Metro

Drunken driver charged after jumping curb in NYC and mowing down pedestrians, killing 1: cops

A drunken driver who appeared to cry as he was cuffed has been charged in the wild Manhattan crash that killed a 23-year-old man and injured at least four other people, police said Monday.

Mahbub Ali, 26, of Queens faces charges of manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault and driving while intoxicated in the deadly Sunday night smash-up at East 21st Street and Third Avenue in Gramercy, cops said. 

Ali was apparently speeding in a gray 2021 Hyundai Sonata north on Third Avenue when the vehicle barreled onto the sidewalk around 7:30 p.m., authorities said. 

The 23-year-old pedestrian was crossing Third Avenue, in the marked crosswalk, when Ali struck him, knocking him to the ground, cops said. 

Ali then swerved to the right, where he struck an 18-year-old man on an e-bike, who was turning onto Third Avenue from East 21th Street, police said. 

The sedan then mounted the northeast sidewalk, striking a 21-year-old male and 26-year-old female pedestrian with its right tires, cops said. 

Finally, the Hyundai struck a parked and unoccupied 2013 Chevrolet Express van from behind, authorities said. 

The first male pedestrian was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he died of his injuries, sources said. He was not immediately identified, pending family notification. 

Driver Mahbub Ali was charged after the fatal crash. Peter Gerber
Two men and two women were also hospitalized, police said. G.N.Miller/NYPost

The e-bike rider suffered leg and back pain, and the other two pedestrians were left with leg injuries, cops said. 

The front seat passenger in Ali’s car, a 25-year-old woman, also suffered leg injuries, police said. 

All four were taken to Bellevue Hospital for treatment, authorities said. 

The crash happened near the NYPD’s former police academy building, which is now a migrant shelter. G.N.Miller/NYPost

Ali was taken into custody at the scene, cops said. 

Two e-bikes were seen crushed near the battered vehicle. 

First responders worked to safely detach the batteries from the e-bikes to prevent any explosions, according to the Villager.

Photos from the chaotic scene show one woman on the ground being helped into a neck brace by paramedics and another woman with an injured leg.

Paramedics were also seen wheeling a person in a stretcher to an ambulance.

Another photo showed the driver detained by police.

The man was in handcuffs with his head bowed and he appeared to be in tears.

The crash took place near the NYPD’s former police academy building, which has been designated as a migrant shelter at 235 E. 20th St.