An NYC driver charged with manslaughter after killing a pedestrian and injuring three others was twice the legal limit after ‘drinking all day at a boozy brunch’.
Mahbub Ali, 26, was held on $300,000 bail by a judge at his arraignment earlier today, despite prosecutors requesting he be remanded for the incident in Gramercy Park over the weekend, according to the New York Post.
Ali, of Queens, admitted to law enforcement that he began drinking at brunch around noon Sunday and kept boozing throughout the day before getting into his gray 2021 Hyundai Sonata.
Ali’s blood alcohol content was .158 two hours after the crash, nearly two times the legal limit.
23-year-old Abdulheim Esiyok died at the scene while a 27-year-old woman broke her leg, a 21-year-old man suffered a cut to his leg, and an 18-year-old suffered injuries to their leg and back.
One person was killed and at least four were injured when a car crashed into a group of people on a street corner in lower Manhattan. Pictured is the scene at the intersection East 21st Street and Third Avenue
A view looking west along East 21st Street shows the car crashed into the LinkNYC station and facing north on Third Avenue
Mahbub Ali is pictured here in cuffs following the horrific incident on Saturday night
23-year-old Abdulheim Esiyok, pictured here, died at the scene while several others were injured in the incident
Ali is said to have struck Esiyok on the crosswalk of Third Avenue, near 21st street, when Ali slammed into him.
He then swerved and hit an 18-year-old man turning onto the avenue while riding an e-bike.
Ali is said to have then mounted the sidewalk, his car’s right tired hitting two more pedestrians before he careered into the back of an unoccupied NYPD van.
Assistant District Attorney Taylor Maurer said: ‘Ali admitted to going out drinking all day and to driving after.
‘Because of [his] decision to drink and drive, there are now four individuals who suffered physical injury, two of whom needed surgery, and one 23-year-old man who is dead.’
According to the New York Daily News, Maurer said that Esiyok was ‘thrown in the air for a significant distance’.
The newspaper also reported that Esiyok had been staying at a nearby shelter and was a frequent at a local church group as a volunteer.
A Gofundme has since been set up to help Esiyok’s family with his funeral, and has raised over $22,000.
A tribute posted on the fundraiser said: ‘Abdulhekim Esiyok, a beloved member of our community and a humble friend, unfortunately, lost his life in a car accident in Manhattan on June 4th.
‘We are in need of your help to pray for him, support his family, and alleviate their pain.’
Ali’s defense attorney Steven Epstein told the New York Post: ‘This was a tragic accident that has impacted the lives of several families.
‘We are remorseful for the results of the accident but ask that everyone keep in mind not all accidents result in criminal responsibility even tragic ones such as this.’
A witness who heard the crash said a number of the victims on the corner were migrants who has been staying at the Gramercy Training Academy and were using a LinkNYC Wi-Fi station
A witness who heard the crash said a number of the victims on the corner were migrants who has been staying at the Gramercy Training Academy and were using a LinkNYC Wi-Fi station
The grey Hyundai Sonata crashed into the LinkNYC internet and charging station some migrants were said by witnesses to have been using
George Colli, who heard the crash and rushed to the scene to help, told PIX11 at least some of the victims were migrants.
‘This corner is right a block away from the Gramercy Training Academy where they have 300 to 400 immigrants sheltered, and that’s not an area that has rooms, it’s not a hotel,’ he told the station.
‘They often hang out on the street corners. This happened right at a LinkNYC Wi-Fi and charging station where many of the immigrants will go to make calls home, video, FaceTiming, and so on,’ he said.
Ali had been charged with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault and driving while intoxicated.
He was immediately taken into custody following the crash and after his appearance earlier today he will be back in court on June 9.
