A New Jersey man is blaming his “chunky boots” for his car hitting the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters in New York City repeatedly.
The incident, which happened Wednesday night, has led to Dan Sohail, 36, of Carteret, facing hate crime charges, NewsNation reported.
Sohail is accused of driving his 2012 Honda Accord into the Brooklyn synagogue at around 8:45 p.m., according to the New York Police Department.
No injuries were reported.
Sohail allegedly crashed into the front door before reversing and hitting the building several more times, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
“When he was removed from the car, he stated his foot slipped,” Kenny said Thursday. “He stated that he lost control of the car because he was wearing clunky boots.”
Kenny said Sohail parked his car a few blocks away and walked to the synagogue. While there, he removed several blockades from the driveway.
He returned to his vehicle, drove to the driveway, removed some snow off the sidewalk and crashed into the building, authorities allege.
A video posted on X showed the Honda Accord ramming into the doorway of the Chabad building. Another video showed the driver getting out of the car where he confronted bystanders.
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Kenny said Sohail attended a social gathering at the synagogue earlier this month.
The NYPD said it will increase security at the site as well as other houses of worship around New York City.
“It’s very sickening to have cowards do things like that,” a man who was at the synagogue told NewsNation affiliate WPIX.
Sohail has been charged with hate crimes, including attempted assault, aggravated harassment, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief, police said.
Police said he has no prior criminal history in New York City.
“This is deeply alarming, especially given the deep meaning and history of the institution to so many in New York and around the world. Any threat to a Jewish institution or place of worship must be taken seriously. Antisemitism has no place in our city, and violence or intimidation against Jewish New Yorkers is unacceptable,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on X Wednesday.
