Dramatic moment female motorist injures six when she drives into Manhattan protesters supporting hunger strikers in an ICE detention center as they surrounded her

  • Incident unfolded at East 39th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan at 4.08pm Friday
  • Around 40 to 50 demonstrators were gathered in support of detainees in a New Jersey ICE facility
  • Some protesters were said to have surrounded the vehicle - a dark BMW with a female driver
  • The driver then allegedly plowed into the demonstrators hitting an unknown number and injuring six 
  • The extent of the injuries is not clear but the NYPD said they appear to be non-life-threatening
  • Police said the driver stayed on the scene after the collision and was taken to a local precinct for questioning 
  • Two white women were filmed being arrested in footage shared on social media with witnesses saying the female driver was accompanied by a female passenger 
  • An NYPD spokesperson told DailyMail.com it is not yet clear if the collision was accidental or targeted 
  • As of 7 p.m. police said the driver has not been arrested or charged over the incident  

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Dramatic footage has emerged of the moment a female motorist plowed her car into a group of New York City protesters gathered in support of people on hunger strike in an ICE detention center Friday afternoon. 

Six people were injured when the driver of a dark BMW accelerated into a group of around 50 protesters at East 39th Street and Third Avenue in the heart of Manhattan just after 4 p.m. Friday. 

The extent of the injuries is not clear but the NYPD said they appear to be non-life-threatening.    

Police said the driver stayed on the scene after the collision and was taken to a local precinct for questioning. As of 7 p.m. Friday, the NYPD said no arrests or charges had been made over the incident.     

Dramatic footage has emerged of the moment a female motorist plowed her car into a group of New York City protesters gathered in support of people on hunger strike in an ICE detention center Friday afternoon

Dramatic footage has emerged of the moment a female motorist plowed her car into a group of New York City protesters gathered in support of people on hunger strike in an ICE detention center Friday afternoon

Smartphone footage circulated on social media shows the vehicle accelerates rapidly plowing right into one demonstrator stood in front of it, who flies over the bonnet onto the road. The car speeds right across the intersection ramming into several bicycles and other protesters on the way as screams ring out in the air

Smartphone footage circulated on social media shows the vehicle accelerates rapidly plowing right into one demonstrator stood in front of it, who flies over the bonnet onto the road. The car speeds right across the intersection ramming into several bicycles and other protesters on the way as screams ring out in the air

Six people were injured when a motorist plowed into a group of around 50 protesters who were demonstrating in New York City on Friday afternoon. Pictured an NYPD officer surrounds a car after it struck protesters

Six people were injured when a motorist plowed into a group of around 50 protesters who were demonstrating in New York City on Friday afternoon. Pictured an NYPD officer surrounds a car after it struck protesters

Bikes lie on the ground after a car struck multiple protesters in Manhattan gathered in support of people on hunger strike in an ICE detention center

Bikes lie on the ground after a car struck multiple protesters in Manhattan gathered in support of people on hunger strike in an ICE detention center

An injured protester is seen being loaded into an ambulance following the incident which left six people in hospital

An injured protester is seen being loaded into an ambulance following the incident which left six people in hospital 

Several ambulances, emergency vehicles and NYPD officers were seen at East 39th Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan just after 4pm on Friday

Several ambulances, emergency vehicles and NYPD officers were seen at East 39th Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan just after 4pm on Friday

A protester holds up their mangled bicycle after they and their bike were struck by the vehicle Friday

A protester holds up their mangled bicycle after they and their bike were struck by the vehicle Friday 

Officers blocked off the area and advised the general public to steer clear of 3rd Avenue and 39th Street

Officers blocked off the area and advised the general public to steer clear of 3rd Avenue and 39th Street

Officers gather around a black BMW thought to be the vehicle that plowed into demonstrators

Officers gather around a black BMW thought to be the vehicle that plowed into demonstrators 

An NYPD officer picks up a jacket from the street in the aftermath of Friday's incident in the heart of the Big Apple

An NYPD officer picks up a jacket from the street in the aftermath of Friday's incident in the heart of the Big Apple 

The incident unfolded at 4:08 p.m. on East 39th and 3rd Avenue in the heart of Manhattan where a group of protesters were holding a demonstration in support of those on hunger strike at an ICE facility in Bergen County, New Jersey.

Multiple people being held in the government facility have gone without food for four weeks now to draw attention to their poor treatment in the facility.    

Between 40 and 50 protesters were demonstrating in the area, according to WABC-TV  

Smartphone footage circulated on social media shows dozens of protesters holding banners in the road at the intersection of East 39th Street and Third Avenue.

Around four pedestrians are seen gathered around a dark BMW that appears to be driving toward the group.

Two demonstrators can be seen banging on the side of the car. 

The vehicle accelerates rapidly plowing right into one demonstrator stood in front of it, who flies over the bonnet onto the road. 

The car speeds right across the intersection ramming into several bicycles and other protesters on the way. 

Screams and the cars tires screeching ring out in the air, as protesters run to help people injured.

An NYPD officer is seen at the end of the footage. 

Vehicles were being cordoned off from the area by NYPD officers due to the protest. according to NBC New York.

