German tourist fatally struck in hit-and-run while in NYC with husband for anniversary celebration.

A German tourist was tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident in Midtown Manhattan while celebrating her wedding anniversary with her husband, who was also critically injured, according to reports from Media News Source. The victims, 50-year-old Alexandra Sabine Lewalter Maric and her 55-year-old husband, hailing from Hamburg, Germany, were in New York City to commemorate 23 years of marriage. Their visit included a cruise that departed from New York City, marking the beginning of what was supposed to be a joyful trip.

The couple was struck around 2:40 p.m. on a Wednesday while attempting to cross East 40th Street just west of Fifth Avenue. Witness accounts reveal that a blue-gray minivan, which was reversing in the intersection, collided with the couple, trapping them against a box truck that was halted at a red light. Tragically, Lewalter Maric was pronounced dead at the scene due to severe injuries. Eyewitnesses described the aftermath as chaotic, with one vendor recounting a horrific scene where Lewalter Maric appeared to have suffered devastating injuries.

Her husband suffered serious injuries, including a skull fracture, and was transported to Bellevue Hospital for treatment. Upon arrival, he was observed reaching out for his deceased wife, adding a layer of heartbreak to the already tragic circumstances. Friends and acquaintances in Germany expressed their shock over the incident, describing Lewalter Maric as a vibrant and passionate individual with a profound love for music.

The driver of the minivan, identified as 40-year-old Mohammed Abouzaid, fled the scene but was apprehended shortly after when he became stuck in traffic just blocks away. Abouzaid has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, as well as two misdemeanor counts related to failing to yield to a pedestrian. The primary charge may lead to a potential sentence of up to seven years in prison and a fine reaching ,000. Following a hearing, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office successfully requested bail set at ,000 cash or ,000 bond.

Abouzaid is scheduled to appear in court again on September 30. This tragic event not only underscores the dangerous nature of urban traffic but also brings to light the personal stories of those affected, resonating beyond the immediate news coverage to illustrate the profound impact of such incidents on families and communities.