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Several injured, 1 dead, after U-Haul driver speeds through Brooklyn streets

By

Jake Offenhartz

and

Gwynne Hogan

Published Feb 13, 2023

Modified Feb 14, 2023

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Christopher Werth

By

Jake Offenhartz

and

Gwynne Hogan

Published Feb 13, 2023

Modified Feb 14, 2023

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One person was killed and seven others were injured by a man driving a U-Haul truck in Brooklyn on Monday morning.

The driver was taken into custody in Red Hook, after striking pedestrians at seven separate locations and leading police on a miles-long chase through the streets and sidewalks of Bay Ridge and Sunset Park, according to police and eyewitnesses.

Two people initially suffered injuries that were considered critical, according to the FDNY. A police officer was also among the injured. One of the victims, reportedly a man in his 40s, died later Monday evening.

At a press conference, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said there was “no indication that there is any terrorism involvement in this incident.” She declined to provide further information about the suspect.

What to know

• At least eight people were injured in Bay Ridge after a man driving a U-Haul truck plowed into pedestrians.
• The driver was taken into custody in Red Hook after striking pedestrians at seven separate locations.
• NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said police had “no indication that there is any terrorism involvement in this incident.”
• At least two people initially suffered injuries that were considered critical. One person reportedly died Monday evening.

Mohamed Ebdelmagid dove onto the sidewalk to escape the U-Haul driver.

Courtesy of the family of Mohamed Ebdelmagid

A law enforcement official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak on the record, said the suspect has been identified as 62-year-old Weng Sor. He rented the U-Haul in Daytona Beach, Florida late last month, and appeared to be living inside, according to the official.

Officers began pursuing the vehicle after receiving reports about pedestrians struck along Bay Ridge Parkway shortly before 11 a.m., police said. The chase lasted for roughly 40 minutes before police eventually stopped the U-Haul at the Brooklyn entrance to the Battery Park Tunnel.

Amanda Perez, who works in Bay Ridge, said she heard a loud rumbling from her office, then saw a U-Haul speeding through the intersection of Bay Ridge Parkway and Fifth Avenue. The driver then crashed head-on with what appeared to be a delivery cyclist, she said.

"We ran to him and we saw he was covered in blood," she said, adding that her coworker held the man’s hand while they called 911.

At the intersection of 72nd Street and Third Avenue, in Bay Ridge, eyewitnesses described the U-Haul driver jumping the curb, with a police cruiser in close pursuit. Both vehicles sped along the sidewalk, forcing pedestrians to jump out of the way, video of the incident shows.

One of those pedestrians who narrowly dodged the truck was Mohamed Ebdelmagid, a 65-year-old cabdriver. Reached by phone from Lutheran Hospital, Ebdelmagid said he was in pain and covered in bruises, but grateful to be alive.

“If I didn’t see the car I’d be dead. I’m still shaking, very bad,” he said.

Rocky Hot, the owner of Yours Car Service, where Ebdelmagid worked, was similarly stunned: “He’s the luckiest man alive,” he said.

Tagged

new york city

public safety

brooklyn

Jake Offenhartz

Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.

Read more

Gwynne Hogan

Gwynne Hogan is a former Gothamist reporter.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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