Officers were ensuring no cars turned onto East 39th Street. The car involved in the incident was already parked in the closed-off area when the driver got in the vehicle, the outlet reported.     

Video posted to social media shows police arresting one woman who is believed to be the driver of the car
The woman in the footage is young and white and is being led away by officers as demonstrators appear be shouting at her

Video posted to social media shows police arresting one woman who is believed to be the driver of the car. The woman in the footage is young and white and is being led away by officers as demonstrators appear be shouting at her

Separate footage posted online shows a different white woman kneeling on the ground as she was also detained by officers
Witnesses said on social media there was a female passenger in the car at the time alongside the female driver

Separate footage posted online shows a different white woman kneeling on the ground as she was also detained by officers. Witnesses said on social media there was a female passenger in the car at the time alongside the female driver

Numerous FDNY vehicles, ambulances and police cars were on the scene Friday afternoon as the investigation continued

Numerous FDNY vehicles, ambulances and police cars were on the scene Friday afternoon as the investigation continued

It is not yet clear if the collision was accidental or intentional and - if deliberate - what the motive may be

It is not yet clear if the collision was accidental or intentional and - if deliberate - what the motive may be

Several ambulances and emergency vehicles were seen at East 39th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan just after 4pm on Friday

Several ambulances and emergency vehicles were seen at East 39th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan just after 4pm on Friday

Dozens of officers and emergency personnel are gathered at the scene of the collision Friday

Dozens of officers and emergency personnel are gathered at the scene of the collision Friday 

Emergency personnel remain on the scene where pedestrians were struck by the car as night falls in the city

Emergency personnel remain on the scene where pedestrians were struck by the car as night falls in the city

Six people were injured in the incident and taken to a local hospital. Their injuries are not considered serious, however no further details about their conditions are known. 

'The injuries look to be non-life-threatening at this point,' an NYPD spokesperson told DailyMail.com.    

The spokesperson confirmed the vehicle was being driven by a woman but gave no further details about her identity.  

He said she was stopped at the scene and taken to a local police precinct for questioning.  

Video posted to social media by @_antwan1_ shows police arresting one woman who is believed to be the driver of the car. 

The woman in the footage is young and white and is being led away by officers as demonstrators appear be shouting at her. 

Separate footage posted online shows a different white woman kneeling on the ground as she is also detained by officers. 

Witnesses said on social media there was a female passenger in the car at the time alongside the female driver.  

An NYPD spokesperson said it was unknown at this point if the driver accidentally struck the demonstrators or if it was a targeted attack.

They said the investigation is ongoing and it is not yet known if any charges will be brought against her.  

This bicyclist and bicycle were struck by the vehicle during the protest at East 39 Street and 3rd Avenue

This bicyclist and bicycle were struck by the vehicle during the protest at East 39 Street and 3rd Avenue

A witness holds a part of the grill of the BMW which struck protesters at East 39 Street and 3rd Avenue

A witness holds a part of the grill of the BMW which struck protesters at East 39 Street and 3rd Avenue

Police tape cordons off the area where the collision occurred as officers investigate what happened

Police tape cordons off the area where the collision occurred as officers investigate what happened 

Between 40 and 50 protesters were demonstrating in the area in the heart of Manhattan when the incident unfolded

Between 40 and 50 protesters were demonstrating in the area in the heart of Manhattan when the incident unfolded

Police said the driver stayed on the scene after colliding into the demonstrators and is being questioned by officers

Police said the driver stayed on the scene after colliding into the demonstrators and is being questioned by officers

The NYPD urged the public to avoid the area of 3rd Avenue and 39th Street in Manhattan 'due to a vehicle collision involving multiple pedestrians'

The NYPD urged the public to avoid the area of 3rd Avenue and 39th Street in Manhattan 'due to a vehicle collision involving multiple pedestrians'

Six people were injured. Their conditions are unknown but they are said to be non-life-threatening

Six people were injured. Their conditions are unknown but they are said to be non-life-threatening 

An injured demonstrator lies in the back of an ambulance. Several people were taken to hospital following the incident

An injured demonstrator lies in the back of an ambulance. Several people were taken to hospital following the incident 

The protest was being held in the area for those on hunger strike at an ICE facility in Bergen County, New Jersey

The protest was being held in the area for those on hunger strike at an ICE facility in Bergen County, New Jersey

However a police official told WABC-TV the collision did not appear to be intentional.

According to the outlet the driver may have accelerated in fear when protesters surrounded her car which was already at the intersection when the incident unfolded. 

Initial reports from the NYPD said that the incident involved people gathered for a 'Justice for George' protest but the force later confirmed it was a protest for ICE detainees.   

Several protesters were also detained by NYPD officers including one for obstructing governmental administration.  

Footage shows several ambulances and emergency vehicles on the scene in the immediate aftermath just after 4pm on Friday

Footage shows several ambulances and emergency vehicles on the scene in the immediate aftermath just after 4pm on Friday

According to initial reports from the scene, a motorist plowed into a group of protesters at an intersection

According to initial reports from the scene, a motorist plowed into a group of protesters at an intersection

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