‘The Color Purple’s Carrie Bernans Critically Injured In New York City Hit-And-Run Incident

Carrie Bernans, an actress and stunt woman who recently appeared in The Color Purple, is “in a critical but stable condition” following a hit-and-run that took place at 1:30 a.m. in New York City on Monday (Jan. 1).

She and eight others were injured by a driver who crashed into an outdoor dining area at Chirp, a Peruvian restaurant located in Manhattan, where she and her friends were walking, per Deadline.

When reached for comment by Decider, Bernans’ publicist shared that “her family are forever grateful for the love and support they have received” since the incident, as well as for the fact that her son, who she gave birth to in May, “was not with her and that he is safe and with her family.”

“She is receiving excellent care and has a long road of healing and rehabilitation ahead,” her publicist’s statement continued. “Her family kindly asks that you keep her in your thoughts and prayers at this time.”

The police revealed to People that the driver was a 44-year-old male operating a black Mercedes, who they had been chasing after learning of a physical assault involving him and a 34-year-old female passenger.

“Officers on foot attempted to de-escalate the situation and ordered the male operator of the vehicle to put the vehicle into park,” the police informed the outlet. “The male failed to obey the officers’ orders and fled westbound on 33rd Street before making a right turn onto 7th Avenue counter flow to traffic.”

He then “turned onto westbound West 34th Street where he mounted the sidewalk and began traveling westbound.”

“The male then struck a food cart and two 39-year-old female pedestrians, a 31-year-old female pedestrian, and a 29-year-old female pedestrian,” the statement continued. “Officers were then able to remove the operator and place him into custody.”

The driver was also hospitalized.

Bernans’ mother, Patricia Lee, shared pictures of Bernans’ condition and updates via Bernan’s Instagram, explaining that she’s “still in so much pain and can’t answer calls at this time, but appreciates the messages.”

“Please keep Carrie in your thoughts and prayers,” she wrote. “She’s in so much pain but healing. She was involved in a traumatic incident in NYC where a man, early 40s was trying to escape a hit and run and ran into multiple cars before hitting a food stand that her friend & her were walking near. It ended up knocking her unconscious and pended her under the stand. She was under it unaware of what was happening.”

She noted that she has a “few broken bones, fractures, & chipped teeth,” but highlighted that “this setback hasn’t deterred her belief that something remarkable is still being crafted by God.” She added that Bernans has “finished surgery,” and thanked “all the first responders, police, strangers, my friend Katherine, family & friends who’s helped her.”

Bernans has also shared updates on her Instagram story, urging others to keep her in their prayers and expressing her gratitude for their support. A GoFundMe page has been launched to raise money for various expenses incurred from this incident — including “teeth reconstruction,” “medical expenses,” “therapy,” and “childcare while healing,” per the page’s description — and has since raised over $3,600, with an ultimate goal of $50,000.

According to IMDb, other credits of Bernan’s include Black Panther, Avengers: Endgame, and The Idol.

UPDATED 1/2/24 AT 3:27 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include information about Bernan’s GoFundMe page.