A yellow taxi van crashed into Amura Japanese Cuisine at 1567 2nd Avenue (between 81st and 82nd Streets) on Friday, just before 5pm.
via Google Maps
Police say the traffic accident was a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles, ultimately causing the taxi driver to jump the curb and hit a pedestrian before crashing into the restaurant.
The pedestrian, who turned out to be an employee of the restaurant, was brought to New York Presbyterian in stable condition.
A witness told CBS New York that the taxi driver “stopped ’cause someone else stopped short in front of him, then a white van smashed into him, a Range Rover it looked like, and another car smashed into the Range Rover.” Another witness reported hearing “A big boom and then [she] just saw people start screaming.”
Several videos uploaded by users of Citizen App show FDNY and NYPD officers responding to the scene.
Taxi Crashed Into Store, Pedestrian Injured @CitizenApp
E 81st St & 2nd Ave Yesterday 4:46:59 PM EDT
Taxi Crashed Into Store, Pedestrian Injured @CitizenApp
E 81st St & 2nd Ave Yesterday 4:46:59 PM EDT
Taxi Crashed Into Store, Pedestrian Injured @CitizenApp
E 81st St & 2nd Ave Yesterday 4:46:59 PM EDT
