Photo: Collected
Minara Helen: The driver accused of killing a 23-year-old pedestrian and mowing down four other people in a wild Manhattan crash admitted he was drinking all day before getting behind the wheel — with a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit, prosecutors alleged Tuesday.
Mahbub Ali, 26, was ordered held on $300,000 bail by a Manhattan judge at his arraignment Tuesday, despite prosecutors requesting he be remanded for the deadly Sunday night driving rampage in Gramercy Park.
Ali, of Queens, allegedly admitted to law enforcement that he began drinking at brunch around noon Sunday — and kept boozing throughout the day before getting into his gray 2021 Hyundai Sonata, Assistant District Attorney Taylor Mauer said in court.
He was speeding up Third Avenue when he jumped a curb and barreled onto the sidewalk at East 21st Street, striking several pedestrians and leaving them tossed down the block, Mauer said.
The 23-year-old victim was crossing Third Avenue in the crosswalk when Ali rammed into him — throwing him into the air, authorities said.
Ali’s blood alcohol content was .158 two hours after the crash, nearly two times the legal limit, Mauer said during the Manhattan Criminal Court hearing.
Two pedestrians, a 21-year-old man and 26-year-old woman, and an 18-year-old on an e-bike rider were also injured, as was the passenger in Ali’s car, a 25-year-old woman, prosecutors and police said.
The e-bike rider suffered leg and back pain, and the two pedestrians were left with leg injuries, according to cops.
Police said Ali also struck an unoccupied Chevrolet Express van from behind, while two e-bikes were left crushed by the sedan.
Ali, who appeared to be in tears at the time of his arrest, was arraigned on several charges, including manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
“This was a tragic accident that has impacted the lives of several families,” his defense attorney Steven Epstein told The Post Tuesday. “We are remorseful for the results of the accident but ask that everyone keep in mind not all accidents result in criminal responsibility even tragic ones such as this.” Ali’s next court date is June 9.
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