A recent incident in the Bronx resulted in two individuals sustaining injuries following a collision with a wrong-way driver, as reported by WABC.
The events began when Yonkers police were alerted to a reported burglary at the Cross County Shopping Center. A woman had reported the theft of her laptop.
Upon identifying the suspect within the mall, the individual hastily fled the scene in his Jeep Cherokee, with pursuing officers in close pursuit. The chase was terminated when the suspect entered the Major Deegan Expressway, proceeding in a southward direction within the northbound lanes.
Both Yonkers police and the NYPD initiated a search for the errant driver within the southbound lanes of the expressway. Tragically, the Jeep Cherokee ultimately collided head-on with a Honda Civic at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13th. During this incident, a 30-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, occupants of the Honda, sustained injuries. While they required hospitalization, their injuries were deemed non-life-threatening, and they were anticipated to make a full recovery.
Having abandoned his vehicle, the suspect absconded into a nearby wooded area, thus prompting an ongoing police manhunt as the investigation continues.
Exploring the Dangers of Wrong-Way Crashes
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), wrong-way crashes carry a staggering 12 times higher likelihood of causing severe injuries or fatalities compared to other types of accidents. These collisions tend to result in more severe outcomes. Shockingly, head-on crashes, accounting for 18 percent of all fatal traffic accidents, frequently stem from wrong-way incidents rather than improper passing maneuvers. These tragic events claim hundreds of lives annually and leave thousands with severe injuries. In many instances, the wrong-way driver is found at fault for these collisions.
In light of this incident, authorities are intensifying efforts to locate the suspect and hold them accountable for their actions. The injured victims, fortunately, are on the path to recovery, but this incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of wrong-way driving on our highways. The investigation remains ongoing.