Among the deceased was a 65-year-old man identified as Louis Perez, a 10-year-old girl Nyanna Aquil and 24-year-old Kristian Leka.
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The man, Howard Unger, of the Bronx, had been driving west on Morris Park Avenue in a black Dodge Charger sedan just before 5 p.m. Saturday.
Images of the scene showed the vehicle several feet above the ground and teetering on a wall. “Everybody stopped trick-or-treating, saying, ‘How can we help?'”
When the auto came speeding onto the sidewalk, Natalia Perez said, her father pushed 8-year-old Sanaya Aquil out of harm’s way. “He always said “thank you for taking care of my girls”, now to lose both of them…” said Ricci. Unger remained hospitalized Sunday and was cooperating with the investigation, the official said.
“It was all because my dad wanted to take my girls for a second round of trick-or-treating”, she said.
“He was the greatest grandfather in the world”, she said. “Isn’t that insane? I had already taken the girls earlier”. Our prayers are with them, their families, and those pedestrians still struggling with their injuries. Louis’ other 3-year-old granddaughter was also rushed to the hospital, and is now listed as being in stable condition. Police say Leka’s 9-year-old sister and 21-year-old friend were also hit and suffered minor injuries. “It looked like something from a war movie”.
A crowd of costumed onlookers descended on the scene on Saturday night as investigators worked to determine the cause of the crash.
The NYPD said the investigation into the collision is ongoing.
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The crash injured three other trick-or-treaters, along with the driver, police said. Police are examining whether a medical problem such as a seizure may have been involved.
