Six pedestrians were struck by officers racing to a larceny in progress in a police SUV in Longview, Bronx on Thursday afternoon, leaving several victims fighting for their lives.
A total of 10 people were injured, including a mother and child in a car that they collided with and the two officers in the police SUV, police officials said. Officials said the oldest victim was 65, and the youngest pedestrian was five. A two-year-old with his mother were treated for minor injuries.
The operators of the 41st Precinct patrol car apparently lost control of it at the intersection of Westchester and Hoe Avenues at 3:10 p.m. on Oct. 6. Police officials confirmed that the officers were responding to a car theft in progress when they collided with a civilian vehicle who was making a turn, causing the marked SUV to mount the sidewalk at the northwest corner and strike the six pedestrians, including a small child, it was reported.
“The mother was just laid out and the baby with her was inside the building and they just rushed to the hospital and they had a girl too, and a man too who was on the other side – the cops hit them as they were chasing someone,” said Isaiahs Santiago, a building super on Westchester Avenue.
“It scares me a lot that this is happening, it could’ve been me crossing street with my kids, scary for any parent — and it looks like a coverup,” said Britney Innis who was walking by just after the crash with her two young children.
Most of the victims were rushed to Jacobi Medical Center and several went to Lincoln Hospital, but their conditions were not immediately known.
The conditions of the two officers were not immediately revealed by police who were investigating the scene.
Officials say that because the police were unable to response to the larceny in progress, the thief was able to steal the vehicle.
This is a developing story; check with amNY.com later for further updates.
