Two pedestrians killed in unauthorized pop-up car rally in Wildwood, NJ

Two pedestrians were fatally mowed down Saturday night at a pop-up H2oi car rally in Wildwood, NJ, authorities said.

The accused death driver, Gerald White, 37, of Pittsburgh, was also charged with trying to flee the scene, NJ.com reported.

White reportedly plowed his 2003 Infiniti into a 2014 Honda Civic at Burk Avenue and Atlantic Avenue in the seaside resort around 9:30 p.m., knocking the two pedestrians to the ground at the crowded event, according to the outlet.

White then allegedly attempted to drive away but was caught by police and taken into custody, the outlet said.

The crash killed 18-year-old Lindsay Weakland of Carlisle, PA, NJ.com reported.

Timothy Ogden, a passenger in the Honda Civil, was taken to Atlantic City Medical Center. The 34-year-old man, from Clayton, NJ, was later pronounced dead, the outlet said.

In a statement, Cape May County Attorney Jeffrey Sutherland denounced the rally.

“We have heard of tragic deaths in this country resulting from stray bullets from illegal shootings that have hit innocent bystanders and children,” Sutherland said, reported WPVI-TV. “It’s no different.

“Driving a motor vehicle at high speed in a populated area is essentially the same as firing a gun,” he said. “The results are the same: death and injury.”

The rally, an unsanctioned event titled H2oi or H2Oi or H2022, is the latest in a series of pop-up rallies that have seen previous controversial gatherings in Ocean City, Maryland and elsewhere, raising local safety concerns, NJ said. com.

In an Instagram post on Sunday, the site for “H2oicars” denounced the Wildwood rally and said it was not involved in the event.

“We will not endorse, share, post or condone the conduct and actions that took place at Wildwood,” it said. “Takeovers are different from shows and meetings in big cities. Takeovers show no consideration or respect for this city’s families or visitors, making years of efforts to gain respect for the car community that so many fought for.

“That’s what h2oi was NEVER about,” reads the post. “If you have to do takeovers to enjoy cars, then you’re in the wrong community. Please fuck yourself and grow up. Nobody likes you all.”