Pedestrian fatally mowed down by NYC drunk driver ID’d as migrant from Turkey

Metro

By Amanda Woods

June 7, 2023 | 9:40am

The pedestrian fatally mowed down by an alleged drunk driver in a wild Manhattan crash over the weekend has been identified as a hard-working migrant who recently arrived from Turkey. 

Abdulhekim Esiyok, 23 – who came to the Big Apple about a month ago and was staying at a temporary migrant shelter near the scene, according to WPIX – was crossing Third Avenue near East 21st Street in Gramercy Sunday evening when Mahbub Ali, 26, allegedly rammed into him in his gray Hyundai sedan. 

He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“[Esiyok] was here for about a month, staying here at the shelter. He had gotten a job about two weeks ago as a delivery bicyclist,” George Colli, a spokesperson for the victim’s family, told the news station. “His family said that he came here and that his dream was simply to be able to work hard and take care of his family.”

A GoFundMe page, raising money to return Esiyok’s body to his family in Turkey, described him as “a beloved member of our community” and a “humble friend.” 

“Your donations, by the permission of Allah, will be used to transport Abdulhekim to his family and provide them with financial support,” said a message on the fundraising page, which has already raised $24,295, far exceeding its $8,000 goal. 

“As a faithful community, let us stand together during this challenging time and help alleviate the family’s pain and offer them comfort.”

Ali was ordered held on $300,000 bail by a Manhattan judge on Tuesday, despite prosecutors’ request that he be remanded in connection to the driving rampage. 

Ali, of Queens, allegedly admitted to law enforcement that he had a boozy brunch around noon Sunday — and kept drinking throughout the day before getting behind the wheel, Assistant District Attorney Taylor Mauer said in Manhattan Criminal Court. 

His blood alcohol content was .158 two hours after the crash, nearly two times the legal limit, the ADA added. 

The mayhem began when Ali was speeding up Third Avenue, jumping a curb and barreling onto the sidewalk at East 21st Street, Mauer said. 

In addition to the fatal victim, two pedestrians — a 21-year-old man and 26-year-old woman — and an 18-year-old 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.”

The crash took place near the NYPD’s former police academy building, which has been designated as a migrant shelter at 235 E. 20th St.