The owner of a fruit stand who narrowly escaped injury when an uncontrolled driver broke into his Midtown business and was up and running in 24 hours.
Ugur Dikici, 44, worked until 4 am on Saturday to get his business ready for customers.
Dikici had the help of friends who gave him some metal tents and, fortunately, he had extra goods in his truck.
“I can’t miss a day. I have a family. I have two children – 13 and 16. My daughter, she is preparing for college. It’s difficult, ” he said. “And the business is not like before. Last year – you know, the pandemic – is slow. I’m here seven days a week. “
“I worked until four in the morning,” he said. “I’m tired. But I’m used to it. I usually work 16 or 17 hours a day.
One of the survivors of the domino crash, George Soliman, 54, told the Post he tried to get out of the way, but it was not fast enough.
The fruit stand with its contents and scaffolding fell on it. He has pain in his knees, arms, back, it hurts to turn his head from side to side.
“I see the car is coming,” recalled Soliman. “It was coming fast – crazy man, crazy man. It was hitting everything – boom, boom. I fell on the street. I fall on my face. Everything was falling on us. The fruits on top of me. The scaffolding fell on my back, knee, arms and fingers. Thank my god! Thank my god! I’m alive. I’m very lucky. “
Soliman’s friend Sohaib Annabi, who works for Dikici, was also injured. The 27-year-old is scheduled to get married in a few months, but was forced to take a break on Saturday.
“I’m not sure when I’ll be back at work. Today, when I woke up, my back hurts. When I walk, I don’t walk right, ”said Annabi.
“When I saw the video and talked to my brother and good friend, I cried,” he said, adding, “I could have died. I wouldn’t be here talking to you. But, thank God, I’m alive. “
The incident happened around 8:30 am, when a 66-year-old man, who was later discovered to have suffered a medical episode, crashed his Nissan van against a black Toyota Camry from behind on Second Avenue – causing the car to launch into the area. dining area near East 50th Street.
Two boys, aged 5 to 7, were hit by the wreckage of an empty outdoor facility at Crave Fishbar, police said.
The destruction continued for another block. The van hit Dikici’s fruit stand and some scaffolding before stopping at 49 East Street, according to police and witnesses. In all, seven people were injured.