Car smashes into pole at Staten Island shopping center; 2 injured, 1 critically

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A vehicle collided with a pole at the popular Bricktown Shopping Center in Charleston Friday afternoon, leaving a passenger critically injured and the driver with minor injuries.

A FDNY spokesperson said emergency services were called to Veterans Road between West Shore Parkway and Arthur Kill Road at approximately 3:30 p.m.

The location is behind several large, heavily trafficked stores.

The initial emergency call came across as a multi-vehicle crash with trauma, the FDNY said, but only one car was visible at the scene shortly after 4 p.m.

Both of the injured were transported to Staten Island University Hospital North, the FDNY said.

Police said a preliminary investigation suggests the passenger has a critical leg injury.

A silver car could be seen up against a light post on Bricktown Way between the Target and ShopRite. The vehicle exhibited extensive damage to its front end.

A few NYPD vehicles remained on scene following the collision and the road was closed down to traffic in both directions.

The police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash is ongoing.