Driver loses control, hits man, hydrant

A SPEEDING livery driver lost control of his car in East Harlem Friday morning — jumping the curb and plowing into a pedestrian, a pole, a parked car and a fire hydrant, and soaking the street with water, police and witnesses said.

The 70-year-old driver told police he lost control of his car after feeling sick. He and the pedestrian, a 46-year-old man, were banged up and taken to St. Luke’s Hospital, police said.

The incident happened about 8:30 a.m. at Lexington Ave. and E. 110th St.

The driver was in the middle lane, then suddenly sped up, crossed into the right lane and jumped the curb, said Kenny Padilla, whose car was damaged.

“If I would have had my son in the back, that would have been a bigger deal,” said Padilla, 35. “I’m good. It’s a replacement.”

The banged-up pedestrian got knocked into scaffolding and wound up ripping his pants, but luckily escaped more serious injury, witnesses said.