A devastating incident occurred in New York City on Christmas Day when a taxi cab plowed into a group of pedestrians, leaving several injured and one critically hurt.
The accident took place at around 2:20 pm on Fifth Avenue, just a block away from Rockefeller Center, a popular tourist destination in Midtown Manhattan. Witnesses reported that the taxi, a yellow cab, struck a group of people who were walking along the sidewalk.
The driver of the taxi, who has not been identified, fled the scene on foot after the crash. Witnesses described the driver as being frantic and distraught.
According to officials, seven people were injured in the incident, with one person critically hurt. The critically injured person was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in serious condition.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) is investigating the incident, and the driver of the taxi has been arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving under the influence of drugs.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but officials said that the driver may have been speeding and failed to stop at a red light before striking the pedestrians.
The incident occurred on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, with many people in the area enjoying the holiday season. The scene was chaotic, with emergency responders rushing to the scene to assist the injured.
As the investigation continues, officials are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward and provide any information that may help authorities piece together what happened.