Morris Park Halloween Crash Horror

USAToday reports that the driver who crashed his car into a group of trick-or-treaters along Morris Park Avenue in the North Bronx and killing three people, may have suffered a seizure, according to NYPD sources.

According to a report in USAToday, “Police believe the driver may have had a seizure or experienced some other medical problem and lost control of his car, but investigators have not yet confirmed this as the cause of the crash.”

 

A grandfather, Louis Perez, 65, suffered severe head trauma and died at the scene of the crash. His ten year old granddaughter, Nyanna Aquil, 10, and Kristian Leka, 24, all Bronx residents, were both transported to Jacobi Medical Center where they were pronounced dead.

Perez’s 3-year-old granddaughter, Jasmine Aquil, was also injured and transported to Jacobi, according to the New York Post. Others hospitalized were a 9-year-old girl and a woman who was 21 years old, according to police.

In a statement, Mayor Bill de Blasio noted that Saturday night’s crash tore apart two families. “These three innocent people were lost on a day normally filled with childhood laughter and joy. Our prayers are with them, their families, and those pedestrians still struggling with their injuries.”

Mayor de Blasio promised that the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad “will leave no stone unturned in its investigation.”

“We do not accept tragedies like this as inevitable. This could be any of our families. Each of us must contribute to making this a city where everyone, especially children, can walk our streets safely.”

Nyanna’s mother, Natalia Perez, told the Daily News that her father had been taking her daughters for some extra Halloween fun.

“It was all because my dad wanted to take my girls for a second round of trick-or-treating,” she said. “Isn’t that crazy? I had already taken the girls earlier.”

Police said the driver was in stable condition at Jacobi. As of Sunday afternoon, no charges had been filed.

Hours after the crash on Saturday night, neighbors gathered for a small candlelight vigil to remember the victims.

On Twitter, local Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj tweeted, “My heart goes out to the families suffering from this tragic event. God Bless their souls.”

AM Mark Gjonaj_Morris Park Halloween Tragedy

Also, the 49th Precinct tweeted their sorrow: “The expresses our deepest condolences to the families from the tragic vehicle accident on Morris Park Ave.”

Tonight at 7pm, community residents will hold a prayer vigil at the accident site, Morris Park and Bogart Avenue.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email