Minivan driver charged after German tourist killed, nearly decapitated in horrific NYC hit-and-run crash
Share and Follow

A minivan driver involved in a hit-and-run incident that allegedly targeted a German couple – leading to the tragic death and near decapitation of a woman while critically injuring her husband – now faces charges related to the horrifying Midtown collision, authorities reported on Thursday.

Mohammed Abouzaid, a 40-year-old resident of The Bronx, has been charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian and not reporting the accident after leaving the scene. He is currently awaiting his court appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court.

“I did not hit anybody,” Abouzaid, who has no prior arrests, allegedly told authorities when he was picked up, according to cops and sources.

According to police, the victim, Alexandra Sabine Lewalter Maric, 50, from Hamburg, lost her life when the driver of a 2001 Toyota Sienna reversed at high speed at the intersection of East 40th Street and Fifth Avenue at approximately 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday.

As the driver — who was facing east on East 40th Street, blocking the intersection — backed up, he pinned the husband and wife between his car and a box truck stopped at the light, according to the sources.

The woman was nearly decapitated on impact and pronounced dead, the sources said.

Her 55-year-old husband — who was celebrating his birthday — suffered a fractured skull but was being treated at Bellevue Hospital in stable condition, sources said.

Graphic videos obtained by The Post show first responders tending to the motionless, bloodied woman on the ground in front of the truck, checking her pulse and ultimately realizing her head was nearly detached.

Abouzaid allegedly fled in the minivan — which had a vanity plate reading “TIMES SQUARE” and a Mississippi tag — only to be picked up by one of the NYPD’s new Quality of Life teams an hour later at West 38th Street and Eighth Avenue, authorities and sources said.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Travis Decker investigation in CHAOS after his 'body' was found

Investigation into Travis Decker in Turmoil Following Discovery of His ‘Body’

A coroner has disclosed that there is ‘no scientific confirmation’ regarding the…
Turning Point USA resumes Charlie Kirk's college campus tour

Turning Point USA Restarts Charlie Kirk’s College Campus Tour

() Turning Point USA has resumed its nationwide college campus tour schedule…
Denmark considers triggering NATO Article 4 after drones fly over airports

Denmark considers triggering NATO Article 4 after drones fly over airports

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Denmark is considering triggering…
Tropical Storm Humberto forms in the Atlantic as Hurricane Gabrielle takes aim at the Azores

Hurricane Gabrielle Targets Azores as Tropical Storm Humberto Develops in the Atlantic

MIAMI (AP) — Tropical Storm Humberto formed in the Atlantic Ocean on…
Manhunt ignites in major US city after accused murderer walks free in 'monumental mistake': victim's mother

Manhunt ignites in major US city after accused murderer walks free in ‘monumental mistake’: victim’s mother

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A manhunt is underway…
Military-trained dad accused of killing daughters nears 3 weeks living in wilderness amid manhunt

Feds declare Travis Decker dead as they drop case, but sheriff still waiting for DNA on fugitive dad

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Federal authorities say Travis…
Zelenskyy at UN: ‘Weak’ global bodies can’t stop Putin, only ‘friends and weapons’ can

Zelenskyy at UN: ‘Weak’ global bodies can’t stop Putin, only ‘friends and weapons’ can

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Only “friends and weapons,”…
Chicago City Council committee votes on plan to address housing concerns linked to Obama Presidential Center in Jackson park

Chicago City Council Committee Votes on Housing Plan Related to Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park

CHICAGO (WLS) — Work on the Obama Presidential Center continues to move…