New York City witnessed yet another hit-and-run horror Wednesday as a German couple visiting Midtown were brutally struck by a minivan driver who fled the scene. The woman, 50, was nearly decapitated on impact, while her husband, 55, was left with a fractured skull. He remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Police sources said the suspect, driving a green Toyota Sienna with a vanity plate reading “TIMES SQUARE,” pinned the couple between his vehicle and a box truck while reversing at high speed on East 40th Street and Fifth Avenue. Witnesses described a scene of chaos and disbelief.
“The minivan sped away,” said a Nuts4Nuts vendor. “As he was reversing, [the woman] was under the van. The man was stuck under the tire. He got himself out.”
Another bystander, Rosa Paredes, recalled she “heard the impact of the crash” and said the truck’s driver likely had no idea someone was trapped.
Graphic footage showed first responders trying to revive the woman, only to realize her head was nearly detached.
This tragic incident underscores the worsening state of public safety in America’s largest city. Tourists, once drawn to the Big Apple for its culture and landmarks, are now forced to weigh the risks of rampant crime, reckless drivers, and lenient policies that leave criminals free to wreak havoc.
As one vendor summed up the disbelief of the crowd: “Everyone was shocked. No one knew what to do. [The] guy fled the scene.”
