Today in History: Manhattan Truck Driver Terror Attack - NYC's Deadliest Terror Attack Since 9/11

M.C. Millman

On October 31, 2017, a truck driver murdered and injured pedestrians after driving into the bike lane along the Hudson River in Manhattan. 

The New York Times reported that Sayfullo Saipov from Uzbekistan, age 29, rented a Home Depot truck from a Passaic, New Jersey location. He used this truck to drive down at least ten blocks along the Hudson River Greenway bike path before crashing into a school bus. Eight people were killed, including two Americans, five friends visiting from Argentina, and a Belgian woman. There were also at least 12 people injured, including a woman who lost her legs as a result of her injuries.

After crashing into the bus, the terrorist proceeded to jump out of his truck with a pellet gun and paintball gun. He was shot in the abdomen by an officer who thought the firearms were real. Police called the attack the deadliest terrorist attack on New York City since September 11, 2001. 

Saipov was hospitalized after he was shot by the police officer and arrested. According to Reuters, the terrorist confessed to authorities that he made a trial run with a rental truck on October 22 to practice turning the vehicle and "stated that he felt good about what he had done." He also stated that he planned to proceed to the Brooklyn Bridge to strike more pedestrians. Investigators also found thousands of ISIS-related propaganda images and videos on Saipov's phone. 

A press release from the Department of Justice on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, announced that Saipov was sentenced to eight consecutive life sentences, two concurrent life sentences, and a consecutive sentence of 260 years in prison for carrying out the October 31 terrorist attack. 

“Today’s sentence means that Sayfullo Saipov will spend the rest of his life in federal prison for brutally murdering eight innocent victims during his carefully calculated ISIS terrorist attack,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Department of Justice honors the victims, their families, and the survivors of this horrific attack.”