German tourist couple in critical condition after Midtown hit-and-run, police say
A 50-year-old woman and 55-year-old man from Hamburg were struck by a green minivan at Fifth Avenue and East 40th Street; the vehicle fled and investigators are pursuing leads.
Two German tourists were critically injured in a hit-and-run in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday afternoon, authorities said. A green minivan struck a husband and wife visiting from Hamburg at about 2:40 p.m. at the corner of Fifth Avenue and East 40th Street, according to police officials. The driver fled the scene.
The victims, a 50-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man, were taken to Bellevue Hospital, where they were listed in critical condition, the sources said. The NYPD’s Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the investigation.
No arrests had been reported as of the latest update.
The crash occurred in a busy Midtown corridor near Fifth Avenue, an area that draws both tourists and residents. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about traffic safety in major cities, and police said they are examining surveillance footage and interviewing potential witnesses as they seek the vehicle involved, described as a green minivan, and any additional information that could lead to an arrest.
As investigators continue to piece together how the incident unfolded, officials noted that Bellevue Hospital treated the victims for serious injuries. The case remains active, with no additional details released about the driver or any possible motive.
The episode arrives in a broader national context where urban traffic safety remains a topic of political discussion at local and national levels, with advocates urging improvements to street design, enforcement, and funding for safety programs. Police urged anyone with information to contact authorities.
