Queens-Midtown Tunnel before she then collided with two vehicles on the Long Island Expressway where cops nabbed her.
Police said that Lucas was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.
Lucas’ mother, in an interview with the Gothamist, said that her daughter has bipolar disorder and may have had a mental health episode. She said her daughter “would never do anything intentionally to hurt anybody.”
Lucas was originally held in hospital for a mental evaluation before being transferred for her arraignment on Tuesday where she was spotted wearing a “Good Vibes” shirt with her hands cuffed behind her back.
She has been charged with seven counts of attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident causing serious injury and reckless driving.
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