BY TODD MAISEL
Three teenagers stole an
SUV and caused a multi-car
pileup during a high-speed
chase in Canarsie, leaving 14
people injured on the evening
of Aug. 13, according to police.
The alleged teen carjackers
took the Toyota Highlander
near East Flatbush, before spinning
through Brooklyn’s street
— causing police to briefl y give
chase, before peeling off at
around 6 pm to avoid involvement
in a potential collision.
Minutes later the teens ran
a stop sign at E. 87th Street and
Avenue M in Canarsie, striking
an MTA bus — which was then
forced into oncoming traffi c,
where it collided with a westbound
BMW SUV, causing both
vehicles to end up on the sidewalk,
according to police.
The three teens, the female
driver of BMW, nine bus passengers,
COURIER L 6 IFE, AUGUST 21-27, 2020
and the bus driver all
sustained non-life-threatening
injuries in the crash, police
said.
“The fi refi ghters were working
to cut the woman out of the
BMW,” said Kim Stevens, a Canarsie
resident. “It is a miracle
she survived.”
Police arrested the 16-yearold
driver of the ill-gotten Toyota
on a slew of charges, including
grand larceny, reckless
endangerment, and fl eeing an
offi cer in a motor vehicle. Cops
also charged the driver and
one of the 17-year-old passengers
on a trio of other charges
The scene of the crash at East 87th Street and Avenue M, which injured 14 people — including 10 occupants of
an MTA bus. Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
— criminal possession of stolen
property, unauthorized use
of motor vehicle, and unlawful
possession of marijuana, according
to police.
One E. 87th Street resident
recalled the screeching noise
disrupting the otherwise calm
neighborhood, and the carnage
of the crash’s aftermath.
“I was in my house, and I
heard a loud bang,” said William
Samuels. “I came out and
I see the bus and the BMW leaning
against a brick wall of the
house and people were screaming.”
Another neighbor said the
multi-car pileup lead the cars
to look as if they were ready to
burst into fl ames, and speculated
about the injuries sustained
by the commandeered
Toyota’s teen driver.
“The one kid had a broken
leg, cops pulled the other out
and arrested him. It was almost
like they were chasing them,”
said Esther Sullivan of E. 87th
Street.
A third Canarsie resident
expressed his awe at the peculiar
situation — and joked
about the potential legal settlements
the bus passengers may
be entitled to.
“This is pure chaos, it is 6
in the evening, I’ve never seen
anything like this over here,”
said Roger King. “There are
about to be a lot of rich people
on the bus.”
Crashed in
Canarsie!
Teens steal SUV, cause
multi-car pileup, 14 injured
*available on fi nal sale items only through 8/26/20 at 11:59pm EST. Prices as marked online. Discount taken at register in-store. No returns accepted. Brand exclusions apply. Excludes special orders,
custom, padding, fabric yardage, parts, labor, delivery, installation, or past purchases. Cannot be combined with other promos. ABC Carpet & Home reserves the right to cancel or modify the
promotion at any time. See www.abchome.com/content/faq for full terms.
Limited Time! | Ends 8/26
Sale on Sale
Up to 60% off
Final Sale*
When you take an extra 20% off
select furniture, rugs, decor + more
Visit us at our Industry City Outlet
3906 2nd Ave, Brooklyn
Book a Virtual Appointment or Shop at abchome.com
/faq
/faq
/abchome.com