The Color Purplestuntwoman andBlack PantheractressCarrie Bernanswas seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident in New York City on Monday around 1:30am. Bernans suffered several broken bones and was hospitalized after a driver crashed into the outdoor dining area of Manhattan’s Chirp restaurant around 1:30 a.m. She was among eight pedestrians injured. The incident occurred after the driver, now identified as Mohamed Alaouie, was chased by police after reports he had physically assaulted his girlfriend inside his car.
According to the police statement (viaPEOPLE):
“Officers on foot attempted to de-escalate the situation and ordered the male operator of the vehicle to put the vehicle into park. The male failed to obey the officers' orders and fled westbound on 33rd Street before making a right turn onto 7th Avenue counter flow to traffic.The Mercedes then turned onto westbound West 34th Street where he mounted the sidewalk and began traveling westbound. The male then struck a food cart and two 39-year-old female pedestrians, a 31-year-old female pedestrian, and a 29-year-old female pedestrian.”
Alaouie then “mounted the curb onto the sidewalk again” before hitting “two unoccupied parked vehicles and a 2022 Toyota Camry in the roadway.”
Along with the hurt pedestrians, two police officers were hurt and hospitalized. Alaouie is currently hospitalized and in stable condition. He has been charged with attempted murder of a police officer, assault, reckless endangerment, drug possession (as a large amount of crack cocaine was discovered in his vehicle), driving while intoxicated and driving while ability impaired.
Related:Serious Injuries That Actors Received (and Survived) On Set
Carrie Bernans and Family Remain Optimistic Following Accident
Bernan’s mother, Patricia Lee, posted about Bernans' accident onInstagram, detailing the incident with graphic images of her injuries. She captioned the images:
“She’s still in so much pain and can’t answer calls at this time, but appreciate the messages. This was a traumatic incident. Please keep Carrie in your thoughts and prayers. She’s in so much pain but healing. “It ended up knocking her unconscious and pended her under the stand. She was under it unaware of what was happening.”
Lee noted that while Bernans suffered “a few broken bones, fractures, & chipped teeth” the actress remains “filled with hope and faith in the unfolding of a beautiful new chapter.” Lee closed out her post by expressing her gratitude to “all the first responders, police, strangers, my friend Katherine, family & friends who’s helped her.”
On Tuesday, Bernans shared her own update from her hospital bed at Bernans at NYC Health & Hospitals/Bellevue. In a message posted on her Instagram, she shared:
“I’m in so much pain and I still can’t even really walk right now. I’m just really hurting, but I know God is good and God heals. It’s just a matter of time.”
Bernans extensive list of credits includes work onBlack Panther, Avengers: Endgame,The Color Purple, The Premise, andS.W.A.T.Bernans and her family, including her 7-month-old son, were visiting New York to ring in the New Year. He was not present during the incident.
Black Panther
Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk.
