Cops arrested a driver for carrying dozens of propane tanks in a minivan in Manhattan, officials said Wednesday.
The 31-year-old driver — charged with reckless endangerment — was operating a white 2013 Chevrolet express van that had a food cart attached and became loose, hitting a parked 2021 Kia Serrano with a 48-year-old woman and 10-year-old boy inside around 7:14 p.m. Tuesday near 42nd St. and 10th Ave. in Hell’s Kitchen, cops said.
When police responded, they noticed a strong smell of gasoline and propane tanks in the back of the van, prompting a call to the FDNY. When officers asked the driver to open the back of the van, he claimed he couldn’t — while trying to get rid of the keys, the FDNY stated.
Firefighters finally forced an entry into the van, removing 76 20-pound propane cylinders and 15 five-gallon fuel containers — for a total of 75 gallons of gasoline, and 10 gallons of diesel, officials said.
The woman and the young boy were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in stable condition.
The driver’s arraignment was pending Wednesday in Manhattan Criminal Court.
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