Driver who crashed into crowd of people in NYC, injuring 6, is charged

Kathleen Casillo has been charged with reckless endangerment.

December 12, 2020, 5:11 PM

The woman who allegedly drove into a crowd of people in New York City Friday has been charged with reckless endangerment, police said.

She has been identified as Kathleen Casillo, 52, of Rockaway Park, Queens. The incident does not appear to be an intentional act, a police official said.

Another woman, 32 years old, who was a part of a demonstration in the area where the incident took place, was charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction of governmental administration after she interfered with emergency medical service experts as they responded to the scene, officials said.

PHOTO: A vehicle plows into a crowd of about 50 people at a protest in Manhattan, New York, with multiple people injured, Dec. 11, 2020.
A vehicle plows into a crowd of about 50 people at a protest in Manhattan, New York, with multiple people injured, Dec. 11, 2020.
Nyc Protest Coverage/via Reuters

Six people were injured when Casillo allegedly drove through a march -- aimed at drawing attention to an ongoing hunger strike by immigration detainees at a jail in New Jersey -- between 39th Street and Third Avenue at around 4 p.m. Friday, the New York City Police Department said.

The driver allegedly accelerated into the crowd, and struck multiple people who were walking, as well as people on bicycles.

The victims were take to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, the city's fire department said, and Casillo was detained for questioning.

It's not presently clear if Casillo has obtained legal representation.

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